Communication method, user equipment and base station

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a user equipment and a base station. The method comprises: determining a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband; and monitoring paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband, wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to a same cell, paging resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband. The present disclosure relates to 5G or 6G communication systems for supporting higher data rates beyond 4G communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE).

Description

COMMUNICATION METHOD, USER EQUIPMENT AND BASE STATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, a user equipment (UE), and a base station.

[0002] Considering the development of wireless communication from generation to generation, the technologies have been developed mainly for services targeting humans, such as voice calls, multimedia services, and data services. Following the commercialization of 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, it is expected that the number of connected devices will exponentially grow. Increasingly, these will be connected to communication networks. Examples of connected things may include vehicles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors connected to various infrastructures, construction machines, and factory equipment. Mobile devices are expected to evolve in various form-factors, such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and hologram devices. In order to provide various services by connecting hundreds of billions of devices and things in the 6th-generation (6G) era, there have been ongoing efforts to develop improved 6G communication systems.

[0003] The 6G communication systems, which are expected to be commercialized around 2030, will have a peak data rate of tera (1,000 gigabit)-level bps and a radio latency of less than 100 μsec, and thus will be 50 times the data rate of the 5G communication systems with 1 / 10th of its radio latency.

[0004] 6G communication systems, which are expected to be commercialized around 2030, have various significantly improved metrics compared to the current 5G communication systems. The peak data rate will reach at least 50 Gbit / s, and the user experienced data rate will reach at least 300 Mbit / s, the air-interface latency will be less than 1 ms, and the air-interface reliability will reach 10-5. In addition to the above basic communication metrics, the 6G communication systems will also have sensing capabilities, AI-related capabilities, better security, better interoperability and better sustainability.

[0005] In order for the 6G communication systems to fulfill the above metrics, more advanced air-interface technologies and network technologies need to be developed. The evolution of extreme Multiple Input Multiple Output (extreme MIMO) has been already under consideration, including the use of ultra-large scale antenna arrays, the development and evolution of distributed antenna systems, and the design of MIMO air-interface algorithms assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This technology enables higher spectral efficiency, greater coverage, and precise localization and sensing capabilities. In addition, for technologies that assist in improving coverage in high frequency bands, in order to achieve such high data rates and ultra-low latency, the 6G communication systems have been considered to be implemented in terahertz (e.g., 95 GHz to 3 THz band). It is expected that the technologies capable of ensuring signal transmission distance (i.e., coverage) will become even more critical, since path loss and atmospheric absorption in the terahertz band are more severe than that in the millimeter wave (mmWave) band introduced in 5G. As main technologies to ensure the coverage, it is necessary to develop radio frequency (RF) elements, antennas, and novel waveforms with better coverage than orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), beamforming, and massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and multi-antenna transmission techniques such as large-scale antennas. In addition, new technologies that have been discussed to improve signal coverage of terahertz band, such as metamaterial-based lenses and antennas, novel antenna architectures, orbital angular momentum (OAM) and reconfigurable intelligence surface (RIS), also need to be better evolved and developed.

[0006] In order to meet some of newly added functions of the 6G communication systems, new technologies need to be developed in the terms of network energy saving, air-interface security, and network security, meanwhile the feasibility of fusion technologies such as Integrated Sensing and Communication, needs to be studied.

[0007] Moreover, in order to improve the spectral efficiency and the overall network performances, the following technologies have been developed for 6G communication systems: a full-duplex technology for enabling an uplink transmission and a downlink transmission to simultaneously use the same frequency resource at the same time; a network technology for utilizing satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and the like in an integrated manner; an improved network structure for supporting mobile base stations and the like and enabling network operation optimization and automation and the like; a dynamic spectrum sharing technology via collision avoidance based on a prediction of spectrum usage; an use of artificial intelligence (AI) in wireless communication for improvement of overall network operation by utilizing AI from a designing phase for developing 6G and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions; and a next-generation distributed computing technology for overcoming the limit of user equipment (UE) computing ability through reachable super-high-performance communication and computing resources (such as mobile edge computing (MEC), clouds, and the like) over the network. In addition, through designing new protocols to be used in 6G communication systems, developing mechanisms for implementing a hardware-based security environment and safe use of data, and developing technologies for maintaining privacy, attempts to strengthen the connectivity between devices, optimize the network, promote softwarization of network entities, and increase the openness of wireless communications are continuing.

[0008] It is expected that research and development of 6G communication systems in hyper-connectivity, including person to machine (P2M) as well as machine to machine (M2M), will allow the next hyper-connected experience. Particularly, it is expected that services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram, and digital replica could be provided through 6G communication systems. In addition, services such as remote surgery for security and reliability enhancement, industrial automation, and emergency response will be provided through the 6G communication system such that the technologies could be applied in various fields such as industry, medical care, automobiles, and home appliances.

[0009] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide method and apparatus for supporting at least two frequency subbands (carriers) in one cell.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide method and apparatus for NCSC (N Carriers Single cell) in RRC idle mode (state).

[0011] The technical subjects pursued in the disclosure may not be limited to the above-mentioned technical subjects, and other technical subjects which are not mentioned may be clearly understood, through the following descriptions, by those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

[0012] According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprises:

[0013] determining a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband; and

[0014] monitoring paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband,

[0015] wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to the same cell, paging resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband.

[0016] Optionally, determining a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following ways:

[0017] determining the paging frequency subband based on at least one of an identity document (ID) of the UE, the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, the number of paging frames (PFs) in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, the number of paging occasions (POs) in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband; or

[0018] determining the paging frequency subband based on a UE type of the UE.

[0019] Optionally, an index number of the paging frequency subband is determined by at least one of the following:

[0020] a value of n1satisfying a formula ; or

[0021] the smallest value of n2satisfying a formula ,

[0022] where UE_UD denotes the ID of the UE, Nndenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, N denotes the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, Nsdenotes the number of POs in a PF, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, the floor denotes a rounding operation, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0023] Optionally, each UE type is associated with one or more paging frequency subbands.

[0024] Optionally, the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0025] Optionally, the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are configured by the system information.

[0026] Optionally, the system information comprises at least one of the following:

[0027] index numbers of the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type; or

[0028] information related to the UE type associated with each frequency subband.

[0029] Optionally, if the paging frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE is plural, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:

[0030] determining one paging frequency subband from a plurality of paging frequency subbands associated with the UE type of the UE based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of paging frequency subbands associated with the UE type of the UE, the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, the number of POs in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each paging frequency subband; or

[0031] monitoring the paging messages based on the determined one paging frequency subband.

[0032] Optionally, the paging messages comprise UE-specific paging messages and cell-common paging messages, the method further comprises:

[0033] monitoring the UE-specific paging messages and the cell-common paging messages separately on different paging frequency subbands.

[0034] Optionally, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:

[0035] monitoring the UE-specific paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband; and

[0036] monitoring the cell-common paging messages on another frequency subband.

[0037] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0038] Optionally, the UE's capabilities comprise:

[0039] a first capability capable of simultaneous transmission and / or simultaneous reception on at least two frequency subbands;

[0040] or,

[0041] a second capability only capable of transmission and / or reception on one frequency subband at the same time.

[0042] Optionally, the UE is a UE with the second capability, and if the frequency subband for monitoring the UE-specific paging messages and the frequency subband for monitoring the cell-common paging messages are different, and if there is a temporal overlap between POs of the cell-common paging messages and POs of the UE-specific paging messages, the UE-specific paging messages are preferentially monitored.

[0043] Optionally, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:

[0044] monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for scheduling the paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband; and

[0045] receiving a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) related to the paging messages on another frequency subband, if the PDCCH is received.

[0046] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, configured by the system information, or indicated by the PDCCH.

[0047] Optionally, if the determined paging frequency subband is plural, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises at least one of the following ways:

[0048] sequentially monitoring POs of different paging cycles on a plurality of paging frequency subbands; or

[0049] sequentially monitoring different repetitions of the same PO on a plurality of paging frequency subbands.

[0050] Optionally, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:

[0051] monitoring a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) on the determined paging frequency subband; or

[0052] monitoring the paging messages on another frequency subband, if the LP-WUS is monitored, or if the LP-WUS is monitored and the LP-WUS indicates a need to monitor the paging messages.

[0053] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, configured by the system information, or indicated by the LP-WUS.

[0054] Optionally, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:

[0055] monitoring a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) on another frequency subband; or

[0056] monitoring the paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband, if the LP-WUS is monitored, or if the LP-WUS is monitored and the LP-WUS indicates a need to monitor the paging messages.

[0057] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0058] Optionally, another frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0059] the first frequency subband;

[0060] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0061] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0062] Optionally, if the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state, the paging frequency subband is determined based on the ID of the UE; and / or

[0063] if the UE is in an RRC inactive state, the paging frequency subband is determined based on a configuration of UE-specific RRC signaling.

[0064] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0065] deciding whether or not to perform a cell reselection process based on priorities of a camped-on cell and a neighboring cell of the UE, in case that the camped-on cell and / or the neighboring cell comprises the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband.

[0066] Optionally, the priorities of the cells are configured by the system information, or

[0067] the priorities of the cells are related to at least one of the following:

[0068] the number of the frequency subbands;

[0069] the number of activated frequency subbands;

[0070] a total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands; or

[0071] a total bandwidth size of activated frequency subbands.

[0072] Optionally, the greater the number of the frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or

[0073] the greater the number of activated frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or

[0074] the larger the total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or

[0075] the larger the total bandwidth size of activated frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is.

[0076] Optionally, the method further comprises at least one of the following:

[0077] performing a radio resource management (RRM) measurement based on a reference signal on the first frequency subband;

[0078] performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband; or

[0079] determining an RRM measurement frequency subband from the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, and performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the determined RRM measurement frequency subband.

[0080] Optionally, the configuration information regarding the second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0081] information related to whether there is an SSB transmission on the second frequency subband;

[0082] information related to time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources on the second frequency subband that are used to transmit an SSB; or

[0083] information related to whether the SSB transmitted on the second frequency subband is used for the RRM measurement.

[0084] Optionally, for the case of performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband, a measurement result comprises at least one of the following:

[0085] optimal measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband;

[0086] measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; or

[0087] measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband, and the optimal measurement values on the at least one second frequency subband.

[0088] Optionally, the determined RRM measurement frequency subband is configured by the system information; and / or

[0089] the determined RRM measurement frequency subband is a frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE.

[0090] Optionally, the frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0091] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0092] determining a small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; and

[0093] initiating a small data transmission on the determined small data transmission frequency subband,

[0094] wherein physical random access channel (PRACH) resources and / or configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband.

[0095] Optionally, the determining a small data transmission frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following ways:

[0096] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband;

[0097] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) value of a downlink path loss reference;

[0098] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a priority of arrival data;

[0099] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a data volume of the arrival data;

[0100] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a remaining packet delay budget (PDB) of the arrival data;

[0101] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on an index number of a logical channel (LCH) or a logical channel group (LCG) of the arrival data; or

[0102] determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a traffic type of the arrival data.

[0103] Optionally, an index number of the small data transmission frequency subband is determined by at least one of the following:

[0104] a value of n3satisfying a formula ; or

[0105] the smallest value of n4satisfying a formula ,

[0106] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nmdenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0107] Optionally, if the RSRP value is less than a first threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0108] if the RSRP value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband.

[0109] Optionally, the small data transmission frequency subband is determined based on a range interval in which the RSRP value is located.

[0110] Optionally, the small data transmission frequency subband associated with the range interval is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0111] Optionally, if a priority of the arriving data is higher than a priority threshold, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband; and / or

[0112] if the priority of the arriving data is lower than or equal to the priority threshold, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband.

[0113] Optionally, if the data volume of the arriving data is less than a second threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0114] if the data volume of the arrival data is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband; and / or

[0115] the small data transmission frequency subband is a frequency subband in which the maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted is greater than or equal to the data volume of the arrival data and is closest to the data volume of the arrival data.

[0116] Optionally, if the remaining PDB of the arrival data is greater than or equal to a third threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0117] if the remaining PDB of the arrival data is less than the third threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of at least one second frequency subband.

[0118] Optionally, the LCH or LCG of the arrival data is associated with one or more small data transmission frequency subbands.

[0119] Optionally, the small data transmission frequency subband associated with each LCH or LCG is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0120] Optionally, the initiating a small data transmission on the determined small data transmission frequency subband comprises:

[0121] if the small data transmission frequency subbands associated with the LCH or LCG of the arrival data are plural, determining one small data transmission frequency subband from the associated plurality of small data transmission frequency subbands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of frequency subbands corresponding to the LCH or LCG of the arrival data, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband; and

[0122] initiating a small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband.

[0123] Optionally, if the arrival data is control-plane related data, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0124] if the arrival data is user-plane related data, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband.

[0125] Optionally, the initiating a small data transmission on the determined small data transmission frequency subband comprises:

[0126] if a number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, determining one small data transmission frequency subband from the at least two second frequency subbands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband; and

[0127] initiating a small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband.

[0128] Optionally, the UE is an RRC idle state UE or an RRC inactive state UE.

[0129] According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a base station in a communication system, the method comprises:

[0130] configuring corresponding paging resources separately for one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband; and

[0131] transmitting different paging messages to different groups of user equipments (UEs) on different frequency subbands,

[0132] wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to a same cell, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband.

[0133] According to yet another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a user equipment (UE), the UE comprises:

[0134] a transceiver; and

[0135] a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the method performed by the UE in the communication system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0136] According to still another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a base station, the base station comprises:

[0137] a transceiver; and

[0138] a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the method performed by the base station in the communication system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0139] According to a further aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, that when executed by a processor, implements the method performed by the UE or the base station in the communication system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0140] According to a further aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program, that when executed by a processor, implements the method performed by the UE or the base station in the communication system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0141] The communication method, the user equipment and the base station according to the embodiments of the present disclosure determine a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband; and monitor paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband, wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to a same cell, paging resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband. By the above scheme of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to enable different UEs to monitor the paging messages through different paging frequency subbands, thereby reducing the system load.

[0142] The communication method, the user equipment, and the base station according to the embodiments of the present disclosure decide whether or not to perform a cell reselection process based on priorities of a camped-on cell and a neighboring cell of the UE, in case that the camped-on cell and / or the neighboring cell comprises the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband. By the above scheme of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible for the UE to camp on a cell with a higher priority at a faster speed, thereby improving the efficiency of cell reselection.

[0143] The communication method, the user equipment and the base station according to the embodiments of the present disclosure perform a radio resource management (RRM) measurement based on a reference signal on the first frequency subband; and / or perform the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband; and / or determine an RRM measurement frequency subband from the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, and perform the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the determined RRM measurement frequency subband. Since there is no need to perform the RRM measurement on all the frequency subbands, mobility measurements can be simplified, thereby simplifying mobility management.

[0144] The communication method, the user equipment and the base station according to the embodiments of the present disclosure determine a small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; and initiate a small data transmission on the determined small data transmission frequency subband, wherein physical random access channel (PRACH) resources and / or configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband. By the above scheme of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to enable different UEs to initiate the small data transmission through different paging frequency subbands, thereby reducing the system load.

[0145] An embodiment of the disclosure provides method and apparatus for supporting at least two frequency subbands (carriers) in one cell.

[0146] An embodiment of the disclosure provides method and apparatus for NCSC (N Carriers Single cell) in RRC idle mode (state).

[0147] Advantageous effects obtainable from the disclosure may not be limited to the above - mentioned effects, and other effects which are not mentioned may be clearly understood from the following descriptions by those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

[0148] In order to more clearly explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings to be used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be briefly described below.

[0149] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0150] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0151] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a user equipment (UE) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0152] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method performed by a UE in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0153] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a virtual carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0154] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a first frequency subband and second frequency subbands according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0155] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of sequentially monitoring POs of different paging cycles on a plurality of paging frequency subbands according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0156] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of sequentially monitoring different repetitions of the same PO on a plurality of paging frequency subbands according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0157] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a method performed by a base station in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0158] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term "couple" and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms "transmit," "receive," and "communicate," as well as derivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and / or. The phrase "associated with," as well as derivatives thereof, means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. The phrase "at least one of," when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, "at least one of: A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C. Likewise, the term "set" means one or more. Accordingly, a set of items can be a single item or a collection of two or more items.

[0160] Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computer readable program code. The phrase "computer readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer readable medium" includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

[0161] Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

[0162] The figures included herein, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system.

[0163] FIGS. 1-3 below describe various embodiments of the present disclosure implemented in wireless communications systems. The descriptions of FIGS. 1-3 are not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. Different embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably-arranged communications system.

[0164] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network includes a base station (next generation nodeB, gNB or gNodeB) 101, a gNB 102, and a gNB 103. The gNB 101 communicates with the gNB 102 and the gNB 103. The gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130, such as the Internet, a proprietary Internet Protocol (IP) network, or other data network.

[0166] The gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for a plurality of first user equipments (UEs) within a coverage area 120 of the gNB 102. The plurality of first UEs include a UE 111, which may be located in a small business; a UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise (E); a UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); a UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R1); a UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R2); and a UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. The gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for a plurality of second UEs within a coverage area 125 of the gNB 103. The plurality of second UEs include the UE 115 and the UE 116, as well as subscriber stations (SS, for example, UEs) 117, 118 and 119. In some embodiments, one or more of the gNBs 101-103 may communicate with each other and with the UEs 111-116 using existing wireless communication techniques, and one or more of the UE 111-119 may communicate directly with each other (e.g., UEs 117-119) using other existing or proposed wireless communication techniques.

[0167] Depending on the network type, the term "base station" or "BS" can refer to any component (or collection of components) configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as transmit point (TP), transmit-receive point (TRP), an enhanced (or "evolved") base station (eNodeB or eNB), a 5G base station (gNB), a macrocell, a femtocell, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), or other wirelessly enabled devices. Base stations may provide wireless access in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols, e.g., 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), high speed packet access (HSPA), Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc. For the sake of convenience, the various names for a base station-type apparatus and functionality are used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Also, depending on the network type, the term "user equipment" (UE) can refer to any component such as a mobile station (MS), subscriber station (SS), remote terminal, wireless terminal, receive point, or user device. For the sake of convenience, the various names for a user equipment-type device and functionality are used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to remote wireless equipment that wirelessly accesses a BS, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile telephone or smartphone) or is normally considered a stationary device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

[0168] Dotted lines show the approximate extents of the coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as approximately circular for the purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with gNBs, such as the coverage areas 120 and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending upon the configuration of the gNBs and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstructions.

[0169] As described in more detail below, one or more of the UEs 111-119 include circuitry, programing, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, and one or more of the gNBs 101-103 includes circuitry, programing, or a combination thereof.

[0170] Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless network, various changes may be made to FIG. 1. For example, the wireless network could include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Also, the gNB 101 could communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to the network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 could communicate directly with the network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to the network 130. Further, the gNBs 101, 102, and / or 103 could provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks.

[0171] FIG. 2 illustrates an example base station according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the gNB 102 illustrated in FIG. 2 is for illustration only, and the gNBs 101 and 103 of FIG. 1 could have the same or similar configuration. However, gNBs come in a wide variety of configurations, and FIG. 2 does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation of a gNB.

[0172] As shown in FIG 2, the gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 200a-200n, multiple radio frequency (RF) transceivers 201a-201n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry 203, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 204. The gNB 102 also includes a controller / processor 205, a memory 206, and a backhaul or network interface 207.

[0173] The RF transceivers 201a-201n receive, from the antennas 200a-200n, incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by UEs in the network 100. The RF transceivers 201a-201n down-convert the incoming RF signals to generate intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are sent to the RX processing circuitry 204, which generates processed baseband signals by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signals. The RX processing circuitry 204 transmits the processed baseband signals to the controller / processor 205 for further processing.

[0174] The TX processing circuitry 203 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, web data, electronic mail, or interactive video game data) from the controller / processor 205. The TX processing circuitry 203 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate processed baseband or IF signals. The RF transceivers 201a-201n receive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signals from the TX processing circuitry 203 and up-converts the baseband or IF signals to RF signals that are transmitted via the antennas 201a-201n.

[0175] The controller / processor 205 can include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 205 could control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceivers 201a-201n, the RX processing circuitry 204, and the TX processing circuitry 203 in accordance with well-known principles. The controller / processor 205 could support additional functions as well, such as more advanced wireless communication functions.

[0176] For instance, the controller / processor 205 could support beam forming or directional routing operations in which outgoing signals from multiple antennas 200a-200n are weighted differently to effectively steer the outgoing signals in a desired direction. Any of a wide variety of other functions could be supported in the gNB 102 by the controller / processor 205.

[0177] The controller / processor 205 is also capable of executing programs and other processes resident in the memory 206, such as an operating system (OS). The controller / processor 205 can move data into or out of the memory 206 as required by an executing process.

[0178] The controller / processor 205 is also coupled to the backhaul or network interface 207. The backhaul or network interface 207 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems over a backhaul connection or over a network. The interface 207 could support communications over any suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as one supporting 5G, LTE, or LTE-A), the interface 207 could allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs over a wired or wireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the interface 207 could allow the gNB 102 to communicate over a wired or wireless local area network or over a wired or wireless connection to a larger network (such as the Internet). The interface 207 includes any suitable structure supporting communications over a wired or wireless connection, such as an Ethernet or RF transceiver.

[0179] The memory 206 is coupled to the controller / processor 205. Part of the memory 206 could include a random access memory (RAM), and another part of the memory 206 could include a Flash memory or other read only memory (ROM).

[0180] Although FIG. 2 illustrates one example of gNB 102, various changes may be made to FIG. 2. For example, the gNB 102 could include any number of each component shown in FIG. 2. As a particular example, an access point could include a number of interfaces 207, and the controller / processor 205 could support routing functions to route data between different network addresses. As another particular example, while shown as including a single instance of TX processing circuitry 203 and a single instance of RX processing circuitry 204, the gNB 102 could include multiple instances of each (such as one per RF transceiver). Also, various components in FIG. 2 could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs.

[0181] FIG. 3 illustrates an example user equipment according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the UE 116 illustrated in FIG. 3 is for illustration only, and the UEs 111-115 and 117-119 of FIG. 1 could have the same or similar configuration. However, UEs come in a wide variety of configurations, and FIG. 3 does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation of a UE.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 3, the UE 116 includes an antenna 301, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 302, TX processing circuitry 303, a microphone 304, and receiver (RX) processing circuitry 305. The UE 116 also includes a speaker 306, a controller or processor 307, an input / output (I / O) interface (IF) 308, an input device 309, a touchscreen display 310, and a memory 311. The memory 311 includes an OS 312 and one or more applications 313.

[0183] The RF transceiver 302 receives, from the antenna 301, an incoming RF signal transmitted by a gNB of the network 100. The RF transceiver 302 down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an IF or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent to the RX processing circuitry 305, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry 305 transmits the processed baseband signal to the speaker 306 (such as for voice data) or to the processor 307 for further processing (such as for web browsing data).

[0184] The TX processing circuitry 303 receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone 304 or other outgoing baseband data (such as web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from the processor 307. The TX processing circuitry 303 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceiver 302 receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuitry 303 and up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via the antenna 301.

[0185] The processor 307 can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute the OS 312 stored in the memory 311 in order to control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor 307 could control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceiver 302, the RX processing circuitry 305, and the TX processing circuitry 303 in accordance with well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor 307 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0186] The processor 307 is also capable of executing other processes and programs resident in the memory 311, such as processes for CSI reporting on uplink channel. The processor 307 can move data into or out of the memory 311 as required by an executing process. In some embodiments, the processor 307 is configured to execute the applications 313 based on the OS 312 or in response to signals received from gNBs or an operator. The processor 307 is also coupled to the I / O interface 308, which provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices, such as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I / O interface 308 is the communication path between these accessories and the processor 307.

[0187] The processor 307 is also coupled to the touchscreen display 310. The user of the UE 116 can use the touchscreen display 310 to enter data into the UE 116. The touchscreen display 310 may be a liquid crystal display, light emitting diode display, or other display capable of rendering text and / or at least limited graphics, such as from web sites.

[0188] The memory 311 is coupled to the processor 307. Part of the memory 311 could include RAM, and another part of the memory 311 could include a Flash memory or other ROM.

[0189] Although FIG. 3 illustrates one example of UE 116, various changes may be made to FIG. 3. For example, various components in FIG. 3 could be combined, further subdivided, or omitted and additional components could be added according to particular needs. As a particular example, the processor 307 could be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Also, while FIG. 3 illustrates the UE 116 configured as a mobile telephone or smartphone, UEs could be configured to operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices.

[0190] In order to improve system performance, at least two frequency subbands (carriers), such as one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband, may be deployed in one cell (e.g., a camped-on cell or a neighboring cell, etc. of the UE), and for the case where one cell comprises a plurality of carriers, enhancements to existing communication mechanisms or processes of the communication system are required, e.g., paging, cell reselection, RRM measurement, or small data transmission, and the like.

[0191] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and the technical effects resulting therefrom are explained below by describing several exemplary implementations. It should be noted that the following implementations may be referenced by, learned from, or combined with each other, and the same terms, similar features, and similar implementation steps in different implementations will not be repeatedly described again.

[0192] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method performed by a UE in a communication system. As shown in FIG. 4, the method comprises:

[0193] step S101: determine a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband, wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to the same cell, paging resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband; and

[0194] step S102: monitor paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for a scenario where the at least two frequency subbands (or carriers) may be deployed in one cell (e.g., the camped-on cell or the neighboring cell, etc. of the UE), the first frequency subband may be defined to transmit frequency subbands of a synchronization signal block (SSB) and a system information block 1 (SIB 1, first cell system information block), wherein the SSB includes at least one of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and the frequency subbands other than the first frequency subband may be referred to as second frequency subbands. Optionally, the system information transmitted by the first frequency subband comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband.

[0196] Optionally, in one cell, there is only one first frequency subband, and the number of the second frequency subbands may be plural.

[0197] Optionally, the at least two frequency subbands may each be in different frequency bands (corresponding to different frequency band numbers), and each frequency subband includes a segment of continuous frequency resources. Optionally, each segment of frequency resources is discontinuous.

[0198] Optionally, the UE identifies, camps on, and / or accesses one cell via the first frequency subband, for example, camps on this cell by receiving the SSB and SIB1 transmitted on the first frequency subband, and the SIB1 transmitted on the first frequency subband includes a configuration message regarding one or more second frequency subbands.

[0199] In a scenario of the embodiment of the present disclosure, there are no large-bandwidth spectrums in the spectrums allocated to an operator, and there are only a few small-bandwidth spectrums spread in different frequency bands. In this case, the operator may deploy a plurality of small-bandwidth spectrums in a cell (which may also be referred to as a serving cell) to form a large-bandwidth spectrum to provide communication services for the UE, where each small-bandwidth spectrum may be referred to as a frequency subband, the frequency resources included in each frequency subband are continuous, and the plurality of frequency subbands may belong to different frequency bands. Each frequency subband may also be understood as a small-bandwidth carrier, and a large-bandwidth spectrum formed by the plurality of frequency subbands may be referred to as a virtual carrier, that is, the cell provides communication services for the UE by the virtual carrier, to achieve a service effect similar to that of the large-bandwidth carrier. A maximum difference between the virtual carrier and a normal carrier is that frequency domain resources in the virtual carrier are physically discontinuous and may span different frequency bands. The small-bandwidth carrier used to form the virtual carrier may also be referred to as a frequency segment, a frequency part, a carrier segment, a carrier part, a carrier subband, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0200] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, four frequency subbands with bandwidth sizes of 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 15 MHz may constitute a virtual carrier with a bandwidth size of 50 MHz, and the four frequency subbands may belong to different frequency band numbers. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the virtual carrier is formed by aggregating a plurality of frequency subbands whose frequencies are discontinuous, and the bandwidth size of the virtual carrier is a sum of the bandwidth sizes of the plurality of frequency subbands.

[0201] In addition, there may be spectrums allocated to different communication systems in the plurality of frequency subbands constituting the virtual carrier. For example, one of the plurality of frequency subbands belongs to a spectrum of a 6G system, and the other frequency subband belongs to a spectrum of a 5G system, and the spectrum of the 5G system may be dynamically shared between the 5G system and the 6G system, or the spectrum of the 5G system is refarming to the 6G system for use.

[0202] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may receive the service of the cell on at least one of the plurality of frequency subbands, for example, perform data transmission and / or control signaling transmission.

[0203] In the plurality of frequency subbands (one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband) constituting the virtual carrier, functions of these frequency subbands may be different. For example, the first frequency subband may be used to transmit an SSB and a SIB1, etc., the first frequency subband may be referred to as a primary frequency subband, and other second frequency subbands may be referred to as secondary frequency subbands.

[0204] Optionally, the first frequency subband (which may also be referred to as an anchor frequency subband) may have at least one of the following functions.

[0205] (1) Initial synchronization and basic system information transmission are provided for UEs in the cell. For example, a synchronization signal (SS), a physical broadcast channel, and a SIB1 should be transmitted at least periodically on a downlink first frequency subband, where the synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal. For example, the first frequency subband should transmit at least an SSB and a SIB1 that are used for cell defining (CD).

[0206] (2) An initial random access function is provided for UEs in the cell. For example, resources of a physical random access channel (PRACH) common to the cell should be configured on an uplink first frequency subband.

[0207] (3) A mobility management function is provided for UEs in the cell. For example, the UE performs a measurement for an RRM purpose only based on a reference signal (for example, an SSB and / or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS)) on the downlink first frequency subband, and is not required to perform RRM measurement on other frequency subbands.

[0208] Optionally, to implement the foregoing functions, the first frequency subband has a lower frequency and a larger coverage than the other frequency subbands. In addition, the first frequency subband may further provide a basic data transmission function for UEs in the cell, but due to a bandwidth of the first frequency subband is generally small, a peak rate of the provided data transmission is low.

[0209] Optionally, frequency subbands other than the first frequency subband (the second frequency subbands) may be used as a supplement to the first frequency subband, and thus, the second frequency subbands may also be referred to as supplemental frequency subbands. For a downlink second frequency subband, it is mainly used for supplementing a data transmission service, for example, providing a data transmission service with a higher peak rate than the first frequency subband. For an uplink second frequency subband, it is used for supplementing a data transmission service, and / or is used for supplementing the coverage, for example, providing a data transmission service with a higher peak rate than the first frequency subband, and / or providing a wider coverage than the first frequency subband.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 6, a frequency subband f1 is the first frequency subband, and may provide basic coverage and data transmission services for a cell, and a frequency subband f2 and a frequency subband f3 are the second frequency subbands, and may provide a supplement to data services for a hotspot area in the cell.

[0211] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first frequency subband may also be referred to as an anchor carrier, a primary carrier, or a normal carrier, etc., and the second frequency subbands may also be referred to as other technical terms such as a non-anchor carrier, a secondary carrier, a supplementary carrier, or a data carrier, and the like.

[0212] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, corresponding active bandwidth parts (BWPs) may be respectively configured on at least two frequency subbands (one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband). For example, one or more BWPs may be configured on each frequency subband, but only one of the BWPs is activated. That is, there may be at least two active BWPs respectively on different frequency subbands in one cell, and the multiple frequency subbands may be respectively on different frequency bands. In these active BWPs, an active BWP on the first frequency subband may be referred to as a primary active BWP or a primary BWP, other active BWPs other than the primary active BWP may be referred to as secondary active BWPs or secondary BWPs, and the primary active BWP may have at least one of the following functions:

[0213] (1) the UE may monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) related to the secondary active BWPs on the primary active BWP;

[0214] (2) the UE may transmit uplink control information (UCI) related to other secondary active BWPs on the primary active BWP;

[0215] (3) the UE may perform RRM measurement on the primary active BWP; or

[0216] (4) the primary active BWP cannot enter a dormant state, and correspondingly, the secondary active BWPs may enter the dormant state.

[0217] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of frequency subbands are deployed in one cell (where one cell includes a plurality of carriers), and as compared with a manner in which a carrier is deployed by each cell (for example, CA), there is at least one advantage as following.

[0218] 1. The broadcast signaling overhead is saved. For example, in a CA system, each carrier corresponds to one serving cell, and broadcast signaling such as SSB, SIB1, etc. of the corresponding serving cell needs to be transmitted on each carrier, but for a system in which a plurality of frequency subbands are deployed in one serving cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the broadcast signaling of the serving cell may be transmitted on one of the frequency subbands.

[0219] 2. The signaling for carrier activation is simplified. For example, in a CA system, a secondary cell may be activated / deactivated by RRC or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling, and the activation / deactivation of the secondary cell may also be understood as the activation / deactivation of a carrier corresponding to the secondary cell, but for a system in which a plurality of frequency subbands are configured in one serving cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a certain frequency subband in the serving cell may be activated / deactivated by physical layer signaling (for example, downlink control information (DCI)).

[0220] 3. The mobility measurement and management are simplified. For example, in a CA system, each carrier corresponds to one serving cell, and the mobility measurement and management of the corresponding serving cell needs to be performed on each carrier, but for a system in which a plurality of frequency subbands are deployed in one serving cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobility measurement and management of the serving cell may be performed on one of the frequency subbands (for example, the first frequency subband or a preconfigured carrier, but is not limited thereto).

[0221] 4. The UE is offloaded during an initial access stage. For example, in an existing system, at most two uplink carriers are deployed in one serving cell, which are a normal uplink carrier (NUL) and a supplementary uplink carrier (SUL), respectively, and the UE may select one of the uplink carriers to access the cell based on downlink path loss, but for a system in which more than two uplink frequency subbands are deployed in one serving cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, physical random access channel resources may be configured on each uplink frequency subband, and the UE may select one frequency subband from a plurality of uplink frequency subbands to initiate initial random access, and a criterion for selecting the frequency subband may not only be based on the downlink path loss, so as to offload the UE to a greater extent in the initial access stage and prevent initial access congestion.

[0222] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a paging frequency subband (PFB) refers to a frequency subband used for paging, or a frequency subband for monitoring the paging messages, or other names may be used, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the naming thereof herein.

[0223] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the system information block (e.g., SIB1) of the cell is transmitted on the first frequency subband, the SIB1 comprises configuration information regarding the one or more second frequency subbands, and the paging resources are configured on the first frequency subband and the individual second frequency subbands. For example, a PDCCH search space for monitoring the paging messages is configured on each frequency subband, the UE determines a frequency subband from the first frequency subband and the individual second frequency subbands, and the UE monitors a paging occasion (PO), i.e., monitors the PDCCH for scheduling the paging messages, on the determined frequency subband.

[0224] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the camped-on cell of the UE includes a plurality of frequency subbands, and the paging messages monitored by the UE can reduce the load through the plurality of frequency subbands, thereby saving the amount of power consumed by the UE.

[0225] Optionally, for the step S101, the UE determines the paging frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on an identity document (ID) of the UE.

[0226] Optionally, the UE determines the paging frequency subbands from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on the ID of the UE and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband.

[0227] Optionally, the UE determines the paging frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, the number of paging frames (PFs) in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, the number of POs in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband.

[0228] For example, an index number of the paging frequency subband may be determined by a value of n1satisfying a formula ,

[0229] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nndenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, N denotes the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, Nsdenote the number of POs in a PF, the floor denotes a rounding operation, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0230] Optionally, the value of Nsis configured by the SIB1.

[0231] Optionally, UE_ID (i.e., the ID of the UE) is obtained based on a temporary mobile station identity (TMSI) of the UE. For example, if the UE is configured with an eDRX, then , otherwise , where the TMSI is a binary sequence number with a length of 48 bits. If the UE has no the TMSI, then UE_ID = 0.

[0232] Thus, the PFB is a frequency subband corresponding to the value of n1, and a range of n1is 0≤n1≤Nn-1.

[0233] For another example, the index number of the paging frequency subband may be determined by the smallest value of n2satisfying a formula ,

[0234] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nndenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, N denotes the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, Nsdenotes the number of POs in a PF, and W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, e.g., , W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency suband i, the floor denotes a rounding operation, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0235] Optionally, the weight value W(i) corresponding to each frequency subband is configured by the system information.

[0236] Optionally, UE_ID (i.e., the ID of the UE) is obtained based on the TMSI of the UE, e.g., , or .

[0237] Thus, the PFB is a frequency subband corresponding to the value of n2, and a range of n2is 0≤n2≤Nn-1 .

[0238] Optionally, for the step S101, the UE determines the paging frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on its UE type.

[0239] Optionally, each UE type is associated with one or more paging frequency subbands, and the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are predefined, or configured by the system information. For example, the paging frequency subbands corresponding to different types of UEs may be different or the same. For example, different types of UEs may monitor corresponding paging messages on different paging frequency subbands, e.g., a specific type of UE monitors corresponding paging messages on a dedicated frequency subband. As an example, assuming that the UE is an Internet Of Things (IOT) UE, then the UE monitors the paging messages on a frequency subband dedicated to the IOT UE, and the frequency subband dedicated to the IOT UE may be predefined, or pre-configured by the system information.

[0240] Optionally, the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are configured by the system information, and the system information comprises at least one of the following:

[0241] (1) Index numbers of the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type;

[0242] for example, the base station configures, for each UE type, the index number of its associated paging frequency subband;

[0243] for example, the index number of the frequency subband dedicated to the IOT UE is configured by the system information.

[0244] (2) Information related to the UE type associated with each frequency;

[0245] for example, the base station configures, separately for each frequency subband, whether it is a paging frequency subband associated with a certain UE type.

[0246] For example, each frequency subband is indicated whether it is capable of being used to transmit the paging messages of the IOT UE.

[0247] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, if the paging frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE is plural, e.g., if the frequency subband used to transmit the paging message of the IOT UE is plural, then the UE may further determine one of a plurality of frequency subbands to be the paging frequency subband by using one of the methods described above. As an example, the UE may determine one paging frequency subband from a plurality of paging frequency subbands associated with the UE type of the UE based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the paging frequency subbands associated with the UE type of the UE, the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, the number of POs in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each paging frequency subband, and then monitor the paging messages based on the determined one paging frequency subband. For example, by replacing Nnin each of the above formulas for determining the value of n2or n1with the number of the paging frequency subbands corresponding to the UE type of the UE, a similar formula can be used to determine one paging frequency subband from the plurality of paging frequency subbands corresponding to the UE type of the UE.

[0248] It can be understood that the IOT UE in the above examples is only an example and may be other UE types.

[0249] In practical applications, the paging messages may include two categories, i.e., UE-specific paging messages and cell-common paging messages, where the cell-common paging messages are used to indicate information related to cell system information changes, public safety, etc., and the cell-common paging messages monitored by all UEs in the cell are the same, while the UE-specific paging messages are used to indicate information related to TMSIs of UEs that are being paged, and the UEs only need to monitor their own dedicated paging messages, but not need to monitor the dedicated paging messages of other UEs. Considering that a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) may include the dedicated paging messages of multiple UEs, a group of UEs may monitor the same paging message.

[0250] For the embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency subband for monitoring the UE-specific paging messages and the frequency subband for monitoring the cell-common paging messages may be different or the same, and the UE may monitor the cell-common paging messages and the UE-specific paging messages on different frequency subbands, or the UE may monitor the UE-specific paging messages and the cell-common paging messages on different paging frequency subbands respectively. Optionally, the step S102 may specifically comprise:

[0251] step S201: monitor the UE-specific paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband; and

[0252] step S202: monitor the cell-common paging messages on another frequency subband.

[0253] Another frequency subband includes at least one of the following:

[0254] (1) the first frequency subband;

[0255] (2) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0256] (3) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0257] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0258] For example, the frequency subband for monitoring the cell-common paging messages may be the first frequency subband, because the first frequency subband generally has the best coverage performance and is suitable for transmitting the cell-common paging messages targeted to all UEs in the cell. Also, the UE monitors the UE-specific paging messages on another frequency subband, the frequency subband for monitoring the UE-specific paging messages may be one of the first frequency subband and a plurality of the second frequency subbands, and the method described above for determining the paging frequency subband may be also used for determining the frequency subband for monitoring the UE-specific paging messages.

[0259] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, if the cell is deployed with a plurality of frequency subbands, the UE may report information related to the UE's capabilities, wherein the UE's capabilities comprise at least one of the following:

[0260] A first capability: the UE may stay on the plurality of frequency subbands in the cell at the same time, and the UE is capable of simultaneous transmission and / or simultaneous reception on at least two frequency subbands. For example, the UE may receive and / or transmit signals on a plurality of carriers, or the plurality of frequency subbands, or a plurality of activated BWPs in the cell at the same time. For the embodiment of the present disclosure, this type of UE may be a UE with multiple radio frequency (RF) devices.

[0261] A second capability: the UE may only stay on one frequency subband in the cell at the same time, and the UE is only capable of transmission and / or reception on the one frequency subband at the same time. For example, the UE may only receive and / or transmit signals on one carrier, or one frequency subband, or one activated BWP in the cell at the same time. For the embodiment of the present disclosure, this type of UE may be a UE with only one RF device.

[0262] Thus, the UE is a UE with the second capability, and if the frequency subband for monitoring the UE-specific paging messages and the frequency subband for monitoring the cell-common paging messages are different, and if there is a temporal overlap between POs of the cell-common paging messages and POs of the UE-specific paging messages, the UE-specific paging messages are preferentially monitored. Since it is not possible to perform transmission on two or more frequency subbands simultaneously, the POs used for monitoring the cell-common paging messages and the POs used for monitoring the UE-specific paging messages must not overlap in time, and if there is an overlap, then the UE preferentially monitors the POs of the UE-specific paging messages and gives up monitoring the POs of the cell-common paging messages.

[0263] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency subband of a scheduling PDCCH for transmitting the paging messages may be different from the frequency subband of the PDSCH for transmitting the paging messages. Optionally, the step S102 may specifically comprise:

[0264] step S301: monitor the PDCCH for scheduling the paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband; and

[0265] step S302: receive the PDSCH related to the paging messages on another frequency subband, if the PDCCH is received.

[0266] Another frequency subband includes at least one of the following:

[0267] (1) the first frequency subband;

[0268] (2) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0269] (3) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0270] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, configured by the system information, or indicated by the PDCCH.

[0271] In other words, the scheduling PDCCH for the paging messages may schedule the corresponding PDSCH across the frequency subbands. For example, the scheduling PDCCH for the paging messages and the corresponding PDSCH are transmitted on different frequency subbands. The scheduling PDCCH for the paging messages (e.g., in the carried DCI) may indicate an index number of the frequency subband in which the corresponding PDSCH is located. The method described above for determining the paging frequency subband may also be used to determine the frequency subband in which the scheduling PDCCH for the paging messages is located.

[0272] In an optional implementation, if the determined paging frequency subband is plural, for the step S102, the UE may sequentially monitor the POs of different paging cycles on a plurality of paging frequency subbands, and the POs of different paging cycles are transmitted by frequency hopping on the plurality of frequency subbands, with the purpose of obtaining a frequency diversity gain and increasing the probability of success of monitoring the POs. As shown in FIG. 7, a PO#n of one paging cycle is monitored on the frequency subband #0, a PO#(n+1) of the next paging cycle is monitored on the frequency subband #1, a PO#(n+2) of the paging cycle after the next paging cycle is monitored on the frequency subband #2, and so on. Here, the frequency subband #0 may be the first frequency subband, while the frequency subband #1 and the frequency subband #2 may be the second frequency subbands.

[0273] In another optional implementation, if the determined paging frequency subband is plural, for the step S102, the UE may sequentially monitor different repetitions of the same PO on a plurality of paging frequency subbands, and the same PO is transmitted by frequency hopping on the plurality of frequency subbands, with the purpose of obtaining a frequency diversity gain and increasing the probability of success of monitoring the PO. As shown in FIG. 8, a first part of repetitions of a PO (e.g., the 1st~N1th repetitions) is monitored on the frequency subband #0, a second part of repetitions of this PO (e.g., the (N1+1)th ~ N2th repetitions) is monitored on the frequency subband #1, a third part of repetitions of this PO (e.g., the (N2+1)th ~ N3th repetitions) is monitored on the frequency subband #2, and so on. Here, the frequency subband #0 may be the first frequency subband, while the frequency subband #1 and the frequency subband #2 may be the second frequency subbands.

[0274] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE supports the reception of a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS). For LP-WUS based paging, the frequency subband used for transmitting the LP-WUS and the frequency subband used for transmitting the corresponding PO may be different frequency subbands.

[0275] In an optional implementation, for the step S102, the UE may monitor the LP-WUS on the determined paging frequency subband, and if the LP-WUS is monitored, or if the LP-WUS is monitored and the LP-WUS indicates a need to monitor the paging messages, the paging messages are monitored on another frequency subband.

[0276] Another frequency subband includes at least one of the following:

[0277] (1) the first frequency subband;

[0278] (2) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0279] (3) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0280] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, configured by the system information, or indicated by the LP-WUS.

[0281] For example, the UE may use the above-described method for determining the paging frequency subband based on the UE_ID, based on the UE_ID and the weight values of the frequency subbands, etc., for determining the paging frequency subband for transmitting the LP-WUS. Optionally, an index number of the frequency subband in which the PO to be monitored is located may be further indicated in the LP-WUS, or the frequency subband in which the PO to be monitored is located is predefined.

[0282] In another optional implementation, for the step S102, the UE may monitor the LP-WUS on another frequency subband, and if the LP-WUS is monitored, or if the LP-WUS is monitored and the LP-WUS indicates a need to monitor the paging messages, the paging messages are monitored on the determined paging frequency subband.

[0283] Another frequency subband includes at least one of the following:

[0284] (1) the first frequency subband;

[0285] for example, all LP-WUS-enabled UEs monitor the LP-WUS on the first frequency subband;

[0286] (2) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the at least one second frequency subbands;

[0287] (3) a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0288] This is because the LP-WUS is a low power based transmission technique with better coverage performance, and may be configured for transmission on a frequency subband with lower frequency point.

[0289] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0290] It can be understood that another frequency subband for monitoring the cell-common paging messages, another frequency subband for receiving the PDSCH related to the paging messages, another frequency subband for monitoring the paging messages, and another frequency subband for monitoring the LP-WUS, which are described above, may be the same or different.

[0291] Optionally, the UE may determine the frequency subband for monitoring the POs by one of the above methods.

[0292] Optionally, for each PO, the UE monitors the corresponding LP-WUS, and if the LP-WUS is monitored or the LP-WUS instructs the UE to monitor the corresponding PO, then the UE monitors the corresponding PO, otherwise, the UE does not monitor the corresponding PO.

[0293] Optionally, all LP-WUS-enabled UEs monitor the LP-WUS on the same frequency subband. If the UEs monitored the LP-WSU, or the monitored LP-WUS indicates the need to monitor the PO, then these UEs may switch to monitor their own POs on other frequency subbands (e.g., the determined paging frequency subband).

[0294] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the ways of determining the paging frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband correspondingly by the UEs in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state and the UEs in an RRC inactive state are different. For example, the UEs in the RRC idle state use one of the optional methods described above, and the UEs in the RRC inactive state use the other of the optional methods described above. As an example, if the UE is in the radio resource control (RRC) idle state, the paging frequency subband is determined based on the ID of the UE. For example, the paging frequency subband is determined based on the ID of the UE as above, or based on the ID of the UE and the weight values of the frequency subbands; and / or if the UE is in the RRC inactive state, the paging frequency subband is determined based on higher layer signaling. Optionally, if the UE is in the RRC inactive state, the paging frequency subband is determined based on a configuration of UE-specific RRC signaling. For example, the paging frequency subband of the UE is configured in an RRC release message through the UE-specific RRC signaling.

[0295] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is to be decided whether or not to perform a cell reselection process based on priorities of a camped-on cell and a neighboring cell of the UE, in case that the camped-on cell and / or the neighboring cell comprises the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband.

[0296] In existing NR systems, three radio resource control (RRC) states are defined: an idle state, an Inactive state, and a Connected state. In the RRC_idle state, mobility management of the UE includes two processes: cell selection and cell reselection. Cell selection is a process in which the UE seeks to identify a suitable or acceptable cell by measuring mobility management reference signals and camp on that cell, while cell reselection is a process in which the UE that has already camped on certain cell continues to monitor and measure the mobility management reference signals of the current camped-on cell and other cells (e.g., neighboring cells), and decides whether to stay on the current camped-on cell or to reselect a new camped-on cell based on the comparison of signal strengths of the various cells. In the RRC_Inactive state, the mobility management of the UE involves only the cell reselection process. Both the cell selection process and the cell reselection process depend on the design and measurement of radio resource management (RRM). In the RRC_Connected state, the mobility management of the UE includes mobility management between the cells and switching management between beams inside the cells. Inter-cell switching is controlled through RRC signaling and depends on the design and measurement of RRM.

[0297] In communication systems, measurements for cell reselection include intra-frequency cell reselection and inter-frequency cell reselection. For the intra-frequency cell reselection, there is no priority differentiation between the cells, but for the inter-frequency cell reselection, there is priority differentiation between the cells. For a cell in which only one carrier is deployed, an intra-frequency cell means that carriers in two cells have the same absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN), while an inter-frequency cell means that the carriers in two cells have different ARFCNs.

[0298] However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the camped-on and / or neighboring cells of the UE may deploy a plurality of carriers. For example, at least one of the camped-on cell and the neighboring cell includes one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband. For the cell reselection, there is priority differentiation between the camped-on cell and the neighboring cell, regardless of whether there are carriers with the same ARFCN in one or more carriers deployed by the camped-on cell and the neighboring cell. For example, a cell that includes a plurality of frequency subbands (in which the plurality of carriers are deployed) has a higher priority compared to a cell that has only one frequency subband (in which one carrier is deployed), which has an advantage of enabling the UE to camp on the cell that includes the plurality of frequency subbands with a higher priority.

[0299] Specifically, the UE compares the priority of the camped-on cell with the priority of the neighboring cell and decides whether to perform the cell reselection process. Optionally, if the neighboring cell has a higher priority than the current camped-on cell, the UE performs the cell reselection process (which may also be referred to as a neighborhood reselection process) for them regardless of the quality of the camped-on cell. If the priority of the neighboring cell is lower than or equal to the priority of the current camped-on cell, the cell reselection process is initiated or not based on a received signal level strength value (e.g., Srxlev) of the camped-on cell. If the received signal level strength value of the serving cell is greater than a threshold (e.g., IntraFreqMeasStartThld), the cell reselection process is not initiated, and if the received signal level strength value of the serving cell is less than or equal to the threshold (e.g., IntraFreqMeasStartThld), the cell reselection process is initiated.

[0300] For the embodiment of the present disclosure, the priorities of the cells are configured by the system information, or

[0301] the priorities of the cells are related to at least one of the following:

[0302] (1) the number of the frequency subbands;

[0303] (2) the number of activated frequency subbands;

[0304] (3) a total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands; or

[0305] (4) a total bandwidth size of activated frequency subbands.

[0306] For example, a cell that includes a plurality of frequency subbands has a higher priority than a cell that includes one frequency subband, and the priority of the latter may be related to the number of frequency subbands included in the cell, the number of activated frequency subbands included in the cell, a total bandwidth size of all frequency subbands included in the cell, and a total bandwidth size of all activated frequency subbands included in the cell.

[0307] As an example, the greater the number of frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or, the greater the number of activated frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or, the greater the total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or, the greater the total bandwidth size of the activated frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is.

[0308] Optionally, a priority value of the cell that include the plurality of frequency subbands may be configured by the system information.

[0309] For another example, all cells that include only one frequency subband have the same priorities, while all cells that include the plurality of frequency subbands have the same priorities, and the priorities of the latter are higher than the priorities of the former, and the priority values of both may be predefined or configured by the system information.

[0310] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UEs in the RRC_idle state and the UEs in the RRC_Inactvie state camp on the cell that includes the plurality of frequency subbands, which may obtain the following benefits compared to camping on the cell that includes only one frequency subband:

[0311] (1) the paging messages monitored by the UEs can reduce the load through the plurality of frequency subbands;

[0312] (2) the UEs accessing the network through a random access procedure can reduce the load through the plurality of frequency subbands; or

[0313] (3) a small data transmission initiated by the UEs can reduce the load through the plurality of frequency subbands.

[0314] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may perform a radio resource management (RRM) measurement based on a reference signal on the frequency subbands.

[0315] In an optional implementation, the UE may perform the RRM measurement based on a reference signal on the first frequency subband.

[0316] For example, the UE always performs the RRM measurement based on the SSB transmitted on the first frequency subband of the cell, and there are no SSB transmissions on the second frequency subband. Alternatively, there are SSB transmissions on the second frequency subband, and the transmitted SSB is for synchronization and not for RRM measurement.

[0317] Optionally, the SSB transmitted on the first frequency subband is referred to as a cell defining SSB (CD-SSB), and the SSB transmitted on the second frequency subband is referred to as a non cell defining SSB (NCD-SSB).

[0318] Optionally, whether there are SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB) transmissions on the second frequency subband or not is configured by the system information (e.g., SIB1).

[0319] Optionally, time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources on the second frequency subband for transmission of the SSB (e.g., NCD-SSB) are configured by the system information (e.g., SIB1).

[0320] In another optional implementation, the UE may perform the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband.

[0321] For example, the UE jointly performs the RRM measurement based on the reference signals on the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband of the cell.

[0322] Optionally, there are SSB transmissions on the second frequency subband, and the transmitted SSB is for synchronization and RRM measurement.

[0323] Optionally, the reference signal on the first frequency subband for RRM measurement may be the CD-SSB and / or CSI-RS, and the reference signal on the second frequency subband for RRM measurement may be the NCD-SSB and / or CSI-RS.

[0324] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for the case of performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband, a measurement result comprises at least one of the following and is used for the cell selection and the cell reselection.

[0325] (1) Optimal measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, for example, taking the optimal measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband as the measurement result.

[0326] (2) Measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, e.g., taking measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband and on the at least one second frequency subband as the measurement result; for example, assuming that the measurement values are layer 3 reference signal receiving power (L3-RSRP), then the L3-RSRP after averaging is used as the measurement result.

[0327] (3) Measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband, and the optimal measurement values on the at least one second frequency subband, e.g., being used as the measurement result after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband, and the optimal measurement values on the at least one second frequency subband.

[0328] In yet another optional implementation, the UE may determine an RRM measurement frequency subband from the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, and performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the determined RRM measurement frequency subband.

[0329] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the RRM measurement frequency subband refers to a frequency subband for RRM measurement, which may also be termed as other names, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the naming thereof herein.

[0330] Optionally, there are SSB transmissions on the second frequency subband, and the transmitted SSB is for synchronization and RRM measurement.

[0331] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration information regarding the second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0332] (1) information related to whether there is an SSB transmission on the second frequency subband;

[0333] (2) information related to time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources on the second frequency subband that are used to transmit an SSB; or

[0334] (3) information related to whether the SSB transmitted on the second frequency subband is used for the RRM measurement.

[0335] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determined RRM measurement frequency subband is configured by the system information. For example, the frequency subband for RRM measurement is pre-configured by the system information.

[0336] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency subband for RRM measurement is determined by a UE type, the determined RRM measurement frequency subband is a frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE, and the frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE is predefined, or configured by the system information. For example, different UE types use different frequency subbands.

[0337] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may initiate a small data transmission (SDT), and specifically, may comprise:

[0338] step S401: determine a small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; and

[0339] step S402: initiate a small data transmission on the determined small data transmission frequency subband.

[0340] The PRACH resources and / or configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband.

[0341] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a small data transmission frequency subband (SDT_FB) refers to a frequency subband used for or initiating the small data transmission, and may also be referred to as a small data frequency subband or other names, and the embodiment of present disclosure does not limit the naming thereof herein.

[0342] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a system information block (e.g., SIB1) of the cell is transmitted on the first frequency subband, the SIB1 comprises configuration information of one or more second frequency subbands, the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources are configured on the first frequency subband and the individual second frequency subbands, and a UE that is in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state may one frequency subband from the first frequency subband and the individual second frequency subband as the small data transmission frequency subband, as well as to initiate the small data transmission on the determined frequency subband. The initiated small data transmission may be based on a RACH process or based on pre-configured CG-PUSCH resources.

[0343] The CG-PUSCH resources may be UE-specific resources. Alternatively, the CG-PUSCH resources may be resources shared by a plurality of UEs, and the corresponding PUSCH transmission is based on contention. The UE needs to determine whether or not the PUSCH transmission is successful through contention resolution, and the specifics thereof do not affect the method for determining a frequency subband in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and are not detailed herein.

[0344] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE randomly selects one of the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband as the frequency subband for initiating the small data transmission (the small data transmission frequency subband).

[0345] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on the ID of the UE.

[0346] Optionally, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on the ID of the UE and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband.

[0347] Optionally, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband.

[0348] For example, an index number of the small data transmission frequency subband may be determined by a value of n3satisfying a formula ,

[0349] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nmdenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0350] Optionally, UE_ID (i.e., the ID of the UE) is obtained based on the TMSI of the UE, e.g., , or .

[0351] Thus, the SDT_FB is a frequency subband corresponding to the value of n3, and a range of n3is 0≤n3≤Nm-1 .

[0352] For another example, an index number of the small data transmission frequency subband is determined by the smallest value of n4satisfying a formula ,

[0353] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nmdenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, for example, , W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0354] Optionally, the weight value corresponding to each frequency subband is configured by the system information.

[0355] Optionally, UE_ID (i.e., the ID of the UE) is obtained based on the TMSI of the UE, e.g., , or .

[0356] Thus, the SDT_FB is a frequency subband corresponding to the value of n4, and a range of n4is 0≤n4≤Nm-1 .

[0357] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband for initiating the small data transmission from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on a reference signal receiving power (RSRP) value of downlink path loss reference. For example, the small data transmission frequency subband is determined from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on the RSRP value and a first threshold value, or based on the RSRP value and a range interval in which the RSRP value is located.

[0358] Optionally, if the RSRP value is less than the first threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or, if the RSRP value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband. If the number of the second frequency subbands is one, the small data transmission frequency subband is the one second frequency subband; if the number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, the UE randomly selects one therefrom, or determines one therefrom as the small data transmission frequency subband based on one of the methods described above, e.g., determining a small data transmission frequency subband from at least two second frequency sub-bands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband, thereby initiating the small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband. For example, by replacing Nmin each of the above formulas for determining the value of n3or n4with the number of the second frequency subbands, a similar formula can be used to determine one second frequency subband from at least two second frequency subbands as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0359] Optionally, the small data transmission frequency subband is determined based on the range interval in which the RSRP value is located, and the small data transmission frequency subband associated with the range interval is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0360] In one example, assuming that the cell includes one first frequency subband and one second frequency subband. If the RSRP value is less than the first threshold value, the first frequency subband is determined as the small data transmission frequency subband, and if a reference RSRP value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the one second frequency subband is determined as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0361] In another example, assuming that the cell includes one first frequency subband and two second frequency subbands. If the RSRP value is less than the first threshold value, the first frequency subband is determined as the small data transmission frequency subband, and if a reference RSRP value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, one of the two second frequency subbands is randomly selected as the small data transmission frequency subband. Alternatively, one of the above-described methods is used to select one of the two second frequency subbands as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0362] In yet another example, assuming that the cell includes one first frequency subband and two second frequency subbands (second frequency subband #0 and second frequency subband #1, respectively), if the RSRP value is less than a first preset value (in first range interval), the first frequency subband is determined as the small data transmission frequency subband (the first range interval is associated with the first frequency subband); if a reference RSRP value is greater than or equal to the first preset value, and less than a second preset value (where the first preset value and the second preset value correspond to a second range interval, and the second preset value is greater than the first preset value), the second frequency subband #0 is determined as the small data transmission frequency subband (the second range interval is associated with the second frequency subband #0), and if the reference RSRP value is greater than or equal to the second preset value (a third range interval), the second frequency subband #1 is determined as the small data transmission frequency subband (the second range interval is associated with the second frequency subband #1).

[0363] For a case where the cell includes the one first frequency subband and three and more second frequency subbands, this can be done in an analogous manner.

[0364] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on a priority of the arrival data. For example, if the priority of the arriving data is higher than a priority threshold (corresponding priority value is less than or equal to a preset priority value), the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband. If the number of the second frequency subbands is one, the small data transmission frequency subband is the one second frequency subband; if the number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, the UE randomly selects one therefrom, or determines one therefrom as the small data transmission frequency subband based on one of the methods described above, e.g., determining a small data transmission frequency subband from at least two second frequency sub-bands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband, thereby initiating the small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband. For example, by replacing Nmin each of the above formulas for determining the value of n3or n4with the number of the second frequency subbands, a similar formula can be used to determine one second frequency subband from at least two second frequency subbands as the small data transmission frequency subband, otherwise, if the priority of the arriving data is lower than or equal to the priority threshold, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband (determining the first frequency subband as the frequency subband that initiates the small data transmission).

[0365] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on a data volume of the arriving data. For example, if the data volume of the arriving data is less than a second threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or, if the data volume of the arriving data is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband. If the number of the second frequency subbands is one, the small data transmission frequency subband is the one second frequency subband; if the number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, the UE randomly selects one therefrom, or determines one therefrom as the small data transmission frequency subband based on one of the methods described above, e.g., determining a small data transmission frequency subband from at least two second frequency sub-bands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband, thereby initiating the small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband. For example, by replacing Nmin each of the above formulas for determining the value of n3or n4with the number of the second frequency subbands, a similar formula can be used to determine one second frequency subband from at least two second frequency subbands as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0366] Alternatively, the small data transmission frequency subband is a frequency subband in which the maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted is greater than or equal to the data volume of the arrival data and is closest to the data volume of the arrival data. The configuration information of each PRACH resource or CG-PUSCH resource includes the maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted, and the UE selects the PRACH resource or CG-PUSCH resource in which the maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted is closest to the data volume of the arrival data and is capable of completing the transmission at one time (where the maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted is greater than or equal to the data volume of the arrival data), in order to initiate the small data transmission. If there are a plurality of corresponding frequency subbands, one of them is randomly selected therefrom, or one of them is determined therefrom based on one of the above methods, as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0367] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on a remaining packet delay budget (PDB) of the arrival data. For example, if the remaining PDB of the arrival data is greater than or equal to a third threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband, and / or if the remaining PDB of the arrival data is less than the third threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband. If the number of the second frequency subbands is one, the small data transmission frequency subband is the one second frequency subband; if the number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, the UE randomly selects one therefrom, or determines one therefrom as the small data transmission frequency subband based on one of the methods described above, e.g., determining a small data transmission frequency subband from at least two second frequency sub-bands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband, thereby initiating the small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband. For example, by replacing Nmin each of the above formulas for determining the value of n3or n4with the number of the second frequency subbands, a similar formula can be used to determine one second frequency subband from at least two second frequency subbands as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0368] Here, there is a time delay requirement for the arrival data of the UE, and once the required delay cannot be met, there is no need to transmit the packet, and the UE may discard the packet. The remaining PDB of the arrival data is defined as the remaining time from the time of being discarded, and the remaining PDB may also be referred to as the remaining time.

[0369] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines a small data transmission frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband based on an index number of a logical channel (LCH) or an LCH group (LCG) of the arrival data. Optionally, the LCH or LCG of the arrival data is associated with one or more small data transmission frequency subbands, and the small data transmission frequency subbands associated with each LCH or LCG are predefined, or configured by the system information. For example, a corresponding index number of the LCH or LCG for small data transmission is included in the configuration information of each PRACH resource or CG-PUSCH resource, such that each frequency subband is configured with a corresponding index number of the corresponding LCH or LCG that is permitted to initiate the small data transmission, and the UE determines, based on the index number of the LCH or LCG of the arrival data, a corresponding available PRACH resource or CG-PUSCH resource. For the step S402, if there are a plurality of small data transmission frequency subbands associated with the LCH or LCG of the arrival data, the UE randomly selects one of them, or determines the one of them as the small data transmission frequency subband based on one of the methods described above. For example, one small data transmission frequency subband is determined from the associated plurality of small data transmission frequency subbands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of frequency subbands corresponding to the LCH or LCG of the arrival data, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband, and then the small data transmission is initiated on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband.

[0370] Optionally, for the step S401, the UE determines the small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on a service type of the arrival data. For example, if the arriving data is control-plane related data, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or, if the arriving data is user-plane related data, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband. If the number of the second frequency subbands is one, the small data transmission frequency subband is the one second frequency subband; if the number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, the UE randomly selects one therefrom, or determines one therefrom as the small data transmission frequency subband based on one of the methods described above, e.g., determining a small data transmission frequency subband from at least two second frequency sub-bands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband, thereby initiating the small data transmission on the determined one small data transmission frequency subband. For example, by replacing Nmin each of the above formulas for determining the value of n3or n4with the number of the second frequency subbands, a similar formula can be used to determine one second frequency subband from at least two second frequency subbands as the small data transmission frequency subband.

[0371] Optionally, the UE of the above embodiments may be an RRC idle state UE or an RRC inactive state UE.

[0372] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method performed by a base station in a communication system. As shown in FIG. 9, the method comprises:

[0373] step S501: configure corresponding paging resources separately for one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband, wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to the same cell, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband; and

[0374] step S502: transmit different paging messages to different UE groups on different frequency subbands.

[0375] Optionally, the frequency subband corresponding to each UE group is determined by at least one of the following:

[0376] at least one of an ID of the UE, the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, the number of POs in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband,

[0377] based on a UE type of the UE.

[0378] Optionally, an index number of the frequency subband corresponding to each UE group is determined by at least one of the following:

[0379] a value of n1satisfying a formula ; or

[0380] the smallest value of n2satisfying a formula ,

[0381] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nndenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, N denotes the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, Nsdenotes the number of POs in a PF, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, the floor denotes a rounding operation, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0382] Optionally, each UE type is associated with one or more paging frequency subbands, and the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0383] Optionally, the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are configured by the system information, and the system information comprises at least one of the following:

[0384] index numbers of the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type; or

[0385] information related to the UE type associated with each frequency subband.

[0386] Optionally, if the paging frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE is plural, the method further comprises:

[0387] determining one paging frequency subband from a plurality of paging frequency subbands associated with the UE type of the UE based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of paging frequency subbands associated with the UE type of the UE, the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, the number of POs in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each paging frequency subband; or

[0388] transmitting the paging messages to the group of UEs of the UE type in the determined one paging frequency subband.

[0389] Optionally, the paging messages comprise UE-specific paging messages and cell-common paging messages, the method further comprises:

[0390] transmitting the UE-specific paging messages and the cell-common paging messages separately on different paging frequency subbands.

[0391] Optionally, for each UE group, the transmitting the paging messages to that UE group on the at least one frequency subband, comprises:

[0392] transmitting the UE-specific paging messages to that UE group on the at least one frequency subband; and

[0393] transmitting the cell-common paging messages on another frequency subband.

[0394] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0395] Optionally, another frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0396] the first frequency subband;

[0397] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0398] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0399] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0400] receiving information related to the UE's capabilities reported by the UE,

[0401] wherein the UE's capabilities comprise:

[0402] a first capability capable of simultaneous transmission and / or simultaneous reception on at least two frequency subbands;

[0403] and / or

[0404] a second capability only capable of transmission and / or reception on one frequency subband at the same time.

[0405] Optionally, for a UE with the second capability, if the frequency subbands used for transmitting the UE-specific paging messages and the frequency subbands used for transmitting the cell-common paging messages are different, and if there is a temporal overlap between POs of the cell-common paging messages and POs of the UE-specific paging messages, the UE-specific paging messages are preferentially monitored by the UE.

[0406] Optionally, for each UE group, the transmitting the paging messages to that UE group on the at least one frequency subband, comprises:

[0407] transmitting a PDCCH for scheduling the paging messages on the at least one frequency subband; and

[0408] transmitting the PDSCH related to the paging messages on another frequency subband.

[0409] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, configured by the system information, or indicated by the PDCCH.

[0410] Optionally, another frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0411] the first frequency subband;

[0412] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0413] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0414] Optionally, if there are a plurality of frequency subbands in which the paging messages are transmitted to that UE group, the transmitting the paging messages to that UE group on the plurality of frequency subbands comprises at least one of the following ways:

[0415] sequentially transmitting POs of different paging cycles on the plurality of frequency subbands; or

[0416] sequentially transmitting different repetitions of the same PO on a plurality of frequency subbands.

[0417] Optionally, for each UE group, the transmitting the paging messages to that UE group on the at least one frequency subband, comprises:

[0418] transmitting a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) on the at least one frequency subband; and

[0419] transmitting the paging messages on another frequency subband.

[0420] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, configured by the system information, or indicated by the LP-WUS.

[0421] Optionally, another frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0422] the first frequency subband;

[0423] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0424] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0425] Optionally, for each UE group, the transmitting the paging messages to that UE group on the at least one frequency subband, comprises:

[0426] transmitting a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) on another frequency subband; and

[0427] transmitting the paging messages on the at least one frequency subband.

[0428] Optionally, another frequency subband is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0429] Optionally, another frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0430] the first frequency subband;

[0431] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the first frequency subband and the second frequency subband; or

[0432] a frequency subband with the lowest frequency point in the second frequency subbands.

[0433] Optionally, if the UE is in the RRC inactive state, UE-specific RRC based signaling for transmitting the paging messages is transmitted to the UE.

[0434] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0435] configuring priorities of a camped-on cell and a neighboring cell of the UE by the system information in case that the camped-on cell and / or the neighboring cell comprises the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband.

[0436] Optionally, the priorities of the cells are related to at least one of the following:

[0437] the number of the frequency subbands;

[0438] the number of activated frequency subbands;

[0439] a total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands; or

[0440] a total bandwidth size of activated frequency subbands.

[0441] Optionally, the greater the number of the frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or

[0442] the greater the number of activated frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or

[0443] the larger the total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is; and / or

[0444] the larger the total bandwidth size of activated frequency subbands is, the higher the corresponding cell priority is.

[0445] Optionally, the configuration information regarding the second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following:

[0446] information related to whether there is an SSB transmission on the second frequency subband;

[0447] information related to time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources on the second frequency subband that are used to transmit the SSB; or

[0448] information related to whether the SSB transmitted on the second frequency subband is used for the RRM measurement.

[0449] Optionally, the measurement result comprises at least one of the following:

[0450] optimal measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband;

[0451] measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; or

[0452] measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband, and the optimal measurement values on the at least one second frequency subband.

[0453] Optionally, the determined RRM measurement frequency subband is configured by the system information; and / or

[0454] The determined RRM measurement frequency subband is a frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE, and the frequency subband associated with the UE type of the UE is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0455] Optionally, the corresponding PRACH resource and / or CG-PUSCH resource is configured separately for the one first frequency subband and the at least a second frequency subband, and

[0456] small data transmission is received;

[0457] Optionally, the frequency subband for receiving the small data transmission is determined by at least one of the following:

[0458] at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband;

[0459] a reference signal received power (RSRP) value of a downlink path loss reference;

[0460] a priority of arrival data;

[0461] a data volume of the arrival data;

[0462] a remaining packet delay budget (PDB) of the arrival data;

[0463] an index number of a logical channel (LCH) or a logical channel group (LCG) of the arrival data; or

[0464] a traffic type of the arrival data.

[0465] Optionally, an index number of the frequency subband for receiving the small data transmission is determined by at least one of the following:

[0466] a value of n3satisfying a formula ; or

[0467] the smallest value of n4satisfying a formula ,

[0468] where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nmdenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.

[0469] Optionally, if the RSRP value is less than the first threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0470] if the RSRP value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband.

[0471] Optionally, the small data transmission frequency subband is determined based on the range interval in which the RSRP value is located, and the small data transmission frequency subband associated with the range interval is predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0472] Optionally, if a priority of the arriving data is higher than a priority threshold, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband; and / or

[0473] if the priority of the arriving data is lower than or equal to the priority threshold, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband.

[0474] Optionally, if the data volume of the arriving data is less than a second threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0475] if the data volume of the arrival data is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband; and / or

[0476] the small data transmission frequency subband is a frequency subband in which the maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted is greater than or equal to the data volume of the arrival data and is closest to the data volume of the arrival data.

[0477] Optionally, if the remaining PDB of the arrival data is greater than or equal to a third threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0478] if the remaining PDB of the arrival data is less than the third threshold value, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of at least one second frequency subband.

[0479] Optionally, the LCH or LCG of the arrival data is associated with one or more small data transmission frequency subbands, and the small data transmission frequency subbands associated with each LCH or LCG are predefined, or configured by the system information.

[0480] Optionally, if the small data transmission frequency subbands associated with the LCH or LCG of the arrival data are plural, the small data transmission frequency subband is determined from the associated plurality of small data transmission frequency subbands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of frequency subbands corresponding to the LCH or LCG of the arrival data, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband.

[0481] Optionally, if the arrival data is control-plane related data, the small data transmission frequency subband is the first frequency subband; and / or

[0482] if the arrival data is user-plane related data, the small data transmission frequency subband is one of the at least one second frequency subband.

[0483] Optionally, if the number of the second frequency subbands is at least two, the small data transmission frequency subband is determined from the at least two second frequency subbands based on at least one of the ID of the UE, the number of the second frequency subbands, and a weight value corresponding to each second frequency subband.

[0484] The method performed by the base station according to the embodiment of the present disclosure corresponds to the steps of the method performed by the UE, and has similar implementation principles and corresponding technical effects. For detailed functional description of the method performed by the base station, reference is made to the description of the method performed by the UE described above, and details are not described herein again.

[0485] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device, which comprises a processor, and optionally, may further comprise a transceiver and / or a memory coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of the optional embodiments of the present disclosure. Optionally, the electronic device may refer to a UE, then the processor is configured to implement the steps of the method embodiments performed by the UE, and for detailed functional description and beneficial effects resulting therefrom, reference may be made to the foregoing description of the method embodiments performed by the UE, and details are not described herein again. Optionally, the electronic device may be a base station, then the processor is configured to implement the steps in the method embodiments performed by the base station, and for detailed functional descriptions and beneficial effects resulting therefrom, reference may be made to the foregoing description of the method embodiments performed by the base station, and details are not described herein again. In actual applications, the UE or the base station may be understood as different network nodes.

[0486] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an electronic device, comprising at least one transceiver and at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver. The at least one processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of optional embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0487] FIG. 10 shows a schematic structure diagram of an electronic device to which the solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. As shown in FIG. 10, the electronic device 4000 shown in FIG. 10 may include a processor 4001 and a memory 4003. The processor 4001 is connected to the memory 4003, for example, through a bus 4002. Optionally, the electronic device 4000 may further include a transceiver 4004 that can be used for data exchange, for example, transmission and reception of data, between the electronic device and other electronic device. It should be noted that, in practical applications, the number of transceiver 4004 is not limited to one, and the structure of the electronic device 4000 does not constitute any limitations to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Optionally, the electronic device may be a first network node, a second network node or a third network node.

[0488] The processor 4001 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute various exemplary logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the present disclosure. The processor 4001 may also be a combination for realizing computing functions, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0489] The bus 4002 may include a path to transfer information between the components described above. The bus 4002 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus 4002 may be an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of presentation, the bus is represented by only one thick line in FIG. 10. However, it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of buses.

[0490] The memory 4003 may be, but not limited to, read only memories (ROMs) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memories (RAMs) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, may be electrically erasable programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), compact disc read only memories (CD-ROMs) or other optical disk storages, optical disc storages (including compact discs, laser discs, discs, digital versatile discs, blue-ray discs, etc.), magnetic storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other media that can carry or store desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by computers.

[0491] The memory 4003 is used to store computer program for executing the solutions of the present disclosure, and is controlled by the processor 4001. The processor 4001 is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory 4003 to implement the solution provided in any method embodiment described above.

[0492] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored on the computer-readable storage medium, the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps and corresponding contents of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0493] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program product including a computer program, the computer program when executed by a processor realizing the steps and corresponding contents of the preceding method embodiments.

[0494] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", "1", "2", etc. (if present) in the specification and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings above are used to distinguish similar objects and need not be used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that the data so used is interchangeable where appropriate so that embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described in the text.

[0495] It should be understood that while the flow diagrams of embodiments of the present disclosure indicate the individual operational steps by arrows, the order in which these steps are performed is not limited to the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, in some implementation scenarios of embodiments of the present disclosure, the implementation steps in the respective flowcharts may be performed in other orders as desired. In addition, some, or all of the steps in each flowchart may include multiple sub-steps or multiple phases based on the actual implementation scenario. Some or all of these sub-steps or stages can be executed at the same moment, and each of these sub-steps or stages can also be executed at different moments separately. The order of execution of these sub-steps or stages can be flexibly configured according to requirements in different scenarios of execution time, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0496] The above-mentioned description and the drawings are provided merely as examples to help readers to understand the present disclosure, and they should not be interpreted or aim to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Although some embodiments are provided, it is apparent for those skilled in the art to adopt other similar implementation means based on the technical idea of the present disclosure without departing from the technical concept of the solution of the present disclosure.

Claims

1.A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, comprising:determining a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband; andmonitoring paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband,wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to a same cell, paging resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband.2.The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a paging frequency subband from one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following ways:determining the paging frequency subband based on at least one of an identity document (ID) of the UE, a number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, a number of paging frames (PFs) in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, a number of paging occasions (POs) in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband; ordetermining the paging frequency subband based on a UE type of the UE,wherein an index number of the paging frequency subband is determined by at least one of the following:a value of n1satisfying a formula; orthe smallest value of n2satisfying a formula,where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nndenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, N denotes the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, Nsdenotes the number of POs in a PF, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, the floor denotes a rounding operation, and the mod denotes a modulo operation, andwherein, each UE type is associated with one or more paging frequency subbands, and the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are predefined, or configured by the system information.3.The method of claim 1, wherein the paging messages comprise UE-specific paging messages and cell-common paging messages, andwherein the method further comprises:monitoring the UE-specific paging messages and the cell-common paging messages separately on different paging frequency subbands, ormonitoring the UE-specific paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband; and monitoring the cell-common paging messages on another frequency subband.4.The method of any one of claims 1, wherein the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for scheduling the paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband; andreceiving a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) related to the paging messages on another frequency subband, in case that the PDCCH is received.5.The method of claim 1, wherein in case that the determined paging frequency subband is plural, the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises at least one of the following ways:sequentially monitoring paging occasions (POs) of different paging cycles on a plurality of paging frequency subbands; orsequentially monitoring different repetitions of the same PO on a plurality of paging frequency subbands.6.The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring the paging messages based on the determined paging frequency subband comprises:monitoring a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) on the determined paging frequency subband; and monitoring the paging messages on another frequency subband, in case that the LP-WUS is monitored, or in case that the LP-WUS is monitored and the LP-WUS indicates a need to monitor the paging messages, ormonitoring the LP-WUS on another frequency subband; and monitoring the paging messages on the determined paging frequency subband, in case that the LP-WUS is monitored, or in case that the LP-WUS is monitored and the LP-WUS indicates a need to monitor the paging messages.7.The method of claim 1, further comprising:deciding whether or not to perform a cell reselection process based on priorities of a camped-on cell and a neighboring cell of the UE, in case that the camped-on cell and / or the neighboring cell comprises the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, andwherein the priorities of the cells are configured by the system information, orthe priorities of the cells are related to at least one of the following:the number of the frequency subbands;the number of activated frequency subbands;a total bandwidth size of the frequency subbands; ora total bandwidth size of activated frequency subbands.8.The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following:performing a radio resource management (RRM) measurement based on a reference signal on the first frequency subband;performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband; ordetermining an RRM measurement frequency subband from the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband, and performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the determined RRM measurement frequency subband, andwherein for the case of performing the RRM measurement based on the reference signal on the first frequency subband, and the reference signal on the at least one second frequency subband, a measurement result comprises at least one of the following:optimal measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband;measurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of measurement values on the first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; ormeasurement values after averaging or weighted averaging of the measurement values on the first frequency subband, and the optimal measurement values on the at least one second frequency subband.9.The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining a small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; andinitiating a small data transmission on the determined small data transmission frequency subband,wherein at least one of physical random access channel (PRACH) resources or configured grant physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH) resources are configured on both the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband.10.The method of claim 9, wherein the determining a small data transmission frequency subband from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband comprises at least one of the following ways:determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on at least one of an identity document (ID) of the UE, a number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources or the CG-PUSCH resources, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband;determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a reference signal received power (RSRP) value of a downlink path loss reference;determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a priority of arrival data;determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a data volume of the arrival data;determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a remaining packet delay budget (PDB) of the arrival data;determining the small data transmission frequency subband based on an index number of a logical channel (LCH) or a logical channel group (LCG) of the arrival data; ordetermining the small data transmission frequency subband based on a traffic type of the arrival data, andwherein an index number of the small data transmission frequency subband is determined by at least one of the following:a value of n3satisfying a formula; orthe smallest value of n4satisfying a formula,where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nmdenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the PRACH resources and / or the CG-PUSCH resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, and the mod denotes a modulo operation.11.A method performed by a base station in a communication system, comprising:configuring corresponding paging resources separately for one first frequency subband and at least one second frequency subband; andtransmitting different paging messages to different groups of user equipments (UEs) on different frequency subbands,wherein the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband belong to a same cell, the first frequency subband is used to transmit system information, and the system information comprises configuration information regarding the second frequency subband.12.The method of claim 11, wherein a paging frequency subband is determined from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband based on at least one of the following ways:the paging frequency subband is determined based on at least one of an identity document (ID) of the UE, a number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, a number of paging frames (PFs) in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, a number of paging occasions (POs) in a PF, and a weight value corresponding to each frequency subband; orthe paging frequency subband is determined based on a UE type of the UE,wherein an index number of the paging frequency subband is determined by at least one of the following:a value of n1satisfying a formula; orthe smallest value of n2satisfying a formula,where UE_ID denotes the ID of the UE, Nndenotes the number of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, N denotes the number of PFs in a DRX cycle, Nsdenotes the number of POs in a PF, W denotes a sum of weight values of the frequency subbands which are configured with the paging resources, W(i) denotes a weight value of the frequency subband i, the floor denotes a rounding operation, and the mod denotes a modulo operation, andwherein, each UE type is associated with one or more paging frequency subbands, and the paging frequency subbands associated with each UE type are predefined, or configured by the system information.13.The method of claim 11, wherein UE-specific paging messages and cell-common paging messages are transmitted separately on different paging frequency subbands, orthe UE-specific paging messages are transmitted on a paging frequency subband determined from the one first frequency subband and the at least one second frequency subband; and the cell-common paging messages are transmitted on another frequency subband.14.A user equipment, comprising:a transceiver; anda processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-10.15.A base station, comprising:a transceiver; anda processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the method of any one of claims 11-13.

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