Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, relating to the field of communications, and capable of solving the problems of large signaling overhead and long reaction time of an RRM measurement indication in a scene in which RRM measurement conflicts with data transmission. In the method, a terminal device can adjust, on the basis of received DCI, a first RRM measurement behavior on an RRM measurement occasion indicated by first signaling, to a second RRM measurement behavior, for example, adjusting from skipping RRM measurement to executing RRM measurement, or adjusting from executing RRM measurement to skipping RRM measurement, so that the terminal device can flexibly change an RRM measurement behavior on the basis of the DCI while the terminal device is instructed at low overhead to execute RRM measurement or skip RRM measurement.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410579888.2, filed on May 10, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR), terminal devices can perform radio resource management (RRM) measurements. RRM measurement methods include measurement gap (MG) measurement and SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC).

[0004] The aforementioned RRM measurements are performed periodically and are subject to data scheduling constraints. In services with high latency requirements and certain mobility or location measurement needs, such as Extended Reality (XR) services, the scheduling constraints caused by MG / SMTC measurements have a significant impact on service performance. To address this, three methods—dynamic indication, semi-persistent indication, or semi-static indication—can be used to instruct the terminal device to skip or cancel RRM measurements, thereby allowing the transmission of XR video frame data.

[0005] However, the above three indication methods have problems such as large signaling overhead or long response delay. Therefore, it is urgent to solve the problems of the above RRM measurement indication. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the overhead and latency of RRM measurement indication and flexibly change RRM measurement behavior.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal device, such as a terminal device or a communication module within a terminal device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method: receiving a first signaling and listening to downlink control information (DCI). The first signaling is used to indicate a first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to a first RRM measurement timing, wherein the first RRM measurement behavior is either skipping RRM measurement or performing RRM measurement. The DCI is used to indicate adjusting the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing to a second RRM measurement behavior; wherein, if the first RRM measurement behavior is skipping RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is performing RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is performing RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is skipping RRM measurement.

[0009] Based on this communication method, the terminal device performs a first RRM measurement action at the corresponding RRM measurement time according to the received first signaling. During this process, the terminal device can adjust the first RRM measurement action corresponding to the first RRM measurement time indicated by the first signaling to a second RRM measurement action based on the monitored DCI. For example, it can adjust from skipping RRM measurement to performing RRM measurement, or vice versa. Thus, the terminal device can flexibly change its RRM measurement action according to the DCI. This method is applicable to scenarios where the access network device can temporarily instruct the terminal device to perform RRM measurement when sudden interference occurs in the network or when the terminal device is undergoing cell handover, and also applicable to scenarios where the access network device can temporarily instruct the terminal device to skip RRM measurement when there is a sudden data transmission.

[0010] In one possible design, DCI is used to indicate a first time window, within which the first RRM measurement opportunity falls. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the RRM measurement opportunity within the first time window from all RRM measurement opportunities indicated by the first signaling, based on the first time window indicated by the DCI, and thus adjust the RRM measurement behavior for the RRM measurement opportunities within the first time window.

[0011] In one possible design, there can be one or more first RRM measurement opportunities. The DCI includes a first bitmap, where each bit indicates the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at each of the first RRM measurement opportunities. Thus, the terminal device can determine the RRM measurement opportunity requiring RRM measurement behavior adjustment and the corresponding adjusted RRM measurement behavior based on the first bitmap indicated by the DCI.

[0012] In one possible design, the first signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, the first RRM measurement occurs within a preset time period, the start time of the preset time period is the time the first signaling is received, and the end time of the preset time period is the time the second signaling is received. The second signaling is used to indicate the cessation of the first RRM measurement behavior. Monitoring DCI includes: monitoring DCI within the preset time period. Therefore, within the preset time period of the first RRM measurement behavior (semi-persistent RRM measurement indication) triggered by the first and second RRC-type signaling, the terminal device can monitor for the presence of DCI used to adjust the first RRM measurement behavior. Upon detecting a DCI, the first RRM measurement behavior at the RRM measurement timing indicated by the DCI can be adjusted to the second RRM measurement behavior.

[0013] In one possible design, the first signaling is RRC signaling, which indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior in one or more RRM measurement opportunities is an RRM measurement opportunity that skips RRM measurement. Monitoring DCI includes: monitoring DCI after receiving the first signaling. Thus, after receiving the semi-static RRC signaling, the terminal device can, according to the one or more RRM measurement opportunities indicated by the RRC signaling, execute the corresponding first RRM measurement in chronological order at the corresponding RRM measurement opportunities, and monitor for any DCIs indicating adjustments to the first RRM measurement behavior. Upon detecting a DCI, the device can adjust the first RRM measurement behavior at the RRM measurement opportunity indicated by the DCI to a second RRM measurement behavior.

[0014] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the network side, such as access network equipment, modules (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems) within the access network equipment, or logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network equipment. Taking the application of this method to an access network equipment as an example, in this method, a first signaling and a DCI are sent. The first signaling is used to indicate the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing, which is either skipping RRM measurement or performing RRM measurement. The DCI is used to indicate adjusting the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing to a second RRM measurement behavior; wherein, if the first RRM measurement behavior is skipping RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement behavior is performing RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is performing RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement behavior is skipping RRM measurement.

[0015] In one possible design, DCI is used to indicate the first time window, and the first RRM measurement occurs within the first time window.

[0016] In one possible design, there can be one or more first RRM measurement opportunities. The DCI includes a first bitmap, where each bit in the first bitmap indicates the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at each first RRM measurement opportunity.

[0017] In one possible design, the first signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, the first RRM measurement occurs within a preset time period, the start time of the preset time period is the time when the first signaling is received, and the end time of the preset time period is the time when the second signaling is received. The second signaling is used to indicate the cessation of the first RRM measurement. Sending DCI includes: sending DCI within the preset time period.

[0018] In one possible design, the first signaling is RRC signaling, which indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior in one or more RRM measurement opportunities is an RRM measurement opportunity that skips the RRM measurement. Sending DCI includes: sending DCI after sending the first signaling.

[0019] The technical effects of the method described in the second aspect can be found in the relevant description of the technical effects of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0020] Thirdly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a terminal device as described in the first aspect, or a device comprising the terminal device, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the methods described in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0021] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a processing module and a communication module. The communication module is used to receive a first signaling. The first signaling indicates a first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to a first RRM measurement timing, which is either skipping the RRM measurement or performing an RRM measurement. The processing module is used to listen for downlink control information (DCI), which indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing should be adjusted to a second RRM measurement behavior; wherein, if the first RRM measurement behavior is skipping the RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement behavior is performing an RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is performing an RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement behavior is skipping the RRM measurement.

[0022] In one possible design, DCI is used to indicate the first time window, and the first RRM measurement occurs within the first time window.

[0023] In one possible design, there can be one or more first RRM measurement opportunities. The DCI includes a first bitmap, where each bit in the first bitmap indicates the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at each first RRM measurement opportunity.

[0024] In one possible design, the first signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, the first RRM measurement occurs within a preset time period, the start time of the preset time period is the time when the first signaling is received, and the end time of the preset time period is the time when the second signaling is received. The second signaling is used to instruct the cessation of the first RRM measurement. A processing module, used for monitoring the DCI, includes: a processing module for monitoring the DCI within the preset time period.

[0025] In one possible design, the first signaling is RRC signaling, which indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior in one or more RRM measurement opportunities is an RRM measurement opportunity that skips the RRM measurement. A processing module, used to monitor the DCI, includes: a processing module used to monitor the DCI after sending the first signaling.

[0026] In one possible design, the communication module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the third aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the third aspect.

[0027] In one possible design, the communication device described in the third aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the third aspect can perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0028] Fourthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be an access network device as described in the second aspect, or a device comprising the access network device, or a device included in the access network device, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the methods described in the second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0029] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a processing module and a communication module. The processing module is used to generate a first signaling instruction and a Directional Control Message (DCI). The communication module is used to send the first signaling instruction, which indicates a first RRM measurement action corresponding to a first RRM measurement timing, wherein the first RRM measurement action is to skip the RRM measurement or to perform the RRM measurement. The communication module is also used to send the DCI, which indicates that the first RRM measurement action corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing should be adjusted to a second RRM measurement action; wherein, if the first RRM measurement action is to skip the RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement action is to perform the RRM measurement; and if the first RRM measurement action is to perform the RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement action is to skip the RRM measurement.

[0030] In one possible design, DCI is used to indicate the first time window, and the first RRM measurement occurs within the first time window.

[0031] In one possible design, there can be one or more RRM measurement opportunities. The DCI includes a first bitmap, where each bit in the first bitmap indicates the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at each first RRM measurement opportunity.

[0032] In one possible design, the first signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, the first RRM measurement occurs within a preset time period, the start time of the preset time period is the time when the first signaling is received, and the end time of the preset time period is the time when the second signaling is received. The second signaling is used to instruct the cessation of the first RRM measurement. The communication module is also used to transmit DCI, including: the communication module is also used to transmit DCI within the preset time period.

[0033] In one possible design, the first signaling is RRC signaling, which indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior in one or more RRM measurement opportunities is an RRM measurement opportunity that skips the RRM measurement. The communication module is also used to send DCI, including: the communication module is further used to send DCI after sending the first signaling.

[0034] In one possible design, the communication module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the fourth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the fourth aspect.

[0035] In one possible design, the communication device described in the fourth aspect may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the fourth aspect can perform the method described in the second aspect.

[0036] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the first aspect. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement any possible design or implementation method described in the first aspect. The interface circuit is used to implement communication functions within the communication device and / or communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0037] In one possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0039] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0040] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, comprising an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the second aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, causing the communication device to implement any possible design or implementation method described in the second aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement communication functions within the communication device and / or communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal device for performing the method described in the first aspect, and an access network device for performing the method described in the second aspect.

[0042] Eighthly, a chip is provided, wherein instructions are stored that, when the chip is operated on a communication device, cause the method described in the first or second aspect to be implemented.

[0043] A ninth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the possible designs of the first to second aspects described above.

[0044] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first to second aspects described above. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a VR / AR communication network;

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of periodic SSB scanning;

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a scenario where XR video services conflict with MG.

[0049] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figures 6–10 are schematic diagrams of scenarios for RRM measurement indication provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0051] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the following points are explained before introducing the embodiments of this application.

[0054] First, in the embodiments of this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing a certain "indication information" for indicating A, it can include whether the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication information carries A.

[0055] The information indicated by the instruction is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0056] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0057] The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0058] Second, in this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For example, "access network device sending information" can be understood as the access network device sending information to another device (such as a terminal device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device sending information to logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0059] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "access network device receiving information" can be understood as the access network device receiving information from another device (such as a terminal device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device receiving information from logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0060] In this application, the phrase "sending information to... (e.g., a terminal device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being a terminal. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to a terminal. Similarly, the phrases "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal device)," "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal device)," or "receiving information sent (e.g., by a terminal device)," or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as the source of the information being a terminal device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from a terminal device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0061] Third, in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., a terminal device or an access network device) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., a terminal device or an access network device) to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0062] Fourth, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0063] Fifth, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of multiple items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0064] Finally, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0065] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches may also be used.

[0066] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems such as LTE systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems such as NR systems, and future communication systems.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram illustrating a possible, non-limiting communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0068] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a Wi-Fi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0069] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as network equipment, access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 1000 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0070] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a Wi-Fi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0071] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0072] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0073] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), IoT, virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, transportation vehicle with wireless communication capabilities, communication module, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. A terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions.

[0074] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems. Unless otherwise specified in this application, RAN nodes are referred to as access network devices, and terminals are referred to as terminal devices.

[0075] The following describes the relevant technologies and terminology involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0076] 1. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

[0077] With the continuous development of 5G communication systems, data transmission latency is constantly decreasing and transmission capacity is increasing. 5G communication systems are gradually penetrating some multimedia services with strong real-time requirements and large data capacity requirements, such as video transmission, cloud gaming (CG), and extended reality (XR), among which XR includes VR and AR.

[0078] With the rapid increase in communication transmission speeds, real-time video transmission services have gradually become one of the core services in current networks. The continuous advancement and improvement of XR technology has also led to the vigorous development of related industries. Today, VR technology, as a type of XR, has entered various fields closely related to people's production and lives, including education, entertainment, military, medical care, environmental protection, transportation, and public health. Compared to traditional video services, VR has advantages such as multiple perspectives and strong interactivity, providing users with a completely new visual experience. VR integrates computer graphics, multimedia, and other technologies, simulating the functions of human sensory organs such as vision, hearing, and touch, making people feel as if they are actually there, immersed in a computer-generated virtual world, and able to communicate in real time through language and gestures, enhancing the sense of immersion. Through VR technology, people can experience the real world realistically while breaking through the limitations of time and space, experiencing the wonder of entering a virtual world. AR, on the other hand, uses computer technology to overlay virtual information onto the real world, displaying it through devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and glasses, allowing people to perceive it, thus achieving a great fusion of reality and virtuality, enriching the real world. In short, it means giving objects more information, enhancing their three-dimensionality, and improving their visual effects and interactive experience.

[0079] Cloud VR and cloud AR introduce the concepts and technologies of cloud computing and cloud rendering into VR / AR business applications. With the help of a high-speed and stable network, the display output and sound output in the cloud are transmitted to the terminal device after being encoded and compressed, realizing the uploading of VR / AR business content and rendering to the cloud. VR / AR terminal devices can also meet the requirements of lightweight and mobility.

[0080] Figure 2 illustrates the architecture of a VR / AR communication network, using a cloud scenario as an example. VR / AR terminal devices connect to the network through access network devices or other access points to obtain VR / AR services from the cloud. Cloud XR services have strict latency requirements for the network; the motion-to-photons (MTP) latency must be less than 20 milliseconds (ms) to provide a partial immersive experience. Using asynchronous rendering technology, the end-to-end interaction latency can be relaxed to 70ms. After deducting the encoding and rendering latency on the server side and the decoding processing latency on the terminal device, only 20ms is left for network transmission latency, with 10ms each for uplink and downlink transmission.

[0081] 2. MG

[0082] In mobile cellular networks, when a terminal device moves from one cell (within the base station's coverage area) to another, a handover between cells is required. Before the handover, the terminal device needs to measure the signals of neighboring cells to determine when a handover should occur. Measurements are divided into intra-frequency measurement and inter-frequency measurement. Intra-frequency measurement means that the terminal device's current cell and the target cell are on the same carrier frequency (center frequency). Inter-frequency measurement means that the terminal device's current cell and the target cell are not on the same carrier frequency. During intra-frequency measurement, the terminal device can use a reference signal inserted during data transmission for measurement, without affecting data transmission and reception. If the terminal device needs to perform inter-frequency measurement, a simple approach is to install two radio frequency receivers in the terminal device to measure the frequency of its own cell and the target cell, respectively. However, this increases costs and introduces the problem of interference between different frequencies. Therefore, 3GPP proposed the Measurement Gaps (MG) method, which reserves a period of time (MG time) during which the terminal equipment does not send or receive any data, but tunes its receiver to the target cell frequency to perform inter-frequency measurements. When the MG time ends, it switches back to the current cell. The duration during which the terminal equipment suspends communication with the serving cell to measure inter-frequency neighbors or other radio access technology (RAT) neighbors is called the Measurement Gaps (MG).

[0083] For example, the MG is periodically configured in subframes #4, #5, #6, and #7 of system frame numbers (SFN) 22 and 26. The system frame number and corresponding subframe position of the MG can satisfy the following formula:

[0084] SFN mod T=FLOOR(gapOffset / 10), with T=MGRP / 10;

[0085] subframe=gapOffset mod 10.

[0086] The measurement gap repetition period (MGRP) specifies the gap period. MGRP values ​​include 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, and 160ms. For example, within 40ms, MG repeats once every four frames.

[0087] gapOffset: gapOffset is configured by higher-level parameters and is defined as the offset of the gap mode. There are approximately 160 offset values, but not all values ​​are applicable to all periods. The offset value points to the starting subframe within the period, and its value ranges from 0 to MGRP-1. For example, if MGRP is 20ms, the offset range is 0 to 19.

[0088] Measurement gap length (MGL): Specifies the duration of the measurement gap (MG) in milliseconds (ms), with values ​​including 1.5ms, 3ms, 3.5ms, 4ms, 5.5ms, and 6ms. For positioning measurements, 10ms and 20ms are applicable.

[0089] The 3GPP protocol predefines several MG patterns. Terminal devices can use the SupportedGapPattern information to inform access network devices of the MG patterns(s) they support. An MG pattern can include a gap pattern identifier (ID), MGL, and MGRP. Different MG patterns have different MGL and MGRP configurations. Table 1 below illustrates 26 MG pattern configurations, such as gap pattern 0 to gap pattern 26. Among them, gap pattern 0 and gap pattern 1 are mandatory for terminal devices, while the others are optional.

[0090] Table 1

[0091] During MG activation, the terminal device will not transmit any other signals or data except for some important signals (e.g., access process-related signals). In other words, MG has a higher priority than data transmission and reception.

[0092] A terminal device can be configured with multiple MGs, and the access network device can configure a priority for each MG, represented by the higher-layer parameter gapPriority-r17. Each MG is configured separately, so it is possible for two MGs to conflict in the time domain, that is, the durations of the two MGs overlap in the time domain. In this case, the terminal device can select the MG with higher priority for measurement.

[0093] 3. SMTC

[0094] In NR, terminal device handover is based on SSB (Segment Sub-Band) terminal measurements. The 3GPP protocol specifies that each SSB has a fixed size (occupying 4 consecutive symbols in the time domain and 20 RBs in the frequency domain). Cells transmit SSBs using a periodic scanning method, transmitting all SSBs in each round of scanning. The SSB scanning period of a cell is configurable (default is 20ms), and each round of scanning is completed within half a frame (5ms). The time domain position and number of SSBs transmitted are related to the SSB frequency and sub-carrier spacing (SCS), as shown in Figure 3. In a 10ms frame, the SSB burst set transmitted in the first half of the frame includes 8 SSBs, namely SSB0 to SSB7. Access network devices transmit these 8 SSBs in different directions using different beams.

[0095] To obtain the most accurate SSB measurement results, the terminal device needs to measure all SSBs in the cell. However, SSBs are not transmitted at all times within a scan cycle. If the terminal device searches for and measures SSBs at all times, it will result in significant power waste. To effectively indicate the time window for terminal device SSB measurement and reduce unnecessary measurement power consumption, NR introduces the concept of SMTC. SMTC is a time window configured by the access network equipment for terminal devices to measure SSBs. The terminal device only needs to perform SSB measurements within the SMTC window; measurements are not required outside the window.

[0096] SMTC refers to the timing configuration sent from the access network equipment to the terminal equipment when the terminal equipment performs SSB-based measurements on a specific cell. This includes the SMTC period, SMTC duration, and SMTC offset. The protocol defines SMTC configuration as a frequency-level configuration, encompassing the SMTC configuration itself.

[0097] SMTC Configuration: The configuration information element corresponding to SMTC is SSB-MTC, which contains two sub-information elements: periodicityAndOffset and duration. PeriodicityAndOffset represents the SMTC period (representing the repetition period of the measurement action) and the SMTC offset (representing the starting subframe of the measurement action within the period), while duration represents the SMTC duration (representing the duration the measurement action should last after it begins).

[0098] The SMTC period can be 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms. The SMTC bias value is set in 1ms granularity and ranges from 0 to the SMTC period minus 1ms (i.e., [0, SMTC-1]ms). The SMTC duration is also set in 1ms granularity and can be 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, or 5ms. For example, when the SMTC period is 5ms, the SMTC bias value can be 0ms, 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, or 4ms, and the SMTC duration value can be 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, or 5ms.

[0099] Since the location of the SSB is related to the synchronization signal, different SMTC configurations must cover the location of the SSB signal.

[0100] Unlike MG, in some cases, terminal devices are only subject to scheduling restrictions within the duration of SMTC on symbols transmitted by SSB, and one symbol before and after them.

[0101] The aforementioned MG and SMTC RRM measurements are performed periodically and are subject to data scheduling constraints. In XR services, because the data arrival period of XR is not an integer (e.g., for XR videos at 30 frames per second (FPS), 60 FPS, and 90 FPS, the frame arrival periods are 1 / 30s, 1 / 60s, and 1 / 90s, respectively), the XR service arrival period cannot match the MG period. Therefore, XR service data transmission will conflict with MG. At the point of conflict, data transmission cannot proceed, and RRM measurement takes priority, i.e., scheduling constraints exist.

[0102] Besides scheduling limitations in scenarios with MG configuration, scheduling limitations also sometimes exist in measurement scenarios without MG, such as co-frequency measurements without MG configuration in the FR2 high-frequency scenario. However, for services like XR, which have high latency requirements and certain mobility or positioning measurement needs, the scheduling limitations caused by MG / SMTC measurements have a significant impact on service performance. Taking MG as an example, the common MG configuration is MG pattern 0, which results in a significant decrease in XR capacity. As shown in Figure 4, with XR video frames transmitted periodically at 60 FPS, compared to an MG configured with MG pattern 0, the transmission of 2 out of 6 XR video frames conflicts with RRM measurements on the MG, preventing data transmission.

[0103] To resolve the issue of XR video frames failing to transmit due to conflicts between XR video frames and RRM measurements, the following three possible methods can be used to instruct the terminal device to skip or cancel RRM measurements, thereby enabling the transmission of XR video frame data.

[0104] 1. Dynamic Indication: The base station instructs the UE to transmit data within the scheduling constraints caused by RRM measurements by sending downlink control information (DCI). Specific indication methods include:

[0105] (1) DCI indicates whether the scheduling constraints for a particular RRM measurement opportunity are skipped;

[0106] (2) DCI indicates a time window that indicates that the RRM measurement timing or scheduling constraints associated with that time window are skipped;

[0107] (3) If the data transmission scheduled by DCI overlaps with the time of the scheduling constraint caused by RRM measurement, then skip the RRM measurement.

[0108] 2. Semi-persistent indications, specifically including:

[0109] (1) When the base station sends an activation command, the UE will skip the RRM measurement until the UE receives a deactivation signal;

[0110] (2) The base station is pre-configured with a set of RRM measurements. It needs to send an activation signaling to make the RRM measurements effective, and then send a deactivation signaling to make the RRM measurements ineffective.

[0111] 3. Semi-static indication, specific indication methods include:

[0112] (1) Configure a pattern via radio resource control (RRC) signaling to indicate which RRM measurements can be skipped;

[0113] (2) The RRM measurement is canceled if the pre-configured data transmission coincides with the RRM measurement timing.

[0114] However, all three indication methods have certain problems. For dynamic indication, the need to frequently send DCI signals results in high overhead for control signals; for semi-persistent and semi-static indication, the response time of RRC signaling is relatively long.

[0115] Therefore, in view of the problems existing in the indication of the above-mentioned RRM measurement behavior, the embodiments of this application provide a communication method. By using semi-persistent indication and dynamic indication simultaneously, or semi-static indication and dynamic indication simultaneously, not only can the indication overhead be reduced, but the RRM measurement behavior can also be flexibly indicated and adjusted, thereby reducing the response time.

[0116] The communication method and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 5-12.

[0117] For example, Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. It is understood that this application uses an access network device and a terminal device as examples to illustrate the execution of this interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For instance, the method executed by the access network device in this application can also be implemented by a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) in the access network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device; similarly, the method executed by the terminal device in this application can also be implemented by a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC chip containing a modem core, or a SIP chip) in the terminal device responsible for communication functions.

[0118] As shown in Figure 5, the communication method includes:

[0119] S501. The access network device sends the first signaling to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first signaling from the access network device.

[0120] In this embodiment of the application, the first signaling is used to indicate the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing. The first RRM measurement behavior can be skipping the RRM measurement or performing the RRM measurement. Typically, the first signaling is RRC signaling.

[0121] Among them, the RRM measurement occasion can refer to the time domain resources configured by the access network device for the terminal device to perform RRM measurement. It can be understood as the time period configured for the terminal device to perform RRM measurement. The RRM measurement occasion is usually configured periodically. The configuration information of the RRM measurement occasion can include the duration, period and offset of the RRM measurement occasion, such as MG and SMTC mentioned above, which will not be elaborated further.

[0122] The first RRM measurement timing refers to the RRM measurement timing for subsequent adjustments to RRM measurement behavior via DCI. The specific number and location of the first RRM measurement timings are indicated by DCI. The first RRM measurement timing can be one of one or more RRM measurement timings corresponding to the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling. Typically, there are multiple RRM measurement timings corresponding to the first RRM measurement behavior, and the first RRM measurement timing is the first among these multiple RRM measurement timings. It should be understood that the RRM measurement timings are arranged in chronological order according to their temporal location. It can be understood that the RRM measurement timing for subsequent adjustments to RRM measurement behavior indicated by DCI (i.e., the first RRM measurement timing) is included among the multiple RRM measurement timings.

[0123] RRM measurement refers to the reference signal measurement performed by the terminal equipment during the RRM measurement period to obtain the measurement results and trigger mobility signaling procedures, such as cell handover and cell selection. RRM measurement can include inter-frequency cell measurement within the MG and / or SSB measurement within the SMTC. RRM measurement behavior includes skipping RRM measurement or performing RRM measurement. Skipping RRM measurement, also known as canceling RRM measurement, means that the terminal equipment does not perform RRM measurement during the RRM measurement period. The RRM measurement period that is skipped can be used for data transmission.

[0124] In this embodiment, the RRM measurement behavior performed at the RRM measurement time indicated by the first signaling is referred to as the first RRM measurement behavior. The first RRM measurement behavior can be skipping RRM measurement or performing RRM measurement. Each RRM measurement time corresponds to one first RRM measurement behavior. The first RRM measurement behaviors corresponding to multiple RRM measurement times indicated by the first signaling can be the same or partially the same. For example, the first RRM measurement behaviors corresponding to 6 out of the 10 RRM measurement times indicated by the first signaling are skipping RRM measurement, and the first RRM measurement behaviors corresponding to the remaining 4 RRM measurement times are performing RRM measurement.

[0125] Optionally, the first signaling may include configuration information for the RRM measurement timing, that is, the first signaling may also be used to configure the RRM measurement timing corresponding to the first RRM measurement behavior. Alternatively, the first signaling may not include the configuration information for the RRM measurement timing. The configuration information for the RRM measurement timing has been pre-configured to the terminal device through other signaling. The first signaling is used to activate / trigger the terminal device to perform the corresponding first RRM measurement behavior at the configured RRM measurement timing. This is not limited.

[0126] In one possible design 1, the first RRM measurement actions corresponding to multiple RRM measurement opportunities indicated (or activated) by the first signaling are identical. In this design, the RRM measurement opportunity specifically enabling the first RRM measurement action by the terminal device is located after the terminal device receives the first signaling. The first RRM measurement opportunity corresponding to the first RRM measurement action can be an RRM measurement opportunity located after the reception time of the first signaling, and having a certain time offset from the reception time of the first signaling. The time offset can be predefined or preconfigured by the protocol, or it can be negotiated between the access network device and the terminal device; there is no limitation on this. Optionally, the first signaling can include this time offset.

[0127] The total number of RRM measurement opportunities corresponding to the first RRM measurement action indicated by the first signaling, or the last RRM measurement opportunity corresponding to the first RRM measurement action, can be determined by the second signaling. The second signaling is used to indicate the cessation of the first RRM measurement action. The second signaling is usually an RRC signaling. Ceasing the first RRM measurement action can mean that the first signaling fails, and the terminal device cancels the first RRM measurement action. For example, if the first RRM measurement action is to perform an RRM measurement, the second signaling cancels the execution of the RRM measurement, indicating that the terminal device will no longer perform RRM measurements. In other words, the second signaling causes the RRM measurement opportunities after the reception time of the second signaling to become invalid or nonexistent.

[0128] In other words, the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling corresponds to one or more RRM measurement opportunities (including the first RRM measurement opportunity) within a preset time period, which starts at the time when the terminal device receives the first signaling and ends at the time when the terminal device receives the second signaling. That is, the first RRM measurement opportunity is within the preset time period, and one or more RRM measurement opportunities (including the first RRM measurement opportunity) within the preset time period correspond to the same first RRM measurement behavior.

[0129] This can be understood as follows: the first signaling is used to activate the first RRM measurement behavior of the terminal device, and the second signaling is used to deactivate the first RRM measurement behavior of the terminal device. The first RRM measurement timing of the first RRM measurement behavior can be determined by the terminal device based on the reception time of the first signaling, and the last RRM measurement timing of the first RRM measurement behavior can be determined by the terminal device based on the reception time of the second signaling. Thus, the first signaling implicitly indicates the position and number of RRM measurement timings corresponding to the first RRM measurement behavior. After receiving the first signaling, the terminal device enables the first RRM measurement behavior and performs the same first RRM measurement behavior on RRM measurement timings after the reception time of the first signaling.

[0130] For example, the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement, as shown in Figure 6(a). The terminal device receives the first signaling at time t1. After receiving the first signaling, it starts to skip RRM measurement at each of the seven consecutive RRM measurement times after time t1, that is, it does not perform RRM measurement, until it receives the second signaling at time t2, which invalidates the first signaling, that is, the skipping of RRM measurement is invalidated or canceled, and the terminal device no longer skips RRM measurement. At this time, the first signaling can be used to activate the terminal device to skip RRM measurement, and the second signaling can be used to deactivate the terminal device to skip RRM measurement.

[0131] For example, the first RRM measurement behavior is to perform an RRM measurement, as shown in Figure 7(a). The terminal device receives a first signaling at time t1. After receiving the first signaling, it begins to perform RRM measurement at each of the seven consecutive RRM measurement opportunities after time t1, until it receives a second signaling at time t2, which invalidates the first signaling, i.e., the RRM measurement is either invalidated or canceled, and the terminal device no longer performs RRM measurement. At this time, the first signaling can be used to activate the terminal device to perform RRM measurement, and the second signaling can be used to deactivate the terminal device to perform RRM measurement.

[0132] In one possible design 2, the first RRM measurement actions corresponding to the multiple RRM measurement opportunities indicated by the first signaling can be different. That is, the first signaling indicates that RRM measurement is skipped in some RRM measurement opportunities, while RRM measurement is performed in others. In this design, the first signaling can be used to indicate that the first RRM measurement action in one or more RRM measurement opportunities is either skipping RRM measurement or performing RRM measurement. The RRM measurement opportunity corresponding to the first RRM measurement action is also located after the time when the terminal device receives the first signaling. The first RRM measurement opportunity corresponding to the first RRM measurement action can also be an RRM measurement opportunity located after the time when the first signaling is received, and has a certain time offset from the time when the first signaling is received. The position of the last RRM measurement opportunity corresponding to the first RRM measurement action is not limited. The time offset can be predefined or preconfigured by the protocol, or it can be negotiated between the access network device and the terminal device, and is not limited in this respect. Optionally, the first signaling can include the time offset.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the first signaling may include a bitmap, the number of bits in which represents the total number of RRM measurement opportunities corresponding to the first RRM measurement action. In this case, the first and last RRM measurement opportunities corresponding to the first RRM measurement action can be indicated by the number of bits in the bitmap. Each bit in the bitmap indicates a first RRM measurement action corresponding to an RRM measurement opportunity; for example, a bit value of 0 indicates that the first RRM measurement action corresponding to an RRM measurement opportunity is skipped, a bit value of 1 indicates that the first RRM measurement action corresponding to an RRM measurement opportunity is performed, and vice versa. In this implementation, RRM measurement opportunities after the last RRM measurement opportunity indicated by the bitmap can be performed by default.

[0134] For example, the first signaling is RRC signaling, which includes a bit map "01010101", instructing the terminal device to skip an RRM measurement once every RRM measurement time interval, as shown in Figure 8(a). After receiving the first signaling at time t1, the terminal device activates the first signaling and alternates between skipping an RRM measurement and performing an RRM measurement on one RRM measurement time interval during the 8 RRM measurement time intervals after the reception time of the first signaling.

[0135] In another possible implementation, the first signaling is used to indicate a periodic time window. The first signaling may include the start position, period, and duration of the time window. The first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to an RRM measurement opportunity within the time window is to skip the RRM measurement, while the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to an RRM measurement opportunity outside the time window is to perform the RRM measurement. It should be understood that the start position of the first time window of this periodic time window is located after the reception time of the first signaling.

[0136] For example, as shown in Figure 9(a), the terminal device receives a first signaling at time t1. The starting position of a periodic time window indicated by the first signaling is offset by Δt relative to the receiving position of the first signaling. The length of the time window is T1, which is greater than the length of an RRM measurement opportunity. The repetition period of the time window is Tw. The first, fourth, and seventh RRM measurement opportunities after time t1 coincide with the time window. Therefore, the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first, fourth, and seventh RRM measurement opportunities is to skip the RRM measurement, while the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the RRM measurement opportunities after time t1 is to perform the RRM measurement.

[0137] In other words, by sending a first signaling message, the access network device can instruct the terminal device to perform a first RRM measurement action at a configured RRM measurement time after the reception time of the first signaling message. Thus, the terminal device can activate the first signaling message and skip RRM measurement and / or perform RRM measurement at a configured RRM measurement time after the reception time of the first signaling message.

[0138] It should be understood that after receiving the first signaling, the terminal device can determine the RRM measurement timing corresponding to the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling based on the first signaling and the configuration information of the RRM measurement timing (such as configuring the time domain start position, period, duration, etc.). In this embodiment, the activation of the first signaling can be understood as the terminal device starting to enable / occur the corresponding first RRM measurement behavior sequentially at each RRM measurement timing according to the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling.

[0139] S502, the access network device sends DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device listens for the DCI.

[0140] During the time period when the first signaling is effective on the terminal device, the access network device may send a DCI to the terminal device. In this embodiment, the DCI is used to indicate that the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement time should be adjusted to the second RRM measurement behavior. Specifically, if the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement.

[0141] In other words, during the time period when the terminal device takes effect with the first signaling, the access network device can, based on network status, data transmission conditions, etc., temporarily adjust or change the first RRM measurement behavior at at least one of the first RRM measurement times when the first signaling takes effect to the second RRM measurement behavior by sending DCI.

[0142] For the terminal device, during the period when the first signaling is effective, it listens for DCI from the access network device. This listening method can be that the terminal device performs blind detection of the DCI on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). This can be understood as the terminal device using a specific radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) to detect the scrambled DCI and attempt to obtain control information. If the DCI is detected, the terminal device can receive it and adjust the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing in the RRM measurement timing when the first signaling is effective to the second RRM measurement behavior. After completing the RRM measurement behavior adjustment indicated by the DCI, the terminal device then performs the corresponding first RRM measurement behavior at an RRM measurement timing after the first RRM measurement timing according to the first signaling. Conversely, if the terminal device does not detect the DCI, it still performs the corresponding first RRM measurement behavior at the corresponding RRM measurement timing according to the first signaling until the DCI is detected.

[0143] This can be understood as follows: DCI temporarily disables the first signaling while DCI becomes effective. If the terminal device receives DCI, it can prioritize adjusting the first RRM measurement behavior at the corresponding RRM measurement time (i.e., the first RRM measurement time) to the second RRM measurement behavior based on DCI. In other words, DCI has a higher priority than the first signaling. After the terminal device completes the corresponding adjustment and the corresponding second RRM measurement behavior occurs at the first RRM measurement time based on DCI, it then performs the corresponding first RRM measurement behavior according to the instructions of the first signaling.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the DCI is used to indicate a first time window, within which the first RRM measurement opportunity lies. That is, the DCI can indicate the location of the first RRM measurement opportunity requiring RRM measurement behavior adjustment by specifying a first time window; specifically, the RRM measurement opportunity located within the first time window is the first RRM measurement opportunity. The DCI can include information such as the start time-domain position and duration of the first time window. It should be understood that the first time window can contain one or more first RRM measurement opportunities, and the start time-domain position of the first time window is located after the DCI reception time with a certain time offset.

[0145] In one possible implementation, there can be one or more first RRM measurement opportunities. The DCI includes a first bitmap, where each bit in the first bitmap indicates the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at each first RRM measurement opportunity. For example, a bit value of 0 indicates that the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at a first RRM measurement opportunity is to skip the RRM measurement, and a bit value of 1 indicates that the adjusted second RRM measurement behavior at a first RRM measurement opportunity is to perform the RRM measurement, and vice versa. Alternatively, each bit in the first bitmap indicates whether the first RRM measurement opportunity is executed according to the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling. For example, a bit value of 0 indicates that the first RRM measurement opportunity is executed according to the opposite behavior of the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling. For instance, if the first RRM measurement behavior is to perform the RRM measurement, then its opposite behavior is to skip the RRM measurement, or if the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip the RRM measurement, then its opposite behavior is to perform the RRM measurement. A bit value of 1 indicates that the first RRM measurement opportunity is executed according to the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling, and vice versa.

[0146] In other words, the DCI can use a first bitmap to indicate the number of first RRM measurement opportunities requiring RRM measurement behavior adjustment and the second RRM measurement behavior to be adjusted. The number of bits in the first bitmap can represent the number of first RRM measurement opportunities, and the value of each bit can represent the second RRM measurement behavior adjusted at each first RRM measurement opportunity. The position of the first RRM measurement opportunity can be determined based on the time when the terminal device receives the DCI. For example, an RRM measurement opportunity located after the DCI reception time and having a certain time offset from the DCI reception time is the first first RRM measurement opportunity indicated by the DCI.

[0147] In Design 1 above, the time period during which the terminal device activates the first signaling can be a preset time period, starting from the moment the terminal device receives the first signaling and ending at the moment the terminal device receives the second signaling. Therefore, the access network device can send DCI within the preset time period. Correspondingly, the terminal device can listen for DCI within the preset time period.

[0148] Continuing with the scenario shown in Figure 6(a), the first signaling indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement. After receiving the first signaling at time t1, the terminal device begins to skip RRM measurement at each RRM measurement opportunity after time t1. During the period until receiving the second signaling at time t2, as shown in Figure 6(b), the access network device can send DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device listens for and receives the DCI at time t3. The DCI can indicate the first time window (such as the offset between the starting time domain position of the first time window and the receiving time of the DCI, and the duration), and the RRM measurement behavior within the first time window. The M measurement timing is the first RRM measurement timing, or if the first bit map included in the DCI is "111" (1 indicates that the second RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement), then the terminal device first determines, based on the DCI, that the three RRM measurement timings after the DCI reception time need to be adjusted from skipping RRM measurement to performing RRM measurement, and performs RRM measurement on the three RRM measurement timings after the DCI reception time. After completing the RRM measurement on the three RRM measurement timings indicated by the DCI, the first signaling continues to be effective, and the RRM measurement continues to be skipped on subsequent RRM measurement timings until the second signaling is received. The scenario shown in Figure 6(b) can be applied when there is sudden interference in the network or when the terminal device is in cell handover, the access network device can temporarily use the DCI to instruct the terminal device to perform RRM measurement.

[0149] Referring again to the scenario shown in Figure 7(a) above, which is the opposite of the scenario shown in Figure 6 above, the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling is to perform RRM measurement. After receiving the first signaling at time t1, the terminal device begins to perform RRM measurement at each RRM measurement opportunity after time t1. During the period until the second signaling is received at time t2, as shown in Figure 7(b), the access network device can send DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device listens for and receives the DCI at time t3. The DCI can indicate the first time window (such as the offset between the starting time domain position of the first time window and the receiving time of the DCI, and the duration), located in the first The RRM measurement opportunity within the time window is the first RRM measurement opportunity, or if the first bit map included in the DCI is "000" (0 indicates that the second RRM measurement behavior is to skip the RRM measurement), then the terminal device first determines, based on the DCI, that the three RRM measurement opportunities after the DCI reception time need to be adjusted from performing RRM measurement to skipping RRM measurement, and skips RRM measurement in the three RRM measurement opportunities after the DCI reception time. After completing the skipped RRM measurement in the three RRM measurement opportunities indicated by the DCI, the first signaling continues to be effective, and RRM measurement continues to be performed in subsequent RRM measurement opportunities until the second signaling is received. The scenario shown in Figure 7(b) can be applied when there is a burst of data transmission, and the access network device can temporarily use the DCI to instruct the terminal device to skip the RRM measurement.

[0150] It should be understood that since there is a certain transmission delay difference between the access network device and the terminal device, but the transmission delay difference is very small, the time when the terminal device receives the DCI can be considered as the time when the access network device sends the DCI.

[0151] In Design 2 above, the start time of the period during which the terminal device takes effect with the first signaling can be the moment when the terminal device enables / occurs the corresponding first RRM measurement behavior at the first RRM measurement opportunity, based on the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling. However, the end time varies depending on the indication method of the first signaling, as described in the relevant section of Design 2 above, and will not be elaborated upon further. Therefore, the access network device can send DCI after sending the first signaling. Correspondingly, the terminal device can listen to DCI after receiving the first signaling.

[0152] It should be understood that since RRM measurement behavior adjustment is not usually indicated at the first RRM measurement time when the first RRM measurement behavior occurs, the access network device can send the first signaling at a time after the first RRM measurement time indicated by the first signaling. Correspondingly, the terminal device can also listen to DCI at a time after the first RRM measurement time indicated by the first signaling.

[0153] Referring again to the scenario shown in Figure 8(a), the first signaling includes a bitmap "01010101". After the terminal device receives the first signaling at time t1, the first signaling takes effect. Then, during the process of alternating between skipping RRM measurement and performing RRM measurement during one RRM measurement opportunity and performing RRM measurement during another RRM measurement opportunity, as shown in Figure 8(b), the access network device can send a DCI to the terminal device. If the first bitmap of the DCI is "1", it instructs the terminal device to adjust the skipped RRM measurement during one RRM measurement opportunity (the first RRM measurement opportunity) to perform RRM measurement. If the terminal device listens to the DCI and receives it at time t2, the terminal device will first adjust the skipped RRM measurement during one RRM measurement opportunity after the DCI reception time to perform RRM measurement according to the DCI. During the RRM measurement opportunity after the adjusted RRM measurement opportunity, the terminal device will continue to alternate between skipping RRM measurement and performing RRM measurement according to the instructions of the first signaling.

[0154] Referring again to the scenario shown in Figure 9(a), the terminal device can determine which RRM measurement actions at the RRM measurement time after the reception time of the first signaling are skipped RRM measurement and which are performed RRM measurement according to the periodic time window indicated by the first signaling. During the process of performing the corresponding first RRM measurement action at the RRM measurement time according to the first signaling, as shown in Figure 9(b), the access network device can send a DCI to the terminal device. If the first bit of the DCI is "1", it indicates that the terminal device will adjust the performed RRM measurement at an RRM measurement time (the first RRM measurement time) to skip the RRM measurement. If the terminal device listens to the DCI and receives the DCI at time t2, the terminal device will first adjust the performed RRM measurement at an RRM measurement time after the DCI reception time to skip the RRM measurement according to the DCI. At the RRM measurement time after the adjusted RRM measurement time, the terminal device will continue to perform the corresponding first RRM measurement action at the RRM measurement time according to the indication of the first signaling.

[0155] The scenarios shown in Figure 8(b) and Figure 9(b) can be applied not only to the access network device temporarily using DCI to instruct the terminal device to skip RRM measurement when there is a sudden data transmission, but also to the access network device temporarily using DCI to instruct the terminal device to perform RRM measurement when there is a sudden interference in the network or when the terminal device is in cell handover.

[0156] It should be understood that the timing of the DCI transmission by the access network device is related to the location of the first RRM measurement timing instructing the terminal device to adjust the RRM measurement behavior. Therefore, the terminal device can adjust the first RRM measurement behavior indicated by the first signaling according to the DCI reception time.

[0157] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device may also report to the access network device the indication method of the RRM measurement it supports. The indication method of the RRM measurement supported by the terminal device refers to which signaling instruction the terminal device supports to skip the RRM measurement or perform the RRM measurement.

[0158] Optionally, the information indicating the method of RRM measurement supported by the terminal device can be sent in the terminal device's auxiliary information (such as UEAssistanceInformation) or in other information or signaling, without limitation.

[0159] The RRM measurement indication methods include RRC signaling indication, DCI indication, and a combination of RRC signaling and DCI indication. RRC signaling indication includes semi-persistent indication (such as the first and second signaling in Design 1 above) and semi-static indication (such as the first signaling in Design 2 above). The combination of RRC signaling and DCI indication includes the first signaling + DCI or the first signaling + DCI + second signaling methods described above.

[0160] For example, the indication method of RRM measurement supported by the terminal device can be indicated by first information, which can be indicated by at least 2 bits. For instance, the first information can be indicated by 2 bits: 1 bit is used to indicate whether RRC signaling indication method is supported, and 1 bit is used to indicate whether DCI indication method is supported. A bit value of 0 indicates no support, and a bit value of 1 indicates support. As another example, the first information can be indicated by 3 bits: 1 bit is used to indicate whether semi-persistent RRC signaling indication method is supported, 1 bit is used to indicate whether semi-static RRC signaling indication method is supported, and 1 bit is used to indicate whether DCI indication method is supported. A bit value of 0 indicates no support, and a bit value of 1 indicates support.

[0161] Therefore, the access network device can send the corresponding type of signaling according to the indication method of RRM measurement supported by the terminal device, so as to indicate whether the terminal device should skip RRM measurement or perform RRM measurement.

[0162] Based on this communication method, the access network device instructs the terminal device on the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the RRM measurement timing by sending a first signaling. During the effective period of the first signaling, it can send a DCI to the terminal device to adjust the first RRM measurement behavior at the first RRM measurement timing indicated by the first signaling to a second RRM measurement behavior, such as changing from skipping RRM measurement to performing RRM measurement, or changing from performing RRM measurement to skipping RRM measurement. Thus, while instructing the terminal device whether to perform or skip RRM measurement with low overhead, it can also flexibly change the RRM measurement behavior by sending a DCI. This method is applicable to scenarios where the terminal device can be temporarily instructed to perform RRM measurement when there is sudden interference in the network or when the terminal device is undergoing cell handover, and it is also applicable to scenarios where the terminal device can be temporarily instructed to skip RRM measurement when there is a sudden data transmission.

[0163] In addition, this application embodiment also provides an RRM measurement indication method. The access network device determines whether the pre-configured data transmission coincides with the RRM measurement timing. If the pre-configured data transmission time coincides with the second RRM measurement timing, the data transmission is canceled at the second RRM measurement timing, and a DCI is sent. The DCI is used to instruct the terminal device to perform RRM measurement at the second RRM measurement timing.

[0164] In other words, the access network device can determine whether the time for sending pre-configured data coincides with the RRM measurement timing based on the configuration information for the periodic transmission of pre-configured data and the configuration information for the RRM measurement timing. If a second RRM measurement timing occurs that coincides with the pre-configured data transmission time, the access network device can send a DCI to the terminal device. The terminal device listens for the DCI, and if it detects it, it cancels the data transmission for the second RRM measurement timing and performs the RRM measurement. The configuration information for the periodic transmission of pre-configured data and the configuration information for the RRM measurement timing can be sent to the terminal device via RRC signaling. For other RRM measurement timings that coincide with the pre-configured data transmission time, if the access network device does not send a DCI, or if the terminal device does not receive a DCI, the terminal device will still cancel the RRM measurement for that RRM measurement timing that coincides with the pre-configured data transmission time and transmit data.

[0165] For example, as shown in Figure 10, the terminal device receives RRC signaling at time t1. RRC signaling can be used to configure periodically transmitted data and periodic RRM measurement timings for RRM measurements. The terminal device can send and receive data at the corresponding time according to the RRC signaling, and perform RRM measurements at the RRM measurement timings. If a second RRM measurement timing coincides with the time of data transmission, and the terminal device has not received a DCI before the second RRM measurement timing, the terminal device cancels the RRM measurement at that second RRM measurement timing (or skips the RRM measurement at the second RRM measurement timing) and maintains data transmission. If the terminal device receives a DCI before the second RRM measurement timing, such as at time t2, the terminal device cancels the data transmission at that second RRM measurement timing and performs RRM measurements at the second RRM measurement timing.

[0166] It should be understood that the transmission time of DCI can be determined by the access network equipment based on the time domain location of the second RRM measurement timing that coincides with the time when the transmitted data occurs.

[0167] It is understood that, in the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the access network device can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used in the access network device; and the methods and / or steps implemented by the terminal device can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used in the terminal device.

[0168] The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in this application. Accordingly, this application also provides a communication device for implementing the various methods in the above method embodiments. This communication device can be an access network device as described in the above method embodiments, or a device containing an access network device, or a component that can be used in an access network device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a terminal device as described in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a terminal device, or a component that can be used in a terminal device, such as a chip or chip system.

[0169] It is understood that, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0170] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0171] Figure 11 illustrates a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1100 may include modules or units for implementing the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device 1100 includes a processing unit 1102 and a communication unit 1103. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage unit 1101 for storing device program code and / or data.

[0172] The communication device 1100 can be a terminal device-side device in the above embodiments, such as a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions.

[0173] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 1103 is configured to: receive a first signaling, the first signaling being used to indicate a first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing, the first RRM measurement behavior being either skipping the RRM measurement or performing the RRM measurement.

[0174] The processing unit 1102 is used to: monitor the DCI, which is used to instruct the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement time to be adjusted to the second RRM measurement behavior; wherein, if the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement, the second RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement.

[0175] In one possible design, when the communication device 1100 is a terminal device or a communication module within a terminal device, the function of the processing unit 1102 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The function of the communication unit 1103 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit.

[0176] In one possible design, when the communication device 1100 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a terminal device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1102 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 1103 can be implemented by an interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0177] The communication device 1100 can be a network-side device as described in the above embodiments. For example, it can be an access network device or a communication module within an access network device, or a circuit or chip within an access network device responsible for communication functions.

[0178] For example, in one embodiment, processing unit 1102 is used to generate the first signaling and the DCI mentioned above. Communication unit 1103 is used to transmit the first signaling and the DCI.

[0179] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0180] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0181] In one example, the storage module may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0182] In this application, the xx unit can also be called xx module, such as the above communication unit can also be called communication module, the processing unit can also be called processing module, and the storage unit can also be called storage module. There is no limitation on this.

[0183] Referring to Figure 12, which is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application, the terminal device 1200 corresponds to the terminal device shown in Figure 1 and is used to implement the operation of the terminal device in the above embodiments. As shown in Figure 12, the terminal device includes: one or more antennas 1210, a radio frequency processing system 1220, and a processor system 1230.

[0184] In the downlink or sidelink direction, the RF processing system 1220 receives RF signals through the antenna 1210 and sends the RF-processed signals to the processor system 1230 for further processing. In the uplink or sidelink direction, the processor system 1230 processes the information from the terminal device side and sends it to the RF processing system 1220, which then processes the signal and transmits it through the antenna 1210.

[0185] In one example, the radio frequency (RF) processing system 1220 serves as the communication interface for external communication of the terminal device and may include an RF front end (RFFE) 1221 and an RF transceiver 1222. The RFFE 1221 is primarily used for one or more processing operations, such as shaping, passband selection, or gain adjustment, on the RF signal received by the antenna or the RF signal to be transmitted through the antenna. It may include one or more components such as an RF switch, duplexer, filter, power amplifier, antenna tuner, and low-noise amplifier. The RFFE 1221 can be a circuit system composed of multiple discrete components or integrated into one or more chips. The RF transceiver 1222 processes the RF signal received by the RFFE into a baseband / IF signal for further processing by the processor system 1230, and processes the baseband / IF signal provided by the processor system 1230 into an RF signal for transmission to the RFFE 1221. The baseband / IF signal transmitted between the RF transceiver 1222 and the processor system 1230 can be a digital signal or an analog signal. The radio frequency transceiver 1222 can be implemented by one or more chips, which are commonly referred to as radio frequency chips (RFICs).

[0186] In one example, processor system 1230 may include one or more processors for processing signals and executing one or more communication protocols. Optionally, processor system 1230 may also include memory 1236. In one example, the one or more processors include at least one baseband processor 1231 (also known as a modem processor). Memory 1236 is used to store data and / or computer program instructions. Optionally, processor system 1230 may also include one or more application processors 1232 for implementing processing of the terminal device operating system and application layer. Optionally, processor system 1230 may also include one or more of a voice subsystem 1233, a multimedia subsystem 1234, or an interface circuit 1235. The voice subsystem 1233 is used to process voice signals, the multimedia subsystem 1234 is used to handle multimedia-related operations, such as video encoding / decoding, image processing, etc., and the interface circuit 1235 is used to enable communication with other terminal device components, such as display 1240, input device 1250, memory 1260, etc. The above-mentioned components in processor system 1230 can communicate with each other via a bus or communication interface circuit.

[0187] In one example, the processor system 1230 can be packaged as a single processor chip, such as a SoC chip or a SIP chip. In another example, the processor system 1230 can be a system composed of multiple chips, for example, the baseband processor 1231 can be packaged as a single chip, or packaged with part or all of the circuitry of the radio frequency processing system into a single chip.

[0188] In one example, memory 1236 can be on-chip memory, i.e., located on the processor system 1230 chip. In another example, memory 1260 can be off-chip memory, i.e. located outside the processor system 1230 chip.

[0189] In one example, the baseband processor 1231 may include one or more processor cores 12311 and interface circuitry 12314. The one or more processor cores 12311 are used to process signals and execute one or more communication protocols. Optionally, the baseband processor 1231 may also include a memory 12312 for storing at least a portion of the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. In one example, the one or more processor cores 12311 execute the computer program instructions stored in the memory 12312 to implement the relevant operations in the above method embodiments (such as the terminal device receiving the first signaling and monitoring DCI). In this disclosure, memory 12312 is used to store corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. This can mean that memory 12312 stores all corresponding computer program instructions and / or data for execution by processor core 12311; or it can mean that memory 12312 stores a portion of corresponding computer program instructions and / or data, including the computer program instructions and / or data currently required to be executed by processor core 12311. Memory 12312 can store different portions of computer program instructions and / or data multiple times for execution by processor core 12311 to implement the relevant operations in the above method embodiments. Interface circuit 12314 serves as a communication interface for communication with other components, such as transmitting signals with radio frequency processing system 1220, communicating with other subsystems and related components of processor system 1230 via a bus, such as transmitting data control signals with application processor 1232, and transmitting data or computer program instructions with memory 1236 or memory 1260. Optionally, in order to reduce the load on the processor core, a baseband signal processing circuit 12313 can be set to perform at least some baseband signal processing, including one or more of signal demodulation, modulation, encoding or decoding.

[0190] In one example, the communication device provided in this application may be a terminal device 1200, including a communication module comprising a processor system 1230 and a radio frequency system 1220, or a baseband processor 1231.

[0191] The processor, processor system, application processor, baseband processor, processor circuit or processor core mentioned above can be collectively referred to as a processor. The processor may include one or more of the following: CPU, DSP, microprocessor unit (MPU), MCU, graphics processing unit (GPU), FPGA, artificial intelligence processor (AI processor) or neural processing unit (NPU).

[0192] The aforementioned memory may include one or more of the following storage media: random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), phase-change memory (PCM), resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), cache, register, read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), hard disk, etc. In one example, computer program instructions for executing the above embodiments may be stored on non-volatile memory, such as at least a portion of the aforementioned memory 1260 (e.g., one or more of ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or hard disk). When the terminal device is running, the corresponding computer program instructions may be partially or wholly loaded onto a memory with a faster transfer speed than the processor, such as at least a portion of the memory 1236 and / or memory 12312 (e.g., one or more of RAM, SRAM, DRAM, PCM, RERAM, MRAM, FRAM, cache, or register), for the processor to execute in order to implement the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0193] In one example, the RF transceiver 1222 and the RF front-end 1221 can also be packaged in a single chip. In another example, the RF transceiver 1222, the RF front-end 1221, and the baseband processor 1231 can also be packaged in a single chip.

[0194] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0195] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0196] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0197] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0198] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first signaling message, the first signaling message being used to indicate a first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing, the first RRM measurement behavior being either skipping RRM measurement or performing RRM measurement; Listen to downlink control information (DCI), which is used to indicate that the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing will be adjusted to the second RRM measurement behavior; wherein, if the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The DCI is used to indicate a first time window, and the first RRM measurement occurs within the first time window.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first RRM measurement timing is one or more, and the DCI includes a first bit map, where each bit in the first bit map indicates the second RRM measurement behavior adjusted at each RRM measurement timing.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, the first RRM measurement occurs within a preset time period, the start time of the preset time period is the time when the first signaling is received, the end time of the preset time period is the time when the second signaling is received, and the second signaling is used to indicate the cessation of the first RRM measurement behavior. The monitoring of DCI includes: monitoring the DCI within the preset time period.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first signaling is RRC signaling, which is used to indicate that the first RRM measurement behavior in one or more of the RRM measurement opportunities is the RRM measurement opportunity that skips the RRM measurement. The monitoring of the DCI includes: monitoring the DCI after receiving the first signaling.

6. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processing module and communication module; among which, The communication module is used to receive a first signaling, which is used to indicate a first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement time, wherein the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip the RRM measurement or to perform the RRM measurement. The processing module is configured to monitor the DCI, which indicates that the first RRM measurement behavior corresponding to the first RRM measurement timing will be adjusted to the second RRM measurement behavior; wherein, if the first RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement; if the first RRM measurement behavior is to perform RRM measurement, then the second RRM measurement behavior is to skip RRM measurement.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The DCI is used to indicate a first time window, and the first RRM measurement occurs within the first time window.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first RRM measurement timing is one or more, and the DCI includes a first bit map, where each bit in the first bit map indicates the second RRM measurement behavior adjusted at each RRM measurement timing.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The first signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, the first RRM measurement occurs within a preset time period, the start time of the preset time period is the time when the first signaling is received, the end time of the preset time period is the time when the second signaling is received, and the second signaling is used to indicate the cessation of the first RRM measurement behavior. The processing module is used to monitor the DCI, including: the processing module is used to monitor the DCI within the preset time period.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The first signaling is RRC signaling, which is used to indicate that the first RRM measurement behavior in one or more of the RRM measurement opportunities is the RRM measurement opportunity that skips the RRM measurement. The processing module is used to monitor the DCI, including: the processing module is used to monitor the DCI after receiving the first signaling.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-5 to be performed.

12. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program or instructions that, when run, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-5 to be performed.

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