Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, applied to a first network device. The method comprises: receiving a low-power measurement signal sent by one or more terminal devices; and sending a low-power measurement report to a second network device, wherein the low-power measurement report is generated on the basis of the low-power measurement signal, and the low-power measurement report is related to enabling a main module of the first network device. The technical solution can assist the second network device in determining whether to enable the main module of the first network device in a deep sleep state, thereby allowing for energy saving and a good experience for terminal devices.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410889407.8, filed on July 3, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In order to meet the increasing demand for traffic, wireless networks are in a rapid construction rhythm. As the network size of wireless networks continues to grow, the energy consumption of wireless networks also continues to increase. In order to reduce the energy consumption of wireless networks, many energy-saving technologies are currently used, such as researching hardware energy-saving solutions from the aspects of devices, hardware design, etc.; researching software energy-saving solutions from the aspects of symbol shutdown, channel shutdown, carrier shutdown, and deep sleep; researching intelligent energy-saving solutions from the aspects of multi-network coordination, etc.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned energy-saving technologies cannot achieve maximum energy saving, for example, deep shutdown cannot be achieved. Moreover, the above-mentioned energy-saving technologies are based on statistical traffic (such as data traffic) rules, and whether to shut down the transmission reception point (TRP) is decided by network management, which results in a large shutdown delay.

[0005] Therefore, the present application aims to provide a communication method which can better monitor surrounding traffic, assist network equipment in deciding whether to start the main module of the TRP in deep sleep, so as to ensure energy saving and the experience of terminal equipment. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method which can better monitor surrounding traffic, assist network equipment in deciding whether to start the main module of the TRP in deep sleep, so as to ensure energy saving and the experience of terminal equipment.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, applied to a first network equipment, the method comprising: receiving a low-power measurement signal sent by one or more terminal equipment; and sending a low-power measurement report to a second network equipment, the low-power measurement report being generated based on the low-power measurement signal, wherein the low-power measurement report is related to starting a main module of the first network equipment.

[0008] The solution of the first aspect can be implemented by a device at the side of the first network device. The device at the side of the first network device can be the first network device, or a module (such as a chip system or an integrated circuit, etc.) in the first network device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software, etc. that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network device. For the convenience of description, the first network device is taken as an example in the following description.

[0009] In the solution of the present application, the first network device comprises a first module and a second module. The first module is configured to receive a low-power measurement signal sent by one or more terminal devices, and send a low-power measurement report to a second network device. That is, the first network device receives the low-power measurement signal sent by the one or more terminal devices through the first module, and sends the low-power measurement report to the second network device through the first module.

[0010] Alternatively, the first network device receives the low-power measurement signal sent by the one or more terminal devices in the first state, and sends the low-power measurement report to the second network device in the first state.

[0011] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the "first network device through the first module" can be replaced by "first network device in the first state". For the sake of simplicity, the following description will not be repeated.

[0012] The first state can be understood as a state of the first network device when the first module is turned on, or the first state can also be understood as a state of the first network device when the first module and part of the second module are turned on. It should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0013] It should be understood that the second module can be understood as the above-mentioned main module. That is, turning on the main module of the first network device can also be understood as turning on the second module of the first network device.

[0014] It can be understood that the first module and the second module are only named for distinction, and their specific names do not limit the protection scope of the present application. For example, the first module can also be called a low-power module (LP-R), and the second module can also be called a main module (MR). The related description of the low-power module and the main module can be referred to in the following description, which will not be repeated here.

[0015] Optionally, turning on the main module of the first network device described above can be understood as turning on the uplink main module of the first network device, or can also be understood as turning on the downlink main module of the first network device, or can also be understood as turning on the uplink main module and the downlink main module of the first network device. For the sake of simplicity, the following description will not be repeated.

[0016] Optionally, the starting the master module of the first network device can be understood as starting a carrier or a carrier group of the master module or the first network device. The carrier group includes one or more carriers.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the starting the carrier can be understood as starting part of the carrier, and in a possible implementation, the starting the carrier can be understood as starting all of the carrier.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the starting the carrier group can be understood as starting part of the carrier group, and in a possible implementation, the starting the carrier group can be understood as starting all of the carrier group.

[0019] It should be understood that the one or more terminal devices described above can be considered as one or more terminal devices within the coverage of the first network device.

[0020] In the technical solution of the present application, the first network device receives the low-power measurement signal sent by the one or more terminal devices, generates a low-power measurement report based on the low-power measurement signal, and sends the low-power measurement report to the second network device, so that the second network device makes a decision on whether to start the master module of the first network device based on the low-power measurement report. Based on the above technical solution, the second network device can assist in making a decision on whether to start the master module of the first network device in deep sleep, thereby ensuring energy saving and the experience of the terminal device.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes receiving first information sent by the second network device, the first information being sent based on the low-power measurement report, and the first information being used to indicate starting the master module of the first network device. Based on the above technical solution, the second network device makes a decision on whether to start the master module of the first network device, which can ensure energy saving, and when the second network device decides not to start (i.e., turn off) the master module of the first network device, the decision result is transmitted through the air interface, which can further reduce the turn-off latency.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes receiving first indication information sent by the second network device, the first indication information being used to indicate receiving the low-power measurement signal at a first time. Based on the above technical solution, the second network device can reduce the power consumption of detecting the low-power measurement signal by indicating the time of receiving the low-power measurement signal.

[0023] Optionally, the first indication information is further used to indicate the first time.

[0024] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first occasion includes N*K sub-occasions, where N represents a number of beams used for receiving the low-power measurement signal, and K represents a number of low-power measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

[0025] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the low-power measurement report includes at least one of: a signal level of the low-power measurement signal, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, a number of the terminal devices, and request information for requesting to turn on the main module.

[0026] Optionally, the measurement can further include request information for requesting to turn off the main module.

[0027] Based on the above technical solution, the second network device can globally decide whether to turn on the main module of a certain first network device based on the low-power measurement report of one or more first network devices, and transmit the decision result through the air interface, further reducing the latency of turning on or turning off the main module.

[0028] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the signal level is associated with the signal strength, or the signal level is associated with the number of terminal devices, or the signal level is associated with both the signal strength and the number of terminal devices.

[0029] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the main module includes at least one of: an uplink main module, and a downlink main module.

[0030] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the low-power measurement signal and the low-power measurement report include at least one of: a Chirp signal, an OOK signal, an FSK signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an ASK signal.

[0031] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before the low-power measurement report is sent to the second network device, the method further includes: determining to send the low-power measurement report in a case where the low-power measurement report satisfies a first condition, where the first condition includes at least one of: the number of terminal devices is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; the signal strength of the low-power measurement signal is greater than or equal to a second threshold value; and the signal level of the low-power measurement signal is greater than or equal to a third threshold value.

[0032] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device can timely or on-demand decide to report the low-power measurement report, so as to assist the second network device in deciding whether to turn on the main module of the first network device, achieving energy saving and guaranteeing user experience.

[0033] It should be understood that the first threshold, the second threshold and the third threshold are all preset.

[0034] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before the sending of the low-power measurement report to the second network device, the method further includes: receiving second indication information sent by the terminal device or the second network device, the second indication information being used to indicate the sending of the low-power measurement report. Based on the above technical solution, the first network device determines to report the low-power measurement report according to the second indication information, so as to assist the second network device in deciding whether to start the main module of the first network device.

[0035] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before the reporting of the low-power measurement report to the second network device, the method further includes: receiving third indication information sent by the second network device, the third indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, a frequency domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, and a space domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report.

[0036] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending fourth indication information to the terminal device, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the sending of the low-power measurement signal. Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can be ensured to send the low-power measurement signal in time.

[0037] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the fourth indication information is further used to indicate at least one of the following: starting measurement or closing measurement; a time-frequency resource for sending the low-power measurement signal; a sending power of the low-power measurement signal; a number of repeated sending times of the low-power measurement signal; repeatedly sending the low-power measurement signal on a first time domain resource; repeatedly sending the low-power measurement signal on a first frequency domain resource; and repeatedly sending the low-power measurement signal on a first beam.

[0038] Based on the above technical solution, other information related to the low-power measurement signal is indicated by the fourth indication information, so that signaling overhead can be saved.

[0039] In some implementations of the first aspect, the sending of the low-power measurement report to the second network device comprises: sending the low-power measurement report in a periodic reporting manner; or sending the low-power measurement report in a discontinuous reception (DRX) manner; or sending the low-power measurement report within a protocol predefined or preconfigured time; or sending the low-power measurement report at a first time point, the first time point being a time point at which the low-power measurement report is determined to be sent; or sending the low-power measurement report at a second time point, the second time point being later than the first time point; or sending the low-power measurement report on a first time domain resource.

[0040] It should be understood that the first time domain resource is a protocol predefined or preconfigured time / window / resource.

[0041] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device periodically or on demand sends the low-power measurement report to the second network device, which can ensure that the network device makes a timely decision on whether to turn on the main module of the first network device, thereby achieving energy saving and ensuring the experience of the terminal device.

[0042] In some implementations of the first aspect, the method further comprises: receiving request information sent by the terminal device, the request information being used to request uplink measurement.

[0043] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a terminal device and comprises: sending a low-power measurement signal to a first network device, the low-power measurement signal being used for the first network device to generate a low-power measurement report, wherein the low-power measurement report is related to turning on a main module of the first network device.

[0044] The solution of the second aspect can be executed by a device on the terminal device side. The device on the terminal device side can be a terminal device, a module (such as a chip system or an integrated circuit, etc.) in the terminal device, or a logic node, a logic module or software, etc. that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. For ease of description, the terminal device is taken as an example in the following description.

[0045] In the technical solution of the present application, the terminal device sends a low-power measurement signal to the first network device, so that the first network device generates a low-power measurement report based on the low-power measurement signal, which can assist the second network device in deciding whether to turn on the main module of the deeply sleeping first network device, thereby achieving maximum energy saving.

[0046] In some implementations of the second aspect, the low-power measurement report comprises at least one of the following: a signal level of the low-power measurement signal, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, a number of the terminal devices, and request information used to request turning on the main module.

[0047] Optionally, the low-power consumption measurement report further comprises request information for requesting to turn off the master module.

[0048] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the signal level is associated with the signal strength, or the signal level is associated with the number of terminal devices, or the signal level is associated with the signal strength and the number of terminal devices.

[0049] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the master module comprises at least one of: an uplink master module, a downlink master module.

[0050] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the low-power consumption measurement signal and the low-power consumption measurement report comprise at least one of: a Chirp signal, an on-off keying (OOK) signal, a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal, a low-power consumption OFDM signal, a low-power consumption sequence signal, an amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal.

[0051] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, before the sending of the low-power consumption measurement signal, the method further comprises: receiving fourth indication information sent by the second network device, the fourth indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to send the low-power consumption measurement signal.

[0052] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the fourth indication information is further used to instruct at least one of: starting measurement or stopping measurement; a time-frequency resource for sending the low-power consumption measurement signal; a sending power of the low-power consumption measurement signal; a number of repeated sending times of the low-power consumption measurement signal; repeatedly sending the low-power consumption measurement signal on a first time domain resource; repeatedly sending the low-power consumption measurement signal on a first frequency domain resource; repeatedly sending the low-power consumption measurement signal on a first beam.

[0053] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, before the sending of the low-power consumption measurement signal, the method further comprises: receiving a low-power consumption signal sent by the first network device; and in a case where the low-power consumption signal satisfies a second condition, sending the low-power consumption measurement signal, wherein the second condition comprises that a signal strength of the low-power consumption signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value.

[0054] It should be understood that the low-power consumption signal can be a low-power consumption synchronization signal, or can also be other signals, which are not limited in the present application.

[0055] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the low-power consumption signal corresponds to a sequence number of a beam for sending the low-power consumption measurement signal.

[0056] The serial number of the beam can be understood as an identifier of the beam, or can also be understood as an index of the beam. It should be understood that the application does not limit this.

[0057] In some implementations of the second aspect, the sending of the low-power measurement signal comprises: the first terminal device sending the low-power measurement signal on a corresponding first resource, and the second terminal device sending the low-power measurement signal on a corresponding second resource, the first terminal device being different from the second terminal device, and the first resource being different from the second resource; and the first resource and the second resource comprise at least one of the following: a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, and a space domain resource.

[0058] Optionally, the first terminal device and the second terminal device can also be terminal device groups, that is, the first terminal device can also be a first terminal device group, and the first terminal device group comprises at least two terminal devices. The second terminal device can also be a second terminal device group, and the second terminal device group comprises at least two terminal devices.

[0059] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device can accurately distinguish the low-power measurement signals sent by different terminal devices or terminal device groups, thereby guaranteeing the terminal device experience.

[0060] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending request information to the first network device or the second network device, the request information being used to request uplink measurement.

[0061] For related explanations and beneficial effects of the second aspect, reference can be made to the related explanations and beneficial effects of the first aspect, which will not be described here.

[0062] The third aspect provides a communication method applied to a second network device, comprising: receiving a low-power measurement report sent by a first network device, the low-power measurement report being generated based on a low-power measurement signal, and the low-power measurement report being related to starting a main module of the first network device; and sending first information to the first network device based on the low-power measurement report, the first information being used to instruct to start the main module of the first network device.

[0063] The scheme of the third aspect can be executed by a device on the second network device side. The device on the second network device side can be the second network device, or a module (such as a chip system or an integrated circuit, etc.) in the second network device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software, etc. that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network device. For ease of description, the second network device is taken as an example in the following description.

[0064] In the technical solution of the application, the second network device receives the low-power measurement report sent by the first network device, and sends first information to the network device based on the low-power measurement report, which is used to indicate to turn on the main module of the first network device. Based on the above technical solution, the second network device can make a decision as soon as possible whether to turn on the main module of the first network device in deep sleep, thereby maximizing energy saving, and further reducing the time delay of turning on or turning off the main module.

[0065] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the low-power measurement report includes at least one of the following: a signal level of the low-power measurement signal, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, a number of the terminal devices, and request information used to request to turn on the main module.

[0066] Optionally, the low-power measurement report can further include request information used to request to turn off the main module.

[0067] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the signal level is associated with the signal strength, or the signal level is associated with the number of terminal devices, or the signal level is associated with the signal strength and the number of terminal devices.

[0068] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the main module includes at least one of the following: an uplink main module, a downlink main module.

[0069] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the low-power measurement signal and the low-power measurement report include at least one of the following: a Chirp signal, an OOK signal, an FSK signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an ASK signal.

[0070] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the first network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a first time, and the first time being used to receive the low-power measurement signal.

[0071] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first time includes N*K sub-times, where N represents the number of beams used to receive the low-power measurement signal, and K represents the number of low-power measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

[0072] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the first network device, the second indication information being used to indicate to send the low-power measurement report.

[0073] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending, to the first network device, third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, a frequency domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, or a space domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report.

[0074] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending, to the first network device, fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate that the terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal.

[0075] In some implementations of the third aspect, the fourth indication information is further used to indicate at least one of the following: starting measurement or stopping measurement; a time-frequency resource for sending the low-power measurement signal; a transmission power of the low-power measurement signal; a number of repeated transmissions of the low-power measurement signal; repeatedly sending the low-power measurement signal on a first time domain resource; repeatedly sending the low-power measurement signal on a first frequency domain resource; or repeatedly sending the low-power measurement signal on a first beam.

[0076] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving request information sent by the terminal device, the request information being used to request uplink measurement.

[0077] The related explanations and benefits of the third aspect can refer to the related explanations and benefits of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0078] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive first information sent by the second network device, the first information being sent based on the low-power measurement report, and the first information being used to indicate that the main module of the first network device is turned on.

[0079] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive first indication information sent by the second network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the low-power measurement signal is received at a first time.

[0080] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive first indication information sent by the second network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the low-power measurement signal is received at a first time.

[0081] Optionally, the first indication information is further used to indicate the first time.

[0082] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first occasion includes N*K sub-occasions, where N represents a number of beams used to receive the low-power measurement signals, and K represents a number of low-power measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

[0083] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the low-power measurement report includes at least one of: a signal level of the low-power measurement signals, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signals, a number of the terminal devices, and request information used to request to turn on the main module.

[0084] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the signal level is associated with the signal strength, or the signal level is associated with the number of the terminal devices, or the signal level is associated with both the signal strength and the number of the terminal devices.

[0085] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the main module includes at least one of: an uplink main module, and a downlink main module.

[0086] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the low-power measurement signals and the low-power measurement report include at least one of: a Chirp signal, an OOK signal, an FSK signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an ASK signal.

[0087] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, before the sending of the low-power measurement report to the second network device, the transceiver is further configured to: determine to send the low-power measurement report in a case where the low-power measurement report satisfies a first condition, where the first condition includes at least one of: the number of the terminal devices is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; the signal strength of the low-power measurement signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold value; and the signal level of the low-power measurement signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold value.

[0088] It should be understood that the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the third threshold value are all pre-set.

[0089] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, before the sending of the low-power measurement report to the second network device, the transceiver is further configured to: receive second indication information sent by the terminal device or the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the sending of the low-power measurement report.

[0090] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, before reporting the low-power measurement report to the second network device, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive third indication information sent by the second network device, the third indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: time domain resources for sending the low-power measurement report, frequency domain resources for sending the low-power measurement report, and spatial domain resources for sending the low-power measurement report.

[0091] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send a fourth indication information to the terminal device, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the transmission of the low-power measurement signal.

[0092] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the fourth indication information is also used to indicate at least one of the following: starting or stopping the measurement; time-frequency resources for transmitting the low-power measurement signal; transmission power of the low-power measurement signal; number of times the low-power measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted; repeatedly transmitting the low-power measurement signal on a first time-domain resource; repeatedly transmitting the low-power measurement signal on a first frequency-domain resource; and repeatedly transmitting the low-power measurement signal on a first beam.

[0093] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically used to: send the low-power measurement report in a periodic reporting manner; or, send the low-power measurement report based on DRX; or, send the low-power measurement report at a protocol-predefined or pre-configured time; or, send the low-power measurement report at a first moment, wherein the first moment is the time at which the low-power measurement report is determined to be sent; or, send the low-power measurement report at a second moment, wherein the second moment is later than the first moment; or, send the low-power measurement report on a first time domain resource.

[0094] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to: receive request information sent by the terminal device, the request information being used to request uplink measurement.

[0095] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit for sending a low-power measurement signal to a first network device, the low-power measurement signal being used by the first network device to generate a low-power measurement report, wherein the low-power measurement report is related to a main module that enables the first network device.

[0096] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the low-power measurement report includes at least one of the following: the signal level of the low-power measurement signal, the signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, the number of terminal devices, and request information for requesting to enable the main module.

[0097] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the signal level is associated with the signal strength, or the signal level is associated with the number of terminal devices, or the signal level is associated with both the signal strength and the number of terminal devices.

[0098] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the master module comprises at least one of: an uplink master module, a downlink master module.

[0099] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the low-power measurement signal and the low-power measurement report comprise at least one of: a Chirp signal, an OOK signal, an FSK signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, an ASK signal.

[0100] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, before the low-power measurement signal is transmitted, the transceiver is further configured to: receive fourth indication information transmitted by the second network device, the fourth indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to transmit the low-power measurement signal.

[0101] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the fourth indication information is further used to instruct at least one of: to start measurement or to stop measurement; a time-frequency resource for transmitting the low-power measurement signal; a transmission power of the low-power measurement signal; a number of repeated transmissions of the low-power measurement signal; to repeatedly transmit the low-power measurement signal on a first time-domain resource; to repeatedly transmit the low-power measurement signal on a first frequency-domain resource; to repeatedly transmit the low-power measurement signal on a first beam.

[0102] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, before the low-power measurement signal is transmitted, the transceiver is further configured to: receive a low-power signal transmitted by the first network device; and transmit the low-power measurement signal if the low-power signal satisfies a second condition, wherein the second condition comprises that a signal strength of the low-power signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0103] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the low-power signal corresponds to a sequence number of a beam used to transmit the low-power measurement signal.

[0104] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver is specifically configured to: transmit, by a first terminal device, the low-power measurement signal on a corresponding first resource, and transmit, by a second terminal device, the low-power measurement signal on a corresponding second resource, the first terminal device being different from the second terminal device, and the first resource being different from the second resource; and wherein the first resource and the second resource comprise at least one of: a time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource, a spatial-domain resource.

[0105] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: send, to the first network device or the second network device, request information, the request information being used to request to perform uplink measurement.

[0106] The sixth aspect provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a low-power measurement report sent by a first network device, the low-power measurement report being generated based on a low-power measurement signal, the low-power measurement report being related to turning on a main module of the first network device; and the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first network device, first information based on the low-power measurement report, the first information being used to indicate to turn on the main module of the first network device.

[0107] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the low-power measurement report comprises at least one of: a signal level of the low-power measurement signal, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, a number of terminal devices, and request information used to request to turn on the main module.

[0108] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the signal level is associated with the signal strength, or the signal level is associated with the number of terminal devices, or the signal level is associated with the signal strength and the number of terminal devices.

[0109] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the main module comprises at least one of: an uplink main module, and a downlink main module.

[0110] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the low-power measurement signal and the low-power measurement report comprise at least one of: a Chirp signal, an OOK signal, an FSK signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an ASK signal.

[0111] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: send, to the first network device, first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first time, the first time being used to receive the low-power measurement signal.

[0112] With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first time comprises N*K sub-times, wherein N represents a number of beams, the beams being used to receive the low-power measurement signal, and K represents a number of low-power measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

[0113] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first network device, second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate sending the low-power consumption measurement report.

[0114] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first network device, third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain resource for sending the low-power consumption measurement report, a frequency domain resource for sending the low-power consumption measurement report, or a space domain resource for sending the low-power consumption measurement report.

[0115] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first network device, fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate sending the low-power consumption measurement signal by the terminal device.

[0116] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the fourth indication information is further used to indicate at least one of the following: starting measurement or stopping measurement; a time-frequency resource for sending the low-power consumption measurement signal; a transmission power of the low-power consumption measurement signal; a number of repetitions of the low-power consumption measurement signal; repeating sending the low-power consumption measurement signal on a first time domain resource; repeating sending the low-power consumption measurement signal on a first frequency domain resource; or repeating sending the low-power consumption measurement signal on a first beam.

[0117] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive request information sent by the terminal device, the request information being used to request performing uplink measurement.

[0118] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including a processor configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0119] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a memory configured to store the computer program or instructions.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface configured to input and / or output a signal.

[0121] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a logic circuit and an input / output interface for inputting and / or outputting signals, and the logic circuit is configured to perform the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or perform the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or perform the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0122] In a ninth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or the instructions are executed on a computer, the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect is performed, or the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect is performed, or the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect is performed.

[0123] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which contains instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect is performed, or the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect is performed, or the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect is performed.

[0124] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises the first network device configured to perform the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, the terminal device configured to perform the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, and / or the second network device configured to perform the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0125] The related explanations and beneficial effects of the fourth aspect to the eleventh aspect can refer to the descriptions of the first aspect to the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0126] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 to which embodiments of the present application are applied.

[0127] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario 200 of embodiments of the present application.

[0128] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a framework 300 of a first network device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0129] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0130] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0131] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0132] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0133] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0134] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained.

[0135] I. Unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more.

[0136] II. If there is no special description and no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments of the present application are consistent and can be mutually referred to. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0137] III. The various numerical numbers involved in the present application are only used for differentiation for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. The size of the serial numbers involved in the present application does not mean the execution order. The execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic. For example, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and other various term labels (if any) in the specification and claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not have to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. Among them, the data thus used can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0138] At the same time, any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. On the contrary, the use of "exemplary" or "for example" and the like is intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner, so as to facilitate understanding.

[0139] IV. The terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units does not have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0140] Five, in this application, "for indicating" can be understood as "enabling", "enabling" includes direct enabling and indirect enabling. When describing that a certain information is used to enable A, it can include that the information directly enables A or indirectly enables A, and it does not mean that A must be carried in the information.

[0141] The information enabled by the information is called to-be-enabled information, and in the specific implementation process, there are many ways to enable the to-be-enabled information, for example but not limited to, the to-be-enabled information can be directly enabled, such as the to-be-enabled information itself or an index of the to-be-enabled information. The to-be-enabled information can also be indirectly enabled by enabling other information, where the other information and the to-be-enabled information have an association relationship. The to-be-enabled information can also be enabled only in part, and the other part of the to-be-enabled information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the enabling of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the enabling overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common part of each information can be identified and uniformly enabled to reduce the enabling overhead caused by separately enabling the same information.

[0142] In addition, "indicating" can include direct indication, indirect indication, display indication, and implicit indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0143] In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is called to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or an index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be indicated only in part, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0144] Six, in this application, "pre-configuration" can include pre-definition, for example, protocol definition. Wherein, "pre-definition" can be realized by pre-saving the corresponding code, table or other information indicating manner in the device (for example, including each network element), and the specific implementation manner is not limited in this application.

[0145] Seven, the "storage" or "save" involved in the present application can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately arranged or integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separately arranged and partially integrated in the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited.

[0146] Eight, the "protocol" involved in the present application can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, which can include, for example, a fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) network, a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) network protocol, an NR protocol, a 5.5G network protocol, and a related protocol applied to a future communication network, which is not limited in the present application.

[0147] Nine, the arrows or blocks shown by dashed lines in the schematic diagrams in the drawing part of the specification of the present application represent optional steps or optional modules.

[0148] Ten, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0149] Eleven, in the present application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as that the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct sending through the air interface, or indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, which can include direct receiving from YY through the air interface, or indirect receiving from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as "output" of a chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices, or can be carried out within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, wire or interface.

[0150] First, the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is described.

[0151] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 to which embodiments of the present application are applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can further include other RAN nodes, such as a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device (not shown in FIG. 1), etc. The terminal devices 120 are connected to the RAN nodes 110 wirelessly. The RAN nodes 110 are connected to the CN 200 wirelessly or wiredly. The core network devices in the CN 200 and the RAN nodes 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the CN and the RAN respectively.

[0152] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G communication system or a future-oriented evolved system. The RAN 100 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (C-RAN or CRAN), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are fused.

[0153] The RAN nodes 110, which can also be referred to as access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes, etc., are configured to help terminal devices to access wirelessly. The RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 100 can be of the same type or of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN nodes 110 and the terminal devices 120 are relative, for example, the network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For a terminal device 120j that accesses the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal device. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminal devices 120 are sometimes referred to as communication apparatuses, for example, the network elements 110a and 110b can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0154] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station (BS), an evolved Node B (eNB), an access point (AP), a transmission point (TP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation base station (gNB), a central node or access node in a future communications network, or an access node in a Wi-Fi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario.

[0155] The RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform, such as a cloud platform. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0156] In another possible scenario, a plurality of RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal device to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0157] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different communication systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0158] The number of each device in the above communication system is only illustrative and is not limited thereto. In actual applications, the communication system can further include more terminal devices, more RAN devices, and can further include other devices.

[0159] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiving function, which can be referred to as a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a user station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user apparatus.

[0160] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a satellite phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a wireless modem, a machine type communication device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a communication device carried on an aerial vehicle, a wearable device, a drone, a robot, a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication, a terminal in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine or telehealth services, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, or a terminal device in a communication network evolved after 5G, etc., without limitation.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a device with communication function in a future communication network, without limitation to the form or type of the terminal device in the future communication network, etc.

[0162] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or an apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The apparatus can be installed in the terminal device or used in matching with the terminal device. In the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0163] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device is a device with wireless transceiving function, used for communicating with the terminal device. The network device can be a node in the RAN, also can be called a base station, and also can be called a RAN node, which can be an eNB of long term evolution (LTE), or a base station of 5G network such as gNB, or a base station in a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G, a broadband network gateway (BNG), a convergence switch, or a network device in 3GPP, etc.

[0164] The network device can also include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, TRPs, transmission points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and devices that perform base station functions in D2D, V2X, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, network devices in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), etc., without specific limitation.

[0165] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device for implementing the function of the network device can be a network device, or a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in matching with the network device. The chip system in the embodiments of the present application can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0166] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, with the evolution of communication network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems. For example, the present application can be applicable to V2X scenarios.

[0167] Based on the communication system 100, the embodiments of the present application also provide an application scenario, which can be referred to FIG. 2.

[0168] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario 200 of embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the second network device communicates with at least one first network device, and the first network device serves at least one terminal device (for example, a first terminal device). Or, there is communication among the first network device, the first terminal device, and the second network device. Or, the first network device is in the coverage range of the second network device, the first terminal device is in the coverage range of the corresponding first network device, and the second network device provides communication services for the first terminal device through the first network device. Among them, the first network device can be used to connect the second network device and the first terminal device. In addition, there can also be direct communication between the first terminal device and the second network device.

[0169] In a possible scenario, the first network device and the second network device can both be anchor BSs.

[0170] Alternatively, in a possible scenario, the first network device and the second network device can both be TRP nodes.

[0171] Alternatively, in a possible scenario, the first network device can be various forms of base stations, such as a macro base station, a micro base station (also known as a small station), a relay station, a TRP, etc., and the second network device can be a satellite, an air balloon station (such as a hot air balloon station), a drone station, a high-altitude platform station, a high-power high-tower (HPMT), a medium-power medium-tower (MPMT), etc.

[0172] Alternatively, in a possible scenario, the first network device and the second network device can both be a satellite, an air balloon station (such as a hot air balloon station), a drone station, a high-altitude platform station, a HPMT, a MPMT, etc.

[0173] It should be understood that the above scenarios are only illustrative, that is, embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to scenarios in which network devices of different forms are used in future communication system networks, and the present application does not limit this.

[0174] Currently, many energy-saving technologies are used in the industry to reduce the energy consumption of wireless networks, but these energy-saving technologies cannot achieve maximum energy saving. Based on this, embodiments of the present application aim to provide a communication method that can better monitor surrounding traffic and assist network devices in deciding whether to turn on the main module of a deeply sleeping TRP, thereby achieving maximum energy saving.

[0175] Based on the application scenario 200, in order to effectively reduce the energy consumption of the first network device, the present application supports a new design of the structure of the first network device, which can be seen in FIG. 3.

[0176] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a framework 300 of a first network device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the first network device includes a first module and a second module. It can be understood that the first module and the second module are merely named for distinction, and the specific naming does not limit the protection scope of the present application, for example, the first module can also be a first circuit or an on circuit or a wake-up circuit or a low-power circuit or a low-power module (LP-R module) and the like, and the second module can also be a second circuit or a main circuit or a high-power circuit or a main module (MR module) or a high-power module and the like. It should be noted that the LP-R module can also be referred to as LR module.

[0177] The low-power module can also be referred to as low-power radio, wake-up receiver (WUR), low-power WUR (LP-WUR), wake-up circuit, communication auxiliary module or auxiliary circuit and the like. The main module can also be referred to as main radio, main receiver, communication main module or main circuit and the like. It should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0178] The low-power module is used to receive or send low-power signals (such as low-power wake-up signals, low-power synchronization signals, low-power measurement signals and the like), or to notify the wake-up or sleep of the main module and the like. The main module can be used to receive or send signaling, data, measurement signals and the like. Moreover, the working power consumption of the low-power module is much lower than that of the main module.

[0179] For ease of description, the first module and the second module are uniformly described below.

[0180] The first module has the following functions: maintaining the connection between the first module and the second network device and the first terminal device, small packet transmission (measurement, data transmission and the like), turning on or turning off the second module and the like. The second module has the following functions: data transmission between the first terminal device and the second network device and the like. The turning on of the second module can also be understood as waking up the second module, and the turning off of the second module can also be understood as sleeping the second module. For ease of understanding, the turning on of the second module is uniformly used instead of the waking up of the second module in the following description.

[0181] Optionally, the turning on of the second module can also be understood as turning on a carrier or a carrier group, wherein the turning on of the carrier can be understood as turning on part of the carriers or all the carriers, the turning on of the carrier group can be understood as turning on part of the carrier groups or all the carrier groups, and the carrier group includes one or more carriers.

[0182] The first terminal device can also include a third module and a fourth module. It can be understood that the third module and the fourth module are only named for distinction, and the specific naming does not limit the protection scope of the present application. For example, the fourth module can also be a fourth circuit or an on circuit or a wake-up circuit or a low-power circuit or a low-power module (LP-R module), etc., and the third module can also be a third circuit or a main circuit or a main module (MR module) or a high-power circuit or a high-power module, etc. For ease of description, the following are uniformly described as the third module and the fourth module.

[0183] The fourth module can have the following functions: maintaining the connection between the first network device and the second network device, small packet transmission (measurement + data transmission), turning on or turning off the third module, etc. The third module can have the following functions: for data transmission between the first network device and the second network device, etc. Wherein, turning on the third module can also be understood as waking up the third module, and turning off the third module can also be understood as hibernating the third module.

[0184] In a specific application, the first network device can determine the state of the second module according to the load condition of the first network device. For example, when the first network device is in a high load condition, the second module is in a wake-up state (or an on state); when the first network device is in a low load condition, the second module is in a hibernation state (or an off state). When the load condition of the first network device changes from a high load condition to a low load condition, the second module switches from a wake-up state to a hibernation state, at this time, it can be understood that the second module is turned off; when the load condition of the first network device changes from a low load condition to a high load condition, the second module switches from a hibernation state to a wake-up state, at this time, it can be understood that the second module is turned on.

[0185] In the embodiment of the present application, the turning on or turning off of the second module can be triggered or started by the first module, or the turning on or turning off of the second module can also be triggered by the second module itself, that is, the turning on or turning off of the second module can be determined by the first network device; or the turning on or turning off of the second module can also be indicated by the second network device or the terminal device (such as the first terminal device), etc. It should be understood that the present application limits this.

[0186] The embodiments provided by the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the specific drawings.

[0187] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 4, the method can include at least the following steps.

[0188] S410, the terminal device sends a low-power measurement signal to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the low-power measurement signal sent by the terminal device.

[0189] The first network device comprises a first module and a second module, and correspondingly, the terminal device comprises a third module and a fourth module. The related description of the first module, the second module, the third module, and the fourth module can refer to the description of FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0190] Specifically, the terminal device sending the low-power measurement signal to the first network device can be understood as that the terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal to the first module of the first network device through the third module, and correspondingly, the first network device receiving the low-power measurement signal can be understood as that the first network device receives the low-power measurement signal through the first module.

[0191] Alternatively, the terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal in a second state, wherein the second state is a state of the terminal device when the third module is turned on, or the second state can also be understood as a state of the terminal device when the third module and part of the fourth module are turned on, or the second state can also be understood as a state of the terminal device when the third module and all of the fourth module are turned on; correspondingly, the first network device receives the low-power measurement signal in a first state, wherein the first state can be understood as a state of the first network device when the first module is turned on, or the first state can also be understood as a state of the first network device when the first module and part of the second module are turned on, or the first state can also be understood as a state of the first network device when the first module and all of the second module are turned on. It should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0192] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, “the first network device through the first module” can be replaced by “the first network device in the first state”. For the sake of simplicity, the following will not be repeated.

[0193] It should be further noted that in the embodiments of the present application, as long as the information or signal related to low power is concerned, for the first network device, it can be received or sent through the first module, and for the terminal device, it can be received or sent through the third module. For the sake of simplicity, the following description of receiving or sending through the first module and the third module can be omitted.

[0194] Optionally, when the fourth module has the function of receiving or sending the low-power signal, and / or when part or all of the fourth module is not completely turned off, the terminal device sending the low-power measurement signal to the first network device can also be understood as that the terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal to the first network device through the fourth module.

[0195] Optionally, when the second module has the function of receiving or sending low-power signals, and / or the second module is partially or completely not turned off, the first network device receiving the low-power measurement signal can also be understood as the first network device receiving the low-power measurement signal through the second module. It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the first network device can cover one or more terminal devices, in which case the first network device can receive the low-power measurement signal sent by one or more terminal devices.

[0196] The low-power measurement signal can be one or more of a linear frequency modulation Chirp signal, an on-off keying (OOK) signal (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), a low-power sequence signal (such as a Gold sequence signal, an M sequence signal, a ZC sequence signal, a Chirp sequence signal, a Walsh sequence signal, a Golay sequence signal, a Kasami sequence signal, a low density sequence signal, a discrete fourier transform (DFT) / fast fourier transform (FFT) sequence signal, a symbol-based quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) sequence signal, etc.), an amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal, a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, etc., or the low-power measurement signal can also be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0197] In the present application, which kind of low-power measurement signal is sent by the terminal device can be determined based on the following ways:

[0198] Way one, determining the low-power measurement signal through a protocol predefined way.

[0199] For example, the protocol predefined way can be used to determine that the terminal device uses an OOK-1 signal as a low-power measurement signal and sends the OOK-1 signal to the first network device.

[0200] For example, the terminal device can determine to use a Chirp signal as the low-power measurement signal and send the Chirp signal to the first network device in a protocol pre-defined manner. Further, the specific configuration of the Chirp signal, such as the slope of the Chirp signal, the starting point of the Chirp signal, the frequency point of the Chirp signal, the transmission power of the Chirp signal, etc., can also be determined in a protocol pre-defined manner.

[0201] Option 2: The low-power measurement signal is determined in a manner of high-layer signaling configuration or physical-layer signaling indication.

[0202] Optionally, before step S410, the method can further include: the terminal device receives indication information #1, the indication information #1 being used to indicate which signal is used as the low-power measurement signal. It should be understood that the indication information #1 can be configured by high-layer signaling or indicated by physical-layer signaling, which is not limited in the present application.

[0203] Table 1 lists the correspondence between the value of the indication information #1 and the low-power measurement signal.

[0204] Table 1 indicates the correspondence between the value of the indication information #1 and the low-power measurement signal

[0205] As shown in Table 1, when the value of the indication information #1 is 0, it indicates that the terminal device uses a Chirp signal as the low-power measurement signal; when the value of the indication information #1 is 1, it indicates that the terminal device uses an OOK-1 signal as the low-power measurement signal; when the value of the indication information #1 is 2, it indicates that the terminal device uses an OOK-2 signal as the low-power measurement signal; when the value of the indication information #1 is 3, it indicates that the terminal device uses an OOK-4 signal as the low-power measurement signal; when the value of the indication information #1 is 4, it indicates that the terminal device uses an FSK signal as the low-power measurement signal; when the value of the indication information #1 is 5, it indicates that the terminal device uses an OFDM signal as the low-power measurement signal; and when the value of the indication information #1 is 6, it indicates that the terminal device uses other low-power measurement signals.

[0206] It should be understood that Table 1 is only an example and is not limited in the present application.

[0207] Optionally, the indication information #1 is also used to indicate the configuration of the low-power measurement signal, for example, the indication information #1 can also indicate at least one of the following configurations of the Chirp signal: slope, starting point, frequency point. It should be understood that the configuration of the low-power measurement signal can also be indicated by other information, which is not limited in the present application.

[0208] Optionally, in a possible implementation, before step S410, the method further includes: the second network device sending first indication information to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receiving the first indication information.

[0209] In a possible implementation, the second network device sending the first indication information to the first network device can be understood as that the second network device sends the first indication information to a first module of the first network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first network device to receive the low-power consumption measurement signal at the first time. It should be understood that the first indication information is carried on a low-power consumption signal, and the low-power consumption signal can be one or more of a Chirp signal, an OOK signal (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), a low-power consumption sequence signal (such as a Gold sequence signal, an M sequence signal, a ZC sequence signal, a Chirp sequence signal, a Walsh sequence signal, a Golay sequence signal, a Kasami sequence signal, a low density sequence signal, a DFT / FFT sequence signal, a QAM symbol-based sequence signal, etc.), an ASK signal, an FSK signal, an OFDM signal, etc., or the low-power consumption signal can also be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0210] Optionally, the first indication information can be high-layer signaling, such as radio resource control (RRC) or medium access control control element (MAC CE), or the first indication information can also be physical layer signaling. It should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0211] In another possible implementation, the second network device sending the first indication information to the first network device can also be understood as that the second network device sends the first indication information to a second module of the first network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the first network device to receive the low-power consumption measurement signal at the first time.

[0212] Optionally, the first time can include N*K sub-times, where N represents the number of beams used to receive the low-power consumption measurement signal, and K represents the number of low-power consumption measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

[0213] It should be noted that the first time can be periodically configured, or the first time can also be indicated by dynamic signaling, for example, the above first indication information can also be used to indicate the first time, or the first time can also be indicated by other information, and it should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0214] Further, in the present application, the low-power consumption measurement signal can be indicated by the first network device to be sent by the terminal device, or can also be determined by the terminal device to be sent by itself. Exemplarily, the terminal device determines to send the low-power consumption measurement signal in the following ways.

[0215] Way one, the second network device instructs the terminal device to send the low-power consumption measurement signal.

[0216] Optionally, in a possible implementation, before step S410, the method can further include: the second network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth indication information.

[0217] Specifically, the second network device sending the fourth indication information to the terminal device can be understood as the second network device sending the fourth indication information to the third module of the terminal device, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct to send the low-power consumption measurement signal.

[0218] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the fourth indication information can be carried in the low-power consumption signal. For example, before step S410, the method can further include: the second network device sends a low-power consumption signal to the terminal device, and the low-power consumption signal includes the fourth indication information. The related description of the low-power consumption signal can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0219] Wherein, the second network device sending the low-power consumption WUS signal to the terminal device can be understood as the second network device sending the low-power consumption WUS signal to the third module of the terminal device.

[0220] It should be understood that the above low-power consumption signal can include at least one of the following: Chirp signal, OOK signal (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), low-power consumption sequence signal (such as Gold sequence signal, M sequence signal, ZC sequence signal, Chirp sequence signal, Walsh sequence signal, Golay sequence signal, Kasami sequence signal, low density sequence signal, DFT / FFT sequence signal, QAM symbol-based sequence signal, etc., ASK signal, FSK signal, OFDM signal. Alternatively, the low-power consumption WUS signal can also be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0221] Correspondingly, the terminal device sends a low-power measurement signal to the first network device after receiving the fourth indication information. It should be noted that the terminal device can send the low-power measurement signal in a groupcast manner, or can send the low-power measurement signal in a broadcast manner, or can send the low-power measurement signal in a unicast manner, and it should be understood that the present application does not limit this.

[0222] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the fourth indication information is further used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0223] Starting measurement or closing measurement;

[0224] Time-frequency resource for sending the low-power measurement signal;

[0225] Transmission power of the low-power measurement signal;

[0226] Number of repeated transmissions of the low-power measurement signal;

[0227] Repeating the low-power measurement signal on the first time domain resource;

[0228] Repeating the low-power measurement signal on the first frequency domain resource;

[0229] Repeating the low-power measurement signal on the first beam.

[0230] The indication content of the fourth indication information will be described below in conjunction with specific examples.

[0231] For example, in the case where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to start measurement, the terminal device starts measurement after receiving the fourth indication information and sends a low-power measurement signal to the first network device.

[0232] For example, in the case where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to close measurement, the terminal device closes measurement after receiving the fourth indication information, and in this case, the terminal device can not send a low-power measurement signal to the first network device.

[0233] For example, in the case where the fourth indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resource (such as time domain resource and / or frequency domain resource) for sending the low-power measurement signal, the terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal on the indicated time-frequency resource. Optionally, the time-frequency resource for sending the low-power measurement signal can also be pre-defined by a protocol, that is, in this case, the fourth indication information is not required to indicate the time-frequency resource for the terminal device to send the low-power measurement signal.

[0234] For example, when the fourth indication information is used to indicate the transmission power of the low-power consumption measurement signal, for example, the fourth indication information indicates that the transmission power is the first power, at this time, the terminal device transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal with the transmission power of the first power. Alternatively, the transmission power of the low-power consumption measurement signal can also be pre-defined by the protocol, that is, in this case, the fourth indication information is not required to indicate the transmission power of the low-power consumption measurement signal of the terminal device.

[0235] For example, when the fourth indication information is used to indicate the number of repeated transmissions of the low-power consumption measurement signal, for example, the fourth indication information indicates that the number of repeated transmissions is X, at this time, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal X times. Alternatively, the number of repeated transmissions of the low-power consumption measurement signal can also be pre-defined by the protocol, that is, in this case, the fourth indication information is not required to indicate the number of repeated transmissions of the low-power consumption measurement signal of the terminal device.

[0236] For example, when the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the low-power consumption measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted on the first time domain resource, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal on the first time domain resource. Alternatively, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal on the first time domain resource can also be pre-defined by the protocol, that is, in this case, the fourth indication information is not required to indicate that the low-power consumption measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted on the first time domain resource.

[0237] It should be understood that the first time domain resource can be indicated by the fourth indication information, or can be indicated by other indication information, or can be pre-defined by the protocol, which is not limited in the present application.

[0238] For example, when the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the low-power consumption measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted on the first frequency domain resource, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal on the first frequency domain resource. Alternatively, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal on the first frequency domain resource can also be pre-defined by the protocol, that is, in this case, the fourth indication information is not required to indicate that the low-power consumption measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted on the first frequency domain resource.

[0239] It should be understood that the first frequency domain resource can be indicated by the fourth indication information, or can be indicated by other indication information, or can be pre-defined by the protocol, which is not limited in the present application.

[0240] For example, when the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the low-power consumption measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted on the first beam, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal on the first beam. Alternatively, the terminal device repeatedly transmits the low-power consumption measurement signal on the first beam can also be pre-defined by the protocol, that is, in this case, the fourth indication information is not required to indicate that the low-power consumption measurement signal is repeatedly transmitted on the first beam.

[0241] It should be understood that the first beam can be indicated by the fourth indication information, can be indicated by other indication information, or can be predefined by a protocol, and the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0242] It should be noted that the number of times of repeated sending of the terminal device on the first time domain resource / first frequency domain resource / first beam can be indicated by the fourth indication information, can be indicated by other indication information, or can be predefined by a protocol, and it should be understood that the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0243] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include the following steps before step S410:

[0244] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the method can further include the following steps before step S410:

[0245] The first network device sends the low-power signal to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the low-power signal; and

[0246] The terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal to the first network device in a case where the low-power signal satisfies a second condition.

[0247] The second condition includes that the signal strength of the low-power signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold, that is, the terminal device sends the low-power measurement signal to the first network device in a case where the signal strength of the low-power signal is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold. Conversely, the terminal device does not send the low-power measurement signal to the first network device in a case where the signal strength of the low-power signal is less than the fourth threshold.

[0248] It should be understood that the low-power signal can be a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS signal), or the low-power signal can be other low-power signals other than the low-power synchronization signal, and the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0249] It should also be understood that the second condition can be predefined or preconfigured by a protocol, and the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0250] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the low-power signal corresponds to the sequence number of the beam for sending the low-power measurement signal.

[0251] For example, the low-power signal #1 corresponds to the beam with the serial number 1, and the low-power signal #2 corresponds to the beam with the serial number 2. Then, the terminal device can determine, according to the received low-power signal #1, that the beam for sending the low-power measurement signal is the beam with the serial number 1, and the terminal device can determine, according to the received low-power signal #2, that the beam for sending the low-power measurement signal is the beam with the serial number 2. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine, according to the signal strength of the received low-power signal #1 and the low-power signal #2, the beam for sending the low-power measurement signal.

[0252] It should be understood that the above is only an example, and the present application is not limited in this regard.

[0253] Optionally, in a possible implementation, before step S410, the method can further include: the terminal device sending request information, the request information being used for requesting to perform uplink measurement.

[0254] Optionally, in a possible implementation, before step S410, the method can further include: the terminal device sending request information, the request information being used for requesting to perform uplink measurement.

[0255] Specifically, in one case, when the traffic volume is large, the first module of the terminal device can send request information to the first network device, the request information being used for requesting to perform uplink measurement, and then the first network device sends indication information #2 to the terminal device, the indication information #2 being used for instructing the terminal device to send a low-power measurement signal. It should be understood that the request information and the indication information #2 can be carried on a low-power signal, and the related description of the low-power signal can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0256] Alternatively, in another case, the first module of the terminal device can send request information to the second network device, the request information being used for requesting to perform uplink measurement, and then the second network device sends indication information (for example, the fourth indication information described above) to the terminal device, and the related description of the fourth indication information can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0257] Alternatively, in another case, the first module of the terminal device can send request information to the first network device or the second network device, the request information being used for requesting to perform uplink measurement, and then the terminal device sends a low-power measurement signal to the first network device based on a preconfigured resource.

[0258] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device in the coverage range of the first network device or the terminal device sends a low-power measurement signal to the first network device. At this time, the first network device can distinguish the low-power measurement signals sent by different terminal devices or terminal device groups in the following manners.

[0259] Manner one: the time-frequency resources for transmitting the low-power measurement signal are different between different terminal devices or terminal device groups. For example, the time-domain resources are different and / or the frequency-domain and / or spatial-domain resources are different. That is, different terminal devices or terminal device groups transmit the low-power measurement signal in a time-division or frequency-division or space-division manner.

[0260] Optionally, different terminal devices or terminal device groups can also transmit the low-power measurement signal in a code-division manner. For example, when the low-power measurement signal is a Chirp signal, the slopes or starting points of the Chirp signals transmitted by different terminal devices or terminal device groups are different.

[0261] Manner two: the time-frequency resources for transmitting the low-power measurement signal are the same between different terminal devices or terminal device groups, such as the time-domain resources and the frequency-domain resources being the same. In this case, the first network device can distinguish the low-power measurement signals transmitted by different terminal devices or terminal device groups according to the transmission powers of the low-power measurement signals transmitted by different terminal devices or terminal device groups.

[0262] It should also be noted that, in addition to transmitting the low-power measurement signal to the first network device, the terminal device can also transmit an uplink low-power WUS signal. In this case, the first network device distinguishes the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal according to the following manners after receiving the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal.

[0263] Manner one: the terminal device transmits the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal in a time-division manner, that is, the terminal device stagger the transmission times of the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal.

[0264] For example, the transmission times of the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal can be indicated respectively by a protocol predefinition, high-layer signaling configuration (such as RRC, MAC CE), or physical layer signaling (such as DCI). For example, the transmission time of the uplink low-power WUS signal is t1, the transmission time of the low-power measurement signal is t2, and t1 is not equal to t2.

[0265] Manner two: the terminal device transmits the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal in a frequency-division manner, that is, the terminal device distinguishes the frequency-domain resources for transmitting the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal.

[0266] For example, the frequency domain resources for transmitting the uplink low-power signal and the low-power measurement signal can be respectively indicated by protocol predefinition, or high-layer signaling configuration (such as RRC, MAC CE), or physical layer signaling (such as DCI), for example, the frequency domain resources for transmitting the uplink low-power signal are Set A, and the frequency domain resources for transmitting the low-power measurement signal are Set B, and Set A is different from Set B.

[0267] Option 3: The terminal device transmits the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal in a code division manner, that is, the signal design of the low-power measurement signal and the uplink low-power WUS signal is different.

[0268] For example, the signal design of the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal can be respectively indicated by protocol predefinition, or high-layer signaling configuration (such as RRC, MAC CE), or physical layer signaling (such as DCI), for example, when the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal are both Chirp signals, the signal starting point or the slope of the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal is different.

[0269] For example, the signal design of the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal can be respectively indicated by protocol predefinition, or high-layer signaling configuration (such as RRC, MAC CE), or physical layer signaling (such as DCI), for example, when the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal are both Chirp signals, the signal starting point or the slope of the uplink low-power WUS signal and the low-power measurement signal is different.

[0270] It should be understood that the above is only an example, and the present application is not limited in this regard.

[0271] S420, the first network device sends a low-power measurement report to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the low-power measurement report.

[0272] The low-power measurement report can be one or more of a Chirp signal, an OOK signal (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), a low-power sequence signal (such as a Gold sequence signal, an M sequence signal, a ZC sequence signal, a Chirp sequence signal, a Walsh sequence signal, a Golay sequence signal, a Kasami sequence signal, a low density sequence signal, a DFT / FFT sequence signal, a QAM symbol-based sequence signal, etc.), an ASK signal, an FSK signal, an OFDM signal, etc., or the low-power low-power measurement report can also be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0273] Specifically, the first network device generates a low-power measurement report based on the low-power measurement signal, and then sends the low-power measurement report to the second network device, the low-power measurement report being related to starting the main module of the first network device. Wherein, the first network device sending the low-power measurement report to the second network device can be understood as the first module of the first network device sending the low-power measurement report to the second network device.

[0274] In the embodiments of the present application, starting the main module of the first network device can be understood as starting the uplink main module of the first network device, or can be understood as starting the downlink main module of the first network device, or can be understood as starting the uplink main module and the downlink main module of the first network device.

[0275] Optionally, the above-mentioned main module can also refer to the carrier or carrier group of the main module, that is, the uplink main module can be replaced by the carrier or carrier group of the uplink main module, and the downlink main module can be replaced by the carrier or carrier group of the downlink main module. That is, starting the main module of the first network device can also be understood as starting the carrier or carrier group of the uplink main module of the first network device, and / or the carrier or carrier group of the downlink main module.

[0276] It should be understood that starting the carrier or carrier group of the uplink main module includes: starting part of the carrier or all of the carrier of the uplink main module, or starting part of the carrier group or all of the carrier group of the uplink main module.

[0277] Further, the manner in which the first network device sends the low-power measurement report can include one or more of the following:

[0278] Method one: the first network device sends the low-power measurement report in a periodic reporting manner.

[0279] Method two, the first network device sends the low-power measurement report in a discontinuous reception (DRX) manner.

[0280] For example, the first network device sends the low-power measurement report in the time when the second network device is in the active period, and does not send the low-power measurement report in the time when the second network device is in the sleep period.

[0281] Method three, the first network device sends the low-power measurement report in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) manner.

[0282] For example, the first network device sends the low-power measurement report in the active period, and does not send the low-power measurement report in the sleep period.

[0283] Manner four, the first network device sends the low power measurement report within a protocol predefined time, or the first network device sends the low power measurement report within a preconfigured time.

[0284] Manner five, the first network device decides by itself whether to send the low power measurement report.

[0285] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first network device decides by itself to send the low power measurement report, and sends the low power measurement report at a time (for example, a first time) when the first network device decides by itself to send the low power measurement report, that is, the first network device sends the low power measurement report immediately after the first network device decides by itself to send the low power measurement report.

[0286] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first network device decides by itself to send the low power measurement report, and sends the low power measurement report on a preconfigured window or resource.

[0287] For example, the first network device does not send the low power measurement report immediately after the first network device decides by itself to send the low power measurement report, but sends the low power measurement report at a time (for example, a second time) after a time interval after the first time. It should be understood that the time interval between the first time and the second time is K1, and the time unit of K1 can be millisecond (ms) or symbol or time slot, and the present application does not limit this.

[0288] For another example, the first network device does not send the low power measurement report immediately after the first network device decides by itself to send the low power measurement report, but sends the low power measurement report within a pre-defined time / window / resource.

[0289] Manner six, the first network device sends the low power measurement report based on a first condition.

[0290] Optionally, before step S420, the method can further include: in a case where the low power measurement report satisfies the first condition, the first network device determines to send the low power measurement report. The first condition includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal devices is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the signal strength of the low power measurement signal is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and the signal level of the low power measurement signal is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0291] For example, in a possible implementation, the first network device determines to send the low power measurement report in a case where the low power measurement report satisfies the first condition, and sends the low power measurement report at a time (for example, a third time) when the first network device determines to send the low power measurement report, that is, the first network device sends the low power measurement report immediately in a case where the low power measurement report satisfies the first condition.

[0292] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the first network device does not immediately send the low-power measurement report when the low-power measurement report meets the first condition, but sends the low-power measurement report at a time (e.g., the fourth time) after a time interval after the third time. It should be understood that the time interval between the fourth time and the third time is K2, and the time unit of K2 can be ms or os, which is not limited in the present application.

[0293] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the first network device does not immediately send the low-power measurement report when the low-power measurement report meets the first condition, but sends the low-power measurement report within a predefined time / window / resource.

[0294] It should be noted that the first threshold, the second threshold and the third threshold described above are all pre-configured or pre-configured thresholds.

[0295] Optionally, before step S420, the method can further include: the second network device or the terminal device sends second indication information to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate sending the low-power measurement report.

[0296] It should be understood that the second network device or the terminal device sends the second indication information to the first module of the first network device. It should be understood that the second indication information can be carried on the low-power signal, and the related description of the low-power signal can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0297] Optionally, in the case that the second indication information is sent by the terminal device, the second indication information can be a burst event of the terminal device, or can be a quality of service (QoS) requirement of the terminal device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0298] Optionally, in the case that the second indication information is sent by the second network device, the second indication information can also be used to indicate the time and resource for sending the low-power measurement report, or the second indication information can also indicate the first network device to send the low-power measurement report in a pre-configured manner.

[0299] Optionally, in a possible implementation, before step S420, the method can further include: the second network device sends third indication information to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the third indication information.

[0300] The second network device sending the third indication information to the first network device can be understood as the second network device sending the third indication information to the first module of the first network device, the third indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: time domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, frequency domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, and space domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report. It should be understood that the third indication information can be carried on a low-power signal, and the related description of the low-power signal can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0301] Then, the first network device sends the low-power measurement report on the indicated time domain resource and / or frequency domain resource and / or space domain resource after receiving the third indication information.

[0302] Optionally, after step S420, the method can further include: S430, the second network device sending first information to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receiving the first information.

[0303] Specifically, the second network device generates the first information based on the received low-power measurement report, and sends the first information to the first network device, the first information being used to indicate to turn on the main module of the first network device. The second network device sending the first information to the first network device can be understood as the second network device sending the first information to the first module of the first network device.

[0304] In the embodiment of the present application, the low-power measurement report includes at least one of the following: signal level of the low-power measurement signal, signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, number of terminal devices, and request information for requesting to turn on the main module. It should be understood that the number of terminal devices is the number of terminal devices within the coverage of the first network device.

[0305] Optionally, the low-power measurement report further includes request information for requesting to turn off the main module.

[0306] It should be understood that, in the case that the low-power measurement report includes the request information for requesting to turn on or turn off the main module, the second device can make a faster decision on whether to turn on the main module of the first network device in deep sleep, thereby achieving maximum energy saving, and further reducing the time delay of turning on or turning off the main module.

[0307] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the signal level of the low-power measurement signal is associated with a signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, where the signal strength can be a reference signal received power (RSRP), or can also be a reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), or can also be a signal to noise ratio (SNR), and the like, and it should be understood that the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0308] In the following, taking the signal strength as RSRP as an example, the association between the signal level and the signal strength (for example, RSRP) is introduced, as shown in Table 2.

[0309] Table 2: Association between signal level and RSRP

[0310] As shown in Table 2, when the signal level is 0, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [0, RSRP1), that is, 0≤RSRP<RSRP1; when the signal level is 1, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [RSRP1, RSRP2), that is, RSRP1≤RSRP<RSRP2; when the signal level is 2, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [RSRP2, RSRP3), that is, RSRP2≤RSRP<RSRP3; and when the signal level is 3, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [RSRP3, RSRP4), that is, RSRP3≤RSRP<RSRP4.

[0311] It should be understood that Table 2 shown is only an example, and the present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0312] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the signal level of the low-power measurement signal is associated with the number of terminal devices (UE number), and Table 3 shows the association between the signal level and the number of terminal devices (UE number).

[0313] Table 3: Association between signal level and number of terminal devices (UE number)

[0314] As shown in Table 3, when the signal level is 0, the value range of the number of terminal devices (UE number) can be determined as [0, UE number 1), that is, 0≤UE number<UE number 1; when the signal level is 1, the value range of the UE number can be determined as [UE number 1, UE number 2), that is, UE number 1≤UE number<UE number 2; when the signal level is 2, the value range of the UE number can be determined as [UE number 2, UE number 3), that is, UE number 2≤UE number<UE number 3; and when the signal level is 3, the value range of the UE number can be determined as [UE number 3, UE number 4), that is, UE number 3≤UE number<UE number 4.

[0315] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the signal level of the low-power consumption measurement signal is associated with the signal strength or the number of terminal devices (UE number). The following takes the signal strength as RSRP as an example to introduce the association between the signal level and the RSRP or the number of terminal devices (UE number), as shown in Table 4.

[0316] Table 4 Association between signal level and RSRP or number of terminal devices (UE number)

[0317] As shown in Table 4, when the signal level is 0, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [0, RSRP1) or the value range of the number of terminal devices (UE number) is [0, UE number1), that is, 0≤RSRP<RSRP1, 0≤UE number<UE number1; when the signal level is 1, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [RSRP1, RSRP2) or the value range of the UE number is [UE number1, UE number2), that is, RSRP1≤RSRP<RSRP2, UE number1≤UE number<UE number2; when the signal level is 2, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [RSRP2, RSRP3) or the value range of the UE number is [UE number2, UE number3), that is, RSRP2≤RSRP<RSRP3, UE number2≤UE number<UE number3; when the signal level is 3, it can be determined that the value range of the signal strength is [RSRP3, RSRP4) or the value range of the UE number is [UE number3, UE number4), that is, RSRP3≤RSRP<RSRP4, UE number3≤UE number<UE number4.

[0318] It should be understood that Table 4 is only an example, and the present application is not limited in this regard.

[0319] In the technical solution of the present application, the first network device receives a low-power measurement signal sent by one or more terminal devices, and generates a low-power measurement report based on the low-power measurement signal and sends the low-power measurement report to the second network device, so that the second network device makes a decision on whether to start the main module of the first network device based on the low-power measurement report. Based on the above technical solution, the second network device can assist in making a decision on whether to start the main module of the first network device in deep sleep, thereby ensuring energy saving and the experience of the terminal device.

[0320] Finally, the apparatus embodiment of the embodiment of the present application is introduced.

[0321] In order to realize each function in the method provided by the present application, the first network device, the terminal device, and the second network device can each include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and each function is realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether a certain function in the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraint conditions.

[0322] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 500 according to an embodiment of the application. The communication apparatus 500 can be a first network device, a terminal device, or a second network device. The communication apparatus 500 includes a processor 510 and a communication interface 520. Optionally, the processor 510 and the communication interface 520 can be connected with each other through a bus 530. The communication apparatus 500 can be a first network device, a terminal device, or a second network device.

[0323] Optionally, the communication apparatus 500 can further include a memory 540. The memory 540 can be, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 540 can be used to store relevant instructions and data.

[0324] The processor 510 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs). In the case where the processor 510 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0325] When the communication apparatus 500 is a first network device, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving a low-power consumption measurement signal transmitted by one or more terminal devices; and transmitting a low-power consumption measurement report to a second network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving first information transmitted by a second network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving first indication information transmitted by the second network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: determining to transmit the low-power consumption measurement report in the case where the low-power consumption measurement report satisfies a first condition. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving second indication information transmitted by the terminal device or the second network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving third indication information transmitted by the second network device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: transmitting fourth indication information to a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 500 can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving request information transmitted by a terminal device.

[0326] When the communication apparatus 500 is a terminal device, the communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: sending a low-power measurement signal to a first network device. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: receiving fourth indication information sent by the second network device. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: receiving a low-power signal sent by the first network device; and sending the low-power measurement signal when the low-power signal meets a second condition. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: sending request information to the first network device or the second network device.

[0327] When the communication apparatus 500 is a second network device, the communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: receiving a low-power measurement report sent by a first network device, and sending first information to the first network device based on the low-power measurement report. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: sending first indication information to the first network device. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: sending second indication information to the first network device. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: sending third indication information to the first network device. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: sending fourth indication information to the first network device. The communication apparatus 500 is configured to perform the following operation, for example: receiving request information sent by a terminal device.

[0328] The above description is only exemplary. When the communication apparatus 500 is a first network device, a terminal device, or a second network device, it will be responsible for performing the methods or steps related to the first network device, the terminal device, or the second network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0329] The above description is only exemplary. The specific content can be referred to the content shown in the foregoing method embodiments. The implementation of each operation in FIG. 5 can also correspond to the description of the corresponding method embodiments shown in FIG. 4.

[0330] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 600 can be a first network device, a terminal device, or a second network device, or a chip or module in the first network device, the terminal device, or the second network device, and is configured to implement the methods related in the foregoing embodiments. The communication apparatus 600 includes a transceiver unit 610 and a processing unit 620. The transceiver unit 610 and the processing unit 620 are exemplarily introduced as follows.

[0331] The transceiver 610 can include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is configured to perform the transmitting action of the communication apparatus 600, and the receiving unit is configured to perform the receiving action of the communication apparatus 600. For the convenience of description, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are combined into one transceiver in the embodiments of the present application. Here, the combination is described, and will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0332] When the communication apparatus 600 is a first network device, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving a low-power measurement signal sent by one or more terminal devices; and sending a low-power measurement report to a second network device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving first information sent by the second network device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving first indication information sent by the second network device. Further exemplarily, the processing unit 620 is configured to perform the following operation: determining to send the low-power measurement report in a case where the low-power measurement report meets a first condition. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving second indication information sent by the terminal device or the second network device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving third indication information sent by the second network device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: sending fourth indication information to a terminal device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving request information sent by a terminal device.

[0333] When the communication apparatus 600 is a terminal device, exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: sending a low-power measurement signal to a first network device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving fourth indication information sent by the second network device. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: receiving a low-power signal sent by the first network device; and sending the low-power measurement signal in a case where the low-power signal meets a second condition. Further exemplarily, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform the following operation: sending request information to the first network device or a second network device.

[0334] When the communication apparatus 600 is the second network device, the transceiver 610 is configured to receive the low-power consumption measurement report sent by the first network device, and send first information to the first network device based on the low-power consumption measurement report. The transceiver 610 is configured to send first indication information to the first network device. The transceiver 610 is configured to send second indication information to the first network device. The transceiver 610 is configured to send third indication information to the first network device. The transceiver 610 is configured to send fourth indication information to the first network device. The transceiver 610 is configured to receive the request information sent by the terminal device.

[0335] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the application. The communication apparatus 600 is the first network device, the terminal device, or the second network device, and is responsible for performing the methods or steps related to the first network device, the terminal device, or the second network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0336] Optionally, the communication apparatus 600 further includes a storage unit 630 configured to store programs or codes for performing the foregoing methods.

[0337] The apparatus embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are used to implement the content described in FIG. 4. The specific execution steps of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can refer to the content described in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0338] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 700 is configured to implement the functions of the first network device, the terminal device, or the second network device. The communication apparatus 700 can be a chip in the first network device, the terminal device, or the second network device.

[0339] The communication apparatus 700 includes an input-output interface 720 and a processor 710. The input-output interface 720 can be an input-output circuit. The processor 710 can be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuits that can implement the methods of the present application. The input-output interface 720 is configured to input or output signals or data.

[0340] For example, when the communication apparatus 700 is a first network device, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive a low power consumption measurement signal sent by one or more terminal devices, and send a low power consumption measurement report to a second network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive first information sent by the second network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive first indication information sent by the second network device. For another example, the processor 710 is configured to determine to send the low power consumption measurement report when the low power consumption measurement report satisfies a first condition. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive second indication information sent by the terminal device or the second network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive third indication information sent by the second network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send fourth indication information to a terminal device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive request information sent by a terminal device.

[0341] For example, when the communication apparatus 700 is a terminal device, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send a low power consumption measurement signal to a first network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive fourth indication information sent by the second network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive a low power consumption signal sent by the first network device.

[0342] The input / output interface 720 is configured to send the low power consumption measurement signal when the low power consumption signal satisfies a second condition. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send request information to the first network device or the second network device.

[0343] For example, when the communication apparatus 700 is a second network device, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive a low power consumption measurement report sent by a first network device, and send first information to the first network device based on the low power consumption measurement report. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send first indication information to the first network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send second indication information to the first network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send third indication information to the first network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to send fourth indication information to the first network device. For another example, the input / output interface 720 is configured to receive request information sent by a terminal device.

[0344] In a possible implementation, the processor 710 implements the functions of the first network device, the terminal device, and the second network device by executing instructions stored in the memory.

[0345] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 further includes a memory.

[0346] Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated.

[0347] Optionally, the memory is outside the communication apparatus 700.

[0348] In a possible implementation, the processor 710 can be a logic circuit, and the processor 710 inputs / outputs messages or signaling through the input / output interface 720. The logic circuit can be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuits that can implement the method of the embodiments of the present application.

[0349] The above description of the communication apparatus 700 is only exemplary, and the communication apparatus 700 can be used to execute the method described in the foregoing embodiments. For details, refer to the description of the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0350] The present application also provides a chip including a processor, configured to invoke and run instructions stored in a memory, so that a communication device installed with the chip executes the method in any of the examples described above.

[0351] The present application also provides a chip including an input interface, an output interface, and a processor, which are connected through internal connection paths. The processor is configured to execute code in a memory, and when the code is executed, the processor is configured to execute the method in any of the examples described above. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory configured to store a computer program or code.

[0352] The present application also provides a processor configured to be coupled with a memory, and configured to execute the method and functions of the first network device, the terminal device, and the second network device in any of the embodiments described above.

[0353] The present application provides a computer program product including instructions, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, the method of the foregoing embodiments is implemented.

[0354] The present application also provides a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the method of the foregoing embodiments is implemented.

[0355] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the method of the foregoing embodiments is implemented.

[0356] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0357] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0358] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0359] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. According to actual needs, some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0360] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically independently, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0361] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0362] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first network device, and comprises: receiving low-power measurement signals sent by one or more terminal devices; sending a low-power measurement report to a second network device, the low-power measurement report being generated based on the low-power measurement signals, wherein the low-power measurement report is related to starting a main module of the first network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first information sent by the second network device, the first information being sent based on the low-power measurement report, and the first information being used to indicate starting the main module of the first network device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information sent by the second network device, the first indication information being used to indicate receiving the low-power measurement signals at a first time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first time comprises N*K sub-times, wherein the N represents a number of beams, and the beams are used to receive the low-power measurement signals; and the K represents a number of low-power measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The low-power measurement report comprises at least one of the following: a signal level of the low-power measurement signals, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signals, a number of the terminal devices, and request information used to request starting the main module.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The low-power measurement signals and the low-power measurement report comprise at least one of the following: a Chirp signal, an OOK signal, an FSK signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an ASK signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Before the low-power measurement report is sent to the second network device, the method further comprises: in a case where the low-power measurement report satisfies a first condition, determining to send the low-power measurement report, wherein the first condition comprises at least one of the following: the number of the terminal devices is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; the signal strength of the low-power measurement signals is greater than or equal to a second threshold value; the signal level of the low-power measurement signals is greater than or equal to a third threshold value.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Before the low-power measurement report is sent to the second network device, the method further comprises: receiving second indication information sent by the terminal device or the second network device, the second indication information being used to indicate sending the low-power measurement report.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Before the low-power measurement report is sent to the second network device, the method further comprises: receiving third indication information sent by the second network device, the third indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following: a time domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, a frequency domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, and a space domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device, and comprises: sending low-power measurement signals to a first network device, the low-power measurement signals being used by the first network device to generate a low-power measurement report, wherein the low-power measurement report is related to starting a main module of the first network device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The low-power measurement report comprises at least one of the following: a signal level of the low-power measurement signals, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signals, a number of the terminal devices, and request information used to request starting the main module.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The low-power measurement signal and the low-power measurement report comprise at least one of the following: a Chirp signal, an on-off keying (OOK) signal, a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, Before the low-power measurement signal is sent, the method further comprises: receiving fourth indication information sent by a second network device, the fourth indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to send the low-power measurement signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The fourth indication information is further used to instruct at least one of the following: to start measurement or to stop measurement; a time-frequency resource for sending the low-power measurement signal; a transmission power of the low-power measurement signal; a number of repeated transmissions of the low-power measurement signal; repeated transmission of the low-power measurement signal on a first time domain resource; repeated transmission of the low-power measurement signal on a first frequency domain resource; repeated transmission of the low-power measurement signal on a first beam.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, Before the low-power measurement signal is sent, the method further comprises: receiving a low-power signal sent by the first network device; in a case where the low-power signal meets a second condition, sending the low-power measurement signal, wherein the second condition comprises that a signal strength of the low-power signal is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The low-power signal corresponds to a sequence number of a beam for sending the low-power measurement signal.

17. A method of communication, comprising: Applied to a second network device, comprising: receiving a low-power measurement report sent by a first network device, the low-power measurement report being generated based on a low-power measurement signal, the low-power measurement report being related to starting a main module of the first network device; sending first information to the first network device based on the low-power measurement report, the first information being used to instruct to start the main module of the first network device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The low-power measurement report comprises at least one of the following: a signal level of the low-power measurement signal, a signal strength of the low-power measurement signal, a number of terminal devices, and request information for requesting to start the main module.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The low-power measurement signal and the low-power measurement report comprise at least one of the following: a Chirp signal, an on-off keying (OOK) signal, a frequency shift keying (FSK) signal, a low-power OFDM signal, a low-power sequence signal, and an amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal.

20. The method of any one of claims 17-19, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first indication information to the first network device, the first indication information being used to instruct a first opportunity, the first opportunity being used to receive the low-power measurement signal.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first opportunity comprises N*K sub-opportunities, wherein the N represents a number of beams, the beams being used to receive the low-power measurement signal, and the K represents a number of low-power measurement signals corresponding to each of the N beams.

22. The method of any one of claims 17-21, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third indication information to the first network device, the third indication information being used to instruct at least one of the following: a time domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, a frequency domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report, and a space domain resource for sending the low-power measurement report.

23. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor for causing the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 22 by executing computer programs or instructions, or by a logic circuit.

24. The communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, The communication device further comprises a memory for storing the computer programs or instructions.

25. The communication apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein, The communication device further comprises a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signals.

26. A communications device, characterized by The logic circuit and an input / output interface for inputting and / or outputting signals, the logic circuit being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 22.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon computer programs or instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 22 to be performed.

28. A computer program product, characterised in that, A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 22 to be performed.

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