WO2025232357A1 - Communication method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving a low power signal within a first time period, wherein the low power signal is used for performing wake-up, so as to perform channel monitoring within a second time period or a third time period, the second time period and the third time period are both after the first time period, and the first time period is an overlapping time period between a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource for receiving the low power signal; and the terminal device performing channel monitoring within the second time period or the third time period. In the method, after receiving the low power signal within the overlapping time period between the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource, the terminal device may perform channel monitoring within the second time period or the third time period, rather than performing channel monitoring within both the second time period and the third time period, such that the triggering of two instances of channel monitoring can be effectively avoided, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, and thus realizing the energy-saving of the terminal device.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410578636.8, filed on May 10, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus.

Background Technology

When a network device needs to send data to a terminal device, it can first send a wake-up signal (WUS) to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the WUS from the network device, performs physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring, and receives the data sent by the network device. During this process, the terminal device remains in a wake-up state, which leads to relatively high power consumption.

To reduce the power consumption of terminal devices, network devices can send a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) to the terminal devices. When the terminal device receives the LP-WUS, it wakes up to perform PDCCH monitoring and receive data sent by the network device.

However, in some cases, after receiving a certain LP-WUS, the terminal device may be triggered to perform PDCCH monitoring in two different time periods. This will result in two PDCCH monitoring triggers, which will lead to higher power consumption of the terminal device and is not conducive to energy saving.

Summary of the Invention

This application provides a communication method and apparatus to avoid the power consumption problem of the terminal device caused by triggering two PDCCH monitoring after the terminal device receives LP-WUS.

In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. The execution subject of this method is a terminal device or a module or chip within the terminal device; the method is described here using a terminal device as the execution subject. The method includes: the terminal device receiving a low-power signal during a first time period, wherein the low-power signal is used to wake up channel monitoring during a second or third time period. Both the second and third time periods are located after the first time period, and the first time period is the overlapping time period of a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource used to receive the low-power signal. The terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second or third time period.

In the above method, after the terminal device receives a low-power signal during the overlapping time period of the first and second time-frequency resources, it can perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period, instead of performing channel monitoring in both the second and third time periods. This can effectively avoid triggering two channel monitoring sessions, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and achieve energy saving of the terminal device.

In one possible design, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during a second or third time period. This can include: the terminal device performing channel monitoring during the second or third time period based on configuration information, wherein the configuration information is used to indicate whether channel monitoring should be performed during the second or third time period. In this design, directly determining whether channel monitoring should be performed during the second or third time period based on the configuration information reduces the complexity of the terminal device's decision-making.

In one possible design, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during a second or third time period. This can include: the terminal device performing channel monitoring during the second or third time period based on the attribute information of the low-power signal. In this design, determining whether to perform channel monitoring during the second or third time period directly based on the attribute information of the low-power signal eliminates the need to add extra information to the low-power signal, thus saving signaling overhead.

In one possible design, the attribute information of the low-power signal includes at least one of the following:

The low-power signal carries indication information. When the indication information indicates the first information, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in the second time period; when the indication information indicates the second information, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in the third time period.

The amount of information indicated by the low-power signal; when the amount of information is within a first range, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in a second time period; when the amount of information is within a second range, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in a third time period.

The modulation method used for low-power signals.

In one possible design, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during a second or third time period. This can include: the start time of the second time period being earlier than the start time of the third time period, with the terminal device performing channel monitoring during the second time period; or, the start time of the second time period being later than the start time of the third time period, with the terminal device performing channel monitoring during the third time period. This design allows for earlier channel monitoring, improving the timeliness of channel monitoring.

In one possible design, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during a second or third time period. This can include: the start time of the second time period being earlier than the start time of the third time period, with the terminal device performing channel monitoring during the third time period; or, the start time of the second time period being later than the start time of the third time period, with the terminal device performing channel monitoring during the second time period. In this design, the terminal device initiates channel monitoring relatively late, which is beneficial for the network device to acquire more data, facilitates data aggregation, and enables rapid transmission of more data within a shorter timeframe.

In one possible design, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during a second or third time period, which may include: the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second or third time period.

In one possible design, the start time of the second time period is determined based on information sent by the network device, the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource is determined based on the start time of the second time period and the first offset value, and the start time of the third time period is determined based on the reception time of the low-power signal and the second offset value.

In one possible design, the second time-frequency resource includes at least one time period, where each time period in the second time-frequency resource has an equal duration and appears periodically. The duration of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is equal to the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource, and the start time of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is the same as the start time of one of the time periods in the second time-frequency resource. In this design, by using the first and second time-frequency resources that satisfy the above relationships, the terminal device can directly determine whether to perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period without performing additional judgment operations, thus saving computational complexity for the terminal device.

Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, wherein the execution subject of the method is a terminal device or a module or chip within the terminal device; the method is described here using a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device acquiring a first reference signal received power parameter and/or a second reference signal received power parameter, wherein the first reference signal received power parameter is a parameter in a first protocol version used to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power, and the second reference signal received power parameter is a parameter in a second protocol version used to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power; the terminal device determining whether to report the reference signal received power based on the first reference signal received power parameter or the second reference signal received power parameter.

When both the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter are configured, the above method can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device cannot determine whether to report the reference signal received power when the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter are different.

In one possible design, the above method may further include: the terminal device configuring a first reference signal receiving power parameter; or, the terminal device configuring a second reference signal receiving power parameter; or, the terminal device configuring a first reference signal receiving power parameter and a second reference signal receiving power parameter.

In one possible design, the power parameters of the first reference signal received are different from those of the second reference signal received.

Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, wherein the execution subject of the method is a terminal device or a module or chip within the terminal device; the method is described here using a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device acquiring a first channel state information parameter and/or a second channel state information parameter, wherein the first channel state information parameter is a parameter in a first protocol version used to indicate whether to report channel state information, and the second channel state information parameter is a parameter in a second protocol version used to indicate whether to report channel state information; and the terminal device determining whether to report channel state information based on the first channel state information parameter or the second channel state information parameter.

When both the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter are configured, the above method can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device cannot determine whether to report the channel state information when the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter are different.

In one possible design, the above method may further include: the terminal device configuring a first channel state information parameter; or, the terminal device configuring a second channel state information parameter; or, the terminal device configuring a first channel state information parameter and a second channel state information parameter.

In one possible design, the first channel state information parameters are different from the second channel state information parameters.

Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. The execution subject of this method is a network device or a module or chip within a network device; here, a network device is used as the execution subject for example. The method includes: the network device sending a low-power signal to a terminal device. The low-power signal is used to wake up a device for channel monitoring during a second or third time period, both of which are located after a first time period. The first time period is the overlapping time period of a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource used to receive the low-power signal.

In the above method, after the terminal device receives a low-power signal during the overlapping time period of the first and second time-frequency resources, it can perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period, instead of performing channel monitoring in both the second and third time periods. This can effectively avoid triggering two channel monitoring sessions, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and achieve energy saving of the terminal device.

Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device capable of implementing any of the methods provided in any of the first to fourth aspects. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions performed by the terminal device or network device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in any of the first to third aspects, and will not be repeated here.

Sixthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device, which includes modules/units for performing any of the methods provided in any of the first to third aspects described above. These modules/units can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including a memory and a processor; wherein the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement any of the methods provided in any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

Eighthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes a computer program that, when run on a communication device, causes the computer-readable storage medium to implement any of the methods provided in any of the first to fourth aspects.

Ninthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product that, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to implement the first to fourth aspects and any possible design of the first to fourth aspects.

In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof. The chip may be composed of a chip or may include chips and other discrete devices.

Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal device and a network device; the terminal device is used to implement the method of any one of the first to third aspects and any possible implementation thereof; the network device is used to implement the method of the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement any of the methods provided in any of the first to fourth aspects.

These or other aspects of this application will become more apparent in the following description of the embodiments.

Attached Figure Description

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a channel monitoring method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a channel monitoring method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a channel monitoring method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a time period in a first time-frequency resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of a third time period provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of channel monitoring provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of a channel monitoring method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a first relationship provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

Detailed Implementation

The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. The terms "first," "second," and corresponding reference numerals in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate; this is merely a way of distinguishing objects with the same attributes in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to 5G systems, or to future communication systems or other similar communication systems. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to cellular links, public land mobile networks (PLMNs), machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or other networks. They can also be applied to links between devices, such as device-to-device (D2D) links. D2D links can also be called sidelinks, which are also referred to as edge links or secondary links. In this application, the above terms all refer to links established between devices of the same type, and their meanings are the same. The so-called same type of devices can be links between terminal devices, links between base stations, links between relay nodes, etc., and this application does not limit this.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to this application. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system may include at least one network device, such as network device 111, network device 112, and network device 113. The wireless communication system may also include at least one terminal device, such as terminal device 121, terminal device 122, terminal device 123, terminal device 124, terminal device 125, terminal device 126, and terminal device 127. The communication method between network devices can be backhaul, such as the communication method between network device 111 and network device 112, or the communication method between network device 111 and network device 113. The communication method between network devices and terminal devices can be enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), such as the communication method between network device 112 and terminal device 121. The communication method between network devices and terminal devices can be multi-site transmission, such as the communication method between network device 112, network device 113, and terminal device 124. The communication method between terminal devices can be D2D. For example, the communication method between terminal device 122 and terminal device 125.

Network equipment is an entity on the network side used to transmit or receive signals. Examples include transmission reception points (TRPs) and next-generation base stations (gnodeBs, gNBs). Network equipment can be an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communication (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA), a base station (nodeB, NB) in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), or an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in long-term evolution (LTE). Network equipment can also be a relay station or access point, or in-vehicle equipment, wearable devices, and network equipment in 5G networks, or network equipment in future evolved PLMNs, or gNodeB/gNB equipment in NR systems. In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU implements some of the gNB's functions, and the DU implements others. For example, the CU handles non-real-time protocols and services, such as radio resource control (RLC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP). The DU handles physical layer protocols and real-time services, such as radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers. The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and active antenna-related functions. Since the information implemented at the RLC layer ultimately becomes, or is derived from, PHY layer information, this is crucial. Therefore, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling (e.g., signaling implementing the Radio Resource Control layer) can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or by the DU and AAU. It is understood that the network device can be one or more of the following: CU node, DU node, and AAU node. Furthermore, the CU can be a network device in the radio access network (RAN), or a network device in the core network (CN); this application does not limit this. Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, the network device provides services to a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) used by the cell. The cell can be the cell corresponding to the network device (e.g., a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or to a base station corresponding to a small cell. For example, a small cell can include: a metro cell, a micro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, etc. Because small cells have small coverage areas and low transmission power, they can provide high-speed data transmission services. Furthermore, in other possible cases, the network device can be any other device that provides wireless communication functionality to the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, a CU can also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU), a DU can also be called an open distributed unit (O-DU), a CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, a CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and a RU can also be called an 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 a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

Terminal devices can be devices capable of receiving network device scheduling and instruction information, providing users with voice and/or data connectivity, or handheld devices with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. Terminal devices can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (RAN). For example, terminal devices can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices. Terminal devices can also be referred to as subscriber units (SS), subscriber stations (MS), mobile stations (MS), remote stations (AP), access points (AP), remote terminals (UE), access terminals (MT), user agents (CPE), customer premises equipment (CPE), terminals, user equipment (UE), etc. Terminal devices can also be wearable devices. Terminal devices can also be devices in next-generation communication systems. For example, terminal devices in 5G networks or future PLMN networks, and terminal devices in New Radio (NR) communication systems. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, customer-premises equipment (CPE), mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.), in-vehicle equipment (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, and industrial control devices. Wireless terminals in intelligent control, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, or smart homes, and flying equipment (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. Terminal devices can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, a terminal device can also be a device that performs terminal functions in D2D communication.

In Uu-port communication between terminal devices and network devices, when the network device needs to send data to the terminal device, it can first send a wake-up signal to the terminal device. After receiving the wake-up signal from the network device, the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring and receives the data sent by the network device. During the above process, the terminal device is always in the wake-up period (or active period), which will result in relatively high power consumption of the terminal device.

To reduce power consumption in terminal devices, a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle can be configured. The DRX cycle consists of a "DRX ON period" and a "DRX OFF period." The DRX ON period can also be called the wake-up period, wake-up time, activation period, or duration. The start time of the DRX ON period can be understood as the time corresponding to the start of the onDurationTimer monitoring period. The DRX OFF period can also be called the inactive period, sleep period, or sleep time.

Each DRX cycle includes a first time-frequency resource, which is located during the DRX OFF period. The first time-frequency resource can be understood as a resource jointly defined by a set time period and frequency band. For example, the first time-frequency resource can be understood as a resource jointly defined by time period 1 and frequency band 1. The time period in the first time-frequency resource appears periodically with each DRX cycle.

As shown in Figure 2, when the terminal device is within a time period of the first time-frequency resource, the terminal device can receive LP-WUS. If the terminal device receives LP-WUS within a time period of the first time-frequency resource, the terminal device enters the DRX ON period and performs PDCCH monitoring during the DRX ON period.

Furthermore, a second time-frequency resource can be configured in the terminal device. This second time-frequency resource can be understood as another resource defined by a set time period and frequency band. For example, the second time-frequency resource can be understood as a resource defined by time period 2 and frequency band 2. The time period in the second time-frequency resource can be set to appear periodically, non-periodically, continuously, or in other configuration ways.

As shown in Figure 3, when the terminal device is in a time period within the second time-frequency resource, the terminal device can receive LP-WUS. If the terminal device receives LP-WUS within a time period within the second time-frequency resource, the terminal device enters another activation time and performs PDCCH monitoring during the other activation time.

As shown in Figure 4, when the terminal device is in the overlapping period of the first and second time-frequency resources, if the terminal device receives LP-WUS, it will perform PDCCH monitoring during the DRX ON period and during other activation periods. This will trigger PDCCH monitoring twice, resulting in higher power consumption for the terminal device, which is detrimental to energy saving.

Based on this, this application provides a communication method to avoid the power consumption problem caused by the terminal device triggering two PDCCH monitoring after receiving LP-WUS.

The technical solution of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 5 and specific method embodiments. It should be noted that Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method embodiment of this application, showing the detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are merely examples, and other operations or variations of the various operations shown in Figure 5 can also be performed in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the steps in Figure 5 may be performed in a different order than that presented in Figure 5, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations shown in Figure 5. This method involves a terminal device or a chip or circuit in a terminal device, which this application does not limit. The terminal device is used as the execution subject below, and the method is executed as follows:

S501, the terminal device receives a low-power signal during the first time period.

In this embodiment, the network device sends a low-power signal to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the low-power signal from the network device. The terminal device may receive the low-power signal from the network device at any time.

If a terminal device receives a low-power signal from a network device within a first time period, the first time period is the overlapping time period of the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource used to receive the low-power signal. Furthermore, the frequency segments in the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource are not limited; that is, the frequency segments in the first time-frequency resource and the frequency segments in the second time-frequency resource may completely overlap, may not overlap at all, or may partially overlap. This is not limited here.

The low-power signal received by the terminal device is used to wake up the channel monitoring process during the second or third time period. Both the second and third time periods are after the first time period. The second time period can be understood as the DRX ON period mentioned in Figure 2 or Figure 4. The third time period can be the activation time mentioned in Figure 3 or Figure 4.

It should be understood that both the second and third time periods for low-power signal wake-up are time periods associated with the low-power signal. The association method can be understood as follows: the second time period is determined based on the time period within the first time-frequency resource where the low-power signal is received, and the third time period is determined based on the low-power signal's reception time.

The start time of the second time period is configured based on information sent by the network device. The determination of the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource can be referenced in Figure 6A. The start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource is determined based on the start time of the second time period and a first offset value. That is, the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource is the difference between the start time of the second time period and the first offset value, or the difference between the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource and the start time of the second time period is the first offset value. Furthermore, the end time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource differs from the start time of the second time period by a third offset value.

It should be understood that the start time, first offset value, and third offset value of the second time period are configured based on the information sent by the network device, and the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource is adjusted relative to the adjustment of the start time of the second time period and the first offset value.

The start time of the third time period can be referred to Figure 6B. The start time of the third time period can be determined based on the reception time of the low-power signal and the second offset value. That is, the start time of the third time period is the sum of the reception time of the low-power signal and the second offset value, or the start time of the third time period differs from the reception time of the low-power signal by the second offset value.

It should be understood that the second offset value is configured based on information sent by the network device. The start time of the third time period is adjusted relative to the adjustment of the second offset value.

S502, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second or third time period.

In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device performs PDCCH monitoring during a second or third time period.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period through the following four possible implementation methods.

In the first implementation method, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the second or third time period according to the configuration information.

In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device stores configuration information, which is used to instruct channel monitoring to be performed in a second time period or a third time period.

In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 7A, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal, the low-power signal indicates that channel monitoring should be performed. If the configuration information indicates that channel monitoring should be performed in the second time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the second time period.

In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 7B, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal, the low-power signal indicates that channel monitoring should be performed. If the configuration information indicates that channel monitoring should be performed during the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the third time period.

In the above method, directly determining whether to perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period based on the configuration information can reduce the judgment complexity of the terminal device.

In the second implementation method, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the second or third time period based on the attribute information of the low-power signal.

In implementation method A1, the attribute information of the low-power signal can be the indication information carried in the low-power signal.

In one possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal indicating channel monitoring, the terminal device can perform channel monitoring within a second or third time period based on the indication information carried in the low-power signal. If the indication information indicates first information, it indicates channel monitoring within the second time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring within that second time period. If the indication information indicates second information, it indicates channel monitoring within the third time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring within that third time period.

In one possible implementation, the indication information carried in the low-power signal can be bits. When the bit carried in the low-power signal is 0, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the second time period; when the bit carried in the low-power signal is 1, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the third time period. Alternatively, when the bit carried in the low-power signal is 0, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the third time period; when the bit carried in the low-power signal is 1, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the second time period. No limitation is made here.

In implementation method A2, the attribute information of the low-power signal can be the amount of information indicated by the low-power signal.

In one possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal, the low-power signal indicates channel monitoring. The terminal device can perform channel monitoring in a second or third time period based on the amount of information indicated by the low-power signal. The amount of information indicated by the low-power signal can be carried within the low-power signal itself, or it can be determined by detecting the low-power signal using a detection algorithm. The monitoring algorithm used in this application is not limited.

It should be understood that the amount of information indicated by a low-power signal can be the number of bits carried in the low-power signal, the length of the low-power signal message, or the size of the time and frequency resources occupied by the low-power signal; no limitation is made here.

When the information quantity is within a first range, this information quantity indicates that channel monitoring will be performed during the second time period, and the terminal device will perform channel monitoring during the second time period. When the information quantity is within a second range, this information quantity indicates that channel monitoring will be performed during the third time period, and the terminal device will perform channel monitoring during the third time period.

For example, if the amount of information is x, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the second time period; if the amount of information is y, the terminal device performs channel monitoring in the third time period.

In implementation method A3, the attribute information of the low-power signal can be the modulation method used by the low-power signal.

In one possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal, the low-power signal indicates that channel monitoring should be performed. The terminal device can perform channel monitoring in a second or third time period based on the modulation scheme used by the low-power signal. Common modulation schemes include, but are not limited to, binary on-off keying (OOK) modulation and sequence modulation.

In one possible implementation, when the low-power signal uses OOK modulation, the low-power signal indicates channel monitoring during a second time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period. When the low-power signal uses sequence modulation, the low-power signal indicates channel monitoring during a third time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the third time period. Alternatively,

In one possible implementation, when the low-power signal uses OOK modulation, the low-power signal indicates that channel monitoring should be performed during a third time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the third time period. When the low-power signal uses sequence modulation, the low-power signal indicates that channel monitoring should be performed during a second time period, and the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period.

In the above method, channel monitoring is performed directly based on the attribute information of the low-power signal, without the need to add extra information to the low-power signal, thus saving signaling overhead.

In the third implementation method, the terminal device performs channel monitoring within the second or third time period based on the start time of the second time period and the start time of the third time period.

In implementation method B1, the terminal device selects the time period corresponding to the earlier start time from the start time of the second time period and the start time of the third time period for channel monitoring.

In one possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal indicating channel monitoring, if the start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period. If the start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the third time period.

The above methods allow for earlier channel monitoring, which is beneficial for the timeliness of channel monitoring.

In implementation method B2, the terminal device selects the time period corresponding to the later start time from the start time of the second time period and the start time of the third time period for channel monitoring.

In one possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal indicating channel monitoring, if the start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the third time period. If the start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period.

In the above method, the terminal device starts channel monitoring relatively late, which is beneficial for the network device to obtain more data, facilitates data aggregation by the network device, and enables the rapid transmission of more data in a short period of time.

In implementation method B3, if the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second or third time period.

In one possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal indicating channel monitoring, and the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period.

In another possible implementation, when the terminal device receives a low-power signal indicating channel monitoring, and the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the third time period.

It should be understood that in implementation B3, there is an overlapping time period between the time period in the first time-frequency resource and the time period in the second time-frequency resource, namely the first time period, but no other limitations are imposed on the time period in the first time-frequency resource and the time period in the second time-frequency resource.

In the fourth implementation method, if the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource satisfy the first relationship and the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period or the third time period.

In one possible implementation, the first relationship can refer to Figure 8 and includes the following: the second time-frequency resource includes at least one time period, the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource is equal, and each time period in the second time-frequency resource appears in a periodic form; the duration of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is equal to the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource, and the start time of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is the same as the start time of one of the time periods in the second time-frequency resource.

It should be understood that, if the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource satisfy the first relationship and the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, the first offset value is equal to the second offset value.

In the fourth implementation, by using the first and second time-frequency resources that satisfy the first relationship described above, the terminal device can directly determine whether to perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period without performing additional judgment operations, thus saving the computational complexity of the terminal device.

In the above method, after the terminal device receives a low-power signal during the overlapping time period of the first and second time-frequency resources, it can perform channel monitoring in the second or third time period, instead of performing channel monitoring in both the second and third time periods. This can effectively avoid triggering two channel monitoring sessions, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and achieve energy saving of the terminal device.

When the terminal device performs channel monitoring during the second time period, it can acquire channel information and report the channel information to the network device. The channel information includes reference signal received power and/or channel status information.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to report the reference signal received power through the following four possible implementation methods.

In the first implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with a first reference signal receiving power parameter, the terminal device obtains the first reference signal receiving power parameter and determines whether to report the reference signal receiving power based on the first reference signal receiving power parameter.

If the first reference signal received power parameter indicates that the reference signal received power should be reported, then the terminal device shall report the reference signal received power; if the first reference signal received power parameter indicates that the signal received power should not be reported, then the terminal device shall not report the reference signal received power.

It should be understood that the first reference signal received power parameter is a parameter used in the first protocol version to indicate whether the reference signal received power is reported. The first reference signal received power parameter can be ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R16 in the R16 protocol version, and ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R16 can be set to true or false. When ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R16 is set to true, the terminal device reports the reference signal received power; when ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R16 is set to false, the terminal device does not report the reference signal received power.

It should be understood that in the above embodiments, when the terminal device configures the first reference signal received power parameter, the second reference signal received power parameter is not configured, or the second reference signal received power parameter is not allowed to be configured. The second reference signal received power parameter is a parameter in the second protocol version used to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power. The second reference signal received power parameter can be ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R19 in the R19 protocol version.

In the second implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with the second reference signal receiving power parameter, the terminal device obtains the second reference signal receiving power parameter and determines whether to report the reference signal receiving power based on the second reference signal receiving power parameter.

If the second reference signal received power parameter indicates that the reference signal received power should be reported, the terminal device shall report the reference signal received power; if the second reference signal received power parameter indicates that the signal received power should not be reported, the terminal device shall not report the reference signal received power.

It should be understood that the second reference signal received power parameter is a parameter used in the second protocol version to indicate whether the reference signal received power is reported. The second reference signal received power parameter can be ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R19 in the R19 protocol version, and ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R19 can be set to true or false. When ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R19 is set to true, the terminal device reports the reference signal received power; when ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP-R19 is set to false, the terminal device does not report the reference signal received power.

It should be understood that in the above embodiments, when the terminal device configures the second reference signal receiving power parameter, the first reference signal receiving power parameter is not configured, or the first reference signal receiving power parameter is not allowed to be configured.

Since the terminal device can only be configured with either the first reference signal receiving power parameter or the second reference signal receiving power parameter, and cannot be configured with both the first and second reference signal receiving power parameters at the same time, the problem of the terminal device being unable to determine whether to report the reference signal receiving power when the first and second reference signal receiving power parameters are different can be effectively avoided.

In the third implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with a first reference signal receiving power parameter and a second reference signal receiving power parameter, the terminal device can obtain the first reference signal receiving power parameter and the second reference signal receiving power parameter, and determine whether to report the reference signal receiving power based on the first reference signal receiving power parameter.

The first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter in the terminal device can both be configured. The first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter configured in the terminal device can be the same or different. Regardless of whether the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter configured in the terminal device are the same, the terminal device determines whether to report the reference signal received power based on the first reference signal received power parameter.

If the first reference signal received power parameter indicates that the reference signal received power should be reported, then the terminal device shall report the reference signal received power; if the first reference signal received power parameter indicates that the signal received power should not be reported, then the terminal device shall not report the reference signal received power.

It should be understood that the settings for the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter can be referred to the previous text, and will not be repeated here.

In the fourth implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with a first reference signal receiving power parameter and a second reference signal receiving power parameter, the terminal device obtains the second reference signal receiving power parameter and determines whether to report the reference signal receiving power based on the second reference signal receiving power parameter.

The first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter in the terminal device can both be configured. The first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter configured in the terminal device can be the same or different. Regardless of whether the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter configured in the terminal device are the same, the terminal device determines whether to report the reference signal received power based on the second reference signal received power parameter.

If the second reference signal received power parameter indicates that the reference signal received power should be reported, the terminal device shall report the reference signal received power; if the second reference signal received power parameter indicates that the signal received power should not be reported, the terminal device shall not report the reference signal received power.

It should be understood that the settings for the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter can be referred to the previous text, and will not be repeated here.

When both the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter are configured, the above method can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device cannot determine whether to report the reference signal received power when the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter are different.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to report channel state information through the following four possible implementation methods.

In the first implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with the first channel state information parameter, the terminal device obtains the first channel state information parameter and determines whether to report the channel state information based on the first channel state information parameter.

If the first channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should be reported, the terminal device will report the channel state information; if the first channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should not be reported, the terminal device will not report the channel state information.

It should be understood that the first channel state information parameter is the parameter used in the first protocol version to indicate whether channel state information is reported. The first channel state information parameter can be ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r16 in the R16 protocol version, and ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r16 can be set to true or false. When ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r16 is set to true, the terminal device reports channel state information; when ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r16 is set to false, the terminal device does not report channel state information.

It should be understood that in the above embodiments, when the terminal device configures the first channel state information parameter, the second channel state information parameter is not configured, or the second channel state information parameter is not allowed to be configured. The second channel state information parameter is a parameter in the second protocol version used to indicate whether channel state information is reported. The second channel state information parameter can be ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r19 in the R19 protocol version.

In the second implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with the second channel status information parameter, the terminal device obtains the second channel status information parameter and determines whether to report the channel status information based on the second channel status information parameter.

If the second channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should be reported, the terminal device will report the channel state information; if the second channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should not be reported, the terminal device will not report the channel state information.

It should be understood that the second channel state information parameter is a parameter used in the second protocol version to indicate whether channel state information is reported. The second channel state information parameter can be ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r19 in the R19 protocol version, which can be set to true or false. When ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r19 is set to true, the terminal device reports channel state information; when ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI-r19 is set to false, the terminal device does not report channel state information.

It should be understood that in the above embodiments, when the terminal device configures the second channel state information parameter, the first channel state information parameter is not configured, or the first channel state information parameter is not allowed to be configured.

Since the terminal device can only configure either the first channel status information parameter or the second channel status information parameter, and cannot configure both the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter at the same time, it can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device cannot determine whether to report the channel status information when the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter are different.

In the third implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter, the terminal device can obtain the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter, and determine whether to report the channel status information based on the first channel status information parameter.

Both the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter are configured in the terminal device. The first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter configured in the terminal device can be the same or different. Regardless of whether the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter configured in the terminal device are the same, the terminal device determines whether to report the channel status information based on the first channel status information parameter.

If the first channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should be reported, the terminal device will report the channel state information; if the first channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should not be reported, the terminal device will not report the channel state information.

It should be understood that the settings for the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter can be referred to the previous text, and will not be repeated here.

In the fourth implementation method, when the terminal device is configured with the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter, the terminal device can obtain the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter, and determine whether to report the channel status information based on the second channel status information parameter.

Both the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter in the terminal device are configurable. The first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter configured by the terminal device can be the same or different. Regardless of whether the first channel status information parameter and the second channel status information parameter configured by the terminal device are the same, the terminal device determines whether to report the channel status information based on the second channel status information parameter.

If the second channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should be reported, the terminal device will report the channel state information; if the second channel state information parameter indicates that channel state information should not be reported, the terminal device will not report the channel state information.

It should be understood that the settings for the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter can be referred to the previous text, and will not be repeated here.

When both the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter are configurable, the above method can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device cannot determine whether to report channel state information when the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter are different.

In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device or network device may include hardware structures and/or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

Similar to the above concept, as shown in FIG9, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 900 for implementing the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method. For example, the communication device can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 900 may include: a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902.

In this embodiment, the communication device 900 includes a communication unit and a processing unit, which are respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments described above. The communication unit and the processing unit can be integrated into one unit or two independent units.

The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 and 10. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

In one implementation, the communication device 900 can perform the following functions:

The communication unit 901 is used to receive a low-power signal during a first time period. The low-power signal is used to wake up the channel monitoring during a second or third time period. Both the second and third time periods are located after the first time period. The first time period is the overlapping time period of the first and second time-frequency resources used to receive the low-power signal.

Processing unit 902 is used to perform channel monitoring during a second or third time period.

In another possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: perform channel monitoring in a second time period or a third time period according to configuration information, wherein the configuration information is used to instruct channel monitoring to be performed in the second time period or the third time period.

In another possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: perform channel monitoring in a second or third time period based on the attribute information of the low-power signal.

For example, the attribute information of a low-power signal includes at least one of the following:

The low-power signal carries indication information. When the indication information indicates the first information, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in the second time period; when the indication information indicates the second information, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in the third time period.

The amount of information indicated by the low-power signal; when the amount of information is within a first range, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in a second time period; when the amount of information is within a second range, it indicates that channel monitoring will be performed in a third time period.

The modulation method used for low-power signals.

In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: perform channel monitoring during the second time period when the start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the third time period; or, perform channel monitoring during the third time period when the start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the third time period.

In another possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: perform channel monitoring during the third time period when the start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the third time period; or, perform channel monitoring during the second time period when the start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the third time period.

In another possible design, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: perform channel monitoring during the second time period when the start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period.

In one possible design, the start time of the second time period is determined based on information sent by the network device, the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource is determined based on the start time of the second time period and the first offset value, and the start time of the third time period is determined based on the reception time of the low-power signal and the second offset value.

In one possible design, the second time-frequency resource includes at least one time period, the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource is equal, and the time periods in the second time-frequency resource appear in a periodic form; the duration of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is equal to the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource, and the start time of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is the same as the start time of one of the time periods in the second time-frequency resource.

In one implementation, the communication device 900 can perform the following functions:

The communication unit 901 is used to acquire a first reference signal received power parameter and/or a second reference signal received power parameter; the first reference signal received power parameter is a parameter in the first protocol version used to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power, and the second reference signal received power parameter is a parameter in the second protocol version used to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power.

The processing unit 902 is used to determine whether to report the reference signal received power based on the first reference signal received power parameter or the second reference signal received power parameter.

In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is also used for:

Configure the first reference signal receive power parameters; or,

Configure the second reference signal receive power parameters; or,

Configure the first reference signal receiving power parameters and the second reference signal receiving power parameters.

In one possible design, the power parameters of the first reference signal received are different from those of the second reference signal received.

In one implementation, the communication device 900 can perform the following functions:

The communication unit 901 is used to acquire a first channel status information parameter and/or a second channel status information parameter; the first channel status information parameter is a parameter in the first protocol version used to indicate whether to report channel status information, and the second channel status information parameter is a parameter in the second protocol version used to indicate whether to report channel status information.

The processing unit 902 is used to determine whether to report channel status information based on the first channel status information parameter or the second channel status information parameter.

In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is also used for:

Configure the first channel status information parameters; or,

Configure the second channel status information parameters; or,

Configure the first channel status information parameters and the second channel status information parameters.

In one possible design, the first channel state information parameters are different from the second channel state information parameters.

In one implementation, the communication device 900 can perform the following functions:

The communication unit 901 is used to send a low-power signal to the terminal device. The low-power signal is used to wake up the channel monitoring in the second time period or the third time period. The second time period and the third time period are both located after the first time period. The first time period is the overlapping time period of the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource used to receive the low-power signal.

The above are just examples. The communication unit and processing unit in the communication device 900 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown above. They will not be repeated here.

The methods provided in the embodiments of this application above are described from the perspective of a communication device as the executing entity. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the communication device may include hardware structures and/or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

For example, when implemented in hardware, the hardware implementation of this communication device can be referred to Figure 10 and its related description.

Referring to Figure 10, the communication device may include: one or more processors 1002; a memory 1003; one or more application programs (not shown); and one or more computer programs 1004. These devices can be connected via one or more communication buses 1001. The one or more computer programs 1004 are stored in the memory 1003 and configured to be executed by the one or more processors 1002. The one or more computer programs 1004 include instructions that can be used to perform the methods in any of the above embodiments. The one or more processors 1002 can perform the functions of the communication unit 901 and the processing unit 902.

This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to implement the communication method described in the above embodiments.

This application also provides a chip, which includes a processor coupled to a memory for executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, thereby enabling the chip to implement the communication methods described in the above embodiments.

This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device, the terminal device and the network device being used to implement the communication method in the above embodiments.

This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the communication method described in the above embodiments.

In this application, the communication device, computer-readable storage medium, computer program product or chip provided in the embodiments are all used to execute the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or 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 apparatus, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

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.

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 readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially or in other words, the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of 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.

The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims (21)

A communication method, characterized in that it is applied to a terminal device and includes: A low-power signal is received during a first time period, which is used to wake up channel monitoring during a second or third time period, both of which are located after the first time period; the first time period is the overlapping time period of a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource used to receive the low-power signal. Channel monitoring is performed during the second or third time period. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the channel monitoring during the second time period or the third time period includes: According to the configuration information, channel monitoring is performed during the second time period or the third time period, wherein the configuration information is used to indicate that channel monitoring is performed during the second time period or the third time period. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the channel monitoring during the second time period or the third time period includes: Based on the attribute information of the low-power signal, channel monitoring is performed during the second time period or the third time period. The method as described in claim 3, wherein the attribute information of the low-power signal includes at least one of the following: The low-power signal carries indication information, wherein when the indication information indicates the first information, it indicates that channel monitoring should be performed during the second time period; and when the indication information indicates the second information, it indicates that channel monitoring should be performed during the third time period. The low-power signal indicates the amount of information; the amount of information, when it is within a first range, indicates that channel monitoring is being performed during the second time period; the amount of information, when it is within a second range, indicates that channel monitoring is being performed during the third time period. The modulation method used for the low-power signal. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the channel monitoring during the second time period or the third time period includes: The start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the third time period, and channel monitoring is performed during the second time period; or, The start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the third time period, during which channel monitoring is performed. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the channel monitoring during the second time period or the third time period includes: The start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the third time period, during which channel monitoring is performed; or, The start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the third time period, and channel monitoring is performed during the second time period. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the channel monitoring during the second time period or the third time period includes: The start time of the second time period is equal to the start time of the third time period, and channel monitoring is performed during the second time period or the third time period. The method as described in any one of claims 5-7, wherein the start time of the second time period is determined based on information sent by the network device, the start time of the time period in the first time-frequency resource is determined based on the start time of the second time period and the first offset value; and the start time of the third time period is determined based on the reception time of the low-power signal and the second offset value. The method as described in claim 7, wherein the second time-frequency resource includes at least one time period, the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource is equal, and each time period in the second time-frequency resource appears in a periodic form; the duration of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is equal to the duration of each time period in the second time-frequency resource, and the start time of each time period in the first time-frequency resource is the same as the start time of one of the time periods in the second time-frequency resource. A communication method, characterized in that it is applied to a terminal device and includes: Obtain a first reference signal received power parameter and/or a second reference signal received power parameter; the first reference signal received power parameter is a parameter used in a first protocol version to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power, and the second reference signal received power parameter is a parameter used in a second protocol version to indicate whether to report the reference signal received power; Based on the first reference signal received power parameter or the second reference signal received power parameter, determine whether to report the reference signal received power. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that the method further comprises: Configure the first reference signal receiving power parameters; or, Configure the second reference signal receive power parameters; or, Configure the first reference signal received power parameter and the second reference signal received power parameter. The method as described in claim 11, wherein the first reference signal received power parameter is different from the second reference signal received power parameter. A communication method, characterized in that it is applied to a terminal device and includes: Obtain a first channel state information parameter and/or a second channel state information parameter; the first channel state information parameter is a parameter in the first protocol version used to indicate whether to report channel state information, and the second channel state information parameter is a parameter in the second protocol version used to indicate whether to report channel state information; Based on the first channel state information parameter or the second channel state information parameter, determine whether to report channel state information. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that the method further comprises: Configure the first channel state information parameters; or, Configure the second channel state information parameters; or, Configure the first channel state information parameter and the second channel state information parameter. The method as described in claim 13 is characterized in that the first channel state information parameter is different from the second channel state information parameter. A communication method, characterized in that it is applied to a network device and includes: A low-power signal is sent to the terminal device. The low-power signal is used to wake up the channel monitoring in a second time period or a third time period. Both the second time period and the third time period are located after the first time period. The first time period is the overlapping time period of the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource used to receive the low-power signal. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a processor and a memory; The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10-12, or the method as described in any one of claims 13-15, or the method as described in claim 16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it stores a computer program or instructions that, when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, cause the computer-readable storage medium to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10-12, or the method as described in any one of claims 13-15, or the method as described in claim 16. A chip, characterized in that it includes a processor coupled to a memory for executing a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, such that the chip implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 10-12, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 13-15, or the method as claimed in claim 16. A communication system, characterized in that it comprises: a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is configured to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10-12, or the method as described in any one of claims 13-15; and the network device is configured to implement the method as described in claim 16. A computer program product, characterized in that, when a computer reads and executes the computer program product, it causes the computer to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10-12, or the method as described in any one of claims 13-15, or the method as described in claim 16.