Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and device, applied to a wireless communication system, for use in improving the hardware utilization rate and reducing the power consumption. The device comprises an application processor, a radio frequency front end, and N communication processors respectively connected to the application processor and the radio frequency front end. The N communication processors are in one-to-one correspondence with N wireless communication standards. The application processor is configured to: when determining to start or end a wireless communication service, instruct a first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end on the basis of a wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, and control the operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors on the basis of the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on February 6, 2024, with application number 202410173831.2 and application name “A Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0004] Current communication devices (such as handheld terminals) can support multi-mode communication, for example, they can support multiple wireless communication standards such as terrestrial network communication (such as cellular communication systems), short-range communication, and non-terrestrial network communication (such as satellite communication). This requires the communication device to have corresponding signal processors and RF front-ends for different wireless communication standards.

[0005] For communication devices supporting multi-mode communication, how to improve hardware utilization and reduce power consumption are issues that need to be addressed.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving hardware utilization and reducing power consumption for a communication apparatus supporting multi-mode communication.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: an application processor, a radio frequency front end, and N communication processors respectively connected to the application processor and the radio frequency front end, the N communication processors corresponding one-to-one to N wireless communication standards, and each of the N communication processors being configured to process a signal from the application processor according to the corresponding wireless communication standard and then send it to the radio frequency front end, or to process a signal from the radio frequency front end and then send it to the application processor, the N communication processors including a first communication processor, the first communication processor corresponding to a first communication standard, and N being an integer greater than 1.

[0009] The application processor is configured to, when determining to start or end a wireless communication service, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, and to control the operating state of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service. The first communication processor is configured to, based on the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a communication state that matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, or to be configured to a dormant state or an off state. The RF front end is configured to, based on the instruction of the first communication processor, be configured to a communication state that matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, or to be configured to a dormant state or an off state.

[0010] In the above implementation, since N communication processors can reuse a single RF front end, compared to providing a corresponding RF front end for each communication processor, hardware redundancy can be reduced, hardware utilization can be improved, and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the RF front end can be controlled to enter a dormant state or a shutdown state after the wireless communication service ends, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the application processor is specifically used to: when it is determined to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard and the N communication processors are all in a sleep state, wake up the first communication processor, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the second wireless communication standard, and control the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state; the first communication processor is specifically used to: according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a communication state matching the second wireless communication standard, and enter a sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured to a communication state corresponding to the second wireless communication standard.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the application processor is further used to: when it is determined to terminate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, control the second communication processor to enter a sleep state, wake up the first communication processor, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state or a shut-down state; the first communication processor is further used to: according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a sleep state or a shut-down state, and enter a sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured to a sleep state or a shut-down state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the application processor is specifically used to: when it is determined to start the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard and the first communication processor is in a working state, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard, and control the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state; the first communication processor is specifically used to: according to the instruction of the application processing, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the application processor is further used to: when it is determined that the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard is to be terminated, control the second communication processor to enter a sleep state, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end to a communication state that matches the first wireless communication standard; the first communication processor is further used to: according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a communication state that matches the first wireless communication standard, thereby reducing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first wireless communication standard is a terrestrial network communication standard, and the first communication processor is a terrestrial network communication processor; the second wireless communication standard is a short-range communication standard, and the second communication processor is a short-range communication processor.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the application processor is specifically used to: when it is determined to start the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard and the first communication processor is in a working state, first instruct the first communication processor to soft-shut down after configuring the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state, and then wake up the first communication processor, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the third wireless communication standard, and control the third communication processor corresponding to the third wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state; the first communication processor is specifically used to: according to the instruction of the application processing, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a sleep state or a shutdown state, and perform a soft shutdown; after being awakened by the application processor, according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a communication state matching the third wireless communication standard, and enter a sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured to a communication state matching the third wireless communication standard.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the application processor is further used to: when it is determined to terminate the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, control the third communication processor to enter a sleep state, wake up the first communication processor and instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state or a shut-down state; the first communication processor is further used to: according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured to a sleep state or a shut-down state, and enter a sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured to a sleep state or a shut-down state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first wireless communication standard is a terrestrial network communication standard, and the first communication processor is a terrestrial network communication processor; the third wireless communication standard is a satellite communication standard, and the third communication processor is a satellite communication processor.

[0019] In one possible implementation, it further includes a power module for powering the RF front end; the first communication processor is also used to: send a control signal to the power module, and the control signal is used to control the power module to stop powering the RF front end; or, the first communication processor is specifically used to: send a control signal to the RF front end, and the control signal is used to instruct the RF front end to disconnect from the power module.

[0020] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, applied to a communication device, the communication device comprising an application processor, a radio frequency front end, and N communication processors respectively connected to the application processor and the radio frequency front end, the N communication processors corresponding one-to-one to N wireless communication standards, the N communication processors including a first communication processor corresponding to a first communication standard, where N is an integer greater than 1. The method comprises: the application processor determining to start or end a wireless communication service; the application processor instructing the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service; and the application processor controlling the operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service.

[0021] In one possible implementation, if the application processor determines to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, and the N communication processors are all in a dormant state, the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: the application processor wakes up the first communication processor and instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the second wireless communication standard; the application processor controls the operating status of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: the application processor controls the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state.

[0022] In one possible implementation, when the application processor determines to terminate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, the method further includes: the application processor controlling the second communication processor to enter a sleep state; the application processor waking up the first communication processor and instructing the first wireless communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state.

[0023] In one possible implementation, if the application processor determines to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, and the first communication processor is in a working state, the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard; the application processor controls the operating state of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: the application processor controls the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state.

[0024] In one possible implementation, when the application processor determines to terminate the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, the method further includes: the application processor controls the second communication processor to enter a sleep state; and the application processor instructs the first wireless communication processor to configure the RF front end to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard.

[0025] In one possible implementation, if the application processor determines to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, and the first communication processor is in a working state, the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: the application processor instructs the first communication processor to soft-shut down after configuring the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state; the application processor wakes up the first communication processor and instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the third wireless communication standard; the application processor controls the operating state of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: the application processor controls the third communication processor corresponding to the third wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state.

[0026] In one possible implementation, when the application processor determines to terminate the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, the method further includes: the application processor controlling the third communication processor to enter a sleep state; the application processor waking up the first wireless communication processor and instructing the first wireless communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state.

[0027] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method described in any one of the second aspects. The communication device is, for example, an application processor in the communication device in the first or second aspect. The communication device may include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The application processor is used to determine whether to start or end a wireless communication service, instruct the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service through the transceiver unit, and control the operating status of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors through the transceiver unit according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to: if it is determined to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, and the N communication processors are all in a sleep state, then wake up the first communication processor through the transceiver unit, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the second wireless communication standard; the processing unit controls the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors through the transceiver unit to enter a working state.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to: when it is determined to terminate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, control the second communication processor to enter a sleep state through the transceiver unit; wake up the first communication processor through the transceiver unit, and instruct the first wireless communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to: if it is determined to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard and the first communication processor is in a working state, then instruct the first communication processor through the transceiver unit to configure the RF front end according to the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard; and control the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors through the transceiver unit to enter a working state.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to: when it is determined to terminate the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, control the second communication processor to enter a sleep state through the transceiver unit; and instruct the first wireless communication processor to configure the RF front end to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard through the transceiver unit.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the processor unit is specifically used to: if it is determined to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, and the first communication processor is in a working state, then instruct the first communication processor through the transceiver unit to soft-shut down after configuring the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state; wake up the first communication processor through the transceiver unit, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the third wireless communication standard; the processor unit controls the third communication processor corresponding to the third wireless communication standard among the N communication processors through the transceiver unit to enter a working state.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to: when it is determined to terminate the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, control the third communication processor to enter a sleep state through the transceiver unit, wake up the first wireless communication processor through the transceiver unit, and instruct the first wireless communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the method as described in any one of the above-mentioned second aspects.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes one or more memories, which store one or more programs. When the programs are executed by the one or more processors, the communication device executes the method as described in any one of the second aspects above.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, wherein the readable storage medium includes a program, and when the program is run on a device, the device executes any method described in the second aspect above.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising: the chip system comprises at least one chip and a memory, the at least one chip being used to read and execute a program stored in the memory to implement a method as described in any one of the second aspects above.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided. When the computer program product is run on a device, the device is caused to execute the method as described in any one of the methods in the second aspect above.

[0039] In an eighth aspect, a program product is provided. When the program product is run on a device, the device executes the method as described in any one of the above second aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device in the related art;

[0041] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication processor in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a radio frequency front end in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a communication device in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG6 a is a schematic diagram of a process for enabling a short-range communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0046] FIG6 b is a schematic diagram of a process for terminating a short-range communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0047] FIG7 a is a schematic diagram of a process for starting a cellular communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0048] FIG7 b is a schematic diagram of a process of terminating a cellular communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0049] FIG8 a is a schematic diagram of a process for starting a satellite communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0050] FIG8b is a schematic diagram of a process for terminating a satellite communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0051] FIG9 a is a schematic diagram of a process of simultaneously starting a cellular communication service and a short-range communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0052] FIG9 b is a schematic diagram of a process for terminating a short-range communication service based on the communication device shown in FIG5 ;

[0053] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Communication devices (e.g., handheld terminals) can integrate the communication functions of multiple communication systems, including, for example, terrestrial network communication systems, short-range communication systems, and non-terrestrial network communication systems. Related technologies provide communication devices that independently configure a complete set of communication processors, radio frequency front-ends, and power supply networks for each of these communication systems.

[0056] Referring to FIG1 , a structure of a communication device provided by the related art is shown. The communication device 100 integrates the communication functions of multiple communication systems, including a cellular communication system, a short-range communication system, and a satellite communication system. Each communication system independently utilizes a complete set of communication processors, RF front-ends, and power supplies. As shown in FIG1 , the communication device 100 includes an application processor 110. For the cellular communication system, a cellular communication processor 120, a cellular RF front-end 121, and an antenna 123 are deployed. For the short-range communication system, a short-range communication processor 130, a short-range RF front-end 131, and an antenna 133 are deployed. For the satellite communication system, a satellite communication processor 140, a satellite RF front-end 141, and an antenna 143 are deployed. The cellular RF front-end 121 is powered by a cellular RF power supply 122, the short-range RF front-end 131 is powered by a short-range RF power supply 132, and the satellite RF front-end 141 is powered by a satellite RF power supply 142.

[0057] The communication device shown in Figure 1 deploys separate hardware structures for different communication systems, resulting in low hardware utilization and high power consumption. For example, when the communication device simultaneously performs communication services corresponding to multiple wireless communication standards (for example, cellular communication services and short-range communication services), multiple RF front-ends operate simultaneously, resulting in high power consumption of the communication device.

[0058] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device and a communication method implemented based on the communication device, which improves hardware utilization and reduces power consumption by enabling communication processors corresponding to multiple wireless communication standards to reuse the same RF front end.

[0059] In order to understand the present application more clearly, the technologies and technical terms involved in the present application are first explained below.

[0060] (1) Wireless communication standards

[0061] The communication device in the embodiment of the present application supports multi-mode communication, that is, it has the function of supporting multiple wireless communication standards. In the embodiment of the present application, the wireless communication standard can also be understood as a wireless communication system standard, a network standard, or a wireless communication method.

[0062] For example, the wireless communication modes supported by the communication device in the embodiment of the present application may include two or more of the following:

[0063] (1) Ground network communication

[0064] One type of terrestrial network communication system is cellular mobile communication, which uses cellular wireless networking to connect terminal devices and network devices through wireless channels, thereby enabling users to communicate with each other during activities.

[0065] Exemplarily, the communication device in the embodiment of the present application can support one or more of the following cellular mobile communications: second generation mobile communication technology (2G), 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, etc., as well as evolved mobile communication technologies, which are not limited in this application.

[0066] Another type of terrestrial network communication system is microwave communication. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the terrestrial network communication system supported by the communication device.

[0067] It should be understood that different ground network communication standards may require different wireless communication protocols for signal encoding and modulation, and therefore require different communication processors. For example, a communication device may deploy multiple communication processors corresponding to different ground network communication standards.

[0068] (2) Short-range communication

[0069] Short-range communication, also known as short distance communication, generally refers to wireless communication formats that communicate via universal serial bus (USB), IEEE802.11 communication protocol, Trasfer Jet, or wireless high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

[0070] Exemplarily, the communication device in the embodiment of the present application can support one or more of the following short-range communication standards: Bluetooth, wireless local area network 802.11 (Wi-Fi), near field communication (NFC), ultra wideband (UWB), near link or SparkLink, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0071] It should be understood that different short-range communication standards may require different communication processors to be deployed because they may need to perform signal encoding and modulation according to different wireless communication protocols. For example, a communication device may deploy multiple communication processors corresponding to different short-range communication standards.

[0072] (3) Satellite communications

[0073] Satellite communication is a communication system that uses artificial satellites to transmit signals. For example, a signal is sent from a ground station to a satellite, which then forwards it to the target location.

[0074] Illustratively, the communication device in the embodiment of the present application can support one or more of the following satellite communication standards: Beidou satellite communication, Tiantong satellite communication, Starnet satellite communication, etc., which are not limited in the present application.

[0075] It should be understood that different satellite communication standards may require different wireless communication protocols for signal encoding and modulation, and therefore require different communication processors. For example, a communication device may deploy multiple communication processors corresponding to different satellite communication standards.

[0076] (2) Operational status of the communication processor

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, the operating states of the communication processor include: an operating state and a dormant state (or low-power state). When the communication processor is in the operating state, it can perform signal processing, such as encoding and modulating signals, or demodulating and decoding signals. When the communication processor is in the dormant state, some or all of the power supply is disconnected, and the communication processor cannot perform signal processing functions.

[0078] The operating state of the communication processor can be controlled by the application processor. For example, when the application processor determines to start a short-range communication service, or determines to enable a short-range communication standard, it wakes up the short-range communication processor from a dormant state, for example, by powering on the short-range communication processor. For another example, when the application processor determines to end a short-range communication service, or determines to disable a short-range communication standard, it controls the short-range communication processor to enter a dormant state, for example, by powering off the short-range communication processor.

[0079] (3) Status of the RF front end

[0080] In an embodiment of the present application, the state of the RF front end includes: working state and sleep state (or low power consumption state), or the state of the RF front end includes: working state and shutdown state, or the state of the RF front end includes working state, sleep state and shutdown state.

[0081] When the RF front end is in operation, it can perform amplification, filtering, and other processing on the signal. According to different wireless communication standards, the operating state of the RF front end may include communication states corresponding to different wireless communication standards. For example, if the communication device can support cellular communication, short-range communication, and satellite communication, the operating state of the RF front end may include: a cellular communication state that matches the cellular communication standard, a short-range communication state that matches the short-range communication standard, and a satellite communication state that matches satellite communication. Considering that the communication device can use cellular communication and short-range communication at the same time, the operating state of the RF front end may also include a communication state that matches cellular communication and short-range communication. This communication state can be referred to as a "cellular + short-range" communication state.

[0082] When the RF front-end is in sleep mode, some or all of its internal active devices are powered off (for example, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, and other devices are powered off), and the RF front-end cannot perform signal processing functions.

[0083] When power supply to the RF front end is stopped, or the connection between the RF front end and the power supply is disconnected, the RF front end enters a shutdown state, which may also be referred to as an OFF state.

[0084] The operating state of the RF front-end can be controlled by a master communication processor. For example, one of the multiple communication processors included in the communication device can be configured as the master communication processor, which acts as a proxy for the application processor to control the state of the RF front-end. The master communication processor can instruct the RF front-end to configure to a corresponding state based on instructions from the application processor.

[0085] Exemplarily, if the application processor instructs the master communication processor to configure the RF front end to the cellular communication state, the master communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end to configure the RF front end to the cellular communication state.

[0086] As another example, if the application processor instructs the master communication processor to configure the RF front end to be in the sleep state, the master communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end to cause the RF front end to enter the sleep state.

[0087] As another example, if the application processor instructs the master communication processor to configure the RF front end to be in the off state, the master communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end, or sends a control signal to the power supply used to power the RF front end, so that the RF front end is powered off and enters the off state.

[0088] The communication device in the embodiments of the present application may include a terminal device. The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, for example, 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 device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0089] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0090] See Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the communication device 200 includes an application processor 210, N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) communication processors (e.g., 220a, 220b, 220c), a radio frequency front end 230, an antenna 240, and a power module 250. The N communication processors are respectively connected to the application processor 210 and the radio frequency front end 230. In other words, the N communication processors reuse a radio frequency front end (RFFE).

[0091] The application processor 210 and the communication processor can exchange control signals and data via an advanced messaging interface (AMI). This application does not limit the communication interface between the application processor and the communication processor. Optionally, application data can be exchanged between the application processor 210 and the communication processor via shared memory.

[0092] The application processor 210 is also called an AP (application processor) or a multimedia application processor (MAP). The application processor 210 runs an operating system, a user interface, and application programs to implement multimedia, communication data processing, and storage functions.

[0093] In one possible implementation, application processor 210 can be formed by expanding the audio and video functions and dedicated interfaces of a low-power central processing unit (CPU) into a very large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI). Application processor 210 can be connected to an external integrated circuit (IC) such as double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM) or flash memory, forming a system on a chip (SoC).

[0094] In the above-mentioned communication device 200, N communication processors (e.g., 220a, 220b, 220c) correspond one-to-one to N wireless communication standards. For the relevant description of the wireless communication standards, please refer to the above text. Each of the N communication processors corresponds to a wireless communication standard, and different communication processors correspond to different wireless communication standards. In other words, based on the different wireless communication standards, the N communication processors are independently configured.

[0095] For example, the N communication processors include a first communication processor, a second communication processor, and a third communication processor. Exemplarily, the first communication processor may correspond to a cellular communication standard, and the first communication processor may also be referred to as a cellular communication processor. The cellular communication processor may perform signal processing according to the coding method and signal modulation method required by the cellular communication standard (or according to the cellular communication protocol); the second communication processor may correspond to a short-range communication standard, and the second communication processor may also be referred to as a short-range communication processor. The short-range communication processor may perform signal processing according to the coding method and signal modulation method required by the short-range communication standard (or according to the short-range communication protocol); the third communication processor may correspond to a satellite communication standard, and the third communication processor may also be referred to as a satellite communication processor. The satellite communication processor may perform signal processing according to the coding method and signal modulation method required by the satellite communication standard (or the satellite communication protocol).

[0096] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of wireless communication standards corresponding to the N communication processors.

[0097] The communication processor can implement baseband processing functions and radio frequency processing functions. For example, in the signal transmission direction, the baseband processing function may include encoding functions (such as source coding and channel coding) and modulation functions. The encoding function can encode data into a baseband signal, and the modulation function can modulate the baseband signal into a radio frequency signal. In the signal reception direction, the baseband processing function may include demodulation functions and decoding functions. The demodulation function can demodulate the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and the decoding function can decode the baseband signal into data for transmission to the application processor.

[0098] Taking the first communication processor 220a as an example, Figure 3 illustrates the structure of a communication processor in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the first communication processor 220a includes a baseband processing unit 310 and a radio frequency processing unit 320. The baseband processing unit 310 can be implemented using a baseband chip or baseband circuit, and the radio frequency processing unit 320 can be implemented using a radio frequency chip, radio frequency circuit, or radio frequency module. The radio frequency processing unit may also be referred to as a radio frequency transceiver.

[0099] The baseband processing unit 310 may include a coding module 3101 , a modulation module 3102 , a demodulation module 3103 and a decoding module 3104 .

[0100] The encoding module 3101 can encode the data from the application processor 310 to obtain a baseband signal. Optionally, the encoding process can include source coding, such as adaptive multi-rate (AMR) speech encoding of audio signals and MPEG-4 encoding of video data, where MPEG is the abbreviation for the Moving Pictures Experts Group. Optionally, the encoding process can also include channel coding, such as Turbo codes, Polar codes, low-density parity check codes (LDPC), or convolutional codes.

[0101] The modulation module 3102 can modulate the baseband signal to obtain a lower frequency radio frequency signal. Optionally, the signal modulation method used by the modulation module 3102 may include amplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), etc.

[0102] The demodulation module 3103 can demodulate the lower frequency radio frequency signal to obtain a baseband signal. The demodulation process performed by the demodulation module 3103 is the inverse process of the modulation process performed by the modulation module 3102.

[0103] The decoding module 3104 may decode the baseband signal to obtain data that can be sent to the application processor 210. The decoding process performed by the decoding module 3104 is the inverse process of the encoding process performed by the encoding module 3101.

[0104] The RF processing unit 320 may include a modulation module 3201 and a demodulation module 3202. The modulation module 3201 may modulate a lower-frequency RF signal into a higher-frequency RF signal suitable for transmission. The demodulation module 3202 may demodulate the higher-frequency RF signal into a lower-frequency RF signal. The demodulation process performed by the demodulation module 3202 is the inverse of the modulation process performed by the modulation module 3201.

[0105] It should be understood that the baseband processing unit 310 and the RF processing unit 320 may further include other functional modules. For example, the baseband processing unit 310 may further include an analog-to-digital conversion module, a sampling module, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0106] It should be understood that the other communication processors among the above-mentioned N communication processors also have similar structures and functions as the first communication processor 220a.

[0107] For each of the N communication processors, based on the wireless communication standard corresponding to the communication processor, the communication processor may perform processing according to the signal encoding method and signal modulation method required by the corresponding wireless communication standard (or wireless communication protocol). For example, for a cellular communication processor used to implement 5G communication, a coding method that complies with the requirements of the 5G communication protocol may be used to encode data into a baseband signal, a modulation method that complies with the requirements of the 5G communication protocol may be used to modulate the baseband signal into a lower frequency radio frequency signal, and a modulation method that complies with the requirements of the 5G communication protocol may be used to modulate the lower frequency radio frequency signal into a radio frequency signal within the 5G system frequency band.

[0108] In this embodiment of the present application, one of the N communication processors can be configured as a master communication processor. The master communication processor can send a control signal to the RF front end based on instructions from the application processor. The control signal is used to configure the communication state of the RF front end. In other words, the master communication processor can act as a proxy for the application processor to control the state of the RF front end, while other communication processors do not have the function of configuring the RF front end.

[0109] In the embodiment of the present application, the first communication processor 220a among the N communication processors is used as the master communication processor. It should be understood that any one of the N communication processors can be configured as the master communication processor, and the present application does not limit this.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the first communication processor 220a is a communication processor corresponding to a terrestrial network communication standard. Exemplarily, the first communication processor 220a is a cellular communication processor. In other words, the cellular communication processor can be configured as a master communication processor. Because cellular communication standards require higher control capabilities than other wireless communication standards, cellular communication processors typically have stronger control capabilities. Therefore, configuring a cellular communication processor as a master communication processor can fully utilize its powerful control capabilities and is relatively simple in technical implementation.

[0111] In the above-mentioned communication device 200, the RF front end 230 is located between the RF processing unit (or RF transceiver) in the communication processor and the antenna 240, and its function is to send and receive radio electromagnetic wave signals. Based on this function, the RF front end 230 can be divided into a transmitting link (TX, or transmitting channel) and a receiving link (RX, or receiving channel). In the transmitting link, the RF front end 230 performs signal processing such as power amplification, filtering, switching, etc. of the RF signal, and finally transmits the signal to the outside through the antenna. In the receiving link, the antenna 240 receives the radio signal transmitted in space, selects the frequency and channel required by the user through the RF front end 230, filters and amplifies the received RF signal, and finally sends it to the RF processing unit in the communication processor.

[0112] Figure 4 shows the structure of an RF front-end in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the transmit chain in the RF front-end 230 may include: a power amplifier (PA) 410, a switch 411, and a set of filters (such as filters 412a and 412b in the figure); the receive chain in the RF front-end 230 may include a low noise amplifier (LNA) 420, a switch 421, and a set of filters (such as filters 422a and 422b in the figure). The transmit chain and the receive chain are connected to the antenna via the RF switch 430.

[0113] The power amplifier 410 amplifies the RF signal in the transmit channel and feeds it to the antenna for transmission, thus enabling wireless communication. The low-noise amplifier 420 amplifies the weak RF signal received by the antenna while minimizing the introduction of noise, thereby achieving better signal quality, higher call quality, and higher data transmission rates on the communication device.

[0114] The filters (412a, 412b, 422a, 422b, etc.) can retain signals within a specific frequency band and filter out signals outside the specific frequency band, thereby improving the signal's anti-interference performance and signal-to-noise ratio. Different filters have different parameters to adapt to the requirements of different wireless communication standards. For example, the parameters may include: center frequency, cutoff frequency, passband bandwidth, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0115] Optionally, the filter may be an inductor-capacitor filter (LC filter), a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter, or a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0116] The RF switch 430 can connect any one or more of the multiple RF signal paths through control logic to achieve switching between different signal paths, including switching between receive and transmit links, switching between different frequency bands, etc., to achieve the purpose of sharing antennas and saving hardware costs. Optionally, the RF switch 430 can be a mobile communication conduction switch, a Wi-Fi switch, an antenna tuning switch, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0117] The RF front end 230 may further include a control unit 440 . The control unit 440 may be connected to one or more of the following components: the power amplifier 410 , the low noise amplifier 420 , the switch 411 , the switch 421 , and the RF switch 430 .

[0118] Optionally, the control unit 440 may set parameters of the power amplifier 410 or adjust the power amplifier 410 according to a control signal from the first communication processor 220 a .

[0119] Optionally, the control unit 440 may set parameters of the low noise amplifier 420 , or adjust the low noise amplifier 420 , according to a control signal from the first communication processor 220 a .

[0120] Optionally, the control unit 440 may control the switch 411 to connect the power amplifier 410 to one of a group of filters such as filters 412a and 412b according to a control signal from the first communication processor 220a.

[0121] Optionally, the control unit 440 may control the switch 421 to connect the low noise amplifier 420 to one of a group of filters such as filters 422a and 422b according to a control signal from the first communication processor 220a.

[0122] Optionally, the control unit 440 may control the RF switch 430 according to a control signal from the first communication processor 220a. For example, the RF switch 430 may be controlled to switch between different signal paths or between different frequency bands.

[0123] Based on the control operation of the control unit 440 on the relevant components in the RF front end 230, the RF front end 230 can be configured to a communication state that matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service enabled by the communication device.

[0124] For example, the control unit 440 receives a control signal from the first communication processor 220a indicating that the RF front end is configured to a 5G cellular communication state. The control unit 440 obtains configuration information corresponding to the 5G cellular communication state, such as parameters of the power amplifier, parameters of the low-noise amplifier, an identifier of the filter, a signal frequency band, and other parameters, and adjusts the power amplifier 410 according to the obtained parameters of the power amplifier, adjusts the low-noise amplifier 420 according to the obtained parameters of the low-noise amplifier, controls the switch (411, 412) according to the obtained filter identifier to connect the corresponding filter and the amplifier (for example, including the connection between the filter and the power amplifier 410 in the transmitting link, and the connection between the filter and the low-noise amplifier 420 in the receiving link), and controls the RF switch 430 to switch to the corresponding frequency band according to the obtained signal frequency band, thereby configuring the RF front end 230 to a communication state matching 5G cellular communication.

[0125] For another example, if the control signal received by the control unit 440 from the first communication processor 220a instructs the RF front end to be configured in a satellite communication state, the control unit 440 obtains configuration information corresponding to the satellite communication state and configures the relevant components in the RF front end 230 according to the obtained configuration information, thereby configuring the RF front end 230 in a communication state compatible with satellite communication. For specific configuration methods, reference may be made to the method for configuring the RF front end 230 in a communication state compatible with 5G cellular communication.

[0126] For another example, if the control signal received by the control unit 440 from the first communication processor 220a indicates that the RF front end is configured to a short-range communication state, the control unit 440 obtains configuration information corresponding to the short-range communication state and configures the relevant components in the RF front end 230 according to the obtained configuration information, thereby configuring the RF front end 230 to a communication state that matches short-range communication. For specific configuration methods, reference can be made to the method for configuring the RF front end 230 to a communication state that matches 5G cellular communication.

[0127] For another example, if the control signal received by the control unit 440 from the first communication processor 220a indicates that the RF front end is configured to a communication state in which 5G cellular communication and short-range communication coexist (expressed as "5G cellular + short-range"), the control unit 440 obtains configuration information corresponding to the "5G cellular + short-range" communication state and configures the relevant components in the RF front end 230 according to the obtained configuration information, thereby configuring the RF front end 230 to a communication state that matches "5G cellular + short-range". For specific configuration methods, please refer to the method for configuring the RF front end 230 to a communication state that matches 5G cellular communication.

[0128] Optionally, the RF front end 230 may store configuration information corresponding to various communication states, and be used to configure the communication state of the RF front end 230 according to the corresponding configuration information according to the communication state indicated by the first communication processor.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the control unit 440 may adjust or set one or more of the following parameters of the power amplifier 410 and / or the low-noise amplifier 420: bias voltage, bias current, etc. By adjusting the bias voltage, bias current, etc., the operating frequency range, gain, and other characteristics of the amplifier 410 and / or the low-noise amplifier 420 may be adjusted.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the control unit 440 may further control the RF front end 230 to be in a sleep state based on a control signal from the first communication processor 220a. When the RF front end is in the sleep state, some or all active components (such as a power amplifier and a low-noise amplifier) ​​in the RF front end are powered off or in a low-power state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the RF front end.

[0131] In another possible implementation, the control unit 440 may further control the RF front end 230 to power off according to a control signal from the first communication processor 220a, so that the RF front end 230 is in an off state to reduce power consumption of the communication device.

[0132] It should be understood that the RF front-end shown in FIG4 may also include other components, such as an antenna tuner and a duplexer / multiplexer, which are not limited in this application. The antenna tuner can match the impedance between the transmitter and the antenna, thereby maximizing the radiated power of the antenna at any frequency. The duplexer / multiplexer, also known as an antenna duplexer, can integrate multiple filters to isolate the transmit and receive signals, ensuring that both the receive and transmit links can operate normally.

[0133] It should be understood that FIG4 above is an exemplary structure of the RF front end in an embodiment of the present application, and the present application does not limit the structure of the RF front end.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the first communication processor 220a may further send a control signal to the antenna 240 based on a control signal received from the application processor 210. The control signal is used to configure the antenna 240. For example, the antenna 240 may be configured to be compatible with cellular communication, short-range communication, or satellite communication, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the first communication processor 220a may further send a control signal to the power module 250 based on a control signal received from the application processor 210. The control signal is used to control the power module 250 to supply power to the RF front end 230 or not to supply power to the RF front end 230. If the power module 250 does not supply power to the RF front end 230, the RF front end 230 enters a shutdown state.

[0136] Based on the communication device shown in FIG2 , taking the first communication processor, the second communication processor and the third communication processor as an example, namely a cellular communication processor, a short-range communication processor and a satellite communication processor, an example of the communication device may be shown in FIG5 .

[0137] In the communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2 of the embodiment of the present application, since multiple communication processors corresponding to various wireless communication standards can reuse a single RF front end, hardware redundancy can be reduced and hardware utilization can be improved compared to the communication device 100 shown in FIG. Compared to the communication device 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the communication device 200 in the embodiment of the present application can reduce power consumption when simultaneously using several wireless communication standards.

[0138] Based on the structure and functions of the communication device shown in FIG2 , when the application processor determines to start or end a wireless communication service, it instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, and controls the operating state of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service. Accordingly, the first communication processor instructs the RF front end to configure itself to a communication state that matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, or to a dormant state or an off state, based on the instruction of the application processor. The RF front end, based on the instruction of the first communication processor, configures itself to a communication state that matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, or to a dormant state or an off state.

[0139] Taking the startup of a wireless communication service as an example, when the wireless communication service is started, the application processor 210 can sense this event and, based on this event, can send a control signal to the first communication processor to instruct the first communication processor to configure the communication state of the RF front end so that the communication state of the RF front end matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service. Similarly, when the wireless communication service ends, the application processor 210 can sense this event and, based on this event, can send a control signal to the first communication processor to instruct the first communication processor to configure the communication state of the RF front end so that the communication state of the RF front end matches the wireless communication standard currently used by the communication device, or, if the communication device currently has no wireless communication service, to put the RF front end into hibernation or shutdown.

[0140] Optionally, the wireless communication service may include: a cellular communication service, such as a cellular mobile phone service.

[0141] Optionally, the wireless communication service may include a short-range communication service, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) service, specifically, a Wi-Fi service.

[0142] Optionally, the wireless communication service may include a satellite communication service, such as a satellite mobile phone service.

[0143] It should be understood that the "wireless communication service" in the embodiments of the present application can also be understood as a wireless communication function. For example, starting a wireless communication service can be understood as starting cellular communication, starting short-range communication, or starting satellite communication, etc.; ending a wireless communication service can be understood as ending cellular communication, ending short-range communication, or ending satellite communication.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the application processor can determine whether to start or end the corresponding wireless communication service based on the user's use of the wireless communication service. Taking the cellular mobile phone service as an example, when the user uses the mobile phone to make a call, the application processor can determine to start the cellular mobile phone service; when the user hangs up the call, the application processor can determine to end the cellular mobile phone service. Taking the Wi-Fi service as another example, when the mobile phone is connected to Wi-Fi and the user opens the online video application on the mobile phone, the application processor can determine to start the Wi-Fi service; when the user closes the online video application, the application processor can determine to end the Wi-Fi service.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the application processor may determine to start or end the corresponding wireless communication service based on the user's request to turn on or off the wireless communication service. For example, taking turning on or off Wi-Fi on a mobile phone as an example, the user may turn on or off Wi-Fi through a quick user operation method provided by the mobile phone (such as sliding down on the home screen to display a function button for the user to turn on or off Wi-Fi), or, perform a user operation in the system settings interface provided by the mobile phone to turn on or off Wi-Fi, or, turn on or off Wi-Fi through voice. When the user performs the above-mentioned operation to turn on Wi-Fi, the application processor may determine to turn on the Wi-Fi service, and when the user performs the above-mentioned operation to turn off Wi-Fi, the application processor may determine to end the W-Fi service.

[0146] In one possible implementation, when a communication device is powered on, the application processor of the communication device may determine to activate the corresponding wireless communication mode based on the power-on configuration information of the communication device, or based on the wireless communication mode that was activated before the communication device was last powered off. For example, if the power-on configuration information of the communication device indicates activation of cellular wireless communication and Wi-Fi, then when the wireless communication device is powered on, the application processor determines to activate both cellular communication and Wi-Fi communication.

[0147] In one possible implementation, when the communication device enters a sleep state, a radio resource control (RRC) idle state, or a power-saving mode, for example, when the phone screen is off, the application processor may determine to terminate the wireless communication service. Accordingly, when the communication device enters a normal operating state from the sleep state, the RRC idle state, or the power-saving mode, for example, when the phone screen is on, the application processor may determine to start the wireless communication service.

[0148] The above merely illustrates several implementations of how the application processor determines to start or end a wireless communication service, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0149] Based on the communication device shown in FIG. 2 , taking the activation of the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard as an example, when the application processor determines to activate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard and all N communication processors are in a dormant state, it awakens the first communication processor, instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the second wireless communication standard, and controls the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter an active state. Accordingly, the first communication processor, in accordance with the instruction of the application processor, instructs the RF front end to configure itself to a communication state matching the second wireless communication standard, and enters a dormant state after instructing the RF front end to configure itself to a communication state corresponding to the second wireless communication standard.

[0150] Optionally, when the application processor determines to terminate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, it controls the second communication processor to enter a dormant state, wakes up the first communication processor, and instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end to a dormant state or an off state. Accordingly, the first communication processor instructs the RF front end to be configured to a dormant state or an off state according to the instruction of the application processor, and enters a dormant state after instructing the RF front end to be configured to a dormant state or an off state.

[0151] Although the above implementation process is described using the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard as an example, it should be understood that the above implementation process can be applied to the start and end processes of wireless communication services corresponding to other wireless communication standards.

[0152] Taking the second wireless communication standard as short-range communication as an example, based on the communication device shown in Figure 5, Figure 6a exemplifies the process of starting a short-range communication service, and Figure 6b exemplifies the process of ending a short-range communication service. The cellular communication processor is configured as the main control communication processor to control the state of the RF front end.

[0153] As shown in FIG6a , the process of starting a short-range communication service may include the following steps:

[0154] Step 600: The application processor determines to start the short-range communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0155] Step 601: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor, where the control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the short-range communication standard.

[0156] Optionally, the control signal has the function of temporarily waking up the cellular communication processor, or in other words, the control signal can wake up the cellular communication processor and instruct the cellular communication processor to enter a dormant state after configuring the radio frequency front end.

[0157] Optionally, if the application processor determines that the RF front-end is currently dormant, the control signal may be used to instruct the application processor to first activate the RF front-end and then configure the communication state of the device front-end. In other words, the control signal also instructs the cellular communication processor to wake up the RF front-end.

[0158] Step 602: The cellular communication processor enters the working state after receiving the control signal.

[0159] Step 603: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the power module, where the control signal is used to control the power module to supply power to the RF front end. This step is optional.

[0160] Optionally, if the control signal received by the cellular communication processor has a function of instructing to wake up the radio frequency front end, the cellular communication processor sends the control signal to the power module in response to the control signal.

[0161] Optionally, since the state of the RF front end is controlled by the cellular communication processor, the state of the RF front end is known to the cellular communication processor. Therefore, if the cellular communication processor determines that the RF front end is currently in a sleep state, it can send the above-mentioned control signal to the power module to put the RF front end into a working state.

[0162] Step 604: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the radio frequency front end, where the control signal is used to instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured in a short-range communication state.

[0163] Optionally, if step 603 is not performed, that is, the cellular communication processor does not send a control signal to the power module, then in step 604, the control signal sent by the cellular communication processor to the RF front end also has the function of waking up the RF front end. The RF front end can enter the working state from the sleep state according to the control signal and be configured to the short-range communication state.

[0164] Step 605: After receiving the control signal, the RF front end is configured to a short-range communication state according to the instruction of the control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the relevant content above.

[0165] Step 606: The RF front end returns a response to the cellular communication processor, notifying that the short-range communication state configuration is successful. This step is optional.

[0166] Step 607: After receiving the response, the cellular communication processor sends a response to the application processor, notifying the RF front end to configure the RF front end to the short-range communication state. This step is optional.

[0167] Step 608: The cellular communication processor enters a sleep state.

[0168] Step 609: The application processor sends a control signal to the short-range communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct to start the short-range communication, or in other words, the control signal is used to wake up the short-range communication processor.

[0169] Optionally, after receiving the response in step 607 , the application processor may send a control signal to the short-range communication processor.

[0170] Optionally, the application processor may send a control signal to the short-range communication processor after sensing that the cellular communication processor has entered a dormant state (for example, sensing that the cellular communication processor has been powered off).

[0171] Optionally, the application processor may execute step 609 after a set time period, starting from the time when step 601 is executed. The set time period may be set based on the time required for the cellular communication processor to enter the working state from the dormant state and the time required for the RF front end to enter the working state and be configured in the short-range communication state, so as to ensure that the short-range communication processor is awakened after the RF front end is configured in the short-range communication state.

[0172] Step 610: The short-range communication processor enters a working state after receiving the control signal.

[0173] Step 611: The short-range communication processor returns a response to the application processor, informing the short-range communication processor to enter the working state. This step is optional.

[0174] Thereafter, the communication device can perform short-range communication services.

[0175] When the short-range communication service ends, as shown in FIG6b , the process of ending the short-range communication service may include the following steps:

[0176] Step 620: The application processor determines to terminate the short-range communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0177] Step 621: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the short-range communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the short-range communication processor to enter a sleep state.

[0178] Step 622: After receiving the control signal, the short-range communication processor enters a dormant state.

[0179] Step 623: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a dormant state.

[0180] Optionally, the control signal also has the function of temporarily waking up the cellular communication processor, or in other words, the control signal can wake up the cellular communication processor and instruct the cellular communication processor to enter a dormant state after configuring the radio frequency front end.

[0181] Optionally, if the application processor determines that there is no other wireless communication service to be executed after the short-range communication service ends, the control signal may be used to instruct the RF front end to be configured into a sleep state to reduce power consumption of the communication device.

[0182] Optionally, the application processor may send a control signal to the cellular communication processor after sensing that the short-range communication processor has entered a dormant state (for example, sensing that the short-range communication processor has been powered off).

[0183] Step 624: After receiving the control signal, the cellular communication processor enters the working state.

[0184] Step 625: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end, where the control signal is used to indicate configuration to the sleep state.

[0185] Step 626: The RF front end is configured to enter a dormant state according to the received control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be found in the relevant content above.

[0186] Step 627: The cellular communication processor enters the sleep state.

[0187] In one possible implementation, in step 623, the application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor instructing the RF front-end to be shut down, or instructing the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front-end to be in a shut-down state. Accordingly, step 625 can be replaced by: the cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front-end, instructing the RF front-end to enter a shut-down state. Step 626 can be replaced by: the RF front-end is configured to be in a shut-down state.

[0188] In another possible implementation, in step 623, the application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor instructing the RF front-end to be shut down, or instructing the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front-end to be in a shut-down state. Accordingly, step 625 may be replaced by: the cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the power module, instructing the power module to stop supplying power to the RF front-end; and step 626 may be replaced by: the power module stops supplying power to the RF front-end in response to the control signal, or in other words, stops supplying power to the RF front-end, thereby causing the RF front-end to enter a shut-down state.

[0189] It should be understood that for wireless communication standards other than the first wireless communication standard (eg, cellular communication), the wireless communication service initiation and termination processes can be performed with reference to the methods shown in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b .

[0190] Taking the activation of a cellular communication service as an example, based on the communication device shown in Figure 5, Figure 7a illustrates the cellular communication service activation process, and Figure 7b illustrates the cellular communication service termination process. The cellular communication processor is configured as the master communication processor to control the state of the RF front end.

[0191] As shown in FIG7a , the process of starting a cellular communication service may include the following steps:

[0192] Step 700: The application processor determines to start the cellular communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0193] Step 701: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the cellular communication standard, that is, to configure the radio frequency front end according to the cellular communication standard.

[0194] Optionally, the control signal has the function of waking up the cellular communication processor, or in other words, the control signal can wake up the cellular communication processor.

[0195] Optionally, if the application processor determines that the RF front-end is currently dormant, the control signal may be used to instruct the application processor to first activate the RF front-end and then configure the communication state of the device front-end. In other words, the control signal also instructs the cellular communication processor to wake up the RF front-end.

[0196] Step 702: The cellular communication processor enters the working state after receiving the control signal.

[0197] Step 703: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the power module, where the control signal is used to control the power module to supply power to the RF front end. This step is optional.

[0198] Optionally, if the control signal received by the cellular communication processor has a function of instructing to wake up the radio frequency front end, the cellular communication processor sends the control signal to the power module in response to the control signal.

[0199] Optionally, since the state of the RF front end is controlled by the cellular communication processor, the state of the RF front end is known to the cellular communication processor. Therefore, if the cellular communication processor determines that the RF front end is currently in a sleep state, it can send the above-mentioned control signal to the power module to put the RF front end into a working state.

[0200] Step 704: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the radio frequency front end, where the control signal is used to instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured in a cellular communication state.

[0201] Optionally, if step 703 is not performed, that is, the cellular communication processor does not send a control signal to the power module, then in step 704, the control signal sent by the cellular communication processor to the RF front end also has the function of waking up the RF front end. The RF front end can enter the working state from the sleep state according to the control signal and be configured to the cellular communication state.

[0202] Step 705: After receiving the control signal, the RF front end is configured to be in cellular communication state according to the instruction of the control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the relevant content above.

[0203] Step 706: The RF front end returns a response to the cellular communication processor, which is used to notify that the cellular communication status configuration is successful. This step is optional.

[0204] Step 707: The cellular communication processor returns a response to the application processor, which is used to notify the RF front end that the cellular communication state has been configured. This step is optional.

[0205] Thereafter, the communication device can perform cellular communication services.

[0206] When the cellular communication service ends, as shown in FIG7 b , the process of ending the cellular communication service may include the following steps:

[0207] Step 710: The application processor determines to terminate the cellular communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0208] Step 711: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a sleep state and instruct the cellular communication processor to enter the sleep state.

[0209] In this step, the control signal sent by the application processor to the cellular communication processor is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front end to a sleep state, and to instruct the cellular communication processor to enter the sleep state after configuring the RF front end.

[0210] Step 712: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end, where the control signal is used to instruct the RF front end to be configured in a sleep state.

[0211] Step 713: The RF front end is configured to enter a dormant state according to the received control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be found in the relevant content above.

[0212] Step 714: The cellular communication processor enters a sleep state.

[0213] In one possible implementation, in step 711, the application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor instructing the RF front-end to be shut down, or instructing the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front-end to be in a shut-down state. Accordingly, step 712 can be replaced by: the cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front-end, instructing the RF front-end to enter a shut-down state. Step 713 can be replaced by: the RF front-end is configured to be in a shut-down state.

[0214] In another possible implementation, in step 711, the application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor instructing the RF front-end to be shut down, or instructing the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front-end to be in a shut-down state. Accordingly, step 712 may be replaced by: the cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the power module, instructing the power module to stop supplying power to the RF front-end; and step 713 may be replaced by: the power module stops supplying power to the RF front-end in response to the control signal, or in other words, stops supplying power to the RF front-end, thereby causing the RF front-end to enter a shut-down state.

[0215] Based on the communication device shown in FIG. 2 , when the first communication processor is in an operating state (that is, when the first wireless communication standard is enabled), when the application processor determines to enable a communication service corresponding to a third wireless communication standard, since the third wireless communication standard is mutually exclusive with the first wireless communication standard, or the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard cannot coexist simultaneously with the communication service corresponding to the first wireless communication standard, the application processor first instructs the first communication processor to softly shut down the radio frequency front end after configuring it to a dormant state or an off state, thereby terminating the communication service corresponding to the first wireless communication standard. The application processor then awakens the first communication processor, instructs it to configure the radio frequency front end according to the third wireless communication standard, and controls the third communication processor corresponding to the third wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter an operating state. Accordingly, the first communication processor instructs the radio frequency front end to be configured to a dormant state or an off state based on the instruction of the application processor and performs a soft shutdown. After being awakened by the application processor, the first communication processor instructs the radio frequency front end to be configured to a communication state matching the third wireless communication standard based on the instruction of the application processor, and enters a dormant state after instructing the radio frequency front end to be configured to a communication state matching the third wireless communication standard.

[0216] In one possible implementation, the process of soft shutdown of the first communication processor may include: while the first communication processor remains powered on, the application processor instructs the first communication processor through a control signal to shut down the wireless communication service channel corresponding to the first wireless communication standard, and then shuts off part or all of the power input of the first communication processor, thereby terminating the wireless communication service corresponding to the first wireless communication standard.

[0217] Optionally, when the application processor determines to terminate the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, it controls the third communication processor to enter a dormant state, wakes up the first communication processor, and instructs a communication processor to configure the RF front end to a dormant state or an off state. Accordingly, the first communication processor instructs the RF front end to be configured to a dormant state or an off state based on the instruction of the application processor, and enters a dormant state after instructing the RF front end to be configured to a dormant state or an off state.

[0218] Although the above implementation process is described using the wireless communication services corresponding to the first wireless communication standard and the third wireless communication standard as examples, it should be understood that the above implementation process can be applied to the startup and termination processes of wireless communication services corresponding to two other mutually exclusive wireless communication standards.

[0219] Taking the first wireless communication standard as cellular communication and the third wireless communication standard as satellite communication as an example, based on the communication device shown in Figure 5, Figure 8a illustrates an exemplary process for starting a satellite communication service, and Figure 8b illustrates an exemplary process for ending a satellite communication service. The cellular communication processor is configured as the master communication processor for controlling the state of the RF front end.

[0220] As shown in FIG8a , the process of starting a short-range communication service may include the following steps:

[0221] Step 800: The application processor determines to start the satellite communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0222] Step 801: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to soft-shut down.

[0223] Step 802: The cellular communication processor performs a soft shutdown according to the control signal to terminate the cellular communication service.

[0224] Step 803: The application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor, where the control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a satellite communication state.

[0225] Optionally, the control signal has the function of temporarily waking up the cellular communication processor, or in other words, the control signal can wake up the cellular communication processor and instruct the cellular communication processor to enter a dormant state after configuring the radio frequency front end.

[0226] Step 804: The cellular communication processor enters the working state after receiving the control signal.

[0227] Step 805: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the radio frequency front end, where the control signal is used to instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured to a satellite communication state.

[0228] Step 806: After receiving the control signal, the RF front end is configured to enter the satellite communication state according to the instruction of the control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the relevant content above.

[0229] Step 807: The RF front end returns a response to the cellular communication processor, which is used to notify that the satellite communication status configuration is successful. This step is optional.

[0230] Step 808: After receiving the response from the RF front end, the cellular communication processor sends a response to the application processor, where the response is used to notify the RF front end to configure the state to satellite communication. This step is optional.

[0231] Step 809: The cellular communication processor enters a sleep state.

[0232] Step 810: The application processor sends a control signal to the satellite communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct to start satellite communication, or in other words, the control signal is used to wake up the satellite communication processor.

[0233] Optionally, the application processor may send a control signal to the satellite communication processor after receiving the response in step 808 .

[0234] Optionally, the application processor may send a control signal to the satellite communication processor after sensing that the cellular communication processor has entered a dormant state (eg, sensing that the cellular communication processor has been powered off).

[0235] Optionally, the application processor may execute step 810 after a set time period, starting from the time at which step 803 is executed. The set time period may be set based on the time required for the cellular communication processor to enter the working state from the sleep state and the time required for the RF front end to be configured in the satellite communication state, so as to ensure that the satellite communication processor is awakened after the RF front end is configured in the satellite communication state.

[0236] Step 811: The satellite communication processor enters the working state after receiving the control signal.

[0237] Step 812: The satellite communication processor returns a response to the application processor, which is used to notify the satellite communication processor to enter the working state. This step is optional.

[0238] Thereafter, the communication device can perform satellite communication services.

[0239] When the satellite communication service ends, as shown in FIG8b , the process of ending the satellite communication service may include the following steps:

[0240] Step 820: The application processor determines to terminate the satellite communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0241] Step 821: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the satellite communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the satellite communication processor to enter a sleep state.

[0242] Step 822: After receiving the control signal, the satellite communication processor enters a dormant state.

[0243] Step 823: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a dormant state.

[0244] Optionally, the control signal also has the function of temporarily waking up the cellular communication processor, or in other words, the control signal can wake up the cellular communication processor and instruct the cellular communication processor to enter a dormant state after configuring the radio frequency front end.

[0245] Optionally, if the application processor determines that there is no other wireless communication service to be executed after the satellite communication service ends, the control signal may be used to instruct the RF front end to be configured into a sleep state to reduce the power consumption of the communication device.

[0246] Step 824: After receiving the control signal, the cellular communication processor enters the working state.

[0247] Step 825: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end, where the control signal is used to indicate configuration to the sleep state.

[0248] Step 826: The RF front end is configured to enter a dormant state according to the received control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be found in the relevant content above.

[0249] Step 827: The cellular communication processor enters the sleep state.

[0250] In one possible implementation, in step 823, the application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor instructing the RF front-end to be shut down, or instructing the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front-end to be in a shut-down state. Accordingly, step 825 can be replaced by: the cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front-end, instructing the RF front-end to enter a shut-down state. Step 826 can be replaced by: the RF front-end is configured to be in a shut-down state.

[0251] In another possible implementation, in step 823, the application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor instructing the RF front-end to be shut down, or instructing the cellular communication processor to configure the RF front-end to be in a shut-down state. Accordingly, step 825 may be replaced by: the cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the power module, instructing the power module to stop supplying power to the RF front-end; and step 826 may be replaced by: the power module stops supplying power to the RF front-end in response to the control signal, or in other words, stops supplying power to the RF front-end, thereby causing the RF front-end to enter a shut-down state.

[0252] It should be understood that for other wireless communication standards that are mutually exclusive with the first wireless communication standard (eg, cellular communication), the communication service initiation and termination processes can be performed with reference to the methods shown in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b .

[0253] Based on the communication device shown in FIG. 2 , when the first communication processor is in an operating state (that is, when the first wireless communication standard is enabled), when the application processor determines to enable a communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, it instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard, and controls the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter an operating state. Accordingly, the first communication processor instructs the RF front end to configure itself to a communication state that matches the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard, based on the instruction of the application processor.

[0254] Optionally, when the application processor determines to terminate the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, the application processor controls the second communication processor to enter a dormant state and instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end to a communication state that matches the first wireless communication standard. Accordingly, the first communication processor instructs the RF front end to configure to a communication state that matches the first wireless communication standard based on the instruction of the application processor.

[0255] Taking the case where the first wireless communication standard is cellular communication and the second wireless communication standard is short-range communication as an example, based on the communication device shown in Figure 5, Figure 9a illustrates an exemplary process for enabling short-range communication when cellular communication is enabled, and Figure 9b illustrates an exemplary process for terminating a short-range communication service. The cellular communication processor is configured as a master communication processor for controlling the state of the RF front end.

[0256] As shown in FIG9a , the process of starting a short-range communication service may include the following steps:

[0257] Step 900: The application processor determines to start the short-range communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0258] Step 901: The application processor sends a control signal to the cellular communication processor, which is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a communication state that matches cellular communication and short-range communication. This embodiment of the present application refers to this communication state as a "cellular + short-range" communication state.

[0259] Step 902: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the radio frequency front end, where the control signal is used to instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured as a "cellular + short-range" communication state.

[0260] Step 903: After receiving the control signal, the RF front end is configured to the "cellular + short-range" communication state according to the instruction of the control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the relevant content above.

[0261] Step 904: The RF front end returns a response to the cellular communication processor, which is used to notify that the "cellular + short-range" communication state configuration is successful. This step is optional.

[0262] Step 905: The cellular communication processor returns a response to the application processor, which is used to notify the RF front end that it has been configured in the "cellular + short-range" communication state. This step is optional.

[0263] Step 906: The application processor sends a control signal to the short-range communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct to start the short-range communication, or in other words, the control signal is used to wake up the short-range communication processor.

[0264] Optionally, after receiving the response in step 905 , the application processor may send a control signal to the short-range communication processor.

[0265] Optionally, the application processor may execute step 906 after a set time period starting from the time when step 901 is executed. The set time period may be set based on the length of time required for the RF front end to be configured in the "cellular + short-range" communication state, so as to ensure that the satellite communication processor is awakened after the RF front end is configured in the "cellular + short-range" communication state.

[0266] Step 907: The short-range communication processor enters a working state after receiving the control signal.

[0267] Step 908: The short-range communication processor returns a response to the application processor, where the response is used to notify the short-range communication processor to enter the working state. This step is optional.

[0268] Thereafter, the communication device can perform short-range communication services.

[0269] When the short-range communication service ends, as shown in FIG9b , the process of ending the short-range communication service may include the following steps:

[0270] Step 910: The application processor determines to terminate the short-range communication service. The specific implementation of this step can refer to the relevant content above.

[0271] Step 911: The application processor sends a control signal (or a control instruction) to the short-range communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the short-range communication processor to enter a sleep state.

[0272] Step 912: After receiving the control signal, the short-range communication processor enters a dormant state.

[0273] Step 913: The application processor sends a control signal (or control instruction) to the cellular communication processor. The control signal is used to instruct the cellular communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a cellular communication state.

[0274] Step 914: The cellular communication processor sends a control signal to the RF front end, where the control signal is used to instruct the RF front end to be configured in a cellular communication state.

[0275] Step 915: The RF front end is configured to be in cellular communication state according to the received control signal. The specific implementation of this step can be referred to the relevant content above.

[0276] Step 916: The RF front end returns a response to the cellular communication processor. This step is optional.

[0277] Step 917: After receiving the response from the RF front end, the cellular communication processor returns a response to the application processor. This step is optional.

[0278] It should be understood that for other wireless communication standards that can coexist with the first wireless communication standard (such as cellular communication), their communication service startup and termination processes can be performed with reference to the methods shown in Figures 9a and 9b above.

[0279] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the network devices and terminal devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0280] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the application processor in the communication device in the above method embodiments, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0281] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the application processor in the method embodiments shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a or 9b.

[0282] When the application processor is used to implement the function of the application processor in the embodiment of the method of the present application: the processing unit 1010 determines to start or end the wireless communication service, and instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service through the transceiver unit 1020, and controls the operating status of the corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors through the transceiver unit 1020 according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service.

[0283] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1010 and the transceiver unit 1020 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 7a, Figure 7b, Figure 8a, Figure 8b, Figure 9a or Figure 9b, and will not be repeated here.

[0284] As shown in Figure 11, communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. Processor 1110 and interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It will be appreciated that interface circuit 1120 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1130 for storing instructions executed by processor 1110, input data required by processor 1110 to execute instructions, or data generated after processor 1110 executes instructions. Optionally, processor 1110 and memory 1130 may be integrated.

[0285] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the method shown in Figure 7a, Figure 7b, Figure 8a, Figure 8b, Figure 9a or Figure 9b, the processor 1110 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 1010, and the interface circuit 1120 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 1020.

[0286] When the communication device is applied to an application processor chip, the chip implements the functions of the application processor in the above method embodiment. The chip receives information from the communication processor; or the chip sends information to the communication processor.

[0287] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0288] In the present application, another example of a communication device is provided, which includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one processor and the at least one memory being coupled, the at least one memory being used to store instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device executes the method in the above embodiment. Taking the communication device including a processor and a memory as an example, as shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and a memory 1130. The processor 1110 and the memory 1130 are coupled, and the memory 1130 stores instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 1130 are executed by the processor 1110, the communication device 1100 executes the method executed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiment. Optionally, the processor 1110 and the memory 1130 can be integrated together.

[0289] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, 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. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a network device or a terminal as discrete components.

[0290] 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. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0291] 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.

[0292] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means 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 mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0293] 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 device, characterized in that: include: An application processor, a radio frequency front end, and N communication processors respectively connected to the application processor and the radio frequency front end, the N communication processors corresponding one-to-one to N wireless communication standards, each of the N communication processors being configured to process a signal from the application processor according to the corresponding wireless communication standard and then send it to the radio frequency front end, or to process a signal from the radio frequency front end and then send it to the application processor, the N communication processors including a first communication processor, the first communication processor corresponding to a first communication standard, and N being an integer greater than 1; the application processor being configured to, when determining to start or end a wireless communication service, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to a wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, and to control an operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service; The first communication processor is configured to instruct the RF front end to be configured to a communication state matching a wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, or to be configured to a dormant state or a shutdown state according to an instruction of the application processor; The radio frequency front end is configured to be in a communication state, a dormant state, or a closed state that matches the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service according to an instruction of the first communication processor.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein The application processor is specifically configured to: when it is determined to start a wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard and the N communication processors are all in a dormant state, wake up the first communication processor, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the second wireless communication standard, and control the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state; The first communication processor is specifically used to: according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured to a communication state matching the second wireless communication standard, and enter a sleep state after instructing the radio frequency front end to be configured to a communication state corresponding to the second wireless communication standard.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein: The application processor is further configured to: when determining to terminate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, control the second communication processor to enter a dormant state, wake up the first communication processor, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to be in a dormant state or a closed state; The first communication processor is further configured to: according to an instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured as a sleep state or a shutdown state, and enter a sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured as a sleep state or a shutdown state.

4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The application processor is specifically configured to: when it is determined to start the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard and the first communication processor is in a working state, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard, and control the second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state; The first communication processor is specifically configured to: according to the instruction of the application processing, instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard.

5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein The application processor is further configured to: when determining to terminate the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, control the second communication processor to enter a dormant state, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard; The first communication processor is further configured to: according to an instruction of the application processor, instruct the radio frequency front end to be configured to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard.

6. The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The first wireless communication standard is a terrestrial network communication standard, and the first communication processor is a terrestrial network communication processor; The second wireless communication standard is a short-range communication standard, and the second communication processor is a short-range communication processor.

7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The application processor is specifically configured to: when it is determined to enable a communication service corresponding to a third wireless communication standard and the first communication processor is in a working state, first instruct the first communication processor to soft-shut down after configuring the RF front end to be in a dormant state or a shut-down state, then wake up the first communication processor, instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the third wireless communication standard, and control a third communication processor corresponding to the third wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state; The first communication processor is specifically used to: according to the instruction of the application processing, instruct the RF front end to be configured into a sleep state or a shutdown state and perform a soft shutdown; after being awakened by the application processor, according to the instruction of the application processor, instruct the RF front end to be configured into a communication state matching the third wireless communication standard, and enter the sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured into a communication state matching the third wireless communication standard.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein: The application processor is further configured to: when determining to terminate the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, control the third communication processor to enter a dormant state, wake up the first communication processor, and instruct the first communication processor to configure the RF front end to be in a dormant state or a closed state; The first communication processor is further configured to: instruct the RF front end to be configured as a sleep state or a shutdown state according to an instruction of the application processor, and enter a sleep state after instructing the RF front end to be configured as a sleep state or a shutdown state.

9. The communication device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The first wireless communication standard is a terrestrial network communication standard, and the first communication processor is a terrestrial network communication processor; The third wireless communication standard is a satellite communication standard, and the third communication processor is a satellite communication processor.

10. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Also included is a power supply module for supplying power to the radio frequency front end; The first communication processor is further configured to: send a control signal to the power module, wherein the control signal is configured to control the power module to stop supplying power to the RF front end; Alternatively, the first communication processor is specifically configured to send a control signal to the radio frequency front end, where the control signal is configured to instruct the radio frequency front end to disconnect from the power module.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a communication device, the communication device including an application processor, a radio frequency front end, and N communication processors respectively connected to the application processor and the radio frequency front end, the N communication processors corresponding one-to-one to N wireless communication standards, the N communication processors including a first communication processor, the first communication processor corresponding to a first communication standard, and N being an integer greater than 1; The method comprises: The application processor determines to start or end the wireless communication service; The application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service; The application processor controls the operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to a wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein If the application processor determines to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, and the N communication processors are all in a dormant state, the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: The application processor wakes up the first communication processor and instructs the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the second wireless communication standard; The application processor controls the operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: The application processor controls a second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: When the application processor determines to terminate the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, the method further includes: The application processor controls the second communication processor to enter a sleep state; The application processor wakes up the first communication processor and instructs the first wireless communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: If the application processor determines to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, and the first communication processor is in a working state, the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: The application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the first wireless communication standard and the second wireless communication standard; The application processor controls the operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: The application processor controls a second communication processor corresponding to the second wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein When the application processor determines to terminate the communication service corresponding to the second wireless communication standard, the method further includes: The application processor controls the second communication processor to enter a sleep state; The application processor instructs the first wireless communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a communication state matching the first wireless communication standard.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: If the application processor determines to start the wireless communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, and the first communication processor is in a working state, the application processor instructs the first communication processor to configure the RF front end according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: The application processor instructs the first communication processor to soft-shut down after configuring the RF front end to be in a sleep state or a shutdown state; The application processor wakes up the first communication processor and instructs the first communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end according to the third wireless communication standard; The application processor controls the operating state of a corresponding communication processor among the N communication processors according to the wireless communication standard corresponding to the wireless communication service, including: The application processor controls a third communication processor corresponding to the third wireless communication standard among the N communication processors to enter a working state.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein When the application processor determines to terminate the communication service corresponding to the third wireless communication standard, the method further includes: The application processor controls the third communication processor to enter a sleep state; The application processor wakes up the first wireless communication processor and instructs the first wireless communication processor to configure the radio frequency front end to a sleep state or a shutdown state.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: One or more processors configured to execute the method of any one of claims 11-17.

20. A readable storage medium, characterized in that The readable storage medium includes a program, and when the program is run on a device, the device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

21. A chip system, characterized in that: include: The chip system includes at least one chip and a memory, and the at least one chip is used to read and execute a program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is run on a device, the device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

23. A program product, characterized in that When the program product is run on a device, the device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

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