Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. A terminal receives first information by means of WUR, the first information being used for instructing to enable control channel detection of a first carrier group; the terminal enables the control channel detection of the first carrier group; the terminal receives second information by means of the WUR, or receives the second information on the first carrier group by means of MR, the second information being used for instructing to enable control channel detection of a second carrier group; and the terminal enables the control channel detection of the second carrier group. Embodiments of the present application provide a solution of combining an LP-WUS with carrier aggregation technology, so that a terminal can not only reduce power consumption by means of the LP-WUS, but also increase a transmission bandwidth by means of the carrier aggregation technology, thereby improving uplink and downlink transmission rates. In addition, the terminal can flexibly enable a control channel detection function of one or more carrier groups, so that the use of the carrier groups by the terminal can meet current requirements.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411062878.8, filed on August 2, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] To reduce power consumption in user equipment (UE), the UE can use a separate low-power circuit to receive signals, such as a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS). This low-power circuit can be implemented using simple circuits or chips with low power consumption. This low-power circuit can be called a wake-up radio (WUR), a wake-up receiver (WUR), a wake-up circuit, a low-power radio (LR), or a wake-up receiver module, etc.

[0005] In addition, carrier aggregation (CA) technology can combine two or more component carriers (CCs) together to increase transmission bandwidth and improve uplink and downlink transmission rates. UEs can use carrier aggregation technology.

[0006] Currently, LP-WUS cannot be combined with carrier aggregation scenarios, resulting in performance loss for the UE. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for applying carrier aggregation technology while receiving LP-WUS.

[0008] Firstly, a first communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a terminal). The terminal is, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a circuit, or a system-on-a-chip (or, a chip, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip) or other functional module, which can realize the functions of the terminal device, and is, for example, disposed in the terminal device. The method includes: receiving first information via a WUR, the first information indicating the activation of control channel detection for a first carrier group; activating control channel detection for the first carrier group; receiving second information via the WUR, or receiving second information in the first carrier group via a MR, the second information indicating the activation of control channel detection for a second carrier group, wherein the terminal supports both the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the terminal includes the WUR and the MR; and activating control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0009] In this embodiment, the terminal can support a first carrier group and a second carrier group. The first carrier group may include one carrier, and the second carrier group may include at least one carrier other than the first carrier group. For example, the terminal has already enabled the control channel detection function of the first carrier group. The network can send second information through WUR or the first carrier group, so that the terminal can enable the control channel detection function of the second carrier group according to the second information. The second information received by the terminal through WUR may be included in LP-WUS, or in other signals transmitted through WUR. It can be seen that this embodiment provides a solution that combines LP-WUS with carrier aggregation technology, so that the terminal can save power through LP-WUS and increase transmission bandwidth and improve uplink and downlink transmission rates through carrier aggregation technology. Moreover, the terminal can flexibly enable the control channel detection function of one or more carrier groups, so that the terminal's use of carrier groups can meet the current needs.

[0010] In one alternative implementation, the second carrier group is some or all of the carrier groups supported by the terminal, excluding the first carrier group. For example, the second carrier group may include one or more carrier groups.

[0011] In one optional implementation, the second information is used to instruct the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, including: the second information includes information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group; or, the second information only includes information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group; or, the second information is information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. For example, the second information may include information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group and information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group. The terminal can activate control channel detection for the second carrier group according to the information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and can also keep control channel detection for the first carrier group in an activated state according to the information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group. For example, the second information may include information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group but exclude information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group. The terminal can activate control channel detection for the second carrier group based on the information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. Optionally, although the second information does not include information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, the terminal can still keep control channel detection for the first carrier group enabled; or, because the second information does not include information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, the terminal can stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group. Alternatively, the function of the second information may be to instruct the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. In this case, the second information may not need to include information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, thus saving the overhead of the second information.

[0012] In one optional implementation, the second information only includes information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. The method further includes: stopping control channel detection in the first carrier group; or, disabling or not restarting a first timer, where the first timer is a timer corresponding to the first carrier group and is used to control the timing of control channel detection for the first carrier group. The second information does not include information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, therefore the terminal can stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group. It is evident that the second information can instruct the activation or deactivation of control channel detection for the corresponding carrier group, making the second information more functionally rich. Moreover, when instructing the deactivation of control channel detection for the corresponding carrier group, the second information only needs to exclude information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for that carrier group, without needing to include information for instructing the deactivation of control channel detection for that carrier group, thus saving the overhead of the second information.

[0013] In one optional implementation, the second information includes only information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and the method further includes: keeping control channel detection for the first carrier group enabled. In this implementation, the second information may indicate the activation of control channel detection for the corresponding carrier group, but may not indicate the deactivation of control channel detection for the corresponding carrier group, making the function of the second information more targeted. Therefore, if control channel detection for the first carrier group is already enabled, and the second information does not include information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, the terminal may keep control channel detection for the first carrier group enabled.

[0014] In one alternative implementation, the second information is received via the WUR, and the second information is LP-WUS; or, the second information is received via the MR in the first carrier group, and the second information is MAC CE or DCI. Alternatively, if the second information is received via the WUR, the second information can also be information from other protocol layers besides the MAC layer and physical layer, without limitation.

[0015] In one optional implementation, the second information is a MAC CE, which corresponds to a first LCID. The first LCID can be a newly defined LCID, and by parsing the first LCID, it can be known that the MAC CE corresponding to the first LCID is used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0016] In one alternative implementation, the size of the MAC CE is 0. Since the function of the MAC CE is to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, the MAC CE does not need to carry information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group; for example, the MAC CE can be empty, thereby reducing transmission overhead.

[0017] In one optional implementation, enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group includes: enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group when a first time offset or a second time offset arrives, wherein the first time offset is the time interval between the WUR receiving the second information and enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group, and the second time offset is the time interval between the first carrier group receiving the second information and enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group. There may be a certain time interval between the terminal receiving the second information and enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group, allowing the terminal to complete the processing. The first time offset and the second time offset may be the same or different.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: determining the first time offset and / or the second time offset based on third information, wherein the third information is determined by the terminal, indicated by the network device, or is predefined information. The terminal can determine the first time offset and / or the second time offset in various ways, providing considerable flexibility.

[0019] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving fourth information, the fourth information indicating to stop control channel detection; and stopping control channel detection in the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group. After the terminal enables control channel detection for one or more carrier groups, it may also need to stop control channel detection for that carrier group. Optionally, other devices (e.g., network devices) may instruct the terminal to stop control channel detection. For example, the fourth information may not distinguish between carrier groups, or it may be understood as the fourth information applicable to all carrier groups of the terminal or to all carrier groups of the terminal with control channel detection enabled. After receiving the fourth information, the terminal can stop detecting the control channel for all carrier groups with control channel detection enabled. The network device does not need to send separate information indicating to stop control channel detection for different carrier groups, thus saving transmission overhead.

[0020] In one optional implementation, the fourth information is used to indicate the cessation of control channel detection, including: the fourth information is used to indicate the cessation of control channel detection for the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group. In this implementation, the fourth information can specifically indicate which carrier group(s) need to have their control channel detection stopped, allowing the terminal to more selectively stop control channel detection for the corresponding carrier group, thereby refining the control granularity.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: a third timer timeout, the third timer being started when control channel detection of the first carrier group is enabled; and stopping control channel detection in the first and second carrier groups. In this implementation, the terminal can stop detecting the control channel in the corresponding carrier group according to the timer, without requiring the network device to send indication information, thus saving transmission overhead. Furthermore, the third timer does not distinguish between carrier groups, or can be understood as the third timer being applicable to all carrier groups of the terminal or all carrier groups of the terminal with control channel detection enabled. If the third timer times out, the terminal can stop detecting the control channel for all carrier groups with control channel detection enabled. In this implementation, the terminal only needs to maintain one third timer, making it relatively simple to implement.

[0022] In one optional implementation, enabling control channel detection of the first carrier group includes: starting a first timer; the method further includes: stopping control channel detection in the first carrier group when the first timer times out.

[0023] In one optional implementation, enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group includes: starting a second timer; the method further includes: stopping control channel detection in the second carrier group when the second timer times out.

[0024] In the above implementation, different carrier groups can each correspond to their own timers, so that a timer can control the carrier group corresponding to that timer to stop detecting the control channel, thus making the control granularity finer.

[0025] Secondly, a second communication method is provided, which can be applied to a network-side device, also referred to as a network device. This network device is, for example, a network equipment, or other equipment including network equipment functions, or a circuit, or a system-on-a-chip (or chip), or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network equipment, and is, for example, disposed within the network equipment. The network equipment includes, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. The method includes: sending first information, the first information indicating the activation of control channel detection for a first carrier group; sending second information, or sending second information in the first carrier group, the second information indicating the activation of control channel detection for a second carrier group, wherein the terminal supports both the second carrier group and the first carrier group. Optionally, the terminal includes WUR and MR.

[0026] In one alternative implementation, sending the first information includes sending the first information to the WUR.

[0027] In one alternative implementation, sending the second information includes sending the second information to the WUR.

[0028] In one alternative implementation, transmitting the second information in the first carrier group includes: transmitting the second information to the MR in the first carrier group.

[0029] In one optional implementation, the second carrier group is some or all of the carrier groups supported by the terminal, excluding the first carrier group.

[0030] In one optional implementation, the second information is used to indicate enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group, including: the second information includes information for indicating enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group, and information for indicating enabling control channel detection of the first carrier group; or, the second information only includes information for indicating enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group; or, the second information is information for indicating enabling control channel detection of the second carrier group.

[0031] In one alternative implementation, the second information is sent to the WUR, and the second information is LP-WUS; or, the second information is sent in the first carrier group, and the second information is MAC CE or DCI.

[0032] In one alternative implementation, the second information is a MAC CE, which corresponds to a first LCID.

[0033] In one alternative implementation, the size of the MAC CE is 0.

[0034] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: determining a first time offset and / or a second time offset based on third information, wherein the third information is determined by the network device, indicated by the terminal, or is predefined information, wherein the first time offset is the time interval between the terminal receiving the second information at the WUR and the control channel detection for enabling the second carrier group, and the second time offset is the time interval between the terminal receiving the second information at the first carrier group and the control channel detection for enabling the second carrier group.

[0035] In an alternative implementation, the method further includes sending a fourth message, the fourth message being used to indicate a halt to control channel detection.

[0036] In one alternative implementation, the fourth information is used to indicate the cessation of control channel detection, including: the fourth information is used to indicate the cessation of control channel detection for the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group.

[0037] For the technical effects of the second aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0038] Thirdly, a third communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also known as a terminal device. For an introduction to the implementation of this terminal device, please refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving configuration information for configuring LP-WUS; determining a first indication method or a second indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the first indication method is that the network device indicates to enable control channel detection for both the second carrier group and the first carrier group respectively, and the second indication method is that the network device jointly indicates to enable control channel detection for both the second carrier group and the first carrier group. Through the configuration of the network device, the UE can uniformly enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, which simplifies the UE's operation process; alternatively, the UE can also enable control channel detection separately for different carrier groups supported by the UE, which refines the control granularity.

[0039] In one optional implementation, determining the first indication method or the second indication method based on the configuration information includes: the configuration information including first indication information, and determining the first indication method based on the configuration information including the first indication information; or, the configuration information not including the first indication information, and determining the second indication method based on the configuration information not including the first indication information; or, the configuration information including the first indication information, the first indication information being a first value, and determining the first indication method based on the first value; or, the configuration information including the first indication information, the first indication information being a second value, and determining the second indication method based on the second value. This indication method of the configuration information can be understood as an explicit indication method, where the first indication method or the second indication method is indicated by explicit indication information (e.g., the first indication information), making the indication more explicit.

[0040] In one optional implementation, determining the first indication method or the second indication method based on the configuration information includes: the configuration information being used to configure a first DRX and a second DRX for the terminal, and determining the first indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the carriers corresponding to the first DRX and the second DRX are different; or, the configuration information being used to configure only a third DRX for the terminal, and determining the second indication method based on the configuration information. This method can be understood as an implicit indication method. The first or second indication method can be determined through the DRX-related information configured in the configuration information, thus determining the indication method while saving the overhead of configuration information.

[0041] In one optional implementation, determining a first indication method or a second indication method based on the configuration information includes: the configuration information being used to configure a first timer for the second carrier group and a second timer for the first carrier group; determining the first indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the first timer is used to control the timing of the second carrier group's detection of the control channel, and the second timer is used to control the timing of the first carrier group's detection of the control channel; or, the configuration information being used to configure a third timer for the second carrier group and the first carrier group; determining the second indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the third timer is used to control the timing of the second carrier group and the first carrier group's detection of the control channel. This method can be understood as an implicit indication method. The first or second indication method can be determined through the timer-related information configured in the configuration information, thus determining the indication method while saving the overhead of configuration information.

[0042] In one optional implementation, determining a first indication method or a second indication method based on the configuration information includes: the configuration information being used to configure a first detection timing for the second carrier group and a second detection timing for the first carrier group; determining the first indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the first detection timing is used to detect LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group, and the second detection timing is used to detect LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group; or, the configuration information being used to configure a third detection timing for the second carrier group and the first carrier group; determining the second indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the third detection timing is used to detect LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group and the first carrier group. This method can be understood as an implicit indication method. The first or second indication method can be determined through the detection timing-related information configured in the configuration information, thus determining the indication method while saving the overhead of configuration information.

[0043] Fourthly, a fourth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a network-side device, also known as a network device. For an introduction to the implementation of this network device, please refer to the second aspect. The method includes: sending configuration information for configuring LP-WUS, wherein the configuration information is used to determine a first indication mode or a second indication mode, the first indication mode being that the network device controls channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group respectively, and the second indication mode being that the network device jointly indicates to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

[0044] In one optional implementation, the configuration information is used to determine a first indication method or a second indication method, including: the configuration information includes first indication information, and the configuration information including the first indication information is used to determine the first indication information; or, the configuration information does not include the first indication information, and the configuration information not including the first indication information is used to determine the second indication method; or, the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information is a first value, and the first value is used to determine the first indication method; or, the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information is a second value, and the second value is used to determine the second indication method.

[0045] In one optional implementation, the configuration information is used to determine a first indication method or a second indication method, including: the configuration information is used to configure a first DRX and a second DRX for the terminal, and the configuration information is used to determine the first indication method; or, the configuration information is used to configure only a third DRX for the terminal, and the configuration information is used to determine the second indication method.

[0046] In one optional implementation, the configuration information is used to determine a first indication mode or a second indication mode, including: the configuration information is used to configure a first timer for the second carrier group and a second timer for the first carrier group, the configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode, wherein the first timer is used to control the time for the second carrier group to detect the control channel, and the second timer is used to control the time for the first carrier group to detect the control channel; or, the configuration information is used to configure a third timer for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, the configuration information is used to determine the second indication mode, and the third timer is used to control the time for the second carrier group and the first carrier group to detect the control channel.

[0047] In one optional implementation, the configuration information is used to determine a first indication mode or a second indication mode, including: the configuration information is used to configure a first detection timing for the second carrier group and a second detection timing for the first carrier group, the configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode, the first detection timing is used to detect LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group, and the second detection timing is used to detect LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group; or, the configuration information is used to configure a third detection timing for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, the configuration information is used to determine the second indication mode, and the second detection timing is used to detect LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

[0048] For the technical effects of the fourth aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the third aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0049] Fifthly, a fifth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. For an introduction to the implementation of this terminal device, please refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving first information via a WUR, the first information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the MR; activating or deactivating a first carrier; and activating control channel detection for the first carrier of the MR.

[0050] The network device in this embodiment can activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier without additional signaling instructions. The terminal can activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier based on the first information used to indicate the activation of MR control channel detection, which can save signaling overhead.

[0051] In one optional implementation, the first information indicates the first carrier; or, the first carrier is pre-configured or pre-defined. The network device may indicate the activated or deactivated carrier when instructing the control channel detection function of the carrier group to be enabled or when instructing the UE to switch to MR, or the activated or deactivated carrier may be pre-configured or pre-defined, thereby enabling the UE to activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier in a timely manner, improving the UE's communication efficiency.

[0052] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to instruct the activation of control channel detection (MR), including: the first information is used to instruct the activation of control channel detection for a first carrier group, wherein the first carrier is a carrier in the first carrier group. Specifically, the first information may instruct the terminal to activate control channel detection for one or more carrier groups, enabling the terminal to clearly identify which carrier groups should be used for control channel detection. The first carrier belongs to the carrier group to be activated for detection; for example, if the terminal activates the first carrier, the terminal can detect the control channel on the first carrier.

[0053] Sixthly, a sixth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. For an introduction to the implementation of this terminal device, please refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving second information via a MR, the second information being used to indicate enabling or activating a WUR, or the second information being used to indicate enabling the detection of a low-power wake-up signal; stopping or suspending a first deactivation timer, wherein, when the first deactivation timer times out, the secondary cell corresponding to the first deactivation timer is deactivated.

[0054] The terminal may temporarily switch to WUR detection and subsequently switch back to MR. Before switching to WUR, if the first carrier is active, the UE can keep the first carrier active by stopping or suspending the first deactivation timer. Therefore, after switching back to MR, the UE can directly execute services on the first carrier without reactivating it. This eliminates the need for network equipment to instruct the activation of the first carrier, reducing signaling overhead and communication latency.

[0055] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information via the WUR, the first information indicating the activation of the MR control channel detection; and starting or restarting the first deactivation timer. For example, the network device can activate or restart the first deactivation timer based on the first information indicating the activation of the MR control channel detection without additional signaling, thus keeping the first carrier active and saving signaling overhead.

[0056] In one optional implementation, the first information indicates the first carrier; or, the first carrier is pre-configured or pre-defined. The network device may indicate the activated or deactivated carrier when instructing the control channel detection function of the carrier group to be enabled or when instructing the UE to switch to MR, or the activated or deactivated carrier may be pre-configured or pre-defined, thereby enabling the UE to activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier in a timely manner, improving the UE's communication efficiency.

[0057] A seventh aspect provides a seventh communication method, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. For an introduction to the implementation of this terminal device, please refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving first information via a WUR, the first information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the MR; activating or deactivating a first BWP; and activating control channel detection of the first BWP of the MR.

[0058] The network device in this embodiment of the application can activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier without additional signaling instructions. The terminal can activate or deactivate the corresponding BWP based on the first information used to indicate the activation of MR control channel detection, which can save signaling overhead.

[0059] In one optional implementation, the first information indicates the first BWP; or, the first BWP is pre-configured or pre-defined. The network device may indicate the activated or deactivated BWP when instructing the control channel detection of the carrier group to be enabled or when instructing the UE to switch to MR, or the activated or deactivated BWP may be pre-configured or pre-defined, thereby enabling the UE to activate or deactivate the corresponding BWP in a timely manner, improving the UE's communication efficiency.

[0060] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to instruct the activation of control channel detection (MCD), including: the first information is used to instruct the activation of control channel detection for a first carrier group, wherein the first BWP is a BWP on a carrier within the first carrier group. Specifically, the first information may instruct the terminal to activate control channel detection for one or more carrier groups, enabling the terminal to clearly identify which carrier groups should detect the control channel. The first BWP is a BWP on a carrier within the carrier group to be activated for detection; for example, if the terminal activates the first BWP, the terminal can detect the control channel on the first BWP.

[0061] Eighthly, an eighth communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. For an introduction to the implementation of this terminal device, please refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving second information via MR, the second information being used to indicate enabling or activating WUR, or the second information being used to indicate enabling the detection of a low-power wake-up signal; stopping or suspending a first BWP deactivation timer, wherein, when the first BWP deactivation timer expires, the currently active BWP is deactivated, and the default BWP is activated.

[0062] The terminal may temporarily switch to WUR detection and subsequently switch back to MR. Before switching to WUR, if the first BWP is active, the UE can activate a timer by stopping or suspending the first BWP, keeping it active. This allows the UE to directly execute services on the first BWP after switching back to MR without reactivating it. This eliminates the need for network device activation instructions, reducing signaling overhead and communication latency.

[0063] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information via the WUR, the first information indicating the activation of the MR control channel detection; and starting or restarting the first BWP deactivation timer. For example, the network device can activate or restart the first BWP deactivation timer based on the first information indicating the activation of the MR control channel detection, without requiring additional signaling to activate or deactivate the corresponding BWP, thus keeping the first BWP active and saving signaling overhead.

[0064] In one optional implementation, the first information indicates the first BWP; or, the first BWP is pre-configured or pre-defined. The network device may indicate the activated or deactivated BWP when instructing the control channel detection function of the carrier group to be enabled or when instructing the UE to switch to MR, or the activated or deactivated BWP may be pre-configured or pre-defined, thereby enabling the UE to activate or deactivate the corresponding BWP in a timely manner, improving the UE's communication efficiency.

[0065] A ninth aspect provides a ninth communication method applicable to a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. For details on the implementation of this terminal device, please refer to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving eighth information, the eighth information indicating pre-configured uplink resources; if the terminal is detecting LP-WUS and the terminal has no uplink data to send, then ignoring the pre-configured uplink resources.

[0066] In this embodiment, the terminal can avoid performing invalid uplink transmissions on pre-configured uplink resources, thereby reducing the additional power consumption caused by invalid uplink transmissions and the additional power consumption caused by the terminal switching from WUR to MR. Therefore, this embodiment can reduce UE power consumption waste.

[0067] In one optional implementation, the pre-configured uplink resources include pre-configured uplink license type 1, and the eighth information is an RRC message; or, the pre-configured uplink resources include pre-configured uplink license type 2, and the eighth information is signaling carried on the PDCCH, or DCI.

[0068] In an alternative implementation, the method further includes: the terminal not switching to MR, or the terminal maintaining LP-WUS detection. The terminal does not need to switch from WUR to MR, thereby reducing the additional power consumption associated with switching from WUR to MR.

[0069] A tenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal-side device as described in any of the first, third, or fifth to ninth aspects. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned terminal-side device. For example, the communication device may implement the functions described in any of the first, third, or fifth to ninth aspects. For instance, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the first, third, or fifth to ninth aspects. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device may be, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a terminal device, and may be, for example, disposed in a terminal device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). A transceiver unit can perform both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can perform both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0070] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information via a WUR, the first information being used to indicate enabling control channel detection of a first carrier group; the processing unit is configured to enable control channel detection of the first carrier group; the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is further configured to receive second information via the WUR, or receive second information in the first carrier group via a MR, the second information being used to indicate enabling control channel detection of a second carrier group, wherein the terminal supports both the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the terminal includes the WUR and the MR; the processing unit is further configured to enable control channel detection of the second carrier group.

[0071] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive configuration information for configuring LP-WUS; the processing unit is configured to determine a first indication method or a second indication method based on the configuration information, wherein the first indication method is that the network device indicates to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group respectively, and the second indication method is that the network device jointly indicates to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

[0072] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information via WUR, the first information being used to indicate enabling control channel detection of the MR; the processing unit is configured to activate or deactivate the first carrier; the processing unit is further configured to enable control channel detection of the first carrier of the MR.

[0073] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive second information via MR, the second information being used to indicate enabling or activating WUR, or the second information being used to indicate enabling the detection of a low-power wake-up signal; the processing unit is configured to stop or suspend the first deactivation timer, wherein, when the first deactivation timer times out, the secondary cell corresponding to the first deactivation timer is deactivated.

[0074] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information via WUR, the first information being used to indicate enabling control channel detection of the MR; the processing unit is configured to activate or deactivate the first BWP; the processing unit is further configured to enable control channel detection of the first BWP of the MR.

[0075] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive second information via MR, the second information being used to indicate enabling or activating WUR, or the second information being used to indicate enabling the detection of a low-power wake-up signal; the processing unit is configured to stop or suspend the first BWP deactivation timer, wherein when the first BWP deactivation timer times out, the processing unit deactivates the currently activated BWP and activates the default BWP.

[0076] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive eighth information, the eighth information being used to indicate pre-configured uplink resources; the processing unit is configured to ignore the pre-configured uplink resources if the terminal is detecting LP-WUS and the terminal has no uplink data to send.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal-side device described in either the first or third aspect above.

[0078] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a network-side device as described in either the second or fourth aspect above. The communication device possesses the functions of the aforementioned network-side device. For example, the communication device may implement the functions described in either the second or fourth aspect above. For instance, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in either the second or fourth aspect above. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device may be, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a network device. This chip system or functional module may be, for example, disposed within a network device. The network device may include, for example, core network equipment and / or access network equipment. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the relevant description in the fifth aspect.

[0079] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the transmitting unit) is configured to transmit first information, the first information being used to indicate enabling control channel detection of a first carrier group; the transceiver unit (or the transmitting unit) is further configured to transmit second information, or transmit the first information in the first carrier group, the second information being used to indicate enabling control channel detection of a second carrier group, wherein the terminal supports both the second carrier group and the first carrier group. Optionally, the terminal includes WUR and MR.

[0080] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send configuration information for configuring LP-WUS, wherein the configuration information is configured to determine a first indication method or a second indication method, wherein the first indication method is that the network device controls channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group respectively, and the second indication method is that the network device jointly indicates to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

[0081] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the network-side device described in either the second or fourth aspect above.

[0082] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the first, third, or fifth to ninth aspects. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first, third, or fifth to ninth aspects.

[0083] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0084] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0085] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0086] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in the second or fourth aspect described above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, such that when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second or fourth aspect described above.

[0087] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0088] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0089] The aforementioned communication device may be a network device, a communication module in a network device, or a chip in a network device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0090] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including a network-side device, wherein the network-side device is configured to perform the method described in either the second or fourth aspect above. For example, the network-side device may be implemented using the communication device described in the eleventh or thirteenth aspect.

[0091] Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal-side device, wherein the terminal-side device is used to perform the methods described in the first, third, or any of the fifth to ninth aspects. For example, the terminal-side device can be implemented using the communication device described in the tenth or twelfth aspect.

[0092] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods performed by the terminal-side device or network-side device in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0093] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causes the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0094] In a seventeenth aspect, a chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface to enable the chip system to implement the methods of the above aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0095] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of circuits A and MR;

[0096] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figures 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams of several application scenarios of the embodiments of this application;

[0098] Figures 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are flowcharts of several communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0099] Figure 5 shows an example of a MAC CE provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 6A is an example of a UE stopping the control channel detection function of a carrier group according to a timer in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 6B is an example of a UE stopping the control channel detection function of the corresponding carrier group according to the timer corresponding to the different carrier groups in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0104] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0105] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "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 exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0106] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0107] The following explanations of some terms or concepts used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0108] In this embodiment, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile phone), a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built into the aforementioned devices. The terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses video transmission). When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0110] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0111] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as UE, terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user equipment, etc.

[0112] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the terminal device function can be a terminal device, which can be a terminal device or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a terminal device being used to implement the terminal device function is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0113] The network devices in this application embodiment include, for example, access network devices (or access network elements) and / or core network devices (or core network elements). The access network devices are devices with wireless transceiver capabilities, used to communicate with the terminal devices. The access network devices include, but are not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations, BTS, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or the next generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations evolved from the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission and reception points. The access network equipment can also be a radio controller, centralized unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network equipment can also be a server, etc. For example, the network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network equipment. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The core network equipment is used to implement functions such as mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the equipment implementing core network functions may differ in systems using different access technologies; this application does not limit this.Taking the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology system as an example, the core network equipment includes, for example, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), or user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0114] In a CU-DU architecture, or in an open RAN (ORAN) system, access network equipment may include one or more logical network elements such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs may be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs may be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0115] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-CP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples in its embodiments. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0116] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, or Physical (PHY) layer). As another example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the RLC, MAC, or PHY layers).

[0117] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0118] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0119] The network device in this application embodiment is, for example, a non-ORAN architecture or an ORAN architecture. Optionally, if the network device is an ORAN architecture, for example, if the network device includes an RU or the network device is an RU, the steps described below of the network device sending information to the UE and / or receiving information from the UE can be performed by the RU.

[0120] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the functions of a network device can be called a network device. This network device can be a network element, a network device, or a device capable of supporting the network device or network element to implement the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the device used to implement the functions of a network device is described as a network device (for example, the device used to implement the functions of an access network device is an access network device, and the device used to implement the functions of a core network device is a core network device).

[0121] The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0122] Whether the UE is performing a paging process in the radio resource control (RRC) idle state or the RRC inactive state, or is receiving data in the RRC connected state, it uses the same receiving module. This receiving module can be referred to as the main radio (MR) or the main receiver (MR). The UE operating in the main radio or main receiver mode can also be described as the UE operating on a 5th generation (5G) new radio (NR) link.

[0123] To further reduce power consumption, the UE can also use a circuit independent of the MR to receive signals, for example, referred to as circuit A. Circuit A can be implemented using a simple circuit or chip with low power consumption. Circuit A can also be called a wake-up radio, a wake-up receiver, a wake-up circuit, a low-power circuit, or a wake-up receiver module, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit the name. Circuit A can receive a wake-up signal (WUS) from the network device, which is also called LP-WUS. From a coverage perspective, the coverage area of ​​LP-WUS may be equal to or smaller than the coverage area of ​​the NR cell. Circuit A demodulates the wake-up information based on the information bits carried in the LP-WUS, thereby waking up the main circuit or main receiver in the UE that is turned off (or in a sleep state). The UE using circuit A to receive the wake-up signal can be referred to as the UE operating on the WUR link, or the WUR circuit being in an active state. The wake-up signal can be used to wake up at least one UE or at least a group of UEs. As an example, the wake-up signal includes wake-up information, which represents information related to the UE to be woken up. For example, the wake-up information is paging-related information, which can be used by the UE to determine whether to perform the paging reception procedure. Alternatively, the wake-up information can be used by the UE to determine whether to initiate random access. As an example, the wake-up information may include information about one or more UEs to be woken up (e.g., the UE's identifier (ID)). These one or more UEs can also be in the form of a UE group. Accordingly, the wake-up information may include the group identifier of the UE group. When the network device sends a wake-up signal to the UE, in order to reduce the power consumption of the WUR circuit, the wake-up signal typically uses simple modulation methods such as on-off keying (OOK) or Manchester OOK. Accordingly, circuit A in the UE can receive the wake-up signal using envelope detection.

[0124] For example, the UE can first search for the NR primary link signal in the MR during power-on. If the NR primary link signal is found, the UE can camp on the NR primary link. If the NR primary link signal indicates LP-WUS configuration information, the UE can further search for LP-WUS in circuit A based on the LP-WUS configuration information. If LP-WUS is found and the LP-WUS signal quality is good, the UE can operate in circuit A.

[0125] Alternatively, the UE can first search for the NR primary link signal in MR during power-on. If the NR primary link signal cannot be found, it can search for LP-WUS based on the pre-configured information within the UE. If LP-WUS can be found and its signal quality is good, the UE can operate in circuit A.

[0126] Referring to Figure 1, which illustrates the operation of circuit A and MR, circuit A is shown as a low-power circuit in Figure 1. After the low-power circuit is in operation, if the UE detects LP-WUS, it can trigger the MR to receive paging or initiate random access, etc.; however, if the UE does not detect LP-WUS, it does not need to trigger the MR to be activated, and the MR can remain off (or remain in sleep mode), thereby reducing the MR's operating time and saving the UE's power consumption.

[0127] Carrier aggregation technology combines two or more component carriers to increase transmission bandwidth and improve uplink and downlink transmission rates. Under carrier aggregation, the multiple component carriers participating in the aggregation can include a primary carrier and one or more secondary carriers. The primary carrier is the carrier operated by the UE's primary cell (PCell), and the secondary carrier is the carrier operated by the UE's secondary cell (SCell). After the UE accesses the network, it will maintain communication on the primary carrier / primary cell under a base station. Simultaneously, the base station can add or activate one or more secondary carriers / secondary cells for the UE based on service requirements.

[0128] Currently, LP-WUS cannot be combined with carrier aggregation scenarios, resulting in performance loss for the UE.

[0129] Therefore, in this embodiment, the UE can support a first carrier group and a second carrier group. The first carrier group may include at least one carrier, and the second carrier group may include at least one carrier. The number of carriers in the two carrier groups may be the same or different. For example, the UE has already enabled control channel detection for the first carrier group. The network can send second information through WUR or the first carrier group, so that the UE can enable control channel detection for the second carrier group based on the second information. The second information received by the UE through WUR may be included in LP-WUS, or in other signals transmitted through WUR. It should be noted that enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group specifically means enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group of the main circuit, and enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group specifically means enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group of the main circuit. Enabling control channel detection for either the first or second carrier group enables the main circuit. Thus, this embodiment provides a solution combining LP-WUS with carrier aggregation technology, enabling the UE to save power through LP-WUS and increase transmission bandwidth and improve uplink and downlink transmission rates through carrier aggregation technology. Moreover, the UE can flexibly enable control channel detection for one or more carrier groups, allowing the UE to use carrier groups to meet current needs.

[0130] [Correction 21.04.2025 according to Rule 91] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the "detect" control channel can also be understood or replaced as the "monitor" control channel.

[0131] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to 4G systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, or to 5G systems, such as NR systems, or to next-generation mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems, such as future communication systems, etc., without specific limitations. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to D2D scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, or to V2X scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios. For example, the embodiments of this application can be used in fields such as factory manufacturing, smart homes, intelligent driving, assisted driving, intelligent connected vehicles, or indoor commercial scenarios. The methods provided in this application can also be applied to satellite communication systems, such as non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), wherein the satellite communication system can be integrated with the aforementioned communication systems.

[0132] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 includes a UE and a network device, which may include access network equipment and / or core network equipment. For example, the UE camps on a cell provided by the network device.

[0133] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In various embodiments of this application, the main radio (MR) may also be called the main receiver (MR), or may have other names. MR will be used as an example in the following description, and it can be understood that MR in the following description can refer to the main radio or the main receiver. In various embodiments of this application, the wake-up radio (WUR) may also be called the wake-up receiver (WUR), wake-up circuit, low-power radio (LR), or wake-up receiver module, or may have other names. WUR will be used as an example in the following description, and it can be understood that WUR in the following description can refer to the wake-up radio or the wake-up receiver. WUR can also be replaced with wake-up circuit, low-power circuit, or wake-up receiver module, etc.

[0134] First, several scenarios will be introduced. The embodiments of this application can be applied to any of the following scenarios.

[0135] Scenario 1: LP-WUS can control control channel detection for different carriers. For example, LP-WUS can instruct the corresponding carrier to enable control channel detection. Referring to Figure 3A, for example, a UE supports CA on 4 carriers. LP-WUS can instruct some or all of these 4 carriers to enable control channel detection. For example, if each carrier group in this embodiment includes 1 carrier, then this embodiment is considered applicable to Scenario 1.

[0136] Scenario 2: LP-WUS can control control channel detection for different carrier groups. In Scenario 2, the carriers participating in aggregation can be divided into multiple carrier groups, and LP-WUS can instruct the corresponding carrier groups to enable control channel detection. Referring to Figure 3B, for example, a UE supports CA on 4 carriers, which are divided into two carrier groups. LP-WUS can instruct some or all of these two carrier groups to enable control channel detection.

[0137] Scenario 3: Different LP-WUS can control control channel detection for corresponding carrier groups. In Scenario 2, the carriers participating in aggregation can be divided into multiple carrier groups, and different carrier groups can correspond to different LP-WUS. One LP-WUS can instruct the corresponding carrier group to enable control channel detection. Please refer to Figure 3C. For example, a UE supports CA on 4 carriers, and these 4 carriers are divided into two carrier groups. Carrier group 1 corresponds to LP-WUS1, and carrier group 2 corresponds to LP-WUS2. LP-WUS1 can instruct carrier group 1 to enable control channel detection, and LP-WUS2 can instruct carrier group 2 to enable control channel detection.

[0138] The frequency range (FR) of 5G NR can include FR1 and FR2. FR1 refers to the sub-6GHz band of 5G, and FR2 refers to the 5G millimeter-wave band. Further, FR2 is subdivided into two frequency ranges: high-frequency FR2-1 and ultra-high-frequency FR2-2. A carrier can operate in either the FR1 or FR2 band, thus creating a FR1+FR2 carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, where at least one FR1 carrier and at least one FR2 carrier perform carrier aggregation. In various embodiments of this application, a first carrier group may include at least one carrier, and a second carrier group may include at least one carrier. The number of carriers in the first carrier group may be the same as or different from the number of carriers in the second carrier group. The first and second carrier groups may overlap or not. For example, the carriers in the first carrier group operate in FR1, hence the name FR1 carrier group; the carriers in the second carrier group operate in FR2, hence the name FR2 carrier group. Alternatively, the first carrier group may include carriers operating at FR2, for example, referred to as the FR2 carrier group; the second carrier group may include carriers operating at FR1, for example, referred to as the FR1 carrier group. Alternatively, both the first and second carrier groups may operate at FR1. Alternatively, both the first and second carrier groups may operate at FR2. Alternatively, the first carrier group may operate at FR2-1, for example, referred to as the FR2-1 carrier group; the second carrier group may operate at FR2-2, for example, referred to as the FR2-2 carrier group. Alternatively, the first and second carrier groups may also be divided not according to frequency, but according to other factors, such as service allocation, without restriction.

[0139] In various embodiments of this application, the UE may support a first carrier group and a second carrier group. The first carrier group is a single carrier group, and the second carrier group may include, for example, one or more carrier groups other than the first carrier group. In other words, the UE may support two or more carrier groups, and there is no limitation on the number of carrier groups supported by the UE. Each carrier group supported by the UE may include at least one carrier, and different carrier groups supported by the UE may include the same or different numbers of carriers. The carriers included in different carrier groups supported by the UE may overlap or not.

[0140] In various embodiments of this application, the UE detects LP-WUS during WUR, or detects LP-WUS, or receives LP-WUS. When the UE receives LP-WUS and the LP-WUS indicates that the UE is woken up, the UE can enable MR. In various embodiments of this application, the UE detecting LP-WUS, or detecting LP-WUS, or receiving LP-WUS can be understood as the UE detecting LP-WUS and the LP-WUS indicating that the UE is woken up, or as the UE receiving LP-WUS and the LP-WUS indicating that the UE is woken up.

[0141] In various embodiments of this application, the UE uses MR to receive NR signals, which can be referred to as the UE using the MR main link or NR main link. The UE uses WUR to receive signals such as LP-WUS, which can be referred to as the UE using the WUR link. Here, the MR main link, NR main link, or WUR link represents a connection relationship between the UE and the network device, and can be a logical concept rather than a physical entity.

[0142] In various embodiments of this application, the control channel may include, for example, the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and control channel detection may refer to PDCCH detection. Alternatively, the control channel may include other channels, without limitation. The UE can detect the control channel in the MR (Mean Detection) process. Taking the PDCCH as an example, control channel detection can also be described as MR PDCCH detection.

[0143] In various embodiments of this application, enabling control channel detection for a certain carrier group can also be described as enabling control channel detection for that carrier group. The UE's behavior in this regard may include starting to detect the control channel for that carrier group. Stopping carrier group control channel detection can also be described as stopping control channel detection for that carrier group. The UE's behavior in this regard may include stopping control channel detection for that carrier group.

[0144] The various embodiments described herein can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 2. For example, the UE described in the various embodiments of this document can be the UE in Figure 2, and the network device described in the various embodiments of this document can be the network device in Figure 2.

[0145] This application provides a first communication method, please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0146] S401. The network device sends the first information, and correspondingly, the UE receives the first information through the WUR. Optionally, the network device may send the first information to the UE's WUR.

[0147] The first information may indicate to enable control channel detection in the first carrier group, or instruct the UE to detect the control channel in the first carrier group.

[0148] S402, UE enables control channel detection for the first carrier group.

[0149] Upon receiving the first information, the UE can detect the control channel in the first carrier group, which is considered as the UE enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group. The first information may be received via a WUR, for example, the first information may be included in the LP-WUS, or the first information may be the LP-WUS itself, or it may be included in other signals transmitted on the WUR, or it may be other signals transmitted on the WUR. Optionally, if the embodiments of this application can be applied to scenario 3 described above, the first information may be included in the LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group, or the first information may be the LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group.

[0150] For example, if the UE's MR is off during or before executing S401, the UE detects information via WUR. Upon receiving the first information or after receiving the first information, the UE can enable MR to detect the control channel in the first carrier group.

[0151] Optionally, enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group can be predefined by the protocol or preconfigured by the network device, so S401 can be an optional step.

[0152] S403. The network device sends the second information, and the UE receives the second information via WUR. Alternatively, the network device sends the second information in the first carrier group, and the UE receives the second information in the first carrier group via MR.

[0153] Optionally, the network device may send a second message to the UE's MR.

[0154] S404: The UE enables control channel detection for the second carrier group. S403 and S404 will be described uniformly below.

[0155] If the UE executes S402, then control channel detection for the first carrier group has been enabled, or the UE has already performed control channel detection for the first carrier group. If the network device needs to instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for some or all of the other carrier groups it supports, then S403 can be executed. For example, initially, if the UE receives a small amount of data, the network device can instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for the first carrier group. During the UE's communication process, a large amount of data may arrive, so the network device can then instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for some or all of the other carrier groups it supports.

[0156] The second information may instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group, or instruct the UE to detect control channels in the second carrier group. Optionally, if the second carrier group includes multiple carrier groups, the second information may specifically instruct which carrier group(s) to enable control channel detection, or the second information may not specifically instruct which carrier group(s) to enable control channel detection. If the second information instructs the UE to enable control channel detection for which carrier group(s) in the second carrier group, the UE may enable control channel detection for the carrier group(s) indicated by the second information. Alternatively, if the second information does not instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for which carrier group(s) in the second carrier group, the UE may enable control channel detection for some or all carrier groups in the second carrier group, wherein enabling control channel detection for which carrier group(s) is enabled may be a default setting or implemented by the UE.

[0157] The second information may be transmitted in the WUR or the first carrier group, and these two cases are described below.

[0158] 1. The second information is transmitted in WUR.

[0159] Optionally, if the UE has the capability to simultaneously detect both the WUR and MR, the second information can be transmitted over the WUR. For example, if the UE has already enabled control channel detection for the first carrier group in S402, meaning the UE is already performing detection over the MR. If the UE does not have the capability to simultaneously detect both the WUR and MR, transmitting the second information over the WUR might prevent the UE from receiving it; however, if the UE has the capability to simultaneously detect both the WUR and MR, transmitting the second information over the WUR allows the UE to perform detection. Therefore, if the UE has the capability to simultaneously detect both the MR and WUR, the second information can be transmitted over the WUR. This allows the UE to detect the second information while also saving UE power consumption.

[0160] Optionally, the second information may be included in the LP-WUS, or the second information may be the LP-WUS, or the second information may also be included in other signals transmitted on the WUR, or the second information may be other signals transmitted on the WUR. Wherein, if the embodiments of this application are applied to the aforementioned scenario 3, optionally, the second information may be included in the LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group, or the second information may be the LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group.

[0161] The second information indicates the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and there can be different indication methods, which are described below.

[0162] (1) Instruction mode A. Instruction mode A can also be called replacement instruction mode or overriding instruction mode, etc.

[0163] In indication mode A, the second information can explicitly indicate whether control channel detection for the first carrier group is enabled. The second information can also explicitly indicate whether control channel detection for the second carrier group is enabled. This can be understood as indicating whether control channel detection is enabled or disabled. If the instruction is to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group, this instruction must be displayed; if it is not displayed, it indicates that control channel detection is not performed on the second carrier group or that control channel detection is disabled.

[0164] For example, the network device first sends a first message instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group. Then, the network device sends a second message instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, requiring the UE to maintain control channel detection for the first carrier group active. The second message and the first message are of the same type, or their indication methods are the same. Optionally, the second message may include information instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, and information instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. Since control channel detection for the second carrier group is not yet activated, the UE can activate it upon receiving the second message. However, since control channel detection for the first carrier group is already activated, the UE does not need to re-activate it upon receiving the second message; instead, it can simply maintain control channel detection for the first carrier group in an active or detected state.

[0165] For example, the network device first sends a first message instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group. Then, the network device sends a second message instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, requiring the UE to stop control channel detection for the first carrier group. The second message and the first message are of the same type, or their indication methods are the same. Optionally, the second message may not include information instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, but may include information instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group; or, the second message may only include information instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. In this case, since control channel detection for the second carrier group is not yet activated, the UE can activate control channel detection for the second carrier group upon receiving the second message. Since control channel detection for the first carrier group is already activated, the UE can stop control channel detection for the first carrier group because the second message does not include information instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group.

[0166] Optionally, the UE stops detecting the control channel of the first carrier group. One optional implementation includes the UE stopping the detection of the control channel in the first carrier group. Alternatively, another optional implementation includes the UE stopping or not restarting the first timer. The first timer can be used to control the duration of the first carrier group control channel detection. For example, when the UE starts the first timer, the UE begins detecting the control channel in the first carrier group. Starting the first timer and starting the first carrier group control channel can be two separate steps or two functions of the UE. For example, starting the first timer means starting the first carrier group control channel detection, or it can be understood that starting the first timer can trigger the UE to detect the control channel in the first carrier group; or, starting the first timer is considered the UE starting the first carrier group control channel detection. That is, starting the first timer and detecting the control channel in the first carrier group can be the same step or the same function of the UE. During the operation of the first timer, the UE remains in the first carrier group control channel. When the first timer stops or times out, the UE stops detecting the control channel in the first carrier group. The stopping or timeout of the first timer and the UE stopping in the first carrier group detection control channel can be two separate steps or two functions of the UE. For example, when the first timer stops or times out, the UE stops in the first carrier group detection control channel, or it can be understood that the step of stopping or timeout of the first timer can trigger the UE to stop in the first carrier group detection control channel; or, the stopping or timeout of the first timer is regarded as the UE stopping in the first carrier group detection control channel. That is, the stopping or timeout of the first timer and the UE stopping in the first carrier group detection control channel can be the same step or the same function of the UE.

[0167] (2) Indication mode B. Indication mode B can also be called the incremental (delta) indication mode.

[0168] In indication mode B, carrier groups that have already enabled control channel detection continue to maintain their control channel detection enabled state. That is, the control channel detection state of carrier groups that have already enabled control channel detection remains unchanged. The second information can additionally indicate whether carrier groups that have not yet enabled control channel detection should enable it. Alternatively, the second information can be understood as indicating whether control channel detection should be enabled, but not indicating whether it should be stopped.

[0169] For example, the network device first sends a first message indicating that control channel detection of the second carrier group should be enabled, or the protocol predefines that control channel detection of the second carrier group should be enabled at certain times or in certain scenarios, or the network device is pre-configured to enable control channel detection of the second carrier group at certain times or in certain scenarios. Then, the network device sends a second message indicating that control channel detection of the second carrier group should be enabled. The second message and the first message are of the same type, or the indication methods of the second message and the first message are the same. Optionally, the second message may not include information indicating that control channel detection of the first carrier group should be enabled, but may include information indicating that control channel detection of the second carrier group should be enabled; or, the second message may only include information indicating that control channel detection of the second carrier group should be enabled. In this case, if control channel detection of the second carrier group is not yet enabled, the UE can enable control channel detection of the second carrier group upon receiving the second message. Since control channel detection of the first carrier group is already enabled, even though the second message does not include information indicating that control channel detection of the first carrier group should be enabled, the UE will still keep control channel detection of the first carrier group enabled or in a detection state. Therefore, indication method B can use less information to instruct the UE to keep control channel detection of the first carrier group enabled while continuing to enable control channel detection of the second carrier group.

[0170] Optionally, in indication method B, the UE can determine to stop control channel detection of the first carrier group in other ways. For example, the network device can send a fifth message, which can indicate to stop control channel detection of the first carrier group, or indicate that the UE should not detect the control channel in the first carrier group or stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group. Upon receiving the fifth message, the UE can stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group.

[0171] Optionally, regardless of indication method A or indication method B, the information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group may not specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group will have control channel detection activated. For example, this information may occupy one bit, where a "1" indicates that control channel detection for the second carrier group is activated. In this case, the specific carrier group(s) whose control channel detection is activated may be a default setting or implemented by the UE. Alternatively, the information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group may specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group will have control channel detection activated. For example, this information may include identifiers of some or all carrier groups within the second carrier group. In this case, the UE may activate control channel detection for the carrier group indicated by the second information.

[0172] 2. The second information is transmitted in the first carrier group.

[0173] Optionally, if the UE does not have the ability to simultaneously detect WUR and MR, for example, if the UE can only detect WUR or MR at a certain time, then the second information can be transmitted in the first carrier group. For example, if the UE has already enabled control channel detection in the first carrier group, that is, the UE has already performed MR detection. If the UE does not have the ability to simultaneously detect WUR and MR, then the second information can be transmitted in the first carrier group, enabling the UE to detect the second information.

[0174] Optionally, the second information may be included in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or the second information may be a MAC CE, or the second information may be included in downlink control information (DCI), or the second information may be DCI, or the second information may also be other signals transmitted on the first carrier group, or the second information may also be included in other signals transmitted on the first carrier group.

[0175] The second information indicates the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and there can be different indication methods, which are described below.

[0176] (1) Instruction method C.

[0177] In indication method C, the second information may indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, but the second information does not specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group need to have their control channel detection activated. For example, the second information may include information for indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group, or the second information may be specifically used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group (or, carrier groups whose control channel detection has not yet been activated). The second information specifically used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group can also be understood as the second information message itself being used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0178] For example, the second information is a DCI or is included in a DCI. One way this DCI indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group is that the DCI may include information for indicating the enabling of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and this information does not specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group need to have control channel detection enabled. For example, this information may occupy one bit, where a "1" indicates that control channel detection for the second carrier group is enabled. In this case, which carrier group(s) to enable control channel detection can be a default setting or implemented by the UE.

[0179] For example, the second information may be a MAC CE or included within a MAC CE. One way this MAC CE indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group is that the MAC CE may include information for indicating the enabling of control channel detection for the second carrier group, and this information does not specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group need to have control channel detection enabled. For example, this information may occupy one bit, where a "1" indicates that control channel detection for the second carrier group is enabled. In this case, which carrier group(s) to enable control channel detection may be a default setting or implemented by the UE. Optionally, the size of the MAC CE may be greater than 0.

[0180] Alternatively, another way for the MAC CE to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group is that the MAC CE is dedicated to indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. Optionally, the size of the MAC CE can be 0, for example, the MAC CE is empty, and the UE can determine that the MAC CE indicates the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group based on the MAC CE itself. Optionally, if the second information is a MAC CE or is included in the MAC CE, the MAC CE can correspond to a first logical channel ID (LCID). The first LCID can be a newly defined LCID, and by parsing the LCID, it can be known that the MAC CE corresponding to the LCID is used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0181] Optionally, in addition to enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group, the UE can keep control channel detection for the first carrier group enabled, or continue detecting the control channel in the first carrier group.

[0182] (2) Instruction method D.

[0183] In indication method D, the second information may include information for indicating the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, and information for indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. Alternatively, the second information may be dedicated to indicating the activation of control channel detection for both the first and second carrier groups. The latter can also be understood as the second information itself being used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for both the first and second carrier groups. Furthermore, the second information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group can also be understood as indicating that the control channel detection for the first carrier group remains active.

[0184] Optionally, the information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group may not specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group will have control channel detection activated. For example, this information may occupy one bit, where a "1" indicates that control channel detection for the second carrier group is activated. In this case, the specific carrier group(s) whose control channel detection is activated may be a default setting or implemented by the UE. Alternatively, the information indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group may specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group will have control channel detection activated. For example, this information may include identifiers of some or all carrier groups within the second carrier group. In this case, the UE may activate control channel detection for the carrier group indicated by the second information.

[0185] For example, the second information is a DCI or is included in a DCI. One way the DCI indicates the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group and the second carrier group is that the DCI may include information for indicating the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group and information for indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0186] For example, the second information is a MAC CE or is included in the MAC CE. One way this MAC CE indicates enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group and the second carrier group is that the MAC CE may include information for indicating enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group and information for indicating enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. In this case, the size of the MAC CE can be greater than 0. Refer to Figure 5 for an example of a MAC CE. Figure 5 uses an example where the UE supports both a first carrier group and a second carrier group, and the second carrier group includes one carrier group, specifically, the first carrier group is FR1 and the second carrier group is FR2. Additionally, the "R" in this MAC CE represents a reserved bit. One "R" can represent one reserved bit. Figure 5 uses an example where the MAC CE includes 6 reserved bits, but this is not the only example. The first bit in Figure 5 corresponds to the FR1 carrier group, and the second bit corresponds to the FR2 carrier group. For example, if the value of the first bit is "1" and the value of the second bit is "1", it indicates that the MAC CE includes information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the first carrier group, and also includes information for instructing the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0187] Alternatively, another way for the MAC CE to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the first and second carrier groups is that the MAC CE is dedicated to indicating the activation of control channel detection for the first and second carrier groups. In this case, the size of the MAC CE can be 0, for example, the MAC CE is empty. The UE can determine from the MAC CE itself that the MAC CE indicates the activation of control channel detection for the first and second carrier groups. Optionally, if the second information is a MAC CE or is included in the MAC CE, the MAC CE can correspond to a first LCID. The first LCID can be a newly defined LCID. By parsing the LCID, it can be known that the MAC CE corresponding to the LCID is used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0188] (3) Instruction method E.

[0189] In indication method E, the second information may indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. Specifically, the second information indicates which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group require activation of control channel detection. For example, the second information may include information used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. Alternatively, the second information may be dedicated solely to indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. The latter can also be understood as the second information itself being used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0190] Optionally, the information used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group can specifically indicate which carrier group(s) within the second carrier group should have control channel detection activated. For example, this information may include identifiers of some or all carrier groups within the second carrier group. In this case, the UE can activate control channel detection for the carrier group indicated by the second information.

[0191] For example, the second information is a DCI or is included in a DCI, and one way the DCI indicates enabling the control channel detection function of the second carrier group is that the DCI may include information for indicating the enabling of control channel detection of the second carrier group.

[0192] For another example, the second information is a MAC CE or is included in a MAC CE. One way in which the MAC CE indicates the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group is that the MAC CE may include information for indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. In this case, the size of the MAC CE can be greater than 0.

[0193] Alternatively, another way for the MAC CE to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group is that the MAC CE is dedicated to indicating the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group. In this case, the size of the MAC CE can be 0, for example, the MAC CE is empty, and the UE can determine that the MAC CE indicates the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group based on the MAC CE itself. Optionally, if the second information is a MAC CE or is included in the MAC CE, the MAC CE can correspond to the first LCID. The first LCID can be a newly defined LCID, and by parsing the LCID, it can be known that the MAC CE corresponding to the LCID is used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for the second carrier group.

[0194] Regardless of whether the second information is transmitted in the WUR or the first carrier group, and regardless of the indication method used for the second information, the UE can detect the control channel in the second carrier group based on the second information. Optionally, the UE enables control channel detection in the second carrier group. One optional implementation includes the UE enabling (or starting) control channel detection in the second carrier group. Alternatively, another optional implementation includes the UE starting or restarting a second timer. The second timer can be used to control the duration of control channel detection in the second carrier group. For example, when the UE starts the second timer, it begins detecting the control channel in the second carrier group; during the operation of the second timer, the UE remains detected in the control channel in the second carrier group; and when the second timer stops or times out, the UE stops detecting the control channel in the second carrier group. Starting the second timer and starting control channel detection in the second carrier group can be two separate steps or the same step; stopping or timeout of the second timer and stopping control channel detection in the second carrier group can be different steps or the same step. For details, refer to the description of the first timer and the first carrier group in indication method A above.

[0195] Optionally, in addition to enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group, the UE can also keep control channel detection for the first carrier group enabled based on the second information, or it may stop control channel detection for the first carrier group. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction above.

[0196] Optionally, the UE may enable control channel detection for the second carrier group when either the first time offset or the second time offset is reached. Specifically, if the UE enables control channel detection for the second carrier group by starting or restarting a second timer, the UE may start or restart the second timer when either the first or second time offset is reached. The first time offset is the time interval between the UE receiving the second information at the WUR and enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group; the second time offset is the time interval between the UE receiving the second information at the first carrier group and enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. For example, if the UE receives the second information at the WUR, it may enable control channel detection for the second carrier group when the first time offset is reached. Alternatively, if the UE receives the second information at the first carrier group, it may enable control channel detection for the second carrier group when the second time offset is reached.

[0197] The first time offset and / or the second time offset can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the network device for the UE, or determined by the UE itself. For example, the UE can determine the first time offset and / or the second time offset based on its capabilities and / or other information.

[0198] If the first time offset and / or the second time offset are predefined by the protocol, the UE can obtain predefined third information, which can indicate the first time offset and / or the second time offset. The network device can also obtain this predefined third information.

[0199] Alternatively, if the network device configures the first and / or second time offsets, it can send third information indicating the first and / or second time offsets. Upon receiving the third information, the UE can determine the first and / or second time offsets. Optionally, before configuring the first and / or second time offsets, the network device can also receive the first and / or second time offsets sent by the UE, and determine the final first and / or second time offsets configured for the UE based on these sent time offsets. For example, the first and / or second time offsets sent by the UE can be included in the UE's capability information, or in the UE assistance information (UAI).

[0200] Alternatively, if the UE determines the first time offset and / or the second time offset itself, the UE may optionally indicate the first time offset and / or the second time offset to the network device, enabling the network device to be aware of the first time offset and / or the second time offset. For example, the UE may send third information to the network device, which may indicate the first time offset and / or the second time offset. Upon receiving the third information, the network device can determine the first time offset and / or the second time offset. For example, the third information sent by the UE may be included in the UE's capability information, or the third information may be the UE's capability information. Alternatively, the third information sent by the UE may also be included in UE assistance information (UAI), or the third information may be the UAI.

[0201] Optionally, regardless of whether the information used to indicate the activation of control channel detection for a carrier group (e.g., first information or second information) is transmitted in the WUR or within the corresponding carrier group, and regardless of the specific indication method used as described above, the UE can also stop control channel detection for a carrier group after activating control channel detection for one or more carrier groups. For example, the UE can stop control channel detection for a corresponding carrier group based on signaling from the network device; or, the UE can also stop control channel detection for a corresponding carrier group based on a timer. These are described below.

[0202] A. The UE stops control channel detection for the corresponding carrier group based on signaling from the network device.

[0203] Optionally, the signaling from the network device may correspond to a MAC entity, or be understood to correspond to all carrier groups supported by the UE. If the signaling indicates to stop control channel detection for a carrier group, it indicates to stop control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, or to stop control channel detection for all carrier groups currently in control channel detection state.

[0204] For example, the network device sends a fourth message, which the UE can receive. This fourth message can be transmitted on any carrier group (e.g., the first or second carrier group) in which the UE is currently in control channel detection. The fourth message can instruct the UE to stop control channel detection, or instruct the UE to enable / activate WUR detection, or enable / activate LP-WUS detection. Upon receiving the fourth message, the UE can stop detecting the control channel on the carrier group currently in control channel detection. The carrier group currently in control channel detection includes, for example, all or some of the carrier groups supported by the UE, such as the first and / or the second carrier group (e.g., some or all of the carrier groups within the second carrier group).

[0205] Alternatively, the signaling from the network device can correspond to a carrier group. For example, the signaling can explicitly indicate which carrier group(s) control channel detection should be stopped. For example, the network device sends a fourth message, and the UE can receive the fourth message accordingly. For example, the fourth message can be transmitted on any carrier group in which the UE is currently performing control channel detection. The fourth message can indicate stopping control channel monitoring of some or all carrier groups supported by the UE, for example, the fourth message indicates stopping control channel detection of the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group. Optionally, if the fourth message indicates stopping control channel detection of all carrier groups supported by the UE, it can also be understood as indicating enabling / activating WUR detection function or enabling / activating WUR detection or enabling / activating LP-WUS detection function or enabling / activating LP-WUS detection. Upon receiving the fourth message, the UE can stop detecting the control channel in the carrier group indicated by the fourth message. For example, if the fourth message indicates stopping control channel detection of the first carrier group, then the UE can stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group; as another example, if the fourth message indicates stopping control channel detection of the second carrier group, then the UE can stop detecting the control channel in the second carrier group.

[0206] If the fourth information indicates to stop control channel detection of the second carrier group, optionally, the fourth information may not specifically indicate which carrier group(s) in the second carrier group to stop control channel detection. For example, the fourth information may occupy one bit, where a "1" indicates that control channel detection of the second carrier group is stopped. In this case, specifying which carrier group(s) to stop control channel detection may be a default setting or implemented by the UE. Alternatively, the fourth information may specifically indicate which carrier group(s) in the second carrier group to stop control channel detection. For example, the fourth information may include identifiers of some or all carrier groups in the second carrier group. In this case, the UE may stop control channel detection of the carrier group indicated by the fourth information.

[0207] B. The UE stops the control channel detection of the corresponding carrier group according to the timer.

[0208] Optionally, the UE can maintain a timer, for example, called the third timer. The third timer can correspond to a MAC entity, or it can be understood as corresponding to all carrier groups supported by the UE. For example, initially, the third timer is in a disabled state. When the UE needs to enable control channel detection for any one or more carrier groups, the UE can start the third timer to enable control channel detection for those carrier groups. During the operation of the third timer, the UE can detect the control channel in those carrier groups. For example, initially, control channel detection for all carrier groups of the UE is stopped or disabled. Later, if the UE enables control channel detection for the first carrier group, the UE can start the third timer when enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group, or one implementation of enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group is to start the third timer. During the operation of the third timer, if the UE enables control channel detection for another carrier group, the third timer can remain unchanged. If the third timer stops or times out, the UE can stop control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, or stop control channel detection for all carrier groups currently in the control channel detection state. The carrier groups currently in the control channel detection state include, for example, all or some of the carrier groups supported by the UE. The UE starting the third timer and the UE starting to detect the control channel in any one or more carrier groups can be two separate steps or the same step. The UE stopping or timeout and the UE stopping the detection of the control channel in all carrier groups supported by the UE (or the UE stopping the detection of the control channel in all carrier groups currently in the control channel detection state) can be different steps or the same step. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction of the first timer and the first carrier group in the previous instruction method A.

[0209] Please refer to Figure 6A for an example of a UE stopping control channel detection for a carrier group based on a timer. Figure 6A illustrates a UE supporting both a first and a second carrier group. For example, the network device sends an LP-WUS containing first information indicating that control channel detection for the first carrier group should be enabled. Upon receiving the first information, the UE can start the third timer when the first time offset arrives, enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group if the third timer is off (or the UE can start the third timer upon receiving the first information); or, if the third timer is already running, the UE can maintain the state of the third timer and only detect the control channel in the first carrier group. Then, the network device sends a MAC CE containing second information indicating that control channel detection for the second carrier group should be enabled. Upon receiving the second information, the UE can enable control channel detection for the second carrier group when the second time offset arrives, while maintaining the state of the third timer. When the third timer expires, the UE stops detecting the control channel in both the first and second carrier groups.

[0210] Alternatively, the UE can maintain multiple timers, each corresponding to one of the multiple carrier groups supported by the UE. For example, there can be a one-to-one correspondence between the carrier groups supported by the UE and the timers, and the runtime of the multiple timers can be the same or different. For instance, the UE can maintain a first timer corresponding to the first carrier group and a second timer corresponding to the second carrier group (assuming the second carrier group is a single carrier group; if the second carrier group includes multiple carrier groups, each carrier group can have its own corresponding timer). For example, initially, the first timer is off. When the UE needs to enable control channel detection for the first carrier group, it can start the first timer to enable control channel detection for the first carrier group. During the operation of the first timer, the UE can detect the control channel in the first carrier group. If the first timer times out, the UE can stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group, or stop detecting the control channel in the first carrier group altogether. For example, initially, the second timer is off. When the UE needs to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group, it can start the second timer to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group. During the operation of the second timer, the UE can detect the control channel in the second carrier group. If the second timer times out, the UE can stop detecting the control channel of the second carrier group, or stop detecting the control channel in the second carrier group.

[0211] Please refer to Figure 6B, which illustrates an example of a UE stopping control channel detection for a corresponding carrier group based on different timers. Figure 6B assumes the UE supports a first carrier group and a second carrier group, with the second carrier group comprising one carrier group. For example, the network device sends an LP-WUS containing first information that indicates enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group. Upon receiving the first information, the UE can start a first timer to enable control channel detection for the first carrier group when the first time offset arrives (or, the UE can start the first timer upon receiving the first information). Then, the network device sends a MAC CE containing second information that indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. Upon receiving the second information, the UE can start a second timer to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group when the second time offset arrives (or, the UE can start the second timer upon receiving the second information). When the first timer expires, the UE stops detecting the control channel in the first carrier group. When the second timer expires, the UE stops detecting the control channel in the second carrier group. The timeout times of these two timers may be the same or different; Figure 6B uses different timeout times as an example.

[0212] In this embodiment, the UE can support a first carrier group and a second carrier group. The first carrier group may include at least one carrier, and the second carrier group may include at least one carrier. The number of carriers in the two carrier groups may be the same or different. For example, the UE has already enabled control channel detection for the first carrier group. The network can send second information through WUR or the first carrier group, so that the UE can enable control channel detection for the second carrier group based on the second information. The second information received by the UE through WUR may be included in LP-WUS, or in other signals transmitted through WUR. Therefore, this embodiment provides a solution combining LP-WUS with carrier aggregation technology, enabling the UE to save power through LP-WUS and increase transmission bandwidth and improve uplink and downlink transmission rates through carrier aggregation technology. Furthermore, the UE can flexibly enable control channel detection for one or more carrier groups, allowing the UE to use carrier groups to meet current needs. Moreover, this embodiment can not only enable but also disable control channel detection for carrier groups, making the combination of LP-WUS and carrier aggregation technology more comprehensive.

[0213] This application provides a second communication method, please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0214] S701, The network device sends configuration information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the configuration information.

[0215] This configuration information can be used to configure LP-WUS. For example, this UE supports the first carrier group and the second carrier group.

[0216] S702. Based on the configuration information, the UE determines whether the network device instructs the network device to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, or determines whether the network device does not instruct (or jointly instruct; or uniformly instruct) the network device to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE. Here, the network device instructing the network device to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE can be understood as the first instruction method, and the network device not instructing the network device to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE can be understood as the second instruction method. Therefore, S702 can also be replaced by the UE determining the first or second instruction method based on the configuration information.

[0217] In this context, the network device may instruct the activation of control channel detection for each of the carrier groups supported by the UE, or it may distinguish between carrier groups when instructing the activation of control channel detection, or it may perform control channel detection separately for each of the carrier groups supported by the UE. Alternatively, the network device may not instruct the activation of control channel detection separately for each of the carrier groups supported by the UE, or it may instruct the activation of control channel detection without distinguishing between carrier groups, or it may perform control channel detection uniformly for each of the carrier groups supported by the UE.

[0218] The statement that "not individually instructing the UE to enable control channel detection" can be interpreted as uniformly instructing the UE to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE. Conversely, "instructing the UE to enable control channel detection separately for each carrier group supported by the UE" means that the UE can individually instruct whether to enable control channel detection for different carrier groups supported by the UE. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the network device can instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for the second carrier group through second information and instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for the first carrier group through first information. This is an example of individually instructing whether to enable control channel detection. Therefore, optionally, the embodiments shown in Figure 7 and Figure 4 can be used in combination. For example, if the UE determines to individually instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE according to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, then the embodiment shown in Figure 4 can be executed; otherwise, the embodiment shown in Figure 4 will not be executed. Alternatively, the embodiments shown in Figure 7 and Figure 4 can also be used independently, without combination.

[0219] As an optional implementation, the UE can determine either a first indication method or a second indication method based on whether the configuration information includes first indication information. This method can be considered an explicit determination method.

[0220] For example, if the configuration information includes first indication information, it indicates that the network device indicates a first indication method. If the UE receives configuration information including the first indication information, it can determine the first indication method. Alternatively, if the configuration information does not include the first indication information, it indicates that the network device indicates a second indication method. If the UE receives configuration information that does not include the first indication information, it can determine the second indication method. Optionally, the first indication information may indicate the first indication method, or the first indication information may not have a specific meaning.

[0221] As another optional implementation, the UE can determine the first indication method or the second indication method based on the value of the configuration information. This method can also be considered as an explicit determination method.

[0222] For example, if the first indication information included in the configuration information is a first value, it indicates that the network device indicates a first indication method, and the UE can determine the first indication method based on this first value. Conversely, if the first indication information included in the configuration information is a second value or not a first value, it indicates that the network device indicates a second indication method, and the UE can determine the second indication method based on this second value or because the first indication information is not a first value. Optionally, the first value and / or the second value can be a default value, a value pre-configured by the network device, or a value predefined by the protocol.

[0223] Optionally, the first value can be a numerical value, such as "1" or another numerical value; or the first value can be "true"; or the first value can be "setup", etc. The second value can be a numerical value, such as "0" or another numerical value; or the second value can be "false"; or the first value can be "release", etc.

[0224] As another optional implementation, the UE can determine the first indication method or the second indication method based on the content configured in the configuration information. This method can also be considered an implicit determination method. In the implicit determination method, the configuration information does not need to carry additional information as an indication, which can reduce the overhead of the configuration information.

[0225] For example, if the configuration information configures two (or groups) or more sets of discontinuous reception (DRX) parameters for the UE, and the different DRX parameters correspond to different carriers or carrier groups, it indicates that the configuration information instructs the UE to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, and the UE can determine that it will not instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE. Alternatively, if the configuration information configures only one set of DRX parameters, indicating that it instructs the UE not to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, the UE can determine that it will not instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE. If the configuration information configures two or more sets of DRX parameters, the values ​​of the different DRX parameters can be the same or different.

[0226] For example, if the configuration information configures two sets of DRX parameters—a first DRX (e.g., the default DRX group) and a second DRX (e.g., the secondary DRX group)—and the carriers or carrier groups corresponding to these two sets of DRX parameters are different (e.g., one or more carriers belonging to the default DRX group belong to one frequency range, and one or more carriers belonging to the secondary DRX group belong to another frequency range), then the UE can determine the first indication method based on the first DRX and the second DRX. Alternatively, if the configuration information only configures the third DRX set of DRX parameters, then the UE can determine the second indication method based on the third DRX.

[0227] For example, the configuration information may specify timers for different carrier groups supported by the UE, indicating a first indication method. The UE can determine the first indication method based on this configuration information. Optionally, the runtime of the timers for different carrier groups can be the same or different. Alternatively, the configuration information may specify a timer for all carrier groups supported by the UE, indicating a second indication method. The UE can determine the second indication method based on this configuration information. This timer can be used to control the detection time of the control channel for the corresponding carrier group.

[0228] Taking a UE supporting a first carrier group and a second carrier group as an example. For instance, if the configuration information configures a first timer for the first carrier group and a second timer for the second carrier group, it indicates that the configuration information indicates a first indication method, and the UE can determine the first indication method based on the first and second timers. Alternatively, if the configuration information configures a third timer for the first and second carrier groups, it indicates that the configuration information indicates a second indication method, and the UE can determine the second indication method based on the third timer. For a description of the features such as the first, second, and third timers, please refer to the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0229] For example, the configuration information may specify detection timings for different carrier groups supported by the UE, indicating a first indication method. The UE can determine the first indication method based on this configuration information. Alternatively, the configuration information may specify a unified detection timing for all carrier groups supported by the UE, indicating a second indication method. The UE can determine the second indication method based on this configuration information. The UE can detect information indicating the activation of that carrier group at the detection timing corresponding to a specific carrier group. For example, the UE can detect the first information at the detection timing corresponding to the first carrier group and the second information at the detection timing corresponding to the second carrier group. Taking the information detected by the UE as LP-WUS as an example, the detection timing can be called the LP-WUS detection timing (LP-WUS occasion, LO).

[0230] Taking a UE that supports a first carrier group and a second carrier group as an example. For instance, if the configuration information specifies a first detection timing for the first carrier group and a second detection timing for the second carrier group, this indicates that the configuration information indicates a first indication method, and the UE can determine the first indication method based on the first and second detection timings. Alternatively, if the configuration information specifies a third detection timing for the first and second carrier groups, this indicates that the configuration information indicates a second indication method, and the UE can determine the second indication method based on the third detection timing.

[0231] Through network device configuration, the UE can uniformly enable control channel detection for all carrier groups supported by the UE, which simplifies the UE's operation process; alternatively, the UE can enable control channel detection separately for different carrier groups supported by the UE, which allows for finer control granularity. Furthermore, there are multiple ways to indicate configuration information, offering considerable flexibility.

[0232] This application provides a third communication method, please refer to Figure 8, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0233] S801, the network device sends the sixth message. Correspondingly, the UE receives the sixth message.

[0234] The sixth message can instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for some or all carrier groups supported by the UE, or instruct the UE to switch to MR. The network device may send the sixth message to the UE's WUR, for example, the sixth message may be included in LP-WUS, or the sixth message may be LP-WUS, or it may also be included in other signals transmitted on the WUR, or it may be other signals transmitted on the WUR. Here, a UE switching from WUR to MR can be understood as the UE deactivating the WUR, at which point MR is enabled; a UE switching from MR to WUR can be understood as the UE activating the WUR, at which point MR can enter a dormant state.

[0235] The UE supports multiple carriers belonging to two or more carrier groups. Among these carriers, one is the primary carrier or primary cell (Pcell), and the remaining carriers are secondary carriers or secondary cells (Scells). The UE's Pcell can always be active, while the UE's Scells can be active or deactivated. When a carrier is active, it can have multiple functions; for example, the detection and control channel described in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is one function when the carrier is active.

[0236] For each Scell, there can be a corresponding deactivation timer, such as a secondary cell deactivation timer (sCellDeactivationTimer). The deactivation timer for an Scell ​​can be used to control the deactivation of that Scell. For example, when a deactivation timer is running, the UE activates the Scell ​​corresponding to that timer. While the deactivation timer is running, the UE keeps the Scell ​​active. When the deactivation timer expires, the UE deactivates the Scell. For instance, if data scheduling or data transmission occurs in an Scell, the UE can start or restart the deactivation timer corresponding to that Scell ​​to activate it. When the deactivation timer expires, the UE deactivates the Scell.

[0237] When a UE switches to WUR and remains there for an extended period, there is no data scheduling or transmission on MR. During this time, the deactivation timers for each Scell ​​may time out, causing the UE to deactivate the corresponding Scell. When the UE needs to switch from WUR to MR, it may be performing data transmission. Specifically, if the UE is configured with CA (Carrier Detection) or supports multiple carriers, the UE switching to MR may involve data transmission on multiple Scells. If all Scells are in a deactivated state, the network device, in addition to instructing the UE to switch to MR (e.g., instructing the UE to enable control channel detection for one or more carrier groups), must also send additional MAC CE (Control Channel Detection) signaling to instruct the activation of the corresponding Scells before the UE can perform data transmission. This results in additional signaling overhead and latency.

[0238] Therefore, optionally, in addition to indicating the activation of control channel detection for some or all carrier groups supported by the UE or indicating the UE to switch to MR, the sixth information in this application embodiment may also indicate the activation or deactivation of the first carrier. The first carrier is, for example, a carrier that the UE needs to use after switching to MR, and the first carrier may include one or more carriers supported by the UE, all of which are Scells. Optionally, if the sixth information indicates the activation of control channel detection for some or all carrier groups supported by the UE, the first carrier may include one or more carriers in that partial or complete carrier group.

[0239] Alternatively, the sixth piece of information may not indicate which carrier needs to be activated or deactivated. For example, the specific carrier to be activated or deactivated could be the default, configured by the network device through other signaling (such as RRC messages or messages from other protocol layers), or it could be predefined by the protocol. For example, the network device might configure the first carrier to be activated or deactivated if the UE switches from WUR to MR via an RRC message.

[0240] Upon receiving the sixth information, the UE can switch to the MR to detect the control channel in that part or all of the carrier group, and the UE can activate or deactivate the first carrier. Specifically, if the first carrier needs to be activated, the UE detects the control channel in that part or all of the carrier group, which may include detecting the control channel on the first carrier. Alternatively, if the first carrier needs to be deactivated, the UE detects the control channel in that part or all of the carrier group, which may include detecting the control channel on the activated carriers in that part or all of the carrier group, excluding the first carrier. Essentially, the network device in this embodiment can indicate multiple contents with a single signaling (e.g., the sixth information) instead of indicating the corresponding contents separately with different signaling (e.g., no need to indicate activation or deactivation of the first carrier with other information), thereby saving signaling overhead. Alternatively, the corresponding contents (e.g., activating or deactivating the first carrier) can be pre-configured, default, or predefined by the protocol, without needing to be indicated by the sixth information, thus also saving signaling overhead. Furthermore, the UE can activate the corresponding carriers in a timely manner, which also improves the UE's communication efficiency.

[0241] Optionally, the method may further include S802, where the UE switches from MR to WUR and stops or suspends the first deactivation timer. The first deactivation timer is, for example, the deactivation timer corresponding to the first carrier. The UE may be temporarily switching to WUR detection and may subsequently switch back to MR. Before switching to WUR, if the first carrier is active, the UE may need to perform "field protection," such as keeping the first carrier active, so that the UE can directly perform services on the first carrier after switching back to MR without reactivating the first carrier. This eliminates the need for network equipment to instruct the activation of the first carrier, reducing signaling overhead and communication latency. Therefore, the UE can stop or suspend the first deactivation timer when switching to WUR. When the first deactivation timer is stopped or suspended, it will not time out, and therefore the first carrier will not be deactivated but will remain active. Optionally, if the UE stops the first deactivation timer, then when the UE switches back to MR from WUR, for example, by receiving an LP-WUS indicating that it is waking up itself, or by enabling MR control channel detection, the UE starts the first deactivation timer; if the UE suspends the first deactivation timer, then when the UE switches back to MR from WUR, for example, by receiving an LP-WUS indicating that it is waking up itself, or by enabling MR control channel detection, the UE resumes the operation of the first deactivation timer, or the UE starts or restarts the first deactivation timer.

[0242] Alternatively, S802 can be implemented independently without being combined with S801.

[0243] The network device in this embodiment can activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier without additional signaling, thus saving signaling overhead. Furthermore, the network device can indicate the activated or deactivated carrier simultaneously when instructing the control channel detection function of the carrier group or instructing the UE to switch to MR, or the activated or deactivated carrier can be pre-configured or pre-defined, thereby enabling the UE to activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier in a timely manner and improving the UE's communication efficiency.

[0244] The embodiments shown in Figure 8 and Figure 7 can be used in combination, or they can be used separately. Similarly, the embodiments shown in Figure 8 and Figure 4 can be used in combination, or they can be used separately. If the embodiments shown in Figure 8 and Figure 4 are not combined, then optionally, the embodiments shown in Figure 4 can be understood as not considering carrier activation or deactivation. For example, it is assumed that all carriers supported by the UE are active, or that all carriers required by the UE are active. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second or first information indicates that the control channel detection function of the corresponding carrier group is enabled. After receiving the second or first information, the UE can detect the control channel in the corresponding carrier group, and the carriers included in the corresponding carrier group can be assumed to be active.

[0245] Alternatively, if the embodiments shown in FIG8 are combined with the embodiments shown in FIG4, there may be several ways to combine them.

[0246] As an optional combination, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second information indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. The carriers in the second carrier group that need to be deactivated or activated can be defaulted, configured by the network device through other signaling (e.g., RRC messages or messages from other protocol layers), or predefined by the protocol. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated carriers in the second carrier group. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first information indicates enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group. The carriers in the first carrier group that need to be deactivated or activated can be defaulted, configured by the network device through other signaling (e.g., RRC messages or messages from other protocol layers), or predefined by the protocol. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated carriers in the first carrier group.

[0247] As another optional combination, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second information indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. Additionally, the second information also indicates activating or deactivating one or more carriers in the second carrier group. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated carriers in the second carrier group. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first information indicates enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group. Additionally, the first information also indicates activating or deactivating one or more carriers in the first carrier group. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated carriers in the first carrier group.

[0248] Alternatively, the embodiments shown in Figure 8 and Figure 4 can be combined in other ways, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0249] This application provides a fourth communication method. Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0250] S901, the network device sends the seventh message. Correspondingly, the UE receives the seventh message.

[0251] The seventh information can instruct the UE to enable control channel detection for some or all carrier groups supported by the UE, or instruct the UE to switch to MR. For example, the network device sends the seventh information to the UE's WUR. This seventh information may be included in LP-WUS, or it may be LP-WUS itself, or it may be included in other signals transmitted on the WUR, or it may be other signals transmitted on the WUR. Switching from WUR to MR can be understood as the UE deactivating the WUR, at which point MR is enabled. Switching from MR to WUR can be understood as the UE activating the WUR, at which point MR can enter a dormant state.

[0252] The UE supports multiple carriers belonging to two or more carrier groups. One of these carriers is designated as a Pcell, and the remaining carriers are designated as Scells. On each of these carriers, the UE can support one or more bandwidth parts (BWPs). The number of BWPs supported by the UE can be the same or different on different carriers. For example, on a carrier supported by the UE, it can support one default BWP and at least one non-default BWP. The default BWP may have a smaller bandwidth for better energy efficiency, but its data transmission rate may be lower. The non-default BWP may have a larger bandwidth and a higher data transmission rate. Optionally, the default BWP on a carrier may not need to be activated; for example, if the UE activates a carrier, it may specifically activate the default BWP on that carrier. The non-default BWP on that carrier requires additional activation instructions; for example, if the UE activates a carrier, it may specifically activate the default BWP on that carrier. If the UE wishes to communicate using a non-default BWP on a carrier, it can activate and deactivate the non-default BWP using instructions from the network device.

[0253] For each non-default BWP, there can be a corresponding BWP deactivation timer, such as a BWP inactivity timer (bwp-InactivityTimer). A BWP deactivation timer for a non-default BWP can be used to control the deactivation of that non-default BWP. For example, when the UE activates the non-default BWP corresponding to the BWP deactivation timer, the UE starts the corresponding BWP deactivation timer. While the BWP deactivation timer is running, the UE keeps the non-default BWP active. When the BWP deactivation timer expires, the UE deactivates the non-default BWP. Optionally, when the BWP deactivation timer expires, in addition to deactivating the non-default BWP, the UE can also activate the default BWP belonging to the same carrier as the non-default BWP. For example, if a non-default BWP experiences data scheduling or data transmission, the UE can start or restart the BWP deactivation timer corresponding to that BWP to activate the non-default BWP. When the BWP deactivation timer expires, the UE deactivates the non-default BWP.

[0254] When a UE switches to a WUR and remains there for an extended period, there is no data scheduling or transmission on the MR. During this time, the deactivation timers for each BWP (Broadcast Terminal) may time out, causing the UE to deactivate the corresponding non-default BWP. When the UE needs to switch from the WUR to the MR, it may be performing data transmission. Specifically, for a carrier that the UE needs to activate to switch to the MR, if the UE has both a default BWP and a non-default BWP configured on that carrier, the UE may need to perform data transmission on the non-default BWPs on that carrier. If all non-default BWPs on that carrier are deactivated, the network device, in addition to instructing the UE to switch to the MR (e.g., instructing the UE to enable control channel detection for one or more carrier groups), must also send additional DCI (Distributed Control Channel Information) signaling to instruct the activation of the corresponding non-default BWPs before the UE can perform data transmission on those non-default BWPs. This results in additional signaling overhead and latency.

[0255] Therefore, optionally, in addition to instructing the activation of control channel detection for some or all carrier groups supported by the UE or instructing the UE to switch to MR, the seventh information in this application embodiment may also instruct the activation or deactivation of the first BWP. The first BWP is, for example, one or more non-default BWPs on a carrier that the UE needs to use after switching to MR. The first BWP may include some or all of the non-default BWPs on one or more carriers supported by the UE. Optionally, if the seventh information instructs the activation of control channel detection for some or all carrier groups supported by the UE, the first BWP may include some or all of the non-default BWPs on one or more carriers in that partial or complete carrier group. Wherein, on a carrier, the UE can only activate one BWP at a time. Therefore, the first BWP for a given carrier may include a non-default BWP on that carrier.

[0256] Alternatively, the seventh message may not indicate which BWP needs to be activated or deactivated. For example, the specific BWP to be activated or deactivated could be the default, or configured by the network device through other signaling (such as RRC messages or messages from other protocol layers), or it could be predefined by the protocol. For example, the network device might configure the first BWP to be activated or deactivated if the UE switches from WUR to MR via an RRC message.

[0257] Upon receiving the seventh information, the UE can switch to the MR to detect the control channel in that part or all of the carrier groups, and the UE can activate or deactivate the first BWP. Specifically, if the first BWP needs to be activated, the UE detects the control channel in that part or all of the carrier groups, which may include detecting the control channel on the first BWP. Alternatively, if the first carrier needs to be deactivated, the UE detects the control channel in that part or all of the carrier groups, which may include detecting the control channel on the activated BWP in that part or all of the carrier groups, excluding the first BWP. This means that the network device in this embodiment can indicate multiple contents with a single signaling (e.g., the seventh information) instead of indicating the corresponding contents separately with different signaling (e.g., no need to indicate activation or deactivation of the first BWP with other information), thereby saving signaling overhead. Alternatively, the corresponding contents (e.g., activating or deactivating the first BWP) can be pre-configured, default, or predefined by the protocol, without needing to be indicated by the seventh information, thus also saving signaling overhead. Furthermore, the UE can activate the corresponding BWP in a timely manner, which also improves the UE's communication efficiency.

[0258] Optionally, the method may further include S902, where the UE switches from MR to WUR and stops or suspends the first BWP deactivation timer. The first BWP deactivation timer is, for example, the deactivation timer corresponding to the first BWP, which is a BWP on a carrier. The UE may be temporarily switching to WUR detection and may subsequently switch back to MR. Before switching to WUR, if the first BWP is active, the UE may need to perform "preservation," such as keeping the first BWP active so that the UE can directly execute services on the first BWP after switching back to MR without reactivating it. Therefore, the UE can stop or suspend the first BWP deactivation timer when switching to WUR. When the first BWP deactivation timer is stopped or suspended, it will not time out, and therefore the first BWP will not be deactivated but will remain active. Optionally, if the UE has stopped the first BWP deactivation timer, then when the UE switches back to MR from WUR, for example, upon receiving an LP-WUS indicating its own wake-up, or in other words, when MR control channel detection is enabled, the UE starts the first BWP deactivation timer. If the UE has suspended the first BWP deactivation timer, then when the UE switches back to MR from WUR, for example, upon receiving an LP-WUS indicating its own wake-up, or in other words, when MR control channel detection is enabled, the UE resumes the operation of the first BWP deactivation timer, or the UE starts or restarts the first BWP deactivation timer. It should be noted that when the UE is configured with multiple carriers, the UE can perform the above operations on the deactivation timers corresponding to the BWPs on one or more of these carriers.

[0259] Alternatively, S902 can be a standalone embodiment without being combined with S901.

[0260] The network device in this embodiment can activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier without additional signaling, thus saving signaling overhead. Furthermore, the network device can indicate the activated or deactivated carrier simultaneously when instructing the control channel detection of the carrier group or instructing the UE to switch to MR, or the activated or deactivated carrier can be pre-configured or predefined, thereby enabling the UE to activate or deactivate the corresponding carrier in a timely manner and improving the UE's communication efficiency.

[0261] The embodiments shown in Figure 9 and Figure 7 can be used in combination, or they can be used separately without combination. The embodiments shown in Figure 9 and Figure 4 can be used in combination, or they can be used separately without combination. The embodiments shown in Figure 9 and Figure 8 can be used in combination, or they can be used separately without combination.

[0262] If the embodiment shown in Figure 9 is not combined with the embodiment shown in Figure 4, then optionally, the embodiment shown in Figure 4 can also be understood as not considering the activation or deactivation of BWPs. For example, by default, all BWPs supported by the UE are active, or by default, all BWPs required by the UE are active. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second information or the first information indicates that control channel detection of the corresponding carrier group is enabled. After receiving the second information or the first information, the UE can detect the control channel in the corresponding carrier group, and the BWPs supported by the UE included in the corresponding carrier group can be in an active state by default.

[0263] Alternatively, if the embodiments shown in Figure 9 are combined with the embodiments shown in Figure 4, there may be several ways to combine them.

[0264] As an optional combination, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second information indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. The BWPs to be deactivated or activated in the second carrier group can be defaulted, configured by the network device through other signaling (e.g., RRC messages or other protocol layer messages), or predefined by the protocol. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated BWP in the second carrier group. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first information indicates enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group. The BWPs to be deactivated or activated in the first carrier group can be defaulted, configured by the network device through other signaling (e.g., RRC messages or other protocol layer messages), or predefined by the protocol. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated BWP in the first carrier group.

[0265] As another optional combination, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second information indicates enabling control channel detection for the second carrier group. Additionally, the second information also indicates activating or deactivating one or more BWPs in the second carrier group. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated BWPs in the second carrier group. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first information indicates enabling control channel detection for the first carrier group. Additionally, the first information also indicates activating or deactivating one or more BWPs in the first carrier group. The UE can then detect the control channel on the activated BWPs in the first carrier group.

[0266] Alternatively, the embodiments shown in Figure 9 and Figure 4 can be combined in other ways, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0267] If the embodiment shown in Figure 9 is combined with the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the seventh information in the embodiment shown in Figure 9 and the sixth information in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 can be the same information; or, the network device can send the sixth information and the seventh information respectively, or the embodiment shown in Figure 9 and the embodiment shown in Figure 4 can be combined in other ways, without limitation.

[0268] This application provides a fifth communication method. Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0269] S1001, The network device sends the eighth information. Correspondingly, the UE receives the eighth information. The eighth information can be used to indicate pre-configured resources. Optionally, the network device can send the eighth information to the UE's MR (Mobile Reference Message), and the UE can receive the eighth information through the MR.

[0270] The pre-configured resources may include pre-configured uplink resources, also known as uplink licenses (UL grants). These pre-configured uplink resources may include, for example, pre-configured physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources, or other pre-configured uplink channel resources. Optionally, if the pre-configured uplink resources are periodically occurring resources, then it is unnecessary to dynamically schedule each uplink resource; instead, multiple periodically occurring uplink resources are indicated through a single pre-configuration, saving signaling overhead.

[0271] Optionally, the pre-configured uplink resources may include pre-configured uplink grant type 1 and / or pre-configured uplink grant type 2. Both pre-configured uplink grant type 1 and pre-configured uplink grant type 2 can be configured via RRC messages. Specifically, the uplink resources for pre-configured uplink grant type 1 can be indicated by an RRC message, and the UE saves it as an uplink grant. In this case, the eighth information can be an RRC message, or the eighth information can be included in an RRC message. The uplink resources for pre-configured uplink grant type 2 can be indicated by PDCCH signaling, and the activation or deactivation of the pre-configured uplink grant is indicated according to layer 1 (L1) signaling. The UE saves it as an uplink grant or clears the uplink grant. In this case, the eighth information can be signaling carried on the PDCCH or DCI, or it can be included in signaling carried on the PDCCH or DCI.

[0272] If the UE is configured with pre-configured uplink resources, which may appear periodically, the UE can transmit uplink data on those uplink resources when they appear or occur. If the UE does not currently have uplink data to transmit, the UE still needs to include padding bits in the uplink resource to transmit it as an uplink data packet on that uplink resource.

[0273] If the UE is currently detecting LP-WUS in the WUR, when the pre-configured uplink resource appears or occurs, the UE needs to switch from the WUR to the MR to transmit uplink data on that uplink resource. If the UE currently has no uplink data to transmit, the UE switches from the WUR to the MR and performs an invalid uplink transmission, only resulting in additional power consumption for the UE. Switching from the WUR to the MR can be understood as the UE deactivating the WUR and starting the MR; switching from the MR to the WUR can be understood as the UE activating the WUR, at which point the MR can enter a sleep state.

[0274] S1002. If the UE is detecting LP-WUS and has no uplink data to send, the UE ignores the pre-configured resources. Taking the pre-configured resources including pre-configured uplink resources as an example, UE ignoring pre-configured uplink resources can also be understood as the UE not using the pre-configured uplink resources, or the UE not sending uplink data on the pre-configured uplink resources, or the UE not performing transmission on the pre-configured uplink resources, or the UE skipping the pre-configured uplink resources.

[0275] The detection of LP-WUS by the UE can be described as follows: the UE is detecting WUR, the UE is detecting a signal in WUR, the UE is detecting LP-WUS in WUR, the UE is in the LP-WUS monitoring cycle, the UE is working on WUR, the UE's WUR detection or LP-WUS detection is enabled, the UE's WUR detection or LP-WUS detection is configured, the UE's WUR detection or LP-WUS detection is used, the UE's WUR detection or LP-WUS detection is turned on, the UE is in the WUR monitoring period, or the UE is in the LP-WUS monitoring period, etc.

[0276] When a pre-configured uplink resource appears or occurs, if the UE is currently detecting LP-WUS and the UE has no uplink data to send (or the UE has no uplink data transmission requirement), the UE can ignore the pre-configured uplink resource. That is, the UE does not perform uplink transmission on the pre-configured uplink resource. In this case, the UE does not need to switch from WUR to MR, but can remain in WUR, thereby reducing the UE's power consumption and ensuring that the UE does not miss LP-WUS as much as possible.

[0277] In this embodiment, the UE can avoid performing invalid uplink transmissions on pre-configured uplink resources, thereby reducing the additional power consumption caused by invalid uplink transmissions and the additional power consumption caused by the UE switching from WUR to MR. Therefore, this embodiment can reduce UE power consumption waste.

[0278] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1100 can be a UE or its circuit system as described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 7, 8, 9, or 10, used to implement the method corresponding to the UE in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 can be a network device or its circuit system as described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 7, 8, 9, or 10, used to implement the method corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments. For example, one type of circuit system is a chip system.

[0279] The communication device 1100 includes at least one processor 1101. The processor 1101 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 1101 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 1101 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated onto one or more integrated circuits.

[0280] Optionally, the communication device 1100 includes one or more memories 1103 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 1103 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0281] Optionally, the communication device 1100 includes a communication line 1102 and at least one communication interface 1104. Since the memory 1103, communication line 1102, and communication interface 1104 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 11.

[0282] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 1100 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0283] Processor 1101 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0284] Communication line 1102 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0285] Communication interface 1104 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0286] The memory 1103 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 1103 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1101 via communication line 1102. Alternatively, the memory 1103 may be integrated with the processor 1101.

[0287] The memory 1103 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the present application scheme, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1101. The processor 1101 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1103 to implement the steps performed by the UE or network device in the embodiments shown in any of the figures 4, 7, 8, 9 or 10.

[0288] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0289] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, processor 1101 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG11.

[0290] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1100 may include multiple processors, such as processor 1101 and processor 1105 in FIG. 11. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0291] When the device shown in Figure 11 is a chip, such as a UE chip or a network device chip, the chip includes a processor 1101 (and may also include a processor 1105), a communication line 1102, and a communication interface 1104. Optionally, it may include a memory 1103. Specifically, the communication interface 1104 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 1103 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 1101 and processor 1105 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0292] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing each functional module according to its own function, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a device. The device 1200 can be the UE or network device involved in the above method embodiments, or a chip in the UE or a chip in the network device. The device 1200 includes a processing unit 1202 and a transceiver unit 1201.

[0293] It should be understood that the device 1200 can be used to implement the steps performed by the UE or network device in the communication method of the embodiments of this application. The relevant features can be referred to the embodiments shown in any one of the above figures 4, 7, 8, 9 or 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0294] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1201 and processing unit 1202 in Figure 12 can be implemented by the processor 1101 in Figure 11 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1103. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 1202 in Figure 12 can be implemented by the processor 1101 in Figure 11 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1103, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1201 in Figure 12 can be implemented by the communication interface 1104 in Figure 11.

[0295] Optionally, when the device 1200 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 1201 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, wherein the transmitting unit is used to implement the transmitting function and the receiving unit is used to implement the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 1201 may be an integral module capable of implementing the transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 may be implemented using a transceiver.

[0296] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the UE or network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part 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, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0297] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the UE or network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0298] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the methods performed by the UE or network device involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0299] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0300] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0301] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0302] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0303] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0304] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the UE and / or network device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first information by a wake-up receiver (WUR), the first information being used to indicate to start control channel detection of a first carrier group; starting control channel detection of the first carrier group; receiving second information by the WUR or receiving second information by a main receiver (MR) in the first carrier group, the second information being used to indicate to start control channel detection of a second carrier group, wherein the terminal supports the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the terminal comprises the WUR and the MR; starting control channel detection of the second carrier group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second carrier group is part or all of the carrier groups supported by the terminal except the first carrier group.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the second information used to indicate to start control channel detection of the second carrier group comprises: the second information comprises information used to indicate to start control channel detection of the second carrier group and information used to indicate to start control channel detection of the first carrier group; or the second information only comprises information used to indicate to start control channel detection of the second carrier group; or the second information is information used to indicate to start control channel detection of the second carrier group.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, the second information only comprises information used to indicate to start control channel detection of the second carrier group, and the method further comprises: stopping to detect control channel in the first carrier group; or stopping or not restarting a first timer corresponding to the first carrier group, the first timer being used to control time for the first carrier group to detect control channel.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein: the second information is received by the WUR, and the second information is a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS); or the second information is received by the MR in the first carrier group, and the second information is a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) or a downlink control information (DCI).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, the second information is a MAC CE, and the MAC CE corresponds to a first logical channel identifier (LCID).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, a size of the MAC CE is 0.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, starting control channel detection of the second carrier group comprises: starting control channel detection of the second carrier group when a first time offset or a second time offset arrives, wherein the first time offset is a time interval between the WUR receiving the second information and starting control channel detection of the second carrier group, and the second time offset is a time interval between the first carrier group receiving the second information and starting control channel detection of the second carrier group.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the first time offset and / or the second time offset according to third information, wherein the third information is determined by the terminal, indicated by a network device, or predefined information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate to stop control channel detection; stopping to detect control channel in the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The fourth information is used for indicating to stop control channel detection. The fourth information is used for indicating to stop control channel detection of the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: A third timer is started when starting control channel detection of the first carrier group; Control channel detection in the first carrier group and the second carrier group is stopped.

13. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein Starting control channel detection of the first carrier group comprises starting a first timer. The method further comprises stopping control channel detection in the first carrier group when the first timer expires.

14. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein Starting control channel detection of the second carrier group comprises starting a second timer. The method further comprises stopping control channel detection in the second carrier group when the second timer expires.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: Sending first information used for indicating to start control channel detection of a first carrier group; Sending second information, or sending second information in the first carrier group, the second information being used for indicating to start control channel detection of a second carrier group, wherein the terminal supports the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the terminal comprises a WUR and an MR.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein The second carrier group is part or all of the carrier groups supported by the terminal except the first carrier group.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The second information used for indicating to start control channel detection of the second carrier group comprises: The second information comprises information used for indicating to start control channel detection of the second carrier group, and information used for indicating to start control channel detection of the first carrier group; or The second information only comprises information used for indicating to start control channel detection of the second carrier group; or The second information is information used for indicating to start control channel detection of the second carrier group.

18. The method of any of claims 15-17, wherein The second information is sent to the WUR, and the second information is an LP-WUS; or The second information is sent in the first carrier group, and the second information is a MAC CE or a DCI.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The second information is a MAC CE, and the MAC CE corresponds to a first LCID.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The size of the MAC CE is 0.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that, The method further comprises: Determining a first time offset and / or a second time offset according to third information, wherein the third information is determined by a network device, or indicated to the terminal, or predefined information, wherein the first time offset is a time interval between the WUR receiving the second information and starting control channel detection of the second carrier group, and the second time offset is a time interval between the terminal receiving the second information in the first carrier group and starting control channel detection of the second carrier group.

22. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The fourth information is used for indicating to stop control channel detection.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The fourth information is used for indicating to stop control channel detection, including: The fourth information is used for indicating to stop control channel detection of the first carrier group and / or the second carrier group.

24. A method of communication, comprising: The method includes: Receiving configuration information, the configuration information is used for configuring LP-WUS; According to the configuration information, determining a first indication mode or a second indication mode, the first indication mode is that a network device respectively indicates to start control channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the second indication mode is that the network device jointly indicates to start control channel detection for the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, According to the configuration information, determining a first indication mode or a second indication mode, including: The configuration information includes first indication information, and the first indication mode is determined according to the configuration information including the first indication information; or, The configuration information does not include first indication information, and the second indication mode is determined according to the configuration information not including the first indication information; or, The configuration information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is a first value, and the first indication mode is determined according to the first value; or, The configuration information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is a second value, and the second indication mode is determined according to the second value.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein, According to the configuration information, determining a first indication mode or a second indication mode, including: The configuration information is used for configuring a first DRX and a second DRX for the terminal, and the first indication mode is determined according to the configuration information, wherein the first DRX and the second DRX correspond to different carriers; or, The configuration information is used for configuring only a third DRX for the terminal, and the second indication mode is determined according to the configuration information.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein, According to the configuration information, determining a first indication mode or a second indication mode, including: The configuration information is used for configuring a first timer for the second carrier group and a second timer for the first carrier group, and the first indication mode is determined according to the configuration information, wherein the first timer is used for controlling the time of detecting control channel for the second carrier group, and the second timer is used for controlling the time of detecting control channel for the first carrier group; or, The configuration information is used for configuring a third timer for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the second indication mode is determined according to the configuration information, and the third timer is used for controlling the time of detecting control channel for the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein, According to the configuration information, determining a first indication mode or a second indication mode, including: The configuration information is used for configuring a first detection occasion for the second carrier group and a second detection occasion for the first carrier group, and the first indication mode is determined according to the configuration information, wherein the first detection occasion is used for detecting LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group, and the second detection occasion is used for detecting LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group; or, The configuration information is used to configure a third detection occasion for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the second indication mode is determined according to the configuration information, where the third detection occasion is used to detect the LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

29. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: sending configuration information used to configure an LP-WUS, where the configuration information is used to determine a first indication mode or a second indication mode, the first indication mode is that a network device controls channel detection of the second carrier group and the first carrier group respectively, and the second indication mode is that the network device jointly indicates the second carrier group and the first carrier group to start control channel detection.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode or the second indication mode, comprising: The configuration information comprises first indication information, the configuration information comprising the first indication information is used to determine the first indication information; or, The configuration information does not comprise first indication information, and the configuration information not comprising the first indication information is used to determine the second indication mode; or, The configuration information comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is a first value, the first value being used to determine the first indication mode; or, The configuration information comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is a second value, the second value being used to determine the second indication mode.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein, The configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode or the second indication mode, comprising: The configuration information is used to configure a first DRX and a second DRX for the terminal, and the configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode; or, The configuration information is used to configure only a third DRX for the terminal, and the configuration information is used to determine the second indication mode.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein, The configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode or the second indication mode, comprising: The configuration information is used to configure a first timer for the second carrier group and a second timer for the first carrier group, and the configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode, where the first timer is used to control the time for the second carrier group to detect a control channel, and the second timer is used to control the time for the first carrier group to detect a control channel; or, The configuration information is used to configure a third timer for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the configuration information is used to determine the second indication mode, and the third timer is used to control the time for the second carrier group and the first carrier group to detect a control channel.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein, The configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode or the second indication mode, comprising: The configuration information is used to configure a first detection occasion for the second carrier group and a second detection occasion for the first carrier group, and the configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode, the first detection occasion is used to detect the LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group, and the second detection occasion is used to detect the LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group; or, The configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode or the second indication mode, comprising: The configuration information is used to configure a first detection occasion for the second carrier group and a second detection occasion for the first carrier group, and the configuration information is used to determine the first indication mode, the first detection occasion is used to detect the LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group, and the second detection occasion is used to detect the LP-WUS corresponding to the first carrier group; or, The configuration information is used for configuring a third detection occasion for the second carrier group and the first carrier group, and the configuration information is used for determining the second indication mode, and the second detection occasion is used for detecting the LP-WUS corresponding to the second carrier group and the first carrier group.

34. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a module for performing the method of any one of claims 1-14, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 15-23, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 24-28, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 29-33.

35. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor for performing the method of any one of claims 1-14, or performing the method of any one of claims 15-23, or performing the method of any one of claims 24-28, or performing the method of any one of claims 29-33.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium is used for storing a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, so that the method of any one of claims 1-14 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 15-23 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 24-28 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 29-33 is executed.

37. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, so that the computer executes the method of any one of claims 1-14, or the computer executes the method of any one of claims 15-23, or the computer executes the method of any one of claims 24-28, or the computer executes the method of any one of claims 29-33.

Images