Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

The present application is applied to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method, apparatus and system. The communication method provided in the present application can optimize the manner in which a terminal device monitors paging or scheduling information. The communication method comprises: a terminal device receives first configuration information from an access network device by means of a main receiver, wherein the first configuration information is used for configuring a first occasion; when a time interval between the first occasion and a second occasion is greater than or equal to a first duration, the terminal device monitors a first signal in the first occasion by means of a low-power receiver, wherein the first signal is used for indicating the presence of paging or scheduling information in the second occasion; or, when the time interval between the first occasion and the second occasion is less than the first duration, the terminal device monitors a PDCCH by means of the main receiver.

Description

Communication methods, devices and systems

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410920887.X, filed on July 09, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, apparatus and systems. Background Technology

[0003] To reduce power consumption, terminal devices can employ a sleep mode where the main receiver (or main radio, MR) goes into sleep mode, and a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) listens for a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS). In this mode, upon receiving the LP-WUS signal, the LP-WUR wakes up the main receiver to resume normal operation, such as receiving messages from the network. The time from when the LP-WUR wakes up the main receiver until it is fully operational requires a certain amount of processing time; this time is generally referred to as the transition time.

[0004] Currently, for terminal devices that use LP-WUR to monitor LP-WUS, the network side can send LP-WUS to the terminal device during the LP-WUS monitoring occasion (MO), and send messages that the master receiver needs to receive, such as paging messages or scheduling physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) messages, to the terminal device at other times after the MO. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides communication methods, apparatus, and systems that can optimize the way terminal devices listen for paging or scheduling information.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device or by a module (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the terminal device. The following description uses the execution of this communication method by a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device receiving first configuration information from an access network device via a main receiver, the first configuration information being used to configure a first timing. If the time interval between the first timing and a second timing is greater than or equal to a first duration, the terminal device listens for a first signal on the first timing via a low-power receiver; wherein the first signal is used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information on the second timing. Alternatively, if the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is less than the first duration, the terminal device listens for the PDCCH via the main receiver.

[0008] Based on the communication method provided in this application, the terminal device can decide whether to switch to low-power receiver operation or continue to operate the main receiver based on the relationship between the time interval between the first and second timing points and the first duration. Specifically, if the time interval between the first and second timing points is greater than or equal to the first duration, and the low-power receiver receives the first signal at the first timing point, the time interval between the first and second timing points is likely sufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the main receiver, allowing the main receiver to listen to the PDCCH at the second timing point. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device can listen to the first signal at the first timing point using the low-power receiver. Conversely, if the time interval between the first and second timing points is less than the first duration, and the low-power receiver receives the first signal at the first timing point, the time interval between the first and second timing points is likely insufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the main receiver, allowing it to listen to the PDCCH at the second timing point. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device can directly listen to the PDCCH through the main receiver without switching to the low-power receiver.

[0009] Therefore, based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the problem that the terminal device may not receive the paging message or scheduling information sent by the network when the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is too short and may not be sufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the master receiver to listen to the PDCCH is avoided.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the first duration is the conversion time supported by the terminal device.

[0011] Based on this scheme, the terminal device can compare the time interval between the first timing and the second timing with the size of its own supported switching time, thereby determining whether the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is sufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the master receiver to listen to the PDCCH.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device sending first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating a second duration, the second duration being related to the transition time supported by the terminal device. The terminal device receiving second indication information from the access network device, the second indication information indicating the number of cycles or entities of the synchronization signal. The terminal device determining the first duration based on the second indication information and the second duration.

[0013] Based on this solution, the terminal device can determine the first duration according to the instructions of the access network device.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the number of first opportunities is one or more.

[0015] When there are one or more first opportunities, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied. Furthermore, this solution clarifies the specific behavior of the terminal device when there are multiple first opportunities.

[0016] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network device or by a module (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the access network device. The following description uses the execution of this communication method by an access network device as an example. The method includes: the access network device sending first configuration information to a terminal device. The first configuration information is used to configure a first timing, the first timing is used by the terminal device to listen for a first signal, and the first signal is used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information at a second timing. The time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0017] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, when the access network device configures the first timing for the terminal device, it can ensure that the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the first duration. In this case, after the low-power receiver of the terminal device receives the first signal at the first timing, the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is sufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the main receiver and for the main receiver to start working normally, which can ensure that the main receiver can receive the paging message or scheduling information at the second timing.

[0018] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible design, the first duration is the switching time supported by the terminal device, or the first duration is the maximum switching time supported by the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0019] In conjunction with the second aspect described above, in one possible design, the method further includes: the access network device receiving first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating a second duration, the second duration being related to the transition time supported by the terminal device. The access network device determines the first duration based on the second duration and the number of cycles or entities of the synchronization signal used for time-frequency synchronization by the terminal device.

[0020] Based on this solution, when the access network device configures the first timing for the terminal device, it can reserve enough time for the main receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization. Therefore, when the main receiver is not woken up, it can be in a more power-saving state such as deep sleep, instead of being in a state with high power consumption such as shallow sleep after being woken up and not requiring time-frequency synchronization.

[0021] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device or by a module (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the terminal device. The following description uses the execution of this communication method by a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device receiving first configuration information and third indication information from an access network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate one or more transition times, the first configuration information is used to configure a first timing, the first timing is used to listen for a first signal, and the first signal is used to indicate the existence of a paging message or scheduling information within a second timing. If the largest transition time among the one or more transition times is greater than or equal to the transition time supported by the terminal device, the terminal device listens for the first signal at the first timing via a low-power receiver; or, if the largest transition time among the one or more transition times is less than the transition time supported by the terminal device, the terminal device listens for the PDCCH via a main receiver.

[0022] Based on the communication method provided in this application, a terminal device can compare the maximum switching time indicated by the access network device with its own supported switching time, and decide whether to switch to low-power receiver operation or continue to operate the main receiver based on the magnitude relationship. Specifically, if the maximum switching time indicated by the access network device is greater than or equal to its supported switching time, and the low-power receiver receives the first signal at the first timing point, the time interval between the first and second timing points is likely sufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the main receiver, allowing the main receiver to listen to the PDCCH at the second timing point. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device can listen to the first signal at the first timing point using the low-power receiver. Conversely, if the maximum switching time indicated by the access network device is less than its supported switching time, and the low-power receiver receives the first signal at the first timing point, the time interval between the first and second timing points is likely insufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the main receiver, allowing it to listen to the PDCCH at the second timing point. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device can directly listen to the PDCCH through the main receiver without switching to the low-power receiver.

[0023] Therefore, based on the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the problem that the terminal device may not receive the paging message or scheduling information sent by the network when the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is too short and may not be sufficient for the low-power receiver to wake up the master receiver to listen to the PDCCH is avoided.

[0024] In conjunction with the third aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device sending information to the access network device indicating the switching time supported by the terminal device.

[0025] Based on this scheme, the network can learn the transition time supported by the terminal device, so that the network can configure a suitable first timing for the terminal device according to the transition time supported by the terminal device.

[0026] Fourthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method implemented by the terminal device in the first aspect above.

[0027] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0028] In conjunction with the fourth aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to receive first configuration information from the access network equipment via a main receiver, the first configuration information being used to configure a first timing. The processing module is used to determine the relationship between the time interval between the first timing and a second timing and a first duration. The transceiver module is further used to listen for a first signal on the first timing via a low-power receiver when the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the first duration; wherein the first signal is used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information on the second timing. The transceiver module is further used to listen for the PDCCH via the main receiver when the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is less than the first duration.

[0029] In conjunction with the fourth aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the first duration is the switching time supported by the communication device.

[0030] In conjunction with the fourth aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to send first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating a second duration related to the switching time supported by the communication device. The transceiver module is also configured to receive second indication information from the access network device, the second indication information indicating the number of cycles or entities of the synchronization signal. The processing module is further configured to determine the first duration based on the second indication information and the second duration.

[0031] In conjunction with the fourth aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the number of first opportunities is one or more.

[0032] Fifthly, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method implemented by the access network device in the second aspect described above.

[0033] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0034] In conjunction with the fifth aspect above, in one possible design, the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module; the processing module is used to determine first configuration information. The transceiver module is used to send the first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information being used to configure a first timing, the first timing being used by the terminal device to listen for a first signal, and the first signal being used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information at a second timing. The time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0035] In conjunction with the fifth aspect mentioned above, in one possible design, the first duration is the switching time supported by the terminal device, or the first duration is the maximum switching time supported by the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0036] In conjunction with the fifth aspect above, in one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating a second duration, the second duration being related to the conversion time supported by the terminal device. The processing module is further configured to determine the first duration based on the second duration and the number of cycles or entities of the synchronization signal used for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device.

[0037] Sixthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method implemented by the terminal device in the third aspect above.

[0038] The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the above methods. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0039] In conjunction with the sixth aspect above, in one possible design, the communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module is used to receive first configuration information and third indication information from the access network equipment. The third indication information indicates one or more transition times, the first configuration information configures a first timing, the first timing is used to listen for a first signal, and the first signal indicates the presence of a paging message or scheduling information within a second timing. The processing module is used to determine the relationship between the largest of the one or more transition times and the transition times supported by the communication device. The transceiver module is further used to listen for the first signal at the first timing via a low-power receiver when the largest of the one or more transition times is greater than or equal to the transition times supported by the communication device. The transceiver module is further used to listen for the PDCCH via a main receiver when the largest of the one or more transition times is less than the transition times supported by the communication device.

[0040] In conjunction with the sixth aspect above, in one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send information to the access network equipment indicating the conversion time supported by the communication device.

[0041] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, wherein when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device performs the method described in any of the preceding aspects. The communication device may be a terminal device in the first aspect, the third aspect, any possible design of the first aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device may be an access network device in the second aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to an access network device.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer instructions. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together, or they are separate.

[0043] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is located outside the communication device.

[0044] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute the method described in any of the preceding aspects via logic circuitry or by running a computer program or instructions. The communication device may be a terminal device in the first aspect, the third aspect, any possible design of the first aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device may be an access network device in the second aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect, or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to an access network device.

[0045] Alternatively, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit, which receives computer execution instructions (which are stored in memory and may be read directly from memory or may be transmitted through other devices) and transmits them to the processor so that the processor runs the computer execution instructions to perform the methods described in any of the above aspects.

[0046] In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together, or they are separate.

[0047] In one possible design, the memory is coupled to the processor and is located outside the communication device.

[0048] In some possible designs, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system.

[0049] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods executed by the terminal device in the first aspect, any possible design of the first aspect, the third aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect; or enable the computer to perform the methods executed by the access network device in the second aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods executed by the terminal device in the first aspect, any possible design of the first aspect, the third aspect, or any possible design of the third aspect; or enable the computer to perform the methods executed by the access network device in the second aspect, or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0051] Eleventhly, a communication device (e.g., a chip or a chip system) is provided, comprising a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the preceding aspects. In one possible design, the communication device further comprises a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be constructed from chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0052] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system including access network equipment and terminal equipment;

[0053] Wherein, the terminal device is used to implement the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the access network device is used to send first configuration information to the terminal device; or, the terminal device is used to implement the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, and the access network device is used to send first configuration information and third indication information to the terminal device; or, the access network device is used to implement the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, and the terminal device is used to receive the first configuration information.

[0054] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects four through twelfth can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through three above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the operating modes of the main receiver and LP-WUR;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain location of a MO configuration;

[0057] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a scheme for configuring MO;

[0058] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the network configuring MO according to the conversion time of different terminal devices;

[0059] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a configuration MO provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the first duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of determining a first duration according to an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining the first duration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of determining which MO to monitor according to an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0068] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies of this application are first introduced as follows.

[0069] 1. Wake-up receiver (WUR):

[0070] The concept of wake-up radio refers to the process where a terminal device, while in deep sleep mode (MR), activates only a low-power LP-WUR to listen for wake-up packets. These wake-up packets typically carry LP-WUS.

[0071] LP-WUR can utilize lower-power RF and baseband circuits, or use a low-power ring oscillator instead of a phase-locked loop (PLL) in the mixer, or a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with a higher noise figure. LP-WUR can also be a sub-module (i.e., a part of the main receiver) or share some circuits and components with the main receiver. Alternatively, compared to the main receiver, LP-WUR includes fewer components; for example, it does not include a Fast Fourier Transform module, complex channel decoding modules, etc., and may have fewer registers and memory units, using a lower bandwidth bus. Furthermore, the main receiver can also be considered LP-WUR when operating in a low-power mode, such as when the main receiver reduces its operating voltage, disables some high-power functions, slows down the clock frequency, or reduces the sampling rate and bit width of analog-to-digital sampling.

[0072] The process of LP-WUR waking up the master receiver may include the following steps:

[0073] 1. When the LP_WUR receives the LP-WUS, the terminal device processes the received signal to identify the wake-up information. For example, the terminal device demodulates and decodes the received signal (if the LP-WUS signal has channel coding), and performs parity checking on the decoded signal (if the LP-WUS has a checksum) to identify the wake-up information.

[0074] When LP_WUR receives LP-WUS, MR is generally in a low-power state, such as deep sleep or ultra-deep sleep, or even in a completely powered-off state.

[0075] 2. If the terminal device recognizes that the LP-WUS contains wake-up information for waking up the terminal device or the user group to which the terminal device belongs, the LP-WUS sends a wake-up instruction to the master receiver, triggering the master receiver to wake up.

[0076] 3. The main process of the master receiver switching from a low-power state back to an active state may include:

[0077] a) Power on and start the main receiver's chip, antenna, storage, and other peripheral devices.

[0078] b) The main receiver's chip, antenna, storage, and other peripheral devices load pre-stored configuration parameters.

[0079] c) The main receiver searches the network to determine the serving cell where the current terminal device is located.

[0080] d) The master receiver further performs fine-grained time-frequency synchronization to determine the time boundaries of the serving cell (e.g., determining the boundaries of time units such as frame structure, subframes, time slots, and symbols). The master receiver can achieve time-frequency synchronization by receiving synchronization signals sent by the serving base station.

[0081] 4. The main receiver begins normal operation and performs corresponding operations, including but not limited to updating system messages, receiving paging messages, initiating random access, and receiving disaster warning information.

[0082] Furthermore, after the main receiver completes the transmission of data or signaling, it can return to a low-power state.

[0083] In summary, as shown in Figure 1, after receiving a message from an LP-WUS sent to itself or its group, the LP-WUR will wake up the master receiver. The master receiver, after being woken up, will then transmit and receive data or signaling. During this process, the LP-WUR can be either on or off. After completing the data or signaling transmission, the master receiver returns to a low-power state, and the LP-WUR continues to listen to the LP-WUS.

[0084] In the above process, when the master receiver is in a low-power state, the terminal device stops listening to the PDCCH. After the master receiver is woken up, it listens to the PDCCH in order to transmit data or signaling. This mechanism, in which the terminal device can stop listening to the PDCCH for a period of time and listen to the PDCCH when there is data / signaling transmission, can also be called the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism. For terminal devices in the connected state, the master receiver listening to the PDCCH after being woken up can also be understood as the terminal device listening to the PDCCH for the duration of the DRX cycle. For terminal devices in the idle or inactive state, the DRX mechanism uses a paging mechanism. The terminal device can listen to the PDCCH and receive paging messages during the paging opportunities within the paging cycle (or DRX cycle), which will be described in detail below.

[0085] In the above process, from the reception of LP-WUR to LP-WUS, the main receiver needs a certain processing time to start working normally (which can also be understood as the main receiver starting to listen to PDCCH). In the embodiments of this application, this necessary processing time can be called transition time, time gap, or minimum time gap.

[0086] 2. Paging:

[0087] The network can trigger the terminal device to establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection, notify the terminal device of system information updates, or send disaster alerts to the terminal device by paging the terminal device (i.e., sending a paging message to the terminal device). The content of the paging message is sent to the terminal device through the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the PDSCH is scheduled using a PDCCH scrambled with the paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI).

[0088] The process of a terminal device obtaining a paging message is as follows: After being woken up from an idle or inactive state, the terminal device listens to the PDCCH scrambled by P-RNTI. By parsing the downlink control information (DCI) in the PDCCH, it determines the scheduling parameters of the PDSCH (e.g., the time, frequency, and location information for sending the PDSCH). The terminal device receives the PDSCH according to the scheduling parameters and obtains the paging message within it. The terminal device determines whether the paging message includes its own terminal device identifier. If it does, it indicates that the paging message is for paging the terminal device, and the terminal device performs corresponding operations based on the paging message. For example, the terminal device establishes an RRC connection, or it returns from an inactive state to an idle state.

[0089] The PDCCH used for scheduling PDSCH, which includes paging messages, can be called the paging PDCCH. The network can schedule terminal devices to receive paging messages by sending the paging PDCCH.

[0090] The specific time when a terminal device receives a paging PDCCH is defined by the paging frame (PF) and the paging occasion (PO). A PF represents the radio frame in which the terminal device can receive the paging PDCCH; that is, a terminal device in an idle or inactive state can receive the paging PDCCH within its corresponding PF. A PO represents the occasion within a PF in which the terminal device can attempt to receive the paging PDCCH. For each PF, there can be one or more POs corresponding to different terminal devices; that is, within each PF, there can be one or more POs in which the terminal device can attempt to receive the paging PDCCH.

[0091] The terminal device can determine whether a radio frame is its corresponding PF according to the following formula (1): (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N)*(UE_ID mod N); Formula (1)

[0092] Wherein, SFN is the system frame number (SFN) of the current radio frame; PF_offset is the frame offset of the PF; T is the duration of the paging cycle; N is the number of PFs included in each paging cycle; and UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal device.

[0093] When the SFN of a radio frame satisfies the above formula (1), the radio frame can be considered as the PF corresponding to the terminal device.

[0094] For each PO within the PF, each PO has an index number (which can be denoted as i_s). The i_s of the PO corresponding to the terminal device can be determined by the following formula (2): i_s = floor (UE_ID / N) mod Ns; Formula (2)

[0095] The meanings of UE_ID and N can be found in the above formula (1), where Ns represents the number of POs included in a PF.

[0096] The base station may not send a paging PDCCH to the terminal device on every PO. The terminal device can determine whether the base station has sent a paging PDCCH by detecting the DCI used to schedule paging messages within the PO.

[0097] 3. MO:

[0098] Currently, LP-WUS messages sent from the network to terminal devices are typically sent within a MO (Mobile Operation). The MO is a time-limited resource, and the network side can send corresponding configuration information to the terminal device to configure the MO.

[0099] Understandably, in order for the LP-WUR to wake up the master receiver to listen to the PDCCH based on the received LP-WUS, the MO should be before the PO or on duration. Based on this, the time domain position of the MO (start time domain position or end time domain position, or the start time or end time) has a forward time offset compared to the time domain position of the PO or on duration.

[0100] Currently, the specific configuration method of MO is unclear; MO may be periodic or aperiodic. Understandably, when MO is aperiodic, or when the MO period differs from the DRX period, the time offset of MO relative to PO or on-duration is not fixed. When the MO period is the same as the DRX period, the time offset of MO relative to PO or on-duration is a fixed value. Generally, the network should ensure that this time offset is greater than or equal to the switching time of the terminal device, so that the terminal device has sufficient time to complete LP-WUS processing and wake up the master receiver after receiving LP-WUS.

[0101] Taking PO as an example, as shown in Figure 2, there is a time offset between the start time of MO and the start time of PO. Since MO is used for network transmission of LP-WUS, the start time of MO can also be understood as the start time of the terminal device's conversion time (or, the end time of MO can be used as the start time of the conversion time, that is, the conversion time does not include the time required for the terminal device to receive LP-WUS). The time offset of MO relative to PO should be greater than or equal to the conversion time of the terminal device.

[0102] Currently, one possible scheme for configuring MO (Modulation Time) is that the access network device broadcasts the MO configuration to the terminal devices within the cell via system messages. Optionally, in this scheme, the terminal device can also report its supported transition times to the network, hoping the network will configure the MO for the terminal device based on the supported times reported by the terminal device. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the access network device broadcasts the MO configuration to the terminal devices within the cell, and the terminal devices can report their supported transition times to the core network. When the core network pages the terminal device, it can send the supported transition times of the terminal device along with the paging message to the access network device. However, based on the current mechanism for terminal devices to wake up the master receiver, this scheme may have the following problems.

[0103] On the one hand, it is understandable that for different terminal devices, the operations required from receiving the first signal from the low-power receiver to the main receiver being able to start normal operation may differ, and / or the time required for the terminal device to complete the operation may differ. Therefore, the duration of the transition time supported by different terminal devices may differ. In order for the terminal device to have sufficient time to wake up the main receiver and receive paging messages or scheduling information after receiving LP-WUS, the network generally needs to configure an MO that is relatively far from the PO or on-duration to ensure that the time offset of the MO relative to the PO or on-duration is greater than or equal to the transition time supported by most terminal devices. For example, as shown in Figure 4, terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 support different durations of transition time. In order to ensure that the terminal device has sufficient time to wake up the main receiver after receiving LP-WUS, the network configures an MO that is relatively far from the PO. However, this will lead to an excessively long time from the MO to the PO or on-duration, introducing a large paging or scheduling delay.

[0104] On the other hand, currently, the switching time supported by terminal devices generally includes the time for the master receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization. However, in actual networks, the actual time for the master receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization is affected by many environmental factors, such as the channel quality at the location of the terminal device, the distance of the terminal device from the cell center, and the magnitude of interference experienced by the terminal device. This can cause the switching time reported by the terminal device to not accurately reflect the actual time required for the master receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization. Furthermore, if the time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device's master receiver depends on multiple synchronization signals, the actual time required for the master receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization may also be affected by the time the terminal device begins time-frequency synchronization. This can lead to a discrepancy between the time-frequency synchronization time in the switching time reported by the terminal device and the actual time required for the master receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization. For example, if the terminal device needs to receive two synchronization signals for time-frequency synchronization, and if one synchronization signal has just finished being sent when the terminal device begins synchronization, then the terminal device needs to wait one cycle to receive the first synchronization signal and another cycle to receive the second synchronization signal. Therefore, the terminal device needs two cycles to complete time-frequency synchronization. If the terminal device can receive a synchronization signal when it starts synchronizing, it can wait for another cycle to receive a second synchronization signal, thus completing time-frequency synchronization.

[0105] Therefore, the time-frequency synchronization time included in the switching time reported by the terminal device may not accurately reflect the time actually required for the master receiver to perform time-frequency synchronization. This may cause the MO to PO or on duration time configured by the access network device to be too long or too short, thus introducing a large delay, or it may be insufficient for the terminal device to complete the handover from LP-WUR to the master receiver.

[0106] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a communication method that optimizes the way terminal devices monitor paging messages or scheduling information based on network-side configuration.

[0107] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0108] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can be used in any communication system, such as a third-generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a long-term evolution (LTE) system; a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system; a hybrid LTE and 5G network system; a new radio (NR) system; a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system; a device-to-device (D2D) communication system; a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system; an internet of things (IoT) system; a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system; enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB); ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC); enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC); a vehicular short-range wireless communication system; and various types of future communication systems. It can also be used in non-terrestrial communication networks. Network (NTN) systems (such as satellite communication systems) and non-3GPP communication systems are not restricted. Furthermore, the term "system" and "network" are interchangeable.

[0109] It should be noted that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0110] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication system 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 5, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 5, collectively referred to as 120). Optionally, the RAN may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 5). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network device in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0111] Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The Internet 300 may be connected to the core network 200 or the RAN 100.

[0112] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, NTN (non-terrestrial network) systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, or a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0113] Terminal devices can also be called terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal device.

[0114] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 1000 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 5 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 5 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0115] In one possible scenario, RAN nodes can function as base stations. For example, RAN nodes can be evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), access points (APs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next-generation NodeBs (gNBs), base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems. RAN nodes can be macro base stations (as shown in Figure 5, 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 5, 110b), relay nodes or donor nodes, or radio controllers in CRAN scenarios. Optionally, RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, the RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0116] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0117] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0118] All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node functions.

[0119] Core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network that provides service support for terminal equipment. Examples of some core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0120] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the communication system shown in Figure 5. It is understood that the following description uses the interaction between an access network device and a terminal device to illustrate the execution of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, but does not limit the executing entity of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The term "access network device" in the following embodiments can also be replaced by a "network element," "logical function," "unit," "module," "device," or "node," etc., that can implement the functions of an access network device. Similarly, the term "terminal device" in the following embodiments can also be replaced by a "network element," "logical function," "unit," "module," "device," or "node," etc., that can implement the functions of a terminal device.

[0121] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the method includes:

[0122] S601. The access network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration information through the main receiver. The first configuration information is used to configure the first timing.

[0123] In S601, the first opportunity is a period of time during which the terminal device can listen for a first signal. The first signal is used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information during the second opportunity.

[0124] This application does not impose specific limitations on the first signal and the first timing in its embodiments. For example, the first signal may be an LP-WUS signal, or it may be other wake-up signals. For example, the first timing may be one or more MOs.

[0125] The first signal is used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information at a second time. When the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, if it receives the first signal, the first signal can indicate that paging exists at a second time. When the terminal device is in a connected state, if it receives the first signal, the first signal can indicate that scheduling information exists at a second time.

[0126] The existence of paging or scheduling information during the second timeframe can be understood as the presence of paging or scheduling information to be received during the second timeframe, or in other words, the access network device sending paging or scheduling information during the second timeframe. Paging is transmitted via the paging PDCCH and is used to page the terminal device or the user group to which the terminal device belongs for further operations, such as updating system information or receiving paging messages. Scheduling information is transmitted via the scheduling PDCCH and is used to schedule the terminal device (or the user group to which the terminal device belongs) to receive downlink data or send uplink data.

[0127] In this embodiment, the second timing period is a time period following the first timing period. The terminal device can listen to the PDCCH during the second timing period.

[0128] This application does not impose specific limitations on the second timing. For example, when the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, the second timing can be a paging timing. When the terminal device is in a connected state, the second timing can be the duration in the DRX (on duration).

[0129] This application does not impose specific limitations on the form of the first configuration information. For example, the first configuration information may be carried in a system message or in RRC signaling.

[0130] This application does not limit the specific implementation of configuring the first timing with the first configuration information. The first timing configured with the first configuration information can be periodic or non-periodic. If the first timing is periodic, the period of the first timing can be the same as or different from the DRX period. If the first timing is periodic, the first configuration information can include the size of the first period (or the duration of the period) and the time offset of the occurrence of the first timing in each period (i.e., the time interval between the starting time domain position of the first timing and the starting time domain position of the period).

[0131] Optionally, the first configuration information can directly configure the first timing, or the first configuration information can configure the first timing by configuring a set of multiple timings.

[0132] For example, the first configuration information can be configured by configuring the LP-WUS occasion (LO). A LO may include one or more first occasions (e.g., MO).

[0133] Taking the configuration of LO (Location of Request) with the first configuration information as an example, LO may optionally include first timings corresponding to multiple terminal devices, or LO may include first timings corresponding to multiple groups of terminal devices (or, in other words, LO may include multiple groups of first timings, each group of first timings corresponding to one group of terminal devices), or LO may include multiple repeated transmissions of a single first timing, or LO may include multiple transmissions of a single first timing in different beam directions (wherein, a beam direction can be transmitted once or repeatedly). In this case, LO including multiple transmissions of a single first timing can also be understood as LO including multiple first timings corresponding to a single terminal device.

[0134] If the LO includes multiple first timing groups, each group may include one or more first timings. The one or more first timings included in each group may be transmitted once or multiple times for the first timing (it may be transmitted in one beam direction or in different beam directions).

[0135] The set of multiple timings configured in the first configuration information can be periodic or non-periodic. Taking the set of multiple timings as LO as an example, if LO is configured periodically, the first configuration information can include the size of the LO period, the time offset of LO occurrence in each period, and other information.

[0136] Optionally, if the first configuration information configures the first timing by configuring a set of multiple timings, the terminal device can determine which one or more timings in the set its corresponding first timing belongs to. In one possible implementation, the first configuration information may include information for determining which one or more timings in the set the terminal device's corresponding first timing belongs to. The terminal device can determine its corresponding first timing based on the first configuration information. For example, assuming the first configuration information configures LO, the first configuration information may also include information indicating which first timing in the LO the terminal device's corresponding first timing belongs to, or it may include information such as the occurrence time offset of the MO corresponding to the terminal device in the LO. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can determine which one or more timings in the timing set its corresponding first timing belongs to by itself through calculation (e.g., using its own UE ID), and / or it can determine the time interval between its corresponding first timing and the start time of its DRX cycle / timing set, thereby determining the time domain position of its corresponding first timing. The terminal device can also combine the above two implementations to determine its corresponding first timing.

[0137] For example, as shown in Figure 7, assuming the first configuration information configures LO, the LO period is 1.28s, the same as the DRX period, and the offset between the start time of LO and the start time of its period is 2 radio frames, that is, LO starts from the 3rd radio frame in the DRX period. Assuming each LO includes 4 MOs corresponding to 4 different UE groups, the terminal device can determine that it is in the 3rd UE group through its own UE ID, that is, the terminal device needs to listen to the 3rd MO in the LO. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine that the offset between the start time of the 3rd MO and the start time of the DRX period is 3 radio frames, that is, the MO that the terminal device needs to listen to starts from the first time slot of the 4th paging frame of each DRX period.

[0138] S602. The terminal device compares the time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point with the magnitude of the first duration, and decides, based on the magnitude relationship, whether to continue operating with the main receiver or switch to operating with the low-power receiver. The time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point can be the time interval between the starting time domain position of the first timing point and the starting time domain position of the second timing point.

[0139] For example, Figure 8 illustrates the first duration with the starting time domain position of the second timing point as one end. The first duration may be greater than or equal to the time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point, or it may be less than the time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point.

[0140] First, let's introduce the first duration. In one possible implementation, the first duration can be the switching time supported by the terminal device (or the time gap, minimum time gap, etc. supported by the terminal device). In the embodiments of this application, the switching time supported by the terminal device can be understood as the time required from the time the low-power receiver of the terminal device receives the first signal to the time required for the main receiver to start working normally (i.e., the main receiver to start listening to the PDCCH).

[0141] It is understandable that the operations required for a terminal device to complete from receiving the first signal from its low-power receiver to the main receiver being able to start working normally may differ for different terminal devices. This application embodiment does not limit the specific operations required by the terminal device from receiving the first signal from its low-power receiver to the main receiver being able to start working normally. In other words, this application embodiment does not limit the duration of the specific operations required for the conversion time supported by the terminal device.

[0142] For example, the conversion time supported by the terminal device may include the duration required for one or more of the following processing operations.

[0143] 1. Power on and start the main receiver's chip, antenna, storage, and other peripheral devices.

[0144] 2. The main receiver's chip, antenna, storage, and other peripheral devices load the pre-stored configuration parameters and enter normal working state.

[0145] 3. The main receiver searches for the network and determines the serving cell where the current terminal device is located.

[0146] 4. The master receiver performs time-frequency synchronization and determines the time boundaries of the serving cell (e.g., determining the boundaries of time units such as frame structure, subframes, time slots, and symbols).

[0147] This application does not limit how the terminal device determines its supported conversion time. For example, the terminal device can estimate its supported conversion time based on its own capabilities, or it can pre-configure the supported conversion time.

[0148] Optionally, in this implementation, the terminal device may send information indicating the first duration to the access network device before the first opportune moment. For example, the terminal device may send information indicating the first duration when reporting its own capabilities (e.g., reporting the terminal device's capabilities in the form of a report).

[0149] Optionally, if the access network device receives information indicating a first duration, when configuring a first timing for the terminal device, the access network device may configure a time interval between the first timing and a second timing that is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0150] In another possible implementation, the access network device also sends a second indication message to the terminal device, and the first duration can be determined based on the second duration and the second indication message.

[0151] The second duration is related to the conversion time supported by the terminal device. For example, the second duration can be the conversion time supported by the terminal device, excluding the time required for time-frequency synchronization by the main receiver. Alternatively, the terminal device can define the duration excluding the time required for time-frequency synchronization by the main receiver from the conversion time supported by the terminal device as the second duration; that is, the second duration is the conversion time supported by the terminal device minus the time required for time-frequency synchronization by the main receiver.

[0152] Optionally, in this implementation, the terminal device may send a first indication message to the access network device before the first timing point, the first indication message being used to indicate the second duration. Optionally, when configuring the first timing point, the access network device may configure it according to its own perception of the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization, and the second duration, wherein the time interval between the configured first timing point and the second timing point is greater than or equal to the sum of the second duration and the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization.

[0153] In this implementation, the second indication information can indicate, as the access network device deems, the number of synchronization signal cycles or the number of synchronization signal instances that can be used for time-frequency synchronization by the terminal device (it should be understood that in periodic or aperiodic synchronization signals, the time and frequency domain resources for transmitting one synchronization signal are represented as one synchronization signal instance). Alternatively, the second indication information can be understood as indicating the number of synchronization signal cycles or instances required for time-frequency synchronization by the terminal device. The terminal device can determine the duration required for its time-frequency synchronization based on the number of cycles / instances indicated by the second indication information. For example, the synchronization signal can be a synchronization signal / pbch block (SSB), a tracking reference signal (TRS), or a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS).

[0154] Alternatively, the second indication information can directly indicate the duration that the access network device believes can be used for time-frequency synchronization by the terminal device (which can also be understood as the maximum duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization). The terminal device can determine the duration required for its own time-frequency synchronization based on the duration indicated by the second indication information.

[0155] In this application embodiment, the implementation of the access network device determining the duration required for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device is not limited. In one possible implementation, the access network device can estimate the number of cycles or entities of the synchronization signal required for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device (for example, the access network device can estimate based on factors affecting the duration of time-frequency synchronization, such as the capability of the low-power receiver reported by the terminal device from the core network, channel quality, the distance of the terminal device from the cell center, and interference experienced by the terminal device; this application embodiment does not impose specific limitations), and determine the duration required for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device based on the duration of a single cycle. For example, as shown in FIG9, assuming MO1 is the first timing and PO is the second timing, if the access network device believes that the terminal device can complete time-frequency synchronization by receiving one SSB, then one cycle of the SSB can be determined as the duration required for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device. Additionally, as shown in FIG9, the second duration can be the conversion time supported by the terminal device (excluding the duration required for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device), and the time interval between MO1 and PO is greater than or equal to the second duration plus one cycle of the SSB, resulting in the first duration.

[0156] In another possible implementation, if the period of the first timing configured by the access network device is the same as the DRX period, that is, the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is a fixed value, the access network device can determine the transmission time of the synchronization signal required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization, and determine the fixed value of the time-domain interval between the synchronization signal and the second timing as the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization. For example, as shown in Figure 10, assuming MO1 is the first timing and PO is the second timing, if the access network device believes that the terminal device can complete time-frequency synchronization by receiving one SSB, the access network device can determine the time interval between the SSB and PO as the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the second duration can be the conversion time supported by the terminal device (excluding the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization), and the time interval between MO1 and PO is greater than or equal to the second duration plus the first duration obtained by adding the time interval between the SSB and PO.

[0157] The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the second indication information. For example, the second indication information may be carried in a system message or RRC signaling.

[0158] Furthermore, after determining the duration required for time-frequency synchronization based on the second instruction information, the terminal device can determine a first duration based on this duration and the second duration. The first duration can be greater than or equal to the sum of the duration required for time-frequency synchronization and the second duration.

[0159] Optionally, if the access network device does not send the second indication information to the terminal device, the terminal device can determine the first duration based on the second duration. For example, the terminal device can determine the first duration as the second duration. Or, the terminal device can determine the first duration by adding a certain duration (which can be determined by the terminal device itself) to the second duration.

[0160] Optionally, if the access network device does not send the second indication information to the terminal device, or the time for time-frequency synchronization indicated by the second indication information is 0, and the main receiver of the terminal device is in a low-power state, the main receiver can be in a low-power state that does not require time-frequency synchronization (or does not require fine time-frequency synchronization) after being woken up. For example, the main receiver can be in a light sleep or micro sleep state, etc., a state that does not require time-frequency synchronization after being woken up. Alternatively, if the access network device does not send the second indication information to the terminal device, or the time for time-frequency synchronization indicated by the second indication information is 0, it can indicate that the access network device does not support the main receiver of the terminal device being in a low-power state that requires time-frequency synchronization (or fine time-frequency synchronization) after being woken up. For example, it does not support the main receiver of the terminal device being in deep sleep, etc., a low-power state that requires time-frequency synchronization after being woken up.

[0161] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the time interval between the first and second timing points based on their time-domain locations. Alternatively, the access network device can send information indicating the time interval between the first and second timing points to the terminal device, allowing the terminal device to directly determine the time interval based on this information. For example, the access network device can include information indicating the time interval between the first and second timing points in its first configuration information.

[0162] The following section elaborates on how the terminal device determines whether to continue operating as the main receiver or switch to low-power receiver operation based on the relationship between the time interval between the first and second timing points and the first duration.

[0163] If the time interval between the first and second opportune moments is greater than or equal to the first duration, the terminal device can switch the main receiver to a low-power state, such as deep sleep or ultra-deep sleep, or even be completely powered off. When the first opportune moment arrives, the terminal device can listen for the first signal through the low-power receiver at the first opportune moment. For example, the low-power receiver can be an LP-WUR.

[0164] Optionally, in this case, if the terminal device receives the first signal within the first timing period via the low-power receiver, the low-power receiver can wake up the main receiver, which will then receive the paging message or scheduling information within the second timing period. If the low-power receiver does not receive the first signal within the first timing period, the main receiver can remain in a low-power state.

[0165] If the time interval between the first and second timing points is less than the first duration, the master receiver can continue to operate. That is, after receiving the first configuration information through the master receiver, the terminal device continues to listen to the PDCCH through the master receiver. If the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, the master receiver can listen to the paging PDCCH on the PO (i.e., the second timing point). If the terminal device is in a connected state, the master receiver will listen to the scheduling PDCCH during the DRX's on-duration time (i.e., the second timing point). In other words, in this case, the terminal device does not need to listen to the first signal through the low-power receiver during the first timing point. If the access network device sends a paging message or scheduling information to the terminal device during the second timing point, the master receiver can receive the paging message or scheduling information because it is listening to the PDCCH during the second timing point.

[0166] Optionally, if the main receiver continues to operate, it can periodically listen to the PDCCH before the second timing point. Of course, the embodiments of this application do not limit the operating mode of the main receiver before the second timing point.

[0167] Optionally, if the terminal device receives a paging message or scheduling information through the main receiver within a second time frame, the terminal device can perform corresponding operations based on the paging message or scheduling information. For example, the terminal device can establish an RRC connection based on the paging message. Or, for example, the terminal device can transmit data or signaling based on the scheduling information.

[0168] Optionally, if the main receiver of the terminal device does not receive a paging message or scheduling information during the second time period, the main receiver can switch to a low-power state after the second time period ends. Alternatively, the main receiver can remain active and continue listening to the PDCCH after the second time period ends.

[0169] For example, as shown in Figure 7, assume that the first timing MO3 corresponding to the terminal device starts from the first time slot of the fourth paging frame in the DRX cycle. Assume the time interval between MO3 and PO is 52 radio frames, and one radio frame is 10ms, then the time interval between MO3 and PO is 520ms. Assume the first duration is the transition time supported by the terminal device. If the transition time supported by the terminal device is 400ms, then the terminal device can complete the LP-WUR to MR handover within the time interval between MO3 and P0. The terminal device can switch to low-power receiver operation and listen for the first signal within MO3 using the low-power receiver. If the transition time supported by the terminal device is 800ms, then the terminal device cannot complete the LP-WUR to MR handover within the time interval between MO3 and P0, and the terminal device can continue to use the main receiver.

[0170] In this embodiment of the application, the number of second timing opportunities in a DRX cycle can be one or more. For example, if the second timing opportunity is a paging timing opportunity, there may be one or more paging timing opportunities corresponding to the terminal device within a paging frame.

[0171] When determining the relationship between the time interval between the first opportunity and the second opportunity and the first duration, if there are multiple first opportunities in the current DRX cycle, the terminal device can determine the time interval between the first first opportunity (i.e. the earliest first opportunity) and the second opportunity, and based on the relationship between the time interval and the first duration, decide whether to continue working with the main receiver or switch to working with the low-power receiver.

[0172] Optionally, if there are multiple first timing points corresponding to the terminal device in the current DRX cycle (e.g., the first configuration information configures LO, and LO contains multiple MOs corresponding to the terminal device), and the terminal device decides to switch to low-power receiver operation, the low-power receiver may only listen to the first signal on the first timing point where the time interval between it and the second timing point is greater than or equal to the first duration. For first timing points where the time interval between it and the second timing point is less than the first duration, the low-power receiver may ignore them and not listen to the first signal on them.

[0173] For example, as shown in Figure 11, assuming that the terminal device corresponds to MO1-MO4 (or that the access network device can send the first signal to the terminal device through MO1-MO4), wherein the time interval between MO3 and MO4 and PO is less than the first duration (e.g., the switching time supported by the terminal device), and the time interval between MO1 and MO2 and PO is greater than the first duration, then after the terminal device switches to low power receiver operation, the low power receiver can listen to the first signal only on MO1 and MO2, without listening to the first signal on MO3 and MO4.

[0174] In addition, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which includes:

[0175] S701. The access network device sends first configuration information and third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information indicates one or more transition times. The first configuration information configures a first timing, which is used to listen for a first signal. The first signal indicates the presence of a paging message or scheduling information within a second timing period.

[0176] The first configuration information, the first timing, the first signal, and the second timing are detailed in the above description of S601 and S602.

[0177] This application embodiment does not impose specific limitations on the one or more transition times indicated by the third indication information. In one possible implementation, the access network device can determine the one or more transition times indicated by the third indication information based on the transition times it supports, reported by one or more terminal devices in the cell. For example, the third indication information can indicate one or more transition times that can match the transition times supported by a majority of terminal devices. In another possible implementation, the third indication information can indicate the transition time considered by the access network device when configuring a first timing for a terminal device in the cell. For example, when the access network device configures a first timing for terminal device a in the cell, it configures a first timing with an interval greater than or equal to transition time 1 based on transition time 1; when the access network device configures a first timing for terminal device b in the cell, it configures a first timing with an interval greater than or equal to transition time 2 based on transition time 2. The third indication information sent by the access network device can indicate transition time 1 and transition time 2.

[0178] This application does not impose specific limitations on the form of the third instruction information. For example, the third instruction information may be carried in a system message or RRC signaling.

[0179] In S701, the terminal device can receive third instruction information through the main receiver.

[0180] Optionally, prior to S701, the terminal device may send indication information to the access network device, which may indicate the switching time supported by the terminal device.

[0181] S702, the terminal device determines the conversion time with the largest value among one or more conversion times (if the third indication information only indicates one conversion time, then that conversion time is the conversion time with the largest value), and compares this conversion time with the conversion times supported by the terminal device itself. If the conversion time is equal to or greater than the conversion time supported by the terminal device, the terminal device can switch to low-power receiver operation. If the conversion time is less than the conversion time supported by the terminal device, the terminal device can continue to operate as the main receiver.

[0182] The options for switching to low-power receiver operation and continuing to operate as the main receiver are detailed in the above introduction to the S602 and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0183] The transition time with the largest value among one or more transition times can also be referred to as the maximum transition time supported by the current cell. Optionally, when the access network device configures the first timing for the terminal equipment in the cell, the maximum value of the interval between the first timing and the second timing does not exceed the maximum transition time supported by the current cell.

[0184] Additionally, in S701, the access network device may not send the third indication information to the terminal device. Instead, when configuring the first timing, it can ensure that the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to a certain duration (e.g., the maximum switching time supported by the cell, the switching time supported by the terminal device, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment). Optionally, in this case, in S702, the terminal device can compare the time interval between the first timing and the second timing with the switching time supported by the terminal device itself. If the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the switching time supported by the terminal device, the terminal device can switch to low-power receiver operation. If the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is less than the switching time supported by the terminal device, the terminal device can switch to low-power receiver operation. For details on switching to low-power receiver operation and continuing to operate as the main receiver, please refer to the above description of S602, which will not be elaborated here.

[0185] In addition, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which includes:

[0186] S801. The terminal device sends a first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information being used to indicate the second duration.

[0187] In S801, the terminal device can send the first instruction information through the main receiver. For details regarding the second duration, please refer to the description of S602 above.

[0188] S802. The access network device determines the first duration based on the second duration and the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization as determined by the access network device.

[0189] In S802, the access network device determines the duration required for the terminal device to perform time-frequency synchronization; for details, please refer to the above description of S602. The access network device determines the first duration; for details, please refer to the above description of S602.

[0190] Furthermore, after the access network device determines the first duration, it can ensure that the interval between the first and second timing opportunities is greater than or equal to the first duration when configuring the first timing opportunity for the terminal device.

[0191] For details on the first and second timing points, please refer to the above description of S601.

[0192] S803. The access network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device. The first configuration information is used to configure a first timing. The time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to a first duration.

[0193] For details on the first configuration information in S803, please refer to the above introduction to S601.

[0194] The various solutions described in the above method embodiments can be applied in combination or independently.

[0195] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and that "first," "second," etc., are not necessarily different. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0196] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also instruct only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and uniformly indicated to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0197] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0198] It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages sent separately, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application embodiment. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the sending device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0199] In this application embodiment, "pre-configuration" can be achieved by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. For example, it can be burned into the device at the factory. This application embodiment does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separate settings or integrated into the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separate settings and partially integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0200] The “protocol” mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to a protocol family in the field of communication, a standard protocol with a similar protocol family frame structure, or a related protocol applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0201] In the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time. They do not require the device to make a judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0202] In this application embodiment, "sending information to... (taking a terminal device as an example)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal device. "Receiving information from... (taking a terminal device as an example)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal device, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0203] The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. Accordingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be any network element in the above method embodiments, such as access network equipment, terminal equipment, etc., or an apparatus that includes the equipment in the above method embodiments, or a component that can be used in the equipment in the above method embodiments.

[0204] It is understood that, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0205] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0206] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 1200. The communication device 1200 includes a transceiver module 1201 and a processing module 1202. The processing module 1202, also called a processing unit 1202, is used to implement processing functions. The transceiver module 1201, also called a transceiver unit 1201, is used to implement receiving and transmitting functions. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage module 1203.

[0207] Taking the communication device 1200 as an example of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, in one possible design, the transceiver module 1201 is used to receive first configuration information from the access network device through the main receiver. The first configuration information is used to configure a first timing. The processing module 1202 is used to determine the relationship between the time interval between the first timing and the second timing and a first duration. The transceiver module 1201 is also used to listen for a first signal on the first timing through a low-power receiver when the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the first duration; wherein the first signal is used to indicate that paging or scheduling information exists on the second timing. The transceiver module 1201 is also used to listen for the PDCCH through the main receiver when the time interval between the first timing and the second timing is less than the first duration.

[0208] Taking the communication device 1200 as an example of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, in another possible design, the transceiver module 1201 is used to receive first configuration information and third indication information from the access network device; wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate one or more transition times, the first configuration information is used to configure a first timing, the first timing is used to listen to a first signal, and the first signal is used to indicate the existence of a paging message or scheduling information in a second timing. The processing module 1202 is used to determine the relationship between the transition time with the largest value among one or more transition times and the transition time supported by the communication device. The transceiver module 1201 is also used to listen to the first signal at the first timing through a low-power receiver when the transition time with the largest value among one or more transition times is greater than or equal to the transition time supported by the communication device. The transceiver module 1201 is also used to listen to the PDCCH through a main receiver when the transition time with the largest value among one or more transition times is less than the transition time supported by the communication device.

[0209] Taking the communication device 1200 as an example of the access network device in the above method embodiment, in one possible design, the processing module 1202 is used to determine first configuration information. The transceiver module 1201 is used to send the first configuration information to the terminal device. The first configuration information is used to configure a first timing. The first timing is used for the terminal device to listen for a first signal. The first signal is used to indicate that there is paging or scheduling information at a second timing. The time interval between the first timing and the second timing is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0210] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] Alternatively, in the communication device shown in Figure 12, the names of the modules may not be the same as those shown in Figure 12. For example, the transceiver module may also be called a communication module or a communication unit.

[0212] If the units in Figure 12 are implemented as software functional modules 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 embodiments of this application, essentially, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. Storage media for storing computer software products include: USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0213] In this embodiment, the communication device 1200 is presented in an integrated manner, divided into various functional modules. Here, "module" may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other devices that can provide the above-mentioned functions.

[0214] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will realize that the communication device 1200 can take the form of the communication device 1300 shown in FIG13.

[0215] As shown in FIG13, the communication device 1300 includes one or more processors 1301, communication lines 1302, and at least one communication interface 1304 (FIG13 is only an example illustrating the inclusion of a communication interface 1304 and a processor 1301), and optionally may also include a memory 1303.

[0216] The processor 1301 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0217] The communication line 1302 may include a path for connecting different components.

[0218] The communication interface 1304 can be a transceiver module used to communicate with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, terminals, and wireless local area networks (WLAN). For example, the transceiver module can be a transceiver or similar device. Optionally, the communication interface 1304 can also be a transceiver circuit or input / output interface located within the processor 1301, used to implement signal input and signal output for the processor.

[0219] The memory 1303 can be a device with storage function. For example, it can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions; random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions; it can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory can exist independently and be connected to the processor via communication line 1302. The memory can also be integrated with the processor.

[0220] The memory 1303 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1301. The processor 1301 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1303, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0221] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the processor 1301 may execute the processing-related functions in the communication method provided in the above embodiments of this application, and the communication interface 1304 may be responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks. This embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0222] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0223] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, processor 1301 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG13.

[0224] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1300 may include multiple processors, such as processor 1301 and processor 1307 in FIG. 13. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processors here may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) processor, microcontroller unit (MCU), or artificial intelligence processor, etc., various computing devices that run software, and each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0225] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1300 may further include an output device 1305 and an input device 1306. The output device 1305 communicates with the processor 1301 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 1305 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 1306 communicates with the processor 1301 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 1306 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0226] The aforementioned communication device 1300 may sometimes be referred to as a communication equipment, which can be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. For example, the communication device 1300 may be a terminal device, an access network device, or a device with a similar structure to that in Figure 13, as described above. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of the communication device 1300.

[0227] Furthermore, the composition shown in FIG13 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in FIG13, the communication device 1300 may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0228] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1201 and processing module 1202 in FIG12 can be implemented by the processor 1301 in the communication device 1300 shown in FIG13 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1303. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 1202 in FIG12 can be implemented by the processor 1301 in the communication device 1300 shown in FIG13 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1303, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1201 in FIG12 can be implemented by the communication interface 1304 in the communication device 1300 shown in FIG13.

[0229] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into a SoC or ASIC, or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the core that executes the software instructions for computation or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as FPGAs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0230] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, DSP chip, MCU, artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, dedicated digital circuit, hardware accelerator or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0231] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be included in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0232] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0233] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0234] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes the access network device and the terminal device described in the above method embodiments.

[0235] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0236] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0237] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The main receiver receives first configuration information from the access network device, the first configuration information being used to configure a first timing. If the time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point is greater than or equal to a first duration, a first signal is monitored at the first timing point using a low-power receiver; wherein the first signal is used to indicate the presence of paging or scheduling information at the second timing point; or... If the time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point is less than the first duration, the PDCCH is monitored by the main receiver.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first duration is the conversion time supported by the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first indication message to the access network device, the first indication message being used to indicate a second duration, the second duration being related to the switching time supported by the terminal device; Receive second indication information from the access network device, the second indication information being used to indicate the number of cycles of the synchronization signal or the number of entities of the synchronization signal; The first duration is determined based on the second duration and the second indication information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The number of the first timing opportunities is one or more.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send first configuration information to the terminal device. The first configuration information is used to configure a first timing. The first timing is used for the terminal device to listen for a first signal. The first signal is used to indicate that there is paging or scheduling information at a second timing. Wherein, the time interval between the first timing point and the second timing point in the time domain is greater than or equal to the first duration.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first duration is the conversion time supported by the terminal device, or the first duration is the maximum conversion time supported by the cell where the terminal device is located.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate a second duration, the second duration being related to the conversion time supported by the terminal device; The first duration is determined based on the second duration and the number of cycles or entities of the synchronization signal used for time-frequency synchronization of the terminal device.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first configuration information and third indication information from the access network device; wherein, the third indication information is used to indicate one or more switching times, the first configuration information is used to configure a first timing, the first timing is used to listen to a first signal, and the first signal is used to indicate that a paging message or scheduling information exists in a second timing. If the largest of the one or more conversion times is greater than or equal to the conversion time supported by the terminal device, the first signal is monitored at the first opportune moment by a low-power receiver; or, If the largest of the one or more conversion times is less than the conversion time supported by the terminal device, the PDCCH is monitored by the main receiver.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send information to the access network device indicating the switching time supported by the terminal device.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes modules or units for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-9.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to communicate with a device other than the communication device, and the processor being used to execute instructions stored in the memory; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device is caused to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-9 to be performed.

13. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-9 to be performed.

14. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes access network equipment and terminal equipment; Wherein, the terminal device is used to implement the method of any one of claims 1-4, and the access network device is used to send first configuration information to the terminal device; or, The access network device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 5-7, and the terminal device is used to receive first configuration information; or... The terminal device is used to implement the method of claim 8 or 9, and the access network device is used to send first configuration information and third indication information to the terminal device.

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