Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus, which facilitate energy saving of a terminal device. The method comprises: receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a first interval, and the first interval is greater than or equal to the time required for a terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an operating state; monitoring a low power signal at a first occasion; monitoring a PDCCH at a second occasion, wherein the interval between the first occasion and the second occasion is a first interval, and the PDCCH carries second indication information, which second indication information is used for determining a second interval, or is used for indicating that the second interval does not exist, the second interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from a second sleep state to the operating state, and the second interval being greater than the first interval; and monitoring service information at a third occasion, wherein the interval between the second occasion and the third occasion is T1, and the value of T1 is the second interval, or 0, or an offset value.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410950667.1, filed on July 15, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] To achieve greater energy savings, terminal devices can be configured with a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) to monitor low-power wake-up signals (LP-WUS) from network devices. Typically, the terminal device keeps the LP-WUR running most of the time to complete necessary procedures, while the main radio (MR) or higher-power receiver remains in sleep mode most of the time. When the LP-WUS instructs the MR to wake up and begin monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the MR switches from sleep mode to a state capable of receiving the PDCCH (also known as the active state). The time required for the main receiver to switch states depends on the level of the MR's sleep state. For example, a deep sleep state requires 20ms to switch states. A light sleep state requires 6ms to switch states. A micro-sleep state requires 0ms to switch states.

[0004] Currently, terminal devices can report one or more durations through their capabilities. The duration is the interval between the start time of the terminal device receiving LP-WUS and the start time of PDCCH monitoring. The duration is the sum of one or more of the following: the time for LP-WUR to process LP-WUS after receiving it, the time required for LP-WUR to trigger MR wake-up, the time required for MR to switch from sleep to active state, and the synchronization time required for MR before monitoring PDCCH. If the terminal device supports reporting multiple durations (e.g., the time required to switch from deep sleep to active state, the time required to switch from light sleep to active state), in order to align the PDCCH transmission position between the network device and the terminal device, the network device configures an interval value for the terminal device at a certain moment or within a certain time period.

[0005] However, the current interval values ​​configured for network devices cannot adapt to different service types, which is not conducive to energy saving of terminal devices. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which is beneficial for energy saving in terminal equipment.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device. This first communication device can be a terminal device, a component configured in the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions; this application does not limit the specific implementation. The communication method of this application is described below using the first communication device as an example of a terminal device.

[0008] The method includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first interval, the first interval being greater than or equal to the time required for a terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an operating state; monitoring a low-power signal at a first opportune moment, the low-power signal being used to switch the terminal device from the first sleep state to an operating state; receiving second indication information at a second opportune moment, the interval between the first opportune moment and the second opportune moment being the first interval, the second indication information being used to determine the second interval, or to indicate that the second interval does not exist, the second interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from the second sleep state to the operating state, the second interval being greater than the first interval; and monitoring service information at a third opportune moment, the interval between the second opportune moment and the third opportune moment being T1, the value of T1 being the second interval, or 0, or an offset value.

[0009] In this application, "timing" refers to a time window or a time range, or includes one or more time units, or represents occupied time-domain resources. For example, monitoring (or receiving) a low-power signal at a first timing point can be understood as monitoring / receiving a low-power signal within the time window / time range corresponding to the first timing point, or monitoring / receiving a low-power signal from the start time (also called the start position) to the end time (also called the end position) of the first timing point, or monitoring / receiving a low-power signal on one or more time units included in the first timing point, or monitoring / receiving a low-power signal on the time-domain resources occupied by the first timing point. The meanings of the second and third timing points are similar to those of the first timing point, and will not be repeated here.

[0010] The interval between the first timing opportunity and the second timing opportunity in this application is called the first interval. This can be understood as the interval between the end time of the first timing opportunity and the start time of the second timing opportunity, or the interval between the start time of the first timing opportunity and the start time of the second timing opportunity, or the interval between the end time of the first timing opportunity and the end time of the second timing opportunity. The first interval includes one or more time units.

[0011] Similarly, the interval between the second and third opportunities is called the second interval. This can be understood as the interval between the end time of the second opportunity and the end time of the third opportunity, or the interval between the end time of the second opportunity and the start time of the third opportunity, or the interval between the start time of the second opportunity and the start time of the third opportunity. This second interval includes one or more time units.

[0012] In the above technical solution, in order to adapt to the packet delay budget (PDB) of different services, the first interval is a small interval. In this way, no matter whether the PDB of the arriving service is large or small, the terminal device can receive the service as soon as possible, so as to meet the PDB requirements of the service to the greatest extent and ensure network capacity.

[0013] The second interval is longer than the first interval. The first interval corresponds to a lighter sleep state, meaning that the wake-up time required for the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is shorter. The second interval corresponds to a deeper sleep state, meaning that the wake-up time required for the sleep state corresponding to the second interval is longer.

[0014] Based on the technical solution of this application embodiment, if the service's PDB is small, the second indication information can indicate the absence of a second interval. In this way, the terminal device can enter the sleep state corresponding to the first interval during the discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. Furthermore, after receiving a low-power signal, the second receiver of the terminal device can quickly wake up the terminal device, specifically, the first receiver. This helps meet the service's PDB requirements, avoids additional power consumption caused by data retransmission, and prevents service data packet transmission from exceeding the PDB, thus avoiding transmission failure and impacting network capacity. If the service's PDB is large, the second indication information can indicate a second interval. In this way, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter a deeper sleep state corresponding to the second interval during the DRX cycle, thereby improving energy efficiency for the terminal device.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the operating state of the terminal device includes: the state when the terminal device has the capability to receive PDCCH. Specifically, the operating state of the first receiver of the terminal device includes: the state when the first receiver of the terminal device has the capability to receive PDCCH.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information is radio resource control (RRC) signaling, and the second indication information is downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0017] Based on the technical solution of this application, the first interval changes less frequently, and the transmission period of RRC signaling is longer. Therefore, using RRC signaling for the first indication information used to indicate the first interval can reduce signaling overhead. Whether the terminal device is allowed to enter a deep sleep state in the second interval is strongly related to the PDB of the service. Therefore, the transmission frequency of the second indication information used to indicate the second interval is higher, and the transmission period of DCI is shorter. Thus, the advantages of DCI can be used to achieve dynamic transmission of the second indication information.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: starting a timer at a first, second, or third time point, and restarting the timer in the first time unit after any of the following times: the end time of receiving the PDCCH; or the end time of receiving the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); or the end time of sending an acknowledgment (ACK) to the PDCCH; or the end time of sending an ACK to the PDSCH.

[0019] Based on the technical solution of this application, the condition for the timer to restart is data transmission. Therefore, during the timer startup period, there is a high probability of service transmission. Thus, the interval between the timing of receiving the low-power signal and the timing of the most recent start of monitoring the PDCCH can remain unchanged.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, during the operation of the timer, the terminal device does not receive the second indication information, and the interval between the timing of monitoring the low-power signal and the timing of the most recent start of monitoring service information remains unchanged.

[0021] Based on the technical solution of this application embodiment, the condition for restarting the timer is that there is data transmission. Therefore, during the timer startup period, there is a high probability of service transmission. Thus, the interval between the timing of receiving the low-power signal and the timing of the most recent start of monitoring the PDCCH can remain unchanged. Through this implicit method, the transmission of the second indication information can be reduced, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the length of the timer is indicated by the network device through an indication message, or is predefined.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: allowing the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or disallowing the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or allowing the first interval to be updated; or disallowing the first interval to be updated; or allowing the configuration of multiple first intervals; or disallowing the configuration of multiple first intervals.

[0024] Based on the technical solution of this application embodiment, the terminal device can know in advance whether it needs to receive the second indication information at the second time according to the third indication information, thereby reducing the blind detection power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, when it is not necessary to send the second indication information, the network can not send the second indication information, thereby reducing network signaling overhead.

[0025] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second communication device. This second communication device can be a network device, a component configured within the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device; this application does not limit the specific implementation. The communication method of this application is described below using a network device as an example.

[0026] The method includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first interval, the first interval being greater than or equal to the time required for a terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an operating state; sending a low-power signal at a first opportune moment, the low-power signal being used to switch the terminal device from the first sleep state to an operating state; sending second indication information at a second opportune moment, the interval between the first opportune moment and the second opportune moment being the first interval, the second indication information being used to determine the second interval, or to indicate that the second interval does not exist, the second interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from the second sleep state to the operating state, the second interval being greater than the first interval; and sending service information at a third opportune moment, the interval between the second opportune moment and the third opportune moment being T1, the value of T1 being the second interval, or 0, or an offset value.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the operating state of the terminal device includes: the state when the terminal device has the capability to receive PDCCH. Specifically, the operating state of the first receiver of the terminal device includes: the state when the first receiver of the terminal device has the capability to receive PDCCH.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information is RRC signaling and the second indication information is DCI signaling.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: starting a timer at a first, second, or third timing, and restarting the timer in the first time unit after any of the following timings: the end time of sending PDCCH; or the end time of sending PDSCH; or the end time of receiving ACK for PDCCH; or the end time of receiving ACK for PDSCH.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second indication information is not sent during the operation of the timer, and the interval between the timing of sending the low-power signal and the timing of starting to send the service information remains unchanged.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the timer is indicated by the network device through indication information or is predefined.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: allowing the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or disallowing the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or allowing the update of the first interval; or disallowing the update of the first interval; or allowing the configuration of multiple first intervals; or disallowing the configuration of multiple first intervals.

[0033] It should be understood that the second aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the first aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here.

[0034] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a third communication device. This third communication device can be a terminal device, a component configured in the terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions; this application does not limit the specific implementation. The communication method of this application is described below using the third communication device as an example of a terminal device.

[0035] The method includes: monitoring the PDCCH within a first time range; and if the first time range includes an opportunity for receiving a low-power signal, continuing to monitor the PDCCH within that opportunity.

[0036] It should be understood that the terminal device includes a first receiver (e.g., MR) and a second receiver (e.g., LP-WUR), the first receiver being used to receive PDCCH and the second receiver being used to receive low-power signals.

[0037] The first receiver of the terminal device monitors the PDCCH within a first time range. If this first time range includes the opportunity to receive low-power signals—that is, if the timing of PDCCH monitoring overlaps with the timing of low-power signal monitoring—then regardless of whether the operating carriers of the first and second receivers are the same, when the opportunity to receive low-power signals arrives, the terminal device can choose to continue monitoring the PDCCH without turning off the first receiver and turning on the second receiver to receive the low-power wake-up signal. This helps avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first and second receivers.

[0038] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, when the difference between the first working carrier and the second working carrier of the terminal device is greater than a threshold, if the first time range includes a period for receiving low-power signals, then PDCCH monitoring continues during that period. Here, the first working carrier is the working carrier of the first receiver, and the second working carrier is the working carrier of the second receiver. This helps to avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first and second receivers with significantly different working carriers.

[0039] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the threshold is configured by the network device via signaling or is predefined.

[0040] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, when the first operating carrier of the terminal device is different from the second operating carrier of the terminal device, if the first time range includes the opportunity for receiving low-power signals, then the PDCCH continues to be monitored during the opportunity for receiving low-power signals. This helps to avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first receiver and the second receiver with different operating carriers.

[0041] The working carrier in the third aspect above can also be replaced by frequency band, waveband, center frequency, etc., and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0042] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a fourth communication device. This fourth communication device can be a network device, a component configured within the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device; this application does not limit the scope of this method. The communication method of this application is described below using a network device as an example.

[0043] The method includes: transmitting a PDCCH within a first time range; and, if the first time range includes an opportunity to transmit a low-power signal, continuing to transmit the PDCCH within that opportunity.

[0044] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: receiving fourth indication information, which indicates a first operating carrier and a second operating carrier of the terminal device. The first operating carrier is the operating carrier of a first receiver of the terminal device, and the second operating carrier is the operating carrier of a second receiver of the terminal device.

[0045] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, when the difference between the first and second working carriers is greater than a threshold, if the first time range includes a period for receiving low-power signals, then PDCCH transmission continues within that period. This helps avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first and second receivers with large differences in working carriers.

[0046] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the threshold is configured by the network device via signaling or is predefined.

[0047] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first operating carrier and the second operating carrier are different, if the first time range includes a period for receiving low-power signals, then PDCCH monitoring continues during that period for monitoring low-power signals. This helps to avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first receiver and the second receiver with different operating carriers.

[0048] The working carrier in the fourth aspect above can also be replaced by frequency band, waveband, center frequency, etc., and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0049] It should be understood that the fourth aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the third aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, so they will not be repeated here.

[0050] Fifthly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a method for performing any possible implementation of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the apparatus includes a module for performing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0051] In one design, the device may include modules that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the above aspects. These modules may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0052] In another design, the device is a communication chip, which may include input circuitry or interface for transmitting information or data, and output circuitry or interface for receiving information or data.

[0053] In another design, the device is a terminal device or a network device, which may include a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0054] In another design, the device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, and the device may be configured in a terminal device or a network device.

[0055] A sixth aspect provides a communication device comprising at least one processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, such that the device performs a method in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0056] Optionally, the device further includes a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0057] Optionally, the device may also include a transmitter and a receiver, which may be separate or integrated together and referred to as a transceiver.

[0058] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when the computer program is run, causes a computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0059] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0060] Ninthly, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing data involved in the above methods.

[0061] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0062] Optionally, the chip system may consist of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0063] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system, including a terminal device for implementing the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and a network device for implementing the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0064] It should be understood that the fifth to tenth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first to fourth aspects of this application, and the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0065] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of OOK modulation;

[0066] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of OFDM modulation;

[0067] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the workflow of an LP-WUR;

[0069] Figure 5 is a flowchart of MR wake-up;

[0070] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating the impact of configuring a smaller interval on wake-up MR;

[0071] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of configuring a larger interval on MR wake-up;

[0072] Figures 7, 12, and 14 are schematic flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0073] Figures 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10, 11A, 11B and 13 are schematic diagrams of wake-up MR provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic block diagrams of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0075] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] Before introducing the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0077] First, in the embodiments shown below, the terms and abbreviations, such as Low Power Wake-up Signal (LP-WUS), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), etc., are merely exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0078] Second, in the embodiments shown below, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations are merely for descriptive convenience to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. For example, "first timing" and "second timing" are only used to distinguish different timings and do not limit their order, nor are they used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first," "second," etc., are not necessarily different.

[0079] Third, "at least one" means one or more, while "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0080] Fourth, in this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, explicit and implicit instructions, and instructions used for determination. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as second instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. For example, the second instruction information in the embodiments of this application indicates one or more contents. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only indicate a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0081] Fifth, the correspondences shown in the tables of this application can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this application is not limiting. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this application may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headings of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. When implementing the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0082] Sixth, in this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send first instruction information to the terminal device" can be understood as the destination of the first instruction information being the terminal device, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive first instruction information from the network device" can be understood as the source of the authorization information being the network device, which may include direct reception from the network device via the air interface or indirect reception from the network device via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0083] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between terminal devices and network devices; or they can occur within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0084] Seventh, in this application, "time unit" refers to any unit of time. A time unit can be a radio frame, subframe, slot, mini-slot, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM) symbol, millisecond (ms), or fractional milliseconds (e.g., 1 / 32 ms). Alternatively, a time unit can be multiple slots, multiple subframes, multiple mini-slots, multiple OFDM symbols, several milliseconds, or several fractional milliseconds. A radio frame may include multiple subframes, a subframe may include one or more slots, and a slot may include at least one symbol. Alternatively, a radio frame may include multiple slots, and a slot may include at least one symbol.

[0085] Eighth, this application does not limit the type of low-power signal. For example, the low-power signal can be a signal, LP-WUS, low-power PDCCH, low-power PDSCH, low-power physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), low-power physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), low-power synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), low-power synchronization signal, low-power tracking reference signal (TRS), low-power channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), low-power positioning signal, low-power sensing communication signal, low-power sounding reference signal (SRS), low-power random access channel (RACH), low-power preamble, low-power contention resolution message, low-power downlink control information (DCI) signal, or low-power uplink control information (UCI) signal, etc.

[0086] Ninth, in this application, the wake-up radio (WUR) can be understood as a function that reduces the power consumption of a terminal device. For a terminal device, the wake-up radio refers to the introduction of a low-power (LP) interface on top of a traditional main module / circuit (MR). This LP interface is implemented through a simple circuit or chip, and its power consumption is low. The specific form of the LP interface is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the LP interface can be implemented through a wake-up receiver (WUR), an LP-WUR, a low-power radio (LR), a wake-up module, or a wake-up circuit. In this document, WUR can refer to a wake-up radio or a wake-up receiver. WUR in this document is interchangeable with LP-WUR, LR, a wake-up module, or a wake-up circuit.

[0087] The MR (Mobile Receiver) is primarily used for sending and / or receiving data / signaling. If there is no need for sending and / or receiving data / signaling, the MR can be turned off or placed in a sleep state or sleep mode. The WUR (Wake-up Receiver) can be used to wake up a sleep MR, for example, when there is a need for sending and / or receiving data / signaling, the WUR will wake up the MR. This design reduces the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0088] The signal received via WUR can be called a low-power signal, a wake-up signal (WUS), or a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS), etc. When the terminal device detects / receives a WUS, it can wake up the MR that is in a dormant state.

[0089] Tenth, in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances, not to a time limit, nor to requiring the device to perform a judgment action, nor implying any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" are interchangeable, and "when" and "under the circumstances" are interchangeable. "When" and "if" / "if" are interchangeable.

[0090] Eleventh, in this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0091] Twelfth, in this application, the solutions in each embodiment can be used in a reasonable combination, and the explanations or descriptions of various terms, similar operations, or steps appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the various embodiments, without limitation.

[0092] Thirteenth, in this application, on-off keying (OOK) modulation uses the presence or absence of a signal to represent digital information. The bit information corresponding to the signal is mapped to at least one time unit through OOK modulation, with one time unit corresponding to one bit of information. The bit information of the signal is determined by detecting whether there is a signal in the time unit. A signal in a time unit means that the signal amplitude in the time unit is not zero; such a time unit is also called an ON time unit, or the time unit is in ON mode. Conversely, no signal in a time unit means that the signal amplitude in the time unit is zero; such a time unit is also called an OFF time unit, or the time unit is in OFF mode. Generally, if a sequence is transmitted in a time unit, then there is a signal in that time unit; if no sequence is transmitted in a time unit, then there is no signal in that time unit. For a time unit, if the time unit is an ON time unit or the time unit is in ON mode, it can be decoded as 1; conversely, if the time unit is an OFF time unit or the time unit is in OFF mode, it can be decoded as 0.

[0093] Figure 1 illustrates the principle of OOK modulation. Figure 1 uses an example where the signal bit information is 1001.

[0094] Referring to Figure 1, after OOK modulation, the 4-bit information 1001 is sequentially mapped to four time units (e.g., time units 1 to 4). It should be understood that time units 1 and 4 are signal-containing time units, with sequences transmitted on them. Time units 2 and 3 are signal-free time units, with no sequences transmitted on them. When the receiver detects a sequence in time units 1 and 4, it can decode it as 1. When the receiver does not detect a sequence in time units 2 and 3, it can decode it as 0. Combining the decoding of the four time units yields 1001. It can be seen that for OOK modulation, only 1 bit of information can be obtained within a time unit. It can be understood that when the receiver detects a sequence in a time unit, it means that the receiver has detected the envelope of the signal in that time unit; correspondingly, when the receiver does not detect a sequence in a time unit, it means that the receiver has not detected the envelope of the signal in that time unit.

[0095] Figure 2 illustrates the principle of OFDM modulation. Figure 2 is illustrated using an example where the transmitter stores four sequences (sequences 0 to 3 in Figure 2).

[0096] Referring to Figure 2, these four sequences can be used to carry 2 bits of information. For example, sequence 0 corresponds to 00, sequence 1 corresponds to 01, sequence 2 corresponds to 10, and sequence 3 corresponds to 11. In a time unit, the corresponding bit information is 01. The access network device can determine the sequence 1 corresponding to bit information 01 based on the correspondence between the above four sequences and bit information. The access network device can then use sequence 1 to scramble this time unit.

[0097] As shown in Figure 2, within a single time unit, in addition to obtaining 1 bit of information through the ON / OFF mode, the sequence information of the ON time unit (2 bits of sequence information in Figure 2) can also be detected. Compared to OOK modulation, OFDM modulation can obtain more bits of information. Therefore, OFDM modulation requires less time-domain resources to transmit signals of the same length of bit information compared to OOK modulation. For example, to transmit signals of the same length of bit information, OFDM modulation requires M symbols, while OOK modulation requires N symbols, where M is less than N, and both M and N are positive numbers.

[0098] The modulation method used for the signal depends on the receiver's capabilities. Taking the aforementioned WUR as an example, if the WUR is a Type I WUR, then the bit information of LP-WUS can be carried through the ON / OFF mode of the symbols and the sequence on the ON symbol. If the WUR is a Type II WUR, then the bit information of LP-WUS can be carried through the ON / OFF mode of the symbols. The signal corresponding to a Type I WUR can be considered as one type of signal (e.g., called a Type I signal), and the signal corresponding to a Type II WUR can be considered as another type of signal (e.g., called a Type II signal). Since a Type II WUR requires more time-domain resources than a Type I WUR, the Type II signal is longer than the Type I signal; it can be called a "long signal," and the Type I signal a "short signal." The Type I signal can also be called a Type I low-power signal, Type I WUS, or Type I LP-WUS; correspondingly, the Type II signal can also be called a Type II low-power signal, Type II WUS, or Type II LP-WUS. Relatively speaking, the power consumption required for a Type II WUR to receive a Type II signal is greater than the power consumption required for a Type I WUR to receive a Type I signal. Terminal devices receiving Type I signals using Type I WURs offer greater energy savings. However, Type II WURs have lower detection performance and support less coverage than Type I WURs. Generally, if a Type II WUR is used for signal reception, coverage enhancement techniques are employed to improve coverage performance. For example, for Type II WURs, coverage performance can be improved by increasing the number of signal repetitions.

[0099] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The communication system 1000 shown in Figure 3 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 also includes an Internet 300. The RAN 100 may include at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 3) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 3). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the RAN node, and the RAN node is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network device and the RAN node can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the RAN node can be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the RAN node. Terminal devices and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 3 is only a schematic diagram; the communication system may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 3.

[0100] The wireless access network 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as the 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G) system (also known as the long term evolution (LTE) system), the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) system (also known as the new radio (NR) system), or it can be applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems (such as the 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G) system), etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0101] The wireless access network 100 can also be an open RAN (open-RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). The wireless access network 100 can also be a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a satellite communication network, a high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication network, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication network, or a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication network. The wireless access network 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0102] RAN nodes, also known as RAN devices or access network devices, are used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes in the communication system 1000 can be of the same type or different types.

[0103] The RAN node provided in this application can be a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation Node B (gNB) in 5G or NR, a RAN node in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), or a next-generation base station in 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G). Alternatively, the RAN node can also be a satellite base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication network, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. Alternatively, the RAN node can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, such as a CU or DU. The functions of the CU can be implemented by one entity or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU can be further divided, such as separating the control plane and the user plane, i.e., the control plane (CU-CP) and the user plane (CU-UP) of the CU. RAN nodes can be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, or host nodes, etc. This application does not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the RAN nodes.

[0104] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from RAN nodes. Terminal devices can also be referred to as terminal equipment, terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), 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, or smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, drones, ships, robots, robotic arms, or smart home devices, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology or form of the terminal equipment.

[0105] RAN nodes and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the RAN nodes and terminal devices.

[0106] The roles of RAN nodes and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 3 can be configured as a mobile RAN node. For terminal devices 120j that access the radio access network 100 through 120i, terminal device 120i is a RAN node; however, for RAN node 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a radio interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a RAN node-to-RAN node interface protocol. In this case, 120i is also a RAN node relative to 110a. Therefore, both RAN nodes and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 3 can be called communication devices with RAN node functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 3 can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0107] Communication between RAN nodes and terminal devices, between RAN nodes, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can also be conducted using spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0108] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the RAN node can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the RAN node, or by a control subsystem that includes RAN node functions. This control subsystem, including RAN node functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0109] 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) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0110] The relevant technologies and concepts involved in this application are introduced below.

[0111] 1. Power consumption of terminal devices

[0112] The design and development of 5G systems are geared towards mobile phones and vertical use cases. Besides latency, reliability, and feasibility, the energy efficiency of terminal devices is also crucial for 5G. Currently, terminal devices may require charging weekly or daily, depending on the user's usage time. Generally, terminal devices consume tens of milliwatts of energy in the RRC idle / inactive state and hundreds of milliwatts in the RRC connected state. To improve energy efficiency and user experience, it is necessary to design devices with extended battery life.

[0113] Future communication systems will face more diverse types of services, making improved energy efficiency even more crucial. Furthermore, from a user experience perspective, whether in the 5G or 6G era, terminal devices expect long battery life and standby time, reducing the need for frequent charging and alleviating battery anxiety.

[0114] For end devices without a continuous power source, such as those using small rechargeable batteries and single-coin batteries, energy efficiency is even more critical. In vertical use cases, such as sensors and actuators widely deployed for monitoring, measurement, and charging, their batteries are typically non-rechargeable and expected to last for at least several years. In some IoT scenarios, such as wearable devices including smartwatches, rings, e-health devices, and medical monitoring devices, maintaining a battery life of 1-2 weeks while maintaining performance is challenging with typical battery capacities.

[0115] The power consumption of a terminal device depends on the configured wake-up cycle length. For example, in RRC idle mode, power consumption depends on the configured paging cycle. A longer paging cycle allows the terminal device more time to enter sleep mode, achieving energy savings. To meet the aforementioned battery life requirements, it is anticipated that an extended DRX (eDRX) cycle will be used, resulting in a large cycle value. However, while eDRX achieves higher energy efficiency, it also leads to higher latency, making it unsuitable for applications requiring both long battery life and low latency. For instance, in fire detection and suppression use cases, fire-resistant louvers should close and fire sprinklers should be activated by actuators within 1-2 seconds of a fire detected by a sensor. A longer eDRX cycle cannot meet the latency requirements. Therefore, eDRX is clearly unsuitable for scenarios with high latency requirements. Thus, researching technologies that support ultra-low power mechanisms while achieving ultra-low latency is particularly important.

[0116] Currently, terminal devices need to be woken up periodically once per DRX cycle. When a terminal device is in a woken-up state but there is no signaling or data service transmission during the wake-up period, the terminal device is in an invalid wake-up state, and the power consumption during this period accounts for a large proportion of the terminal device's overall power consumption. If the terminal device only wakes up when it needs to transmit signaling or data services, such as receiving its own paging message, the power consumption of the terminal device can be significantly reduced.

[0117] 2. LP-WUS

[0118] To achieve greater energy savings, terminal devices can be configured with receivers capable of monitoring wake-up signals with ultra-low power consumption, known as Low-Power Wake-up Receivers (LP-WURs). LP-WURs can reuse some modules of MR (Mixed Reality) receivers or be standalone receivers. The LP-WUR monitors the LP-WUS (Low-Power Wake-up Receiver), which in turn triggers / wakes up the MR. The MR is used for data transmission and reception; typically, the terminal device can disable the MR or set it to deep or very deep sleep. The power consumption for monitoring the wake-up signal depends on the design of the wake-up signal and the hardware modules of the wake-up receiver used for signal detection and processing. This research should primarily focus on LP-WUS and LP-WURs for power-sensitive devices, small devices, including IoT applications (such as industrial sensors and controllers) and wearable devices. It can also be used in other scenarios, such as extended reality (XR), smart glasses, and smartphones.

[0119] In future communication systems, the integration of communication and sensing is a new direction. LP-WUS, in addition to its communication function, may also carry sensing information. Such a single signal can achieve more functions and reduce signal transmission, thus helping to reduce the duration of terminal device wake-up and thereby reduce power consumption.

[0120] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the LP-WUR workflow. As shown in Figure 4, the LP-WUR is in the on state and is used to monitor the LP-WUS. If the LP-WUS indicates that the MR needs to be woken up to start the blind detection of PDCCH, the terminal device turns on the MR. If the LP-WUS indicates that the MR does not need to be woken up and there is no PDCCH transmission for a period of time, the terminal device keeps the MR off or in deep sleep or very deep sleep.

[0121] LP-WUR can reduce the power consumption of terminal devices. Terminal devices mostly use LP-WUR to complete necessary procedures, while the MR or high-power receivers of the terminal devices are mostly in sleep mode. LP-WUR is used to receive LP-WUS. In the RRC idle state or RRC inactive state, LP-WUS is used to indicate whether there is a paging message; in the RRC connected state, LP-WUS is used to indicate whether there is subsequent physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission or data transmission.

[0122] LP-WUS modulation methods include, for example, on-off keying (OOK) modulation, frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation, or OFDM modulation. Alternatively, LP-WUS modulation can be a combination of the above methods, such as a combination of OOK and OFDM, or a combination of FSK and OFDM. OOK modulation refers to a mode where some symbols transmit signals while others do not. The OOK / OFDM fusion modulation method involves fusing / superimposing an OFDM sequence onto the symbols transmitting OOK signals.

[0123] Since LP-WUS is received by the terminal device's LP-WUR, and the terminal device's MR is in sleep mode, when LP-WUS indicates that the MR needs to be woken up to start monitoring the PDCCH, the MR needs to switch from sleep mode to a state capable of receiving the PDCCH (hereinafter referred to as the working state). The duration required for the state switching process (hereinafter referred to as wake-up time, or switching time) depends on the sleep state (or sleep level) of the terminal device's MR. For example, if the terminal device's MR is in deep sleep mode, the time required to wake up the MR is 20ms. For example, if the terminal device's MR is in light sleep mode, the time required to wake up the receiver is 6ms. For example, if the terminal device's MR is in micro-sleep mode, the time required to wake up the MR is 0ms. The wake-up time can also be described as the main radio ramping up time.

[0124] The different sleep states described above are merely examples. More or fewer sleep states than the three mentioned above can also be defined, and this application does not limit this. For example, very deep sleep may also be included, which requires a longer wake-up time compared to deep sleep.

[0125] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a wake-up MR process. Referring to Figure 5, in addition to the wake-up duration mentioned above, the time interval between when the terminal device receives LP-WUS and when it begins monitoring PDCCH may also include one or more of the following:

[0126] (1) The time required for LP-WUR to process LP-WUS after receiving LP-WUS (hereinafter referred to as processing time);

[0127] (2) The time required for LP-WUR to trigger MR wake-up, or the time required for LP-WUR to send relevant information to MR (hereinafter referred to as transmission time);

[0128] (3) Synchronization time required for MR to monitor PDCCH (hereinafter referred to as synchronization duration).

[0129] Different terminal devices have different requirements for the time interval between receiving LP-WUS and starting to monitor PDCCH.

[0130] For example, regarding the wake-up time mentioned above, different sleep states of the MR (Mobile Receiver) of the terminal device correspond to different wake-up times. Whether the terminal device can enter different sleep states depends on the implementation of the terminal device. The deeper the MR sleep, the more receiver modules need to be shut down. Correspondingly, when the MR wakes up, more receiver modules need to be woken up. Therefore, due to differences in manufacturing processes and product implementations of different terminal devices, the sleep states supported by different terminal devices may differ.

[0131] For example, if the MR of a terminal device performs a synchronization process after being woken up, the number of SSBs, synchronization accuracy, and synchronization performance requirements may differ due to the different architectures of the MRs of different terminal devices.

[0132] 3. 5G Quality of Service (QoS) Identifier

[0133] The 5G QoS identifier, known as 5QI, is a scalar used as a reference for specific QoS forwarding behavior of 5G QoS flows. It can be implemented in the access network by controlling specific parameters of the 5QI reference node. 5QI is used to index a 5F QoS feature. See Table 1. Parameters affecting 5QI include, but are not limited to: resource type, default priority level, PDB, packet error rate (PER), default maximum data burst volume (DMDBV), and default averaging window.

[0134] Table 1

[0135] The resource types include: guaranteed bit rate (GBR), non-GBR, and delay-critical GBR.

[0136] The PDB defined above specifies the upper limit of the possible delay of data packets between the terminal device and the N6 endpoint of the UPF. The PDB is applied to downlink data packets received by the UPF through the N6 interface and uplink data packets sent by the terminal device. For a given 5QI, the PDB values ​​for uplink and downlink are the same. In the case of 3GPP access, the PDB is used to support the configuration of scheduling and link layer functions (e.g., scheduling priority weights and the setting of the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) target operating point). For GBR QoS flows using delay-critical resource types, if the data burst volume (MDBV) does not exceed the maximum data burst volume (MDBV) and the QoS flow does not exceed the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR) within the PDB's time period, data packets with a delay exceeding the PDB are considered lost. For GBR QoS flows with GBR resource types not exceeding the GFBR, 98% of data packets will not experience a delay exceeding 5QI's PDB.

[0137] The 5G access network packet delay budget (5G-AN PDB) is determined by subtracting the static value of the core network packet delay budget (CN-PDB), which represents the delay between any N6 endpoint at the UPF (for any UPF that may be selected for a protocol data unit (PDU) session) and the 5G-AN in a given PDB.

[0138] The 5QI parameters may differ for different services. As shown in Table 1, the PDB requirement is 300ms for non-conversational video (buffered streaming) and 50ms for real-time gaming or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) messages. It can be seen that there is a significant difference in PDB between non-conversational video (buffered streaming) and real-time gaming / V2V messages.

[0139] The terminal device's requirement for the interval between receiving LP-WUS and starting PDCCH monitoring depends on the terminal device's implementation. The terminal device can report this interval requirement through UE capabilities. Currently, 3GPP R19 discusses terminal devices reporting one or more durations through UE capabilities. The duration is the interval between the start time of receiving LP-WUS and the start time of PDCCH monitoring. The duration is the sum of one or more of the following: processing duration, transmission duration, wake-up duration, and synchronization duration. If the terminal device reports multiple durations, in order to align the PDCCH transmission positions with the network device, the network device configures an interval (hereinafter referred to as the target interval) for the terminal device at a certain time or within a certain period. The target interval can be one of the multiple intervals reported by the terminal device, or the target interval can be different from the multiple intervals reported by the terminal device. Optionally, the target interval may include the synchronization duration.

[0140] Because network devices cannot predict the type of service that is about to arrive, they also cannot know the PDB (Program Data Base) of the service. Therefore, the target interval may not be compatible with the service's PDB.

[0141] After receiving the target interval, the terminal device's MR periodically enters the sleep state corresponding to that target interval. The sleep state corresponding to the target interval is related to its value. For example, a smaller target interval value corresponds to a shallower sleep state, such as the shallow sleep state described above; a larger target interval value corresponds to a deeper sleep state, such as the deep sleep state described above. While the terminal device's MR is in sleep mode, the terminal device's LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS during LP-WUS monitoring. If the LP-WUS detected by the LP-WUR carries the terminal device's identification information, or the subgroup identification information to which the terminal device belongs, or the group identification information to which the terminal device belongs, it indicates that the terminal device needs to wake up the MR to perform PDCCH monitoring.

[0142] For example, as shown in Figure 6A, if the target interval configured by the network device for the terminal device is small, while the service's PDB is large, then after stopping LP-WUS monitoring, the terminal device can start monitoring PDCCH after a short interval, and remains in a shallow sleep state for the rest of the time, resulting in high power consumption for the terminal device. In reality, because the service's PDB is large, the network device can configure a larger interval for the terminal device, allowing it to remain in a deeper sleep state for a period of time, thereby saving power.

[0143] For example, as shown in Figure 6B, if the target interval configured for the terminal device by the network device is large, while the service's PDB is small, then after the terminal device stops monitoring LP-WUS, it will only start monitoring PDCCH after a large interval. This increases the transmission latency of the service data, potentially causing the transmission latency to exceed the service's PDB, resulting in data transmission failure and requiring retransmission. However, retransmission wastes network resources and is not conducive to energy saving by the terminal device.

[0144] It should be understood that the target interval can be equal to the time required for the MR to wake from the sleep state. Optionally, the target interval can be equal to the sum of the time required for the MR to wake from the sleep state and the time required for synchronization. In addition, the target interval can also be greater than the sum of the time required for the MR to wake from the sleep state and the time required for synchronization, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0145] As described above, the target interval configured by the network device cannot adapt to different service types for the interval between the timing of the terminal device receiving LP-WUS and the start time of the PDCCH monitoring timing, which is not conducive to the energy saving of the terminal device.

[0146] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that dynamically updates the interval between the timing of a terminal device receiving a low-power signal (e.g., LP-WUS) and the start time of PDCCH monitoring. While meeting the PDB requirements of the service as much as possible, this allows the terminal device to enter a deeper sleep state before or after monitoring the PDCCH, thereby helping the terminal device save energy.

[0147] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The steps of method 700 are executed interactively by a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is, for example, any type of terminal device shown in 120a-120j in Figure 3, and the network device is, for example, any type of RAN node shown in 110a or 110b in Figure 3, but this embodiment of the application does not limit the types of devices.

[0148] Method 700 includes steps S701 to S704. Optionally, method 700 also includes steps S705 and S706. The steps are described in detail below.

[0149] S701, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information indicates a first interval, which is greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an active state. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information.

[0150] The terminal device in this application includes a first receiver (e.g., the MR described above) and a second receiver (e.g., the LP-WUR described above), wherein the first receiver is used to receive PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and the second receiver is used to receive low-power signals. A description of MR and LP-WUR can be found above and will not be repeated here.

[0151] The first receiver can enter a sleep state to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. While the first receiver is in sleep mode, the second receiver is in an on state to monitor low-power signals. In this step, the first interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from the first sleep state to the working state. Specifically, the first interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device's MR to switch from the first sleep state to the working state.

[0152] The first interval can be seen as the target interval configured by the network device for the terminal device after the terminal device reports multiple intervals to the network device as described above.

[0153] The sleep state corresponding to the first interval is the first sleep state. The time required for the terminal device to switch from the first sleep state to the working state can be described as wake-up time, wake-up latency, wake-up duration, etc.

[0154] The time required for the first receiver of the terminal device to switch from sleep mode to working mode depends on the sleep mode (or sleep level) of the first receiver of the terminal device.

[0155] For example, sleep states include deep sleep, light sleep, or microsleep. The longest wake-up time is required to transition from deep sleep to a working state, followed by light sleep, with the shortest being microsleep. Sleep states may also include very deep sleep, where the wake-up time to transition from deep sleep to a working state is greater than that to transition from deep sleep.

[0156] Sleep states can be represented in many other ways. For example, they can be represented by Level 1 sleep, Level 2 sleep, and Level 3 sleep, or by Deep Sleep, Moderate Sleep, and Light Sleep. For instance, Level 1 sleep is a state of minimal sleep. Level 2 sleep is a state of light sleep. Level 3 sleep is a state of deep sleep.

[0157] When determining the sleep state corresponding to the first interval, if the first interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for the first receiver to switch from sleep state 1 to working state, and less than the wake-up time required for the first receiver to switch from sleep state 2 (a higher level than sleep state 1) to working state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is sleep state 1. For example, in the above example, the level of deep sleep state is higher than the level of light sleep state, or in other words, deep sleep state is one level higher than light sleep state; the level of light sleep state is higher than the level of microsleep state, or in other words, light sleep state is one level higher than microsleep state. For another example, the level of deep sleep state is higher than the level of moderate sleep state, or in other words, deep sleep state is one level higher than moderate sleep state; the level of moderate sleep state is higher than the level of light sleep state, or in other words, moderate sleep state is one level higher than light sleep state. For yet another example, the level of first-level sleep state is higher than the level of second-level sleep state, or in other words, first-level sleep state is one level higher than second-level sleep state; the level of second-level sleep state is higher than the level of third-level sleep state, or in other words, second-level sleep state is one level higher than third-level sleep state.

[0158] Based on the description of sleep states above, the following example illustrates the sleep state corresponding to the first interval.

[0159] For example, if the first interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a microsleep state and less than the wake-up time required for a light sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is a microsleep state.

[0160] For example, if the first interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a light sleep state, but less than the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is a light sleep state.

[0161] For example, if the first interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is a deep sleep state.

[0162] The first interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver of the terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an operating state, or in other words, the first interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver to wake up from the first sleep state. For example, the first interval is greater than or equal to the sum of the time required for the first receiver to wake up from the first sleep state and the time required for the first receiver to synchronize before monitoring the PDCCH.

[0163] After receiving the indication information for the first interval, if the terminal device's first receiver can enter a sleep state, then the terminal device's first receiver enters the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval. Since network devices cannot predict the PDB requirements of arriving services in advance, to meet the PDB requirements of different services, the network device may configure the value of the first interval to match services with smaller PDB values; that is, the first interval is a smaller interval, corresponding to a shallower sleep state. This allows the terminal device to wake up the first receiver as quickly as possible after receiving a low-power signal to perform PDCCH monitoring. Thus, regardless of whether a service with a large or small PDB is being received, the terminal device's first receiver can be woken up promptly, reducing service transmission latency.

[0164] In S702, the network device sends a low-power signal to the terminal device at the first opportune moment. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the low-power signal at the first opportune moment.

[0165] Low-power signals include, for example, LP-WUS, low-power PDCCH, low-power PDSCH, or other types of signals. For details, please refer to the description of low-power signal types above, which will not be repeated here.

[0166] The low-power signal is used to wake up the terminal device, or in other words, to wake up the terminal device from a first sleep state, or to switch the first receiver of the terminal device from a first sleep state to an operating state. More specifically, waking up the terminal device using the low-power signal includes waking up the first receiver of the terminal device. The first receiver is, for example, the MR described above. An introduction to MR can be found in the description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0167] In this step, the terminal device monitors the low-power signal at the first opportune moment. Specifically, the second receiver of the terminal device monitors the low-power information at the first opportune moment.

[0168] The first timing is the timing for monitoring low-power signals. In other words, the second receiver of the terminal device can monitor low-power signals at the first timing. This can be understood as the second receiver of the terminal device starting to receive low-power signals from the start time of the first timing. Alternatively, the first timing can be regarded as a time-domain resource, and the second receiver of the terminal device uses these time-domain resources to receive low-power signals.

[0169] When the first receiver of the terminal device is in a first sleep state, the second receiver of the terminal device is in an on state. The second receiver of the terminal device monitors for low-power signals, or receives low-power signals, at the first opportune moment. The second receiver is, for example, the LP-WUR described above. A description of WUR can be found above and will not be repeated here.

[0170] After receiving a low-power signal, the second receiver of the terminal device can process the low-power signal and then trigger the first receiver to wake up. For example, the second receiver can send a wake-up instruction to the first receiver to trigger the first receiver to wake up. After receiving the wake-up instruction, the first receiver switches from a first sleep state to an operating state.

[0171] The first receiver switches from the first sleep state to the working state, for example, by restoring / enabling modules / hardware that were turned off when the first receiver entered the first sleep state.

[0172] The operating state of the first receiver of the terminal device includes: the state when the first receiver of the terminal device has the capability to receive PDCCH. In other words, when the first receiver of the terminal device is in the operating state, it has the capability to monitor or receive PDCCH. Whether the terminal device has other capabilities besides receiving PDCCH when it enters the operating state is not limited here. For example, the operating state entered by the terminal device indicates that the first receiver of the terminal device has just acquired the capability to receive PDCCH. For example, the operating state entered by the terminal device indicates that the terminal device does not have the capability to receive PDSCH.

[0173] The first and second receivers of the terminal equipment are described below.

[0174] The first receiver of the terminal device, such as the MR receiver, is used to receive data / service transmissions. When there is no data / service transmission on the first receiver, it can be turned off or enter sleep mode to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. Simultaneously, the second receiver of the terminal device is turned on. The second receiver is a low-power receiver, also known as an auxiliary receiver, such as the WUR mentioned above, and is used to monitor low-power signals. When the second receiver receives a low-power signal, and the low-power signal indicates that the first receiver should be woken up, the second receiver will wake up the first receiver to perform data / service transmission.

[0175] The second receiver in this application embodiment can be a first-type receiver, a second-type receiver, or an integration of a first-type receiver and a second-type receiver. The possible scenarios regarding the first-type receiver and the second-type receiver include the following.

[0176] In one possible design, the first type of receiver is an OFDM receiver and the second type of receiver is an OOK receiver; or, the first type of receiver is an OOK receiver and the second type of receiver is an OFDM receiver.

[0177] In another possible design, the first type of receiver has two I / Q channels (i.e., two branches), and the second type of receiver has one channel (i.e., one branch); or, the first type of receiver has one channel (i.e., one branch), and the second type of receiver has two I / Q channels (i.e., two branches).

[0178] In another possible design, the first type of receiver is a coherent receiver and the second type of receiver is a non-coherent receiver; or, the first type of receiver is a non-coherent receiver and the second type of receiver is a coherent receiver.

[0179] In another possible design, the first type of receiver is a coherent receiver with both I and Q channels, and the second type of receiver is a non-coherent receiver without I and Q channels; or, the first type of receiver is a non-coherent receiver without I and Q channels, and the second type of receiver is a coherent receiver with both I and Q channels.

[0180] In another possible design, the first type of receiver can receive complex signals, while the second type of receiver cannot (e.g., the second type of receiver receives real signals); or, the first type of receiver cannot receive complex signals (e.g., the first type of receiver receives real signals), while the second type of receiver can receive complex signals.

[0181] In another possible design, the first type of receiver receives the signal in an energy-detection manner, while the second type of receiver can receive the signal in multiple ways; or, the first type of receiver can receive the signal in multiple ways, while the second type of receiver receives the signal in an energy-detection manner.

[0182] In another possible design, the first type of receiver can receive OFDM signals, while the second type of receiver cannot (e.g., the second type of receiver receives OOK signals); or, the first type of receiver cannot receive OFDM signals (e.g., the first type of receiver receives OOK signals), while the second type of receiver can receive OFDM signals.

[0183] The second receiver may be a simplified version of the first receiver, but the receiver capabilities are the same. The difference is that the first receiver has complex demodulation and decoding capabilities, but the second receiver does not have complex demodulation and decoding capabilities. For example, the second receiver can only perform correlation demodulation or sequence detection operations.

[0184] It should be understood that both the first receiver and the second receiver of the terminal device can be considered as the terminal device itself. That is, the actions performed by the first receiver and the second receiver can be regarded as actions performed by the terminal device without distinguishing between them.

[0185] S703, the network device sends a second indication message to the terminal device at a second opportune moment. The interval between the first opportune moment and the second opportune moment is a first interval. The second indication message is used to determine the second interval, or to indicate that there is no second interval. The second interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from a second sleep state to an active state, and the second interval is greater than the first interval. Accordingly, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH at the second opportune moment.

[0186] The interval between the first timing point and the second timing point includes the interval between the end time of the first timing point and the start time of the second timing point. This interval can be one or more time units, and the embodiments of this application do not limit it.

[0187] For example, the second indication information can be carried on the PDCCH. The second timing is the monitoring timing of the PDCCH, that is, the terminal device can monitor the PDCCH at the second timing. This can be understood as the terminal device starting to receive the PDCCH from the start time of the second timing, or the second timing can be regarded as the occupied time domain resource, which the terminal device uses to receive the PDCCH, or the terminal device receives the PDCCH on the time domain resource.

[0188] In this step, the terminal device receives the second instruction information at a second opportune moment. Specifically, the first receiver of the terminal device receives the second instruction information at a second opportune moment.

[0189] In this step, the second interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from the second sleep state to the working state. Specifically, the second interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver of the terminal device to switch from the second sleep state to the working state.

[0190] The second interval is greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver of the terminal device to switch from the second sleep state to the working state. Alternatively, it can be described as the second interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver to wake up from the second sleep state. For example, if the second interval is greater than or equal to the sum of the time required for the first receiver to wake up from the second sleep state and the time required for the first receiver to synchronize before receiving the second instruction information, then the second interval is greater than the time required for the first receiver to wake up from the second sleep state.

[0191] The first receiver is awakened at the end of the first interval. If the first interval also includes a synchronization period, the first receiver executes the synchronization procedure before receiving the second indication information. At the second timing after the synchronization procedure is completed, the first receiver receives the second indication information.

[0192] The sleep state corresponding to the second interval is the second sleep state. If the second indication information indicates the second interval, it means that if the first receiver enters the sleep state, it can enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval.

[0193] Similar to determining the sleep state corresponding to the first interval, when determining the sleep state corresponding to the second interval, if the second interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for the first receiver to switch from sleep state 1 to sleep state 2, and less than the wake-up time required for the first receiver to switch from sleep state 2 (which is one level higher than sleep state 1) to working state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is sleep state 1.

[0194] Based on the description of sleep states above, the following example illustrates the sleep state corresponding to the second interval.

[0195] For example, if the second interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a microsleep state and less than the wake-up time required for a light sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the second interval is a microsleep state.

[0196] For example, if the second interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a light sleep state, but less than the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the second interval is a light sleep state.

[0197] For example, if the second interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the second interval is a deep sleep state.

[0198] It should be understood that in this application, the second interval is greater than the first interval. In some possible designs, the level of the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval is higher than the level of the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval, or in other words, the second sleep state is a deeper sleep state than the first sleep state.

[0199] For example, if the first interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a microsleep state and less than the wake-up time required for a light sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is a microsleep state. If the second interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a light sleep state and less than the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the second interval is a light sleep state.

[0200] For example, if the first interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a light sleep state and less than the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the first interval is a light sleep state. If the second interval is greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for a deep sleep state, then the sleep state corresponding to the second interval is a deep sleep state.

[0201] The value of the second interval can be predefined, such as protocol predefined, or indicated by the network device to the terminal device through indication information, such as through public signaling or through some special signaling. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0202] The second instruction information is described in detail below. Several examples of how the terminal device determines the second interval based on the second instruction information in this application are as follows.

[0203] In one example, the second indication information is n bits, n=1. A bit state of "0" indicates that the second interval exists, or that there is a second interval, or that the second interval is needed, or that the second interval is used, or that the second interval is applied; a bit state of "1" indicates that the second interval does not exist, or that there is no second interval, or that the second interval is not needed, or that the second interval is not used, or that the second interval is not applied.

[0204] In another example, the second indication information is n bits, n=2, with bit status "00" indicating the absence of a second interval, bit status "01" indicating the first value of the second interval, bit status "10" indicating the second value of the second interval, and bit status "11" indicating the third value of the second interval.

[0205] It should be understood that during the second interval, the first receiver of the terminal device is in a second sleep state for a period of time. After the sleep ends, the first receiver of the terminal device begins to wake up, that is, it switches from the second sleep state to the working state.

[0206] For example, the second interval is 200ms, of which 180ms is the sleep duration and the remaining 20ms is the wake-up duration. That is to say, the first receiver of the terminal device is in the second sleep state for 180ms, and then it takes 20ms to switch from the second sleep state to the working state.

[0207] It should be noted that both the first and second intervals mentioned above are longer than the intervals reported by the terminal device through the UE capability. The intervals reported by the terminal device include the interval between the start time of the low-power signal monitoring and the start time of the PDCCH monitoring. Specifically, the low-power signal monitoring timing can be the start position of receiving the low-power signal, the position after receiving the low-power signal, or the end position of the low-power signal monitoring timing.

[0208] One feasible implementation is as follows: the terminal device reports an interval through the UE capability, where the interval is greater than or equal to the sum of the wake-up time required for the first receiver to switch from sleep mode to working mode and the time required for synchronization after the first receiver of the terminal device wakes up. The synchronization time can be the number of reference signals required for synchronization. In this case, the first interval and the second interval need to be greater than or equal to the interval reported by the UE capability.

[0209] One feasible implementation is as follows: the terminal device reports two intervals through two UE capabilities, one interval being greater than or equal to the wake-up time required for the first receiver to switch from sleep mode to working mode, and the other interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver to synchronize after waking up, or the number of reference signals required for synchronization. In this case, the first interval and the second interval need to be greater than or equal to the sum of the two intervals reported by the UE capabilities.

[0210] One feasible implementation is as follows: the terminal device reports an interval via UE capability, and this interval is only related to the wake-up time of the first receiver switching from sleep to active state. For example, the interval reported by the UE is greater than or equal to the wake-up time of the first receiver switching from sleep to active state. The synchronization time required after the first receiver wakes up, or the number of reference signals required for synchronization, is predefined. In this case, the first interval and the second interval need to be greater than or equal to the sum of the synchronization times required for the interval reported by the UE capability.

[0211] One feasible implementation is as follows: The terminal device reports an interval via UE capability. This interval is only related to the wake-up time of the terminal device's first receiver switching from sleep to active state. For example, the interval reported by the UE is greater than or equal to the wake-up time of the terminal device's first receiver switching from sleep to active state. The synchronization time required after the first receiver wakes up, or the number of reference signals required for synchronization, is predefined. In this case, the first interval and the second interval need to be greater than or equal to the interval reported by the UE capability. The interval between the moment the terminal device starts monitoring service information and the moment the low-power signal is received is the sum of the first interval and the synchronization time; or, the interval between the moment the terminal device starts monitoring service information and the moment the low-power signal is received is the sum of the second interval and the synchronization time.

[0212] The reference signals used for synchronization mentioned above include, for example, SSB, TRS, primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), physical boardcast channel (PBCH), etc., and this embodiment does not limit them.

[0213] S704, the network device sends service information to the terminal device at a third opportune moment. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the service information at a third opportune moment.

[0214] In this step, the terminal device monitors service information at a third time. Specifically, the first receiver of the terminal device monitors service information at a third time.

[0215] The interval between the second and third timing points is T1, where T1 can be either the second interval, 0, or an offset value.

[0216] The business information includes PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0217] In one scenario (Scenario 1), when the network device knows that the PDB of the arriving service is large when sending a low-power signal, the network device can indicate a second interval to the terminal device. This means that the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval. The second interval is larger than the first interval. The second sleep state differs from the first sleep state; it is a deeper sleep state. Thus, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval before or after monitoring service information, enjoying a deeper sleep period, which is beneficial for energy saving in the terminal device.

[0218] When T1 is the second interval, the first receiver of the terminal device receives an indication of the existence of the second interval at the second time point and immediately enters the second sleep state. After T1, the first receiver of the terminal device switches from the second sleep state to the working state and begins monitoring service information. When T1 is 0, after receiving an indication of the existence of the second interval at the second time point, the first receiver of the terminal device monitors service information in the next time unit, i.e., the third time point. If the interval between the end of the service transmission and the position of receiving the low-power signal in the next low-power signal cycle is greater than or equal to the wake-up time corresponding to the first sleep state, and less than the wake-up time corresponding to the second sleep state, then the first receiver of the terminal device is in the first sleep state during the period between the end of the service transmission and the position of receiving the low-power signal in the next low-power signal cycle. If the interval between the end of the service transmission and the position of receiving the low-power signal in the next low-power signal cycle is less than the wake-up time corresponding to the first sleep state, then the first receiver of the terminal device is in the working state during the period between the end of the service transmission and the position of receiving the low-power signal in the next low-power signal cycle. If the interval between the end of the service transmission and the position of receiving the low-power signal in the next low-power signal cycle is greater than the wake-up time corresponding to the second sleep state, then the first receiver of the terminal device is in the second sleep state during the period between the end of the service transmission and the position of receiving the low-power signal in the next low-power signal cycle.

[0219] In another scenario (Scenario 2), the network device knows that the PDB of the arriving service is small when sending the low-power signal. Therefore, at the second opportune moment, the network device can send a second indication message to indicate that there is no second interval. Thus, after the first interval following the reception of the low-power signal, the first receiver of the terminal device is in an active state and monitors the service information at the third opportune moment. The interval between the third opportune moment and the second opportune moment can be zero; that is, after receiving the indication that there is no second interval at the second opportune moment, the terminal device designates the next time unit as the third opportune moment for monitoring the service information. In other words, the first receiver of the terminal device does not need to enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval before monitoring the service information, which is beneficial for meeting the PDB requirements of the service. After monitoring the service information at the third opportune moment, the first receiver of the terminal device continues to enter the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval.

[0220] Optionally, the second indication information is carried via a PDCCH, which can be either an accompanying PDCCH or a non-accompanying PDCCH. No data is scheduled after a non-accompanying PDCCH. The non-accompanying PDCCH carries some indication information, but is not used to indicate information related to data transmission. For example, a non-accompanying PDCCH does not indicate a PDSCH. An accompanying PDCCH, on the other hand, can be understood as a PDCCH used to indicate information related to data transmission. An accompanying PDCCH can be used to indicate relevant information about the PDSCH. For example, an accompanying PDCCH can be used to indicate the time-domain location of the received PDSCH.

[0221] It should be understood that PDCCH and DCI in this application are interchangeable, with PDCCH used to carry DCI. The accompanying PDCCH indicates the scheduling information of the user's downlink PDSCH or uplink PUSCH. Only after the DCI of the PDCCH is decoded can the terminal device decode the corresponding PUSCH or PDSCH.

[0222] Optionally, the first indication information mentioned above is RRC signaling. Optionally, the first indication information may also be any of the following: DCI, medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), PDCCH, PDSCH, channel state information (CSI) reference signal (RS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), random access response (RAR), message 4 (Msg4) in the random access procedure, TRS, or positioning reference signal (PRS).

[0223] Optionally, the second indication information is DCI. Optionally, the second indication information may also be any of the following: RRC signaling, MAC-CE, PDCCH, PDSCH, CSI-RS, RAR, message 4 (Msg4) in the random access procedure, or PRS.

[0224] To prevent false detections of the second interval (DCI), the network device can send N DCIs. All N DCIs indicate the presence of a second interval, and all N DCIs indicate the same content. For example, all N DCIs may indicate a second interval, or all may indicate the absence of a second interval, or all may indicate the first value of the second interval. Here, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, for example, N = 1, 2, or 3.

[0225] Taking N=2 as an example, the first receiver of the terminal device receives the first DCI and determines whether the first DCI indicates the second interval, or the value of the second interval. Then, the terminal device receives the second DCI and determines whether the first DCI indicates the second interval, or the value of the second interval.

[0226] Optionally, method 700 further includes S705: the network device sends third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more of the following: allowing the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or disallowing the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or allowing the update of the first interval; or disallowing the update of the first interval; or allowing the configuration of multiple first intervals; or disallowing the configuration of multiple first intervals.

[0227] If the network device does not allow updates to the first interval, the first interval can be predefined by the protocol, or the network device can configure the value of the first interval statically or semi-statically. This helps reduce the implementation complexity of the network device and reduce signaling overhead.

[0228] If the network device allows updates to the first interval, the first interval can be dynamically updated by, for example, by indicating the second interval using second indication information. This approach can improve the energy efficiency of terminal devices while ensuring the reception of services from different PDBs. Furthermore, the network device offers greater flexibility in configuring intervals, allowing for more flexible selection of the time domain location for sending the PDCCH based on the service capacity within the cell.

[0229] If the network device allows the configuration of multiple first intervals, it means that the terminal device is allowed to report the values ​​of multiple first intervals through the UE capability, and the network selects one of the multiple candidate first intervals for configuration.

[0230] If the network device allows the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state, the first interval can be dynamically updated by, for example, by indicating a second interval through second indication information, allowing the terminal device to enter other deeper sleep states. This approach can improve the energy-saving gain of the terminal device while ensuring the reception of services from different PDBs. Furthermore, the network device has greater flexibility in configuring intervals based on the different sleep states of the terminal device, and can more flexibly select the time domain location for transmitting the PDCCH in conjunction with the service capacity within the cell.

[0231] Optionally, the third indication information is any of the following: RRC signaling, DCI, MAC-CE, PDCCH, PDSCH, CSI-RS, RAR, message 4 (Msg4) in the random access procedure, or PRS.

[0232] To more clearly illustrate the communication method of this application, the following description will first take the PDCCH carrying the second indication information as an example of a non-path PDCCH.

[0233] In one possible implementation, referring to the schematic diagram of waking up the MR shown in Figure 8A or Figure 8B, the PDCCH carrying the second indication information is a non-path-associated PDCCH. Figures 8A and 8B are described below in conjunction with the above method 700.

[0234] As described in S701: The network device indicates a first interval to the terminal device through the first indication information. Before the monitoring time of the low power signal (i.e. the first time), the terminal device enters the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval to save the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0235] As described in S702: When a service arrives at the network device, the network device can determine the size of the PDB of the arriving service. Then, the network device sends a low-power signal to the terminal device at a first opportune moment, instructing the first receiver of the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The terminal device receives the low-power signal at a second receiver and wakes up the first receiver of the terminal device based on the low-power signal. During the process of waking up the first receiver of the terminal device, the first receiver of the terminal device switches from a first sleep state to an operating state.

[0236] As described in S703: The network device sends a second indication message to the terminal device at a second opportune moment. The description of the second indication message and the second interval can be found above and will not be repeated here.

[0237] As described in S704: the network device sends service information to the terminal device at a third time, and the terminal device receives the service information at a third time.

[0238] Referring to Figure 8A, considering scenario one above, when the PDB of the service arriving at the network device is large, the network device has sufficient time to transmit service information to the terminal device. In this case, the network device can indicate the second interval through the second indication information. After receiving the PDCCH carrying the second indication information (the second indication information is carried in the DCI in Figure 8A), the terminal device enters the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval, and the first receiver of the terminal device can enter a deeper sleep state. After the second interval ends, the first receiver of the terminal device is in working state and monitors service information at the third timing. In this case, the interval between the second timing and the third timing is the second interval.

[0239] Referring to Figure 8B, considering scenario two above, when the PDB of the service arriving at the network device is small, the time for the network device to transmit service information to the terminal device is insufficient. In this case, the network device can indicate the absence of a second interval through the second indication information. After receiving the DCCH carrying the second indication information, the first receiver of the terminal device continues to monitor the PDCCH at the time domain position after receiving the second indication information at the second timing (the second indication information is carried in the DCI in Figure 8B). The second timing and the third timing can be consecutive, i.e., the interval between the second timing and the third timing is 0; or, there can be an offset value between the second timing and the third timing. The offset value can be predefined by the protocol or configured by the network device through indication signaling. If the network device does not send signaling indicating the offset value to the terminal device, it indicates that the offset value is 0.

[0240] In this embodiment, when the PDB of the arriving service is large, the network device can indicate a second interval to the terminal device. This allows the terminal device's first receiver to enter a deep sleep state before or after receiving service information, which is beneficial for energy saving and improves the terminal device's energy efficiency. When the PDB of the arriving service is small, the network device may not indicate a second interval. This allows the terminal device's first receiver to continue monitoring service information in the time domain after receiving the second indication information, which helps meet the service's PDB requirements, ensures network capacity, and avoids increased energy consumption due to retransmission of service information, thus promoting energy saving and reducing network resource overhead caused by retransmission.

[0241] The following description uses the PDCCH carrying the second indication information as an example of an accompanying PDCCH.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the PDCCH carrying the second indication information is an accompanying PDCCH, see Figure 9A or Figure 9B. The differences between Figure 9A or Figure 9B and Figure 8A above, when the second indication information indicates a second interval, are described below.

[0243] In Figure 9A or Figure 9B, the PDCCH carrying the second indication information is an accompanying PDCCH. The terminal device receives multiple PDCCHs at a second timing. The first or last PDCCH among these multiple PDCCHs carries the second indication information, while the other PDCCHs indicate PDSCHs, which carry services. In Figure 9, the interval between the second timing and the third timing is 0.

[0244] Referring to Figure 9A, after the terminal device has received all PDCCH and / or PDSCH at the second timing point, it enters the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval if a first condition is met. The first condition is: the interval between the end time of receiving PDCCH and / or PDSCH (i.e., the end time of the third timing point) and the start time of monitoring the next low-power signal is greater than the wake-up time of the second sleep state. The end time of receiving PDCCH and / or PDSCH is the same as the end time of the third timing point.

[0245] Referring to Figure 9B, if the terminal device does not meet the first condition mentioned above after receiving all PDCCH and / or PDSCH at the second timing, i.e., the interval between the end time of receiving PDCCH and / or PDSCH and the start time of the next low-power signal monitoring timing is less than the wake-up time of the second sleep state, then the first receiver of the terminal device enters the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval.

[0246] If the interval between the end time of receiving PDCCH or PDSCH and the start time of monitoring the next low-power signal is equal to the wake-up time of the second sleep state, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the first sleep state or the second sleep state. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0247] In another possible implementation, referring to the wake-up MR diagram in Figure 10, after the terminal device has received all PDCCH and / or PDSCH at the second timing, it decides which sleep state to enter, provided that the terminal device's first receiver is already in the first sleep state when the next low-power signal monitoring timing arrives. In this implementation, a second interval is not required, or in other words, no second interval is needed.

[0248] It should be understood that, in the case where the PDCCH carrying the second indication information is an accompanying PDCCH, the network device can carry the second indication information on either the first or the last PDCCH.

[0249] In one possible scenario, the network device may indicate on the last PDCCH or PDSCH of the previous service message whether there is a second interval in the next DRX cycle.

[0250] In another possible scenario, the network device may indicate whether there is a second interval for the remaining time of the current DRX cycle in the last PDCCH or PDSCH of the current service information.

[0251] Optionally, the above method 700 further includes S706: the terminal device starts a timer at a second or third time, and restarts the timer in the first time unit after any of the following times: the end time of receiving PDCCH; or the end time of receiving PDSCH; or the end time of sending ACK to PDCCH; or the end time of sending ACK to PDSCH.

[0252] Optionally, the terminal device starts a timer at the first opportune moment and restarts the timer in the first time unit after any of the following moments: the end time of receiving PDCCH; or, the end time of receiving PDSCH; or, the end time of sending ACK to PDCCH; or, the end time of sending ACK to PDSCH.

[0253] In this embodiment, if the second indication information is used to determine the second interval, then during the timer's operation, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval whenever it can or needs to enter a sleep state. If the second indication information is used to indicate that there is no second interval, then during the timer's operation, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval whenever it can or needs to enter a sleep state. If the timer is started at the first opportune moment, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the first sleep state between the first opportune moment and the second opportune moment. During the remaining timer operation after the second opportune moment, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval whenever it can or needs to enter a sleep state, thereby achieving energy saving of the terminal device.

[0254] The following describes the case where the PDCCH used to carry the second indication information is an in-path PDCCH, with reference to Figure 11A, and the case where the PDCCH used to carry the second indication information is a non-in-path PDCCH, with reference to Figure 11B.

[0255] Referring to Figure 11A, the PDCCH used to carry the second indication information is an accompanying PDCCH. The terminal device monitors multiple PDCCHs at the second timing, wherein the first or last PDCCH among these multiple PDCCHs carries the second indication information. The terminal device starts a timer at the beginning of the second timing, and then restarts the timer in the first time unit after any of the aforementioned timings. After the timer expires, the terminal device can decide whether to enter a first sleep state or a second sleep state.

[0256] Referring to Figure 11B, the PDCCH used to carry the second indication information is a non-associated PDCCH. The second receiver of the terminal device receives the second indication information at the second timing (in Figure 11B, the second indication information is carried in the DCI). If the second indication information is used to indicate the second interval, the first receiver of the terminal device enters the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval after the end time of the second timing. After the end of the second interval, the first receiver of the terminal device is in an active state and begins monitoring service information (PDCCH and / or PDSCH) at the third timing. The terminal device starts a timer at the third timing, and then restarts the timer at the first time unit after any of the above timings. After the timer expires, the terminal device can decide whether to enter the first sleep state or the second sleep state.

[0257] It should be understood that Figure 11A or Figure 11B uses SSB as an example for illustration, but the reference signal used for synchronization can also be PSS, SSS, PBCH or TRS, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0258] It should also be understood that the first interval relates to the time required for the first receiver to wake up from the first sleep state and may not include the time for synchronization (e.g., the time for synchronization or the number of reference signals for synchronization are predefined). Therefore, the time for synchronization is an optional part of the first interval, as shown by the dashed box in Figure 11A or Figure 11B.

[0259] During the timer's operation, the terminal device does not receive the second indication information, and the interval between monitoring the low-power signal and starting to monitor service information remains unchanged. After the timer expires, the terminal device's first receiver may enter either a first sleep state or a second sleep state in the following ways:

[0260] In scenario one, if the second indication information is used to indicate that there is no second interval, then after the timer expires, the terminal device can remain in the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval.

[0261] In scenario two, if the second indication information is used to determine the second interval, then after the timer expires, the first receiver of the terminal device can enter the second sleep state corresponding to the second interval if the second condition is met. Conversely, if the second condition is not met, the first receiver of the terminal device enters the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval. The second condition is that the interval between the timer's expiration time and the start time of the next low-power signal monitoring opportunity is greater than the wake-up time of the second sleep state.

[0262] In scenario three, without considering the existence of a second interval, or if the second indication information is used to indicate the absence of a second interval, the terminal device can decide which sleep state to enter after the timer expires. However, it must ensure that when the next low-power signal arrives, the terminal's first receiver is in the first sleep state corresponding to the first interval.

[0263] In this embodiment, conditionally triggering a timer restart implicitly indicates the interval to be used in the next DRX cycle, without needing to indicate the interval in every DRX cycle. That is, during the timer's operation, the terminal device can use the same interval across multiple DRX cycles. This helps reduce the signaling overhead of indicating intervals, meets the PDB requirements of different services, and achieves energy savings for both the terminal device and network equipment. Furthermore, the network equipment can more flexibly select the time domain location for sending the PDCCH based on the available service capacity within the cell.

[0264] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. Method 1200 includes S701, S702, and S704, and also includes S1201. S701, S702, and S704 are described above and will not be repeated here. S1201 will be described in detail below.

[0265] S1201, the terminal device starts a timer at the third time point, and restarts the timer in the first time unit after any of the following times: the end time of receiving PDCCH; or, the end time of receiving PDSCH; or, the end time of sending ACK to PDCCH; or, the end time of sending ACK to PDSCH.

[0266] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the network device indicates a first value for the first interval via a first indication message. Then, at a third opportune moment, the network device starts a timer. After receiving the first indication message, if the terminal device's first receiver can enter a sleep state, needs to enter a sleep state, or is in a sleep state, then the first receiver enters the first sleep state. The terminal device's second receiver wakes up the first receiver after receiving a low-power signal at the first opportune moment. Then, at the third opportune moment, the first receiver monitors service information, including PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Simultaneously, the terminal device starts a timer at the third opportune moment and restarts the timer in the first time unit after any of the aforementioned opportune moments. During the timer's operation, the network device no longer indicates the value of the first interval to the terminal device. After the timer expires, the network device indicates a second value for the first interval to the terminal device. Then, if the terminal device's first receiver needs to enter a sleep state, then the first receiver enters the first sleep state.

[0267] Optionally, if the terminal device starts the timer at the first opportune moment, the first receiver of the terminal device enters the first sleep state between the first opportune moment and the third opportune moment. During the remaining timer operation after the third opportune moment, the terminal device enters the first sleep state whenever it enters or needs to enter the sleep state.

[0268] In this embodiment, conditionally triggering a timer restart implicitly indicates the interval to be used in the next DRX cycle. The network device does not need to update the interval during the timer's operation. Since the timer operation may include multiple DRX cycles, it is not necessary to indicate the interval in every DRX cycle. This reduces the signaling overhead of indicating the interval, meets the PDB requirements of different services, and achieves energy saving for both terminal and network devices. Furthermore, the network device can more flexibly select the time domain location for sending the PDCCH based on the service capacity within the cell.

[0269] Figure 15 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 1400 provided in an embodiment of this application. Method 1400 includes steps S1401 and S1402. Optionally, method 1400 also includes step S1403. The following steps are described.

[0270] S1401, the network device sends the PDCCH to the terminal device within the first time frame. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH within the first time frame.

[0271] For example, if a network device needs to transmit PDCCH, such as when a service / signaling needs to be indicated via PDCCH, the network device can send PDCCH to the terminal device.

[0272] S1402, if the first time range includes a period for transmitting a low-power signal, then the PDCCH continues to be transmitted during that period. Accordingly, the terminal device continues to monitor the PDCCH during the period for receiving the low-power signal.

[0273] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device includes a first receiver and a second receiver. For a description of the first receiver and the second receiver, please refer to the description above, which will not be repeated here.

[0274] If the first time range includes the opportunity to receive low-power signals, that is, the opportunity to monitor PDCCH overlaps with the opportunity to monitor low-power signals, then regardless of whether the operating carrier of the first receiver and the operating carrier of the second receiver are the same, when the opportunity to receive low-power signals arrives, the network device can continue to transmit PDCCH within that opportunity, and correspondingly, the terminal device can continue to monitor PDCCH within that opportunity.

[0275] Switching back and forth between the first and second receivers involves turning some modules / hardware on or off, which adds extra operations to the terminal device and may also lead to additional power consumption. Based on the technical solution of this application embodiment, when the timing of PDCCH monitoring overlaps with the timing of low-power signal monitoring, the terminal device does not need to switch between the first and second receivers. Specifically, it does not need to turn off the first receiver and turn on the second receiver to receive the low-power wake-up signal; instead, it continues to turn on the first receiver to monitor the PDCCH during the low-power signal monitoring period. This helps avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first and second receivers.

[0276] Optionally, S1402 includes: when the difference between the first operating carrier and the second operating carrier of the terminal device is greater than a threshold, if the first time range includes a period for receiving low-power signals, then monitoring of the PDCCH continues during that period. Here, the first operating carrier is the operating carrier of the first receiver, and the second operating carrier is the operating carrier of the second receiver. This helps to avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first and second receivers with significantly different operating carriers.

[0277] In one possible design, the threshold is configured by the network device via signaling, for example, through system messages or some dedicated signaling. Alternatively, the threshold can also be predefined.

[0278] Optionally, S1402 includes: when the first operating carrier of the terminal device is different from the second operating carrier of the terminal device, if the first time range includes a period for receiving low-power signals, then continue monitoring the PDCCH during that period. This helps to avoid the complexity and power consumption caused by switching back and forth between the first receiver and the second receiver with different operating carriers.

[0279] Optionally, method 1400 further includes S1403: the terminal device sends fourth indication information to the network device, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first operating carrier and a second operating carrier of the terminal device. Wherein, the first operating carrier is the operating carrier of the first receiver, and the second operating carrier is the operating carrier of the second receiver.

[0280] In one possible design, the terminal device can report the first working carrier and the second working carrier through the UE capability.

[0281] In the embodiments of this application, the working carrier can also be replaced by descriptions such as frequency band, waveband, center frequency, etc., and there is no limitation thereto.

[0282] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0283] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application above are described using terminal devices and network devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by the terminal device itself or by different functional entities constituting the terminal device. The steps executed by the network device can be implemented by the network device itself or by different functional entities constituting the network device. For example, the network device is an access network device, which can be a CU-DU architecture, where the CU can generate indication information and the DU can send indication information. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the terminal device and network device can include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0284] The communication method according to the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 7, 12 or 14. The communication device according to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 15 and 16.

[0285] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic block diagrams of communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0286] As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 1500 includes a transceiver module 1510. Optionally, the communication device 1500 also includes a processing module 1520. The transceiver module 1510 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication module.

[0287] The device 1500 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the device 1500 can be a component (e.g., a chip) configured in the terminal device or network device. The processing module 1520 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1510 is used to perform receiving and transmitting-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver module 1510 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0289] It should be noted that device 1500 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, device 1500 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by device 1500 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0290] Optionally, the device 1500 is used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 12 or FIG. 14. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 12 or FIG. 14, which will not be repeated here.

[0291] Optionally, the device 1500 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store data and / or to store computer programs or instructions. The processing module 1520 can read the computer programs / instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device 1500 can implement the above-described method embodiments.

[0292] When device 1500 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG7: transceiver module 1510 is used to: receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first interval, the first interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an operating state; monitor a low power signal at a first time, the low power signal being used to switch the terminal device from a first sleep state to an operating state; receive second indication information at a second time, the interval between the first time and the second time being the first interval, the second indication information being used to determine the second interval, or to indicate that the second interval does not exist, the second interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from a second sleep state to an operating state, the second interval being greater than the first interval; and monitor service information at a third time, the interval between the second time and the third time being T1, the value of T1 being the second interval, or 0, or an offset value.

[0293] Optionally, the operating state of the device includes: the state when the first receiver has the ability to receive PDCCH.

[0294] Optionally, the first indication information is RRC signaling, and the second indication information is DCI signaling.

[0295] Optionally, the processing module 1520 is configured to: start a timer at a first, second, or third time, and restart the timer in the first time unit after any of the following times: the end time of receiving PDCCH; or the end time of receiving PDSCH; or the end time of sending an ACK to PDCCH; or the end time of sending an ACK to PDSCH.

[0296] Optionally, during the operation of the timer, the terminal device does not receive the second indication information, and the interval between the timing of monitoring the low-power signal and the timing of starting to monitor service information remains unchanged.

[0297] Optionally, the length of the timer is indicated by the network device via an indication message, or is predefined.

[0298] Optionally, the transceiver module 1510 is configured to: receive third indication information, the third indication information being configured to indicate one or more of the following: allowing the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or disallowing the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or allowing the update of the first interval; or disallowing the update of the first interval; or allowing the configuration of multiple first intervals; or disallowing the configuration of multiple first intervals.

[0299] When device 1500 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG7: transceiver module 1510 is used to: send first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first interval, the first interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the first receiver of the terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an operating state; send a low-power signal at a first opportune moment, the low-power signal being used to switch the first receiver of the terminal device from a first sleep state to an operating state; send second indication information at a second opportune moment, the interval between the first opportune moment and the second opportune moment being the first interval, the second indication information being used to determine the second interval, or to indicate that the second interval does not exist, the second interval being greater than or equal to the time required for the terminal device to switch from a second sleep state to an operating state, the second interval being greater than the first interval; and send service information at a third opportune moment, the interval between the second opportune moment and the third opportune moment being T1, the value of T1 being the second interval, or 0, or an offset value.

[0300] Optionally, the operating state of the device includes: the state when the device has the ability to receive PDCCH.

[0301] Optionally, the first indication information is RRC signaling, and the second indication information is DCI signaling.

[0302] Optionally, the processing module 1520 is configured to: start a timer at a first, second, or third time, and restart the timer in the first time unit after any of the following times: the end time of sending PDCCH; or the end time of sending PDSCH; or the end time of receiving ACK for PDCCH; or the end time of receiving ACK for PDSCH.

[0303] Optionally, during the operation of the timer, no second indication information is sent, and the interval between the timing of sending the low-power signal and the timing of starting to send service information remains unchanged.

[0304] Optionally, the length of the timer is indicated by the network device via an indication message, or is predefined.

[0305] Optionally, the transceiver module 1510 is configured to: send third indication information, the third indication information being configured to indicate one or more of the following: allowing the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or disallowing the first receiver of the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or allowing the update of the first interval; or disallowing the update of the first interval; or allowing the configuration of multiple first intervals; or disallowing the configuration of multiple first intervals.

[0306] For a more detailed description of each step, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0307] Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 16, the device 1600 includes one or more processors 1610 and an interface circuit 1620. The one or more processors 1610 and the interface circuit 1620 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1620 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the device 1600 may also include a memory 1630 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1610, or for storing input data required by the processor 1610 to execute instructions, or for storing data generated after the processor 1610 executes instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1620 can also be understood as part of the one or more processors 1610, in which case the device 1600 includes the one or more processors 1610.

[0308] The one or more processors 1610 and memory 1630 can be configured separately or integrated, and this application does not limit this.

[0309] When the device 1600 is used to implement the method shown in FIG7, FIG12 or FIG14, the one or more processors 1610 are used to implement the functions of the processing module 1520, and the interface circuit 1620 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 1510.

[0310] When the aforementioned device 1600 is a chip applied to a terminal device, the chip of the terminal device implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the terminal device receives information from the network device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, and then sent to the chip of the terminal device by these modules. The chip of the terminal device sends information to the network device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, and then sent to the network device by these modules.

[0311] When the aforementioned device 1600 is a chip applied to a network device, the chip of the network device implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the network device receives information from the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent by these modules to the chip of the terminal device. The chip of the network device sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent by these modules to the terminal device.

[0312] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0313] This application also provides a computer program product, including: a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described above.

[0314] This application also provides a chip, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the methods in the above embodiments, such as receiving or processing data involved in the methods in the above embodiments.

[0315] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or it may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0316] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, combining them with its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0317] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modules and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0318] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0319] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0320] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0321] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0322] If the aforementioned functions 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 solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, 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.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0323] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating a first interval, the first interval being greater than or equal to a time required for a terminal device to switch from a first sleep state to an active state; monitoring a low-power consumption signal at a first time, the low-power consumption signal being used for switching the terminal device from the first sleep state to the active state; receiving second indication information at a second time, an interval between the first time and the second time being the first interval, the second indication information being used for determining a second interval, or being used for indicating that there is no second interval, the second interval being greater than or equal to a time required for the terminal device to switch from a second sleep state to the active state, the second interval being greater than the first interval; monitoring service information at a third time, an interval between the second time and the third time being T1, the T1 being of a value of the second interval, or 0, or an offset value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The active state of the terminal device comprises a state when the terminal device has a capability of receiving PDCCH.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first indication information is radio resource control (RRC) signaling, and the second indication information is downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: starting a timer at the first time, the second time, or the third time, and restarting the timer at a first time unit after any one of the following time points: an end time point of receiving PDCCH; or an end time point of receiving a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); or an end time point of sending an acknowledgement feedback (ACK) for PDCCH; or an end time point of sending an ACK for the PDSCH.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, During running of the timer, the second indication information is not received, and an interval between a time point of monitoring the low-power consumption signal and a time point of starting to monitor the service information is kept unchanged.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving third indication information, the third indication information being used for indicating one or more of the following: allowing the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or not allowing the terminal device to enter a sleep state other than the first sleep state; or allowing updating of the first interval; or not allowing updating of the first interval; or allowing configuring a plurality of first intervals; or not allowing configuring a plurality of first intervals.

7. A communication device, characterized by A module for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A communication device, characterized by At least one processor coupled with a memory, the memory being used for storing a program or instructions, when the program or instructions are executed by the at least one processor, causing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 to be executed.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program for storing, when the computer program is run on a computer, causing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 to be executed.

10. A computer program product, characterised in that, Comprising: a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run, causing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 to be executed.

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