Message processing method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and discloses a message processing method and a related apparatus. The method is applied to a first communication apparatus. The method comprises: when a first communication apparatus is within a discontinuous reception (DRX) sleep period, triggering an event-driven beam reporting process; and when the first communication apparatus is within the DRX sleep period, not sending a first message to a second communication apparatus, the first message comprising a measurement report or a second message, and the second message being used for indicating that there is a measurement report to be sent. The present application is used for improving the performance of a communication system.

Description

A message processing method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411549619.8, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on October 31, 2024, entitled "A Message Processing Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a message processing method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Mobility management is a crucial component of wireless mobile communications, determining the smooth handover and stable connection of user equipment (UE) between different areas (e.g., cells) and beams. In mobility management, when a UE triggers an event-driven beam reporting procedure, it needs to send a measurement report to network equipment (e.g., a base station) and receive instructions from the base station based on the measurement report.

[0004] However, to conserve UE power, UEs can currently employ a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode for event reporting. DRX can be understood as follows: the UE activates its receiver when needed, entering a DRX active period to receive downlink data and signaling, and deactivates its receiver at other times, entering a DRX sleep period to stop receiving downlink data and signaling. In other words, if the UE is in a DRX sleep period, even if the base station issues an indication (e.g., a beam switching indication), the UE cannot receive data normally. Therefore, the existing event-driven beam reporting process does not consider the impact of DRX mode, thus affecting the performance of the communication system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a message processing method and related apparatus, which can improve the event-driven beam reporting process according to the DRX mode, thereby improving the performance of the communication system.

[0006] The present application is described below from different aspects. It should be understood that the different implementation methods and beneficial effects described below can be referenced from each other.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a message processing method applicable to a first communication device. The method includes: triggering an event-driven beam reporting process when the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period; and not sending a first message to a second communication device when the first communication device is in a DRX sleep period, wherein the first message includes a measurement report or a second message, and the second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent.

[0008] For example, the first communication device in the embodiments of this application may be a terminal device, or a component (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the terminal device, and the second communication device may be a network device (e.g., a base station), or a component (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the network device, and will not be limited here.

[0009] The second message can be used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent, or it can be understood as: the second message is used to indicate that the first communication device will report a measurement report, or to indicate that the first communication device has an event triggered, or to indicate that the first communication device has measurement results to be reported. There will be no restrictions on it here.

[0010] The measurement report here may include beam quality (including but not limited to physical layer reference signal received power), and may also include other measurement information, which will not be limited here.

[0011] In the above scheme, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device does not directly send the first message to the second communication device. Instead, it needs to determine whether to send the first message based on the current DRX mode of the first communication device. In other words, the sending of the first message is limited by the DRX mode of the first communication device. Therefore, this embodiment can control the sending of the first message through the DRX mode, thereby optimizing the event-driven beam reporting process, reducing unnecessary data transmission by the first communication device during the DRX sleep period, and thus improving the performance of the communication system.

[0012] In one possible implementation, triggering the event-driven beam reporting process includes: determining that an event is satisfied.

[0013] In one possible implementation, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send the first message to the second communication device, including: generating the first message; and when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send the first message to the second communication device.

[0014] For example, the first communication device can generate the first message during the DRX sleep period or during the DRX active period. That is, the generation of the first message is not restricted. Therefore, although the first communication device does not send the first message to the second communication device when it is in the DRX sleep period, the first communication device can generate the first message in advance. In this way, the first message can be sent directly when the first communication device is in the DRX active period, thereby saving the generation time of the first message, improving the reporting efficiency, and thus improving the communication performance.

[0015] In one possible implementation, a second message is sent to the second communication device; when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the first message is not sent to the second communication device, including: when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the measurement report is not sent to the second communication device.

[0016] In the above implementation, although the first communication device does not send a measurement report to the second communication device when it is in the DRX sleep period, the first communication device can send a second message before sending the measurement report. For example, the second message can be sent when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period, so that the second notification device knows in advance that the first communication device has a measurement report to be sent and prepares to receive the measurement report (for example, determining the new time-frequency domain resources used by the first communication device when sending the measurement report). In this way, when the first communication device is in the active period, it can send the measurement report directly without waiting for the second message to be sent, thereby improving the reporting efficiency of the second communication device.

[0017] For example, the event-driven beam reporting process can use LTM technology for reporting. Traditional LTM technology requires sending a measurement report, such as generating a MAC control element (the MAC element is used to carry the measurement report), and adding the MAC control element to the MAC protocol data unit to send it to the second communication device.

[0018] If the first message includes a measurement report, that is, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send a measurement report to the second communication device. Therefore, there is no need to perform the steps before sending the measurement report. In other words, in one possible implementation, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, a MAC control element may not be generated.

[0019] In another possible implementation, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, no MAC control element is added to the MAC protocol data unit.

[0020] As can be seen from the above implementation, if the first communication device does not generate a MAC control element or add a MAC control element to the MAC protocol data unit during the DRX sleep period, it will not send a measurement report during the DRX sleep period. This not only reduces the resource computing power of the first communication device during the DRX sleep period, but also saves resources by reducing unnecessary data transmission during the DRX sleep period. Furthermore, the measurement report generated during the DRX sleep period is not as real-time as the measurement report generated during the subsequent DRX active period. Therefore, not generating a MAC control element or adding a MAC control element to the MAC protocol data unit during the DRX sleep period means that the second communication device will not receive the measurement report generated during the DRX sleep period. This effectively reduces the possibility of the second communication device receiving inaccurate measurement reports.

[0021] For example, the first communication device is equipped with a counter (e.g., SR_COUNTER) to record the number of times a second message is not sent within a timeout period or the number of times a second message is sent without receiving feedback. If the recording condition of the counter is met, the value of the counter is updated (i.e., incremented by one). In other words, when the first message includes a second message, the first communication device will not send the second message while it is in DRX sleep mode. However, during the DRX sleep mode, there may be situations where the recording condition of the counter is met. The counter is generally set with a maximum threshold value. In order to delay the time it takes for the counter to reach the maximum threshold value, in one possible implementation, the value of the counter set by the first communication device remains unchanged when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode.

[0022] In the above implementation, when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period, even if the recording conditions of the counter are met, the value of the counter remains unchanged, that is, it will not be incremented. Therefore, the time it takes for the value of the counter to reach the maximum threshold will be delayed, thereby effectively reducing the probability of uplink failure and improving the performance of the communication system.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first communication device receives first configuration information from the second communication device; when the first communication device is in a DRX sleep period, it does not send a first message to the second communication device, including: if the first configuration information is used to instruct the first communication device not to send a first message during the DRX sleep period, then when the first communication device is in a DRX sleep period, it does not send a first message to the second communication device.

[0024] For example, if the first configuration information is used to instruct the first communication device to send a first message during the DRX sleep period, then when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period, the first message is sent to the second communication device.

[0025] In the above implementation, the first configuration information can be used to instruct the first communication device not to send the first message during the DRX sleep period, or it can be used to instruct the first communication device to send the first message during the DRX sleep period. In other words, after receiving the first configuration information, the first communication device can determine whether to send the first message during the DRX sleep period. Since the first configuration information is received from the second communication device, the second communication device can flexibly configure the first configuration information according to the actual situation, thereby effectively ensuring the reporting efficiency of the measurement report.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a message processing method applicable to a first communication device. The method includes: when the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period, sending a second message to a second communication device, the second message indicating that a measurement report is pending transmission; and after sending the second message to the second communication device, entering a DRX active period.

[0027] In the above scheme, after the first communication device sends the second message during the DRX sleep period, it can switch the DRX mode of the first communication device from the original DRX sleep period to the DRX active period, so that the first communication device can receive information from the second communication device normally, instead of being forced to wait for the DRX sleep period to end. This can effectively shorten the reception time of the first communication device and thus improve the performance of the communication system.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first communication device is pre-configured with a first time-frequency domain resource for sending measurement reports, and the method further includes: receiving control information from a second communication device during the DRX active period of the first communication device, the control information being used to instruct the first communication device to use the second time-frequency domain resource for sending measurement reports.

[0029] In the above scheme, the time-frequency domain resources used by the first communication device to send the measurement report can be changed from the originally pre-configured first time-frequency domain resources to the newly issued second time-frequency domain resources. That is to say, the first communication device does not use fixed time-frequency domain resources to send the measurement report. When the fixed time-frequency domain resources are occupied or a long waiting time is required, the second communication device can specify new time-frequency domain resources to the first communication device so that the first communication device can send the measurement report quickly.

[0030] In one possible implementation, after sending the second message to the second communication device, the first communication device can directly enter the DRX active period.

[0031] In one possible implementation, after sending the second message to the second communication device, the first communication device cannot directly enter the DRX active period. At this time, the first communication device can start a timer of the first communication device, and the duration of the timer is the duration of the first communication device entering the DRX active period; thus entering the DRX active period.

[0032] In the above scheme, the first communication device can switch from the DRX sleep period to the DRX active period by activating its timer, so that the first communication device can receive information from the second communication device normally instead of being forced to wait for the DRX sleep period to end. This can effectively shorten the reception time of the first communication device and thus improve the performance of the communication system.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving second configuration information from a second communication device, the second configuration information being used to indicate the duration of a timer.

[0034] In the above scheme, the second configuration information is sent by the second communication device. In other words, the duration of the timer can be flexibly configured, that is, the duration of the DRX active period can be flexibly set to better meet business needs.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a message processing method applicable to a second communication device. The method includes: determining first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to instruct the first communication device not to send a first message during a non-continuous DRX reception sleep period, the first message including a measurement report or a second message, the second message being used to indicate that a measurement report exists to be sent; and sending the first configuration information to the first communication device.

[0036] In the above scheme, the first configuration information determined by the second communication device can be flexibly configured according to actual conditions (e.g., an emergency requiring the acquisition of measurement reports). When the first configuration information is used to instruct the first communication device not to send the first message during the DRX sleep period, the sending of the first message during the DRX sleep period can be controlled, thereby reducing unnecessary data transmission by the first communication device during the DRX sleep period and improving the performance of the communication system.

[0037] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a first communication device or a chip within a first communication device. The communication device is used to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof. The communication device includes modules for implementing the method in the first aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0038] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a first communication device or a chip within a first communication device. The communication device is used to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof. The communication device includes modules for implementing the method in the second aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0039] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a second communication device or a chip within a second communication device. This communication device is used to implement the method as described in the third aspect. The communication device includes modules for implementing the method of the third aspect.

[0040] In the fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect, the aforementioned communication device may include a transceiver module and a processing module. Further details regarding the transceiver module and processing module can be found in the device embodiments shown below. The beneficial effects of the fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects described above can be referenced in the relevant descriptions of the first, second, and third aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive information, and the processor is used to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or to implement the method as described in the third aspect.

[0042] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device that includes at least a processor. The processor is configured to execute computer execution instructions to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or the method as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or the method as described in the third aspect.

[0043] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0044] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, causes a communication device including a processor to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or to implement the method as described in the third aspect.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or to implement a method as described in the third aspect.

[0046] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes at least a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is used to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to implement the method as described in the third aspect.

[0047] The technical effects achieved in the above aspects can be referred to each other or to the beneficial effects in the method embodiments shown below, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network device using a CU-DU separation architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 3 is a comparative schematic diagram of beam reporting according to different modes provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0051] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a message processing method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report using a first mode, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report using the second mode according to an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report using a first mode, as provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second method for sending a measurement report using the second mode, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report based on LTM technology according to an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 10 is a flowchart of another message processing method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report through mode switching according to an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0061] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] In the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "One or more of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: 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.

[0063] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0064] In this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the words "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0065] It is understood that in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device performing a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations. The device performing a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances includes: satisfying the objective circumstances, i.e., being able to perform the corresponding action; or satisfying both the objective circumstances and other circumstances, in order to perform the corresponding action.

[0066] In this application, "simultaneous" can be understood as "parallel", or at the same point in time, or within a period of time, or within the same cycle. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context.

[0067] In this application, the use of singular designations for elements is intended to represent "one or more" rather than "one and only one," unless otherwise specified.

[0068] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, phrases such as "B corresponding to A," "A corresponds to B," or similar expressions indicate that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. This includes determining information B solely based on A, as well as determining B based on A and other information. Furthermore, the use of A to determine information B can also include indirect determination, such as B being determined based on C, and C being determined based on A.

[0069] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, for example, through buses, traces, or interfaces between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device.

[0070] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 4th Generation (4G) mobile communication system, 4.5th Generation (4.5G) mobile communication system, and 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication system. Furthermore, with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be used in subsequently evolved communication systems. The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), etc.

[0071] The system architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and application scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that as system architecture or application scenarios evolve, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0072] In practical applications, the communication system in this embodiment may include multiple network devices (also called access network devices or access point devices) and multiple terminal devices simultaneously. No limitation is placed on the number of network devices and terminal devices. A network device may serve one or more terminal devices simultaneously, and a terminal device may access one or more network devices simultaneously.

[0073] Network equipment can be access network equipment or access point (AP) equipment. Access network equipment refers to radio access network (RAN) nodes that enable terminal devices to access the wireless network. Network equipment includes, but is not limited to: base stations (BS), radio network controllers (RNC), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband units (BBU), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access points (AP), wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, and transmission and reception points (TRP; or, transmission point, TP). A base station is a device deployed in a radio access network that provides wireless communication functions. It can also be called base station equipment, such as the evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) and Node B (NB) in LTE systems, the gNodeB or gNB in ​​5G systems, and the base station in 6G systems. A base station can contain a Base Unit (BBU) and a Remote Radio Unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU can be placed in different locations; for example, the RRU can be deployed remotely to a high-traffic area, while the BBU is placed in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and RRU can be placed in the same equipment room. The BBU and RRU can also be different components within the same rack. Base stations can take the following forms: macro base stations (macro gNB or macro g-NodeB), small gNBs (or small g-NodeBs, also known as small cells), pico base stations, relay stations, access points, balloon stations, etc.

[0074] Optionally, in some deployments of access network equipment, the access network equipment may include a central unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU). Where the access network equipment includes both a CU and a DU, the protocol layers of the eNB in ​​the LTE system are separated. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0075] In other words, network devices can also adopt a CU-DU separation architecture, which can also be called a distributed deployment architecture. For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a network device adopting a CU-DU separation architecture according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the network device can logically include one CU and N DUs, where N is a positive integer. Each DU can be connected to the CU through the F1 interface, and information interaction between different DUs can be completed based on the forwarding of the CU.

[0076] It is understood that the CU and DU can be physically set together or physically separate; this is not a limitation. The CU can support Radio Resource Control (RRC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) functions; the DU can support Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and Physical Layer (PHY) protocols.

[0077] The interaction between the CU and the UE requires the assistance of the DU. That is, messages sent from the CU to the UE need to be sent through the DU, and messages sent from the UE to the CU also need to be sent through the DU.

[0078] In some deployments of access network equipment, the CU can be further divided into CU-control plane (CP) and CU-user plane (UP), etc. In other deployments of access network equipment, the access network equipment can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. This application does not limit the specific deployment method of the access network equipment. For example, when the access network equipment is an ORAN architecture, the access network equipment here can be one or more of CU, DU, or RU, or a module in the access network equipment, etc. In the ORAN system, CU can also be called open (O)-CU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, DU can also be called O-DU, and RU can also be called O-RU.

[0079] In the embodiments of this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the network device can be the network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, a communication module, or a modem, etc., which can be installed in the network device. The network device can support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0080] Terminal equipment can be referred to as user equipment, terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user equipment, and can be used in 4G, 5G, and even 6G systems. Terminal equipment can provide users with voice and / or data connectivity. Terminal devices can be joint devices that transmit and receive digital signals over ordinary telephone lines, handheld devices with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted devices, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, tablets, laptops, handheld computers, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), virtual reality (VR) devices (such as VR glasses), augmented reality (AR) devices (such as AR glasses), mixed reality (MR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, processing devices connected to wireless modems, tactile terminal devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, and wireless terminals in transportation safety. Wireless terminals in safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, roadside units (RSUs) of the aforementioned wireless terminal types, etc.

[0081] In this application's embodiments, the device used to implement the terminal's functions can be a terminal itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, a communication module, or a modem, etc., which can be installed in the terminal. In this application's embodiments, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0082] It is understood that a terminal device in a communication system can be located within the coverage area of ​​one or more areas (carriers) managed by the network device, and the area providing service to the terminal device can be one or more. When there are multiple areas providing service to the terminal device, the terminal device can operate in carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or cooperative multipoint transmission modes. At least one of the multiple areas can provide at least two sets of parameters (numerology) to simultaneously provide radio resources to the terminal device.

[0083] For example, referring to Figure 2, which is a simplified schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless access network corresponding to the communication system 200 can be a next-generation (e.g., 6G or higher) wireless access network or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G or 2G) wireless access network. The communication system 200 may include network devices and terminal devices. Here, we can take three network devices and one terminal device as an example; that is, the communication system 200 may specifically include network device A1, network device A2, network device A3, and terminal device B. It is understood that Figure 2 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system 200 may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices, and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 2.

[0084] For example, network device A1 can be a macro base station, and network devices A2 and A3 can be micro base stations. Terminal device B can be located within the coverage area managed by each of these three network devices, that is, terminal device B is located within the coverage area managed by network device A1, network device A2, and network device A3.

[0085] In this embodiment of the application, terminal device B in communication system 200 can be identified as the first communication device, and any network device (e.g., network device A1) in communication system 200 can be identified as the second communication device, in order to illustrate the event-driven beam reporting process.

[0086] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant terminology of the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application will first be introduced:

[0087] 1. DRX dormancy period (off time or inactive time)

[0088] When the UE is in DRX sleep period, it stops monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). At this time, the UE cannot receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the base station.

[0089] 2. DRX active time

[0090] When the UE is in the DRX active period, it monitors the PDCCH, at which time the UE can receive the DCI from the base station.

[0091] 3. Uplink grant (UL grant)

[0092] Uplink scheduling permission, also known as uplink scheduling authorization, is used to indicate the specific time-frequency domain resource location used by the UE to send uplink data.

[0093] 4. Beam Management Technology

[0094] In mobility management, beam management technology is typically used for beam switching in MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) scenarios. Existing physical layer beam management mechanisms can incorporate UE-Initiated / Event-driven Beam Management (UEIBM) to trigger beam reporting. In the UEIBM process, network equipment (e.g., a base station) issues measurement configurations. The UE performs measurements based on these configurations and determines whether a measurement report needs to be triggered. If so, the UE reports an indication (indicating the presence of a pending measurement report) along with the measurement report to the base station. The base station can then perform beam switching decisions or carrier management based on the measurement report and send a beam switching indication to the UE.

[0095] 5. L1 / L2 Triggered Mobility (LTM) Technology

[0096] In mobility management, LTM (Local Time Management) is a technology used for cell handover. L1 refers to the PHY (Power Hybrid Layer), and L2 refers to the MAC / RLC / PDCP / SDAP layers. However, during L1 / L2 handover, L2 primarily refers to the MAC layer. LTM means that handover-related operations are mainly performed at the PHY and MAC layers. In LTM, when a UE lacks uplink time-frequency domain resources, it needs to send a Scheduling Request (SR) to the base station to request these resources; when the UE has uplink time-frequency domain resources, it does not need to send an SR.

[0097] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of the embodiments of this application will be given.

[0098] In current technical solutions, the beam reporting process based on UEIBM can be divided into two modes: a first mode (e.g., mode A) and a second mode (e.g., mode B). See Figure 3 for details; Figure 3 is a comparative schematic diagram of beam reporting under different modes provided by an embodiment of this application. Sending measurement reports using the first mode is a basic capability of the UE.

[0099] In the first mode: after the UE triggers an event report, the UE sends an indication message 3X1 to the base station on the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). This indication message 3X1 can be used to notify the base station that the UE is about to report a measurement report. After receiving the indication message 3X1, the base station returns control information 3X2 (e.g., DCI) to the UE. This DCI indicates the UL grant used by the UE when sending the measurement report carried in subsequent Uplink Control Information (UCI). That is, the control information 3X2 is used to indicate the specific time-frequency domain resources used by the UE to send the measurement report. The UE can send the UCI to the base station on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The UCI can include the content of the measurement report, for example, the UCI includes, but is not limited to, the Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power (L1-RSRP).

[0100] Second mode: After the UE triggers an event report, the UE needs to send a 3x3 indication message to the base station on the PUCCH. This 3x3 indication message can be used to notify the base station that the UE is about to report a measurement report. In this case, the UE can activate a pre-configured UL grant, i.e., a pre-configured time-frequency domain resource, and send a UCI to the base station on the PUSCH channel according to the pre-configured time-frequency domain resource. The UCI can include the content of the measurement report, including but not limited to L1-RSRP.

[0101] Therefore, it can be seen that in the beam reporting process based on UEIBM, the current DRX mode of the UE is not taken into account. After the UE triggers the event reporting, the UE will send the indication information and measurement report to the base station in sequence according to the event-driven beam reporting process corresponding to the first mode or the second mode. However, when the UE is in the DRX sleep period, the UE will stop monitoring PUCCH, which will cause the UE to be unable to receive the indication sent by the base station, thereby affecting the performance of the communication system.

[0102] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides two different message processing methods:

[0103] In the first message processing method, when the first communication device (e.g., UE) is in DRX sleep period, the first communication device can trigger the event-driven beam reporting process. However, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep period, the first communication device does not send the first message to the second communication device. Here, the first message includes a measurement report or a second message. The second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent.

[0104] In this embodiment, the first communication device determines whether to send the first message based on the current DRX mode. In other words, this embodiment can control the sending of the first message through the DRX mode, thereby optimizing the event-driven beam reporting process and reducing unnecessary data transmission during the DRX sleep period. This improves the efficiency and resource utilization of the communication system, and ultimately enhances the performance of the communication system.

[0105] In the second message processing method, when the first communication device is in the DRX dormant period, the first communication device can send a second message to the second communication device. The second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent. After sending the second message to the second communication device, the device enters the DRX active period.

[0106] In this embodiment of the application, after the first communication device sends the second message during the DRX sleep period, it can switch the DRX mode of the first communication device from the original DRX sleep period to the DRX active period, so that the first communication device can receive information from the second communication device normally, instead of being forced to wait for the DRX sleep period to end. This can effectively shorten the reception time of the first communication device, thereby improving the performance of the communication system.

[0107] The first (or second) message processing method described above is applicable not only to event reporting processes based on mobility technologies (e.g., beam management technology incorporating UEIBM mechanisms, or LTM technology), but also to event reporting processes triggered by other access network devices; these will not be limited here. The mobility technology can be beam management in MIMO, or other beam management and cell handover mobility management technologies; these will not be listed individually here. For ease of understanding, the mobility technology in this application embodiment can be described using beam switching technology as an example; it will not be limited here.

[0108] To facilitate understanding of the first message processing method described above, please further refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a message processing method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, this method can be executed by a first communication device, which can be a terminal device in a communication system, such as terminal device B in the communication system 200 shown in Figure 2 above, which will not be limited here. This method can at least include steps S401-S402:

[0109] Step S401: When the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period, the event-driven beam reporting process is triggered.

[0110] Step S402: When the first communication device is in DRX sleep period, it does not send the first message to the second communication device. The first message includes a measurement report or a second message. The second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent.

[0111] The second message here can also be described as follows: it is used to instruct the first communication device to report a measurement report, or to instruct the first communication device that an event has been triggered, or to instruct the first communication device that measurement results are to be reported; this will not be limited here. The measurement report here may include beam quality (including but not limited to L1-RSRP), and may also include other measurement information; this will not be limited here. When the measurement report includes beam quality, it can be referred to as a beam measurement report.

[0112] It is understood that before the first communication device executes step S401, the second communication device may send pre-configured information to the first communication device. This pre-configured information may include, but is not limited to, first configuration information. This first configuration information may be parameters (e.g., RRC parameters) configured by the second communication device for the first communication device based on an emergency situation triggered by an event. This first configuration information is used to indicate whether to send a first message when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode; that is, the second communication device can statically control whether beam reporting is performed in DRX mode using RRC parameters.

[0113] If the parameter is set to the first flag (e.g., true), it can be understood that when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it can send the first message to the second communication device; if the parameter is set to the second flag (e.g., false), it can be understood that when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it will not send the first message to the second communication device.

[0114] For example, the second communication device may determine the first configuration information during DRX configuration, whereby the DRX configuration is used to configure parameters related to the DRX mode; the second communication device may also determine the first configuration information during physical cell configuration, whereby the physical cell configuration is used to configure L1 parameters specific to a cell group; the second communication device may also determine the first configuration information in other configuration situations, which will not be limited here.

[0115] In other words, when the first configuration information received by the first communication device is used to instruct the first communication device not to send the first message during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device will not send the first message to the second communication device when it is in the DRX sleep period.

[0116] Optionally, when the first communication device enters the communication system, it needs to support the communication protocol corresponding to the communication system. This communication protocol may include the following: the first communication device does not send the first message to the second communication device during the DRX sleep period. In other words, the first communication device directly defaults to not sending the first message during the DRX sleep period, without needing to determine this through parameters issued by other network devices.

[0117] In one possible implementation, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it needs to determine whether an event is satisfied. If the event is not satisfied, it means there is no need to trigger the event-driven beam reporting process; if the event is satisfied, it means the event-driven beam reporting process is triggered. It is understandable that different technologies used in the event-driven beam reporting process will result in different conditions for determining event satisfaction. The following explanations will use the beam management technology and LTM technology of the UEIBM mechanism as examples:

[0118] In beam management technology incorporating the UEIBM mechanism, an event is considered satisfied when the first condition is met M times. Here, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. M can be an RRC parameter pre-configured by the second communication device. The first condition can be that the quality of a candidate beam is greater than the current beam. Alternatively, the first condition can be that the quality of a candidate beam is greater than a threshold value. Or, the first condition can be that the difference between the quality of at least one candidate beam, such as L1-RSRP, and the reference signal derived from the Qth best-quality active transmission configuration instructions (TCI) state, is greater than a threshold value. Here, Q can be another RRC parameter configured by the second communication device. Of course, the first condition can also be other evaluation conditions, which will not be listed here.

[0119] After triggering the event-driven beamforming process reporting, the first communication device may choose not to generate the first message, or it may choose not to send the first message to the second communication device while the first communication device is in the DRX dormant period. Instead, it may wait until the first communication device is in the DRX active period before generating and sending the first message to the second communication device. This allows the second communication device to receive a more real-time first message. For example, if the first message includes a measurement report, the second communication device can receive a more accurate measurement report, which enables the second communication device to make more precise beam switching decisions or carrier management, thereby effectively improving the performance of the communication system.

[0120] Optionally, after triggering the event-driven beamforming process reporting, the first communication device can generate a first message. When the first communication device is in the DRX dormant period, it does not send the first message to the second communication device. That is, although the first communication device does not send the first message to the second communication device when it is in the DRX dormant period, the first communication device can generate the first message in advance. This way, the first message can be sent immediately when the first communication device is in the DRX active period, thereby saving the generation time of the first message and improving the reporting efficiency.

[0121] For example, if the first message includes the second message, the first communication device can generate the second message, but when the first communication device is in the DRX dormant period, it does not send the second message to the second communication device. Instead, it needs to wait until the first communication device is in the DRX active period before sending the second message to the second communication device.

[0122] To facilitate understanding of the complete beam reporting process under this procedure, please refer to Figure 5 for an example. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a measurement report transmission process using the first mode provided in an embodiment of this application. The indication information 5X1 (i.e., the second message) can be represented by the first PUCCH. It can be an SR used in the first mode, which is associated with an SR identifier (ID). The indication information 5X1 can also be other indication information transmitted on the PUCCH (e.g., a new UCI type). This new UCI type is unrelated to the SR ID and will not be limited here.

[0123] As shown in Figure 5, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device does not send the indication information 5X1 to the second communication device. That is to say, the first communication device needs to wait.

[0124] When the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it can send an indication message 5X1 to the second communication device so that the second communication device knows that the first communication device has a measurement report 5R to be sent. For example, the first communication device can send a 1-bit indication message 5X1 to the second communication device via PUCCH.

[0125] The second communication device can send control information 5X2 to the first communication device. The control information 5X2 is used to instruct the first communication device on the time and frequency domain resources used when sending the measurement report 5R.

[0126] For example, when the second communication device is a base station, the base station can send control information 5X2 to the first communication device.

[0127] For example, when the second communication device is a DU that is connected to the first communication device, the DU needs to send first control information to the CU so that the CU generates second control information (e.g., control information 5X2). Then, the CU can send the control information 5X2 to the DU so that the DU sends the control information 5X2 to the UE. The content of the first control information and the second control information is consistent.

[0128] After receiving control information 5X2, the first communication device can send a UCI to the second communication device, which may include the content of a measurement report 5R. For example, the first communication device can send the measurement report 5R to the second communication device on the time-frequency domain resources indicated by the control information 5X2.

[0129] In this embodiment, the first communication device does not send indication information 5X1 during the DRX sleep period. This can be understood as follows: the transmission of indication information 5X1 is limited by the DRX mode in which the first communication device is located, and the transmission of indication information 5X1 further affects the transmission of measurement report 5R. Therefore, the transmission of measurement report 5R is also limited by the DRX mode in which the first communication device is located. Furthermore, since the method of transmitting measurement reports used in this embodiment is the first mode, the time-frequency domain resources used when transmitting measurement report 5R need to be specified by the second communication device. In other words, the second communication device can control the reporting of measurement report 5R by whether or not to send control information 5X2. Therefore, the transmission of measurement report 5R is not only limited by the DRX mode but also by the reception status of control information 5X2.

[0130] For example, please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic flowchart of sending a measurement report using the second mode according to an embodiment of this application. The indication information 6X (i.e., the second message) can be represented by the first PUCCH, which can be an SR for the second mode. This SR for the second mode is associated with an SR identifier (ID). The indication information 5X1 can also be other indication information sent on the PUCCH (e.g., a new UCI type). This new UCI type is unrelated to the SR ID and will not be limited here. Furthermore, the first communication device is pre-configured with a first time-frequency domain resource for sending the measurement report. This first time-frequency domain resource can be configured by the second communication device when the first communication device enters the communication network, or it can be predefined in the communication protocol supported by the first communication device and will not be limited here.

[0131] As shown in Figure 6, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device does not send the indication information 6X to the second communication device. In other words, the first communication device needs to wait.

[0132] When the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it can send indication information 6X to the second communication device to inform the second communication device that the first communication device has a measurement report 6R to be sent. For example, the first communication device can send 1 bit of indication information 6X to the second communication device via PUCCH.

[0133] When the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it can send a UCI to the second communication device, which may include the content of a measurement report 6R. For example, the first communication device can send the measurement report 6R to the second communication device on a first time-frequency domain resource.

[0134] In this embodiment of the application, the first communication device does not send indication information 6X during the DRX sleep period. This can be understood as follows: the transmission of indication information 6X is limited by the DRX mode in which the first communication device is located, and the transmission of indication information 6X will further affect the transmission of measurement report 6R. Therefore, the transmission of measurement report 6R is solely limited by the DRX mode in which the first communication device is located.

[0135] Understandably, the first communication device is equipped with a counter (e.g., SR_COUNTER) to record the number of times a second message is not sent within a timeout period or the number of times a second message is sent without receiving feedback. If the counter's recording condition (i.e., the second condition) is met, the counter's value is updated (i.e., incremented). This second condition may include: the first communication device has resources for sending the second message (e.g., SR PUCCH resources); a timer (e.g., SR_prohibitTimer) is not running; and the counter's value is less than a maximum threshold. Of course, the second condition may also include other conditions, which will not be elaborated here. Specifically, SR transmission is prohibited during the duration of the timer's prohibition period.

[0136] In the above description, when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period, it does not send the second message to the second communication device. However, during the DRX sleep period, there may be a situation where the second condition is met. In order to delay the situation where the counter value reaches the maximum threshold value, when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period, the present application embodiment can set the counter value to remain unchanged, thereby reducing the probability of uplink failure and improving the performance of the communication system.

[0137] In one possible implementation, if the first message includes a measurement report, the first communication device can generate the measurement report. However, when the first communication device is in a DRX sleep period, it does not send the measurement report to the second communication device. Instead, it waits until the first communication device is in a DRX active period before sending the measurement report to the second communication device. In this case, the first communication device can also send a second message to the second communication device before sending the measurement report. However, the sending of the second message is not affected by the DRX mode; that is, the first communication device can send the second message during the DRX sleep period or during the DRX active period. The following example of the first communication device sending a second message during the DRX sleep period will be used to illustrate the specific process of the first communication device not sending a measurement report during the DRX sleep period.

[0138] For example, please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report using a first mode according to an embodiment of this application. The indication information 7X1 (i.e., the second message) can be represented by first PUCCH; for example, the indication information 7X1 can be an SR used in the first mode.

[0139] As shown in Figure 7, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device can send indication information 7X1 (i.e., the second message) during the DRX sleep period. At this time, the first communication device enters the DRX active period. The relevant description of indication information 7X1 can be found in the description of indication information 5X1 in Figure 5 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0140] After receiving the instruction information 7X1, the second communication device can know that the first communication device has a measurement report 7R (i.e., measurement report) to be sent, and then can send control information 7X2 to the first communication device. The control information 7X2 is used to instruct the first communication device on the time and frequency domain resources used when sending the measurement report 7R.

[0141] When the first communication device receives control information 7X2 sent by the second communication device, the first communication device resumes its DRX sleep state. At this time, the first communication device does not need to send a measurement report 7R to the second communication device. In other words, when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep state, it does not send a measurement report 7R to the second communication device, but instead needs to wait.

[0142] When the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it can send a UCI to the second communication device, which may include the content of a measurement report 7R. For example, the first communication device can send the measurement report 7R to the second communication device on the time-frequency domain resources indicated by the control information 7X2.

[0143] For example, please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of a second mode for sending a measurement report according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the indication information 8X (i.e., the second message) can be represented by the first PUCCH. For example, the indication information 8X can be other indication information sent on the PUCCH (e.g., a new UCI type). This method can be jointly executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is pre-configured with a first time-frequency domain resource for sending the measurement report. The specific description of the first time-frequency domain resource can be found in the description corresponding to Figure 6 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0144] As shown in Figure 8, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device can send indication information 8X during the DRX sleep period. Indication information 8X is used to indicate that the first communication device has a measurement report 8R to be sent. A description of indication information 8X can be found in Figure 6 above, which describes indication information 6X; it will not be repeated here.

[0145] When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send measurement report 5R to the second communication device, but needs to wait.

[0146] When the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it can send a UCI to the second communication device, which may include the content of a measurement report 8R. For example, the first communication device can send the measurement report 8R to the second communication device on a first time-frequency domain resource.

[0147] In LTM technology, an event is considered satisfied when the first communication device determines, through a counter set at the MAC layer, that the third condition is met continuously over a period of time. This third condition can be: the quality of a candidate beam is less than a threshold; the quality of a candidate beam is greater than the current beam; the quality of a candidate beam is greater than a threshold; the quality of a candidate beam is greater than a first threshold, and the quality of the current beam is less than a second threshold; and other evaluation conditions may also exist, which will not be listed here.

[0148] In one possible implementation, after triggering the event-driven beamforming process report, the first communication device does not send the first message to the second communication device while in DRX sleep mode.

[0149] When the first communication device has no uplink time-frequency domain resources, if the first message includes a measurement report, the first communication device needs to send a second message (e.g., an SR for requesting time-frequency domain resources) to the second communication device. For example, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the first communication device can send a second message to the second communication device, but does not send a measurement report to the second communication device.

[0150] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a process for sending a measurement report based on LTM technology according to an embodiment of this application. The indication information 9X1 (i.e., the second message) can be represented by the first PUCCH; for example, the indication information 7X1 can be an SR.

[0151] As shown in Figure 9, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, if the first communication device has no uplink time-frequency domain resources, the first communication device can send indication information 9X1 during the DRX sleep period. At this time, the first communication device enters the DRX active period until it receives feedback from the second communication device and ends the DRX active period.

[0152] After receiving the instruction information 9X1, the second communication device can send control information 9X2 to the first communication device. The control information 9X2 is used to instruct the first communication device on the time and frequency domain resources used when sending the measurement report 9R.

[0153] When the first communication device receives the control information 9X2 sent by the second communication device, the first communication device resumes the DRX sleep period. At this time, the first communication device does not send the measurement report 9R to the second communication device.

[0154] For example, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the first communication device may not generate a MAC control element (Media Access Control Element, MAC CE), which is used to carry measurement report 9R.

[0155] For example, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it can generate MAC control elements but does not add MAC control elements to the MAC protocol data unit (MAC PDU). In other words, the first communication device does not assemble packets when it is in DRX sleep mode.

[0156] When the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it can send a MAC CE to the second communication device. The MAC CE may include the contents of a measurement report 9R. For example, the first communication device can send a measurement report 9R to the second communication device on the time-frequency domain resources indicated by the control information 9X2.

[0157] When the first communication device has no uplink time-frequency domain resources, if the first message includes the second message, the first communication device can generate the second message. However, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send the second message to the second communication device. When the first communication device is in DRX active mode, it can send the second message to the second communication device. After receiving control information from the second communication device, it can send a measurement report on the time-frequency domain resources indicated by the control information.

[0158] When the first communication device has uplink time-frequency domain resources, it does not need to generate or send a second message (e.g., SR). If the first message includes a measurement report, it does not send a measurement report to the second communication device when it is in DRX sleep mode.

[0159] As can be seen from the above description, the first message processing method provided in this application embodiment can effectively reduce unnecessary transmissions of the first communication device during the DRX sleep period, improve resource utilization, and thus enhance communication performance.

[0160] To facilitate understanding of the second message processing method described above, please further refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart illustrating another message processing method provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, this method can be executed by a first communication device, which can be a terminal device in a communication system, such as terminal device B in the communication system 200 shown in Figure 2 above, which will not be limited here. This method can at least include steps S1001-S1002:

[0161] Step S1001: When the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period, a second message is sent to the second communication device. The second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent.

[0162] The second message here can also be described as follows: the second message is used to instruct the first communication device to report a measurement report, or to instruct the first communication device that an event has been triggered, or to instruct the first communication device that a measurement result is to be reported. There will be no restrictions on this.

[0163] For example, when the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period, if the event is determined to be satisfied, it means that the event-driven beam reporting process is triggered, and a second message is sent to the second communication device. The conditions for determining that the event is satisfied can be found in the description of step S401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0164] Step S1002: After sending the second message to the second communication device, the DRX active period begins.

[0165] For example, after sending a second message (e.g., SR) to the second communication device, the first communication device can directly enter the DRX active period. For details, please refer to the description in the embodiments corresponding to Figure 7 or Figure 9 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0166] For example, after sending a second message (e.g., a new UCI type) to the second communication device, the first communication device can start a timer to enter the DRX active period. The duration of the timer can be the duration for which the first communication device enters the DRX active period. This duration is configured by the RRC layer. For instance, before executing step S1001, the first communication device can receive second configuration information from the second communication device, which indicates the duration of the timer.

[0167] If the first communication device uses the second mode described above to send the measurement report, the first communication device is pre-configured with a first time-frequency domain resource for sending the measurement report. In order to improve the efficiency of obtaining the measurement report, the first communication device can switch from the second mode to the first mode. That is, after executing step S1002, when the first communication device is in the DRX active period, it receives control information from the second communication device. The control information is used to instruct the first communication device to use the second time-frequency domain resource for sending the measurement report.

[0168] To facilitate understanding of the mode switching process, please further refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic flowchart of sending a measurement report through mode switching according to an embodiment of this application. The indication information 11X1 (i.e., the second message) can be indication information sent on the PUCCH, such as a new UCI type. Furthermore, the second communication device is used to send second configuration information to the first communication device, which indicates the duration of a timer (e.g., timer T) in the first communication device.

[0169] As shown in Figure 11, after the first communication device triggers the event-driven beam reporting process during the DRX sleep period, the first communication device can send indication information 11X1 during the DRX sleep period. At this time, the first communication device can start its timer T to enter the DRX active period and continuously monitor the PDCCH channel. The duration of the DRX active period is the duration of timer T.

[0170] After receiving the instruction information 11X1, the second communication device can know that the first communication device has a measurement report 11R (i.e., measurement report) to be sent, and then can send control information 11X2 to the first communication device. The control information 11X2 is used to instruct the first communication device to use the second time-frequency domain resources when sending the measurement report 11R.

[0171] The first communication device can send a UCI to the second communication device, which may include the content of a measurement report 11R. For example, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the first communication device can send a measurement report 11R to the second communication device on the second time-frequency domain resource indicated by the control information 11X2.

[0172] In this embodiment, sending a measurement report in the first mode is a basic capability of the first communication device. Therefore, the second communication device can send an instruction message 11X1 in the second mode to instruct the first communication device to send a measurement report 11R on a specified second time-frequency domain resource, thereby switching the first communication device from the second mode to the first mode. Compared with the pre-configured first time-frequency domain resource, using the specified second time-frequency domain resource can send the measurement report 11R to the second communication device more quickly, thereby improving the efficiency of the second communication device in obtaining the measurement report and thus improving the communication performance.

[0173] The foregoing details the method provided in this application. To facilitate the implementation of the above-described solutions in the embodiments of this application, corresponding apparatus or devices are also provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0174] This application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. 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 as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 12 and 13.

[0175] Referring to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, the communication device 12 includes at least one of a processing module 121 and a transceiver module 122. These modules can perform the corresponding functions of the communication device in the above method embodiment. The processing module 121 can implement the corresponding communication function, and the transceiver module 122 is used to implement the corresponding processing function. The transceiver module 122 may also be referred to as an interface, communication interface, or communication module, etc.

[0176] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 12 may correspond to the first communication device corresponding to FIG4, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the first communication device corresponding to FIG4.

[0177] In a specific implementation, the processing module 121 is used to trigger an event-driven beam reporting process when the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period; the processing module 121 is also used to determine not to send a first message to the second communication device when the first communication device is in a DRX sleep period, the first message including a measurement report or a second message, the second message being used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the processing module 121 is specifically used to determine if the event is satisfied.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the processing module 121 is specifically used to generate a first message; the processing module 121 is also specifically used to determine not to send the first message to the second communication device when the first communication device is in DRX sleep period.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 122 is used to send a second message to the second communication device; the processing module 121 is further specifically used to determine not to send a measurement report to the second communication device when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the first message includes a measurement report, and the processing module 121 is configured to determine that no MAC control element is generated when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode. The MAC element is used to carry the measurement report.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the first message includes a measurement report, and the processing module 121 is configured to determine, when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, not to add a MAC control element to the MAC protocol data unit, the MAC element being used to carry the measurement report.

[0183] In one possible implementation, the first message includes the second message. When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the value of the counter set by the first communication device remains unchanged. The counter is used to record the number of times the second message is not sent within a timeout period or the number of times the second message is sent but no feedback is received.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 122 is further configured to receive first configuration information from the second communication device; the processing module 121 is further configured to determine not to send the first message to the second communication device when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period if the first configuration information is used to instruct the first communication device not to send the first message during the DRX sleep period.

[0185] The specific implementation methods of the processing module 121 and the transceiver module 122 can be found in the description of steps S401-S402 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 4 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0186] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 12 may correspond to the first communication device corresponding to FIG10, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the first communication device corresponding to FIG10.

[0187] In a specific implementation, the transceiver module 122 is used to send a second message to the second communication device when the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period. The second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent. The processing module 121 is used to enter the DRX active period after sending the second message to the second communication device.

[0188] In one possible implementation, the first communication device is pre-configured with a first time-frequency domain resource for sending measurement reports. The transceiver module 122 is also configured to receive control information from the second communication device during the DRX active period of the first communication device. The control information is used to instruct the first communication device to use the second time-frequency domain resource for sending measurement reports.

[0189] In one possible implementation, the processing module 121 is specifically used to start a timer of the first communication device after sending a second message to the second communication device, the duration of which is the duration of the first communication device entering the DRX active period; the processing module 121 is also specifically used to enter the DRX active period.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 122 is further configured to receive second configuration information from the second communication device, the second configuration information being used to indicate the duration of a timer.

[0191] The specific implementation methods of the processing module 121 and the transceiver module 122 can be found in the description of steps S1001-S1002 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 10 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0192] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 12 may correspond to the second communication device corresponding to FIG4, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the second communication device corresponding to FIG4.

[0193] In a specific implementation, the processing module 121 is used to determine the first configuration information, which is used to instruct the first communication device not to send the first message during the non-continuous DRX reception sleep period. The first message includes a measurement report or a second message, and the second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent. The transceiver module 122 is used to send the first configuration information to the first communication device.

[0194] The specific implementation methods of the processing module 121 and the transceiver module 122 can be found in the description of steps S401-S402 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 4 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0195] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 13 can be used to implement the operations performed by the first or second communication device in the above embodiments, or the communication device 13 can be the first or second communication device mentioned above. The communication device 13 includes: a processor 131, a memory 132, and a bus system 133.

[0196] The memory 132 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 132 is used to store related instructions and data. The memory 132 stores executable modules or data structures, or subsets thereof, or extended sets thereof:

[0197] Operation instructions: This includes various operation instructions used to perform various operations.

[0198] Operating system: includes various system programs used to implement various basic business functions and handle hardware-based tasks.

[0199] Figure 13 shows only one memory, but of course, multiple memories can be set as needed.

[0200] The communication device 13 may further include a transceiver 134. The transceiver 134 may be a communication module or a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the transceiver 134 is used to perform the transmission and reception operations involved in the above embodiments.

[0201] Processor 131 may be a controller, central processor (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. Processor 131 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of DSP and microprocessor, etc.

[0202] In specific applications, the various components of the communication device 13 are coupled together through a bus system 133. This bus system 133 includes not only a data bus but also a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as bus system 133 in Figure 13. For ease of illustration, Figure 13 is only schematically shown.

[0203] In specific implementation, the communication device 13 can execute the steps of the method executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments. Specifically, when the communication device 13 is used to implement the various steps executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the message processing method provided in the embodiments, the processor 131 can implement the function of the processing module 121, and the transceiver 134 can implement the function of the transceiver module 122.

[0204] It should be noted that in practical applications, the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0205] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory described in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0206] This application also provides a chip, which includes at least a processor. The processor is used to execute computer execution instructions to cause a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0207] Optionally, the chip may also include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0208] This application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting the apparatus on which the chip system is mounted to implement the method steps performed by the first or second communication device in the above embodiments, such as generating or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the data transmission device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0209] This application provides a communication system, which includes at least a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device work together to implement the message processing method described in the previous embodiments.

[0210] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0211] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0212] In the above method embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to 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. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. A 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. Available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0213] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0214] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0215] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A message processing method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: When the first communication device is in a non-continuous DRX reception sleep period, the event-driven beam reporting process is triggered. When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send a first message to the second communication device. The first message includes a measurement report or a second message, and the second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The trigger event-driven beam reporting process includes: The event is confirmed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The step of not sending the first message to the second communication device when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode includes: Generate the first message; When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send the first message to the second communication device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the second communication device; When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send the first message to the second communication device, including: When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not send measurement reports to the second communication device.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first message includes a measurement report, and the method further includes; When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, it does not generate a MAC control element, which is used to carry the measurement report.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first message includes a measurement report, and the method further includes: When the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode, the MAC control element is not added to the MAC protocol data unit, and the MAC element is used to carry the measurement report.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first message includes the second message. When the first communication device is in DRX sleep period, the value of the counter set by the first communication device remains unchanged. The counter is used to record the number of times the second message is not sent within a timeout period or the number of times the second message is sent but no feedback is received.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first configuration information from the second communication device; The step of not sending the first message to the second communication device when the first communication device is in DRX sleep mode includes: If the first configuration information is used to instruct the first communication device not to send the first message during the DRX sleep period, then when the first communication device is in the DRX sleep period, it will not send the first message to the second communication device.

9. A message processing method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Send a second message to the second communication device, the second message being used to indicate that a measurement report is pending transmission; After sending the second message to the second communication device, the DRX active period begins.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first communication device is pre-configured with a first time-frequency domain resource for transmitting the measurement report, and the method further includes: During the active period of the DRX, the first communication device receives control information from the second communication device, which instructs the first communication device to use the second time-frequency domain resources to send the measurement report.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The step of entering the DRX active period after sending the second message to the second communication device includes: After sending the second message to the second communication device, a timer for the first communication device is started, and the duration of the timer is the duration of the first communication device entering the DRX active period. Entering the DRX active period.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second configuration information from the second communication device, the second configuration information being used to indicate the duration of the timer.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that, Sending the second message to the second communication device includes: When the first communication device is in a discontinuous DRX reception sleep period, it sends a second message to the second communication device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, The measurement report is a report triggered during the UE-initiated / event-driven beamforming process.

15. A message processing method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Determine first configuration information, which is used to instruct the first communication device not to send a first message during the non-continuous DRX reception sleep period. The first message includes a measurement report or a second message, and the second message is used to indicate that there is a measurement report to be sent. Send the first configuration information to the first communication device.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or modules for implementing the method as described in claim 15.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a transceiver, the transceiver being used to send and receive information, and the processor being used to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or the method as described in claim 15.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or the method as described in claim 15.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes a communication device including the processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or the method as described in claim 15.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or the method as described in claim 15.

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