CN117560747A

CN117560747A - Communication method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN117560747A
Application number: CN202210927936.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘南南; 常俊仁; 唐小伟; 范强
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-08-03
Filing date: 2022-08-03
Publication date: 2024-02-13
Also published as: WO2024027418A1

Abstract

In the communication method, first information related to a start timing of a first timer determined by a terminal device based on Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter includes a second parameter related to a non-integer part of a DRX period in addition to a system frame number and a subframe number related to the start timing of the first timer. Under the action of the second parameter, the terminal equipment can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service, so that the service period with a value of a non-integer can be suitable for a DRX mechanism, DRX and the service are matched, the power consumption of the terminal equipment is further reduced, the transmission reliability is improved, the transmission time delay is reduced, and the communication quality and the communication efficiency are improved.

Description

Communication method and communication device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the field of communication, in particular to a communication method and a communication device.

Background

In a wireless communication system, in order to ensure that data can be effectively transmitted and save power consumption of a terminal device, a discontinuous reception (discontinuous reception, DRX) mechanism is introduced to control the behavior of the terminal device to monitor a physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH). The terminal equipment configured with the DRX can enter a DRX activation state when the PDCCH or the retransmission scheduling is required to be monitored, and enter a DRX dormancy state when the PDCCH or the retransmission scheduling is not required to be monitored, so that the terminal equipment achieves the purpose of saving power consumption.

In the current communication system, a terminal device may transmit traffic data requiring periodic transmission using a DRX mechanism. However, the current DRX mechanism is only applicable to DRX cycles with integer values, and may not be applicable to the current DRX mechanism when the traffic cycle is non-integer. Thus, current DRX mechanisms require further investigation.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for solving the problem that a DRX period with a non-integer value is not suitable for a current DRX mechanism.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, where an execution body of the method may be a terminal device, or may be a chip applied in the terminal device. The following describes an example in which the execution subject is a terminal device. In the method, a terminal device acquires DRX cycle information and a first parameter. The value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX. The terminal device determines first information related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter. The first information includes a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter, and the value of the second parameter is related to a non-integer part of the DRX cycle.

Optionally, the first timer is a discontinuous reception (drx-onduration timer).

Illustratively, the DRX cycle may take on values of (100/3) ms, (50/3) ms, (100/9) ms, or (25/3) ms.

Illustratively, the first parameter is used to indicate a starting offset for DRX. For example, the first parameter is used to indicate an offset of the start of the DRX cycle. For example, the first parameter is used to indicate a starting position (in subframes) of a DRX cycle configured by the network device. For example, the first parameter is used to indicate a subframe at which the DRX cycle starts. The first parameter may be DRX-StartOffset, DRX-StartLocation or DRX-StartSubframe or other parameters for indicating a DRX start offset.

Illustratively, the value of the second parameter is associated with a non-integer portion of the value of the DRX cycle and/or a non-integer portion of the value of the first parameter. For example, the value of the non-integer part of the DRX cycle and/or the value of the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter can directly or indirectly affect the value of the second parameter. Since the non-integer part of the DRX cycle value may also be converted to a fraction, the value of the second parameter may also be a fraction correlation corresponding to the DRX cycle value. Since the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter may be converted into a fraction, the value of the second parameter may be related to the fraction corresponding to the value of the first parameter.

In the application, since the first information related to the start timing of the first timer determined by the terminal device based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter includes a second parameter in addition to the system frame number and the subframe related to the start timing of the first timer, the second parameter is related to a non-integer part of the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information. Under the action of the second parameter, the terminal equipment can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service, so that the service period with a value of a non-integer can be suitable for a DRX mechanism, DRX and the service are matched, the power consumption of the terminal equipment is further reduced, the transmission reliability is improved, the transmission time delay is reduced, and the communication quality and the communication efficiency are improved.

In one possible implementation, the second parameter is an offset based on a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, the second parameter is used for the terminal device to offset at the time indicated by the system frame number and the subframe number.

The duration indicated by the second parameter is smaller than the duration corresponding to one subframe. For example, one subframe corresponds to a duration of 1ms, and the duration indicated by the second parameter is less than 1ms.

The second parameter may be a positive number or 0. For example, if the unit of the value of the second parameter is ms, the value of the second parameter is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1. If the value of the second parameter is positive, the second parameter is shifted to the right on the time axis (or time domain) based on the second parameter; if the value of the second parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

The second parameter may be a negative number or 0. For example, if the unit of the value of the second parameter is ms, the value of the second parameter is greater than-1 and less than or equal to 0. If the value of the second parameter is negative, the second parameter is shifted to the left on the time axis (or time domain) based on the second parameter; if the value of the second parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

In one possible embodiment, the determination of the first information related to the start timing of the first timer needs to satisfy the following equation 1.1 or equation 2.1:

{ [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (drx-LongCycle) =drx-StartOffset; (equation 1.1)

{ [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module = (drx-StartOffset) module; (equation 2.1)

Wherein SFN is a system frame number, subframe number is a subframe number, M is a second parameter, DRX-Long cycle is a long DRX cycle, DRX-short cycle is a short DRX cycle, and DRX-StartOffset is a first parameter.

In equation 1.1 (or equation 2.1), when the value of drx-LongCycle (or drx-ShortCycle) is a non-integer, the value of { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } may be a non-integer. Since the SFN is an integer and the subframe number is an integer, the value of M may be a non-integer. When the value of M is greater than or equal to 0, the value of M is a non-integer less than 1ms or the value of M is 0, and the second parameter is used for indicating a part greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1ms in the divisor (i.e., { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m }) in the modulo operation. When the value of M is less than or equal to 0, the value of M is a non-integer greater than-1 ms or the value of M is 0, and the second parameter is used for indicating a part of the divisor (i.e., { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m }) in the modulo operation, which is greater than-1 ms and less than or equal to 0.

In this embodiment, the second parameter M is newly added in the formulas 1.1 and 2.1, so that when the value of the divisor of the modulo operation is a non-integer, M can share the value of the fractional part (or the non-integer part), so that the terminal device can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number of which the value is an integer, which is beneficial for the terminal device to determine the system frame number and the subframe number of which the value is an integer based on the DRX cycle of which the value is a non-integer.

Illustratively, the determination of the first information related to the start timing of the first timer needs to satisfy the formula 1.1.1:

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m=α× (drx-LongCycle) +drx-StartOffset; (equation 1.1.1)

Wherein α is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the meaning of the remaining parameters is the same as that of the parameters in formula 1.1.

Illustratively, the determination of the first information related to the start timing of the first timer needs to satisfy the formula 2.1.1:

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m=β× (drx-ShortCycle) + [ (drx-StartOffset) module ]. (equation 2.1.1)

Wherein β is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the meaning of the remaining parameters is the same as that of the parameters in formula 2.1.

Illustratively, the determination of the first information related to the start timing of the first timer needs to satisfy the formula 1.1.2:

(sfn×10) +subframe number=α× (drx-LongCycle) +drx-StartOffset-M; (equation 1.1.2)

Illustratively, the determination of the first information related to the start timing of the first timer needs to satisfy the formula 2.1.2:

(sfn×10) +subframe number=β× (drx-ShortCycle) + [ (drx-StartOffset) module (drx-ShortCycle) ] -M; (equation 2.1.2)

In this embodiment, the terminal device can determine the second parameter M through the formula 1.1, the formula 2.1, the formula 1.1.1, the formula 2.1.1, the formula 1.1.2 and the formula 2.1.2, so that when the value of the divisor of the modulo operation is a non-integer, M can share the value of the fractional part (or the non-integer part), and further the terminal device can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number of which the value is an integer, which is beneficial for the terminal device to determine the system frame number and the subframe number of which the value is an integer based on the DRX cycle of which the value is a non-integer.

In one possible embodiment, after the terminal device determines the first information related to the start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, the terminal device may further start the first timer based on the first information.

Specifically, the terminal device may start the first timer based on the first information at least in any one of the following manners:

In one possible embodiment, the terminal device determines the start timing of the first timer based on the first information and the third parameter. Wherein the third parameter is used to indicate a delay before the first timer is started. The duration indicated by the third parameter is smaller than the duration corresponding to one subframe. For example, the third parameter is an offset within one subframe length used when calculating the start timing of the first timer. The third parameter is, for example, drx-SlotOffset.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the second parameter and then shifting the third parameter at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter started at the time domain position corresponding to the first information.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the sum of the second parameter and the duration indicated by the third parameter, which are started at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible implementation, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, a fourth parameter, and a third parameter, the fourth parameter being determined based on the second parameter. Wherein the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the sum of the duration indicated by the fourth parameter and the third parameter on the basis of the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number, and the fourth parameter.

Wherein the fourth parameter is determined based on the second parameter. The time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is a start position of a time domain unit adjacent to a first time domain position, and the first time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the second parameter. The time domain unit may be a preset duration, a subframe, a time slot, a symbol, a mini-slot, or a sub-slot, and is not limited herein. For example, the preset duration may be the precision of the third parameter (e.g., (1/32) ms), other values (e.g., (1/64) ms), etc.

Illustratively, the fourth parameter and the second parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas:

e=floor [ M/a ] ×a; alternatively, e=ceil [ M ≡a ] ×a; alternatively, e=round [ M ≡a ] ×a; wherein E is a fourth parameter, M is a second parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, and round [ ] represents a rounding operation.

In this embodiment, the terminal device determines the fourth parameter based on the second parameter through rounding operation, and then starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter. Because the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is located at the starting position of a certain time domain unit, the moment of starting the first timer by the terminal equipment is located at the starting position of the certain time domain unit, the moment of starting the first timer by the terminal equipment is prevented from falling in the middle of the certain time domain unit, the complexity of the terminal equipment is reduced, and the energy conservation of the terminal equipment is also facilitated.

In another possible implementation, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the fifth parameter.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the fifth parameter.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the fifth parameter based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the fifth parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

Wherein the fifth parameter is determined based on the second parameter and a third parameter, the third parameter being drx-SlotOffset.

The time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is a start position of a time domain unit adjacent to a second time domain position, and the second time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the second parameter, and the third parameter.

Illustratively, any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the fifth parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter:

f=floor [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or, f=ceil [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or, f=round [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a; wherein F is a fifth parameter, M is a second parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation, and drx-SlotOffset is a third parameter.

In this embodiment, the terminal device determines the fifth parameter based on the second parameter and the third parameter through the rounding operation, and then starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter. Because the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is located at the starting position of a certain time domain unit, the moment of starting the first timer by the terminal equipment is located at the starting position of the certain time domain unit, the moment of starting the first timer by the terminal equipment is prevented from falling in the middle of the certain time domain unit, the complexity of the terminal equipment is reduced, and the energy conservation of the terminal equipment is also facilitated.

In one possible implementation, the values of the second parameters corresponding to two adjacent DRX cycles are different. Illustratively, the values of the second parameters corresponding to consecutive Y DRX cycles are different. And if the DRX cycle takes the value of the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction. Illustratively, taking the value of the DRX cycle as (Z/Y) ms as an example, Z and Y have only a common divisor of 1, and Z is not equal to 0. (Z/Y) is a first fraction, and Y is a denominator of the first fraction.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, where the execution body of the method may be a network device, or may be a chip applied in the network device. The following describes an example in which the execution subject is a network device. In the method, network equipment sends Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, wherein the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX; the network device determines first information related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, the first information including a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter, a value of the second parameter being related to a non-integer portion of the value of the DRX cycle.

In one possible implementation, the second parameter is an offset based on a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In one possible implementation, the network device determines, based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, first information related to a start timing of the first timer, satisfying the following formula:

{ [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (drx-LongCycle) =drx-StartOffset; or,

{[(SFN×10)+subframe number]+M}modulo(drx-ShortCycle)＝(drx-StartOffset)modulo(drx-ShortCycle)；

In one possible embodiment, the method further comprises: the network device starts a first timer based on the first information.

In one possible implementation, the network device starts a first timer based on the first information, including: the network device determines the starting time of the first timer based on the first information and a third parameter, wherein the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

In one possible implementation, the network device starts a first timer based on the first information, including: the network device starts a first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, a fourth parameter, and a third parameter, the fourth parameter is determined based on the second parameter, and the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

In one possible implementation, the fourth parameter and the second parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas:

In one possible implementation, the network device starts a first timer based on the first information, including:

the network device starts a first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and a fifth parameter, the fifth parameter being determined based on the second parameter and a third parameter, the third parameter being drx-SlotOffset.

In one possible embodiment, any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the fifth parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter: f=floor [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or, f=ceil [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or, f=round [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a; wherein F is a fifth parameter, M is a second parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation, and drx-SlotOffset is a third parameter.

In one possible implementation, the values of the second parameters corresponding to two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

It should be noted that, the embodiments and the advantages of the present aspect are similar to some of the embodiments in the second aspect, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments and the advantages of the second aspect, which are not described herein.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method in which a terminal device acquires discontinuous reception, DRX, cycle information and a first parameter. The value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX. In addition, the terminal device further obtains a value range of a sixth parameter, where the value range of the sixth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value of the sixth parameter is related to a non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle. Then, the terminal device determines a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information, the first parameter, and a plurality of values in the value range of the sixth parameter.

Illustratively, the terminal device determines a range of values of the sixth parameter based on the values of the DRX cycle; or the terminal equipment determines the value range of the sixth parameter based on the value of the DRX period and the value of the first parameter.

The terminal device receives the range of values of the sixth parameter from the network device.

Illustratively, the value of the sixth parameter is associated with the non-integer portion of the value of the DRX cycle and/or the non-integer portion of the value of the first parameter. For example, the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle can directly or indirectly affect the value of the second parameter. For example, since the non-integer part of the DRX cycle value or the DRX cycle value may also be converted to a fraction, the sixth parameter value may also be a fraction correlation corresponding to the DRX cycle value.

The duration indicated by the sixth parameter is smaller than the duration corresponding to one subframe. For example, one subframe corresponds to a duration of 1ms, and the duration indicated by the sixth parameter is less than 1ms. Illustratively, the sixth parameter may be positive, negative, or 0. If the value of the sixth parameter is positive, the value is shifted to the left on the time axis (or time domain) based on the sixth parameter; if the value of the sixth parameter is negative, the value is shifted to the right on the time axis (or time domain) based on the sixth parameter; if the value of the sixth parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

In the present application, since the terminal device can acquire the sixth parameter related to the non-integer part of the DRX cycle, and determine the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers related to the first timer start timing based on the sixth parameter, the DRX cycle information, and the first parameter. Under the action of the sixth parameter, the terminal equipment can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service based on the DRX period with the value of a non-integer, so that the service period with the value of the non-integer can be suitable for a DRX mechanism, DRX and the service are matched, further, the power consumption of the terminal equipment is reduced, the transmission reliability is improved, the transmission delay is reduced, and the communication quality and the communication efficiency are improved.

In one possible implementation, the sixth parameter is an offset based on the time domain position corresponding to the first parameter.

Specifically, the terminal device may determine the sixth parameter by any one of the following embodiments:

in one possible embodiment, if the DRX cycle takes a value that is X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, where X is an integer. Since the DRX cycle is configured by the network device, the first score is determined, and thus the inverse of the denominator of the first score is determined, and thus the values of the sixth parameter are determined by the values of X. Illustratively, X is greater than or equal to 0 and X is less than the denominator of the first score. The present embodiment may be applied to a scenario in which the value of the first parameter is an integer.

In another possible embodiment, the DRX cycle is exemplified by a first fraction, and the sixth parameter is a difference between X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction and a non-integer part of the value of the first parameter. Illustratively, X is greater than or equal to 0 and X is less than the denominator of the first score. For example, the non-integer portion of the value of the first parameter may be represented by a difference between the value of the first parameter and the integer portion of the first parameter. For example, if the first parameter is drx-StartOffset, the integer part of drx-StartOffset may be denoted floor (drx-StartOffset), where floor () denotes a rounding down operation. The non-integer part p=drx-StartOffset-floor (drx-StartOffset) of the value of the first parameter.

In one possible implementation manner, the terminal device may determine the system frame number and the subframe number related to the start timing of the first timer by the following formula 1.2 or formula 2.2:

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (drx-LongCycle) =drx-startoffset+r; (equation 1.2)

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module = (drx-startoffset+r) module; (equation 2.2)

Wherein SFN is a system frame number, subframe number is a subframe number, R is a sixth parameter, DRX-Long cycle is a long DRX cycle, DRX-short cycle is a short DRX cycle, and DRX-StartOffset is a first parameter.

In this embodiment, by adding the sixth parameter R to the formulas 1.2 and 2.2, it is beneficial for the terminal device to determine the system frame number and the subframe number with the integer value based on the DRX cycle with the non-integer value.

In another possible embodiment, the formulas 1.2 and 2.2 may also have one or more variants, and the terminal device may determine the system frame number and the subframe number related to the start timing of the first timer based on the variant of the formula 1.2 or the variant of the formula 2.2.

For example, equation 1.2 may be modified to equation 1.2.1 as follows:

(sfn×10) +subframe number=γ× (drx-LongCycle) +drx-startoffset+r; (equation 1.2.1)

Wherein γ is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the meaning of the remaining parameters is the same as that of the parameters in formula 1.2.

For example, equation 2.2 may be modified to equation 2.2.1 or equation 2.2.2 as follows:

(sfn×10) +subframe number=δ× (drx-ShortCycle) + [ (drx-startoffset+r) module) ]; (equation 2.2.1)

(sfn×10) +subframe number=δ× (drx-ShortCycle) + (drx-startoffset+r) -o× (drx-ShortCycle); (equation 2.2.2)

Wherein δ is an integer greater than or equal to 0, o is an integer greater than or equal to 0, and the meaning of the remaining parameters is the same as that of the parameters in formula 2.2.

For example, equation 1.2 may also be modified to equation 1.2.2 as follows:

(sfn×10) +subframe number-r=γ× (drx-LongCycle) +drx-StartOffset; (equation 1.2.2)

For example, equation 2.2 may also be modified to equation 2.2.3 as follows:

(sfn×10) +subframe number-r=δ× (drx-ShortCycle) +drx-StartOffset-o× (drx-ShortCycle); (equation 2.2.3)

In one possible implementation, after the terminal device determines the system frame number and the subframe number, the terminal device may further start the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter.

Specifically, the terminal device may start the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter at least in any one of the following manners:

in one possible implementation, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the sixth parameter, and a third parameter, the third parameter being drx-SlotOffset.

The terminal device performs offset based on the sixth parameter at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number, and starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right.

In another possible implementation manner, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, a seventh parameter and a third parameter, the seventh parameter is determined based on the sixth parameter, and the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

Illustratively, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is a starting position of a time domain unit adjacent to a third time domain position, and the third time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter.

Illustratively, the seventh parameter and the sixth parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas:

u=floor [ R ≡a ] ×a; alternatively, u=ceil [ R ≡a ] ×a; alternatively, u=round [ R ≡a ] ×a; wherein U is a seventh parameter, R is a sixth parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, and round [ ] represents a rounding operation.

In another possible implementation manner, the terminal device determines the start timing of the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and an eighth parameter, where the eighth parameter is determined based on the sixth parameter and a third parameter, and the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

Illustratively, any one of the following formulas is satisfied between the eighth parameter, the sixth parameter, and the third parameter:

v=floor [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); alternatively, v=ceil [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or v=round [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); wherein V is an eighth parameter, R is a sixth parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation, and drx-SlotOffset is a third parameter.

In one possible embodiment, the sixth parameter corresponding to two adjacent DRX cycles has a different value. Illustratively, the sixth parameter corresponding to consecutive Y DRX cycles has a different value. And if the DRX cycle takes the value of the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction. Illustratively, taking the value of the DRX cycle as (Z/Y) ms as an example, Z and Y have only a common divisor of 1, and Z is not equal to 0. (Z/Y) is a first fraction, and Y is a denominator of the first fraction.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, in which a network device sends discontinuous reception DRX cycle information and a first parameter to a terminal device, where a value of a DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used to indicate a start offset of DRX; in addition, the network device sends a value range of a sixth parameter to the terminal device, where the value range of the sixth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value of the sixth parameter is related to a non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle, so that the terminal device determines a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information, the values in the value ranges of the first parameter and the sixth parameter.

In the method, the network device can provide the value range for obtaining the sixth parameter related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX period for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service period based on the DRX period with the value of the non-integer under the action of the sixth parameter, and further the DRX period with the value of the non-integer can calculate the starting time of the first timer. Thereby being beneficial to the energy saving of the terminal equipment by using the DRX mechanism and also beneficial to the reduction of the data transmission delay.

In one possible implementation, the DRX cycle takes a value of a first fraction, the sixth parameter is X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, and X is an integer; alternatively, the DRX cycle may take the value of the first fraction, and the sixth parameter may be a difference between X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter.

Illustratively, X is greater than or equal to 0 and X is less than the denominator of the first score.

Illustratively, the sixth parameter corresponding to two adjacent DRX cycles is different in value.

It should be noted that, the embodiments and the beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to some of the embodiments in the third aspect, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments and the beneficial effects of the third aspect, which are not described herein.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method in which a terminal device acquires discontinuous reception DRX cycle information and a first parameter. The value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX. Then, the terminal device determines a value range of a ninth parameter based on the first parameter and the DRX cycle information, where the value range of the ninth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value range of the ninth parameter is used to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to a start timing of the first timer.

In the application, the terminal device can determine multiple values of the ninth parameter based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and then determine multiple system frame numbers and multiple subframe numbers related to the first timer starting opportunity based on the multiple values of the ninth parameter. Because the system frame numbers and the subframe numbers determined based on the values of the ninth parameter are favorable for calculating the system frame numbers and the subframe numbers matched with the service in the DRX period with the value of a non-integer, the service period with the value of the non-integer can be further suitable for the DRX mechanism, the DRX is matched with the service, the power consumption of terminal equipment is further reduced, the transmission reliability is improved, the transmission delay is reduced, and the communication quality and the communication efficiency are improved.

Specifically, the terminal device may determine the ninth parameter by any one of the following embodiments:

in one possible embodiment, the DRX cycle is a first fraction, and the ninth parameter is a sum of the first parameter and the first value. Wherein the first value is X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, wherein X is an integer. Since the values of the DRX cycle and the first parameter are configured by the network device, the inverse of the denominator of the first score is determined, and the value of the first parameter is also determined, and further the values of the ninth parameter are determined by the values of the first values, which are determined by the values of X. Illustratively, X is greater than or equal to 0 and X is less than the denominator of the first score.

In another possible embodiment, the value of the DRX cycle is a first fraction, and the value of the ninth parameter is a sum of the value of the first parameter and the second value. Wherein the second value is the difference between the X times of the reciprocal of the denominator of the first fraction and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter. Illustratively, X is greater than or equal to 0 and X is less than the denominator of the first score. For example, the non-integer portion of the value of the second value may be represented by a difference between the value of the first parameter and the integer portion of the first parameter.

In one possible embodiment, the method further comprises: the terminal equipment determines a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the starting time of the first timer based on the DRX period information and a plurality of values in a value range of a ninth parameter; the terminal device starts a first timer based on the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts a first timer based on a system frame number and a subframe number, including:

the terminal equipment starts a first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and a third parameter, wherein the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

In one possible embodiment, the values of the ninth parameters corresponding to the two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, in which a network device sends DRX cycle information and a value range of a ninth parameter to a terminal device, where the value of the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, the value range of the ninth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value ranges of the DRX cycle information and the ninth parameter are used to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to a start timing of a first timer.

Specifically, the network device may determine the ninth parameter by any one of the following embodiments:

In one possible embodiment, the DRX cycle takes a value of a first fraction, the ninth parameter is a sum of the first parameter and the first value, the first value is X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, and X is an integer.

In another possible embodiment, the DRX cycle takes a value of a first fraction, the ninth parameter is a sum of the first parameter and a second value, and the second value is a difference between X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction and a non-integer part of the value of the first parameter.

Illustratively, the values of the ninth parameters corresponding to the two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

It should be noted that, the specific embodiments and the beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to some of the embodiments in the fifth aspect, and specific reference may be made to the specific embodiments and the beneficial effects of the fifth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a chip or a functional module in a terminal device, comprising a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for acquiring Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX. And the processing module is used for determining first information related to the starting time of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, wherein the first information comprises a system frame number, a subframe number and a second parameter, and the value of the second parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle.

It should be noted that, the embodiments and the beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to some of the embodiments in the first aspect, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments and the beneficial effects of the first aspect, which are not described herein.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a network device or a chip or a functional module in a network device, comprising a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for acquiring Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX. And the processing module is used for determining first information related to the starting time of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, wherein the first information comprises a system frame number, a subframe number and a second parameter, and the value of the second parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip or a functional module in a terminal device, and includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for acquiring Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, wherein the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX; the transceiver module is further configured to obtain a value range of a sixth parameter, where the value range of the sixth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value of the sixth parameter is related to a non-integer portion of the value of the DRX cycle; and the processing module is used for determining a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the starting time of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and a plurality of values in the value ranges of the first parameter and the sixth parameter.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which is a network device or a chip or a functional module in a network device, the communication apparatus including a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for sending Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter to the terminal equipment, the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX; in addition, the transceiver module is configured to send a value range of a sixth parameter to the terminal device, where the value range of the sixth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value of the sixth parameter is related to a non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle, so that the terminal device determines a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information, the plurality of values in the value ranges of the first parameter and the sixth parameter.

It should be noted that, the embodiments and the advantageous effects of the present aspect are similar to some of the embodiments in the fourth aspect, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments and the advantageous effects of the fourth aspect, which are not described herein.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip or a functional module in the terminal device, and the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for acquiring Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX; and the processing module is used for determining a value range of a ninth parameter based on the first parameter and the DRX cycle information, wherein the value range of the ninth parameter comprises a plurality of values, and the value range of the ninth parameter is used for determining a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the starting time of the first timer.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which is a network device or a chip or a functional module in a network device, and includes a transceiver module and a processing module. And the receiving and transmitting module is used for transmitting the DRX cycle information and the value range of the ninth parameter to the terminal equipment, the value of the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, the value range of the ninth parameter comprises a plurality of values, and the value ranges of the DRX cycle information and the ninth parameter are used for determining a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the starting time of the first timer.

It should be noted that, the embodiments and the advantageous effects of the present aspect are similar to some of the embodiments in the sixth aspect, and specific reference may be made to the embodiments and the advantageous effects of the sixth aspect, which are not described herein.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device in the foregoing embodiment or may be a chip in the terminal device. The communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication device is a terminal device, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver module may be a transceiver; the terminal device may further include a storage module, which may be a memory; the storage module is used for storing instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored by the storage module, so that the terminal equipment executes the method in the first aspect or any implementation manner of the first aspect; alternatively, the method of the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect is performed; alternatively, the method of the fifth aspect or any of the embodiments of the fifth aspect is performed. When the communication device is a chip in the terminal equipment, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver module may be an input/output interface, a pin, a circuit, or the like; the processing module executes the instructions stored by the storage module to cause the terminal device to perform the method of the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect; alternatively, the method of the third aspect or any implementation of the third aspect is performed; alternatively, the method of the fifth aspect or any of the embodiments of the fifth aspect is performed. The memory module may be a memory module (e.g., register, cache, etc.) within the chip, or may be a memory module (e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, etc.) within the terminal device that is external to the chip.

In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which may be a network device in the foregoing embodiment, or may be a chip in the network device. The communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the communication apparatus is a network device, the processing module may be a processor and the transceiver module may be a transceiver; the network device may further include a storage module, which may be a memory; the storage module is used for storing instructions, and the processing module executes the instructions stored by the storage module, so that the network device executes the second aspect or the method in any implementation manner of the second aspect; alternatively, the method of the fourth aspect or any of the embodiments of the fourth aspect is performed; alternatively, the method of the sixth aspect or any of the embodiments of the sixth aspect is performed. When the communication device is a chip in the network device, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver module may be an input/output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc.; the processing module executes the instructions stored by the storage module to cause the network device to perform the second aspect or any implementation of the method of the second aspect; alternatively, the method of the fourth aspect or any of the embodiments of the fourth aspect is performed; alternatively, the method of the sixth aspect or any of the embodiments of the sixth aspect is performed. The memory module may be an on-chip memory module (e.g., register, cache, etc.), or an off-chip memory module (e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, etc.) within the network device.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus, which may be an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip includes a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the communications apparatus to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the various aspects described above.

In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of the embodiments of the preceding aspects.

In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method as described in any one of the previous aspects.

An eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including a terminal device performing any one of the foregoing first aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect, and a network device performing any one of the foregoing second aspect and any one of the implementation manners of the second aspect; or, performing the terminal device in any implementation manner of the third aspect and the third aspect, and performing the network device in any implementation manner of the fourth aspect and the fourth aspect; or the communication system comprises a terminal device performing any of the foregoing fifth aspect and the fifth implementation manner, and a network device performing any of the foregoing sixth aspect and the sixth implementation manner.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are needed in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, it being obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 1A is an example diagram of a DRX cycle;

fig. 1B is another exemplary diagram of a DRX cycle;

fig. 1C is another exemplary diagram of a DRX cycle;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a communication method of the present application;

FIG. 3A is an exemplary diagram of a second parameter of the present application;

FIG. 3B is another exemplary graph of a second parameter of the present application;

FIG. 3C is an exemplary diagram of a fourth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 3D is another example graph of a fourth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 3E is an exemplary diagram of a fifth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 3F is another exemplary diagram of a fifth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 4A is another flow chart of a communication method of the present application;

FIG. 4B is another flow chart of a communication method of the present application;

FIG. 5A is an exemplary diagram of a sixth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 5B is another exemplary diagram of a sixth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 5C is an exemplary graph of a seventh parameter of the present application;

FIG. 5D is another exemplary graph of a seventh parameter of the present application;

FIG. 5E is an exemplary diagram of an eighth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 5F is another exemplary diagram of an eighth parameter of the present application;

FIG. 6A is another flow chart of a communication method of the present application;

FIG. 6B is another flow chart of a communication method of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a communication device of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a communication device in the present application.

Detailed Description

The following description of the embodiments of the present application will be made clearly and fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is evident that the embodiments described are only some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application.

The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth" and the like in the description and in the claims of this application and in the above-described figures, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar objects and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements expressly listed but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

It should be understood that in this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. In this application, the term "and/or" is merely an association relation describing an association object, and indicates that three relations may exist, for example, a and/or B may indicate: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, in the text description of the present application, the character "/" generally indicates that the front-rear association object is an "or" relationship; in the formulas or numerical values of the present application, the character "/" indicates that the front-rear associated object is a "divided" relationship.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "such as" are used to mean serving as examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete fashion that may be readily understood.

For easy understanding, the system architecture and application scenario of the communication method proposed in the present application are described below:

The communication method proposed in the present application can be applied to a fifth generation mobile network (5th generation mobile networks,5G) New Radio (NR) system, a sixth generation mobile communication technology (the 6th generation mobile communication technology,6G) system, and a subsequent evolution system, which is not limited in this application. The communication system comprises at least a terminal device and/or a network device. The network device may include an access network device or a core network device, among others.

Wherein the terminal device comprises a device for providing voice and/or data connectivity to the user. For example, a handheld device with wireless connectivity or a processing device connected to a wireless modem may be included. The terminal device may communicate with a core network (e.g., a 5G core network (5th generationcore,5GC)) via a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) with which voice and/or data may be exchanged. The Terminal device may also be referred to as a Terminal (Terminal), a User Equipment (UE), a wireless Terminal device, a Mobile Terminal (MT) device, a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a subscriber station (subscriber station), a Mobile Station (MS), a mobile station (mobile), a remote station (remote station), an Access Point (AP), a remote Terminal device (remote Terminal), an access Terminal device (access Terminal), a user Terminal device (user Terminal), a user agent (user agent), or a user equipment (user device), etc. Further, the terminal device may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) device, an augmented reality (XR) service terminal, a Cloud Gaming (CG) service terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in unmanned (self-driving), a wireless terminal in teleoperation (remote medical surgery), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), or the like. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device configuration adopted by the terminal device. The terminal device in the present application may be any device or chip, which is not limited herein. The terminal device can be manufactured, sold or used as a stand-alone product, whether as a device or as a chip. In this and subsequent embodiments, a terminal device is taken as an example to describe the present embodiment.

An access network device, which may be any device having a radio transceiver function, may be used to take charge of air interface related functions, such as radio link maintenance functions, radio resource management functions, and partial mobility management functions. In addition, the access network device may be further configured with a baseband unit (BBU), and has a baseband signal processing function. The access network device may be, for example, an access network device (radio access network, RAN) currently serving the terminal device. Currently, some common examples of access network devices are: a Node B (Node B, NB), an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B (next generation Node B, gNB) in a 5G New Radio (NR) system, a Node (e.g., xNodeB) in a 6G system, a transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved Node (home evolved NodeB) or home Node B, HNB), and the like. Further, in a network structure such as a cloud access network (cloud radio access network, cloudRAN) or an open access network (open radio access network, ora), the access network device may be a device including a Centralized Unit (CU) (also referred to as a control unit) and/or a Distributed Unit (DU). The RAN equipment comprising the CU and the DU splits the protocol layers of the gNB in the NR system, the functions of part of the protocol layers are controlled in the CU in a centralized way, and the functions of the rest part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, so that the CU controls the DU in a centralized way. It should be understood that the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be any of the foregoing devices or a chip in the foregoing device, and is not limited specifically herein. The access network device may be manufactured, sold, or used as a stand-alone product, whether as a device or as a chip. In this and subsequent embodiments, access network devices are described as an example.

The core network device refers to a device in a Core Network (CN) that provides service support for the terminal device. Currently, some common examples of core network devices are: access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) entities, session management function (session management function, SMF) entities, user plane function (user plane function, UPF) entities, and the like, to name but a few. The AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal equipment; the SMF entity may be responsible for session management, such as session establishment for the user, etc.; the UPF entity may be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that, in this application, an entity may also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity. For example, the AMF entity may also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity; for another example, the SMF entity may also be referred to as an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

Specifically, the communication method provided by the application can be applied to a scene that the terminal equipment configured with the DRX mechanism monitors the PDCCH.

For easy understanding, various time domain resources related to the present application are first described below, and then a DRX mechanism in the conventional technology is described below:

In a communication system, time domain resources include: a radio frame (also referred to as a system frame, simply frame), a subframe (subframe), a slot (slot), and a symbol (symbol) (e.g., an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, OFDM) symbol).

Where a frame is 10ms long, each frame may have a system frame number (system frame number, SFN) (also referred to as a frame index). Illustratively, SFNs range from 0 to 1023, and thus the period of the frame is 1024×10ms=10240 ms. In a 5G NR system, a group of frames having SFN of 0 to 1023 is referred to as one superframe (hyper system frame), i.e., one superframe is equal to 1024 frames, which is equal to 10240ms. For example, there may be one superframe number (hyper system frame number, H-SFN) per superframe.

Further, one frame contains 10 subframes, each of which has a duration of 1ms. One subframe may contain one or more slots. It should be noted that when the sub-carrier space (SCS) is different, there is a difference in the number of slots contained in each frame, and there is a difference in the number of slots contained in each sub-frame, and there is a difference in the duration of each slot. Specifically as shown in Table 1-1. Wherein, For the number of symbols contained in a slot, +.>For the number of slots contained in a frame, +.>Δf=2 for the number of slots contained in one subframe ^μ 15 denotes a subcarrier spacing in kHz. Optionally, μ represents an index corresponding to a subcarrier spacing, for indicating a subcarrier spacing.

TABLE 1-1

Alternatively, each subframe may have a subframe number (also referred to as an index of a subframe) ranging from 0 to 9.

Alternatively, there may be one slot number per slot. Illustratively, the slot number may be an index (or number) of a slot in one system frame. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, one system frame includes 20 slots, and the slot number ranges from 0 to 19. Alternatively, the time slots within 1 subframe range from 0, or, 0 to 1, or, 0 to 3, or, 0 to 7, or, 0 to 15, or, 0 to 31, or, 0 to 63. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, one system frame includes 10 subframes, each of which includes 2 slots. In this example, the slot number ranges from 0 to 1 in any one of the 10 subframes. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 60kHz, one system frame includes 10 subframes, each of which includes 4 slots. In this example, the slot number ranges from 0 to 3 in any one of the 10 subframes.

Furthermore, one slot contains 14 or 12 symbols. Wherein the duration of each symbol is related to the duration of the time slot to which the symbol corresponds, i.e. the duration of each symbol is equal to the duration of the time slot in which the symbol is located divided by 14 or 12. Alternatively, the range of symbols within 1 slot is 0-13 or 0-11.

It should be appreciated that the number of time domain resources may be used to measure the time duration, and that one time domain resource may be referred to as a time domain unit. For example, a time domain unit may be a frame, a subframe, a slot, a symbol, a fixed duration (e.g., (1/32) ms, (1/64) ms, etc.), and the application is not limited. A period of time may be represented by one or more time domain units. It should be noted that the period, timer, offset, etc. related to the duration of the present application may be measured by the number of time domain units, or may be measured in milliseconds (ms), sub milliseconds (sub milliseconds), etc.

The following describes a DRX mechanism in the conventional art:

as shown in fig. 1A, a typical DRX cycle (DRX cycle) is illustrated. Generally, one DRX cycle mainly includes a wake period (i.e., on-duration) and a sleep period (i.e., opportunity for DRX). The awake period is located before the sleep period, i.e., the awake period is located at a previous part of a DRX cycle, and the sleep period is located at a latter part of the DRX cycle. The wake-up period is a duration period in which the terminal equipment is in a wake-up state and can monitor the PDCCH; the sleep period is a period in which the terminal device does not listen to the PDCCH in order to save power. Typically, the terminal device controls the time to enter the awake period (i.e., the start time of the On-duration) by maintaining a discontinuous reception duration timer (i.e., drx-onduration). When the terminal device starts DRX-onduration timer, it starts a DRX cycle on behalf of the terminal device. Specifically, the terminal device may calculate a start-up time of the drx-onduration timer, where the start-up time refers to a time domain unit where the time of the drx-onduration timer starts. Then, the terminal equipment starts the drx-onduration timer at the start time of the drx-onduration timer. during the drx-onduration timer operation, the terminal device is in a wake-up period.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1B, the terminal device in the conventional technology calculates the start-up opportunity of drx-onduration timer by the following steps (1) and (2):

(1) The terminal device determines a drx-onduration timer initiated frame number (SFN) and subframe number (subframe number) by the following equation 1 or equation 2:

in the case that the terminal device uses a long DRX cycle (DRX-LongCycle), the terminal device calculates a frame number and a subframe number for DRX-onduration timer start up by equation 1:

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (drx-LongCycle) =drx-StartOffset; (equation 1)

In the case that the terminal device uses a short DRX cycle (DRX-short cycle), the terminal device calculates a frame number and a subframe number for DRX-onduration timer start up by equation 2:

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module = (drx-StartOffset) module; (equation 2)

(2) After the terminal device obtains the SFN and the subframe number started by the drx-onduration timer through formula 1 or formula 2, the terminal device starts the drx-onduration timer after a duration indicated by the drx-SlotOffset from the subframe start determined according to formula 1 or formula 2.

The parameters related to the step (1) and the step (2) have the following meanings:

and the DRX-LongCycle is used for indicating the duration of the long DRX cycle, the unit is ms, and the value range is 10ms to 10240ms. In the conventional technology, the value of drx-LongCycle is an integer, for example, the value of drx-LongCycle is an integer greater than 10 ms.

DRX-short cycle (optional) for indicating the duration of the short DRX cycle, in ms, ranging from 2ms to 640ms. In the conventional technology, the value of the drx-short cycle is an integer, for example, the value of the drx-short cycle is an integer greater than 2 ms.

It should be understood that the network device may be configured with both long and short DRX cycles, but at the same time the terminal device uses only one of the cycles (long or short DRX cycle) as DRX cycle, i.e. DRX cycle corresponding to DRX-onduration timer.

The DRX-StartOffset, a subframe for indicating the start of the DRX cycle (long DRX cycle or short DRX cycle), is used when calculating the frame number and subframe number of the start timing of the DRX-onduration timer. It will be appreciated that drx-StartOffset is used to determine which subframe of which frame the drx-onDurationTimer starts within. The unit of drx-StartOffset is ms, and the value ranges from 0ms to (drx-Long cycle minus 1 ms) ms. In the conventional technology, the value of drx-StartOffset is an integer.

The drx-SlotOffset is used to indicate the delay before starting the drx-onduration timer, and is the offset in one subframe used when calculating the starting time of the drx-onduration timer. The value of drx-SlotOffset ranges from 0ms to (31/32) ms, and the accuracy is (1/32) ms. It can be understood that after the terminal device determines which subframe of which frame the drx-onduration timer starts based on drx-StartOffset, the terminal device determines which (1/32) ms in the foregoing subframe (i.e., the subframe determined based on drx-StartOffset) starts based on drx-SlotOffset.

From the foregoing description, the values of the drx-LongCycle in the formula 1 and the drx-ShortCycle in the formula 2 in the conventional art are integers with units of ms. However, in practical applications, the period of the service requiring periodic transmission may be a non-integer number, for example, the frame rate (may also be referred to as a frame generation rate) is 30 frames per second (fps) of XR service, the frame rate is 60fps of XR service, the frame rate is 90fps of XR service, the frame rate is 100/9 ms, and the frame rate is 120fps of XR service. Taking the service period with a non-integer value as the DRX period into the frame number and the subframe number calculated by the formula 1 or the formula 2 can not be well matched with the service period. For example, if the value of drx-LongCycle is (50/3) ms and the value of drx-StartOffset is 0, the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] should be an integer multiple (e.g., a times, a is an integer greater than or equal to 0) of (50/3) ms. However, when [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is (1+3×b) times or (2+3×b) times (50/3) ms (where B is an integer greater than or equal to 0), since [ (50/3) × (1+3×b) ] or [ (50/3) × (2+3×b) ] are both non-integers, it will not be possible to find a system frame number and a subframe number such that the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is equal to (1+3×b) times or (2+3×b) times (50/3) ms, i.e., a frame number and a subframe number cannot be calculated. The frame number and the subframe number can be calculated only when [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is (3×b) times (50/3) ms, since [ (50/3) × (3×b) ] is an integer, the system frame number and the subframe number can be found such that the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is (3×b) times (50/3) ms. As shown in the following tables 1-2, the interval between the calculated start timings of the two DRX-onduration timers is 50ms, which can also be understood as the calculated actual DRX cycle is 50ms. As shown in fig. 1C, the DRX cycle is 3 times the traffic cycle. It follows that when the DRX cycle is a non-integer, the actual DRX calculated using the existing formula will not match the traffic. Specifically, if the duration of the drx-onduration timer is set to be long, three service periods of transmission need to be considered, so that the terminal device can receive the transmissions corresponding to the last two service periods, and for the terminal device, most of the time is in the activation time, which increases the power consumption; if the duration of the drx-onduration timer is set to be shorter, only 1 service period transmission is considered, for the terminal device, the transmission corresponding to the last two service periods cannot be received in the time corresponding to the last two service periods, which can reduce the transmission reliability or increase the transmission delay, and affect the communication quality and efficiency. Thus, improvements to the current DRX mechanisms are needed.

TABLE 1-2

In this regard, the present application proposes a communication method for improving the current DRX mechanism, so that when the value of the DRX cycle is a non-integer, the terminal device can calculate a system frame number and a subframe number matched with the service, so that the DRX is matched with the service, thereby reducing power consumption of the terminal device, improving transmission reliability or reducing transmission delay, and improving communication quality and efficiency. In detail, please refer to the corresponding embodiment of fig. 2.

It should be noted that the communication method proposed in the present application may be applied to a service with a service period having a non-integer value, for example, XR services with various frame rates and other services with a service period having a non-integer value; the method can also be applied to the service with the whole service period.

It should be noted that the "frame" in the frame generation rate or frame rate is not the same concept as the "frame" in the radio frame or frame number, and there is no relation between the two. Illustratively, a "frame" in a radio frame or frame number is a time domain resource or a time domain concept. Illustratively, the frame generation rate or frame rate refers to the number of still frames that can be displayed per second of the device. For example, a "frame" in a frame generation rate or frame rate represents each picture in a video or animation.

In this application, start-up may be understood/replaced by: start or restart. In this application, the time of day may be understood as/replaced by: time of day or time of day. In this application, shifting to the left can be understood/replaced by: offset rearward. The rightward shift can be understood/replaced by: offset forward. In this application, the calculation can be understood as/replaced by: and (5) determining.

In this application, acquisition may be understood as/replaced by: determining or receiving or decoding or parsing.

The main flow of one embodiment of the communication method proposed in the present application will be described below with reference to fig. 2. In the method, the terminal device performs the following steps:

step 201, the network device transmits DRX cycle information and a first parameter; accordingly, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

For example, the DRX cycle information and the first parameter may be transmitted to the terminal device after the network device determines. For example, the network device determines DRX cycle information and a first parameter, and transmits the DRX cycle information and the first parameter to the terminal device; accordingly, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle information and the first parameter from the network device.

It should be noted that, the DRX cycle information and the first parameter may be preset by the network device and the terminal device, or may be predefined. For example, step 201 may be replaced by: the terminal device acquires the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and correspondingly, the network device acquires the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

It should be noted that, the manner in which the network device determines the DRX cycle information and the first parameter is similar to that in which the terminal device determines the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, which is not limited in this application. In addition, the manner in which the terminal device obtains the DRX cycle information and the manner in which the terminal device obtains the first parameter may be the same or different, which is not limited in this application.

It should be noted that, if the DRX cycle information and the first parameter are both sent by the network device to the terminal device, the DRX cycle information and the first parameter may be included in the same message (for example, a DRX configuration message) or may be included in different messages, which is not limited in this application. Optionally, the terminal device obtains DRX cycle information and the first parameter from a network device (e.g., an access network device). Illustratively, the terminal device receives DRX cycle information and a first parameter from a network device (e.g., an access network device). For example, the access network device sends the DRX cycle information and the first parameter to the terminal device through radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) proprietary signaling, and accordingly, the terminal device receives the RRC proprietary signaling from the access network device and obtains the DRX cycle information and the first parameter from the RRC proprietary signaling.

The DRX cycle information is used for indicating the value of the DRX cycle. The DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer. Illustratively, the DRX cycle may take the value of ms. Illustratively, the DRX cycle value may be represented by a score (e.g., a true score or a false score). Taking the case that the value of the DRX cycle is represented by a false fraction (i.e., a fraction having a fraction value greater than or equal to 1, i.e., a fraction having a numerator greater than or equal to a denominator), the value of the DRX cycle may be a non-integer represented by a fraction such as (100/3) ms, (50/3) ms, (100/9) ms, or (25/3) ms. Illustratively, the DRX cycle may be valued in a fraction (e.g., a finite fraction or an infinite fraction), and it is understood that the DRX cycle has a fraction other than 0. For example, the DRX cycle may take the value of 33.3333ms (i.e., an approximation of (100/3) ms), 16.6667ms (i.e., an approximation of (50/3) ms), 11.1111ms (i.e., an approximation of (100/9) ms), 8.3333ms (i.e., an approximation of (25/3) ms), or the like.

It should be noted that the communication method proposed in the present application may also be applied to the case where the DRX cycle is an integer, which is not limited in the present application. In this and the following embodiments, only the DRX cycle is described as a non-integer value.

It should be noted that the description related to "unit may be ms" may be understood as "unit may be a subframe".

Alternatively, the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information may be a long DRX cycle (DRX-LongCycle), for example, the duration of the DRX cycle is determined based on a parameter DRX-LongCycle indicating the long DRX cycle. Alternatively, the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information may also be a short DRX cycle (DRX-short cycle), for example, the duration of the DRX cycle is determined based on a parameter DRX-short cycle indicating the short DRX cycle. For the explanation of the long DRX cycle and the short DRX cycle, refer to the corresponding descriptions in fig. 1B, and are not repeated here.

Further, the first parameter is used to indicate a starting offset of DRX. Illustratively, the first parameter is for indicating an offset of a start of the DRX cycle. Illustratively, the first parameter is used to indicate a starting position in subframes of a DRX cycle configured by a network device (e.g., an access network device). For example, the first parameter is used to indicate a subframe at which the DRX cycle starts. Illustratively, the first parameter is drx-StartOffset. For an explanation of drx-StartOffset, refer to the corresponding description of fig. 1B, and are not repeated here.

Note that in the conventional art, the value of the first parameter (e.g., drx-StartOffset) is an integer greater than or equal to 0 ms. In this application, the value of the first parameter (e.g., drx-StartOffset) may be an integer or a non-integer (e.g., fraction or decimal). For example, the unit of the value of the first parameter may be ms.

In step 202, the terminal device determines first information related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

It should be noted that, the manner of determining the first information related to the start timing of the first timer by the network device is similar to the manner of determining the first information related to the start timing of the first timer by the terminal device, and the manner of determining the first information related to the start timing of the first timer by the network device is described by taking the terminal device as an example and is not repeated.

It should be further noted that, there is no explicit time sequence limitation between the step of the network device transmitting the DRX cycle information and the first parameter and the step of the network device determining the first information related to the start timing of the first timer. For example, the network device may first send DRX cycle information and a first parameter to the terminal device, and then determine the first information based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter; or determining the first information based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and then sending the DRX cycle information and the first parameter to the terminal equipment; the foregoing steps may also be performed concurrently, without limitation.

Wherein the time at which the first timer is running is at the beginning of a DRX cycle. Illustratively, the first timer is a discontinuous reception (drx-onduration timer). The starting time of the first timer is the time when the terminal equipment starts the first timer, and can be understood as the time domain position or the time domain unit where the time when the terminal equipment starts the first timer is the starting time of the first timer.

The first information is information which is determined by the terminal equipment based on the DRX period information and the first parameter and is related to the starting time of the first timer. For example, the first information is information used in determining the start timing of the first timer.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter.

The system frame number is used for indicating the system frame related to the starting time of the first timer, namely the system frame related to the starting time of the first timer. For example, if the system frame number is 1, the time of starting the first timer may be located in a system frame with a system frame number of 0 or 1 or 2 (i.e., a system frame with an index of 0 or 1 or 2). The subframe number is used for indicating a subframe related to the starting time of the first timer, namely a subframe related to the moment of starting the first timer. For the description of the system frame and the subframe, refer to the description of the time domain resource, and are not repeated here. It should be noted that, the system frame number may be the system frame where the start timing of the first timer is located, or may not be the system frame where the start timing of the first timer is located, which is not limited in this application. Similarly, the subframe number may be the subframe where the start timing of the first timer is located, or may not be the subframe where the start timing of the first timer is located.

Further, the second parameter is used to indicate a time associated with a start timing of the first timer. The duration indicated by the second parameter is smaller than the duration corresponding to one subframe. For example, one subframe corresponds to a duration of 1ms, and the duration indicated by the second parameter is less than 1ms. Alternatively, the value of the second parameter may be a positive number or 0. For example, if the unit of the value of the second parameter is ms, the value of the second parameter is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1. One possible implementation, if the value of the second parameter is a positive number, indicates that the second parameter is shifted to the right on the time axis (or on the time domain); if the value of the second parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

Optionally, the second parameter is an offset based on a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, the second parameter is used for the terminal device to offset at the time indicated by the system frame number and the subframe number. Taking fig. 3A as an example, if the system frame number is 0, the subframe number is 1, and the second parameter is M, the time of starting the first timer is related to the subframe with the subframe number of 1 and within the system frame number of 0, and is related to the time of the duration corresponding to the offset M within the subframe with the subframe number of 1.

Optionally, the value of the second parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and/or the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter. For example, the value of the non-integer part of the DRX cycle can directly or indirectly affect the value of the second parameter. Alternatively, the non-integer part of the DRX cycle or the DRX cycle may be converted to a fraction, so that the second parameter may be related to the fraction corresponding to the DRX cycle.

In one possible embodiment, the terminal device may determine the first information related to the start timing of the first timer by the following formula 1.1 or formula 2.1:

Wherein SFN is a system frame number, subframe number is a subframe number, M is a second parameter, DRX-LongCycle is a long DRX cycle or DRX cycle, DRX-short cycle is a short DRX cycle or DRX cycle, and DRX-StartOffset is a first parameter.

In equation 1.1 (or equation 2.1), when the value of drx-LongCycle (or drx-ShortCycle) is a non-integer, the value of { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } may be a non-integer. Since the SFN is an integer and the subframe number is an integer, the value of M may be a non-integer. Since the unit of the value of { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M } is ms, the value of M is 0 or more, and thus, the value of M is a non-integer of less than 1ms or the value of M is 0. Thus, the second parameter is used to indicate a portion of the divisor (i.e., { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M }) of the modulo operation (modular operation) that is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1 ms. Modulo arithmetic may also be referred to as a remainder operation.

For example, for equation 1.1, if drx-longcycle= (50/3) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (50/3) =0. Further, the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle may be calculated, as shown in table 2-1 below.

TABLE 2-1

In the example shown in table 2-1, the bits of the divisor (i.e., { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m }) value in the modulo operation represent the subframe number, and tens and more digits (e.g., tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.) represent the frame number, and the fractional portion (i.e., non-integer portion) is represented by M. Illustratively, if the divisor in the modulo operation has a value of 102.5, a bit of 2 indicates a subframe number of 2, a ten bit of 0 and a hundred bit of 1 indicates a frame number of 10, and a fractional portion (i.e., non-integer portion) of 0.5 has a value of M. For example, in the i+1th DRX cycle, a value of { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M } of (50/3) ms (about 16.6667 ms) indicates that the system frame number is 1, the subframe number is 6, and the value of M is (2/3) ms (about 0.6667 ms). For another example, in the i+2th DRX cycle, a value of { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M } of (100/3) ms (approximately equal to 33.3333 ms) indicates that the system frame number is 3, the subframe number is 3, and the value of M is (1/3) ms (approximately equal to 0.3333 ms). And so on, the terminal device may calculate the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter corresponding to the first timer started by the terminal device in each DRX cycle, which are not described herein.

For example, for equation 1.1, if drx-longcycle= (100/9) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (100/9) =0. And further, the values of the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle may be calculated, as shown in the following table 2-2.

TABLE 2-2

The calculation principle of the example shown in Table 2-2 is similar to that of the example shown in Table 2-1, and will not be repeated here.

For example, for equation 2.1, if drx-short cycle= (25/3) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (25/3) =0 module (25/3). Wherein 0 module (25/3) =0. Thus, the former formula can be modified as: { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (25/3) =0. And further, the values of the corresponding system frame number, subframe number and second parameter in each DRX cycle can be calculated, as shown in the following table 3-1.

TABLE 3-1

The calculation principle of the example shown in Table 3-1 is similar to that of the example shown in Table 2-1, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, values of the second parameters corresponding to the two adjacent DRX cycles are different. Optionally, values of the second parameters corresponding to the continuous Y DRX cycles are different. And if the DRX cycle takes the value of the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction. Illustratively, taking the value of the DRX cycle as (Z/Y) ms as an example, Z and Y have only a common divisor of 1, and Z is not equal to 0, and Y is not equal to 0. (Z/Y) is a first fraction, and Y is a denominator of the first fraction. For example, in the example shown in table 2-1, the value of the second parameter corresponding to the i-th DRX cycle is 0ms, the value of the second parameter corresponding to the i+1th DRX cycle is (2/3) ms, the value of the second parameter corresponding to the i+2th DRX cycle is (1/3) ms, and so on. For another example, in the example shown in table 2-2, the value of the second parameter corresponding to the i-th DRX cycle is 0ms, the value of the second parameter corresponding to the i+1th DRX cycle is (1/9) ms, the value of the second parameter corresponding to the i+2th DRX cycle is (2/9) ms, and so on.

In another possible embodiment, the formula 1.1 and the formula 2.1 may also have one or more variants, and the terminal device may determine the first information about the start timing of the first timer based on the variant of the formula 1.1 or the variant of the formula 2.1.

For example, equation 1.1 may be modified to equation 1.1.1 as follows:

For example, take drx-longcycle= (50/3) ms, and drx-startoffset=0 as an example. When α=0, [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m=0 ms, sfn= 0,subframe number =0, and m=0. When α=1, [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m= (50/3) ms, sfn= 1,subframe number =6, and m= (2/3). When α=2, [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m= (100/3) ms, sfn= 3,subframe number =3, and m= (1/3). And so on, the terminal device may determine a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle. The specific calculation results are shown in the foregoing Table 2-1. Similarly, when the DRX-LongCycle and/or DRX-StartOffset take other values, the terminal device may calculate the system frame number, the subframe number, and the second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle based on the same principle. And are not listed here.

For example, equation 2.1 may be modified to equation 2.1.1 as follows:

For example, take drx-shortcycle= (25/3) ms, and drx-startoffset=0 as an example. When β=0, [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m=0+ [0 module (25/3) ]=0 ms, sfn= 0,subframe number =0, and m=0. When β=1, [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m= (25/3) + [0 module (25/3) ]= (25/3) ms, sfn= 0,subframe number =8, and m=1/3. When β=2, [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m= (50/3) + [0 module (25/3) ]= (50/3) ms, sfn= 1,subframe number =6, and m=2/3. And so on, the terminal device may determine a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle. The specific calculation results are shown in the foregoing Table 3-1. Similarly, when the DRX-short cycle and/or DRX-StartOffset take other values, the terminal device may calculate the system frame number, the subframe number, and the second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle based on the same principle. And are not listed here.

For example, equation 1.1 may also be modified to equation 1.1.2 as follows:

For example, equation 2.1 may be modified to equation 2.1.2 as follows:

It should be noted that in practical applications, other variants of formula 1.1 or formula 2.1 are also possible, which are not listed here.

It should be noted that, regarding "the value of the second parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and/or the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter" the part content is similar to "the value of the sixth parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and/or the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter" the part content is similar, please refer to the related description in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 4A or fig. 4B, and details are not repeated here. For example, the sixth parameter may be replaced with the second parameter for understanding.

In step 203, the terminal device starts a first timer based on the first information.

Wherein step 203 is an optional step.

It should be noted that, the manner in which the network device starts the first timer based on the first information is similar to the manner in which the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first information, and the description is omitted herein by taking the terminal device as an example.

Specifically, the terminal device may start the first timer based on the first information in any one of the following embodiments.

In one possible embodiment 1, the terminal device determines the start timing of the first timer based on the first information and the third parameter. Wherein the third parameter is used to indicate a delay before the first timer is started. The duration indicated by the third parameter is smaller than the duration corresponding to one subframe. For example, the third parameter is an offset within one subframe length used when calculating the start timing of the first timer. The third parameter is, for example, drx-SlotOffset. For an explanation of drx-SlotOffset, please refer to the corresponding description of fig. 1B, and the description is omitted here.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the time domain position corresponding to the first information to the right by the third parameter. Wherein, because the first information includes the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter, the time domain position corresponding to the first information is the time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter. The terminal equipment starts the first timer after shifting the time indicated by the third parameter rightwards based on the time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter. As shown in fig. 3B, a system frame number of 0 and a subframe number of 1 are taken as an example. The starting position of the subframe 1 in the frame 0 of the terminal device is shifted to the right by a second parameter (for example, mms), and the time domain position indicated by the shifted second parameter is located in the subframe 1. Then, the terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right. Optionally, if the duration indicated by the third parameter is longer than (1-M) ms, the timing at which the terminal device starts the first timer is located in subframe 2, and if the duration indicated by the third parameter is shorter than (1-M) ms, the timing at which the terminal device starts the first timer is located in subframe 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the second parameter rightward and then shifting the third parameter rightward at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter started at the time domain position corresponding to the first information. For example, taking fig. 3B as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the first information is located at the right boundary of the duration of length M in subframe 1 of frame 0, and the time domain position indicated by the third parameter (i.e., the right boundary of the hatched portion) based on the time domain position corresponding to the first information starts the first timer.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the sum of the second parameter and the duration indicated by the third parameter, which are started at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, taking fig. 3B as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number is the starting position of the subframe 1 in the frame 0, the sum of the durations indicated by the second parameter and the third parameter is the sum of the lengths of the two shadow areas, and the terminal device starts the first timer at the time domain position indicated by the third parameter (i.e. the right boundary of the diagonally hatched portion).

It should be noted that, since the value of the second parameter is a non-integer, the timing of starting the first timer may fall in the middle of a certain time domain unit. In this case, not only the timer or clock control of the terminal device is difficult, but also the network device may not start scheduling in the middle of a certain time domain unit, and therefore, the terminal device may not receive data or signaling or DCI after starting the first timer in the middle of a certain time domain unit, thereby increasing the power consumption of the terminal device. In this regard, the rounding operation is proposed in the embodiments 2 and 3, so that the terminal device starts the first timer at the starting position of a certain time domain unit, thereby reducing the complexity of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. The following description will be made respectively:

In another possible embodiment 2, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the fourth parameter, and the third parameter. For the explanation of the third parameter, please refer to the description of the third parameter in embodiment 1, which is not repeated here.

Wherein the fourth parameter is determined based on the second parameter. Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is a start position of a time domain unit adjacent to or located in the first time domain position, where the first time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter. Optionally, the time domain unit may be a preset duration, or may be a subframe, or may be a slot, or may be a symbol, or may be a mini-slot, or may be a sub-slot, which is not limited herein. For example, the preset duration may be the precision of the third parameter (e.g., (1/32) ms), other values (e.g., (1/64) ms), etc.

As shown in fig. 3C, the symbol is a time domain unit, and the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz. If the system frame number indicated by the first information is 0, the subframe number is 1, and the value of m is (1/3) ms, the first time domain position is between the starting position of the symbol 9 (i.e. the symbol with the symbol number 9) and the starting position of the symbol 10 (i.e. the symbol with the symbol number 10) in the time slot 0 (i.e. the time slot with the instant number 0) of the subframe 1 (i.e. the subframe with the subframe number 1). In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or located in the first time domain position may be the starting position of the symbol 9 or the starting position of the symbol 10.

As shown in fig. 3D, the time domain unit is taken as a time slot, and the subcarrier spacing is taken as an example of 30 kHz. If the system frame number indicated by the first information is 0, the subframe number is 1, and the value of m is (2/3) ms, the first time domain position is between the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 1 time slot 1 and the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 2 time slot 0. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to the first time domain position may be the starting position of the time slot 1 of the subframe 1 or the starting position of the time slot 0 of the subframe 2.

Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is a time domain position obtained by rounding the first time domain position. The terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the first time domain position to obtain a time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter. Or, the terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the second parameter to obtain the fourth parameter. The rounding operation includes a down rounding operation, an up rounding operation, a rounding operation, or the like.

For example, the fourth parameter and the second parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas, and the terminal device may determine the fourth parameter based on the following formulas.

E=floor [ M/a ] ×a; (equation 3.1)

E=ceil [ M/a ] ×a; (formula 3.2)

E=round [ M/a ] ×a; (equation 3.3)

Wherein E is a fourth parameter, M is a second parameter or an absolute value of the second parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a down rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an up rounding operation, and round [ ] represents a rounding operation.

Still taking fig. 3C as an example, if the terminal device performs a rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the second parameter, m= (1/3) ms and a= (0.5/14) ms are taken into equation 3.1 to obtain an approximate value of e≡ 0.3214ms (i.e. 0.5/14×9), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is the time domain position shifted by 9 symbols from the start position of the subframe 1 to the right, that is, the start position of the symbol 9 in the slot 0 of the subframe 1. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the second parameter, it can be obtained by introducing m= (1/3) ms and a= (0.5/14) ms into equation 3.2, where e≡0.3571ms (i.e. an approximate value of (0.5/14×10)), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is the time domain position shifted by 10 symbols from the start position of subframe 1 to the right, that is, the start position of symbol 10 in slot 0 of subframe 1. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the second parameter, it can obtain m= (1/3) ms and a= (0.5/14) ms by using equation 3.3, e≡ 0.3214ms (i.e. an approximate value of (0.5/14×9)), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is the time domain position shifted by 9 symbols from the start position of subframe 1 to the right, that is, the start position of symbol 9 in slot 0 of subframe 1.

Still taking fig. 3D as an example, if the terminal device performs a downward rounding operation according to the granularity of the slot based on the second parameter, it is available to bring m= (2/3) ms and a=0.5 ms into formula 3.1, where e=0.5 ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to one slot), i.e. the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is the time domain position shifted rightward by one slot from the start position of the slot 0 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, i.e. the start position of the slot 1 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the time slot based on the second parameter, it is available to bring m= (2/3) ms and a=0.5 ms into formula 3.2, e=1 ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to two time slots), i.e. the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is the time domain position shifted to the right by two time slots from the start position of the time slot 0 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, i.e. the start position of the time slot 0 of the subframe 2 of the frame 0. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the time slot based on the second parameter, it is available to bring m= (2/3) ms and a=0.5 ms into formula 3.3, where e=0.5 ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to one time slot), i.e. the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is the time domain position shifted rightward by one time slot from the start position of the time slot 0 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, i.e. the start position of the time slot 1 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0.

The terminal device, after determining the fourth parameter based on the second parameter, starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter. For example, taking the fourth parameter obtained by the rounding operation in fig. 3C as an example, the time domain positions corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the fourth parameter are the starting position of the symbol 9 in the slot 0 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, the duration indicated by the third parameter is the duration corresponding to 3 symbols, and the terminal device starts the first timer at the starting position of the symbol 12 after shifting the starting position of the symbol 9 to the right by the duration corresponding to 3 symbols.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the sum of the duration indicated by the fourth parameter and the third parameter to the right on the basis of the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, taking the fourth parameter obtained by the downward rounding operation in fig. 3C as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number is the start position of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, the sum of the time durations indicated by the fourth parameter and the third parameter is the time duration corresponding to 12 symbols, and after the terminal device shifts 12 symbols rightward from the start position of the subframe 1, the first timer is started at the start position of the slot 0 symbol 12 of the subframe 1 of the frame 0.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number, and the fourth parameter. For example, taking the fourth parameter obtained by the downward rounding operation in fig. 3C as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the fourth parameter is the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 1 time slot 0 symbol 9, the duration indicated by the third parameter is the duration corresponding to 3 symbols, and after 3 symbols from the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 1 time slot 0 symbol 9, the terminal device starts the first timer at the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 1 time slot 0 symbol 12.

In this embodiment, since the time domain position corresponding to the fourth parameter is located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, it is beneficial to make the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer be located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, so that the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer is avoided to fall in the middle of a certain time domain unit, thereby being beneficial to reducing the complexity of the terminal device and also beneficial to saving energy of the terminal device.

In another possible embodiment 3, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the fifth parameter. The fifth parameter is determined based on the second parameter and the third parameter. For the second parameter and the third parameter, please refer to the previous description, and the description is omitted here.

Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is a start position of a time domain unit adjacent to or located in a second time domain position, where the second time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the second parameter and the third parameter.

As shown in fig. 3E, the symbol is a time domain unit, and the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz. If the system frame number indicated by the first information is 0, the subframe number is 1, the value of m is (1/3) ms, the value of the third parameter is (2/32) ms=0.0625 ms, and the second time domain position is between the starting position of symbol 11 and the starting position of symbol 12 in slot 0 of subframe 1. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or in the second time domain position is the starting position of the symbol 11, and possibly the starting position of the symbol 12.

As shown in fig. 3F, the time domain unit is taken as a time slot, and the subcarrier spacing is taken as an example of 30 kHz. If the system frame number indicated by the first information is 0, the subframe number is 1, the value of m is (2/3) ms, the value of the third parameter is (16/32) ms=0.5 ms, and the second time domain position is between the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 2 time slot 0 and the starting position of the frame 0 subframe 2 time slot 1. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or located in the second time domain position is the starting position of the subframe 2 slot 0, and may be the starting position of the subframe 2 slot 1.

Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is a time domain position obtained by rounding the second time domain position. The terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the second time domain position to obtain a time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter. Or, the terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the sum of the second parameter and the third parameter to obtain the fifth parameter. The rounding operation includes a down rounding operation, an up rounding operation, a rounding operation, or the like.

For example, any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the fifth parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter, and the terminal device may determine the fifth parameter based on the following formula:

f=floor [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 4.1)

F=ceil [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 4.2)

F=round [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 4.3)

Wherein F is a fifth parameter, M is a second parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation, and drx-SlotOffset is a third parameter.

Still taking fig. 3E as an example, if the terminal device performs a rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the second parameter, m= (1/3) ms, a= (0.5/14) ms, and drx-slotoffset= (2/32 ms) = (0.0625 ms), it is obtained by taking equation 4.1, where f≡ 0.3929ms (i.e., an approximation of (0.5/14×11)), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is the start position of the symbol 11. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the second parameter, it brings m= (1/3) ms, a= (0.5/14) ms, and drx-slotoffset= (2/32 ms) = 0.0625ms, where f≡ 0.4286ms (i.e. an approximation of (0.5/14×12)) is obtained in equation 4.2, that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is the start position of the symbol 12. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the second parameter, then m= (1/3) ms, a= (0.5/14) ms, and drx-slotoffset= (2/32 ms) = 0.0625ms are brought into formula 4.3 to obtain f≡ 0.3929ms (i.e. an approximate value of (0.5/14×11)), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is the start position of the symbol 11.

Still taking fig. 3F as an example, if the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the subframe based on the second parameter, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is the start position of the subframe 2 slot 0, where m= (2/3) ms, a=0.5 ms, and drx-slotoffset= (16/32 ms) =0.5 ms, and the time domain position is obtained by taking formula 4.1. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the subframe based on the second parameter, it brings m= (2/3) ms, a=0.5 ms, and drx-slotoffset= (16/32 ms) = 0.5ms, where f=1.5 ms is obtained by the formula 4.2, that is, the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is the start position of the subframe 2 slot 1. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the subframe based on the second parameter, it brings m= (2/3) ms, a=0.5 ms, and drx-slotoffset=0.5 ms into formula 4.3, where f=1 ms, i.e. the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is the start position of the subframe 2 slot 0.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the fifth parameter. For example, taking the fifth parameter obtained by the rounding operation in fig. 3E as an example, the time domain positions corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the fifth parameter are the starting position of the symbol 11 in the subframe 1 slot 0 of the frame 0, and the terminal device starts the first timer at the starting position of the symbol 11 in the subframe 1 slot 0 of the frame 0.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the fifth parameter to the right based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, taking the fifth parameter obtained by the downward rounding operation in fig. 3E as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number is the start position of the frame 0 subframe 1, the duration corresponding to the fifth parameter is 11 symbols, and after the start position of the frame 0 subframe 1 is shifted by 11 symbols to the right, the terminal device starts the first timer at the start position of the symbol 11 in the slot 0 subframe 1 of the frame 0.

In this embodiment, since the time domain position corresponding to the fifth parameter is located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, it is beneficial to make the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer be located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, so that the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer is avoided to fall in the middle of a certain time domain unit, thereby being beneficial to reducing the complexity of the terminal device and also beneficial to saving energy of the terminal device.

In another possible embodiment 4, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the third parameter.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the time domain positions corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number are shifted to the right by the third parameter.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the third parameter. The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the third parameter.

In another possible embodiment 5, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first system frame number, the first subframe number and the third parameter.

For example, the first system frame number, the first subframe number, the system frame number, the subframe number, and the second parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas, and the terminal device may determine the first system frame number and the first subframe number based on the following formulas:

first system frame number×10+first subframe number=system frame number×10+subframe number+floor (M); (equation 5.1)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=system frame number×10+subframe number+ceil (M); (equation 5.2)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=system frame number×10+subframe number+round (M); (equation 5.3)

It should be noted that, formulas 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 may also have one or more variations, for example:

first system frame number×10+first subframe number=floor (system frame number×10+subframe number+m); (equation 5.1.1)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=ceil (system frame number×10+subframe number+m); (equation 5.2.1)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=round (system frame number×10+subframe number+m); (equation 5.3.1)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=system frame number×10+floor (subframe number+m); (equation 5.1.2)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=system frame number×10+ceil (subframe number+m); (equation 5.2.2)

First system frame number×10+first subframe number=system frame number×10+round (subframe number+m); (equation 5.3.2)

Illustratively, taking the terminal device performing rounding operations (e.g., equation 5.3) based on the examples shown in table 2-1 as an example, the first system frame number and the first subframe number of each DRX cycle determined by the terminal device are shown in table 2-1-1 as follows:

TABLE 2-1

The terminal device starts the first timer after the time domain position corresponding to the first system frame number and the first subframe number is shifted to the right by the third parameter.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the first system frame number, the first subframe number and the third parameter.

In another possible embodiment 6, the terminal device determines the start timing of the first timer based on the first information.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the first information.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the second parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment 7, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the fourth parameter.

The terminal device, after determining the fourth parameter based on the second parameter, starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number, and the fourth parameter.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the fourth parameter rightward based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the fourth parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment 8, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment 9, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first system frame number, the first subframe number.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the first system frame number and the first subframe number.

Note that, in any of the above embodiments 4, 5, 8, and 9, the start timing of the first timer is irrelevant to the second parameter, so the first information related to the start timing of the first timer includes the system frame number and the subframe number, which may not include the second parameter, and the present application is not limited.

In this embodiment, since the first information related to the start timing of the first timer determined by the terminal device based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter includes a second parameter related to a non-integer part of the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information, in addition to the system frame number and the subframe related to the start timing of the first timer. Under the action of the second parameter, the terminal equipment can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service, so that the service period with a value of a non-integer can be suitable for a DRX mechanism, DRX and the service are matched, the power consumption of the terminal equipment is further reduced, the transmission reliability is improved, the transmission time delay is reduced, and the communication quality and the communication efficiency are improved.

It should be noted that, in another embodiment, the value of the second parameter is greater than-1 and less than or equal to 0. For example, if the value of the second parameter is negative, it indicates that the second parameter is shifted to the left on the time axis (or in the time domain); if the value of the second parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

The terminal device may determine the first information related to the start timing of the first timer through the foregoing formula 1.1 or formula 2.1. In equation 1.1 (or equation 2.1), when the value of drx-LongCycle (or drx-ShortCycle) is a non-integer, the value of { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } may be a non-integer. Since the SFN is an integer and the subframe number is an integer, the value of M may be a non-integer. Since the unit of the value of { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M } is ms and the value of M is less than or equal to 0, the value of M is a non-integer greater than-1 ms or the value of M is 0. Thus, the second parameter is used to indicate the portion of the value of the dividend (i.e., { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M }) in the modulo operation that is greater than-1 ms and less than or equal to 0.

For example, for equation 1.1, if drx-longcycle= (50/3) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then { [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] +m } module (50/3) =0. When the value of M is greater than-1 ms and less than or equal to 0, the values of the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle can be calculated, as shown in tables 2-1-2 below.

TABLE 2-1-2

In the example shown in Table 2-1-2, in the i+1st DRX cycle, the value of { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M } is (50/3) ms (equal to about 16.6667 ms), which means that the system frame number is 1, the subframe number is 7, and the value of M is (-1/3) ms (equal to about-0.3333 ms). For another example, in the i+2th DRX cycle, a value of { [ (SFN×10) +subframe number ] +M } of (100/3) ms (about 33.3333 ms) indicates that the system frame number is 3, the subframe number is 4, and the value of M is (-2/3) ms (about-0.6667 ms). And so on, the terminal device may calculate the system frame number, the subframe number and the second parameter corresponding to the first timer started by the terminal device in each DRX cycle, which are not described herein.

In addition, the manner of shifting the terminal device to the left based on the second parameter with negative value is similar to the manner of shifting the terminal device to the left based on the sixth parameter with positive value, and the description of the corresponding embodiment of fig. 4A is specifically referred to, and is not repeated here.

It should be noted that "+m" in equations 1.1 and 2.1 and 1.1.1 and 2.1.1 may be replaced with "+m" in equations 1.1.2 and 2.1.2 in another embodiment. For example, if the value of the second parameter is a positive number, it indicates that the second parameter is shifted to the left on the time axis (or in the time domain); if the value of the second parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

It should be noted that, in another embodiment, "+m" in the formulas 1.1 and 2.1 and 1.1.1 and 2.1.1 may be replaced by "+m", "+m" in the formulas 1.1.2 and 2.1.2 may be replaced by "+m", and the value of the second parameter is greater than-1 and less than or equal to 0. For example, if the value of the second parameter is negative, it indicates that the second parameter is shifted rightward on the time axis (or in the time domain); if the value of the second parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

The main flow of another embodiment of the communication method proposed in the present application will be described below with reference to fig. 4A and 4B. As shown in fig. 4A, the terminal device will perform the following steps:

step 401, the network device sends DRX cycle information and a first parameter; accordingly, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

It should be noted that, the DRX cycle information and the first parameter may be preset by the network device and the terminal device, or may be predefined. For example, step 401 may be replaced by: the terminal device acquires the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and correspondingly, the network device acquires the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

It should be noted that, the manner in which the terminal device obtains the DRX cycle information and the manner in which the terminal device obtains the first parameter may be the same or different, which is not limited in this application.

It should be noted that, if the DRX cycle information and the first parameter are both sent by the network device to the terminal device, the DRX cycle information and the first parameter may be included in the same message (for example, a DRX configuration message) or may be included in different messages, which is not limited in this application.

Step 401 is similar to step 201, and please refer to the description of step 201, which is omitted here.

The terminal device may obtain the value range of the sixth parameter through any one of the steps 402a and 402b. It should be noted that when the terminal device performs step 402a instead of step 402b, step 402a is performed after step 401, i.e. the terminal device performs step 401 before step 402a. When the terminal device performs step 402b but not step 402a, there is no explicit time sequence limitation between step 401 and step 402b, i.e. the terminal device may perform step 401 first and then step 402b, may perform step 402b first and then step 401, and may perform step 401 and step 402b simultaneously. The specific examples are not limited herein.

In step 402a, the terminal device determines a range of values of the sixth parameter based on the DRX cycle information.

Wherein step 402a is an optional step.

The value range of the sixth parameter includes a plurality of values. Optionally, the value of the sixth parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and/or the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter. For example, the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle can directly or indirectly affect the value of the second parameter. Alternatively, since the non-integer part of the DRX cycle value or the DRX cycle value may be converted into a fraction, the sixth parameter value may be related to the fraction corresponding to the DRX cycle value.

Optionally, the duration indicated by the sixth parameter is smaller than the duration corresponding to one subframe. For example, one subframe corresponds to a duration of 1ms, and the duration indicated by the sixth parameter is less than 1ms. Alternatively, the sixth parameter may have a positive value, a negative value, or 0. If the value of the sixth parameter is positive, the value is shifted to the left on the time axis (or time domain) based on the sixth parameter; if the value of the sixth parameter is negative, the value is shifted to the right on the time axis (or time domain) based on the sixth parameter; if the value of the sixth parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed.

Specifically, the terminal device may determine the value range of the sixth parameter through any one of the following embodiments.

In one possible embodiment, the range of values of the sixth parameter is determined based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle, i.e. the terminal device determines the range of values of the sixth parameter based on only the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle.

Optionally, if the DRX cycle takes a value that is X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, where X is an integer. Since the terminal device has acquired the value of the DRX cycle, the value of the first score is determined, and thus the reciprocal of the denominator of the first score is determined, and thus the values of the sixth parameter are determined by the values of X. Optionally, X is greater than or equal to 0, and X is less than the denominator of the first score.

Illustratively, taking the value of the DRX cycle as (Z/Y) ms as an example, Z and Y have only a common divisor of 1, and Z is not equal to 0. (Z/Y) is the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction, and (1/Y) is the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, the sixth parameter takes the value of (X/Y) ms, where x=0, 1,2, …, (Y-2), (Y-1). Thus, the sixth parameter has a value in the range of 0,1/Y,2/Y, …, (Y-2)/Y, (Y-1)/Y, i.e., R= {0,1/Y,2/Y, …, (Y-2)/Y, (Y-1)/Y }. For example, if the DRX cycle has a value of (50/3) ms, (50/3) is the first fraction, 3 is the denominator of the first fraction, (1/3) is the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, and the sixth parameter has a value in the range of 0,1/3 and 2/3, i.e., r= {0,1/3,2/3}. For another example, if the DRX cycle has a value of (100/9) ms, (100/9) is the first fraction, 9 is the denominator of the first fraction, (1/9) is the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, and the sixth parameter has a value in the range of 0,1/9,2/9,3/9,4/9,5/9,6/9,7/9 and 8/9, i.e., R= {0,1/9,2/9,3/9,4/9,5/9,6/9,7/9,8/9}.

The present embodiment can be applied to a scene in which the value of the first parameter is an integer. For example, the value of the first parameter (e.g., drx-StartOffset) configured by the network device for the terminal device is an integer.

In another possible embodiment, the range of values of the sixth parameter is determined based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter, i.e. the terminal device determines the range of values of the sixth parameter based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter.

For the explanation of the first parameter, please refer to the related description in step 201, which is not repeated here.

Optionally, the DRX cycle has a value of a first fraction, and the sixth parameter is a difference between X times of an inverse of a denominator of the first fraction and a non-integer part of the value of the first parameter. Optionally, X is greater than or equal to 0, and X is less than the denominator of the first score. Wherein X times the reciprocal of the denominator of the first score may be referred to in the related description above.

Alternatively, the non-integer portion of the value of the first parameter may be represented by a difference between the value of the first parameter and the integer portion of the first parameter. For example, if the first parameter is drx-StartOffset, the integer part of drx-StartOffset may be denoted floor (drx-StartOffset), where floor () denotes a rounding down operation. The non-integer part p=drx-StartOffset-floor (drx-StartOffset) of the value of the first parameter.

Illustratively, taking the value of the DRX cycle as (Z/Y) ms as an example, Z and Y have only a common divisor of 1, and Z is not equal to 0. (Z/Y) is the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction, (1/Y) is the reciprocal of the denominator of the first fraction, the non-integer part p=drx-StartOffset-floor (drx-StartOffset) of the value of the first parameter, and the value of the sixth parameter is [ (X/Y) -P ] ms, where x=0, 1,2, …, (Y-2), (Y-1). Thus, the sixth parameter has a value in the range of 0, (1/Y) -P, (2/Y) -P, …, [ (Y-2)/Y ] -P, [ (Y-1)/Y ] -P, i.e., R= {0, (1/Y) -P, (2/Y) -P, …, [ (Y-2)/Y ] -P, [ (Y-1)/Y ] -P }. For example, if the DRX cycle has a value of (50/3) ms and the first parameter (i.e., DRX-StartOffset) has a value of (2/3) ms, the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction is (1/3), p= (2/3) -floor (2/3) = (2/3) -0= (2/3), and the sixth parameter has a value in the range of [0- (2/3) ], [ (1/3) - (2/3) ] and [ (2/3) - (2/3) ], i.e., r= { - (2/3), - (1/3), 0}. For another example, if the DRX cycle has a value of (100/9) ms, the first parameter (i.e., DRX-StartOffset) has a value of (2/9) ms, the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction is (1/9), p= (2/9) -floor (2/9) = (2/9) -0= (2/9), and the sixth parameter has a value ranging from [0- (2/9) ], [ (1/9) - (2/9) ], [ (2/9) - (2/9) ], [ (3/9) - (2/9) ], [ (4/9) - (2/9) ], [ (5/9) - (2/9) ], [ (6/9) - (2/9) ], [ (7/9) - (2/9) ]), and [ (8/9) - (2/9) ], i.e., r= { (2/9), - (1/9, 0,1/9, 2/3/9, 4/9,5/9, 6/9.

It should be understood that in the foregoing example, the value of R is a positive number, which indicates that the terminal device is shifted to the left based on the value of R; the value of R is a negative number, and the terminal equipment is shifted rightwards based on the value of R; and if the value of R is 0, the terminal equipment does not perform offset operation based on the value of R. For example, r= { - (1/3), 0,1/3}, where when r= - (1/3), it means that the terminal device is shifted rightward by (1/3) ms; when r=0, it means that the terminal device does not perform an offset operation based on R; when r=1/3, it means that the terminal device is shifted to the left by (1/3) ms.

The present embodiment can be applied to a scenario in which the value of the first parameter is a non-integer. For example, the value of the first parameter (e.g., drx-StartOffset) configured by the network device for the terminal device is a non-integer. Note that this embodiment can also be applied to a scene in which the first parameter is an integer, where p=drx-StartOffset-floor (drx-StartOffset) =0.

Step 402b, the network device sends the value range of the sixth parameter; correspondingly, the terminal equipment receives the value range of the sixth parameter.

Wherein step 402b is an optional step.

Illustratively, the network device obtains the value range of the sixth parameter, and then the network device sends the value range of the sixth parameter to the terminal device, and accordingly, the terminal device receives the value range of the sixth parameter from the network device. For example, the terminal device receives the range of values of the sixth parameter through proprietary signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or MAC CE or physical layer message, etc., without limitation) or system broadcast message.

Alternatively, the terminal device may obtain the DRX cycle, the first parameter, and the value range of the sixth parameter through the same message, or may obtain any multiple of the DRX cycle, the first parameter, and the value range of the sixth parameter through different messages, respectively. For example, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle and the first parameter through RRC signaling 1, and the terminal device receives the range of values of the sixth parameter through RRC signaling 2. The specific examples are not limited herein.

Optionally, the network device may obtain the value range of the sixth parameter through any one of the following embodiments:

in one possible implementation, the network device may determine the range of values of the sixth parameter based on the DRX cycle information. The manner in which the network device determines the value range of the sixth parameter based on the DRX cycle information is similar to the manner in which the terminal device determines the value range of the sixth parameter based on the DRX cycle information, please refer to the description related to step 402a, which is not repeated here.

In another possible implementation manner, the network device obtains the manually configured value range of the sixth parameter through the external interface.

In another possible implementation, the network device obtains the range of values of the sixth parameter from another device (e.g., a core network device, a network management device OAM, etc.).

After the terminal device obtains the range of values of the sixth parameter based on either of the embodiments of step 402a or step 402b, the terminal device will perform step 403.

In step 403, the terminal device determines a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information, the first parameter, and a plurality of values in the value range of the sixth parameter.

It should be noted that, the manner of determining, by the network device, the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer based on the plurality of values in the range of values of the DRX cycle information, the first parameter and the sixth parameter is similar to the manner of determining, by the terminal device, the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer based on the plurality of values in the range of values of the DRX cycle information, the first parameter and the sixth parameter, and the method of determining, by the network device, the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers is not repeated herein.

Optionally, the sixth parameter is an offset based on the time domain position corresponding to the first parameter. For example, in determining the system frame number and the subframe number related to the start timing of the first timer, the terminal device performs addition based on the first parameter and the sixth parameter, i.e. calculates the sixth parameter as an offset of the first parameter.

Optionally, the sixth parameter is an offset based on a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

Wherein SFN is a system frame number, subframe number is a subframe number, R is a sixth parameter, DRX-Long cycle is a long DRX cycle or DRX cycle, DRX-short cycle is a short DRX cycle or DRX cycle, and DRX-StartOffset is a first parameter.

For example, for equation 1.2, if drx-longcycle= (50/3) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (50/3) =r, where r= {0,1/3,2/3}.

When r=0, the above formula is [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (50/3) =0, and further, a system frame number and a subframe number, which make the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] an integer, can be calculated, as shown in table 4-1 below.

TABLE 4-1

In the example shown in table 4-1, the terminal device can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number only when the divisor (i.e., [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ]) is an integer. For example, when the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is 0ms, the system frame number calculated by the terminal device is 0 and the subframe number is 0. For another example, when the [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] has a value of (150/3) ms (i.e., 50 ms), the terminal device calculates a system frame number of 5 and a subframe number of 0. For another example, when the [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] has a value of (300/3) ms (i.e., 100 ms), the terminal device calculates the system frame number as 10 and the subframe number as 0. Similarly, when r=0, the terminal device may calculate a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers with values of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] being integers.

When r=1/3, the above formula is [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (50/3) =1/3, and further, a system frame number and a subframe number, which make the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] an integer, can be calculated, as shown in table 4-2 below.

TABLE 4-2

In the example shown in table 4-2, the terminal device can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number only when the divisor (i.e., [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ]) is an integer. For example, when the [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] has a value of (51/3) ms (i.e., 17 ms), the terminal device calculates a system frame number of 1 and a subframe number of 7. For another example, when [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] has a value of (201/3) ms (i.e., 67 ms), the terminal device calculates a system frame number of 6 and a subframe number of 7. Similarly, when r=1/3, the terminal device may calculate a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers with values of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] being integers.

When r=2/3, the above formula is [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (50/3) =2/3, and further, a system frame number and a subframe number, which make the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] an integer, can be calculated, as shown in tables 4 to 3 below.

TABLE 4-3

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In the example shown in table 4-3, when the [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] has a value of (102/3) ms (i.e., 34 ms), the terminal device calculates a system frame number of 3 and a subframe number of 4. For another example, when the [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] has a value of (252/3) ms (i.e., 84 ms), the terminal device calculates a system frame number of 8 and a subframe number of 4. Similarly, when r=2/3, the terminal device may calculate a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers with values of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] being integers.

As shown in table 4-4, the terminal device can calculate a system frame number and a subframe number that can make [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] an integer for each DRX cycle by integrating the system frame numbers and subframe numbers calculated by the terminal devices in the foregoing tables 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3.

Tables 4 to 4

For example, for equation 1.2, if drx-longcycle= (100/9) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (100/9) =r, where r= {0,1/9,2/9,3/9,4/9,5/9,6/9,7/9,8/9}. Based on the same principle, the terminal device brings each value of R into formula 1.2, and can calculate a system frame number and a subframe number such that the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is an integer for each DRX cycle. The details are shown in Table 5-1 below:

TABLE 5-1

For example, for equation 2.2, if drx-short cycle= (25/3) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (25/3) =r module (25/3), where r= {0,1/3,2/3}. Based on the same principle, the terminal device brings each value of R into formula 2.2, and can calculate a system frame number and a subframe number such that the value of [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] is an integer for each DRX cycle.

When r=0, the formula is [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (25/3) =0; when r=1/3, the formula is [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (25/3) = (1/3) module (25/3) =1/3; when r=2/3, the foregoing formula is [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (25/3) = (2/3) module (25/3) =2/3. The terminal device can then select an appropriate R for each DRX cycle to calculate a system frame number and a subframe number that can make the [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] an integer. The calculation results are shown in Table 6-1 below.

TABLE 6-1

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Optionally, the values of the sixth parameters corresponding to the two adjacent DRX cycles are different. Optionally, the values of the sixth parameters corresponding to the continuous Y DRX cycles are different. And if the DRX cycle takes the value of the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction. Illustratively, taking the value of the DRX cycle as (Z/Y) ms as an example, Z and Y have only a common divisor of 1, and Z is not equal to 0. (Z/Y) is a first fraction, and Y is a denominator of the first fraction. For example, in the examples shown in tables 4 to 4, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i-th DRX cycle has a value of 0ms, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i+1th DRX cycle has a value of (1/3) ms, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i+2th DRX cycle has a value of (2/3) ms, and so on. For another example, in the example shown in Table 5-1, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i-th DRX cycle is valued for 0ms, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i+1th DRX cycle is valued for (8/9) ms, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i+2th DRX cycle is valued for (7/9) ms, the sixth parameter corresponding to the i+3rd DRX cycle is valued for (6/9) ms, and so on.

For example, equation 1.2 may be modified to equation 1.2.1 as follows:

For example, take drx-longcycle= (50/3) ms, drx-startoffset=0, and r= {0,1/3,2/3} as an example. When γ=0, (sfn×10) +subframe number=r, r=0, sfn= 0,subframe number =0. When γ=1, (sfn×10) +subframe number= (50/3) +r, r=1/3, sfn= 1,subframe number =7. When γ=2, (sfn×10) +subframe number= (100/3) +r, r=2/3, sfn= 3,subframe number =4. When γ=3, (sfn×10) +subframe number= (150/3) +r, r=0, sfn= 5,subframe number =0. And so on, the terminal device may determine a system frame number, a subframe number, and a sixth parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle. The specific calculation results are shown in the foregoing tables 4 to 4. Similarly, when the DRX-LongCycle and/or DRX-StartOffset take other values, the terminal device may calculate the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle based on the same principle. And are not listed here.

For example, take drx-short cycle= (25/3) ms, drx-startoffset=0, and r= {0,1/3,2/3} as an example. When δ=0, (sfn×10) +subframe number=r module (25/3), r=0, sfn= 0,subframe number =0. When δ=1, (sfn×10) +subframe number= (25/3) + [ R module (25/3) ], r=2/3, sfn= 0,subframe number =9. When δ=2, (sfn×10) +subframe number= (50/3) + [ R module (25/3) ], r=1/3, sfn= 1,subframe number =7. And so on, the terminal device may determine a system frame number, a subframe number, and a sixth parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle. The specific calculation results are shown in the foregoing Table 6-1. Similarly, when the DRX-short cycle and/or DRX-StartOffset take other values, the terminal device may calculate the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter corresponding to each DRX cycle based on the same principle. And are not listed here.

For example, equation 1.2 may also be modified to equation 1.2.2 as follows:

For example, equation 2.2 may also be modified to equation 2.2.3 as follows:

It should be noted that in practical applications, other variants of formula 1.2 or formula 2.2 are also possible, which are not listed here.

In step 404, the terminal device starts a first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the sixth parameter.

Wherein step 404 is an optional step.

It should be noted that, the manner in which the network device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the sixth parameter is similar to the manner in which the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the sixth parameter, and the description is omitted in this application by taking the terminal device as an example.

Specifically, the terminal device may start the first timer according to any one of the following embodiments based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter.

In one possible embodiment a, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the sixth parameter and the third parameter. For the explanation of the third parameter, please refer to the related description in step 203, which is not repeated here.

Optionally, the terminal device performs offset based on the sixth parameter at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number, and starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right.

For example, if the value of the sixth parameter is a positive number, the time indicated by the sixth parameter is shifted to the left on the time axis (or in the time domain) based on the sixth parameter, that is, the time indicated by the sixth parameter is shifted to the left by the terminal device at the start position of the subframe indicated by the system frame number and the subframe number. As shown in fig. 5A, taking a system frame number of 0, a subframe number of 1, and a sixth parameter R >0 as an example, the duration indicated by the sixth parameter is the absolute value of the sixth parameter, i.e., |r|ms. The starting position of subframe 1 (i.e., subframe number 1) in frame 0 (i.e., frame number 0) of the terminal device is shifted to the left by |r| ms, and the time domain position indicated by the sixth parameter after the shift is located in subframe 0. Then, the terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right. Optionally, if the duration indicated by the third parameter is greater than |r|ms, the timing at which the terminal device starts the first timer is located in subframe 1, and if the duration indicated by the third parameter is less than |r|ms, the timing at which the terminal device starts the first timer is located in subframe 0.

For example, if the value of the sixth parameter is a negative number, the time indicated by the absolute value of the sixth parameter is shifted to the right on the time axis (or in the time domain) based on the sixth parameter, that is, the time indicated by the sixth parameter is shifted to the right by the terminal device at the start position of the subframe indicated by the system frame number and the subframe number. As shown in fig. 5B, taking a system frame number of 0 and a subframe number of 1, and a sixth parameter R <0 as an example, the duration indicated by the sixth parameter is the absolute value of the sixth parameter, i.e., |r|ms. The starting position of the terminal device in subframe 1 in frame 0 is shifted to the right by |r|ms, the time domain position indicated by the sixth parameter is located in subframe 1. Then, the terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right. Optionally, if the duration indicated by the third parameter is longer than (1- |r|) ms, the timing at which the terminal device starts the first timer is located in subframe 2, and if the duration indicated by the third parameter is shorter than (1- |r|) ms, the timing at which the terminal device starts the first timer is located in subframe 1.

Optionally, the terminal device performs offset based on the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number, and starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right.

For example, if the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter is positive, the time indicated by the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter is shifted to the left on the time axis (or in the time domain), that is, the terminal device shifts the time indicated by the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter to the left at the start position of the subframe indicated by the system frame number and the subframe number.

For example, if the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter is negative, the duration indicated by the absolute value of the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter shifted to the right on the time axis (or on the time domain) is indicated by the absolute value of the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter, that is, the duration indicated by the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter shifted to the right at the start position of the subframe indicated by the system frame number and the subframe number by the terminal device.

The terminal device starts the first timer after a duration indicated by a third parameter from a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter.

Note that, since the value of the sixth parameter is a non-integer, the timing of starting the first timer may fall in the middle of a certain time domain unit. In this case, not only the timer or clock control of the terminal device is difficult, but also the network device may not start scheduling in the middle of a certain time domain unit, and therefore, the terminal device may not receive data or signaling or DCI after starting the first timer in the middle of a certain time domain unit, thereby increasing the power consumption of the terminal device. In this regard, the rounding operation is proposed in the embodiments B and C, so that the terminal device starts the first timer at the starting position of a certain time domain unit, thereby reducing the complexity of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. The following description will be made respectively:

In another possible embodiment B, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the seventh parameter and the third parameter.

Wherein the seventh parameter is determined based on the sixth parameter. Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is a start position of a time domain unit adjacent to or located in a third time domain position, where the third time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the sixth parameter. For the description of the time domain unit, please refer to the related description in embodiment 2 in the previous step 203, which is not repeated here.

It should be noted that the time domain position determined by the terminal device based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter having a positive value is different from the time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter having a negative value. Refer to the descriptions corresponding to fig. 5A and fig. 5B in the foregoing embodiment a specifically. In the present embodiment and the following embodiments, the description will be given taking the value of the sixth parameter as a positive number as an example.

For example, as shown in fig. 5C, a symbol is taken as a time domain unit, and a subcarrier spacing is 30kHz as an example. If the system frame number is 0, the subframe number is 1, and the value of R is (1/3) ms (equal to about 0.3333 ms), the terminal device shifts to the left by 0.3333ms from the start position of the subframe 1 based on the R having the positive value, so that the third time-domain position is between the start position of the symbol 4 and the start position of the symbol 5 in the subframe 0 slot 1. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or located in the third time domain position may be the starting position of the symbol 4 or the starting position of the symbol 5.

As shown in fig. 5D, the time domain unit is taken as a time slot, and the subcarrier spacing is taken as an example of 30 kHz. If the system frame number is 0, the subframe number is 2, and the value of R is (2/3) ms, the terminal device is shifted to the left by (2/3) ms from the starting position of subframe 2 based on R with positive value, so that the third time domain position is between the starting position of subframe 1 time slot 0 and the starting position of subframe 1 time slot 1. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or located in the third time domain position may be the starting position of the time slot 0 or the starting position of the time slot 1.

Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is a time domain position obtained by rounding the third time domain position. The terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the third time domain position to obtain a time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter. Or, the terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the sixth parameter to obtain the seventh parameter. The rounding operation includes a down rounding operation, an up rounding operation, a rounding operation, or the like.

Illustratively, the seventh parameter and the sixth parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas, and the terminal device may determine the seventh parameter based on the following formula:

u=floor [ R ≡a ] ×a; (equation 6.1)

U=ceil [ R ≡a ] ×a; (equation 6.2)

U=round [ R ≡a ] ×a; (equation 6.3)

Wherein U is a seventh parameter, R is a sixth parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, and round [ ] represents a rounding operation.

Still taking fig. 5C as an example, if the terminal device performs a rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the sixth parameter, r= (1/3) ms and a= (0.5/14) ms are taken into formula 6.1 to obtain an approximate value of u≡ 0.3214ms (i.e. 0.5/14×9), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by 9 symbols from the start position of subframe 1, that is, the start position of symbol 5 in subframe 0 slot 1. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the sixth parameter, r= (1/3) ms and a= (0.5/14) ms are taken into formula 6.2, where u≡0.3571ms (i.e. an approximate value of (0.5/14×10)), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by 10 symbols from the start position of subframe 1, that is, the start position of symbol 4 in subframe 0 slot 1. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the sixth parameter, r= (1/3) ms and a= (0.5/14) ms are given in equation 6.3, where u≡ 0.3214ms (i.e. an approximate value of (0.5/14×9)), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by 9 symbols from the start position of subframe 1, that is, the start position of symbol 5 in subframe 0 slot 1.

Still taking fig. 5D as an example, if the terminal device performs the downward rounding operation according to the granularity of the slot based on the sixth parameter, it is available to bring r= (2/3) ms and a=0.5 ms into formula 6.1, where u=0.5 ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to one slot), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by one slot from the start position of subframe 2, that is, the start position of subframe 1, slot 1. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the time slot based on the sixth parameter, it is obtained by bringing r= (2/3) ms and a=0.5 ms into formula 6.2, where u=1 ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to two time slots), i.e. the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by two time slots from the starting position of subframe 2, i.e. the starting position of subframe 1 time slot 0. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the time slot based on the sixth parameter, it is available to bring r= (2/3) ms and a=0.5 ms into formula 6.3, where u=0.5 ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to one time slot), i.e. the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by one time slot from the start position of subframe 2, i.e. the start position of subframe 1, time slot 1.

The terminal device, after determining the seventh parameter based on the sixth parameter, starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the third parameter to the right again based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter. For example, taking the seventh parameter obtained by the downward rounding operation in fig. 5C as an example, the time domain positions corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the seventh parameter are the starting positions of the symbols 5 in the subframe 0 slot 1 of the frame 0, the duration indicated by the third parameter is the duration corresponding to 3 symbols, and the terminal device starts the first timer at the starting position of the symbol 8 in the subframe 0 slot 1 of the frame 0 after the starting position of the symbol 5 is shifted to the right by the duration corresponding to 3 symbols.

The terminal device performs the offset based on the seventh parameter based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number, performs the rightward offset based on the third parameter, and starts the first timer. Taking the seventh parameter obtained by the downward rounding operation in fig. 5C as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number is the starting position of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, the duration indicated by the seventh parameter is the duration corresponding to 9 symbols, and the duration indicated by the third parameter is the duration corresponding to 3 symbols. Because the sixth parameter has a positive value, the terminal device shifts to the left by 9 symbols based on the start position of the frame 0 subframe 1, and reaches the start position of the frame 0 subframe 0 slot 1 symbol 5. Then, the terminal device starts a first timer at the start position of the symbol 8 in the frame 0 subframe 0 slot 1 after shifting the start position of the symbol 5 to the right by a duration corresponding to 3 symbols.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter, which is started at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the seventh parameter.

In this embodiment, since the time domain position corresponding to the seventh parameter is located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, it is beneficial to make the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer be located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, so that the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer is avoided to fall in the middle of a certain time domain unit, and further, it is beneficial to reduce the complexity of the terminal device and reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

In another possible embodiment C, the terminal device determines the start timing of the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and the eighth parameter. Wherein the eighth parameter is determined based on the sixth parameter and the third parameter.

Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is a start position of a time domain unit adjacent to or located in a fourth time domain position, where the fourth time domain position is a time domain position determined based on the system frame number, the subframe number, the sixth parameter and the third parameter.

As shown in fig. 5E, the symbol is a time domain unit, and the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz. If the system frame number is 0, the subframe number is 1, the value of r is (1/3) ms, the value of the third parameter is (2/32) ms=0.0625 ms, and the fourth time domain position is between the starting position of symbol 6 and the starting position of symbol 7 in the subframe 0 slot 1. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or in the fourth time domain position is the starting position of symbol 6, and possibly the starting position of symbol 7.

As shown in fig. 5F, the time domain unit is taken as a time slot, and the subcarrier spacing is taken as an example of 30 kHz. If the system frame number is 0, the subframe number is 2, the value of r is (2/3) ms, the value of the third parameter is (16/32) ms=0.5 ms, and the fourth time domain position is between the starting position of the subframe 1 time slot 1 and the starting position of the subframe 2 time slot 0. In this example, the starting position of the time domain unit adjacent to or located in the fourth time domain position may be the starting position of the subframe 1 slot 1 or the starting position of the subframe 2 slot 0.

Optionally, the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is a time domain position obtained by rounding the fourth time domain position. The terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the fourth time domain position to obtain a time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter. Or, the terminal device may perform a rounding operation based on the sum of the sixth parameter and the third parameter to obtain the eighth parameter. The rounding operation includes a down rounding operation, an up rounding operation, a rounding operation, or the like.

For example, any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the eighth parameter, the sixth parameter, and the third parameter, and the terminal device may determine the eighth parameter based on the following formula:

v=floor [ (-r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 7.1)

V=ceil [ (-r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 7.2)

V=round [ (-r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 7.3)

Wherein V is an eighth parameter, R is a sixth parameter, A is a time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation, and drx-SlotOffset is a third parameter.

If V is greater than 0, the shift to the right is indicated based on the eighth parameter; if V is equal to 0, no offset is indicated; if V is less than 0, this indicates a shift to the left based on the eighth parameter.

Still taking fig. 5E as an example, if the terminal device performs the rounding down operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the sixth parameter, r= (1/3) ms, a= (0.5/14) ms, and drx-slotoffset= (2/32 ms) = 0.0625ms are brought into formula 7.1, where [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a) ] is approximately-7.5833, v is approximately-0.2857 ms (i.e., (0.5/14× (-8))), i.e., the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by 8 symbols from the start position of subframe 1, i.e., the start position of symbol 6 in subframe 0 slot 1. If the terminal device performs the rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the sixth parameter, r= (1/3) ms, a= (0.5/14) ms, and drx-slotoffset= (2/32 ms) = 0.0625ms are brought into formula 7.2, where v= -0.25ms (i.e., (0.5/14× (-7)) is an approximation value), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by 7 symbols from the start position of subframe 1, that is, the start position of symbol 7 in subframe 0 slot 1. If the terminal device performs rounding operation according to the granularity of the symbol based on the sixth parameter, r= (1/3) ms, a= (0.5/14) ms, and drx-slotoffset= (2/32 ms) = 0.0625ms are brought into formula 7.3, where v≡ 0.2857ms (i.e., (0.5/14× (-8)) is an approximation, i.e., the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is the time domain position shifted to the left by 8 symbols from the start position of subframe 1, i.e., the start position of symbol 6 in subframe 0 slot 1.

Still taking fig. 5F as an example, if the terminal device performs the rounding operation downward according to the granularity of the time slot based on the sixth parameter, r= (2/3) ms, a=0.5 ms, and drx-sloffset= (16/32 ms) =0.5 ms, it is available in equation 7.1 that [ (r+drx-sloffset)/(a) ] is approximately-0.3334, floor (-0.3334) = -1, v= -0.5ms (i.e. the duration corresponding to one time slot is shifted to the left), that is, the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is the time domain position after shifting 1 time slot to the left from the start position of subframe 2, that is, the start position of subframe 1 time slot 1. If the terminal device performs the rounding up operation according to the granularity of the slot based on the sixth parameter, r= (2/3) ms, a=0.5 ms, and drx-slotoffset= (16/32 ms) =0.5 ms are brought into formula 7.2, where [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a) ] is approximately-0.3334, ceil (-0.3334) =0, and v=0 (i.e., no offset is performed based on the eighth parameter). If the terminal device rounds up according to the granularity of the slot based on the sixth parameter, r= (2/3) ms, a=0.5 ms, and drx-slotoffset= (16/32 ms) =0.5 ms, it is available to take the formula 7.3, [ (-r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a) ] to-0.3334, round (-0.3334) =0, v=0 (i.e. no offset based on the eighth parameter).

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the eighth parameter. For example, taking the eighth parameter obtained by the rounding operation in fig. 5E as an example, the time domain positions corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number and the eighth parameter are the start position of the symbol 6 in the subframe 0 slot 1 of the frame 0, and the terminal device starts the first timer at the start position of the symbol 6 in the subframe 0 slot 1 of the frame 0.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting based on the eighth parameter based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, taking the eighth parameter obtained by the rounding operation in fig. 5E as an example, the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number is the starting position of the subframe 1 of the frame 0, and the duration indicated by the eighth parameter is the duration corresponding to 12 symbols. Because the value of the eighth parameter is positive, the terminal device shifts 8 symbols to the left based on the start position of the frame 0 subframe 1, and starts the first timer at the start position of the frame 0 subframe 0 slot 1 symbol 6.

In this embodiment, since the time domain position corresponding to the eighth parameter is located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, it is beneficial to make the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer be located at the start position of a certain time domain unit, so that the moment when the terminal device starts the first timer is avoided to fall in the middle of a certain time domain unit, thereby being beneficial to reducing the complexity of the terminal device and reducing the energy consumption of the terminal device.

In another possible embodiment D, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the third parameter.

The terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the third parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment E, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the second system frame number, the second subframe number and the third parameter.

For example, the second system frame number, the second subframe number, the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas, and the terminal device may determine the second system frame number and the second subframe number based on the following formulas:

second system frame number×10+second subframe number=system frame number×10+subframe number-floor (R); (equation 8.1)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=system frame number×10+subframe number-ceil (R); (equation 8.2)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=system frame number×10+subframe number-round (R); (equation 8.3)

It should be noted that, formulas 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 may also have one or more variations, such as:

second system frame number×10+second subframe number=floor (system frame number×10+subframe number-R); (equation 8.1.1)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=ceil (system frame number×10+subframe number-R); (equation 8.2.1)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=round (system frame number×10+subframe number-R); (equation 8.3.1)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=system frame number×10+floor (subframe number-R); (equation 8.1.2)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=system frame number×10+ceil (subframe number-R); (equation 8.2.2)

Second system frame number×10+second subframe number=system frame number×10+round (subframe number-R); (equation 8.3.2)

Illustratively, taking the terminal device performing rounding operations (e.g., equation 8.3) based on the examples shown in table 4-4 as an example, the second system frame number and the second subframe number of each DRX cycle determined by the terminal device are shown in table 4-4-1 below:

TABLE 4-4-1

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The terminal device starts the first timer after the time domain positions corresponding to the second system frame number and the second subframe number are shifted rightward by the third parameter.

The terminal device starts a first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the second system frame number, the second subframe number and the third parameter.

In another possible embodiment F, the terminal device determines the start timing of the first timer based on the first information.

For example, if the sixth parameter is positive, the terminal device starts the first timer before the duration indicated by the sixth parameter ending at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, if the sixth parameter is negative, the terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the sixth parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment G, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and the seventh parameter.

The terminal device may start the first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number, the subframe number, and the seventh parameter after determining the seventh parameter based on the sixth parameter.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the duration indicated by the seventh parameter based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

For example, if the seventh parameter is positive, the terminal device starts the first timer before the duration indicated by the seventh parameter ending at the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number. For example, if the seventh parameter is negative, the terminal device starts the first timer after the duration indicated by the seventh parameter from the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment H, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number.

In another possible embodiment I, the terminal device starts the first timer based on the second system frame number, the second subframe number.

The terminal device starts the first timer at a time domain position corresponding to the second system frame number and the second subframe number.

Note that, in any of the above embodiments D, E, G, H, the start timing of the first timer is irrelevant to the sixth parameter, so the first information related to the start timing of the first timer includes a system frame number and a subframe number, which may not include the sixth parameter, and the present application is not limited.

In this embodiment, since the terminal device can generate the sixth parameter related to the DRX cycle, under the action of the sixth parameter, the terminal device can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service, so that the service cycle with a non-integer value can be applied to the DRX mechanism, so that the DRX is matched with the service, further reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, improving the transmission reliability or reducing the transmission delay, and improving the communication quality and efficiency.

In this embodiment, the steps 402a, 402B and 403 shown in fig. 4A may be replaced by the step 403a shown in fig. 4B, i.e. the terminal device performs the step 403a after performing the step 401. Optionally, the terminal device performs step 404 after performing step 403a.

In step 403a, the terminal device determines a system frame number, a subframe number and a sixth parameter related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

In one possible implementation manner, the terminal device may determine the system frame number, the subframe number and the sixth parameter related to the start timing of the first timer through formula 1.2.1 or formula 2.2.1. For specific calculation process, please refer to the corresponding example of the foregoing formula 1.2.1 or the formula 2.2.1, and the description is omitted herein.

In another possible embodiment, the formulas 1.2.1 and 2.2.1 may further have one or more variants, and the terminal device may determine the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter related to the start timing of the first timer based on the variant of the formula 1.2.1 or the variant of the formula 2.2.1. For example, the terminal device may determine the system frame number, the subframe number, and the sixth parameter related to the start timing of the first timer based on equation 1.2.2, equation 2.2.2, or equation 2.2.3.

It should be noted that, in another embodiment, "+r" in equations 1.2 and 2.2 and 1.2.1 and 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 may be replaced by "+r", and "+r" in equations 1.2.2 and 2.2.3 may be replaced by "+r". For example, if the value of the sixth parameter or the seventh parameter or the eighth parameter is positive, it indicates that the value is shifted to the right on the time axis (or in the time domain) based on the second parameter or the seventh parameter or the eighth parameter; if the value of the sixth parameter or the seventh parameter or the eighth parameter is negative, the value is shifted to the left based on the second parameter or the seventh parameter or the eighth parameter on the time axis (or on the time domain); if the value of the sixth parameter or the seventh parameter or the eighth parameter is 0, it means that the offset operation is not performed. In an exemplary embodiment, any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the eighth parameter, the sixth parameter and the third parameter, and the terminal device may determine the eighth parameter based on the following formula:

V=floor [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 7.1.1)

V=ceil [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 7.2.1)

V=round [ (r+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); (equation 7.3.1)

The main flow of another embodiment of the communication method proposed in the present application will be described below with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. As shown in fig. 6A, the terminal device will perform the following steps:

step 601, the network device sends DRX cycle information and a first parameter; accordingly, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

It should be noted that, the DRX cycle information and the first parameter may be preset by the network device and the terminal device, or may be predefined. For example, step 601 may be replaced by: the terminal device acquires the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and correspondingly, the network device acquires the DRX cycle information and the first parameter.

The DRX cycle information is used for indicating the value of the DRX cycle. The DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer. Step 601 is similar to step 201, and please refer to the description of step 201, which is omitted here.

In step 602, the terminal device determines a value range of the ninth parameter based on the first parameter and the DRX cycle information.

The value range of the ninth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value range of the ninth parameter is used for determining a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start time of the first timer.

Optionally, the value of the ninth parameter may be a non-integer or an integer. Optionally, the range of values of the ninth parameter includes non-integers and integers.

Optionally, the values of the ninth parameters used by two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

Optionally, values of the ninth parameters corresponding to the continuous Y DRX cycles are different. And if the DRX cycle takes the value of the first fraction, Y is the denominator of the first fraction. Illustratively, the value of the DRX cycle is (Z/Y) ms. (Z/Y) is a first fraction, and Y is a denominator of the first fraction.

Optionally, the value of the ninth parameter is associated with a non-integer portion of the value of the DRX cycle. It will be appreciated that the transition of the value of the DRX cycle can affect the change of the value of the ninth parameter.

Specifically, the terminal device may determine the value range of the ninth parameter through any one of the following embodiments.

In one possible embodiment, the range of values of the ninth parameter is determined based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and the value of the first parameter, i.e. the terminal device determines the range of values of the ninth parameter based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and the value of the first parameter.

Optionally, if the value of the DRX cycle is the first fraction, the value of the ninth parameter is a sum of the value of the first parameter and the first value. Wherein the first value is X times the inverse of the denominator of the first fraction, wherein X is an integer. Since the values of the DRX cycle and the first parameter are configured by the network device, the inverse of the denominator of the first score is determined, and the value of the first parameter is also determined, and further the values of the ninth parameter are determined by the values of the first values, which are determined by the values of X. Optionally, X is greater than or equal to 0, and X is less than the denominator of the first score.

It should be noted that the process of calculating the plurality of values of the first value by the terminal device is similar to the process of calculating the plurality of values of the sixth parameter by the terminal device in step 402a, and the detailed description in step 402a is omitted here.

In another possible embodiment, the range of values of the ninth parameter is determined based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter, i.e. the terminal device determines the range of values of the ninth parameter based on the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter.

Optionally, if the DRX cycle has a value of a first fraction, the value of the ninth parameter is a sum of the value of the first parameter and the second value. Wherein the second value is the difference between the X times of the reciprocal of the denominator of the first fraction and the non-integer part of the value of the first parameter. Optionally, X is greater than or equal to 0, and X is less than the denominator of the first score.

Alternatively, the non-integer portion of the value of the second value may be represented by the difference between the value of the first parameter and the integer portion of the first parameter.

It should be noted that the process of calculating the plurality of values of the second value by the terminal device is similar to the process of calculating the plurality of values of the sixth parameter by the terminal device in step 402a, and the detailed description in step 402a is omitted here.

In step 603, the terminal device determines a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and a plurality of values in the range of values of the ninth parameter.

Step 603 is an optional step.

It should be noted that, the manner in which the network device determines the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers based on the DRX cycle information and the ninth parameter is similar to the manner in which the terminal device determines the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers based on the DRX cycle information and the ninth parameter, and the description of the manner in which the network device determines the plurality of system frame numbers and the plurality of subframe numbers is omitted herein by taking the terminal device as an example.

In one possible implementation manner, the terminal device may determine the system frame number and the subframe number related to the start timing of the first timer by the following formula 1 or formula 2:

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (drx-LongCycle) =drx-StartOffset'; (equation 1)

[ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (drx-ShortCycle) =drx-StartOffset' module (drx-ShortCycle); (equation 2)

Wherein SFN is a system frame number, subframe number is a subframe number, DRX-LongCycle is a long DRX cycle, DRX-Shortcycle is a short DRX cycle, and DRX-StartOffset' is a ninth parameter.

For example, for equation 1, if drx-longcycle= (50/3) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (50/3) =drx-StartOffset ', where drx-StartOffset' = {0,1/3,2/3}. The results of substituting the value of drx-StartOffset' into the system frame and the subframe obtained by equation 1, respectively, are shown in table 7-1 below.

TABLE 7-1

For example, for equation 1, if drx-longcycle= (100/9) ms and drx-startoffset=0, then [ (sfn×10) +subframe number ] module (100/9) =drx-StartOffset ', where drx-StartOffset' = {0,1/9,2/9,3/9,4/9,5/9,6/9,7/9,8/9}. Based on the same principle, the terminal device brings the values of drx-StartOffset' into the system frame and the subframe obtained by equation 1, respectively, and the results are shown in table 8-1 below.

TABLE 8-1

In step 604, the terminal device starts a first timer based on the system frame number and the subframe number.

It should be noted that, the manner in which the network device starts the first timer based on the system frame number and the subframe number is similar to the manner in which the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number and the subframe number, and the description is omitted in this application by taking the terminal device as an example.

The terminal device starts the first timer after shifting the time duration indicated by the third parameter based on the time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

In this embodiment, the terminal device may determine the ninth parameter based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and further determine a system frame number and a subframe number related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the ninth parameter. Under the action of the ninth parameter, the terminal equipment can calculate the system frame number and the subframe number matched with the service, so that the service period with a value of a non-integer is suitable for the DRX mechanism, DRX and the service are matched, the power consumption of the terminal equipment is further reduced, the transmission reliability is improved, the transmission time delay is reduced, and the communication quality and the communication efficiency are improved.

In this embodiment, the steps 601 and 602 shown in fig. 6A may be replaced with the steps 601a and 602a shown in fig. 6B.

Step 601a, the network device transmits DRX cycle information; accordingly, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle information.

For example, the DRX cycle information may be transmitted to the terminal device after the network device determines. For example, the network device determines DRX cycle information and transmits the DRX cycle information to the terminal device; accordingly, the terminal device receives DRX cycle information from the network device.

It should be noted that, the DRX cycle information may be preset by the network device and the terminal device, or may be predefined. For example, step 601a may be replaced by: the terminal device acquires the DRX cycle information, and correspondingly, the network device acquires the DRX cycle information.

For the description of the DRX cycle information, please refer to the related description in step 201, and the description is omitted here.

Step 602a, the network device sends the value range of the ninth parameter; accordingly, the terminal device receives the range of values of the ninth parameter.

Illustratively, the network device obtains the range of values of the ninth parameter, and then the network device sends the range of values of the ninth parameter to the terminal device, and accordingly, the terminal device receives the range of values of the ninth parameter from the network device. For example, the terminal device receives the range of values of the ninth parameter through proprietary signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or MAC CE or physical layer message, etc., without limitation) or system broadcast message.

Optionally, the network device may obtain the value range of the ninth parameter through any one of the following embodiments:

in one possible implementation, the network device may determine the range of values of the ninth parameter based on the DRX cycle information. The manner in which the network device determines the value range of the ninth parameter based on the DRX cycle information is similar to the manner in which the terminal device determines the value range of the ninth parameter based on the DRX cycle information, please refer to the description related to step 402a, which is not repeated here.

In another possible implementation manner, the network device obtains the value range of the manually configured ninth parameter through the external interface.

In another possible implementation manner, the network device obtains the value range of the ninth parameter from another device (for example, a device of the core network device, the network management device OAM, etc.).

It should be understood that when the terminal device performs the step 601a and the step 602a without performing the step 601 and the step 602, no explicit time sequence is defined between the step 601a and the step 602a, that is, the terminal device may perform the step 601a first and then the step 602a, may perform the step 602a first and then the step 601a, and may also perform the step 601a and the step 602a simultaneously. The specific examples are not limited herein.

It should also be understood that when the terminal device performs step 601a and step 602a simultaneously, the terminal device may obtain the DRX cycle and the range of the ninth parameter through the same message, or may obtain the DRX cycle and the range of the ninth parameter through different messages, respectively. For example, the terminal device receives the DRX cycle through RRC signaling 1, and the terminal device receives the range of values of the ninth parameter through RRC signaling 2. The specific examples are not limited herein.

In this embodiment, the network device may generate a plurality of values of the ninth parameter, and send the plurality of values of the ninth parameter to the terminal device, so that the terminal device uses different ninth parameters in different DRX cycles to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer.

In the embodiment of the present application, the third parameter is taken as a non-negative number as an example, and if the third parameter is an integer, the third parameter is shifted to the right; if the third parameter is equal to 0, the offset is not based on the third parameter. In another possible implementation, the third parameter may also be a non-positive number, and if the third parameter is a negative number, the third parameter is shifted to the left based on the third parameter; if the third parameter is equal to 0, the offset is not based on the third parameter.

In the embodiment of the present application, the starting timing of the first timer is determined based on the third parameter, and another possible implementation may also be that the starting timing of the first timer is determined based on the rounding of the third parameter. The rounding related content of the third parameter is similar to the rounding related content of the second parameter, and will not be described here again.

It should be noted that, considering that the DRX cycle cannot be divided by one superframe, the problem that the DRX may be mismatched with the traffic after crossing the superframe may be solved by adopting different first parameters or third parameters in different superframes, or may be solved by adding additional offset values (where different offset values may be used by different superframes) on the basis of the first parameters or second parameters or third parameters or (system frame number and subframe number) or (first system frame number and first subframe number) or (second system frame number and second subframe number), or may be solved by converting the system frame number/SFN into SFN-M. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the drx-StartOffset in the formula may be replaced by (drx-startoffset+offset value), which is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the system frame number/SFN in the formula may be replaced by SFN-M, which is not limited in the present application. One possible implementation would be an SFN-M ranging from 0 to 999. For example, the SFN-M is determined based on the SFN, and the specific manner of determination is not limited in this application.

It should be noted that different embodiments or portions of steps (e.g., any one or more steps) in different embodiments may be combined with each other to form a new embodiment. It should be noted that, some steps or any one or more steps in different embodiments may include optional steps in a certain embodiment, may also include optional steps in a certain embodiment, and may also include optional steps and optional steps in a certain embodiment, which is not limited in this application.

It is noted that terms and/or descriptions between the various embodiments are consistent and may be referred to each other if not specifically stated or logically conflicting.

It should be noted that the sequence of the steps in the embodiments of the present application is not limited in this application.

In this application, "post", "time", and the like are not strictly limited to time points.

Fig. 7 and 8 are schematic structural diagrams of possible communication devices according to embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiment, so that the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment can also be implemented. In this embodiment of the present application, the communication device may be a terminal device, or may be a network device, or may be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal device or the network device.

As shown in fig. 7, the communication device 70 includes a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702. The communication device 70 may be configured to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments shown in fig. 2, fig. 4A, fig. 4B, fig. 6A, or fig. 6B.

In one design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the terminal device in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 2. The transceiver module 702 in the communication device 70 is configured to obtain DRX cycle information and a first parameter, where the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used to indicate a start offset of DRX. The processing module 701 is configured to determine first information related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and a first parameter, where the first information includes a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter, and a value of the second parameter is related to a non-integer part of the DRX cycle.

In another design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the terminal device in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 4A or fig. 4B. The transceiver module 702 is configured to obtain DRX cycle information and a first parameter, where the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used to indicate a start offset of DRX; the transceiver module 702 is further configured to obtain a value range of a sixth parameter, where the value range of the sixth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value of the sixth parameter is related to a non-integer portion of the value of the DRX cycle; a processing module 701, configured to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information, a plurality of values in a range of values of the first parameter and the sixth parameter.

In another design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the terminal device in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 6A or fig. 6B. The transceiver module 702 is configured to obtain DRX cycle information and a first parameter, where the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used to indicate a start offset of DRX; the processing module 701 is configured to determine a value range of a ninth parameter based on the first parameter and the DRX cycle information, where the value range of the ninth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value range of the ninth parameter is used to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to a start timing of the first timer. Optionally, values of the ninth parameters corresponding to the two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

In one design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the network device in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 2. The processing module 701 in the communication device 70 is configured to determine DRX cycle information and a first parameter, where the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used to indicate a start offset of DRX. The transceiver module 702 is configured to transmit DRX cycle information and a first parameter. The processing module 701 is further configured to determine first information related to a start timing of the first timer based on the DRX cycle information and a first parameter, where the first information includes a system frame number, a subframe number, and a second parameter, and a value of the second parameter is related to a non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle.

In another design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the network device in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 4A or fig. 4B. The processing module 701 in the communication device 70 is configured to determine a range of values of the sixth parameter. The transceiver module 702 is configured to send the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and send a range of values of the sixth parameter. The value of the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of the DRX, the value range of the sixth parameter comprises a plurality of values, and the value of the sixth parameter is related to the non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle. The values in the value ranges of the DRX cycle information, the first parameter, and the sixth parameter are used to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to the start timing of the first timer.

In another design, the communication device 70 is configured to perform the method of the network device in the corresponding embodiment of fig. 6A or fig. 6B. The processing module 701 in the communication device 70 is configured to determine a range of values of the ninth parameter. The transceiver module 702 is configured to send DRX cycle information and a value range of a ninth parameter, where the value of the DRX cycle indicated by the DRX cycle information is a non-integer, and the value range of the ninth parameter includes a plurality of values, and the value ranges of the DRX cycle information and the ninth parameter are used to determine a plurality of system frame numbers and a plurality of subframe numbers related to a start timing of the first timer.

For a more detailed description of the processing module 701 and the transceiver module 702, reference may be made to the relevant description of the method embodiments described above, which are not further described herein. The processing module 701 in the above embodiment may be a processor in a physical device, and the transceiver module 702 may be a transceiver in the physical device.

As shown in fig. 8, the communication device 80 includes a processor 801 and an interface circuit 802. The processor 801 and the interface circuit 802 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 802 may be a transceiver or an input-output interface. Optionally, the communication device 80 may further comprise a memory 803 for storing instructions to be executed by the processor 801 or for storing input data required by the processor 801 to execute instructions or for storing data generated after the processor 801 executes instructions.

When the communication device 80 is used to implement the method in the above method embodiment, the processor 801 is used to execute the functions of the above processing module 701, and the interface circuit 802 is used to execute the functions of the above transceiver module 702.

When the communication device is a chip applied to the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment chip realizes the functions of the terminal equipment in the embodiment of the method. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and the information is sent to the terminal device by the network device; alternatively, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (e.g., radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, which is sent by the terminal device to the network device.

When the communication device is a chip applied to the network equipment, the network equipment chip realizes the functions of the network equipment in the embodiment of the method. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is sent to the network device by the terminal device; alternatively, the network device chip sends information to other modules (e.g., radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which the network device sends to the terminal device.

It is to be appreciated that the processor in embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), but may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, it may be any conventional processor.

The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions may be comprised of corresponding software modules that may be stored in random access memory (random access memory, RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may reside in a network device or terminal device. The processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a network device or terminal device.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part 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 the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer program or instructions may be stored in or transmitted across a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server that integrates one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium, e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, tape; but also optical media such as DVD; but also semiconductor media such as Solid State Disks (SSDs).

Furthermore, the present application provides a computer program product comprising one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. For example, the method associated with the network device of fig. 2, 4A, 4B, 6A, or 6B as described above is implemented. As another example, the method related to the terminal device in fig. 2, fig. 4A, fig. 4B, fig. 6A, or fig. 6B as described above is implemented. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). Computer readable storage media can be any available media that can be stored by a computer or data storage devices such as servers, data centers, etc. that contain an integration of one or more available media. Usable media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital versatile discs (digital versatile disc, DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid State Disks (SSDs)), or the like.

Furthermore, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program to be executed by a processor to implement a method related to a network device as in the foregoing fig. 2, 4A, 4B, 6A or 6B.

Furthermore, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program to be executed by a processor to implement a method related to a terminal device as in the foregoing fig. 2, 4A, 4B, 6A, or 6B.

In the various embodiments of the application, if there is no specific description or logical conflict, terms and/or descriptions between the various embodiments are consistent and may reference each other, and features of the various embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the method embodiments described above may be implemented alone or in combination. The terminology and related techniques involved in the various embodiments may be referenced to each other. That is, the technical solutions of different embodiments that do not contradict or logically conflict may be combined, and the application is not limited.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, which are not repeated herein.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a terminal device obtains Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, wherein the value of a DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX;

the terminal equipment determines first information related to starting time of a first timer based on the DRX period information and the first parameter, wherein the first information comprises a system frame number, a subframe number and a second parameter, and the value of the second parameter is related to a non-integer part of the value of the DRX period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second parameter is an offset based on a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining the position of the substrate comprises,

the terminal equipment determines first information related to the starting time of a first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and the following formula is satisfied:

wherein SFN is the system frame number, subframe number is the subframe number, M is the second parameter, DRX-Long cycle is the long DRX period, DRX-short cycle is the short DRX period, and DRX-StartOffset is the first parameter.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first information, comprising:

and the terminal equipment determines the starting time of the first timer based on the first information and a third parameter, wherein the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first information, comprising:

the terminal equipment starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, a fourth parameter and a third parameter, wherein the fourth parameter is determined based on the second parameter, and the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fourth parameter and the second parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas:

e=floor [ M/a ] ×a; or,

e=ceil [ M/a ] ×a; or,

E＝round[M÷A]×A；

wherein E is the fourth parameter, M is the second parameter, A is the time length of a time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a down rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an up rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the terminal device starts the first timer based on the first information, comprising:

the terminal device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number and a fifth parameter, wherein the fifth parameter is determined based on the second parameter and a third parameter, and the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the fifth parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter:

f=floor [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or,

f=ceil [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or,

F＝round[(M+drx-SlotOffset)÷A]×A；

wherein F is the fifth parameter, M is the second parameter, A is the time length of one time domain unit, floor [ ] represents a downward rounding operation, ceil [ ] represents an upward rounding operation, round [ ] represents a rounding operation, and drx-SlotOffset is the third parameter.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the values of the second parameters corresponding to two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

11. A method of communication, comprising:

the network equipment sends Discontinuous Reception (DRX) period information and a first parameter, wherein the value of the DRX period indicated by the DRX period information is a non-integer, and the first parameter is used for indicating the initial offset of DRX;

the network device determines first information related to starting time of a first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, wherein the first information comprises a system frame number, a subframe number and a second parameter, and the value of the second parameter is related to a non-integer part of the value of the DRX cycle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second parameter is an offset based on a time domain position corresponding to the system frame number and the subframe number.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

the network device determines first information related to starting time of a first timer based on the DRX cycle information and the first parameter, and satisfies the following formula:

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:

the network device starts the first timer based on the first information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the network device starting the first timer based on the first information comprises:

the network device determines the starting time of the first timer based on the first information and a third parameter, wherein the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the network device starting the first timer based on the first information comprises:

the network device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, a fourth parameter, and a third parameter, wherein the fourth parameter is determined based on the second parameter, and the third parameter is drx-SlotOffset.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fourth parameter and the second parameter satisfy any one of the following formulas:

E=floor [ M/a ] ×a; or,

e=ceil [ M/a ] ×a; or,

E＝round[M÷A]×A；

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the network device starting the first timer based on the first information comprises:

the network device starts the first timer based on the system frame number, the subframe number, and a fifth parameter, the fifth parameter being determined based on the second parameter and a third parameter, the third parameter being drx-SlotOffset.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein any one of the following formulas is satisfied among the fifth parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter:

f=floor [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or,

f=ceil [ (m+drx-SlotOffset)/(a ] ×a); or,

F＝round[(M+drx-SlotOffset)÷A]×A；

20. The method according to any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the values of the second parameters corresponding to two adjacent DRX cycles are different.

21. A communication device comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1 to 10 or 11 to 20.

22. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 or 11 to 20.

23. A communication device comprising a processor and a communication interface for receiving signals from other communication devices than the communication device and transmitting to the processor or sending signals from the processor to other communication devices than the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 or 11 to 20 by logic circuitry or executing code instructions.

24. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: computer program code which, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 or 11 to 20.