Communication method, communication apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

Disclosed in embodiments of the present application are a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a storage medium, which are applied to the technical field of wireless communications, and are used for reducing power consumption of a terminal device and a network device. The method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: acquiring a first resource, wherein the first resource comprises a second resource and / or a third resource, the second resource is used for carrying a first signal, the third resource is used for carrying a second signal, the first signal is used for waking up a first apparatus, and the second signal is used for waking up a second apparatus; and receiving the first signal on the first resource and / or sending the second signal on the first resource. In the embodiments of the present application, by centrally configuring the second resource and the third resource, the sleep durations of two communicating devices in a single sleep cycle can be increased, and the number of wake-ups of a main radio can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the two communicating devices.

Description

Communication methods, communication devices and storage media

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN202510095956.2, filed on January 21, 2025, entitled "Communication Method, Communication Device and Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In modern wireless communication systems, the power consumption of terminal devices (such as mobile phones, wearable devices, etc.) has a significant impact on user experience. In recent years, the industry has proposed a new receiver architecture for terminal devices to reduce power consumption: the receiver of the terminal device is divided into a main radio and a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR).

[0004] In this architecture, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the main transceiver is powered on and transmits and receives control signaling and service data (such as video and image data). When the terminal device is in an idle state, the main transceiver enters a sleep state, while the low-power receiver is powered on and receives low-power wake-up signals from the base station. When the wake-up receiver receives this wake-up information, it triggers (i.e., wakes up) the main receiver from its sleep state to the powered-on state. After the main receiver enters the powered-on state, it uses random access and other processes to put the terminal device into connected mode, and then enables normal transmission and reception of service data. The main transceiver is far more complex and consumes far more power than the low-power receiver. Therefore, this receiver architecture only puts the main transceiver on when it needs to transmit and receive service data, while keeping it in a sleep state at other times, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0005] Low-power receivers and low-power wake-up signals are primarily used to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices. However, considering current and future energy shortages and environmental issues, reducing the power consumption of base stations is equally important. Therefore, how to further reduce the power consumption of terminal devices and base stations has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, communication device, and storage medium for reducing the power consumption of terminal devices and network devices.

[0007] This application provides a communication method, optionally, in which the execution entity can be a first device. The first device can be a network device, a component or device applied to the network device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions (e.g., a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU)). The first device can also be a terminal device, a component or device applied to the terminal device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. In one possible implementation, the first device acquires a first resource, which includes a second resource and / or a third resource. The second resource carries a first signal, and the third resource carries a second signal. The first signal is used to wake up the first device, and the second signal is used to wake up the second device. The first device receives the first signal and / or transmits the second signal on the first resource.

[0008] Based on the first aspect of this application, by centrally configuring the second and third resources, the single sleep duration of both communicating devices can be increased, the number of wake-ups of the master receiver can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of both communicating devices.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the second resource and the third resource satisfy at least one of the following:

[0010] The second and third resources belong to the same resource unit;

[0011] The resource unit containing the second resource and the resource unit containing the third resource are two consecutive resource units; or,

[0012] The second and third resources are within the same resource range.

[0013] In this embodiment, by centrally configuring the second and third resources, the sleep duration of both communicating devices can be increased, the number of times the master receiver is woken up can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of both communicating devices.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the first device may determine the first resource by receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate the configuration of one or more resources, the one or more resources including the first resource.

[0015] The first resource is determined by the first configuration information, which enables the sender of the first configuration information to flexibly configure the first resource to adapt to different scenarios.

[0016] In some possible implementations, one or more resources may further include a fourth resource on which the first and / or second devices are in a sleep state.

[0017] By identifying the fourth resource, the sleep duration of both communicating devices can be increased, and the number of wake-ups by the master receiver can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of both communicating devices.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the second resource is located before the third resource in the time domain; or, the second and third resources partially or completely overlap in the time domain; or, the second resource is located after the third resource in the time domain.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the first signal includes at least one of a wake-up signal, a system information request signal, a synchronization signal block (SSB) request signal, a radio resource management (RRM) request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal includes at least one of a wake-up signal, a synchronization signal, or a measurement signal.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the first device may also send a first request message, which is used to request the configuration of a first resource.

[0021] In another possible implementation, the first device receives second configuration information, which is used to indicate a first time window. Within the first time window, the first device receives a first signal and / or sends a second signal, whereby the first signal is used to wake up the first device and the second signal is used to wake up the second device.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0023] The starting position of the first time window;

[0024] The length of the first-time window; or,

[0025] The cycle of the first time window.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the first device may also receive third configuration information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0027] The starting position of the first time window;

[0028] The length of the first-time window; or,

[0029] The cycle of the first time window.

[0030] In some possible implementations, the first time window is a user-level, user group-level, or cell-level parameter;

[0031] Alternatively, the second configuration information may be user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information;

[0032] Alternatively, the third configuration information may be user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the first signal includes at least one of a wake-up signal, a system information request signal, an SSB request signal, an RRM request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal includes at least one of a wake-up signal, a synchronization signal, or a measurement signal.

[0034] A second aspect of this application provides a communication method. Optionally, the execution subject of this method may be a second device, which may be a network device, a component or device applied to the network device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software (e.g., CU, DU, or RU) capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. The second device may also be a terminal device, a component or device applied to the terminal device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. In one possible implementation, the second device determines a first resource, which includes a second resource and / or a third resource. The second resource is used to carry a first signal, and the third resource is used to carry a second signal. The first signal is used to wake up a first device, and the second signal is used to wake up the second device. The second device transmits the first signal and / or receives the second signal on the first resource.

[0035] In some possible implementations, the second resource and the third resource satisfy at least one of the following:

[0036] The second and third resources belong to the same resource unit;

[0037] The resource unit containing the second resource and the resource unit containing the third resource are two consecutive resource units; or,

[0038] The second and third resources are within the same resource range.

[0039] In some possible implementations, the second device may also send first configuration information, which is used to indicate the configuration of one or more resources, including the first resource.

[0040] In some possible implementations, one or more resources may further include a fourth resource on which the first and / or second devices are in a sleep state.

[0041] In some possible implementations, the second resource is located before the third resource in the time domain; or, the second and third resources partially or completely overlap in the time domain; or, the second resource is located after the third resource in the time domain.

[0042] In some possible implementations, the first signal includes any one of an uplink low-power wake-up signal, a system information request signal, an SSB request signal, an RRM request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal includes any one of a low-power wake-up signal, a low-power synchronization signal, or a low-power measurement signal.

[0043] In some possible implementations, the second device may also receive first request information, which is used to request the configuration of a first resource.

[0044] In another possible implementation, the second device sends second configuration information to indicate a first time window. Within the first time window, the second device sends a first signal and / or receives a second signal, the first signal being used to wake up the first device, and the second signal being used to wake up the second device.

[0045] In some possible implementations, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0046] The starting position of the first time window;

[0047] The length of the first-time window; or,

[0048] The cycle of the first time window.

[0049] In some possible implementations, the second device may also send third configuration information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0050] The starting position of the first time window;

[0051] The length of the first time window; or,

[0052] The cycle of the first time window.

[0053] In some possible implementations, the first time window is a user-level, user group-level, or cell-level parameter;

[0054] Alternatively, the second configuration information may be user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information;

[0055] Alternatively, the third configuration information may be user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information.

[0056] In some possible implementations, the first signal includes at least one of a wake-up signal, a system information request signal, an SSB request signal, an RRM request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal includes at least one of a wake-up signal, a synchronization signal, or a measurement signal.

[0057] A third aspect of this application provides a communication device, which may be the first device described above. The communication device includes modules or units for performing the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0058] A fourth aspect of this application provides a communication device, which may be the second device described above. The communication device includes modules or units for performing the methods described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0059] A fifth aspect of this application provides a communication device, which may be a first device or a second device, or a component applied to the first device or the second device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software (e.g., CU, DU, or RU) capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device or the second device. The communication device includes:

[0060] A processor for executing a program that causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0061] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory; the memory is used to store programs.

[0062] The sixth aspect of this application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and at least one processor being interconnected via a line, the at least one processor being used to run computer programs or instructions to perform the communication method described in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0063] The communication interface in the chip can be an input / output interface, pins, or circuits.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the chip or chip system described above in this application further includes at least one memory storing 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, such as a read-only memory or random access memory.

[0065] The seventh aspect of this application provides a communication system, including a communication device that performs the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and a communication device that performs the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0066] An eighth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above, or cause the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above.

[0067] The ninth aspect of this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect above, or cause the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the network architecture in this application;

[0069] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the main communication receiving module and the low-power wake-up signal receiving module in this application;

[0070] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the main communication receiving module and the low-power wake-up signal receiving module in this application;

[0071] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the terminal device detecting a paging indication in this application;

[0072] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the DRX cycle of the terminal device in this application;

[0073] Figure 6 shows a possible application scenario of the communication method in the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the communication method in this application;

[0075] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the first resource in this application;

[0076] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of one or more resource configurations in this application;

[0077] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of one or more resource configurations in this application;

[0078] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first resource in this application;

[0079] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first resource in this application;

[0080] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication method in this application;

[0081] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the first time window in this application;

[0082] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first time window in this application;

[0083] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first time window in this application;

[0084] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the communication device in this application;

[0085] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication device in this application;

[0086] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication device in this application;

[0087] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the communication device in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0088] First, a brief description of the network architecture on which the communication method in the embodiments of this application is based:

[0089] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, a core network (CN) 200, and an Internet 300. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0090] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4G, 5G, or future mobile communication system. RAN 100 can also be an open-radio access network (ORAN), a cloud-radio access network (CRAN), or a Wi-Fi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0091] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0092] In one possible scenario, access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNodeB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station (BS), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi system, macro base station, micro base station, wireless relay node, donor node, radio controller in a CRAN scenario, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be access network equipment in a 5G mobile communication system. For example, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), TRP, or TP in an NR system; or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) in a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or, access network equipment can also be network nodes constituting a gNB or transmission point. Examples include centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), centralized unit control planes (CU-CP), centralized unit user planes (CU-UP), or radio units (RU), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units. For example, in remote radio units (RRU), active antenna units (AAU), or remote radio heads (RRH). Alternatively, access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).It should be understood that the aforementioned TRP can be a device or module located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. The TRP typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The TRP can also be configured with program instructions for the corresponding communication functions.

[0093] It should be noted that CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU) or an open CU, DU can also be called an open-distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open-centralized unit control plane (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open-centralized unit user plane (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open radio unit (O-RU). This application does not limit the specific names. Any of the units CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0094] Optionally, for network elements in the ORAN system, each network element can implement the protocol layer functions shown in Table 1 below.

[0095] Table 1

[0096] It should be noted that in the ORAN system, the access network equipment in this application can be one or more network elements listed in Table 1 above.

[0097] The architecture of the CU and DU of the access network equipment is described below. The access network equipment includes at least one CU and at least one DU. Optionally, the access network equipment may also include at least one RU.

[0098] The following description uses an access network device consisting of one CU and one DU as an example. The CU has some core network functions and can include CU-CP and CU-UP. The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (e.g., RRC and / or SDAP layers). The DU may be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC, MAC, and / or physical (PHY) layers). Alternatively, the CU may be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers above the PDCP layer (e.g., RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU may be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0099] When a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when a CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0100] The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF in a 5G system. The AMF is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover.

[0101] CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

[0102] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements. For example, based on latency, functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0103] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0104] It should be noted that the access network equipment can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the aforementioned device or apparatus; this application does not impose any specific limitation. It should also be noted that in this application, the term "access network equipment" can refer to the access network equipment itself, or to the chip, functional module, or integrated circuit within the access network equipment that performs the method provided in this application; this application does not impose any specific limitation.

[0105] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0106] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0107] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart homes, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. Terminals typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. Terminals can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0108] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other future communication technologies. The network architecture and service scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will understand, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0109] The following describes some of the technical terms used in the embodiments of this application.

[0110] Wake-up signals (WUS) can be divided into uplink WUS (UL WUS) and downlink WUS (DL WUS). DL WUS is a signal used to wake up a terminal device, allowing it to resume from sleep mode and begin receiving data. Terminal devices typically enter sleep mode to conserve battery life. Therefore, they need to be woken up when they need to receive data. DL WUS is a short message, a special signal format, or a special signal waveform, usually sent by access network devices in the network. When a terminal device receives a DL WUS, it responds by resuming from sleep mode and beginning to receive data. In NR, WUS signals are very short, typically only a few milliseconds, allowing devices to wake up quickly and begin receiving data while conserving battery life. The counterpart to DL WUS is UL WUS, which is used to wake up access network devices from sleep mode. When a terminal device has data to send to the access network device, it sends a UL WUS to wake up the target base station.

[0111] To further reduce device power consumption, two sets of receiving modules can be introduced. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, one is the main communication receiving module, responsible for receiving regular signals, and the other is a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) receiving module (LP WUS receiver, LP WUR). The LP WUR can also be called a low-power wake-up receiver. The main communication module is in a dormant state for a long time, and the device uses the LP WUR to detect LP-WUS. If LP-WUS is detected, the main communication receiving module is woken up. The main communication receiving module can also be called the main receiver. Both modules can be deployed in access network equipment or terminal equipment. When deployed in access network equipment (as shown in Figure 2), it is used to receive uplink (UL) link LP-WUS (UL LP-WUS). At this time, the main communication receiving module receives regular uplink signals / uplink channels sent by the UE, such as PRACH, PUCCH, PUSCH, etc., and the LP-WUR receives uplink LP-WUS from the terminal equipment, i.e., UL-WUS. When deployed on a terminal device (as shown in Figure 3), it is used to receive the LP-WUS (DL LP-WUS) of the downlink (DL) link. At this time, the main communication receiving module receives downlink signals / downlink channels from the access network device, such as synchronization signal block (SSB), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. The LP-WUS receives the downlink LP-WUS from the access network device, i.e., DL-WUS.

[0112] In the NR R18 release discussion, various alternative LP-WUS waveforms were proposed, including low-power signals based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation, frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation signals, and on-off keying (OOK) modulation signals. All of these signals can significantly reduce the receiver power consumption of LP WUS, making it significantly lower than the power consumption of the main communication receiver module.

[0113] Specifically, low-power signals also include low-power synchronization signals (LP-SS). Their receiving performance is relatively weak, and their transmission rate is relatively limited, but the receiver implementation is simple and low-complexity, thus consuming far less power than the main receiver. Both LP-SS and LP-WUS are OOK signals, or OOK signals superimposed with time-domain sequences. Correspondingly, the receiver only needs to perform basic envelope detection or time-domain correlation detection to demodulate the signal, resulting in extremely low overall receiver power consumption. LP-SS is generally transmitted periodically and is mainly used for basic timing and synchronization. LP-WUS is mainly used to indicate whether the terminal device or network device has activated its main communication receiving module and to detect relevant signals.

[0114] As an example, for idle terminals, LP-WUS can be used to indicate whether the terminal device should detect a paging indication. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the network device configures the LP-WUS monitoring occasion (LO) before the paging occasion (PO) corresponding to the terminal device in each paging cycle. The terminal device detects the LO based on its low-power receiver within each paging cycle. When it detects LP-WUS information and is indicated to wake up the terminal device, the terminal device turns on its main receiver and detects the paging indication.

[0115] As another example, for connected terminals, LP-WUS is primarily used to indicate whether the terminal device is detecting the PDCCH. Discontinuous reception (DRX) is a power-saving technique in wireless communication systems. The DRX mechanism allows access network devices or terminal devices to enter a sleep state when there is no data transmission requirement, reducing the power consumption of the receiving circuitry. DRX operates based on a pre-configured periodic reception mechanism. The access network device configures a Cell DRX cycle. Within this cycle, the access network device only activates the receiver at specific times to allow the network device to receive uplink signals (such as PUSCH) from the terminal device, or to allow the terminal device to receive downlink signals from the network device. The receiver is turned off at other times to save power. The period during which the device activates the receiver is called the ON period or active period, and the device's state is called the DRX ON state. The period during which the device turns off the receiver is called the OFF period or sleep period, and the device's state is called the Cell DRX OFF state. In this way, access network devices or terminal devices can receive data during discontinuous periods and turn off the receiver when data reception is not needed, thus achieving energy savings. The DRX configuration typically includes the following parameters:

[0116] DRX cycle: The total time of the ON and OFF periods.

[0117] ON period: The time during which the receiver is activated to receive uplink signals sent by the UE.

[0118] OFF period: Time to turn off the receiver to save power.

[0119] As shown in Figure 5, the terminal device is in sleep mode during time period T1, so time period T1 is called the OFF time period. The terminal device activates the receiver during time period T2, so time period T2 is called the ON time period. Time periods T1 and T2 together form a DRX cycle.

[0120] Specifically, in one approach, the network device configures the LO during the ON period of each DRX cycle. The terminal device detects the LO based on the low-power receiver in each DRX cycle. When LP-WUS information is detected and indicates that the terminal should not wake up, the terminal device does not start the on-duration timer in the next DRX cycle (i.e., the terminal device remains in sleep mode). In another approach, the terminal device periodically detects LP-WUS on the LO. When LP-WUS information is detected and indicates that the terminal should wake up, the terminal starts detecting the PDCCH based on the master receiver.

[0121] Furthermore, from the perspective of access network equipment, energy consumption is currently facing significant challenges. One approach is to employ an on-demand method, where the terminal device requests necessary resources from the access network equipment by sending UL LP-WUS. When the terminal device does not require the resources, the access network equipment can refrain from sending and / or receiving them, thereby saving energy consumption.

[0122] When both DL LP-WUS and UL LP-WUS exist, how to configure the corresponding signals and how to use them to maximize energy efficiency for both access network equipment and terminal equipment is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0123] Figure 6 illustrates a possible application scenario. A significant time domain gap exists between the time domain resources used by network devices to receive UL-WUS and those used by terminal devices to receive DL-WUS, preventing the terminal and network devices (or the communicating parties) from continuously sleeping and impacting their energy-saving performance.

[0124] Based on this, this application provides a method. Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The method shown in Figure 7 is executed interactively by a first device and a second device, and can be applied to the architecture shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3. The first device can be a terminal device, or a component or device applied to the terminal device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. The first device can also be a network device, or a component or device applied to the network device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions (e.g., a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU)).

[0125] The second device can be a network device, or a component or device applied to a network device (such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software (such as a CU, DU, or RU) that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The second device can also be a terminal device, or a component or device applied to a terminal device (such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0126] It should be noted that the first device and the second device can be of the same type, for example, both the first device and the second device can be network devices, or both the first device and the second device can be terminal devices. Alternatively, the first device and the second device can be of different types, for example, the first device can be a network device and the second device can be a terminal device; or, for example, the first device can be a terminal device and the second device can be a network device. The specific type is not limited here. The method includes:

[0127] 701. The first device acquires the first resource.

[0128] The first resource can be one or more of the following: time-domain resource, frequency-domain resource, spatial-domain resource, beam-domain resource, code-domain resource, sequence resource, or power-domain resource. A unit of a resource can be called a resource unit, for example, a time-domain unit or a frequency-domain unit.

[0129] Temporal units can be symbols, slots, mini-slots, sub-frames, frames, etc.

[0130] Frequency domain units can be resource elements (REs), resource blocks (RBs), channels, subchannels, control channel elements (CCEs), resource pools, bandwidth parts (BWPs), carriers, bands, etc.

[0131] Spatial units can be ports, port groups, radio frequency chains, antennas, antenna elements, antenna arrays, antenna units, spatial precoding, spatial layers, etc.

[0132] Power units can be power level, power margin, residual power, EPRE, power control output, RSRP, RSRQ, beam quality, less than quality, etc.

[0133] The time-domain and frequency-domain units mentioned above can be combined arbitrarily. For example, a resource can be a time-frequency unit with a symbol in the time domain and a RE in the frequency domain. Another example is that a resource can be a time-frequency unit with a symbol in the time domain and a RB in the frequency domain.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first resource is described as a time-domain resource. In practical applications, the first resource can also be other resources, which are not limited here.

[0135] The first resource includes a second resource and / or a third resource. The second resource is used to carry a first signal, and the third resource is used to carry a second signal. The first signal is used to wake up a first device, and the second signal is used to wake up a second device. The first resource may also be referred to as a wake-up resource; however, this application does not limit its naming.

[0136] Optionally, the second resource and the third resource belong to the same resource unit, or the resource unit containing the second resource and the resource unit containing the third resource are two consecutive resource units, or the second resource and the third resource are within the same resource range. Taking time-domain resources as an example, the second resource and the third resource belong to the same time-domain unit, or the time-domain unit containing the second resource and the time-domain unit containing the third resource are two consecutive time-domain units, or the second resource and the third resource are within the same time-domain range.

[0137] Taking Figure 8 as an example, the first resource is time slot 4, and the second and third resources are in the same time slot. There may or may not be a time domain interval between the second and third resources; this is not limited here.

[0138] In this embodiment of the application, by centrally configuring the time-domain resources used to carry the first signal and the time-domain resources used to carry the second signal within a time period, the single sleep duration of the two communicating devices can be increased, the number of wake-up calls of the master receiver can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of both communicating devices.

[0139] Optionally, the first device may determine the first resource based on the configuration of one or more resources, wherein the one or more resources include the first resource, and the configuration of the one or more resources may be predefined by the protocol.

[0140] It should be noted that the unit of the one or more resources is different from the resource unit of the first resource. For example, the one or more resources can be one or more subframes, and the first resource can be one or more time slots. Or, for example, the one or more resources can be one or more time slots, and the first resource can be one or more symbols. Specific limitations are not specified here.

[0141] Specifically, the configuration of one or more resources can also be referred to as the format of one or more resources. Depending on the resource unit, the format of one or more resources can also be referred to as symbol format, slot format, subframe format, frame format, or superframe format. This application does not limit the naming of these resources.

[0142] Figure 9 illustrates one possible format of the first resource. Exemplarily, the first resource comprises five time slots. Both the first and second devices deploy a first transceiver and a second transceiver, wherein the first transceiver is the master receiver and the second transceiver is an LP-WUR; or, the first transceiver is an LP-WUR and the second transceiver is the master receiver; or, both the first and second transceivers are master receivers; or, both the first and second transceivers are LP-WURs, the specific configuration is not limited here. Taking the first transceiver as the master receiver and the second transceiver as an LP-WUR as an example, the LP-WURs of the first and second devices are in sleep mode on time slots 1, 2, 3, and 5, and awaken on time slot 4. The second and third resources are located in the same time slot, with the second resource preceding the third resource in the time domain.

[0143] It should be noted that the first resource shown in Figure 9 is merely an example. In another possible implementation, as shown in Figure 10, the second resource may be located after the third resource in the time domain. In yet another possible implementation, the second and third resources may partially or completely overlap in the time domain; this is not limited here.

[0144] As an example, as shown in Figure 11, the first device is, for example, a terminal device, and the second device is, for example, a network device. Both the first and second devices are equipped with a first transceiver and a second transceiver, wherein the first transceiver is the primary receiver and the second transceiver is an LP-WUR; or, the first transceiver is an LP-WUR and the second transceiver is the primary receiver; or, both the first and second transceivers are primary receivers; or, both the first and second transceivers are LP-WURs, the specific configuration is not limited here. Taking the first transceiver as the primary receiver and the second transceiver as an LP-WUR as an example, during paging, the terminal device receives DL-WUS on the second resource via LP-WUR, thereby activating the primary receiver to receive paging messages at subsequent times. The network device receives UL-WUS on the third resource via LP-WUR, thereby activating the primary receiver for SSB synchronization.

[0145] As another example, as shown in Figure 12, the first device is, for example, a terminal device, and the second device is, for example, a network device. Both the first and second devices are equipped with a first transceiver and a second transceiver, wherein the first transceiver is the primary receiver and the second transceiver is an LP-WUS; or, the first transceiver is an LP-WUS and the second transceiver is the primary receiver; or, both the first and second transceivers are primary receivers; or, both the first and second transceivers are LP-WUS, the specific configuration is not limited here. Taking the first transceiver as the primary receiver and the second transceiver as an LP-WUS as an example, in the random access procedure, the network device receives UL-WUS on the second resource through the second transceiver, thereby enabling the first transceiver to receive random access messages from the terminal device at subsequent times. The terminal device receives DL-WUS on the third resource through the second transceiver, thereby enabling the first transceiver to receive acknowledgment request information from the network device, as well as relevant information required for random access.

[0146] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the first signal or the second signal can be received by the main receiver or by the LP-WUR. For example, the main receiver of the first device receives the first signal, and the main receiver of the second device receives the second signal. Another example: the main receiver of the first device receives the first signal, and the LP-WUR of the second device receives the second signal. Yet another example: the LP-WUR of the first device receives the first signal, and the main receiver of the second device receives the second signal. Yet another example: the LP-WUR of the first device receives the first signal, and the LP-WUR of the second device receives the second signal.

[0147] Optionally, the one or more resources may also include a fourth resource, on which the first or second device is in a sleep state. Alternatively, the receiver of the first or second device is in a turned-off state on the fourth resource. The fourth resource can also be referred to as a sleep resource. As shown in Figure 9, time slots 1, 2, 3, and 5 are the fourth resource, on which the first and second devices do not receive WUS.

[0148] The resource configurations of the LP-WUR and the master receiver can be synchronous or asynchronous. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the resource configurations of the LP-WUR and the master receiver are synchronous. As shown in Figure 10, the resource configurations of the LP-WUR and the master receiver are asynchronous. There is no bidirectional crosslink interference between the LP-WUR and the master receiver. That is, the uplink resources of the master receiver and the downlink resources of the LP-WUR are not the same resources, and the downlink resources of the master receiver and the uplink resources of the LP-WUR are not the same resources. Taking time slots as an example, the uplink time slot of the master receiver and the downlink time slot of the LP-WUR are not the same time slot, and the downlink time slot of the master receiver and the uplink time slot of the LP-WUR are not the same time slot.

[0149] Optionally, the first signal includes any one of the following: an uplink low-power wake-up signal, a system information request signal, a synchronization signal block (SSB) request signal, a radio resource management (RRM) request signal, or a channel state information request signal.

[0150] The second signal includes any one of a low-power wake-up signal, a low-power synchronization signal, or a low-power measurement signal.

[0151] 702. The first device receives a first signal from the second device and / or sends a second signal to the second device on the first resource. Correspondingly, the second device sends a first signal to the first device and / or receives a second signal from the first device on the first resource.

[0152] The first signal includes a first device wake-up signal, and the second signal includes a second device wake-up signal. Alternatively, the first signal may include a second device wake-up signal, and the second signal may include a first device wake-up signal.

[0153] The wake-up signal has at least one of the following uses:

[0154] 1) To wake up or activate the device;

[0155] 2) The wake-up device receives and / or transmits;

[0156] 3) Wake up the device to perform a certain communication operation;

[0157] 4) The wake-up device performs measurements, controls channel monitoring, or receives data;

[0158] 5) The wake-up device sends a reference signal, sends data, or sends a probe signal.

[0159] The communication operation can be sending and / or receiving at least one of the following:

[0160] 1) Common Signals: SSB (including primary synchronization signal (PSS) / secondary synchronization signal (SSS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) / demodulation reference signal (DRMS) of PBCH));

[0161] 2) Common information: Remaining minimum system information (RMSI) (including SIB1 in the system information block (SIB)) or other system information (OSI) (e.g., SIB2~);

[0162] 3) Paging information: PDCCH / PDCCH DMRS, PDSCH / PDSCH DMRS;

[0163] 4) Measurement information: RRM reference signal (RS) (serving cell or neighbor cell);

[0164] 5) Proprietary signals: Tracking reference signal (TRS), CSI-RS, beam management-reference signal (BM-RS), RRM-RS, phase-tracking reference signals (PTRS), DMRS, and sensing reference signal (sensing RS);

[0165] 6) Dedicated downlink channels: PDCCH / PDCCH DMRS, PDSCH / PDSCH DMRS;

[0166] 7) Dedicated uplink channels: PUCCH / PUCCH DMRS, PUSCH / PUSCH DMRS.

[0167] Optionally, the first signal and / or the second signal may include at least one of the above.

[0168] The first device and the second device can wake up on the first resource, thereby ensuring the continuous sleep of the first device and the second device, and thus realizing energy saving during the sleep of the first device and the second device.

[0169] Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG7 further includes step 700. Step 700 may be performed before step 701.

[0170] 700. The first device receives the first configuration information.

[0171] The first configuration information includes the configuration of one or more resources, including the first resource. The configuration of these one or more resources can be referred to the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] Optionally, the first device sends a first request message to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the first request message from the first device. The first request message is used to request the configuration of the one or more resources. In response to the first request message, the second device sends first configuration information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first configuration information from the second device.

[0173] The first device may also request first configuration information from the network device (for example, both the first device and the second device are terminal devices), which is not specifically limited here.

[0174] Please refer to Figure 13. One communication method in this embodiment includes:

[0175] 1301. The first device receives the second configuration information.

[0176] The second configuration information is used to indicate the first time window, which can be understood as a continuous time-domain resource.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the second configuration information includes the starting position of the first time window, the window length (or window length) of the first time window, or the period of the first time window.

[0178] Optionally, the first time window can be user-specific, group-specific, or cell-specific configuration information.

[0179] Optionally, the second configuration information can be user-specific, group-specific, or cell-specific configuration information.

[0180] As an example, as shown in Figure 14, both the first device and the second device receive WUS within a first time window. The starting position of the first time window can be determined based on the time-domain resources used to carry the first signal, and the window length of the first time window can be understood as the number of time-domain units contained in the first time window.

[0181] If the first device is a terminal device, the window length and period of the first time window can be determined based on the UL-WUS of one terminal device, as shown in Figure 15. Alternatively, it can be determined based on the UL-WUS of multiple terminal devices, as shown in Figure 16. In Figure 16, both the first and third devices are terminal devices.

[0182] Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG13 further includes step 1301a. Step 1301a may be performed after step 1301.

[0183] 1301a. The first device receives the third configuration information.

[0184] The second configuration information may not include the configuration related to the first time window, which is indicated by the third configuration information. The third configuration information includes the starting position of the first time window, the window length (or window length) of the first time window, or the period of the first time window.

[0185] Optionally, the third configuration information can be user-specific, group-specific, or cell-specific configuration information.

[0186] 1302. The first device receives a first signal from the second device and / or sends a second signal to the second device within a first time window. Correspondingly, the second device sends a first signal to the first device and / or receives a second signal from the first device within the first time window.

[0187] In this embodiment of the application, by sending or receiving signals within a first time window, the first signal and the second signal can be detected in a concentrated manner, thereby increasing the single sleep duration of both communication devices and reducing the number of wake-up calls of the master receiver, which in turn reduces the power consumption of both communication devices.

[0188] The communication method in the embodiments of this application has been described above. The communication device in the embodiments of this application is described below. Referring to Figure 17, the communication device 1700 can be used to execute the process performed by the first device in the embodiments shown in Figure 7 or Figure 13. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments. The communication device 1700 can be a network device, or a component or device applied to a network device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. The communication device can also be a terminal device, or a component or device applied to a terminal device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a terminal device.

[0189] The communication device 1700 includes an interface module 1701 and a processing module 1702.

[0190] The processing module 1702 is used for data processing. The interface module 1701 can implement corresponding communication functions. The interface module 1701 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0191] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store program code, program instructions and / or data. The processing module 1702 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 1700 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0192] The communication device 1700 can be used to perform the actions performed by the first device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be the first device, a communication module within the first device, or a circuit or chip in the first device responsible for communication functions. The communication device 1700 can be the first device or a component configurable within the first device. The processing module 1702 is used to perform processing-related operations on the first device side in the above method embodiments. The interface module 1701 is used to perform receiving-related operations on the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0193] Optionally, interface module 1701 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0194] It should be noted that the communication device 1700 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1700 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme performed by the communication device 1700 includes both transmitting and receiving actions. For example, the communication device 1700 is used to perform the actions performed by the first device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 13. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 13; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0195] For example, the communication device 1700 is used to execute the following scheme:

[0196] Processing module 1702 is used to acquire a first resource, the first resource including a second resource and / or a third resource, the second resource being used to carry a first signal, the third resource being used to carry a second signal, the first signal being used to wake up a first device, and the second signal being used to wake up a second device;

[0197] Interface module 1701 is used to receive a first signal and / or send a second signal on a first resource.

[0198] The descriptions of the second resource, the third resource, the first signal, and the second signal can be found in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0199] In one possible implementation, interface module 1701 is further configured to receive first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate the configuration of one or more resources, the one or more resources including the first resource;

[0200] The processing module 1702 is specifically used to determine the first resource based on the first configuration information.

[0201] In another possible implementation, the one or more resources may further include a fourth resource, the description of which can be found in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0202] In another possible implementation, interface module 1701 is also used to send first request information, which is used to request the configuration of the first resource.

[0203] For example, the communication device 1700 is used to execute the following scheme:

[0204] Interface module 1701 is used to receive second configuration information, which is used to indicate the first time window;

[0205] Processing module 1702 is used to determine the first time window;

[0206] The interface module 1701 is also used to receive a first signal and / or send a second signal within a first time window, wherein the first signal is used to wake up the first device and the second signal is used to wake up the second device.

[0207] The descriptions of the second configuration information, the first time window, the first signal, and the second signal can be found in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0208] In one possible implementation, interface module 1701 is further configured to receive third configuration information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0209] The starting position of the first time window;

[0210] The length of the first time window; or,

[0211] The cycle of the first time window.

[0212] It should be understood that the specific procedures for each module to perform the above-mentioned corresponding processes have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0213] Optionally, when the communication device 1700 is a terminal device or a communication module within a terminal device, the processing module 1702 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. The interface module 1701 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The interface module 1701 may also be referred to as a communication module or communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0214] Optionally, when the communication device 1700 is a circuit or chip in a terminal device responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing module 1702 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processing cores. The function of the interface module 1701 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0215] The following is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to FIG18, the communication device 1800 can be used to execute the process performed by the second device in the embodiment shown in FIG7 or FIG13. For details, please refer to the relevant description in the foregoing method embodiments. The communication device 1800 can be a network device, or a component or device applied to a network device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a network device. The communication device can also be a terminal device, or a component or device applied to a terminal device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a terminal device.

[0216] The communication device 1800 includes an interface module 1801 and a processing module 1802.

[0217] The processing module 1802 is used for data processing. The interface module 1801 can implement corresponding communication functions. The interface module 1801 can also be called a communication interface or a communication module.

[0218] Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store program code, program instructions and / or data. The processing module 1802 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 1800 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0219] The communication device 1800 can be used to perform the actions performed by the second device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be the second device, a communication module within the second device, or a circuit or chip in the second device responsible for communication functions. The communication device 1800 can be the second device or a component configurable within the second device. The processing module 1802 is used to perform processing-related operations on the second device side in the above method embodiments. The interface module 1801 is used to perform receiving-related operations on the second device side in the above method embodiments.

[0220] Optionally, the interface module 1801 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0221] It should be noted that the communication device 1800 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1800 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme performed by the communication device 1800 includes both transmitting and receiving actions. For example, the communication device 1800 is used to perform the actions performed by the second device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 13. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 13; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0222] For example, the communication device 1800 is used to execute the following scheme:

[0223] Processing module 1802 is used to determine a first resource, the first resource including a second resource and / or a third resource, the second resource being used to carry a first signal, the third resource being used to carry a second signal, the first signal being used to wake up a first device, and the second signal being used to wake up a second device;

[0224] Interface module 1801 is used to send a first signal and / or receive a second signal on a first resource.

[0225] The descriptions of the second resource, the third resource, the first signal, and the second signal can be found in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the interface module 1801 is further configured to send first configuration information, which indicates the configuration of one or more resources, including the first resource.

[0227] In another possible implementation, the one or more resources may further include a fourth resource, the description of which can be found in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0228] For example, the communication device 1800 is used to execute the following scheme:

[0229] Processing module 1802 is used to determine second configuration information, which is used to indicate the first time window;

[0230] Interface module 1801 is used to send the second configuration information;

[0231] The interface module 1801 is also used to send a first signal and / or receive a second signal within a first time window, wherein the first signal is used to wake up the first device and the second signal is used to wake up the second device.

[0232] The descriptions of the second configuration information, the first time window, the first signal, and the second signal can be found in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0233] In one possible implementation, interface module 1801 is further configured to send third configuration information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0234] The starting position of the first time window;

[0235] The length of the first time window; or,

[0236] The cycle of the first time window.

[0237] It should be understood that the specific procedures for each module to perform the above-mentioned corresponding processes have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0238] Optionally, when the communication device 1800 is a terminal device or a communication module within a terminal device, the processing module 1802 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. The interface module 1801 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The interface module 1801 may also be referred to as a communication module or communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0239] Optionally, when the communication device 1800 is a circuit or chip in a terminal device responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing module 1802 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processing cores. The function of the interface module 1801 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0240] The following describes a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Figure 19, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device may be the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first device or the second device in implementing the above methods. This communication device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and for details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0241] The communication device may include one or more processors 1901, which are connected to a memory 1902, an input / output unit 1903, and a bus 1904. The processor 1901 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal, terminal chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0242] Optionally, the communication device may include one or more memories 1902, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1901 to cause the communication device to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 1902 may also store data. The processor 1901 and the memories 1902 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0243] Optionally, the communication device may also include a transceiver and an antenna. A transceiver, also called a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, is used to implement transmission and reception functions. A transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter; the receiver, also called a receiver circuit, is used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter, also called a transmitter or transmitting circuit, is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0244] In another possible design, the processor 1901 may include a transceiver for implementing receive and transmit functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receive and transmit functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0245] In another possible design, the processor 1901 may optionally store instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The instructions may be stored in the processor 1901; in this case, the processor 1901 may be implemented in hardware.

[0246] In another possible design, the communication device may include a circuit that can perform the transmitting or receiving or communication functions of the first or second device in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this application embodiment can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), p-type metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0247] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a first device or a second device, but the scope of the communication device described in the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited to FIG19. The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0248] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0249] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including a storage component for storing data and instructions;

[0250] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0251] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0252] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.

[0253] (6) Others, etc.

[0254] For communication devices that can be chips or chip systems, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip structure shown in Figure 20. The chip 2000 shown in Figure 20 includes a processor 2001 and an interface 2002. Optionally, it may also include a memory 2003. The number of processors 2001 can be one or more, and the number of interfaces 2002 can be multiple.

[0255] For cases where the chip is used to implement the functions of the first or second device in the embodiments of this application:

[0256] The interface 2002 is used to receive or output signals;

[0257] The processor 2001 is used to perform data processing operations of the first device or the second device.

[0258] It should also be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other names in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may retain the names used in 5G, or they may adopt other names, etc.

[0259] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the communication device given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0260] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), 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.

[0261] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAK are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0262] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the foregoing embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium may be a non-volatile storage medium.

[0263] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0264] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0265] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0266] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0267] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0268] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0269] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it 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 instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device 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., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: obtaining a first resource, the first resource comprising a second resource and / or a third resource, the second resource being used to carry a first signal, the third resource being used to carry a second signal, the first signal being used to wake up a first device, the second signal being used to wake up a second device; receiving the first signal and / or sending the second signal on the first resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The second resource and the third resource satisfy at least one of the following: The second resource and the third resource belong to a same resource unit. The resource unit in which the second resource is located and the resource unit in which the third resource is located are two consecutive resource units. The second resource and the third resource are in a same resource range.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The obtaining of the first resource comprises: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate one or more resources, the one or more resources comprising the first resource.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The one or more resources further comprise a fourth resource, the first device and / or the second device being in a sleep state on the fourth resource.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The second resource is located before the third resource in a time domain. Or, The second resource and the third resource partially overlap or completely overlap in the time domain. Or, The second resource is located after the third resource in the time domain.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, a system information request signal, a synchronization signal block (SSB) request signal, a radio resource management (RRM) request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, a synchronization signal, or a measurement signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending first request information, the first request information being used to request a configuration of the first resource.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: determining a first resource, the first resource comprising a second resource and / or a third resource, the second resources being used to carry a first signal, the third resource being used to carry a second signal, and the first signal being used to wake up a first device, the second signal being used to wake-up a second device; sending the first signal and / or receiving the second signal on the first resource.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The second resource and the third resource satisfy at least one condition of the following: The second resource and the third resource belong to a same resource unit. The second resource and the third resource belong to a same resource unit.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate one or more resources, the one more resources comprising the first resource.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The one or more resources further comprise a fourth resource, the fourth resource being used to carry a third signal, the third signal being used to wake up a third device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The second resource is located before the third resource in a time domain. Or, The second signal and the third signal partially overlap or completely overlap in the time domain. Or, The second resource is located after the first resource in the time domain.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, The first signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, an uplink low-power wake-up signal, a system information request signal, a synchronization signal block (SSB) request, a radio resource management (RRM) request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal comprises any one of a low-power wake-up signal, a low-power synchronization signal, or a low-power measurement signal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first request information, the first request information being used for requesting configuration of the first resource.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information being used for indicating a first time window; receiving a first signal and / or transmitting a second signal within the first time window, the first signal being used for waking up a first device, the second signal being used for waking up a second device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The second configuration information comprises at least one of: a start position of the first time window; a window length of the first time window; or a period of the first time window.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving third configuration information, the third configuration information comprising at least one of: a start position of the first time window; a window length of the second time window; or a period of the first time window.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The first time window is a user-level, a user group-level, or a cell-level parameter; or, the second configuration information is user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information; or, the third configuration information is user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that, The first signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, a system information request signal, an SSB request signal, an RRM request signal, or a channel state information request signal; The second signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, a synchronization signal, or a measurement signal.

20. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: transmitting second configuration information, the second configuration information being used for indicating a first time window; transmitting a first signal and / or receiving a second signal within the first time window, the first signal being used for waking up a first apparatus, the second signal being used for waking up a second apparatus.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The second configuration information comprises at least one of: a start position of the first time window. a window length of the first time window; or a period of the first time window.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein, transmitting third configuration information, the third configuration information comprising at least one of: a start position of the second time window. a window length of the second time window; or a period of the first time window. transmitting third configuration information.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein, The first time window is a user-level, a user group-level, or a cell-level configuration information. or, the second configuration information is user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information. or, the third configuration information is user-level, user group-level, or cell-level configuration information 24. The method of any one of claims 20-23, wherein, The first signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, a system information request signal, a SSB request signal, an RRM request signal, or a channel state information request signal. The second signal comprises at least one of a wake-up signal, a synchronization signal, or a channel state information request signal.

25. A communications device, characterized by comprises means or units for performing the method of any one of claims 1-24.

26. A communications device, characterized by comprises: a processor configured to execute a program to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-24.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 8 to 14, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 15 to 19, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 20 to 24.

28. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein: which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 8 to 14, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 15 to 19, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 20 to 24.

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