DTX / DRX configuration method and apparatus

Abstract

A DTX / DRX configuration method and apparatus, relating to the technical field of wireless communications. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving a first SSB, wherein the first SSB belongs to a first SSB group, and the first SSB group is one of at least two SSB groups; the terminal device receiving configuration information, wherein the configuration information comprises first information, and the first information is used for indicating a start position of a DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the first SSB group; and on the basis of the first information, determining the start position of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the first SSB group.

Description

A DTX / DRX configuration method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510125368.9, filed on January 26, 2025, entitled “A DTX / DRX Configuration Method and Apparatus”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for configuring discontinuous transmission (DTX) / discontinuous reception (DRX). Background Technology

[0004] As communication technologies evolve, the requirements for terminal equipment capabilities are becoming increasingly demanding. To enhance these capabilities, the hardware specifications of terminal equipment are becoming more complex, leading to increased power consumption.

[0005] Cell DTX / DRX is a technology that can reduce the power consumption of terminal devices. During the inactive period of cell DTX, the terminal device does not expect to receive certain downlink channels / signals, and during the inactive period of cell DTX, the terminal device does not expect to transmit certain uplink channels / signals, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0006] Currently, during the cell DTX / DRX activation period, terminal devices scan all synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) blocks (SSBs) within a cell. As the number of SSBs within a cell increases, this cell DTX / DRX configuration increases the activation period length, which in turn increases the power consumption of the terminal devices. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a DTX / DRX configuration method and apparatus to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices.

[0008] Some embodiments of this application can be applied to terminal-side devices, which may be terminal devices, modules (such as chips) within terminal devices, or software (such as control subsystems) containing terminal device functions. Other embodiments of this application can be applied to network-side devices, which may be network devices, such as base stations or wireless access network devices. The network-side device may be a network device, a module (such as a chip) within a network device, or software (such as control subsystems) containing network device functions.

[0009] In a first aspect, a DTX / DRX configuration method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal-side device. The method includes: receiving a first SSB, the first SSB belonging to a first SSB group, the first SSB group being one of at least two SSB groups; receiving configuration information, the configuration information including first information, the first information being used to indicate the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group; and determining the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the first information.

[0010] In the above implementation, since one SSB group corresponds to one DTX / DRX mode, beam (or beam group) level DTX / DRX mode can be realized. In scenarios where there are many SSBs in the cell and the SSB period is long, the above implementation allows the terminal device to use the corresponding DTX / DRX mode according to the SSB group to which the received SSB belongs, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0011] One possible implementation further includes: determining the group identifier of the first SSB group; wherein the group identifier of the first SSB group is determined based on the index of the first SSB and the number of SSBs in the SSB group, or the group identifier of the first SSB group corresponds to the system frame number of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located.

[0012] Secondly, a DTX / DRX configuration method is provided, which can be applied to network-side devices. The method includes: sending a first SSB, the first SSB belonging to a first SSB group, the first SSB group being one of at least two SSB groups; and sending configuration information, the configuration information being first information, the first information being used to indicate the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group.

[0013] Based on the first and second aspects above, in one possible implementation, the first information is a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes, wherein the two DTX / DRX modes are the DTX / DRX modes corresponding to each of the two SSB groups in the at least two SSB groups.

[0014] Based on the first and second aspects above, in one possible implementation, the first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups, and the time interval between the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is (n-1) times the first offset, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0015] Based on the first and second aspects above, in one possible implementation, the first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups, and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offse_n=(n-1)×offset+dtx / drx-Offset, where dtx / drx-Offse_n represents the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group relative to the starting position of the radio frame, offset represents the first offset, and dtx / drx-Offset is the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups relative to the starting position of the radio frame.

[0016] Based on the first and second aspects mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the dtx / drx-Offset satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offset=[(SFN×10)+subframe number]mod(dtx / drx-Cycle), where SFN represents the system frame number of the radio frame, subframe number represents the frame number of the subframe, and dtx / drx-Cycle represents the length of the DTX / DRX cycle.

[0017] Based on the first and second aspects above, in one possible implementation, the activation period length of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is different from the activation period length of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the second SSB group; wherein, the second SSB group is an SSB group other than the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups.

[0018] Based on the first and second aspects mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the first SSB includes a group identifier of the first SSB group, or the system information for scheduling the first SSB includes a group identifier of the first SSB group.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the configuration information may further include the period length and / or the activation period length.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is carried in the system information of the first SSB scheduling, or in a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the group identifier of the first SSB group satisfies the following formula: SSB group ID = floor(SSB index / K), where SSB group ID is the group identifier of the first SSB group, SSB index is the index of the first SSB, K is the number of SSBs in the SSB group, and floor represents the floor operation.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the group identifier of the first SSB group and the system frame number of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located have a corresponding relationship satisfying the following formula: SSB group ID = floor(SFN / M) mod N, where SSB group ID is the group identifier of the first SSB group, SFN is the system frame number of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located, M represents the number of radio frames occupied by the SSB in the first SSB group, N represents the number of the at least two SSB groups, mod represents modulo operation, and floor represents floor operation.

[0023] In one possible implementation, M and / or N are indicated by the first SSB; or, M and / or N are indicated by system information scheduled by the first SSB; or, M and / or N are predefined; or, M and / or N are related to the frequency band of the SSB in the first SSB group; or, M and / or N are related to the Sync Raster of the frequency band of the SSB in the first SSB group.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the activation period of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group includes the time unit (e.g., symbol) occupied by the SSBs in the first SSB group.

[0025] In one possible implementation, during the activation period of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group, one or more of the following are also included: the time unit (e.g., symbol) occupied by the system information of the SSB scheduling in the first SSB group, and the time unit (e.g., symbol) occupied by the paging message.

[0026] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for performing the method described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0027] Fourthly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: one or more processors configured to perform the method of any one of the first or second aspects.

[0028] Fifthly, a readable storage medium is provided, the readable storage medium storing a program or instructions that, when executed on a device, cause the device to perform the method of any one of the first or second aspects.

[0029] A sixth aspect provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the method of any one of the first or second aspects.

[0030] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a program; when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer causes the computer to perform the method described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0031] Eighthly, a communication system is provided, including a network device and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device performs the method described in any one of the first aspects, and the network device performs the method described in any one of the second aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the active and inactive periods within the cell DTX / DRX cycle;

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the SSB transmission pattern configured in the FR1 band;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a transparent satellite communication forwarding scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication regeneration mode applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of network coverage for a single satellite and a single cell in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of network coverage for a single satellite with multiple cells in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of SSB grouping in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the information received during the activation period in the DTX / DRX mode in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the DTX / DRX configuration method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a specific example of the DTX / DRX configuration method in the embodiments of this application;

[0042] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another specific example of the DTX / DRX configuration method in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another specific example of the DTX / DRX configuration method in the embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another specific example of the DTX / DRX configuration method in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To better understand this application, some of the technologies involved in this application will be explained below.

[0048] (1) cell DTX / DRX

[0049] To achieve energy saving, cell DTX, cell DRX, or both can be configured for the terminal device. In this embodiment, "cell DTX / DRX" is used to represent cell DTX and / or cell DRX.

[0050] Cell DTX / DRX configurations can include one or more of the following: cycle length, on time, off time, on duration, or off duration. On time refers to the start of the active period (or active time) within the cell DTX / DRX cycle; off time is the start of the inactive period (or inactive time) within the cell DTX / DRX cycle; on duration is the duration of the active period; and off duration is the duration of the inactive period.

[0051] The activation time can be represented by the offset between the start position of the cell DTX / DRX cycle and the start position of the wireless frame. At the beginning of each cell DTX / DRX cycle, a duration timer can be started. The timer value is the activation duration. When the timer expires, the system enters the inactive period.

[0052] For example, Figure 1 illustrates the active and inactive periods within a cell DTX / DRX cycle. Within a single cell DTX / DRX cycle, the active and inactive periods are listed in chronological order. By not transmitting / receiving certain signals / channels during the inactive period, the terminal device can save power.

[0053] During the inactive period of cell DTX, the terminal device does not expect to receive certain downlink channels / signals. During the inactive period of cell DRX, the terminal device does not expect to transmit certain uplink channels / signals. These channels / signals can be transmitted during the active period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle.

[0054] For example, the uplink channel may include at least one of the following channels: a configured grant PUSCH (CG PUSCH; PUSCH is short for physical uplink shared channel); a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledge (HARQ-ACK) for a semi-persistent scheduled physical downlink shared channel (SPS PDSCH); a scheduling request (SR); a physical random access channel (PRACH); random access message A; random access message 3; a periodic channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) report; a semi-static CSI-RS report; and a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0055] For example, the downlink channel may include at least one of the following channels:

[0056] Modulation and coding scheme - PDCCH scrambled with cell-RNTI (MCS-C-RNTI); PDCCH scrambled with power-saving-RNTI (PS-RNTI); PDCCH scrambled with system-information-RNTI (SI-RNTI); PDCCH scrambled with random access-RNTI (RA-RNTI); PDCCH scrambled with temporary cell-RNTI (TC-RNTI); PDCCH scrambled with paging-RNTI (P-RNTI); PDCCH scrambled with paging early indication-RNTI (PEI-RNTI); SSB; System information; Paging message; Random access message 2; Random access message 4; Random access message B; Beam failure recovery (BFR); or Semi-static scheduling physical layer downlink shared channel (SPS). PDSCH); Periodic CSI-RS; Semi-static CSI-RS.

[0057] Cell DTX / DRX is configured at the cell level. Cell DTX / DRX applies to all terminal devices within the cell. In other words, the network device instructs all users within the cell to use cell DTX / DRX via indication information, or all users within the cell have the same cell DTX / DRX configuration.

[0058] Network devices can configure cell DTX / DRX for terminal devices via radio resource control (RRC) messages, or activate or deactivate cell DTX / DRX configuration in a cell via RRC messages or downlink control information (DCI).

[0059] (2) Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication

[0060] NTN refers to a network that uses radio frequency resources on satellite platforms to provide communication services. These satellite platforms include, for example, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, or high altitude platform stations (HAPS). Compared to terrestrial cellular networks, NTN networks offer wider coverage but suffer from higher path loss.

[0061] In terrestrial communication systems, network devices (such as base stations) transmit Service Signal-Based Broadcast (SSBs) through multiple broadcast beams in different directions. Terminal devices can synchronize with the network devices based on the received SSBs during the initial access phase. Here, "beam" refers to the main lobe of the radiation pattern of an antenna array. The projection range of the beam onto the Earth's surface is called the coverage area. Base stations adjust the antenna weights so that the beams they transmit can point in different directions, resulting in different coverage areas. The beam coverage area discussed below refers to the beam's coverage area on the ground. The coverage area will change as satellites move and weights are adjusted.

[0062] Currently, terrestrial communication systems can cover the service area of ​​a single base station using a maximum of 8 broadcast beams corresponding to SSBs (FR1 band) or a maximum of 64 broadcast beams corresponding to SSBs (FR2 band). Because NTN networks have wider coverage, a greater number of broadcast beams are needed to achieve network coverage. Furthermore, due to the higher path loss of NTN networks, satellites typically employ large-scale antenna arrays to improve communication performance, providing higher array gain and narrower beam main lobes. Therefore, NTN networks require a significantly larger number of broadcast beams to transmit SSBs, potentially reaching hundreds or even thousands.

[0063] Taking the transmission of 256 SSBs via 256 beams as an example, the SSB transmission pattern configured in the FR1 band under the current protocol is shown in Figure 2. According to the SSB transmission pattern shown in Figure 2, 8 SSBs are transmitted within the first 2 milliseconds of every 20 milliseconds, and data transmission can occur within the remaining 18 milliseconds. The 256 SSBs last for a total of 640 milliseconds.

[0064] With the deployment of numerous satellites, to improve the effectiveness and simplicity of satellite beam management, the ground control center can divide the overall ground coverage area into multiple (e.g., 256) fixed-size regions. Each region corresponds to a quiver, and all quivers are assigned a unique number. The size of each quiver can be set to be the same as the coverage area of ​​the SSB beam, facilitating periodic satellite scanning. The location and number of each quiver can be pre-set in the chip of the satellite and / or terminal equipment, or periodically distributed by the control center and core network. For a period of time, a satellite will cover the same number of ground quivers as the number of SSB beams, thus establishing a one-to-one mapping between the SSB index and the ground beam number. This mapping can also be maintained by the control center and uploaded to the satellites. As the satellite moves, this mapping may change periodically.

[0065] Based on the above description, in an NTN system, network devices need to transmit more SSBs to achieve greater network coverage and reduce path loss. If the cell DTX / DRX configuration from terrestrial communication systems is adopted, a longer activation period is required to scan a large number of SSBs, which will increase the power consumption of terminal devices. It is understandable that similar problems will exist for other communication networks or scenarios that require transmitting a large number of SSBs, such as future communication networks.

[0066] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a DTX / DRX configuration method and related apparatus for implementing the method, which can reduce the power consumption of terminal devices.

[0067] It should be noted that the DTX / DRX configuration methods include the following three cases: (1) configuring DTX; (2) configuring DRX; (3) configuring both DTX and DRX. That is to say, for a terminal device, DTX and DRX can be configured simultaneously, or only DTX can be configured without DRX, or only DRX can be configured without DTX.

[0068] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this application, DTX / DRX is an abbreviation for energy-saving technology. This application does not limit the name of this energy-saving technology. For example, this energy-saving technology can also be called energy-saving mode 1, energy-saving configuration 1, etc.

[0069] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, including terrestrial communication systems, NTN communication systems (such as satellite communication systems), or future communication systems. Taking satellite communication systems as an example, the embodiments of this application can be applied to transparent relay scenarios in satellite communication, as well as to regenerative mode scenarios in satellite communication.

[0070] Referring to Figure 3, this is a schematic diagram of a transparent satellite communication forwarding scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application. In this scenario, the satellite only acts as a frequency conversion relay, essentially functioning as an analog radio frequency repeater. Therefore, the satellite replicates the NR Uu radio interface signal from the feed link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (between the satellite and the terminal equipment), and vice versa. The satellite radio interface on the feed link transmits the NR-Uu interface signal; that is, the satellite does not terminate the NR Uu interface signal but rather replicates it. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR-Uu interface signal. Different transmission satellites can connect to the same ground base station.

[0071] Referring to Figure 4, this is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication regeneration mode applicable to an embodiment of this application. In this scenario, the satellite includes a base station or a digital processing unit (DU). In this architecture, the satellite acts as a base station, regenerating signals received from the ground. Specifically, NR-Uu radio interface signals are transmitted on the service link between the terminal equipment and the satellite, and satellite radio interface signals are transmitted on the feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. The satellite radio interface (SRI) is a transmission link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. NG interface signals are transmitted to the NTN gateway via the SRI interface, and then forwarded by the NTN gateway to the core network equipment on the ground.

[0072] In this embodiment, the network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities in a satellite network, including but not limited to: evolved NodeBs (NodeBs, eNBs, or e-NodeBs) in Long Term Evolution (LTE) on satellites, base stations (gNodeBs or gNBs) or transmission receiving points / transmission reception points (TRPs) in NR, base stations evolved under the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and access nodes, wireless relay nodes, and wireless backhaul nodes in Wi-Fi systems. Satellite base stations can be macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, or relay stations. Network devices can also be balloon stations, drone stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same technology mentioned above, or they can support networks using different technologies mentioned above. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located TRPs. The following explanation uses satellite base stations as an example of network devices. Multiple network devices can be base stations of the same type or different types. Base stations can communicate with terminal devices directly, or they can communicate with terminal devices through relay stations. Terminal devices can communicate with multiple base stations using different technologies. For example, a terminal device can communicate with a base station that supports LTE networks, or it can communicate with a base station that supports 5G networks. It can also support dual connectivity with both LTE and 5G base stations.

[0073] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes or balloons). Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wearable terminal devices, etc. This application does not limit the application scenarios. Terminal equipment may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. A terminal can be fixed or mobile.

[0074] In this embodiment, to meet network coverage requirements, a single cell needs to transmit SSBs via multiple broadcast beams in different directions. Each SSB corresponds to one beam, which can be called an SSB beam. Taking a satellite cell as an example, a single satellite cell may contain hundreds or even thousands of SSBs (or SSB beams). The coverage area of ​​a satellite can be a single satellite cell, referred to as a single-satellite single-cell coverage, as shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, the coverage area of ​​a satellite can include multiple satellite cells, referred to as a single-satellite multi-cell coverage, as shown in Figure 6. Satellite cells can be distinguished using a physical cell identifier (PCI). A single satellite cell can achieve coverage through multiple SSBs with different beam directions.

[0075] In this embodiment, SSBs within a satellite cell can be grouped. Specifically, multiple consecutive SSBs within a satellite cell can be grouped together. The projection of the beams of each group of SSBs onto the ground forms a continuous coverage area. That is, each group of SSBs can correspond to a beam group, or in other words, each group of SSBs corresponds to a relatively wide beam. All SSB groups within a satellite cell can cover the entire coverage area of ​​that satellite cell.

[0076] In one possible implementation, each SSB group contains the same number of SSBs. For example, the number of SSBs in each SSB group can be determined by referring to the number of SSBs in a current cellular network cell (e.g., a 5G cell). For instance, each SSB group contains 8 SSBs. It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the number of SSBs in each SSB group can be defined as needed, and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0077] In one possible implementation, each SSB group can be distinguished using a group identifier. Optionally, the group identifier of an SSB group can indicate the order of that SSB among all SSB groups. For example, the group identifier can be numbered from 0 to 31, corresponding to the first SSB group, the second SSB group, and so on, up to the 32nd SSB group. Within each SSB group, different SSBs can be distinguished using an SSB index, and SSB indices can be reused across different SSB groups. That is, for an SSB within a satellite cell, a unique identifier can be created by combining the group identifier and the SSB index. As shown in Figure 7, taking a satellite cell containing 256 SSBs as an example, these 256 SSBs can be divided into 32 SSB groups, with each SSB group containing 8 SSBs. The SSB indices within each SSB group are numbered from 0 to 7, and each SSB group is distinguished using a different group identifier. Taking SSB group 0 in Figure 7 (the group identifier of this SSB group is equal to 0) as an example, the 8 SSBs in SSB group 0 are transmitted in the first 4 time slots of the radio frame. In each of these 4 time slots, the SSB is transmitted on symbols 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

[0078] In another possible implementation, for an SSB within a satellite cell, an SSB index can be used to uniquely identify the SSB. That is, the SSB group to which an SSB belongs can be determined based on its index. For example, taking a satellite cell containing 256 SSBs as an example, these 256 SSBs are numbered from 0 to 255. These 256 SSBs can be divided into 32 SSB groups. SSBs with indices 0-7 belong to the first SSB group, SSBs with indices 8-15 belong to the second SSB group, and so on.

[0079] In this embodiment of the application, each SSB group corresponds to a DTX / DRX pattern, and different SSB groups correspond to different DTX / DRX patterns. The DTX / DRX pattern refers to the DTX / DRX configuration, such as the configuration of the start position, period length, and activation period length. It can also be called a DTX / DRX pattern or DTX / DRX design, etc. This application does not limit the naming.

[0080] Similar to cell DTX / DRX patterns, the DTX / DRX patterns in this embodiment are periodic, with one DTX / DRX pattern period including an active period and an inactive period. This embodiment does not restrict the order of the active and inactive periods. Since one SSB group corresponds to one DTX / DRX pattern, that is, one beam group corresponds to one DTX / DRX pattern, to distinguish it from cell DTX / DRX in related technologies, in this embodiment, the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to an SSB group can be referred to as a beam or beam group-level DTX / DRX pattern.

[0081] In this application embodiment, the starting positions of different DTX / DRX patterns are different. The starting position of the DTX / DRX pattern can also be referred to as the starting position of the DTX / DRX pattern cycle, or simply the starting position of the DTX / DRX cycle; this application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the time interval between the starting positions of the DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to two adjacent SSB groups is equal; this time interval is called the first offset. Furthermore, the SSB beams of the adjacent SSB groups are continuous. For example, among 16 beam-continuous SSBs, the first 8 SSBs belong to the first SSB group, and the last 8 SSBs belong to the second SSB group; therefore, the first SSB group and the second SSB group are adjacent SSB groups.

[0083] When the time interval between the starting positions of the DTX / DRX patterns of two adjacent SSB groups is equal, in all SSB groups of a cell, the starting position of the DTX / DRX pattern of any SSB group is a multiple of the starting position of the DTX / DRX pattern of the first SSB group, and this time interval (i.e., the first offset). Taking the first SSB group as the nth SSB group in a cell as an example, the time interval between the starting position of the DTX / DRX pattern of the nth SSB group and the starting position of the DTX / DRX pattern of the first SSB group is (n-1) times the first offset, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0084] Optionally, the period lengths of different DTX / DRX patterns may be the same or different, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0085] Optionally, the activation period lengths in different DTX / DRX patterns may be the same or different, and this application does not impose any restrictions. For example, within a satellite cell, the coverage area corresponding to the first SSB group is the first area, and the coverage area corresponding to the second SSB group is the second area. The satellite communication services of terminal devices in the first area are more active, while the satellite communication services of terminal devices in the second area are less active. Therefore, different activation period lengths can be configured for the DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to the first SSB group and the second SSB group. For example, the activation period length of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the first SSB group is greater than the activation period length of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second SSB group.

[0086] In one possible implementation, during the activation period of a DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to an SSB group, the symbols occupied by all or some SSBs in that SSB group are included. In other words, the signal the terminal device expects to receive includes all or some SSBs in that SSB group. The terminal device can receive SSBs from that SSB group during this activation period to achieve synchronization with the network side. Optionally, the activation period of a DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to an SSB group may also include system information for the SSB scheduling of that group. In other words, the signal the terminal device expects to receive may also include system information for the SSB scheduling of that group, such as SIB information, more specifically, such as SIB1 and / or SIB19 (SIB 19 can be used to carry ephemeris information), and may also include other system information (OSI). This application does not limit this. The terminal device can receive the aforementioned system information during this activation period. Optionally, the activation period of a DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to an SSB group may also include the timing of paging message transmission. In other words, the signal the terminal device expects to receive may also include paging messages. Figure 8 illustrates, for example, a schematic diagram of the information that a terminal device expects to receive during the activation period in the DTX / DRX pattern.

[0087] In some other embodiments, the terminal device does not expect to receive channels / signals during the inactive period of the DTX / DRX pattern, or the terminal device expects to receive channels / signals during the active period of the DTX / DRX pattern. For details, please refer to the relevant content in the cell DTX / DRX mentioned above.

[0088] Since each SSB group corresponds to a coverage area within a satellite cell, and each SSB group corresponds to a DTX / DRX pattern, terminal devices within a coverage area can use the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the specific SSB group. Considering the large coverage area of ​​a satellite cell, a terminal device is generally located within the coverage area of ​​one SSB group. Therefore, the terminal device does not need to scan SSBs in other SSB groups. In other words, the terminal device only needs to scan the SSBs in the SSB group corresponding to its own coverage area. This means that the activation period of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to that SSB group can be configured based on meeting the requirement of scanning the SSBs in that SSB group. Compared to the requirement that the activation period needs to meet the requirement of scanning all SSBs in the cell, using beam / beam group-level DTX / DRX patterns can effectively reduce the activation period, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0089] Based on the system architecture shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4, or other system architectures, and the aforementioned related content, Figure 9 exemplarily illustrates a possible flowchart of a DTX / DRX configuration method provided in an embodiment of this application. The scheme in Figure 9 is described using the interaction between network devices and terminal devices as an example. The relevant descriptions of network devices and terminal devices are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0090] Referring to Figure 9, it is a flowchart illustrating the DTX / DRX configuration method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0091] As shown in Figure 9, the process may include the following steps:

[0092] Step 901: The network device sends the first SSB, and the corresponding terminal device receives the first SSB.

[0093] The first SSB belongs to the first SSB group, which is one of at least two SSB groups. For example, all SSBs within a cell can be divided into multiple SSB groups, and the first SSB belongs to the first SSB group among these multiple SSB groups. Terminal devices within the coverage area corresponding to the first SSB group can receive SSBs from that first SSB group.

[0094] Step 902: The network device sends configuration information, which includes first information, indicating the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the first information is specifically the starting time-domain position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group, such as one or more of the following: system frame number (SFN), subframe number, slot number, symbol index, etc.

[0096] In another possible implementation, the first information is a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes. These two DTX / DRX modes are the DTX / DRX modes corresponding to two SSB groups among multiple SSB groups within a cell. Based on the first offset, the terminal device can determine the start position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to each SSB group.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the first offset indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to two adjacent SSB groups. In this case, among all SSB groups in a cell, the start position of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to any SSB group is a multiple of the start position of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the first SSB group, which is a multiple of the first offset.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the configuration information may also include one or more of the following: the period length of the DTX / DRX mode and the activation period length.

[0099] Optionally, if the DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to each SSB group have the same cycle length, the configuration information includes a cycle length value to indicate the cycle length of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to each SSB group, in order to reduce system overhead.

[0100] Optionally, if the activation periods of the DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to multiple SSB groups are different, the configuration information includes the activation period of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to each of the multiple SSB groups. For example, if the activation periods of the DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to the first SSB group and the second SSB group are different, the configuration information includes the group identifier and activation period of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the first SSB group, as well as the group identifier and activation period of the DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second SSB group.

[0101] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message, such as an RRC reconfiguration message, and a specific example can be found in the flowcharts shown in Figures 10 and 12; in another possible implementation, the configuration information is carried in the system information (e.g., SIB1) of the first SSB scheduling, and a specific example can be found in the flowcharts shown in Figures 11 and 13.

[0102] For example, the RRC message or system information may include the following DTXDRX-Config information element to carry the above configuration information:

[0103] DTXDRX-GroupOffset indicates the first offset mentioned above.

[0104] Step 903: The terminal device determines the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the first information.

[0105] If the first information indicates the starting time domain position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group, such as one or more of SFN, subframe, time slot, and symbol, the terminal device can directly determine the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the first information.

[0106] If the first information indicates a first offset, the terminal device can determine the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the first offset and the order of the first SSB group in at least two SSB groups (e.g., all SSB groups in a cell) (e.g., the group identifier of the SSB group).

[0107] For example, taking the first SSB group as the nth SSB group, the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offse_n=(n-1)×offset+dtx / drx-Offset;

[0108] Where dtx / drx-Offse_n represents the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group relative to the starting position of the radio frame, offset represents the first offset, and dtx / drx-Offset is the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group among at least two SSB groups relative to the starting position of the radio frame.

[0109] It is understandable that, since the SSB group identifier can be used to indicate the order of an SSB group among all SSB groups, the group identifier of the nth SSB group is n-1 (taking group identifiers starting from 0 as an example). That is, according to the above formula, the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group can be based on dtx / drx-Offset, plus the product of offset and group identifier. Of course, the group identifier can also start from 1 or other numbers, and the above formula can be adjusted accordingly; this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0110] Optionally, dtx / drx-Offset satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offset=[(SFN×10)+subframe number]mod(dtx / drx-Cycle);

[0111] Wherein, SFN represents the system frame number of the radio frame, subframe number represents the frame number of the subframe, and dtx / drx-Cycle represents the length of the DTX / DRX cycle.

[0112] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may determine the group identifier of the first SSB group in the following way:

[0113] Method 1: The first SSB includes a group identifier of the first SSB group. The terminal device can determine the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs based on the group identifier included in the first SSB.

[0114] Method 2: The system information of the first SSB scheduling includes the group identifier of the first SSB group. The terminal device can determine the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs based on the system information.

[0115] Optionally, the group identifier of the SSB group can be carried in SIB1. For example, the SIB1 of the first SSB scheduling includes the group identifier of the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs. Of course, the group identifier of the SSB group can also be carried in other system information, and this application does not limit this.

[0116] Method 3: The index of an SSB in a cell can uniquely identify the SSB in that cell. The terminal device can determine the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs based on the index of the first SSB.

[0117] Taking an SSB index starting from 0 and an SSB group ID also starting from 0 as an example, the group ID of the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs satisfies the following formula: SSB group ID = floor(SSB index / K)

[0118] Wherein, SSB group ID is the group identifier of the first SSB group, SSB index is the index of the first SSB, K is the number of SSBs in an SSB group, and floor represents the floor operation.

[0119] It is understandable that the index of SSB and the group identifier of SSB group can also be numbered starting from 1 or other numbers, and the above formula can be adjusted accordingly.

[0120] When using this method, network devices do not need to send the group identifier of the SSB group, thus saving network overhead.

[0121] Method 4: The terminal device can determine the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs based on the correspondence between the SFN and the group identifier of the SSB group.

[0122] Optionally, the group ID of the first SSB group and the SFN of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located have the following correspondence: SSB group ID = floor(SFN / M) mod N;

[0123] Wherein, SSB group ID is the group identifier of the first SSB group, SFN is the system frame number of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located, M represents the number of radio frames occupied by the SSB in the first SSB group, N represents the number of at least two SSB groups, mod represents modulo operation, and floor represents floor operation.

[0124] According to the above formula, taking the index of the first SSB as 0 and the SFN value of the system frame as 2 as an example, if N=16 and M=1, the terminal device can determine that the group identifier of the SSB group to which the SSB belongs is 2, indicating that the SSB is an SSB in the second group of SSBs.

[0125] Optionally, the terminal device can obtain the SFN by detecting the PBCH. Specifically, the terminal device can obtain the high 8 bits of the SFN, while the low 2 bits can be obtained during blind PBCH detection.

[0126] It is understandable that, based on the SSB index and the numbering rules for the group identifiers of SSB groups, the above formula can be appropriately adjusted to adapt to the SSB index and the numbering rules for the group identifiers of SSB groups.

[0127] In one implementation, M and / or N are indicated by a first SSB.

[0128] In another implementation, M and / or N are indicated by system information (e.g., SIB1) scheduled by the first SSB.

[0129] In another implementation, M and / or N are predefined.

[0130] In another implementation, M and / or N are related to the frequency band of the SSB in the first SSB group. The values ​​of M and N may be the same or different for different operating frequency bands. The correspondence between M and N and the frequency band of the SSB can be predefined, and the terminal device can determine the values ​​of M and N based on this correspondence.

[0131] For example, the values ​​of M and N corresponding to different frequency bands can be defined in the protocol as follows:

[0132] Table 1

[0133] In this context, nx1 and nx2 are numbered, but can actually be numerical values, such as nx1 being n77 and nx2 being n78. Specifically, the terminal device can determine the corresponding values ​​of M and N based on its own operating frequency band.

[0134] It should be understood that Table 1 is merely an example, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the numbering of the actual operating frequency bands, nor do they limit the values ​​of M and N; they can be any combination of values. Any row and any column in Table 1 can be combined.

[0135] In another implementation, M and / or N are associated with the sync raster of the frequency band where the SSB in the first SSB group is located. The values ​​of M and N may be the same or different for different sync rasters. The correspondence between M and N and the sync raster can be predefined, and the terminal device can determine the values ​​of M and N based on this correspondence.

[0136] For example, the values ​​of M and N corresponding to different Sync Rasters can be defined in the protocol as follows:

[0137] Table 2

[0138] In Table 2, the operating frequency bands are all nxx, the subcarrier spacing of the SSB is 30kHz, and the SSB pattern is the same. The frequency point of the Sync Raster can be calculated based on the value of the Global Synchronization Channel Number (GSCN). Different GSCN values ​​represent different Sync Raster synchronization grids. Table 2 provides two examples of GSCNs, with their respective starting GSNC values ​​being... and Based on the representation of GSCN, the range of GSCN 1 can be determined as starting from... Beginning, to The interval between adjacent GSCNs is [number]. Similarly, GSCN range 2 is from Beginning, to The interval between adjacent GSCNs is [number].

[0139] For GSCN range 1, N is 16 and M is 1; for GSCN range 2, N is 32 and M is 1. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the corresponding M and N values ​​based on the synchronization grid frequency point of the SSB it finds and the corresponding GSCN value.

[0140] After determining the DTX / DRX pattern, the terminal device can determine the time domain position of being in an active state and a sleep state based on the DTX / DRX pattern, and receive information sent by the network side during the active period and enter sleep mode during the inactive period to save power consumption of the terminal device.

[0141] Based on the process shown in Figure 9 above, on the one hand, since one SSB group corresponds to one DTX / DRX pattern, a beam (or beam group) level DTX / DRX pattern is realized, that is, periodic on / off at the beam group level is achieved. Compared with cell-level DTX / DRX patterns, beam (or beam group) level DTX / DRX patterns can have a shorter activation period in scenarios with a large number of SSBs and long SSB periods within a cell, thereby saving power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, since there is a time interval between the starting positions of the two DTX / DRX patterns corresponding to different SSB groups, the activation period positions in different DTX / DRX patterns are different. The terminal device uses the corresponding DTX / DRX pattern according to the SSB group to which the received SSB belongs. This can meet the needs of terminal devices in different areas to perform public signal detection at different time periods, thereby improving system flexibility.

[0142] The following description is based on the process shown in Figure 9, and includes several specific examples shown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13.

[0143] Figure 10 illustrates the process by which network devices send configuration information via RRC messages, and how terminal devices determine the SSB group to which an SSB belongs based on the correspondence between the SSB group identifier and the SFN, and then determine the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the SSB group based on the group identifier of the SSB group and the configuration information.

[0144] As shown in Figure 10, the process may include the following steps:

[0145] Step 1001: The network device sends the first SSB and the system information scheduled by the first SSB (e.g., system information such as SIB1), wherein the first SSB or the system information includes M and N.

[0146] Where N is the number of SSB groups, and M is the number of radio frames occupied by the SSB in the first SSB group to which the first SSB belongs.

[0147] In this step, after receiving the first SSB, the terminal device parses the system information (e.g., SIB1) indicated by the first SSB to obtain the parameters M and N contained therein.

[0148] Step 1002: The terminal device determines the group identifier of the first SSB group based on the SFN, M, and N of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located.

[0149] Step 1003: The network device sends an RRC message, which carries configuration information, including a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes.

[0150] Step 1004: The terminal device determines the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the group identifier of the first SSB group and the first offset.

[0151] The specific implementation method of each step in the process shown in Figure 10 can be found in the relevant content of the process shown in Figure 9.

[0152] Figure 11 illustrates the process by which network devices send configuration information through system information, and how terminal devices determine the SSB group to which an SSB belongs based on the correspondence between the SSB group identifier and the SFN, and then determine the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the SSB based on the group identifier of the SSB group and the configuration information.

[0153] As shown in Figure 11, the process may include the following steps:

[0154] Step 1101: The network device sends the first SSB and the system information scheduled by the first SSB (e.g., system information such as SIB1). The first SSB or system information includes M and N, as well as configuration information.

[0155] Where N is the number of SSB groups, and M is the number of radio frames occupied by the SSB in the first SSB group to which the first SSB belongs.

[0156] This configuration information includes a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes.

[0157] In this step, after receiving the first SSB, the terminal device can receive system information (e.g., SIB1) based on the time and frequency resources indicated by the first SSB, parse the system information, and obtain the parameters M and N contained therein, as well as the configuration information.

[0158] It is understood that parameters M and N, as well as configuration information, can be included in the same system information; or, parameters M and N can be included in one system information and configuration information can be included in another system information, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0159] Step 1102: The terminal device determines the group identifier of the first SSB group based on the SFN, M, and N of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located.

[0160] Step 1103: The terminal device determines the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the group identifier of the first SSB group and the first offset.

[0161] The specific implementation method of each step in the process shown in Figure 11 can be found in the relevant content of the process shown in Figure 9.

[0162] Figure 12 illustrates the process by which a network device sends configuration information via RRC messages and sends an SSB group identifier via system information, enabling a terminal device to determine the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the SSB based on the SSB group identifier and the configuration information.

[0163] As shown in Figure 12, the process may include the following steps:

[0164] Step 1201: The network device sends the first SSB and the system information of the first SSB scheduling (such as SIB1 system information). The system information includes the group identifier of the first SSB group, which is the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs.

[0165] In this step, after receiving the first SSB, the terminal device parses the system information (e.g., SIB1) indicated by the first SSB to obtain the group identifier of the first SSB group contained therein.

[0166] Step 1202: The network device sends an RRC message, which carries configuration information, including a first offset that indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes.

[0167] Step 1203: The terminal device determines the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the group identifier of the first SSB group and the first offset.

[0168] The specific implementation method of each step in the process shown in Figure 12 can be found in the relevant content of the process shown in Figure 9.

[0169] Figure 13 illustrates the process by which a network device sends configuration information and an SSB group identifier through system information, enabling a terminal device to determine the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the SSB based on the SSB group identifier and the configuration information.

[0170] As shown in Figure 13, the process may include the following steps:

[0171] Step 1301: The network device sends the first SSB and the system information of the first SSB scheduling (such as SIB1 system information). The system information includes the group identifier of the first SSB group, which is the SSB group to which the first SSB belongs. The system information also includes configuration information, which includes a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes.

[0172] In this step, after receiving the first SSB, the terminal device parses the system information (e.g., SIB1) indicated by the first SSB to obtain the group identifier of the first SSB group and the first offset contained therein.

[0173] It is understood that the group identifier and the first offset of the first SSB group can be included in the same system information or in different system information, and this application does not limit this.

[0174] Step 1302: The terminal device determines the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the group identifier of the first SSB group and the first offset.

[0175] The specific implementation method of each step in the process shown in Figure 13 can be found in the relevant content of the process shown in Figure 9.

[0176] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the network device and terminal device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0177] Figures 14 and 15 are schematic diagrams illustrating possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be a terminal device, a network device, or a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal device or a network device.

[0178] As shown in Figure 14, the communication device 1400 includes a processing unit 1410 and a transceiver unit 1420. The transceiver unit 1420 implements corresponding communication functions, while the processing unit 1410 performs data processing. The transceiver unit 1420 can also be referred to as a communication interface or communication unit, including a sending unit and / or a receiving unit. The transceiver unit 1420 can be a transceiver (including a transmitter and / or receiver), an input / output interface (including input and / or output interfaces), pins, or circuits, etc. The transceiver unit 1420 can be used to perform the sending and / or receiving steps in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1410 can be a processor (may include one or more), a processing circuit with processor functions, etc., and can be used to perform other steps in the above method embodiments besides sending and receiving. Optionally, the device also includes a storage unit (not shown in the figure), which can be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.), or an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.). The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the communication device to perform the above-described method.

[0179] The communication device 1400 can be a network element or equipment, or a chip or chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit 1420 can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit 1410 is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0180] The communication device 1400 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 above.

[0181] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9: the transceiver unit 1420 is used to receive a first SSB, the first SSB belonging to a first SSB group, the first SSB group being one of at least two SSB groups; the transceiver unit 1420 is also used to receive configuration information, the configuration information including first information, the first information being used to indicate the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group; the processing unit 1410 is used to determine the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group based on the first information.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the first information is a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes, wherein the two DTX / DRX modes are the DTX / DRX modes corresponding to each of the two SSB groups in the at least two SSB groups.

[0183] In one possible implementation, the first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups, and the time interval between the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is (n-1) times the first offset, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups, and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offse_n=(n-1)×offset+dtx / drx-Offset, where dtx / drx-Offse_n represents the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group relative to the starting position of the radio frame, offset represents the first offset, and dtx / drx-Offset is the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups relative to the starting position of the radio frame.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the dtx / drx-Offset satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offset=[(SFN×10)+subframe number]mod(dtx / drx-Cycle), where SFN represents the system frame number of the radio frame, subframe number represents the frame number of the subframe, and dtx / drx-Cycle represents the length of the DTX / DRX cycle.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the activation period length of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is different from the activation period length of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the second SSB group; wherein, the second SSB group is an SSB group other than the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the first SSB includes a group identifier of the first SSB group, or the system information for scheduling the first SSB includes a group identifier of the first SSB group; wherein the group identifier of the first SSB group indicates the order of the first SSB in the at least two SSB groups.

[0188] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1410 is further configured to: determine the group identifier of the first SSB group, wherein the group identifier of the first SSB indicates the order of the first SSB group in the at least two SSB groups; wherein the group identifier of the first SSB group is determined based on the index of the first SSB and the number of SSBs in the SSB group, or the group identifier of the first SSB group corresponds to the system frame number of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located.

[0189] In one possible implementation, the configuration information may further include the period length and / or the activation period length.

[0190] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is carried in the system information of the first SSB scheduling, or in an RRC message.

[0191] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the function of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9: the processing unit 1410 is used to send a first SSB through the transceiver unit 1420, the first SSB belonging to a first SSB group, the first SSB group being one of at least two SSB groups; and to send configuration information through the transceiver unit 1420, the configuration information being first information, the first information being used to indicate the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group.

[0192] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1410 and the transceiver unit 1420 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9, and will not be repeated here.

[0193] As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and an interface circuit 1520. The processor 1510 and the interface circuit 1520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may also include a memory 1530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1510, or storing input data required by the processor 1510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1510 executes instructions.

[0194] When the communication device 1500 is used to implement the method shown in FIG9, the processor 1510 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1410, and the interface circuit 1520 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1420.

[0195] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0196] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device module receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the network device; this information is sent from the terminal device to the network device. Alternatively, the network device module sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the network device; this information is sent from the network device to the terminal device. The network device module here can be the baseband chip of the network device, or a DU (Digital Unit) or other modules. The DU here can be a DU under an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0197] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0198] This application provides another example of a communication device, which includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled together. The at least one processor and the at least one memory are used to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device performs the methods described in the above embodiments. Taking a communication device including a processor and a memory as an example, as shown in FIG15, communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and a memory 1530. The processor 1510 and the memory 1530 are coupled together. The memory 1530 stores instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 1530 are executed by the processor 1510, the communication device 1500 performs the methods performed by the terminal device or network device described in the above embodiments.

[0199] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a network device or a terminal device. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a network device or a terminal device.

[0200] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0201] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0202] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0203] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A configuration method for discontinuous transmission / reception of DTX / DRX, characterized in that, include: Receive a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB belongs to a first SSB group, and the first SSB group is one of at least two SSB groups; Receive configuration information, the configuration information including first information, the first information being used to indicate the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group; The starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is determined based on the first information.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first information is a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes, wherein the two DTX / DRX modes are the DTX / DRX modes corresponding to each of the two SSB groups in the at least two SSB groups.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups. Among the at least two SSB groups, the time interval between the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is (n-1) times the first offset, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

4. The method as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups, and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offse_n=(n-1)×offset+dtx / drx-Offset; Wherein, dtx / drx-Offse_n represents the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group relative to the starting position of the radio frame, offset represents the first offset, and dtx / drx-Offset is the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups relative to the starting position of the radio frame.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The dtx / drx-Offset satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offset=[(SFN×10)+subframe number]mod(dtx / drx-Cycle); Wherein, SFN represents the system frame number of the radio frame, subframe number represents the frame number of the subframe, and dtx / drx-Cycle represents the length of the DTX / DRX cycle.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The activation period length of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is different from that of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the second SSB group. The second SSB group is an SSB group other than the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first SSB includes the group identifier of the first SSB group, or the system information of the first SSB scheduling includes the group identifier of the first SSB group.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Also includes: Determine the group identifier of the first SSB group; The group identifier of the first SSB group is determined based on the index of the first SSB and the number of SSBs in the SSB group, or the group identifier of the first SSB group corresponds to the system frame number of the radio frame in which the first SSB is located.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The configuration information also includes the cycle length and / or activation period length.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The configuration information is carried in the system information of the first SSB scheduling, or in the Radio Access Control (RRC) message.

11. A configuration method for discontinuous transmission / reception of DTX / DRX, characterized in that, include: Send a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB), wherein the first SSB belongs to a first SSB group, and the first SSB group is one of at least two SSB groups; Send configuration information, the configuration information being first information, the first information being used to indicate the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The first information is a first offset, which indicates the time interval between the start positions of two DTX / DRX modes, wherein the two DTX / DRX modes are the DTX / DRX modes corresponding to each of the two SSB groups in the at least two SSB groups.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups. Among the at least two SSB groups, the time interval between the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is (n-1) times the first offset, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

14. The method as described in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first SSB group is the nth SSB group among the at least two SSB groups, and the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offse_n=(n-1)×offset+dtx / drx-Offset; Wherein, dtx / drx-Offse_n represents the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the nth SSB group relative to the starting position of the radio frame, offset represents the first offset, and dtx / drx-Offset is the time offset of the starting position of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups relative to the starting position of the radio frame.

15. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The dtx / drx-Offset satisfies the following formula: dtx / drx-Offset=[(SFN×10)+subframe number]mod(dtx / drx-Cycle); Wherein, SFN represents the system frame number of the radio frame, subframe number represents the frame number of the subframe, and dtx / drx-Cycle represents the length of the DTX / DRX cycle.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The activation period length of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the first SSB group is different from that of the DTX / DRX mode corresponding to the second SSB group. The second SSB group is an SSB group other than the first SSB group among the at least two SSB groups.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The first SSB includes the group identifier of the first SSB group, or the system information of the first SSB scheduling includes the group identifier of the first SSB group.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11-17, characterized in that, The configuration information also includes the cycle length and / or activation period length.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11-18, characterized in that, The configuration information is carried in the system information of the first SSB scheduling, or in the Radio Access Control (RRC) message.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11-19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors are configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-19.

22. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed on the device, cause the device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-19.

23. A chip system, characterized in that, Includes a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or in implementing the method as described in any one of claims 11-19.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a program; when the computer program is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 11-19.

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