Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and device, applied to the technical field of communications. In the method, a terminal device determines the start time of a DRX time period on the basis of the time at which data transmission occurs or the time at which a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission is located, and performs PDCCH monitoring from the start time of the DRX time period. Compared with a method in which a terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring during a DRX time period in a DRX cycle, this method enables the terminal device to perform PDCCH monitoring in a more timely manner, thereby reducing downlink service delay.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510081450.6, filed on January 16, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In actual business operations, there may be some non-periodic transactions, where the transmission or arrival time of data (e.g., downlink data) is non-periodic. For example, in AIGC (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) intelligent dialogue services, there may be non-periodic transactions, such as the transmission or arrival time of downlink data in speculative reasoning.

[0004] If the network and terminal perform downlink data transmission for non-periodic services based on periodic discontinuous reception (DRX), and if the network has downlink data that needs to be sent to the terminal, but the terminal is in an inactive state of DRX, the network will have to wait until the DRX becomes active (e.g., the active state of the next DRX cycle) before it can send the downlink data to the terminal. This will affect the downlink data transmission time, leading to increased service latency and impacting user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables a terminal device to perform physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring in a timely manner, thereby reducing downlink service latency.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method executed by a terminal device. The terminal device can be a terminal, or a device within the terminal (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. In this method, the terminal device determines the start time of a DRX time period based on a first time. Based on the start time of the DRX time period, the terminal device performs Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring.

[0007] The first time can be any of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs. Data transmission can be either uplink or downlink data transmission.

[0008] As can be seen, using the above method, the start time of the DRX time period is determined by the terminal device based on any one of the following: the time of uplink data transmission, the time of the PDCCH used to schedule uplink data transmission, the time of downlink data transmission, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule downlink data transmission. Therefore, by performing PDCCH monitoring based on the determined start time of the DRX time period, compared to performing PDCCH monitoring during the DRX time period within the DRX cycle, the terminal device can perform PDCCH monitoring more promptly, reducing downlink service latency.

[0009] In one alternative implementation, the first time is within another DRX time period preceding the DRX time period.

[0010] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can determine the start time of the next DRX time period based on the time of data transmission in the previous DRX time period or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission, thereby enabling the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0011] Optionally, if the first time is within another DRX time period preceding the first DRX time period, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission sent by the terminal device within that other DRX time period, or the last downlink data transmission received by the terminal device within that other DRX time period.

[0012] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can determine the start time of the next DRX time period based on the time of the last uplink data transmission sent in the previous DRX time period, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last uplink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the next DRX time period. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the start time of the next DRX time period based on the time of the last downlink data transmission received in the previous DRX time period, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last downlink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the next DRX time period.

[0013] Optionally, if the first time is within another DRX time period preceding the first time period, the duration of the first time period is not equal to the duration of the DRX time period currently being monitored by PDCCH, thus the DRX time period is a non-periodic time period.

[0014] In another alternative implementation, the first time is within a period of time before the DRX period that is not in use with DRX. Alternatively, the first time is within a period of time before the DRX period that is not configured with DRX, or within a period of time before the DRX period that is not configured with DRX, or within a period of time before the DRX period that is not in use with DRX mode.

[0015] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can determine the start time of the DRX period after the period in which DRX is used, based on the time of data transmission or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission during a period in which DRX is not used, thereby enabling the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0016] Optionally, if the first time is within a time period before the DRX time period that is not in use, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission sent by the terminal device within the time period in which the first time is located, or the last downlink data transmission received by the terminal device within the time period in which the first time is located.

[0017] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can determine the start time of the DRX period based on the time of the last uplink data transmission sent within a time period before the DRX period that was not using DRX, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last uplink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the DRX period. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the start time of the DRX period based on the time of the last downlink data transmission received within a time period before the DRX period that was not using DRX, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last downlink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the DRX period.

[0018] In one optional implementation, the start time of the DRX time period is a second time, which is located after the first time, and the second time is separated from the first time by a second duration.

[0019] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can perform PDCCH monitoring based on a second time interval after the first time interval and a second time interval after the first time interval, so as to be able to monitor PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0020] In one optional implementation, the terminal device determines the start time of a non-continuous DRX reception period based on a first time, including: starting a fourth timer based on the first time; and determining the start time of the DRX period based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can determine the start time of the DRX time period using the first and fourth timers. For example, the terminal device starts the fourth timer at the first time and sets the timeout of the fourth timer as the start time of the DRX time period.

[0022] In one optional implementation, the start time of the DRX time period is the start time of a first timer. In this method, the terminal device determines the start time of the DRX time period by: starting the first timer; the terminal device, based on the start time of the DRX time period, performs PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the first timer. For example, the terminal device determines the start time of the DRX time period based on a first time, including: starting the first timer based on the first time; the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring based on the start time of the DRX time period, including: performing PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the first timer.

[0023] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can start the first timer at the first moment and perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the first timer, thereby enabling timely monitoring of PDCCH and reducing the latency of downlink services.

[0024] Optionally, the first timer is an on-duration timer. In this mode, the terminal device starts the on-duration timer at the beginning of the DRX time period to perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the on-duration timer.

[0025] In another optional implementation, the terminal device may also activate other timers besides the first timer during the DRX time period, and perform PDCCH monitoring based on the duration of the other timers. Thus, the terminal device can perform PDCCH monitoring based on the duration of the first timer and / or other timers. For example, if the terminal device activates the first timer at the start of the DRX time period, and also activates a DRX inactive timer after receiving downlink data for the first time during the DRX time period, then the terminal device will also perform PDCCH monitoring based on the duration of the DRX inactive timer. Therefore, the total duration of PDCCH monitoring performed by the terminal device is determined based on the duration of the first timer and the duration of the DRX inactive timer.

[0026] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can start other timers besides the first timer during the DRX period to extend the total duration of PDCCH monitoring performed by the terminal device, which helps to reduce the probability of the terminal device missing data.

[0027] In one optional implementation, the start time of the first timer is the second time, the second time is located after the first time, and the second time is spaced apart from the first time by a second duration.

[0028] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can start the first timer from the second time after the first time interval, and perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the first timer, so as to be able to monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0029] In one optional implementation, the terminal device starts a fourth timer at the first moment, and starts a first timer after the fourth timer expires, with the duration of the fourth timer being the second duration.

[0030] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can start the fourth timer at the first time and determine the start time of the first timer by the timeout time of the fourth timer, and then perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the first timer.

[0031] In one optional implementation, the data transmission can also be understood as the last uplink data transmission sent by the terminal device before the first timer starts, or as the last downlink data transmission received by the terminal device before the first timer starts. Therefore, by determining the start time of the DRX time period based on the time of the last data transmission before the first timer starts, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last data transmission, the reliability of the DRX time period start time can be improved.

[0032] In one alternative implementation, the terminal device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether the PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0033] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can flexibly adjust the duration of PDCCH monitoring based on whether PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0034] In one optional implementation, the terminal device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, including: shortening the duration of the first timer if a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer; and extending the duration of the first timer if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0035] The terminal device can shorten the duration of the first timer by either shortening it to a certain duration or by shortening it by a certain amount of time. Similarly, the terminal device can extend the duration of the first timer by either extending it to a certain duration or by extending it by a certain amount of time.

[0036] Furthermore, the duration by which the terminal device shortens the duration of the first timer can be configured by the network device for the terminal device. For example, the terminal device receives information from the network device indicating a third duration / fourth duration / fifth duration, whereby the third duration indicates that the terminal device will shorten the duration of the first timer to the third duration if a PUCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer; the fourth duration indicates that the terminal device will shorten the duration of the first timer to the fourth duration if a PUCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer; and the fifth duration indicates that the terminal device will change the duration of the first timer from an infinite duration to the fifth duration if a PUCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0037] Similarly, the duration by which the terminal device extends the duration of the first timer can be configured by the network device for the terminal device. For example, the terminal device receives information from the network device indicating a sixth duration / seventh duration, where the sixth duration indicates that the duration of the first timer will be extended to the sixth duration if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, and the seventh duration indicates that the duration of the first timer will be extended to the seventh duration if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0038] Based on the above scheme, if the terminal device detects PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer will be shortened to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device; if the terminal device does not detect PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer will be extended so that the terminal device can continue to perform PDCCH monitoring, which is conducive to timely monitoring of PDCCH and reducing the latency of downlink services.

[0039] In another optional implementation, the terminal device performs the following steps: if a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped and a second timer is started; during the operation of the second timer, PDCCH monitoring is performed. The duration of the second timer is shorter than the duration of the first timer.

[0040] Based on the above scheme, when the terminal device detects PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer and starts a second timer with a duration shorter than the first timer, so as to continue PDCCH monitoring for a shorter duration than the first timer. Compared with the method where the terminal device still performs PDCCH monitoring for the duration of the first timer when it detects PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, this method can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0041] In another alternative implementation, the terminal device performs the following steps: if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, a third timer is started; during the operation of the third timer, PDCCH monitoring is performed.

[0042] The duration of the third timer may be equal to or different from that of the first timer. The third timer and its duration may be configured by the network device for the terminal device. For example, the terminal device receives information from the network device indicating the duration of the third timer, and the third timer is used to indicate that the terminal device needs to start the third timer if it does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0043] Based on the above scheme, if the terminal device does not detect PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it can continue to perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the third timer so as to detect PDCCH in a timely manner and reduce the latency of downlink services.

[0044] In another alternative implementation, if the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer.

[0045] Based on the above scheme, when the terminal device detects PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer to reduce the power consumption caused by the terminal device continuing to perform PDCCH monitoring.

[0046] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be executed by a network device. The network device can be a network equipment, or a device within a network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an access network device. In this method, the network device determines the start time of a discontinuous reception DRX time period based on a first time. Based on the start time of the DRX time period, the network device performs Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission.

[0047] The first time refers to any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs. The data transmission is either uplink or downlink data transmission.

[0048] As can be seen, using the above method, the start time of the DRX time period is determined by the network device based on any one of the following: the time of uplink data transmission, the time of the PDCCH used to schedule uplink data transmission, the time of downlink data transmission, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule downlink data transmission. Therefore, by sending PDCCH based on the determined start time of the DRX time period, compared to sending PDCCH during the DRX time period within the DRX cycle, the network device can send PDCCH more promptly, reducing downlink service latency.

[0049] In one alternative implementation, the first time is within another DRX time period preceding the DRX time period.

[0050] Based on the above scheme, the network device can determine the start time of the next DRX period based on the time of data transmission in the previous DRX period or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission, so as to send the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0051] Optionally, if the first time period is within another DRX time period preceding the first DRX time period, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission received by the network device within that other DRX time period, or the last downlink data transmission sent by the network device within that other DRX time period.

[0052] Based on the above scheme, the network device can determine the start time of the next DRX time period based on the time of the last uplink data transmission received in the previous DRX time period, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last uplink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the next DRX time period. Alternatively, the network device can determine the start time of the next DRX time period based on the time of the last downlink data transmission sent in the previous DRX time period, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last downlink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the next DRX time period.

[0053] Optionally, if the first time is within another DRX time period preceding the DRX time period, the DRX time period in which the first time is located is not equal to the DRX time period currently being monitored by PDCCH, thus the DRX time period is a non-periodic time period.

[0054] In another alternative implementation, the first time is within a period of time before the DRX period that is not in use with DRX. Alternatively, the first time is within a period of time before the DRX period that is not configured with DRX, or within a period of time before the DRX period that is not configured with DRX, or within a period of time before the DRX period that is not in use with DRX mode.

[0055] Based on the above scheme, the network device can determine the start time of the DRX time period after the period in which DRX is used, based on the time of data transmission or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission during a period in which DRX is not used, thereby enabling the network device to send the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0056] Optionally, if the first time is within a time period before the DRX time period that is not in use, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission received by the network device within the time period in which the first time is located, or the last downlink data transmission sent by the network device within the time period in which the first time is located.

[0057] Based on the above scheme, the network device can determine the start time of the DRX period based on the time of the last uplink data transmission received within a time period before the DRX period that was not used by DRX, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last uplink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the DRX period. Alternatively, the network device can determine the start time of the DRX period based on the time of the last downlink data transmission sent within a time period before the DRX period that was not used by DRX, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last downlink data transmission, thereby improving the reliability of the start time of the DRX period.

[0058] In one optional implementation, the start time of the DRX time period is a second time, which is located after the first time, and the second time is separated from the first time by a second duration.

[0059] Based on the above scheme, the network device can perform PDCCH transmission at a second time after the first time interval, which is a second duration after the first time interval, so as to perform PDCCH transmission in a timely manner and reduce the latency of downlink services.

[0060] In one optional implementation, the network device determines the start time of a discontinuous DRX reception period based on a first time, including: starting a fourth timer based on the first time; and determining the start time of the DRX period based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0061] Based on the above scheme, the network device can determine the start time of the DRX time period using the first and fourth timers. For example, the network device starts the fourth timer at the first time and sets the timeout of the fourth timer as the start time of the DRX time period.

[0062] In one optional implementation, the start time of the DRX time period is the start time of a first timer. In this method, the network device determines the start time of the DRX time period by: starting the first timer; the network device, based on the start time of the DRX time period, further determines the start time by: based on the running period of the first timer. For example, the network device determines the start time of the DRX time period based on a first time, including: starting the first timer based on the first time; the network device, based on the start time of the DRX time period, performs PDCCH transmission, including: performing PDCCH transmission based on the running period of the first timer.

[0063] Based on the above scheme, the network device can start a first timer at the first moment and send PDCCH during the running period of the first timer. This method helps the network device to send PDCCH in a timely manner, reducing the latency of downlink services.

[0064] Optionally, the first timer is an on-duration timer. In this mode, the network device starts the on-duration timer at the beginning of the DRX time period so that PDCCH can be sent during the operation of the on-duration timer.

[0065] In another optional implementation, the network device may also activate other timers besides the first timer during the DRX period, and perform PDCCH transmission based on the duration of the activated other timers. Thus, the network device can perform PDCCH transmission based on the duration of the first timer and / or other timers.

[0066] Based on the above scheme, the network device can start other timers besides the first timer during the DRX period to extend the duration of the terminal device in the active state, which is beneficial for timely transmission of PDCCH.

[0067] In one optional implementation, the start time of the first timer is the second time, the second time is located after the first time, and the second time is spaced apart from the first time by a second duration.

[0068] Based on the above scheme, the network device can start the first timer from the second time after the first time interval, and send PDCCH based on the running period of the first timer, so as to be able to send PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0069] In one optional implementation, the network device starts a fourth timer at the first moment, and starts a first timer after the fourth timer expires, the duration of the fourth timer being a second duration.

[0070] Based on the above scheme, the network device can start the fourth timer at the first time, and determine the start time of the first timer by the timeout time of the fourth timer, and then send PDCCH based on the operation period of the first timer.

[0071] In one optional implementation, the data transmission can also be understood as the last uplink data transmission received by the network device before the first timer starts, or as the last downlink data transmission sent by the network device before the first timer starts. Therefore, by determining the start time of the DRX time period based on the time of the last data transmission before the first timer starts, or the time of the PDCCH used to schedule the last data transmission, the network device can improve the reliability of the start time of the DRX time period.

[0072] In one alternative implementation, the network device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer.

[0073] Based on the above scheme, the network device can flexibly adjust the duration for which PDCCH can be sent based on whether PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0074] In one optional implementation, the network device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, including: shortening the duration of the first timer when a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer; and extending the duration of the first timer when no PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer.

[0075] The network device can shorten the duration of the first timer by either shortening it to a certain duration or by shortening it by a certain amount of time. Similarly, the network device can extend the duration of the first timer by either extending it to a certain duration or by extending it by a certain amount of time.

[0076] Based on the above scheme, when the network device sends PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it shortens the duration of the first timer to reduce power consumption; when the network device does not send PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it extends the duration of the first timer so that it can send PDCCH in a timely manner and reduce the latency of downlink services.

[0077] Optionally, the network device can configure the terminal device to shorten the duration of the first timer, so that the terminal device can shorten the duration of the first timer when it detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. For example, the network device sends information to the terminal device to indicate a third duration / fourth duration / fifth duration, where the third duration indicates that the terminal device will shorten the duration of the first timer to the third duration when it detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the fourth duration indicates that the terminal device will shorten the duration of the first timer to the fourth duration when it detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, and the fifth duration indicates that the terminal device will change the duration of the first timer from an infinite duration to the fifth duration when it detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0078] Similarly, the network device can configure the terminal device to extend the duration of the first timer, so that the terminal device can extend the duration of the first timer if it does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, which is beneficial for the terminal device to detect the PDCCH in a timely manner. For example, the network device sends information to the terminal device to indicate a sixth duration / seventh duration, where the sixth duration indicates that the terminal device will extend the duration of the first timer to the sixth duration if it does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, and the seventh duration indicates that the terminal device will extend the duration of the first timer to the seventh duration if it does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0079] In another optional implementation, the network device performs the following steps: if a PDCCH is transmitted during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped and a second timer is started; the PDCCH is transmitted based on the operation of the second timer. The duration of the second timer is shorter than the duration of the first timer.

[0080] Based on the above scheme, when the network device transmits PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer and starts a second timer with a shorter duration than the first timer, so as to transmit PDCCH based on the shorter duration of the first timer. Compared with the network device continuing to transmit PDCCH based on the duration of the first timer while transmitting PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, this method helps to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0081] In one optional implementation, the network device performs the following steps: if no PDCCH is transmitted during the operation of the first timer, a third timer is started; and the PDCCH is transmitted during the operation of the third timer. The duration of the third timer may be equal to or different from the duration of the first timer.

[0082] Based on the above scheme, if the network device does not send PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it restarts the third timer to continue sending PDCCH during the operation of the third timer, so as to be able to send PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0083] Optionally, the network device can configure a third timer and its duration to the terminal device, so that if the terminal device does not detect PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the third timer is started, allowing PDCCH monitoring to continue during the operation of the third timer, which facilitates timely PDCCH monitoring by the terminal device. For example, the network device sends information to the terminal device indicating the third timer and its duration, and the third timer is used to indicate that the terminal device needs to start the third timer if it does not detect PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0084] In one alternative implementation, if the network device sends a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer to reduce power consumption.

[0085] Thirdly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device. This communication device has some or all of the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect, or some or all of the functions of the network device described in the second aspect. For example, the communication device may have some or all of the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect of this application, or it may have the functions of any one of the embodiments of this application implemented individually. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0086] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The communication unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0087] In one embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, the communication unit being used to send and receive signals / signaling, and the device being applied to a terminal device;

[0088] The processing unit is configured to determine the start time of a non-continuous DRX reception time period based on a first time.

[0089] The processing unit is also configured to perform physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring based on the start time of the DRX time period;

[0090] The first time is any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs.

[0091] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the first aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0092] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, the communication unit being used to send and receive signals / signaling, and the device being applied to a network device;

[0093] The processing unit is configured to determine the start time of a non-continuous DRX reception time period based on a first time.

[0094] The processing unit is also configured to perform physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission based on the start time of the DRX time period;

[0095] The first time is any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs.

[0096] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the second aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0097] As an example, the processing unit can be a processor, and the communication unit can be a transceiver unit, transceiver, or communication interface. It is understood that when the communication device is a communication apparatus (e.g., a terminal or network device), the communication unit can be a transceiver within the communication apparatus (e.g., a transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver), implemented, for example, through an antenna, feeder, and codec within the communication apparatus. Alternatively, if the communication device is a chip located within a device, the processing unit can be the chip's processing circuitry, logic circuitry, etc., and the communication unit can be the chip's input / output interface, such as input / output circuitry, pins, etc.

[0098] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or chip system. The processing unit may also be a processing circuit or logic circuit; the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system.

[0099] In implementation, the processor can be used for, but is not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver can be used for, but is not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. These devices can be disposed on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into analog baseband processors and digital baseband processors. The analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver on the same chip, while the digital baseband processor can be disposed on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (e.g., but not limited to graphics processors, multimedia processors, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a System-on-a-Chip (SoC). Whether the devices are disposed independently on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of the product design. This application does not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0100] Fourthly, embodiments of this application also provide a processor for executing the various methods described above. During the execution of these methods, the processes of sending and receiving the aforementioned information can be understood as the processor outputting the aforementioned information and the processor receiving the input information. When outputting the aforementioned information, the processor outputs the information to a transceiver for transmission. After being output by the processor, the information may require further processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may require further processing before being input to the processor.

[0101] Unless otherwise specified, or unless it contradicts its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and reception operations involved by the processor can be more generally understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, rather than transmission and reception operations directly performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas.

[0102] In implementation, the processor can be a dedicated processor for executing these methods, or it can be a processor that executes computer instructions stored in memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the arrangement of the memory and processor.

[0103] Fifthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device for performing the method described in the first aspect and a network device for performing the method described in the second aspect. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices / functional network elements that interact with at least one of the terminal device and the network device.

[0104] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, implement the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0105] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product including instructions that, when executed on a communication device, implement the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0106] Eighthly, this application provides a chip including a processor (or logic circuit). Optionally, the chip may further include a communication interface (or interface) for implementing the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect. In one possible implementation, if the chip is the smallest processing unit in the entire machine, the chip may be a processor, or it may include a processor and a memory, or it may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver for implementing the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0107] Ninthly, this application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and an interface. Optionally, it may also include memory for implementing the methods in any of the possible embodiments of the first or second aspect. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0108] The beneficial effects of the third to ninth aspects mentioned above can be found in the descriptions of the beneficial effects in the first or second aspects, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0109] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system;

[0110] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle;

[0111] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of speculative reasoning;

[0112] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a downward transaction in speculative reasoning;

[0113] Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a DRX time period provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another DRX time period provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another DRX time period provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of speculative reasoning provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0118] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another speculative reasoning provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0121] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0122] In the description of the embodiments of this application, 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 existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0123] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0124] Furthermore, 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.

[0125] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0126] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more. "More than one" refers to two or more. "At least two (items)" refers to two or three or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) 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. Both "...when" and "if" indicate that a corresponding action will be taken under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require a judgment action to be taken when the action is taken, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0127] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" may include: direct instruction, or indirect instruction, or explicit instruction, or implicit instruction.

[0128] In the embodiments of this application, "including" may include: direct inclusion, or indirect inclusion, or explicit inclusion, or implicit inclusion.

[0129] It should be understood that the prior art may change as the technical solutions evolve, and the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the prior art provided.

[0130] It should be noted that different embodiments or some steps (e.g., any one or more steps) in different embodiments of this application can be combined with each other to form new embodiments. It should also be noted that the steps or any one or more steps in different embodiments are not limited to include optional steps in a certain embodiment, mandatory steps in a certain embodiment, or both optional and mandatory steps in a certain embodiment; the embodiments of this application are not limited in this way.

[0131] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced in each other.

[0132] It should be noted that the order of the steps in the embodiments of this application is not limited by this application.

[0133] It should be noted that the order of judgment of different conditions in the embodiments of this application is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0134] It should be noted that the terms "after" and "time" in the embodiments of this application do not strictly limit the time point.

[0135] It should be noted that the nouns and terms used in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and may be other names. The embodiments of this application are not limited to these.

[0136] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, wherein the RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110. Terminal devices and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. The communication system may also include a core network 200. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 wirelessly or via wired means. The core network device in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the RAN node. The communication system may also include the Internet 300.

[0137] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, or a future radio access system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). RAN100 can also include two or more of the aforementioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN). RAN100 can also be a terrestrial network communication system or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. The NTN system can be an NTN system integrated with 4G, 5G, and any future generation of communication systems, such as NR NTN, Internet of Things (IoT) NTN, etc. NTN communication systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, and can also include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other aerial access network equipment; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0138] RAN nodes, also known as network devices, radio access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminal devices access communication systems wirelessly. In one application scenario, an RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. RAN nodes can be macro base stations (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), relay nodes, or donor nodes. In NTN communication systems, RAN nodes can be satellites or base station equipment mounted on satellites. RAN nodes can also be gateway stations (or ground stations, earth stations, signaling stations, gateways, or gateway stations), and can also be HAPS, drones, hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, high-Earth orbit satellites, etc., without limitation.

[0139] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control (RRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RANC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of these protocol layers, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as remote radio units (RRUs) or active antenna units (AAUs). CUs can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0140] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, a RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description.

[0141] Terminal equipment is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from a base station. Terminal equipment can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as NTN, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), IoT, virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. Terminals can also be satellite communication terminals, such as very small aperture terminals (VSAT) (commonly referred to as VSAT terminals), portable stations, fixed stations, and vehicle-mounted or airborne satellite communication terminals. It should be understood that satellite communication terminals communicate with satellites and can also act as micro base stations to further provide data interfaces to accessed user equipment. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0142] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0143] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0144] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the terminal's functions can be a terminal itself; or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0145] In this embodiment of the application, the network device may be a device for implementing RAN functions, and the device for implementing RAN functions may be a RAN node; or it may be a device that can support the RAN node to implement the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the RAN node.

[0146] It is understood that when the solutions of this application are applied to future communication systems, the corresponding network node names may change, and this application does not limit this.

[0147] The embodiments disclosed in this application will be presented to illustrate various aspects, embodiments, or features of this application in relation to systems including multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches may also be used.

[0148] For ease of understanding, some concepts related to the embodiments of this application are illustrated below.

[0149] 1. Discontinuous DRX reception.

[0150] In wireless communication systems, terminals do not constantly interact with the network, nor do they continuously perform upload or download operations, and voice data is not transmitted continuously during calls. If the terminal continuously monitors the PDCCH to check for information from the serving cell, it incurs significant power consumption. Therefore, to save terminal power consumption while ensuring effective data transmission, a DRX mechanism is proposed to control the terminal's PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0151] Referring to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle, the time period marked "on duration" in Figure 2 represents the terminal's wake-up period, i.e., the period during which the terminal waits to receive the PDCCH after being woken up. During this period, the terminal is in a wake-up / active state, belonging to the "active period." The time period marked "opportunity for DRX" in Figure 2 represents the terminal's sleep period, i.e., the period during which the terminal enters sleep mode and does not monitor the PDCCH in order to save power, belonging to the terminal's "dormant period." The longer the DRX sleep time, the lower the terminal's power consumption, but correspondingly, the service transmission latency will increase. For example, a DRX cycle represents the repetition period of the terminal's wake-up period. A DRX cycle consists of "on duration" plus any subsequent active and inactive time periods.

[0152] Terminals can control the behavior of monitoring the PDCCH through the DRX function configured by the network. For example, the PDCCH controlled by DRX may be scrambled by any of the following: Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI), Configured Scheduling RNTI (CS-RNTI), Interruption RNTI (INT-RNTI), Slot Format Indication RNTI (SFI-RNTI), Semi-Persistent Channel State Information RNTI (SP-CSI-RNTI), Transmission Power Control-Physical Uplink Control Channel RNTI (TPC-PUCCH-RNTI), Transmission Power Control-Physical Uplink Share Channel RNTI (TPC-PUSCH-RNTI), and Transmission Power Control-Sounding Reference Signal RNTI (TPC-SRS-RNTI). For example, when using a configured DRX, the terminal can also perform PDCCH monitoring according to the requirements of other media access control (MAC) layer procedures. That is, when other MAC layer procedures stipulate that the terminal needs to maintain PDCCH monitoring, the terminal needs to maintain PDCCH monitoring regardless of the DRX state.

[0153] For example, the activation time of DRX can include any one or more of the following:

[0154] The runtime of drx-onDurationTimer;

[0155] The runtime of drx-InactivityTimer;

[0156] The runtime of drx-RetransmissionTimerDL;

[0157] The runtime of drx-RetransmissionTimerUL;

[0158] The runtime of drx-RetransmissionTimerSL;

[0159] A scheduling request (SR) was sent on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and the SR is awaiting processing.

[0160] After the non-contention-based random access procedure successfully receives the random access response (RAR) (i.e., after the non-contention-based random access (RA) is successful), but no new PDCCH scrambled with C-RNTI has been received, etc.

[0161] For example, drx-onDurationTimer: a period of time located at the beginning of the DRX cycle.

[0162] For example, drx-InactivityTimer indicates a period of time after the occurrence of a new uplink or downlink PDCCH transmission. For instance, when a terminal device receives a PDCCH (e.g., a PDCCH scrambled with C-RNTI or CS-RNTI), indicating a new uplink or downlink transmission (i.e., new transmission scheduling), it starts or restarts drx-InactivityTimer.

[0163] For example, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL: the maximum duration until a downlink (DL) retransmission is received. For example, if drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL times out and the data is not successfully decoded, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL will be started or restarted.

[0164] For example, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL: the maximum duration until an authorization for an uplink (UL) retransmission is received. For example, in the first symbol after drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL times out, start or restart drx-RetransmissionTimerUL for the corresponding HARQ process.

[0165] For example, drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL: the minimum time before the DL allocation for HARQ retransmission expected by the MAC entity, or the minimum time before the MAC entity expects to receive the DL allocation for HARQ retransmission. For example, the terminal device receives a PDCCH (e.g., a PDCCH scrambled with C-RNTI or CS-RNTI) indicating downlink transmission, or the terminal device receives data in a configured downlink allocation (e.g., a unicast-associated SPS resource), and after feedback, starts or restarts drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL. Here, RTT stands for Round Trip Time.

[0166] For example, drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL: the minimum time before the MAC entity expects a UL HARQ retransmission grant, or the minimum time before the MAC entity expects to receive a UL HARQ retransmission grant. For example, the terminal device sends a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) in a configured uplink grant (e.g., a unicast-associated SPS resource), or the terminal device receives a PDCCH indicating a UL transmission, initiating or restarting drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL.

[0167] For example, drx-RetransmissionTimerSL: the maximum duration until an authorization for retransmission on the sidelink (SL) is received.

[0168] For example, drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerSL: the minimum length before the expected SL retransmission authorization or the minimum length before the expected SL retransmission authorization is received.

[0169] Generally, terminal devices control the timing of entering the wake-up period (i.e., the start time of on duration) by maintaining a discontinuous reception persistence timer (i.e., drx-onDurationTimer). For example, when the terminal device starts drx-onDurationTimer, it signifies the start of a DRX cycle. Specifically, the terminal device can calculate the start time of drx-onDurationTimer, which refers to the time domain unit where drx-onDurationTimer starts. Then, the terminal device starts drx-onDurationTimer at the specified start time. During the operation of drx-onDurationTimer, the terminal device is in the wake-up period.

[0170] For example, in conventional technology, the activation timing of drx-onDurationTimer is periodic, or, in conventional technology, the activation timing of drx-onDurationTimer is periodic within a superframe. For example, in conventional technology, the interval or duration between the activation timings of two drx-onDurationTimers (or, the activation timings of two drx-onDurationTimers within a superframe) is the duration of a DRX cycle (e.g., a long DRX cycle or a short DRX cycle). For example, in conventional technology, the terminal device determines the activation timing of drx-onDurationTimer using a formula. For example, in conventional technology, the terminal device calculates the activation timing of drx-onDurationTimer using the following steps (1) and (2):

[0171] (1) The terminal device determines the frame number (SFN) and subframe number for drx-onDurationTimer startup using either Formula 1 or Formula 2:

[0172] When the terminal device uses a long DRX cycle (drx-LongCycle), the terminal device calculates the frame number and subframe number started by drx-onDurationTimer using Formula 1: [(SFN×10)+subframe number]modulo(drx-LongCycle)=drx-StartOffset; (Formula 1)

[0173] When the terminal device uses a short DRX cycle (drx-ShortCycle), the terminal device calculates the frame number and subframe number started by drx-onDurationTimer using Formula 2: [(SFN×10)+subframe number]modulo(drx-ShortCycle)=(drx-StartOffset)modulo(drx-ShortCycle); (Formula 2)

[0174] (2) After the terminal device obtains the SFN and subframe number for starting drx-onDurationTimer through Formula 1 or Formula 2, the terminal device starts drx-onDurationTimer after the duration indicated by drx-SlotOffset starting from the subframe determined according to Formula 1 or Formula 2.

[0175] The parameters involved in steps (1) and (2) above have the following meanings:

[0176] drx-LongCycle indicates the duration of a long DRX cycle, measured in milliseconds (ms), with a value ranging from 10ms to 10240ms. Optionally, with advancements in communication technology, the value range of drx-LongCycle can be extended to 1ms, 0.1ms, or 0.01ms, etc.

[0177] drx-ShortCycle (optional) indicates the duration of a short DRX cycle in milliseconds (ms), ranging from 2ms to 640ms.

[0178] It should be understood that network devices may be configured with both long and short DRX periods. However, at any given time, the terminal device only uses one of the periods (e.g., long or short DRX period) as the DRX period, which is the DRX period corresponding to drx-onDurationTimer.

[0179] `drx-StartOffset` indicates the subframe at which the DRX cycle (e.g., long or short DRX cycle) begins. It's used to calculate the frame number and subframe number when `drx-onDurationTimer` starts. Essentially, `drx-StartOffset` determines which subframe of which frame `drx-onDurationTimer` starts. The unit of `drx-StartOffset` is milliseconds (ms), and its value ranges from 0 ms to (drx-LongCycle - 1 ms) ms.

[0180] `drx-SlotOffset` indicates the delay before `drx-onDurationTimer` starts. It is the offset within a subframe used to calculate the start time of `drx-onDurationTimer`. The value of `drx-SlotOffset` ranges from 0ms to (31 / 32)ms, with a precision of (1 / 32)ms. This can be understood as follows: after the terminal device determines which subframe of which frame `drx-onDurationTimer` starts based on `drx-StartOffset`, the terminal device then determines, based on `drx-SlotOffset`, which (1 / 32)ms within the aforementioned subframe (i.e., the subframe determined based on `drx-StartOffset`) will trigger `drx-onDurationTimer`.

[0181] If the network and terminal perform downlink data transmission for non-periodic services based on periodic DRX (or traditional DRX), and if the network has downlink data that needs to be sent to the terminal, but the terminal is in an inactive state of DRX, the network will have to wait until the DRX becomes active (e.g., the active state of the next DRX cycle) before it can send the downlink data to the terminal. This will affect the downlink data transmission time, leading to increased service latency and impacting user experience.

[0182] 2. AIGC Intelligent Dialogue.

[0183] AIGC intelligent dialogue is an emerging question-answering service based on a large language model. It mainly involves: a user posing a question (user input); after processing, the question is input into a large artificial intelligence (AI) model; the AI ​​model infers the answer based on the question and returns it to the user. For example, autoregressive inference in the large model can infer one token at a time. Since the memory required for inference is much smaller than the parameters needed for inference, each time a token is inferred, the parameters need to be loaded again, resulting in frequent access to the memory corresponding to the model parameters during inference, thus affecting inference performance.

[0184] To reduce the impact of frequent memory access to model parameters during inference on inference performance, a speculative inference method is provided. For example, in this method, a model (e.g., a small model and a large model) is deployed on both the terminal and a cloud server for inference. The terminal uses the model to perform inference predictions on the question, obtaining one or more predicted tokens, and sends these tokens to the cloud server. The cloud server loads and verifies the one or more tokens predicted by the terminal using parameters and sends the verification result back to the terminal. Based on the verification result, the terminal performs the next round of inference predictions and sends one or more tokens obtained from the next round of inference predictions to the cloud server, allowing the cloud server to continue verification until the answer to the question is generated. For example, "inference prediction" can be included / replaced with "inference" or "prediction". For example, "predicted" can be included / replaced with "inferred".

[0185] For example, Figure 3 illustrates a speculative reasoning process. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal performs reasoning and prediction based on a model, obtaining predicted tokens 1 to 4, and sends tokens 1 to 4 to the cloud server. While the cloud server uses the model to reason about the problem, it also verifies the terminal's predicted tokens 1 to 4. The cloud server verifies the terminal's predicted tokens 1 and 2, and obtains token A based on token 2. The cloud server sends the verified tokens 1 and 2, along with the inferred token A, to the terminal. The terminal performs the next round of reasoning, obtaining predicted tokens 5 to 8, and sends them to the cloud server. The cloud server verifies tokens 5 to 8, and all verifications pass. Based on token 8, the cloud server obtains token B, and then sends the verified tokens 5 to 8, along with token B, to the terminal. The terminal continues with the next round of prediction, obtaining predicted tokens 9 through 12, and sends tokens 9 through 12 to the cloud server. The cloud server then verifies tokens 9 through 12, and this process is repeated until the answer to the question is generated. For example, verification can include / be replaced with: reasoning. For example, verification passing can include / be replaced with: reasoning passing.

[0186] For example, speculative inference is a non-periodic service. In speculative inference, the transmission time of each downlink data transmission is related to the transmission time of the adjacent uplink data transmission or the transmission time of the previous downlink data transmission, and it is not a traditional periodic service, but rather a non-periodic one. Therefore, periodic DRX (or traditional DRX) may not be suitable for speculative inference. For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a downlink service in speculative inference. As shown in Figure 4, if the network transmits downlink data in speculative inference based on periodic DRX (or traditional DRX), and if the network needs to send downlink data 2 to the terminal, but the terminal is in an inactive state of the DRX, the network must wait for the DRX to become active (e.g., the active state of the next DRX cycle) before sending downlink data 2 to the terminal. This will affect the downlink data transmission time, leading to increased service latency and impacting user experience. Furthermore, the delay in the transmission time of downlink data 2 will delay the transmission time of downlink data 3 to downlink data 5, further increasing the latency of downlink data 1 to downlink data 5 and impacting user experience. In addition, the delay in the transmission time of downlink data 2 will also delay the transmission of uplink data, thereby affecting the latency of subsequent uplink and downlink data and impacting user experience.

[0187] In this embodiment, when the network device is a device, the network device can transmit information / signals through an antenna provided with the device. When the network device is a chip, the network device can transmit information / signals by outputting information / signals from the chip. Optionally, the chip includes an interface, and the network device outputs information / signals through the interface in the chip.

[0188] In this embodiment, when the terminal device is a device, the terminal device receives information / signals through an antenna configured in the device. When the terminal device is a chip, the terminal device receives information / signals by inputting information / signals into the chip. Optionally, the chip includes an interface, through which the network device inputs information / signals.

[0189] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "in the case of..." or "in the case of..." or similar descriptions may include / be replaced with: "if...", or "if...", or "the condition of...".

[0190] It should be noted that the name of DRX is not limited in the embodiments of this application, and it can be replaced with other names, such as discontinuous reception, discontinuous monitoring, discontinuous monitoring, discontinuous transmission, discontinuous transmission, discontinuous transmission, or discontinuous transmission.

[0191] It should be noted that the name of the DRX time period is not limited in the embodiments of this application, and it can be replaced with other names.

[0192] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of this application illustrate the corresponding methods using a terminal device and a network device as the execution subjects. For example, the terminal device is the terminal in the system shown in Figure 1, and the network device is the RAN node in the system shown in Figure 1. However, the embodiments of this application do not limit the execution subject of the method. For example, the terminal device in the method can also be / replaced by a first device, first equipment, processor, module, chip, or chip system or software module that supports the implementation of the corresponding method, and the network device in the method can also be / replaced by a second device, second equipment, processor, module, chip, or chip system or software module that supports the implementation of the corresponding method.

[0193] This application provides a communication method, and Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method. The communication method is described from the perspective of the interaction between a terminal device and a network device. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0194] Optionally, S501. The network device determines the start time of the DRX time period (e.g., the first DRX time period) based on the first time.

[0195] S502. The terminal device determines the start time of the DRX time period (e.g., the first DRX time period) based on the first time.

[0196] For example, the first time may include / be any of the following: the time when data (e.g., first data) is transmitted, the time when the PDCCH used to schedule the data transmission (e.g., the first PDCCH) is located, the time associated with the time when the data is transmitted, or the time associated with the time when the PDCCH used to schedule the data transmission is located.

[0197] For example, in the embodiments of this application, or in S501 and / or S502, the data may include / be replaced with: first data.

[0198] For example, in the embodiments of this application, or in S501 and / or S502, the PDCCH or the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission may include / be replaced by: a first PDCCH.

[0199] For example, in embodiments of this application, the PDCCH may include / be replaced by: DCI or control information. For example, the first PDCCH may include / be replaced by: the first DCI, or, the first control information.

[0200] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, or in S501 and / or S502, the PDCCH or the first PDCCH may be scrambled by at least one of the following, or the PDCCH or the first PDCCH may be associated with at least one of the following: C-RNTI, or CS-RNTI.

[0201] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, time may include / be replaced by at least one of the following: frame, subframe, slot, mini-slot, symbol, etc.

[0202] For example, the time in question can be included / replaced with: the time of data transmission. For example, the time in which data transmission occurs can be included / replaced with: the time of data transmission. For example, the time in which the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs can be included / replaced with: the time of the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission.

[0203] For example, the time associated with the time when data transmission occurs can include / be replaced with: the time associated with data transmission. For example, the time associated with the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs can include / be replaced with: the time associated with the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission.

[0204] For example, the time associated with the time when data transmission occurs can include / be replaced with / become: a time after the time when data transmission occurs or the Xth time, or, a time after the time transmission occurs or the Xth time. For example, the time associated with the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs can include / be replaced with / become: a time after the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs or the Xth time, or, a time after the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs or the Xth time. For example, X can be an integer or a positive integer. For example, X can be 1.

[0205] For example, the means for scheduling data transmission may include / be replaced with: the means for scheduling resources used for data transmission, or the means for scheduling resources related to data transmission, or the means for scheduling resources.

[0206] For example, a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission may include / be replaced with: a PDCCH for scheduling resources used for data transmission, or a PDCCH for scheduling resources related to data transmission, or a PDCCH for scheduling resources.

[0207] For example, related terms can include / replace with: where, or of.

[0208] For example, the data transmission can be uplink data transmission, downlink data transmission, or other data transmission; the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0209] For example, the resource can be an uplink resource, or a downlink resource, or other resources; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0210] For example, in the embodiments of this application, or in S501 and / or S502, the resource may include / be replaced with: a first resource.

[0211] In one optional implementation, when the data transmission is an uplink data transmission, the time of data transmission can be: the time when the network device receives the uplink data, or the time when the terminal device sends the uplink data, or the time when the network device configures / schedules resources (e.g., dynamic grant (DG) or configure grant (CG)) for the terminal device for uplink data transmission.

[0212] In another alternative implementation, when the data transmission is a downlink data transmission, the time of data transmission can be: the time when the network device sends downlink data, or the time when the terminal device receives downlink data, or the time when the network device configures / schedules resources for downlink data transmission for the terminal device (e.g., dynamic allocation, or semi-persistent scheduling, SPS)).

[0213] In another optional implementation, when the data transmission is uplink data transmission (or the resource is uplink resource), the time at which the PDCCH used to schedule the data transmission occurs can be: the time at which the PDCCH used to schedule the uplink data transmission occurs.

[0214] In another optional implementation, when the data transmission is downlink data transmission (or the resource is downlink resource), the time at which the PDCCH used to schedule the data transmission occurs can be the time at which the PDCCH used to schedule the downlink data transmission occurs.

[0215] For example, the "data transmission" in "the time when the PDCCH for scheduling data transmission is located" and the "data transmission" in "the time when data transmission occurs" can be the same data transmission or different data transmissions; this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, when the resource for data transmission is a DG resource or dynamically allocated, the "data transmission" in "the time when the PDCCH for scheduling data transmission is located" and the "data transmission" in "the time when data transmission occurs" can be the same data transmission. As another example, when the resource for data transmission is a CG resource or an SPS resource, the "data transmission" in "the time when the PDCCH for scheduling data transmission is located" and the "data transmission" in "the time when data transmission occurs" can be different data transmissions.

[0216] For example, in this embodiment, a time period may include / be replaced by a period. For example, in this embodiment, a DRX time period may include / be replaced by a DRX period, or a time period, or a period. It should be noted that a DRX period or period does not mean that the DRX, the DRX time period, the start time of the DRX time period, or the start time of the first timer are periodic. For example, a period may include / be replaced by a loop, or a cycle. For example, a DRX period may include / be replaced by a DRX loop, or a DRX cycle.

[0217] For example, in the embodiments of this application, or in S501 and / or S502, the DRX time period may include / be replaced with: a first DRX time period, or a first DRX cycle, or a first time period, or a first cycle.

[0218] For example, in the embodiments of this application, or in S501 and / or S502, data transmission may include / be replaced by: first data transmission, or, transmission of first data.

[0219] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the start time of the DRX time period, DRX, DRX pattern, or the start time of the first timer is non-periodic or not periodic; or, the duration of different DRX time periods may be different; or, the interval or duration of the start times of different first timers may be different. Alternatively, in the embodiments of this application, the DRX time period can be understood as a dynamic DRX time period; or, DRX can be understood as a dynamic DRX; or, DRX pattern can be understood as a dynamic DRX pattern; or, the start time of the DRX time period can be understood as the start time of a dynamic DRX time period; or, the start time of the first timer can be understood as the start time of a dynamic first timer. For conventional DRX, the start time of a DRX time period, DRX pattern, DRX time period, the start time of the first timer, or the start time of drx-onDurationTimer is periodic; or, different DRX time periods (or DRX time periods within a superframe) have the same duration; or, the interval or duration of the start times of different first timers or drx-onDurationTimers may be different. Conventional DRX differs from the DRX in the embodiments of this application.

[0220] The execution order of S501 and S502 is not limited in this embodiment. For example, S501 can be executed before S502, after S502, or simultaneously.

[0221] For example, network devices can determine the start time of a DRX time period based on the first moment. Compared to determining the start time of a DRX time period based on a formula and / or configuration (or, a fixed / traditional) DRX cycle, this can improve the flexibility of the start time of the DRX time period, which in turn helps network devices to send PDCCH in a timely manner, reduce service latency, improve service quality / user experience, and also save energy.

[0222] For example, the terminal device can determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time. Compared with determining the start time of the DRX time period based on a formula and / or configuration (or, fixed / traditional) DRX cycle, this can improve the flexibility of the start time of the DRX time period, which in turn helps the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner, reduce service latency, improve service quality / user experience, and also save energy.

[0223] Optionally, the first time can be before a DRX time period (e.g., the first DRX time period). Optionally, the first time can be within another DRX time period (e.g., the second DRX time period) before the first DRX time period, or the first time can be within a time period (or a time) before the DRX time period that is not using DRX.

[0224] For example, in the embodiments of this application, "before the DRX time period" can include / before the start time of the DRX time period.

[0225] In one alternative implementation, the first time is located within another DRX time period (e.g., a second DRX time period) preceding the first DRX time period (e.g., a first DRX time period).

[0226] For example, another DRX time period (e.g., the second DRX time period) is the previous DRX time period of the DRX time period (e.g., the first DRX time period).

[0227] For example, a terminal device can determine the start time of a subsequent DRX time period (e.g., a first DRX time period) based on a first time within a previous DRX time period (e.g., a second DRX time period). Similarly, a network device can determine the start time of a subsequent DRX time period (e.g., a first DRX time period) based on a first time within a previous DRX time period (e.g., a second DRX time period). For example, "subsequent" can include / become "next".

[0228] For example, in the embodiments of this application, another DRX time period or a second DRX time period or a previous DRX time period may include / be replaced by: a second DRX time period, or a second DRX cycle, or a second time period, or a second cycle.

[0229] For example, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a DRX time period. As shown in Figure 6, there are DRX time period 1 and DRX time period 2, where DRX time period 2 is located after DRX time period 1, and the first time is within DRX time period 1. Therefore, the network device and / or terminal device can determine the start time t2 of DRX time period 2 based on the first time t1 within DRX time period 1.

[0230] Optionally, the durations of different DRX time periods (e.g., a DRX time period and another DRX time period preceding it) may not be equal, or the start times of different DRX time periods may be aperiodic or non-periodic. For example, the duration T1 of DRX time period 1 in Figure 6 is not equal to the duration T2 of DRX time period 2.

[0231] For example, network devices and / or terminal devices can use the start time of the DRX time period determined in the first moment to be suitable for non-periodic downlink services, such as speculative reasoning services in AIGC intelligent dialogue.

[0232] In another alternative implementation, the first time is within a time period (or a time) of unused DRX preceding the DRX time period.

[0233] For example, "DRX not used" can include / replace with: "DRX not configured", or "DRX pattern not used", or "DRX not configured", or "DRX not configured". "Used" can include / replace with: "Apply", or "Enabled", or "Enabled".

[0234] For example, if a time period (or time) preceding a DRX time period (e.g., the first DRX time period) is not DRX used, then the first time is within a time period (or time) preceding a DRX time period (e.g., the first DRX time period) that is not DRX used.

[0235] For example, a time period can include / replace with: a time.

[0236] For example, a terminal device can determine the start time of a DRX period that uses DRX after a period of time when DRX is not used, based on the first time within that period of time. Similarly, a network device can determine the start time of a DRX period that uses DRX after a period of time when DRX is not used, based on the first time within that period of time.

[0237] For example, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another DRX time period. As shown in Figure 7, time period a is a time period in which DRX is not used, and DRX time period 1 is a time period in which DRX is used, with the first time located within time period a. Then, the network device and / or terminal device can determine the start time t2 of DRX time period 1 based on the first time t1 within time period a.

[0238] Optionally, the data transmission or the first data transmission or the transmission of the first data can be the last data transmission before the DRX time period.

[0239] For example, the last data transmission may include / be replaced by any of the following: the last data transmission sent, the last data transmission received, the last data transmission sent by the terminal device, the last data transmission received by the terminal device, the last data transmission sent by the network device, and the last data transmission received by the network device.

[0240] Optionally, the data or first data can be the last data before the DRX time period.

[0241] For example, the last data may include / be replaced with any of the following: the last data sent, the last data received, the last data sent by the terminal device, the last data received by the terminal device, the last data sent by the network device, or the last data received by the network device.

[0242] In one alternative implementation, the data transmission or the first data transmission or the transmission of the first data is the last data transmission within another DRX time period preceding the DRX time period.

[0243] Optionally, the first data point is the last data point in another DRX time period preceding the previous DRX time period.

[0244] For example, if the first time period is within another DRX time period preceding the first DRX time period, for the terminal device, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission sent within the other DRX time period or the last downlink data transmission received within the other DRX time period; for the network device, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission received within the other DRX time period or the last downlink data transmission sent within the other DRX time period.

[0245] For example, there are DRX time period 1 and DRX time period 2, with the first time occurring within DRX time period 1. The uplink data sent by the terminal device within DRX time period 1 in chronological order includes data 1 and data 2. Therefore, data transmission refers to the transmission of data 2 within DRX time period 1. For instance, the first time could be the time the terminal device sends data 2, the time the terminal device receives the PDCCH for scheduling the transmission of data 2, the time the network device receives data 2, or the time the network device sends the PDCCH for scheduling the transmission of data 2.

[0246] For example, there are DRX time period 1 and DRX time period 2, with the first time occurring within DRX time period 1. If the downlink data sent by the network device within DRX time period 1 in chronological order includes data 3, data 4, and data 5, then data transmission refers to the transmission of data 5 within DRX time period 1. For instance, the first time could be the time the network device sends data 5, the time the network device sends the PDCCH used to schedule data 5, the time the terminal device receives data 5, or the time the terminal device receives the PDCCH used to schedule data 5.

[0247] In another alternative implementation, the data transmission or the first data transmission or the transmission of the first data is the last data transmission within a time period during which DRX was not used, prior to the DRX time period.

[0248] Optionally, the first data is the last data within a time period before the DRX time period that was not used by DRX.

[0249] For example, if the data transmission occurs within a period of unused DRX preceding the DRX period, then for the terminal device, the data transmission is either the last uplink data transmission sent within that period of unused DRX preceding the DRX period, or the last downlink data transmission received within that period of unused DRX preceding the DRX period. Similarly, for the network device, the data transmission is either the last downlink data transmission sent within that period of unused DRX preceding the DRX period, or the last uplink data transmission received within that period of unused DRX preceding the DRX period.

[0250] For example, if the first time period is the unused DRX time period a preceding DRX time period 1, and the downlink data received by the terminal device in time period a in chronological order includes data 1 and data 2, then data transmission refers to the transmission of data 2 within time period a. For instance, the first time period could be the time when the terminal device receives data 2, or the time when the terminal device receives the PDCCH used to schedule data 2, or the time when the network device sends data 2, or the time when the network device sends the PDCCH used to schedule data 2.

[0251] Optionally, the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission or the first PDCCH can be the last PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission before the DRX time period.

[0252] For example, the last PDCCH may include / be replaced by any of the following: the last PDCCH sent, the last PDCCH received, the last PDCCH received by the terminal device, or the last PDCCH sent by the network device.

[0253] In one alternative implementation, the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission, or the first PDCCH, can be the last PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission within another DRX time period prior to the DRX time period.

[0254] For example, if the first time period is within another DRX time period before the first DRX time period, for the terminal device, the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission is the last PDCCH received by the terminal device in the other DRX time period for scheduling uplink or downlink data transmission; for the network device, the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission is the last PDCCH sent by the network device in the other DRX time period for scheduling uplink or downlink data transmission.

[0255] For example, given DRX time period 1 and DRX time period 2, and the first time being within DRX time period 1, the PDCCHs used for scheduling uplink data transmission sent by the network device in chronological order within DRX time period 1 include PDCCH#1 and PDCCH#2. Therefore, the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission, or the first PDCCH, is PDCCH#2. For instance, the first time could be the time when the network device sends PDCCH#2, or the time when the terminal device receives PDCCH#2.

[0256] In another alternative implementation, the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission, or the first PDCCH, can be the last PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission within a time period before the DRX time period when no DRX was used.

[0257] For example, if the first time is within a period of unused DRX before the DRX period, for the terminal device, the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission is the last PDCCH received within the period of unused DRX before the DRX period for scheduling uplink or downlink data transmission; for the network device, the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission is the last PDCCH sent within the period of unused DRX before the DRX period for scheduling uplink or downlink data transmission.

[0258] For example, in the unused DRX time period a preceding DRX time period 1, if the PDCCHs used for scheduling downlink data received by the terminal device in time period a in chronological order include PDCCH#3 and PDCCH#4, then the PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission, or the first PDCCH, is PDCCH#4. For instance, the first time could be the time when the network device sends PDCCH#4, or the time when the terminal device receives PDCCH#4.

[0259] Optionally, at least one of the following—data, data transmission, first data transmission, transmission of first data, PDCCH for scheduling data transmission, first data, and first PDCCH—is associated with at least one of the following: DRX, the service corresponding to DRX, DRX time period, first logical channel (LCH), first radio bearer (RB), first PDCP entity, and first service.

[0260] In one alternative implementation, at least one of the following—data, data transmission, first data transmission, transmission of first data, PDCCH for scheduling data transmission, first data, and first PDCCH—may be associated with a specific LCH (e.g., the first LCH) or a specific RB (e.g., the first RB). For example, the specific LCH or specific RB is used to transmit aperiodic services, such as speculative reasoning services in AIGC intelligent dialogue.

[0261] For example, the first LCH, first RB, first PDCP entity, or first service may be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., indicated by the network device to the terminal device, or indicated by the terminal device to the network device), or it may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or it may be pre-configured or specified by the protocol, or it may be determined by other means. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0262] Optionally, the transmission of data or the first data transmission or the first data can be the last data transmission associated with at least one of the following before the DRX time period: DRX, DRX-corresponding service, DRX time period, first LCH, first RB, first PDCP entity, and first service.

[0263] Optionally, the data or first data can be the last data associated with at least one of the following before the DRX time period: DRX, DRX-corresponding business, DRX time period, first LCH, first RB, first PDCP entity, and first business.

[0264] Optionally, the PDCCH or the first PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission can be the last PDCCH used for scheduling data transmission associated with at least one of the following before the DRX time period: DRX, DRX-corresponding service, DRX time period, first LCH, first RB, first PDCP entity, and first service.

[0265] Optionally, "based on first time" can include / be replaced with: "based on first time and second duration".

[0266] For example, "determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time" can include / be replaced with: "determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time and the second duration".

[0267] For example, the start time of the DRX time period is the second time. For example, the second time is after the first time, and there is a second time interval between the second time and the first time.

[0268] For example, the start time of the DRX time period is the second duration of the first time interval and the time following the first time.

[0269] Optionally, the second duration can be of finite length.

[0270] For example, the second duration may be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., indicated by the network device to the terminal device, or indicated by the terminal device to the network device), or it may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or it may be pre-configured or specified by the protocol, or it may be determined by other means. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0271] For example, the first time is t1, the second duration is m, the second time is t1+m, and m is greater than 0.

[0272] For example, the second duration could be the shortest time that takes into account at least one of the following: the time it takes for data to travel from the network device to the cloud server, the time it takes for the cloud server to infer, and the time it takes for the cloud server to return the inference results to the network device.

[0273] Optionally, "based on first time" may include / be replaced by at least one of: based on data transmission, data, PDCCH, and PDCCH used to schedule data transmission.

[0274] For example, based on data transmission or data, it may include / be replaced by: receiving data (or first data), or sending data (or first data), or receiving data (or first data) based on a terminal device, or sending data (or first data) based on a terminal device, or receiving data (or first data) based on a network device, or sending data (or first data) based on a network device.

[0275] For example, a PDCCH based on or used for scheduling data transmission can include / be replaced by: receiving a PDCCH (or a first PDCCH for scheduling data transmission), or sending a PDCCH (or a first PDCCH for scheduling data transmission), or receiving a PDCCH (or a first PDCCH for scheduling data transmission) by a terminal device, or sending a PDCCH (or a first PDCCH for scheduling data transmission) by a network device.

[0276] Optionally, "determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time" or "determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time and the second duration" can include / be replaced by: starting a fourth timer based on the first time; determining the start time of the DRX time period based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0277] For example, startup can be included or replaced with: restart, or, enable, or, startup / restart.

[0278] In one alternative implementation, the "second duration between the first time and the second time" can be represented by a timer (e.g., a fourth timer).

[0279] For example, the duration of the fourth timer is the same as the duration of the second timer.

[0280] For example, starting a fourth timer based on a first time may include / be replaced by: starting a fourth timer at or after the first time; or, starting a fourth timer based on at least one of data transmission, data, PDCCH, and PDCCH for scheduling data transmission.

[0281] For example, if the terminal device receives or sends data (or the first data), the terminal device starts a fourth timer. Or, if the terminal device receives or sends data (or the first data), the terminal device starts the fourth timer at the first moment or after the first moment.

[0282] For example, if the network device receives or sends data (or the first data), the network device starts a fourth timer. Or, if the network device receives or sends data (or the first data), the network device starts the fourth timer at the first moment or after the first moment.

[0283] For example, if the terminal device receives a PDCCH (a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission or a first PDCCH), the terminal device starts a fourth timer. Or, if the terminal device receives a PDCCH (a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission or a first PDCCH), the terminal device starts a fourth timer at the first moment or after the first moment.

[0284] For example, if the network device sends a PDCCH (a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission or a first PDCCH), the network device starts a fourth timer. Or, if the network device sends a PDCCH (a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission or a first PDCCH), the network device starts a fourth timer at the first moment or after the first moment.

[0285] For example, determining the start time of the DRX time period based on the timeout of the fourth timer can include / be replaced by: the start time of the DRX time period being the timeout of the fourth timer, or the start time of the DRX time period being after the timeout of the fourth timer, or the start time of the DRX time period being at / being the Yth time after the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0286] For example, Y can be an integer or a positive integer. For example, Y can be 1.

[0287] Optionally, determining the start time of the DRX time period may include / be replaced by: starting the first timer.

[0288] Optionally, "determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time" can include / be replaced by: starting a first timer based on the first time; or, starting a first timer based on the first time and a second duration; or, starting a fourth timer based on the first time and starting the first timer based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0289] Optionally, the start time of the DRX time period is the start time of the first timer.

[0290] For example, the start time of a timer can include / be replaced with: the start time of the timer, or the timing of the timer's start.

[0291] For example, network devices and / or terminal devices may start the first timer at the beginning of the DRX time period.

[0292] For example, during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device is in an active state. For example, during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device is in an active state and performs PDCCH monitoring. Accordingly, since the terminal device is in an active state during the operation of the first timer, the network device can send a PDCCH for scheduling data transmission during the operation of the first timer, so that the terminal device can monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0293] Optionally, the first timer can be a continuous timer, but the naming of the first timer is not limited in this application embodiment. For example, the continuous timer may include / be replaced by: DRX continuous timer, or drx-onDurationTimer, or on duration timer.

[0294] For example, the duration of the first timer can be a first duration.

[0295] Optionally, the duration of the first timer is the first duration during which the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring within the DRX time period.

[0296] Optionally, the duration for which the terminal device performs PDCCH detection within the DRX time period can be greater than or equal to the first duration or the duration of the first timer. For example, the time for the terminal device to perform PDCCH detection within the DRX time period may include the running time of at least one timer, or the running time of at least one timer within the DRX time period. For example, at least one timer includes the first timer. For example, at least one timer may also include other timers besides the first timer (e.g., at least one of a retransmission timer, an inactive timer, a second timer, and a third timer), without limitation. For example, during the running of any one or more of the at least one timer, the terminal device is in an active state. For example, if the terminal device and / or the network device are in an active state, the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring, and / or the network device performs PDCCH transmission. For example, if at a time, at least one timer is not running, the terminal device and / or the network device are in an inactive state, the terminal device does not perform PDCCH monitoring, and / or the network device does not perform PDCCH transmission.

[0297] For example, the retransmission timer may include / be replaced by at least one of the following: DL retransmission timer, UL retransmission timer, SL retransmission timer, DRX retransmission timer, DRX DL retransmission timer, DRX UL retransmission timer, DRX SL retransmission timer, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, drx-RetransmissionTimerSL.

[0298] For example, an inactive timer may include / be replaced by at least one of the following: DRX inactive timer, drx-InactivityTimer.

[0299] For example, the terminal device performing PDCCH detection during the DRX period may include / be replaced by at least one of the following: the network device performing PDCCH transmission during the DRX period, or the terminal device and / or the network device being in an active state during the DRX period.

[0300] For example, "active state" can include / be replaced with: on, or, active period, or, wake-up, or, wake-up state, or, wake-up period.

[0301] For example, the inactive state can include / be replaced with: sleep, or, sleep state, or, sleep period, or, inactive period, or, dormant period, or, dormant state.

[0302] For example, the duration of a timer can be included or replaced with: the runtime of the timer, or the duration of the timer's duration.

[0303] For example, the duration of the first timer or the first duration may be finite or infinite; this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the duration of the first timer or the first duration may be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., indicated by the network device to the terminal device, or indicated by the terminal device to the network device), or it may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or it may be pre-configured or specified by a protocol, or it may be determined by other means; this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the network device sends information to the terminal device indicating the duration of the first timer or the first duration, thereby allowing the terminal device to know the duration of the first timer or the first duration.

[0304] In one alternative implementation, the start time of the first timer is the second time. For example, the second time is after the first time, and the second time is a second duration longer than the first time interval.

[0305] For example, the first timer is an on-duration timer, as shown in Figure 6. The start time of the on-duration timer is t2, which is located after the first time t1, and the interval between t2 and t1 is T3.

[0306] For example, the first timer may be started at a second time after the first time and for a second duration after the first time interval.

[0307] For example, a terminal device may start a first timer at a second time after the first time and a second duration after the first time interval, and perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the first timer to monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner. Similarly, a network device may start a first timer at a second time after the first time and a second duration after the first time interval, and may send the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer to ensure timely PDCCH transmission.

[0308] For example, as shown in Figure 6, when the first time t1 is the time when the last uplink data transmission occurs within DRX time period 1, the terminal device and the network device start the on duration timer after time t2, which is T3 hours after t1; when the first time t3 is the time when the last uplink data transmission occurs within DRX time period 2, the terminal device and the network device start the on duration timer after time t4, which is T3 hours after t3.

[0309] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the first time t1 is the time when the last uplink data transmission occurs within time period a. The terminal device and the network device start the on duration timer after time t2, which is T3 hours after t1. The first time t3 is the time when the last uplink data transmission occurs within DRX time period 1. The terminal device and the network device start the on duration timer after time t4, which is T3 hours after t3.

[0310] For example, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another DRX time period. As shown in Figure 8, the first time t1 is the time when the last downlink data transmission occurs within DRX time period 1. The terminal device and the network device start the on-duration timer after time t2, which is T3 hours after t1. The first time t3 is the time when the last downlink data transmission occurs within DRX time period 2. The terminal device and the network device start the on-duration timer after time t4, which is T3 hours after t3.

[0311] Optionally, "start the first timer based on the first time" or "start the first timer based on the first time and the second duration" may include / be replaced with: starting the fourth timer based on the first time; starting the first timer based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0312] For example, starting the first timer based on the timeout of the fourth timer can include / be replaced by: starting the first timer when the fourth timer times out, or starting the first timer after the fourth timer times out, or starting the first timer at the Yth time after the fourth timer times out.

[0313] For example, the network device and / or terminal device starting the first timer at a second time could be: the network device and / or terminal device starting a fourth timer at a first time; and starting the first timer if the fourth timer times out.

[0314] For example, the network device and / or terminal device can start a fourth timer at the first time and determine the start time of the first timer by the timeout period of the fourth timer, so that the terminal device can perform PDCCH monitoring in a timely manner during the operation of the first timer, and the network device can send PDCCH in a timely manner based on the operation of the first timer.

[0315] For example, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of speculative reasoning. As shown in Figure 9, during uplink data transmission for tokens 1 to 4, the terminal device starts / restarts a fourth timer when / after sending a token / data, and starts an on-duration timer after the fourth timer expires, so as to perform PDCCH monitoring in a timely manner during the on-duration timer operation.

[0316] For example, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another speculative reasoning. As shown in Figure 10, during downlink data transmission for token1, token2 and tokenA, the terminal device starts / restarts a fourth timer upon receiving a token / data, and after the fourth timer expires, it starts an on-duration timer so that PDCCH monitoring can be performed in a timely manner during the on-duration timer operation.

[0317] For example, if the terminal device and / or network device determine the start time of the DRX time period based on the first time, the DRX can be matched with the service. This can guarantee (or reduce) service latency (or communication latency) while saving energy (e.g., saving energy in the terminal device), which is beneficial to improving communication quality and user experience.

[0318] Optionally, S503. The network device performs PDCCH (e.g., second PDCCH) transmission based on the start time of the DRX time period.

[0319] For example, the network device's start time based on the DRX time period can include / be replaced with / understood as: the network device starts from the start time of the DRX time period, or the network device starts from the start time of the DRX time period.

[0320] For example, executing PDCCH transmission can include / replace / understand as: start executing PDCCH transmission, or, send PDCCH, or, can send PDCCH, or, start sending PDCCH.

[0321] Optionally, the PDCCH sent by the network device may be associated with the data transmission in S501 and S502, or may not be associated with the data transmission in S501 and S502. For example, the PDCCH sent by the network device is used to schedule data transmission, and the network device and / or the terminal device may determine the start time of the DRX time period (or the next DRX time period) based on the data transmission scheduled by the PDCCH or the PDCCH.

[0322] Optionally, S504. The terminal device performs PDCCH (e.g., second PDCCH) monitoring based on the start time of the DRX time period.

[0323] For example, the start time of the DRX time period for the terminal device can include / be replaced / understood as: the terminal device starts from the start time of the DRX time period, or the terminal device starts from the start time of the DRX time period.

[0324] For example, performing PDCCH monitoring can include / replace / understand as: starting to perform PDCCH monitoring, or monitoring PDCCH, or being able to monitor PDCCH, or starting to monitor PDCCH.

[0325] For example, monitoring can include / be replaced with: receive, or, acquire, or, detect, or, parse.

[0326] For example, in the embodiments of this application, or in steps S503 and / or S504, the PDCCH may include / be replaced with: a second PDCCH.

[0327] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, or in step S503 and / or S504, the PDCCH or the second PDCCH may be scrambled by at least one of the following, or the PDCCH or the second PDCCH may be associated with at least one of the following: C-RNTI, cancellation indication RNTI (CI-RNTI), CS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-SRS-RNTI, availability indication RNTI (AI-RNTI), sidelink RNTI (SL-RNTI), sidelink configured ccheduling RNTI (SL-CS-RNTI), sidelink positioning reference signal RNTI (SL-PRS-RNTI), and sidelink positioning reference signal configured scheduling RNTI. RNTI (SL-PRS-CS-RNTI), sidelink semi-persistent scheduling V2X RNTI (SL Semi-Persistent Scheduling V-RNTI), and cell discontinuous transmission and reception RNTI (cellDTRX-RNTI).

[0328] Optionally, the start time based on the DRX time period may include / be replaced with: during the operation of the first timer, or based on the operation time of the first timer.

[0329] For example, if the terminal device and / or network device are in an inactive state, the terminal device will not perform PDCCH monitoring, and / or the network device will not perform PDCCH transmission. For example, if at least one timer is not running at a given time, the terminal device and / or network device are in an inactive state, the terminal device will not perform PDCCH monitoring, and / or the network device will not perform PDCCH transmission.

[0330] Optionally, embodiments of this application may further include S505. S505 may include at least one of implementation method 1, implementation method 2, implementation method 3, and implementation method 4.

[0331] Implementation Method 1: The terminal device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) is detected during the operation of the first timer. And / or, the network device can adjust the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) is sent during the operation of the first timer.

[0332] For example, in the embodiments of this application, whether it is detected can be included / replaced with: detected or not detected.

[0333] For example, in the embodiments of this application, "monitored" can include / be replaced with: received.

[0334] For example, in the embodiments of this application, "not detected" can include / be replaced with: "not received".

[0335] For example, it should be noted that "monitoring" and "detected" can have different meanings. Specifically, "monitoring" refers to performing the monitoring action, and the result of "monitoring" may be "detected" or "not detected"; "not monitored" means that no monitoring action was performed, and the result of "not monitored" is "not detected". In other words, "not detected" includes two situations: one is that the monitoring action was performed but nothing was detected, and the other is that no monitoring action was performed. This is explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0336] For example, in the embodiments of this application, whether to send or not can include / be replaced with: send or not send.

[0337] Optionally, in this embodiment, whether PDCCH is detected may include / be replaced by whether data (e.g., third data) is received.

[0338] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, detecting PDCCH may include / be replaced with: receiving data (e.g., third data).

[0339] Optionally, in this embodiment, "not detected PDCCH" can include / be replaced with: "no data received" (e.g., third data).

[0340] For example, it should be noted that "receive" and "received" can have different meanings. Specifically, "receive" refers to performing the action of receiving, and the result of "receive" may be "received" or "not received"; "not received" means that the action of receiving was not performed, and the result of "not received" is "not received". In other words, "not received" includes two situations: one is that the action of receiving was performed but no data was received, and the other is that the action of receiving was not performed. This is explained uniformly here and will not be elaborated further below.

[0341] For example, receiving can include / be replaced with: acquiring, or monitoring, or parsing, or detecting.

[0342] Optionally, in this embodiment, whether to send PDCCH may include / be replaced by whether to send data (e.g., third data).

[0343] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, sending the PDCCH may include / be replaced by sending data (e.g., third data).

[0344] Optionally, in this embodiment, not sending PDCCH may include / be replaced by: not sending data (e.g., third data).

[0345] For example, the terminal device can adjust the duration of PDCCH monitoring (or the duration of the first timer) based on whether PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, and / or the network device can flexibly adjust the duration of sending or monitoring PDCCH (or the duration of the first timer) based on whether PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer. On the one hand, this helps to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device and / or network device, thereby achieving energy saving; on the other hand, it helps to reduce communication latency, ensuring service quality and user experience.

[0346] Optionally, "the terminal device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer" may include: if the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device shortens the duration of the first timer; and / or, if the terminal device does not detect a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device extends the duration of the first timer.

[0347] For example, "extend" can include / be replaced by "extend". For example, "extend the duration of the first timer" can include / be replaced by "extend the duration of the first timer".

[0348] For example, the terminal device not detecting PDCCH during the operation of the first timer can include / be replaced with / understood as: the terminal device did not detect PDCCH during the operation of the first timer until the first timer expired.

[0349] Optionally, "when the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device shortens the duration of the first timer" may include: when the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, if the duration of the first timer is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device shortens the duration of the first timer.

[0350] For example, the first threshold may be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., indicated by the network device to the terminal device, or indicated by the terminal device to the network device), or it may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or it may be pre-configured or specified by the protocol, or it may be determined by other means. This application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the first threshold is less than or equal to the first duration.

[0351] For example, if the terminal device detects the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device can shorten the duration of the first timer, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device and achieve energy saving.

[0352] For example, if the terminal device does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device will extend the duration of the first timer; this helps to reduce communication latency and ensure service quality and user experience.

[0353] For example, if the duration of the first timer is finite, and the terminal device detects the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device can shorten the duration of the first timer.

[0354] For example, if the duration of the first timer is finite, and the terminal device does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device can extend the duration of the first timer.

[0355] For example, if the duration of the first timer is infinite, and the terminal device detects the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device can shorten the duration of the first timer, or the terminal device can change the duration of the first timer from infinite to finite.

[0356] Optionally, shortening the duration of the first timer may include / replace by: shortening the duration of the first timer to a certain duration (e.g., the third duration), or shortening the duration of the first timer by a certain duration (e.g., the fourth duration), or changing the duration of the first timer from infinite to finite (e.g., the fifth duration).

[0357] For example, if the duration of the first timer is 10ms, the terminal device may shorten the duration of the first timer from 10ms to 6ms; or, the terminal device may shorten the duration of the first timer by 4ms, making the duration of the first timer 6ms.

[0358] Optionally, extending the duration of the first timer may include / replace extending the duration of the first timer to a certain duration (e.g., the sixth duration), or extending the duration of the first timer by a certain duration (e.g., the seventh duration).

[0359] For example, if the duration of the first timer is 10ms, the terminal device extends the duration of the first timer from 10ms to 15ms; or, the terminal device extends the duration of the first timer by 5ms, so that the duration of the first timer becomes 15ms.

[0360] For example, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh duration may be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., instructed by the network device to the terminal device, or instructed by the terminal device to the network device), or it may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or it may be pre-configured or specified by the protocol, or it may be determined by other means. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0361] Optionally, the third, fourth, or fifth duration may be less than or equal to the first duration or the duration of the first timer; however, this embodiment does not limit this.

[0362] For example, the sixth or seventh duration may be equal to or different from the first duration; this application does not limit this. For example, the sixth or seventh duration may be greater than or equal to the first duration or the duration of the first timer.

[0363] For example, if the terminal device detects the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer can be shortened to reduce the power consumption caused by the terminal device continuously performing PDCCH monitoring, thus helping to reduce power consumption. If the terminal device does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer can be extended to prolong the time the terminal device is in the active state, enabling the terminal device to continue performing PDCCH monitoring in a timely manner, which helps to reduce communication latency and ensure service quality and user experience.

[0364] Optionally, "the network device adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether or not a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer" may include: shortening the duration of the first timer when the network device sends a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer; and / or extending the duration of the first timer when the network device does not send a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0365] The implementation method of shortening the duration of the first timer by the network device can refer to the implementation method of shortening the duration of the first timer by the terminal device described above; the implementation method of extending the duration of the first timer by the network device can refer to the implementation method of extending the duration of the first timer by the terminal device described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0366] For example, shortening the duration of the first timer when the network device sends a PDCCH during its operation helps reduce power consumption. Conversely, extending the duration of the first timer when the network device does not send a PDCCH during its operation helps reduce communication latency and ensure service quality and user experience.

[0367] Implementation Method 2: If the terminal device detects a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped and the second timer is started. And / or, if the network device sends a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped and the second timer is started.

[0368] For example, during the operation of the second timer, the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring.

[0369] For example, during the operation of the second timer, the network device performs PDCCH transmission.

[0370] For example, the duration of the second timer is shorter than or equal to the duration of the first timer. The duration of the second timer can be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., indicated by the network device to the terminal device, or by the terminal device to the network device), configured by the network device for the terminal device, pre-configured or protocol-specified, or determined through other means; this embodiment does not limit this. Optionally, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device to indicate the duration of the second timer, signifying that if the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it needs to stop the first timer and start the second timer.

[0371] Optionally, if the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it may stop the first timer and start the second timer. This can be achieved by: the terminal device stopping the first timer and starting the second timer at the Zth time after detecting the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer; or, the terminal device stopping the first timer at the Zth time after detecting the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, and starting the second timer at the Zth time after detecting the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer. Alternatively, if the network device transmits a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it may stop the first timer and start the second timer. This can be achieved by: the network device stopping the first timer and starting the second timer at the Zth time after transmitting the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer; or, the network device stopping the first timer at the Zth time after transmitting the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, and starting the second timer at the Zth time after transmitting the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0372] For example, Y can be an integer or a positive integer. For example, Y can be 1.

[0373] For example, when the terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer and starts a second timer with a shorter duration than the first timer, so that PDCCH monitoring can continue for a shorter duration than the first timer. This implementation reduces the power consumption of the terminal device compared to continuing PDCCH monitoring for the entire duration of the first timer when it detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer. Furthermore, this implementation achieves the same practical effect as shortening the duration of the first timer when it detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer—both reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0374] Implementation Method 3: If the terminal device does not detect a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) during the operation of the first timer, start the third timer. And / or, if the network device does not send a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) during the operation of the first timer, start the third timer.

[0375] For example, during the operation of the third timer, the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring.

[0376] For example, during the operation of the third timer, the network device performs PDCCH transmission.

[0377] For example, the duration of the third timer may be equal to or different from the duration of the first timer; this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the duration of the third timer may be greater than or equal to the duration of the first timer. For example, the duration of the third timer may be negotiated between the network device and the terminal device (e.g., indicated by the network device to the terminal device, or indicated by the terminal device to the network device), or it may be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or it may be pre-configured or specified by the protocol, or it may be determined by other means; this application embodiment does not limit this. Optionally, the network device sends information to the terminal device to indicate the duration of the third timer, indicating that the terminal device needs to start the third timer if it does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer.

[0378] Optionally, if the terminal device does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the third timer may be started as follows: if the PDCCH is not detected during the operation of the first timer, the third timer may be started at the Zth time after the first timer expires.

[0379] Optionally, if the network device does not send a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, the third timer may be started by starting the third timer at the time / after / after the first timer expires if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0380] For example, if the terminal device does not detect the PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it can restart a timer to extend the time the terminal device is in the active state, so that the terminal device can continue to perform PDCCH monitoring, so as to detect the PDCCH in a timely manner and reduce the latency of downlink services.

[0381] For example, if a network device fails to send a PDCCH during the first timer's operation, it can restart a timer to extend the duration during which the PDCCH can be sent, thus enabling the network device to send the PDCCH in a timely manner.

[0382] For example, if a terminal device detects a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it can directly shorten the duration of the first timer, or it can stop the first timer and restart a second timer with a shorter duration than the first timer to shorten the duration of PDCCH monitoring, thereby reducing the power consumption caused by the terminal device continuously performing PDCCH monitoring. Similarly, if a network device transmits a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it can also directly shorten the duration of the first timer, or it can stop the first timer and restart a second timer with a shorter duration than the first timer to align with the active period of the terminal device or reduce power consumption.

[0383] For example, if the terminal device does not detect PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it can directly extend the duration of the first timer, or it can restart a third timer to extend the duration of PDCCH monitoring, so that it can detect PDCCH in a timely manner. Similarly, if the network device does not send PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it can also directly extend the duration of the first timer, or it can restart a third timer to extend the period during which the terminal device is in the active state, so that it can send PDCCH in a timely manner and reduce downlink service latency.

[0384] Implementation Method 4: Stop the first timer if the terminal device detects a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) during the operation of the first timer. And / or stop the first timer if the network device sends a PDCCH (e.g., a third PDCCH) during the operation of the first timer.

[0385] For example, the terminal device can detect the PDCCH time during the operation of the first timer and stop the first timer to reduce the power consumption caused by the terminal device continuously performing PDCCH monitoring, thereby achieving energy saving. For example, if the duration of the first timer is infinite, if the terminal device receives downlink data transmission during the operation of the first timer, such as detecting the PDCCH, then the first timer is stopped.

[0386] For example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, after the terminal device starts the on-duration timer, it stops the on-duration timer when it receives downlink data transmission in order to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0387] In one optional implementation, if the network device sends a PDCCH during the operation of the first timer, it stops the first timer to align the operation time of the first timer with that of the terminal device, thereby reducing the probability of sending a PDCCH during a period when the terminal device is inactive.

[0388] Optionally, whether the terminal device is in an active state / whether it performs PDCCH monitoring after the first timer stops running can be determined by at least one timer other than the first timer.

[0389] Optionally, other timers include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: retransmission timer, inactive timer, second timer, and third timer.

[0390] For example, if the first timer stops running during the DRX period, but the drx-InactivityTimer is running, the terminal device remains active and continues to perform PDCCH monitoring. As another example, if the first timer stops running during the DRX period, and other timers are also not running, the terminal device transitions from the active state to a sleep state and ceases PDCCH monitoring.

[0391] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, or in step S505, the duration of the first timer may include / be replaced with: the remaining duration of the first timer.

[0392] It should be noted that the duration of the first timer or / or the remaining duration of the first timer in step S505 is not necessarily equal to the duration of the first timer and / or the first duration in steps S501 and / or S502. For example, the duration of the first timer or / or the remaining duration of the first timer in step S505 may be less than or equal to the duration of the first timer and / or the first duration in steps S501 and / or S502.

[0393] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, or in step S505, the PDCCH or the third PDCCH may be scrambled by at least one of the following, or the PDCCH or the third PDCCH may be associated with at least one of the following: C-RNTI, or CS-RNTI.

[0394] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, or in step S505, at least one of PDCCH, third PDCCH, “data scheduled by PDCCH or third PDCCH”, “resources scheduled by PDCCH or third PDCCH”, and data (e.g., third data) is associated with at least one of DRX, the service corresponding to DRX, DRX time period, first LCH, first RB, first PDCP entity, and first service.

[0395] It should be noted that step S505 can be used as an independent embodiment and does not depend on other steps.

[0396] For example, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device and / or network device determine the start time of the DRX time period based on a first time, which allows DRX to be matched with services. This can guarantee (or reduce) service latency (or communication latency) while saving energy (e.g., saving energy in the terminal device), which is beneficial to improving communication quality and user experience. For example, compared with traditional DRX, the terminal device can perform PDCCH monitoring in a timely manner, reducing downlink service latency; at the same time, it can save energy.

[0397] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to scenarios involving communication between devices / equipment other than terminal devices and network devices, such as sidelinks between terminal devices. It is understood that when the embodiments of this application are applied to scenarios involving communication between devices / equipment other than terminal devices and network devices, the names of the corresponding signals / information, and / or the corresponding steps, will be adaptively changed. For example, when the embodiments of this application are applied to sidelinks between terminal devices, the PDCCH needs to be replaced with sidelink control information (SCI).

[0398] The following section further describes the corresponding device implementation scheme in relation to the technical solution described above.

[0399] To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device and the network device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0400] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1100 provided in this application. The communication device 1100 may include modules corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the embodiments of the above-described communication method. These modules may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0401] The communication device 1100 includes a communication unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102, used to implement the methods executed by the various devices in the foregoing embodiments. The communication unit 1101 is also called a transceiver unit, which includes a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit is used to send signals, and the receiving unit is used to receive signals.

[0402] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1100 is, for example, a terminal device. Specifically, the processing unit 1102 is configured to determine the start time of a discontinuous reception DRX time period based on a first time; the processing unit 1102 is further configured to perform physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring based on the start time of the DRX time period; wherein, the first time is any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs.

[0403] In the communication method implemented by the communication device 1100, the start time of the DRX time period is determined based on any one of the following: the time when uplink data transmission occurs, the time when the PDCCH used to schedule uplink data transmission is received, the time when downlink data transmission occurs, and the time when the PDCCH used to schedule downlink data transmission is received. Then, the terminal device starts PDCCH monitoring from the start time of the DRX time period, which can monitor the PDCCH in a timely manner and reduce the latency of downlink services.

[0404] In one possible scenario, the first time is located within another DRX time period preceding the DRX time period; or, the first time is located within a time period before the DRX time period where DRX is not used.

[0405] In one possible approach, the start time of the DRX time period is a second time, which is located after the first time, and the second time is spaced apart from the first time by a second duration.

[0406] In one possible approach, the processing unit 1102 determines the start time of a non-continuous DRX reception period based on a first time, including: starting a fourth timer based on the first time; and determining the start time of the DRX period based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0407] In one possible approach, the start time of the DRX time period is the start time of the first timer; the processing unit 1102 determines the start time of the DRX time period by: starting the first timer; the processing unit 1102, based on the start time of the DRX time period, includes: during the operation of the first timer.

[0408] In one possible approach, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to adjust the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0409] In one possible approach, the processing unit 1102 adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, including: shortening the duration of the first timer if a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer; and extending the duration of the first timer if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0410] In another possible manner, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to: stop the first timer and start the second timer if a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer; and perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the second timer.

[0411] In another possible embodiment, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to: start a third timer if no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer; and perform PDCCH monitoring during the operation of the third timer.

[0412] In another possible embodiment, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to stop the first timer if a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

[0413] In one possible approach, the first timer is a continuous timer.

[0414] In this embodiment of the application, the beneficial effects of the implementation method can be referred to the corresponding beneficial effects in the previous method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0415] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1100 is, for example, a network device. Specifically, the processing unit 1102 is configured to determine the start time of a discontinuous reception DRX time period based on a first time; the processing unit 1102 is also configured to perform physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission based on the start time of the DRX time period; wherein, the first time is any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs.

[0416] In the communication method implemented by the communication device 1100, the start time of the DRX time period is determined based on any one of the following: the time when uplink data transmission occurs, the time when the PDCCH for scheduling uplink data transmission is sent, the time when downlink data transmission occurs, and the time when the PDCCH for scheduling downlink data transmission is sent. Then, the network device can send the PDCCH in a timely manner based on the start time of the DRX time period, thereby reducing the latency of downlink services.

[0417] In one possible scenario, the first time is located within another DRX time period preceding the DRX time period; or, the first time is located within a time period before the DRX time period where DRX is not used.

[0418] In one possible approach, the start time of the DRX time period is a second time, which is located after the first time, and the second time is spaced apart from the first time by a second duration.

[0419] In one possible approach, the processing unit 1102 determines the start time of a non-continuous DRX reception period based on a first time, including: starting a fourth timer based on the first time; and determining the start time of the DRX period based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

[0420] In one possible approach, the start time of the DRX time period is the start time of the first timer; the processing unit 1102 determines the start time of the DRX time period by: starting the first timer; the processing unit 1102, based on the start time of the DRX time period, includes: based on the running period of the first timer.

[0421] In one possible approach, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to adjust the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer.

[0422] In one possible approach, the processing unit 1102 adjusts the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, including: shortening the duration of the first timer when a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer; and extending the duration of the first timer when no PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer.

[0423] In another possible approach, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to: stop the first timer and start the second timer if a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer; and send a PDCCH based on the operation of the second timer.

[0424] In another possible embodiment, the processing unit 1102 is further configured to: start a third timer if no PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer; and send a PDCCH based on the operation of the third timer.

[0425] In another possible approach, if a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped.

[0426] In one possible approach, the first timer is a continuous timer.

[0427] In this embodiment of the application, the beneficial effects of the implementation method can be referred to the corresponding beneficial effects in the previous method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0428] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 1100 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit integrated on the chip.

[0429] This application also provides a communication device 1200, as shown in Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device. The communication device 1200 can be used to perform the steps executed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0430] The communication device 1200 includes a processor 1201. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may also include a memory 1202 and a transceiver 1203.

[0431] In one possible implementation, the processor 1201, memory 1202, and transceiver 1203 are connected via a bus, and the memory stores computer instructions. Optionally, the processor 1201 and memory 1202 can also be integrated together.

[0432] Optionally, the processing unit 1102 in the foregoing embodiments may specifically be the processor 1201 in this embodiment, therefore the specific implementation of the processor 1201 will not be described in detail. The communication unit 1101 in the foregoing embodiments may specifically be the transceiver 1203 in this embodiment, therefore the specific implementation of the transceiver 1203 will not be described in detail.

[0433] In this application, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0434] In this application, the memory can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory in this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0435] This application provides another communication device, which includes a processor and an interface. Optionally, it also includes a memory, with the processor coupled to the memory, the processor being used to read and execute computer instructions stored in the memory to implement the communication method in the embodiments shown above.

[0436] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device in the preceding embodiments. The network device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the network device in the preceding embodiments. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices / functional network elements that interact with at least one of the terminal device and the network device.

[0437] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a program or instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication method as shown in the embodiments described above is implemented.

[0438] This application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, they implement the communication method as shown in the embodiments described above.

[0439] This application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor and an interface, the interface and at least one processor being interconnected via a circuit, the at least one processor being used to run computer programs or instructions to perform the communication method as shown in the embodiments of the communication method described above.

[0440] The interfaces in the chip can be input / output interfaces, pins, or circuits, etc.

[0441] The aforementioned chip system can be a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) or a baseband chip, etc. The baseband chip may include a processor, channel encoder, digital signal processor, modem, and interface module, etc.

[0442] In one implementation, the chip or chip system described above in this application further includes at least one memory, which stores instructions. The memory can be an internal storage unit of the chip, such as a register or cache, or it can be a storage unit of the chip itself (e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, etc.).

[0443] The technical solutions provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a terminal, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media, etc.

[0444] In this application, provided there is no logical contradiction, the various embodiments may reference each other. For example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, and the functions and / or terms between device embodiments and method embodiments may reference each other.

[0445] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: Based on the first time, determine the start time of the non-continuous DRX reception period; Based on the start time of the DRX time period, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring is performed; The first time is any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first time is located within another DRX time period preceding the stated DRX time period; or, The first time is within a time period before the DRX time period that was not used by DRX.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The start time of the DRX time period is the second time, which is after the first time, and the second time is separated from the first time by a second duration.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The determination of the start time of the discontinuous DRX reception period based on the first time includes: The fourth timer is started based on the first time. The start time of the DRX time period is determined based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The start time of the DRX time period is the start time of the first timer; Determining the start time of the DRX time period includes: starting the first timer; The start time based on the DRX time period includes: during the operation of the first timer.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The duration of the first timer is adjusted based on whether a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of adjusting the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer includes: If a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer is shortened; If no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer is extended.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped and the second timer is started; During the operation of the second timer, PDCCH monitoring is performed.

9. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: If no PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, start the third timer; During the operation of the third timer, PDCCH monitoring is performed.

10. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a PDCCH is detected during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped.

11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that, The first timer is a continuous timer.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: Based on the first time, determine the start time of the non-continuous DRX reception period; Based on the start time of the DRX time period, the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is transmitted; The first time is any one of the following: the time when data transmission occurs, or the time when the PDCCH used to schedule data transmission occurs.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first time is located within another DRX time period preceding the stated DRX time period; or, The first time is within a time period before the DRX time period that was not used by DRX.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The start time of the DRX time period is the second time, which is after the first time, and the second time is separated from the first time by a second duration.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The determination of the start time of the discontinuous DRX reception period based on the first time includes: The fourth timer is started based on the first time. The start time of the DRX time period is determined based on the timeout of the fourth timer.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The start time of the DRX time period is the start time of the first timer; Determining the start time of the DRX time period includes: starting the first timer; The start time based on the DRX time period includes: the running period based on the first timer.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The duration of the first timer is adjusted based on whether a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The adjustment of the duration of the first timer based on whether a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer includes: If a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer is shortened; If no PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, the duration of the first timer is extended.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped and the second timer is started; During the operation of the second timer, PDCCH transmission is performed.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: If no PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, start the third timer; During the operation of the third timer, PDCCH transmission is performed.

21. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a PDCCH is sent during the operation of the first timer, the first timer is stopped.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that, The first timer is a continuous timer.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

25. A chip, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor, the processor being configured to execute instructions to cause a communication device including the chip to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

26. The chip according to claim 25, characterized in that, The chip also includes an interface circuit for receiving the executed instructions and transmitting them to the processor.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions that, when executed on a communication device, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or implement the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

28. A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, they implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

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