CN108809569B

CN108809569B - Method and device for terminal to confirm and keep phase-locked loop open

Info

Publication number: CN108809569B
Application number: CN201710309726.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高雪娟; 潘学明
Original assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology CATT
Current assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology CATT; Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-04
Filing date: 2017-05-04
Publication date: 2020-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-04
Also published as: CN108809569A; WO2018201901A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method and a device for a terminal to determine and keep a phase-locked loop open, which are used for solving the problem that DMRS cannot be used for data demodulation due to discontinuous phase of data transmission and corresponding DMRS in the prior art. The method comprises the following steps: and the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to a pre-agreed method or the configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling. In the embodiment of the invention, when the terminal determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop open, the configuration or transmission condition of a pre-agreed method or configuration signaling is considered, so that whether the phase-locked loop is open can be accurately determined, the phase continuity of the data transmission and the corresponding DMRS is ensured, and the DMRS is ensured to be used for data demodulation.

Description

Method and device for terminal to confirm and keep phase-locked loop open

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of pilot frequency technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for a terminal to determine to keep a phase-locked loop open.

Background

With the development and change of the mobile communication service demand, various organizations such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have defined higher requirements for the user plane delay performance of future mobile communication systems. One of the main methods to shorten the user delay performance is to reduce the length of the Transmission Time Interval (TTI), so a short TTI (stti) Transmission scheme is proposed. In the transmission scheme, a subframe may be divided into a plurality of sTTI, for example, when the length of the sTTI is 2 symbols or 3 symbols, one subframe may be divided into 6 sTTI as shown in fig. 1A, which are denoted by sTTI indexes 0-5, where the first sTTI and the last sTTI contain 3 symbols, and the remaining sTTI contain 2 symbols, one subframe contains 0-13, i.e. 14 symbols in total, which are denoted by sync indexes 0-13, and one Slot boundary (Slot boundary) as shown in fig. 1A indicates that one subframe contains two slots.

In the uplink transmission of the sTTI, in order to reduce DeModulation Reference Signal (DMRS) overhead, the UE may support multiple sttis to transmit the DMRS on the same symbol in one sTTI through Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) and/or Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). A DMRS corresponding to data transmitted by a UE in an sTTIx may be transmitted on a symbol in sTTIy that is not adjacent to the sTTIx, and if the UE is not scheduled in the sTTI between the sTTIx and sTTIy, that is, there is no Transmission, the UE may enter a Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) state in the sTTI between the sTTIx and sTTIy for power saving, and at this time, the UE may turn off the radio frequency device, which may cause phase discontinuity of the sTTIx and sTTIy, and thus the DMRS transmitted in the sTTIx may not be used for demodulation of the data transmitted in the sTTIy. The radio frequency device is turned off, mainly a Phase-Locked Loop in the radio frequency device is turned off, and when the Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) is kept on, the Phase of the frequency source in the on period can be ensured to be continuous.

For example, as shown in fig. 1B, when the UE1 is scheduled for data transmission in sTTI1 and sTTI3, the data transmitted by the UE1 in sTTI1 and sTTI3 corresponds to DMRS transmitted in sTTI1 and sTTI3 on the second subcarrier (K) in each Resource Block (RB) in the first symbol in sTTI1_TC1) start one subcarrier mapping apart. At this time, since there is no transmission in the sTTI2 by the UE1, in order to save power, the UE1 may enter the DTX state in the sTTI2 and turn off the radio frequency device for transmission again in the sTTI3, and the switching process of the radio frequency device may cause phase discontinuity in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, so that the DMRS transmitted in the sTTI1 cannot be used for demodulation of data transmitted in the sTTI 3.

For another example, the UE2 is scheduled for data transmission only in the sTTI2, and the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission of the UE2 in the sTTI2 is on the first subcarrier (K) in each RB of the first symbol of the sTTI1_TC0) starts to map one subcarrier apart. At this time, since the UE2 only has transmission on the first symbol in the sTTI1 and no transmission on other symbols in the sTTI1, in order to save power, the UE2 turns off the radio frequency device when the symbols in the sTTI1 except for the DMRS to be transmitted enter a DTX state, and turns on the radio frequency device again for transmission in the sTTI2, a switching process of the radio frequency device may cause phase discontinuity in the sTTI1 and the sTTI2, so that the DMRS transmitted in the sTTI1 cannot be used for demodulation of data transmitted in the sTTI 2.

As can be seen from the above, the phase of data transmission and its corresponding DMRS is discontinuous, so that the DMRS cannot be used for data demodulation. However, there is no relevant solution at present how to ensure the phase continuity of the data transmission and the corresponding DMRS, thereby ensuring that the DMRS can be used for data demodulation.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method and a device for a terminal to determine and keep a phase-locked loop open, which are used for solving the problem that DMRS cannot be used for data demodulation due to discontinuous phase of data transmission and corresponding DMRS in the prior art.

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for a terminal to determine to keep a phase-locked loop turned on, where the method includes:

and the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on or not according to a pre-agreed method or the configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling.

Further, the UE determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to a pre-agreed method includes:

the UE determines to keep the phase locked loop on all the time.

Further, the UE determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the transmission condition includes:

if the UE determines that the time element k1 contains symbols for transmitting the DMRS, the UE determining whether to keep the phase locked loop on includes at least one of the following methods:

the UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on in a time slot or a subframe in which the time unit k1 is located; or

The UE determines that a phase-locked loop is kept on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or

The UE determines that a phase-locked loop is kept on from the starting position of the time unit k1 to the ending position of the time slot or the subframe in which the time unit k1 is located; or

The UE starts a timer and keeps a phase-locked loop open all the time within a preset timing duration; or

And the UE starts a timer, and in the timing process, when the UE determines that a time unit k3 after the time unit k1 contains symbols for transmitting the DMRS, the timing is ended, and the phase-locked loop is kept on before the timing is ended.

Further, the preset timing duration is a first number of symbols symbol, or a second number of slot slots, or a third number of minislots mini-slots, or a fourth number of subframes, or a fifth number of time units, or a sixth number of short transmission time intervals sTTI, where the first number, the second number, the third number, the fourth number, the fifth number, and the sixth number are integers not less than 1.

if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in the time unit k2 is transmitted in the time unit k1, the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on or not, including at least one of the following methods:

the UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on between the time unit k1 and the time unit k 2; or

Keeping a phase-locked loop (PLL) on by the UE from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located; or

The UE keeps the phase locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the slot or subframe where the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located.

Further, before the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, one of the following methods is adopted:

judging whether transmission exists between the time unit k1 and the time unit k2, and if not, carrying out the subsequent steps; or

And judging whether the symbols of the DMRS transmitted in the time unit k1 exist transmission with the time unit k2, and if not, carrying out the subsequent steps.

Further, the UE determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the configuration of the configuration signaling includes:

and the UE receives the configuration signaling and determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication of the configuration signaling.

Further, the UE receives a configuration signaling, and determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication of the configuration signaling by using one of the following methods:

UE receives a high-level signaling, and determines whether to keep a phase-locked loop open according to the indication of the high-level signaling; or

And the UE receives a downlink control channel and determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop open or not according to an indication domain in the downlink control channel.

Further, the high layer signaling is radio resource control RRC signaling or medium access control MAC CE signaling.

Further, there is also a time length for indicating the UE to keep the phase-locked loop turned on in the downlink control channel, and determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the indication field in the downlink control channel includes:

the UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on in a time slot or a subframe in which a time unit k4 is located; or

The UE determines that a phase-locked loop is kept on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the subframe in which the time unit k4 is located; or

The UE determines that a phase-locked loop is kept on from the starting position of the time unit k4 to the ending position of the time slot or the subframe in which the time unit k4 is located;

wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

Further, the UE receiving a downlink control channel, and determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication field in the downlink control channel includes:

and when the UE determines to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on at the starting position or the ending position of the time unit k4 corresponding to the downlink control channel until the time unit k5 corresponding to the received new downlink control channel.

when the UE determines to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, the UE determines to keep the phase-locked loop on in the time slot or the subframe where the time unit k4 is located; or

The UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k4 is located; or

The UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the subframe in which the time unit k4 is located;

when the UE determines to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in the time unit k6 is transmitted in the time unit k4,

the UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on between the time unit k4 and the time unit k 6; or

The UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; or

The UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located;

the time unit k4 and the time unit k6 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel.

when the UE determines to keep the phase-locked loop to be started according to the indication in the downlink control channel, the UE starts a timer and keeps the phase-locked loop to be started all the time within a preset timing duration; or

The UE starts a timer, and in the timing process, when it is determined that a time unit k7 after the time unit k4 contains a symbol for transmitting the DMRS, the timing is ended, and the phase-locked loop is kept to be started until the timing is ended, wherein the time unit k4 and the time unit k7 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel, or the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel, and the time unit k7 is a time unit corresponding to another downlink control channel after the downlink control channel.

Further, the downlink control channel is a downlink control channel using an uplink DCI format or a downlink control channel using a downlink DCI format.

Further, the downlink control channel is used for scheduling at least one time unit.

Further, the time unit is a seventh number of symbols, or an eighth number of minislots, or a ninth number of sTTI, or a tenth number of slots, or an eleventh number of subframes, where the seventh number, the eighth number, the ninth number, the tenth number, and the eleventh number are integers not less than 1.

The embodiment of the invention discloses a device for a terminal to determine and keep a phase-locked loop to be started, which comprises:

the determining module is used for determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to a predetermined method or the configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling;

and the phase-locked loop is used for determining whether to keep on or not according to the result of the determining module.

Further, the determining module is configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop on all the time.

Further, the determining module is configured to determine to keep a phase-locked loop on in a slot or a subframe in which the time element k1 is located if the UE determines that the time element k1 includes a symbol for transmitting the DMRS; or determining to keep a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or determining to keep a phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or starting a timer, and keeping the phase-locked loop to be started all the time within a preset timing duration; or starting a timer, ending the timing when determining that a symbol for transmitting the DMRS is contained in a time unit k3 after the time unit k1 in the timing process, and keeping the phase-locked loop on until the timing is ended.

Further, the determining module is configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop open between the time intervals from the time unit k1 to the time unit k2 if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in the time unit k2 is transmitted in the time unit k 1; or keeping a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located; or keeping the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located.

Further, the apparatus further comprises:

the judging module is used for judging whether transmission exists between the time unit k1 and the time unit k2, and if the transmission does not exist between the time unit k1 and the time unit k2, the determining module is triggered; or judging whether the symbols of the DMRS transmitted in the time unit k1 exist transmission with the time unit k2, if not, triggering a determining module.

Further, the determining module is configured to receive a configuration signaling, and determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication of the configuration signaling.

Further, the determining module is specifically configured to receive a high-level signaling, and determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication of the high-level signaling; or receiving a downlink control channel, and determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop open according to an indication domain in the downlink control channel.

Further, there is also a time length for indicating the domain to indicate the UE to keep the phase-locked loop turned on in the downlink control channel, and the determining module is specifically configured to determine that the phase-locked loop is kept turned on in a time slot or a subframe where the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the starting position of the time unit k4 to the ending position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

Further, the determining module is specifically configured to, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, keep the phase-locked loop on at a start position or an end position of a time unit k4 corresponding to the downlink control channel until a time unit k5 corresponding to a received new downlink control channel.

Further, the determining module is specifically configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop on in a time slot or a subframe in which the time unit k4 is located when determining to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

Further, the determining module is specifically configured to, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, if it is determined that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in the time element k6 is transmitted in the time element k4, determine to keep the phase-locked loop on between the time elements k4 and k 6; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; the time unit k4 and the time unit k6 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel.

Further, the determining module is specifically configured to start a timer when determining to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, and keep the phase-locked loop on for a preset timing duration; or starting a timer, and ending timing when it is determined that a time unit k7 after the time unit k4 contains a symbol for transmitting the DMRS during timing, and keeping the phase-locked loop on until the timing is ended, wherein the time unit k4 and the time unit k7 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel, or the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel, and the time unit k7 is a time unit corresponding to another downlink control channel after the downlink control channel.

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method and a device for a terminal to determine and keep a phase-locked loop open, wherein the method comprises the following steps: and the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to a pre-agreed method or the configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling. In the embodiment of the invention, when the terminal determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop open, the configuration or transmission condition of a pre-agreed method or configuration signaling is considered, so that whether the phase-locked loop is open can be accurately determined, the phase continuity of the data transmission and the corresponding DMRS is ensured, and the DMRS is ensured to be used for data demodulation.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a subframe division manner provided in the prior art;

fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a terminal transmitting data and a DMRS according to the prior art;

fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of a terminal transmitting data and a DMRS according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2B is a schematic diagram of a terminal transmitting data and a DMRS according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a structural diagram of a terminal determining to keep a phase-locked loop turned on according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to ensure that the phase of data transmission and a corresponding DMRS is continuous, so that the DMRS can be used for data demodulation, the embodiment of the invention provides a method and a device for a terminal to determine and keep a phase-locked loop open.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for a terminal to determine and keep a phase-locked loop open, which comprises the following steps:

and the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to a pre-agreed method or the configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling.

In order to ensure that the phase of the data transmission and the corresponding DMRS is continuous, so that the DMRS may be used for data demodulation, in the embodiment of the present invention, when determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, the UE may determine according to a predetermined method, may also determine according to the configuration of the configuration signaling, and may also determine according to a transmission condition.

The following describes in detail the implementation process of the terminal determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to various embodiments.

Example 1:

in the embodiment of the present invention, the determining, by the UE, whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to a predetermined method, specifically, the determining, by the UE, whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the predetermined method includes:

the UE determines to keep the phase locked loop on all the time.

In the embodiment of the invention, the UE keeps a phase-locked loop on (PLL on) without determining whether transmission exists in each time unit, so that the phase continuity of all symbols can be maintained without additional signaling.

Example 2:

in this embodiment of the present invention, the UE may further determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the transmission condition, and specifically, the determining, by the UE, whether to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the transmission condition includes:

In the embodiment of the present invention, the UE may determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the transmission condition, and in this embodiment, when the UE determines that the symbol for transmitting the DMRS is included in the time element k1, it may determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on by using one of the above methods. Only the DMRS may be transmitted in time element k1, or the DMRS and data may be transmitted simultaneously. When determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, specifically, the time when the phase-locked loop is turned on and the time when the phase-locked loop is turned off may also be determined according to the time slot or the subframe in which the time unit k1 is located, or may also be determined according to a timer whose timing duration is a preset timing duration.

The preset timing duration is a first number of symbols symbol, or a second number of slot slots, or a third number of minis-slots, or a fourth number of subframes, or a fifth number of time units, or a sixth number of short transmission time intervals sTTI, where the first number, the second number, the third number, the fourth number, the fifth number, and the sixth number are integers not less than 1.

As shown in fig. 2A, a subframe includes 2 slots, each slot includes 3 sTTI, the first and last sTTI of the subframe include 3 symbols, and the remaining sTTI each include 2 symbols, as shown in fig. 2A. The UE1 determines, according to the scheduling signaling or the predetermined data pilot structure, that data transmission is performed through a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) or a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, and DMRSs corresponding to data in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3 are transmitted on the first symbol in the sTTI 1. Data transmission of other UEs may exist in the sTTI2, and a Resource Element (RE) position blank on a first symbol in the sTTI1 may be used to transmit a DMRS for data in the sTTI 2. For the UE1, its DMRS and corresponding data are transmitted in different sTTI, separated by 1 sTTI 2. In order to ensure DMRS and corresponding data phase continuity, the UE1 may determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on by using one of the following methods in the embodiment of the present invention:

the method comprises the following steps: UE1 determines that the sTTI1 includes symbols for transmitting DMRS, then UE1 determines to keep the phase-locked loop on at the end position of the sTTI1 until the slot or the end position of the subframe where the sTTI1 is located. Since there is a transmission in the sTTI1 itself, the phase locked loop is open in the sTTI 1. After the slot or subframe where the sTTI1 is located, whether the UE1 keeps the phase locked loop on continuously depends on the scheduling and transmission condition of each sTTI in the next slot or subframe, and the specific determination manner is similar to the slot or subframe where the sTTI1 is located.

The method 2 comprises the following steps: the UE1 determines that the sTTI1 includes symbols for transmitting DMRS, the UE1 determines to start a timer at the end position or the start position of the sTTI1, and keeps the phase-locked loop on for the duration of the timer, that is, until the timing ends, if the timer is started at the start position of the sTTI1, the duration of the timer includes the sTTI1 transmission time, and if the timer is started at the end position of the sTTI1, the duration of the timer does not include the sTTI1 transmission time.

For example, if the timing duration is 1 slot or 3 sTTI lengths, if the UE1 starts the timer at the start position of the sTTI1, the phase-locked loop is kept on for the timing duration of the timer, that is, the phase-locked loop is kept on before the end position of the slot where the sTTI1 is located; if the UE1 starts the timer at the end position of the sTTI1, keeping the phase-locked loop on until the corresponding position in the next slot, which satisfies the timing duration with the length of 1 slot from the end position of the sTTI1 to the position.

The method 3 comprises the following steps: the UE1 determines that the sTTI1 contains symbols for transmitting the DMRS, the UE1 determines that a timer is started at the end position or the start position of the sTTI1, the timing duration is 1 subframe or 6 sTTI lengths, the UE1 determines that the sTTI4 contains the DMRS in the timing process, the timing is ended at the end position of the sTTI3, and the phase-locked loop is kept on before the timing is ended. After the timing is finished, whether the phase-locked loop is required to be kept on in the sTTI4 and the following sTTI can be determined in a similar manner as the sTTI 1.

As shown in fig. 2B, a subframe includes 2 slots, each slot includes 3 sTTI, the first and last sTTI of the subframe include 3 symbols, and the remaining sttis each include 2 symbols, as shown in fig. 2B. The UE1 determines that data transmission is performed through a PUSCH or a PUCCH in the sTTI3 according to the scheduling signaling or the predetermined data pilot structure, the DMRS corresponding to the data in the sTTI3 is transmitted on the first symbol in the sTTI1, the UE1 has no transmission on the second and third symbols in the sTTI1, and also has no transmission in the sTTI2, wherein the second and third symbols in the sTTI1 and data transmission of other UEs may exist in the sTTI2, and a blank RE position on the first symbol in the sTTI1 may be used to transmit the DMRS for the data in the sTTI1 and the sTTI 2. For the UE1, DMRS and corresponding data are transmitted in different sTTI, and two symbols in 1 sTTI2 and sTTI1 are separated in between, in order to ensure phase continuity of the DMRS and the corresponding data, in an embodiment of the present invention, the UE1 may determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on by using one of the following methods:

the method comprises the following steps: the UE1 determines that the sTTI1 includes symbols for DMRS transmission, then the UE1 determines that the phase-locked loop is kept on from the end position of the sTTI1 or the end position of the symbols for DMRS transmission in the sTTI1 to the slot or the end position of the subframe where the sTTI1 is located. Whether to keep the phase-locked loop on continuously after the slot or the subframe where the sTTI1 is located depends on the scheduling and transmission condition of each sTTI in the next slot or subframe, and the specific determination manner is similar to the slot or the subframe where the sTTI1 is located.

When the UE1 determines to keep the pll on from the end of the sTTI1, the time unit may be at the sTTI level, since the sTTI1 itself has a transmission on one symbol, the UE1 itself keeps the pll on in the sTTI 1.

When the UE1 determines to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the symbol used to transmit the DMRS in the sTTI1, the time unit may be at the symbol level, since there is only transmission in the first symbol in the sTTI1, then the UE1 itself must keep the phase-locked loop on the first symbol.

The method 2 comprises the following steps: the UE1 determines that the sTTI1 contains symbols for transmitting DMRS, the UE1 determines that at the end position of the sTTI1, or at the start position of the sTTI1, or at the end position of the symbols for transmitting DMRS in the sTTI1, or at the start position of the symbols for transmitting DMRS in the sTTI1, starts a timer, and keeps the phase-locked loop on until the timing ends.

If the timer is started at the start of the sTTI1 and the sTTI1 transmission time is included in the timer duration, and if the timer is started at the end of the sTTI1 and the sTTI1 transmission time is not included in the timer duration, the time unit may be of sTTI level, because the sTTI1 itself has a transmission on one symbol, the UE1 itself keeps the pll on in the sTTI 1.

If the timer is started at the start position of the symbol for transmitting the DMRS in the sTTI1, the transmission time of the symbol for transmitting the DMRS in the sTTI1 is included in the timing duration of the timer, and if the timer is started at the end position of the symbol for transmitting the DMRS in the sTTI1, the transmission time of the symbol for transmitting the DMRS in the sTTI1 is not included in the timing duration of the timer, at which time the time element may be at the symbol level, because there is transmission only in the first symbol in the sTTI1, the UE1 itself must keep the phase locked loop on the first symbol.

For example, if the timing duration is 1 slot or 3 sTTI lengths, if the UE1 starts the timer at the start position of the sTTI1, and keeps the phase-locked loop on for the duration of the timer, then keeps the phase-locked loop on before the slot end position of the sTTI 1; if the UE1 starts the timer at the end position of the sTTI1, keeping the phase-locked loop on until the corresponding position in the next slot, which satisfies the timing duration with the length of 1 slot from the end position of the sTTI1 to the position.

In the above embodiment, when the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, only the time cell used for transmitting the symbol of the DMRS may be determined, so that the above method is employed to determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on. In addition, when determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, the UE may also determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the time element k2 for transmitting data and the time element k1 in which the DMRS corresponding to the data is located. Specifically, the determining, by the UE, whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the transmission condition includes:

As shown in fig. 2A, when the UE1 determines that the DMRS corresponding to data transmission in the sTTI3 is transmitted in the sTTI1, the UE1 determines that the phase-locked loop is kept on between the intervals of the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, that is, the phase-locked loop is kept on in the sTTI2, because there is transmission in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, the phase-locked loop is kept on in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, and the state of the phase-locked loop after the sTTI3 depends on the specific transmission condition of the subsequent sTTI, and the determination manner is similar to the above process.

As shown in fig. 2B, when the UE1 determines that the DMRS corresponding to data transmission in the sTTI3 is transmitted in the sTTI1, the UE1 determines that the phase-locked loop is kept open between the time intervals of the sTTI1 to the sTTI 3. Specifically, the time unit may be at the sTTI level, because there is a transmission on one symbol in the sTTI1, the UE itself keeps the pll on in the sTTI1, and thus it can be understood that the pll needs to keep on only in the sTTI2 when the time interval from the sTTI1 to the sTTI3 is between the sTTI 3; or the time unit may be symbol level, because the first symbol of the sTTI1 and the transmission itself in the sTTI3 keep the pll on in the first symbol of the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, and the remaining symbols where no transmission exists and the sTTI to save power, the UE keeps the pll on between the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, so it can be understood that the pll needs to keep the pll on in the second and third symbols of the sTTI1 and the sTTI 2.

The phase-locked loop state after sTTI3 depends on the specific transmission of the following sTTI, and the determination is similar to the above process.

In the above embodiment, as long as the time unit k1 and the time unit k2 are determined, the phase-locked loop can be kept on between the time unit k1 and the time unit k2 in order to keep the phase continuous regardless of whether there is transmission between the time unit k1 and the time unit k 2. In practice, there may be transmission between time unit k1 and time unit k2 when in use, and the phase-locked loop of the UE must be kept on, and the phase is continuous even without the control method of the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in order to achieve the effect of saving power, before the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, one of the following methods is adopted:

When the UE determines that there is no transmission between the time cell k1 and the time cell k2, or there is no transmission between the time cell k1 and the time cell k2, the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on, which may specifically adopt any one of the following methods:

the UE determines to keep a phase-locked loop on between the time unit k1 and the time unit k 2; or keeping a phase-locked loop on by the UE from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located; or keeping the phase-locked loop on by the UE from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located.

And the UE may turn off the rf device such as the rf chip PA between the time unit k1 and the time unit k2, so as to achieve the power saving effect.

As shown in fig. 2A, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, when the UE1 determines that the DMRS corresponding to data transmission in the sTTI3 is transmitted in the sTTI1, and determines that the UE1 does not transmit in the sTTI2 between the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, the UE1 determines that the pll is kept on between the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, that is, the pll is kept on in the sTTI2, because there is transmission in both the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, the UE1 keeps the pll on in both the sTTI1 and the sTTI 3. The phase-locked loop state after sTTI3 depends on the specific transmission of the following sTTI, and the determination is similar to the above process.

As shown in fig. 2B, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, when the UE1 determines that the DMRS corresponding to data transmission in the sTTI3 is transmitted in the sTTI1, and the UE1 does not transmit in the second and third symbols of the sTTI2 and/or the sTTI1, the UE1 determines that the phase-locked loop is kept on between time intervals of the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, specifically, the time unit may be at the sTTI level, because there is transmission on one symbol in the sTTI1, the UE itself keeps the phase-locked loop on in the sTTI1, and thus it can be understood that the phase-locked loop is kept on between time intervals of the sTTI1 and the sTTI3 only needs to keep the phase-locked loop on in the sTTI 2; or the time unit may be symbol level, because the first symbol of the sTTI1 and the transmission itself in the sTTI3 keep the pll on in the first symbol of the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, and the remaining symbols where no transmission exists and the sTTI to save power, the UE keeps the pll on between the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, so it can be understood that the pll needs to keep the pll on in the second and third symbols of the sTTI1 and the sTTI 2.

The status of the PLL after sTTI3 depends on the specific transmission of the following sTTI, and is determined in a similar manner as described above.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the time unit may be a seventh number of symbols, or an eighth number of minislots, or a ninth number of sTTI, or a tenth number of slots, or an eleventh number of subframes, where the seventh number, the eighth number, the ninth number, the tenth number, and the eleventh number are integers not less than 1.

Example 3:

in order to implement flexible configuration, when determining whether to start to maintain the phase-locked loop, the UE may further determine according to configuration of the configuration signaling, specifically, determining, according to the configuration of the configuration signaling, whether to maintain the phase-locked loop to be turned on includes:

The configuration signaling is sent by the network side device to the UE, and may be sent by the eNB, for example.

Specifically, the UE receives a configuration signaling, and determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication of the configuration signaling by using one of the following methods:

When the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication of the high-level signaling, specifically, a network side device (eNB) may determine a transmission condition of the UE in advance, send the high-level signaling to the UE, configure whether the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on through the high-level signaling, when the UE receives the high-level signaling, if the high-level signaling indicates that the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on, and if the UE receives the high-level signaling indicates that the UE closes the phase-locked loop, the UE closes the phase-locked loop.

The high layer signaling may be Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or Media Access Control (MAC CE) signaling.

For example, as shown in fig. 2A or 2B, the UE1 receives the higher layer signaling, and determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication of the higher layer signaling. Specifically, the eNB determines in advance that the UE1 will be scheduled similarly to fig. 2A or fig. 2B, and configures in advance, through a high-level signaling, whether the UE1 keeps the phase-locked loop open, when the UE receives the high-level signaling, if the high-level signaling indicates that the UE keeps the phase-locked loop open, the UE1 keeps the phase-locked loop open, and if the UE receives the high-level signaling indicates that the UE closes the phase-locked loop, the UE closes the phase-locked loop.

When the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the configuration signaling, it may also determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the received indication field in the downlink control channel.

Wherein the indication field in the downlink control channel may be always valid or may be valid only under certain conditions. When the indication field can be always valid, the UE needs to always acquire the indication content of the indication field, that is, the UE needs to acquire the indication content of the indication field in each time unit scheduled by the downlink control channel; when the indication field is valid under a specific condition, the UE only needs to acquire the indication content of the indication field under the specific condition, for example, the UE may need to acquire the indication content of the indication field when the time unit scheduled by the downlink control channel includes a symbol for transmitting the DMRS.

The Downlink control channel is a Downlink control channel using a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format or a Downlink control channel using a Downlink DCI format.

The downlink control channel is used for scheduling at least one time unit.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the indication field of the downlink control channel may not only indicate whether the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on, but also indicate a time length for the UE to keep the phase-locked loop on in the indication field, where when the indication field also exists in the downlink control channel, the time length for the UE to keep the phase-locked loop on indicates that the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on, and the determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication field in the downlink control channel includes:

For example, as shown in fig. 2A or 2B, in the diagram of the terminal for transmitting data and DMRS, the UE1 determines the time length for keeping the phase-locked loop on according to the indication field of the downlink control channel, and keeps the phase-locked loop on according to the time length.

If the time length that the indication domain indicates that the UE keeps the phase-locked loop to be started does not exist in the indication domain of the downlink control channel, the UE receives the downlink control channel, and whether the phase-locked loop is kept to be started or not is determined according to the indication domain in the downlink control channel comprises the following steps:

As shown in fig. 2A, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, according to the indication in the downlink control channel, the UE1 determines to keep the phase-locked loop open from the end position of the sTTI1 until the sTTIy corresponding to the new downlink control channel is received, and whether to keep the phase-locked loop open at the beginning of the sTTIy may be determined according to the downlink control channel corresponding to the sTTIy.

As shown in fig. 2B, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, according to the indication in the downlink control channel, the UE1 determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop open from the end position of the sTTI1, or to keep the phase-locked loop open from the end position of the symbol used for transmitting DMRS in the sTTI1, until receiving sTTIy corresponding to a new downlink control channel, and whether to keep the phase-locked loop open at the beginning of the sTTIy, may be determined according to the downlink control channel corresponding to the sTTIy.

In the above embodiments, the time unit may be at the sTTI level, and when the UE1 determines to keep the pll on from the end position of the sTTI1, since the sTTI1 itself has a transmission on one symbol, the UE1 itself keeps the pll on in the sTTI 1.

The time units may also be symbol-level, when the UE1 determines to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the symbol in the sTTI1 used to transmit the DMRS, since there is only transmission in the first symbol in the sTTI1, the UE1 itself will keep the phase-locked loop on the first symbol.

If the indication domain does not exist in the indication domain of the downlink control channel, the UE indicates the UE to keep the phase-locked loop on for a time length, the UE receives the downlink control channel, and determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication domain in the downlink control channel may further include:

As shown in the diagram of fig. 2A for UE transmission data and DMRS, the UE1 determines to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the sTTI1 until the slot or the end position of the subframe where the sTTI1 is located. Since there is a transmission in the sTTI1 itself, the phase locked loop is open in the sTTI 1. After the slot or subframe where the sTTI1 is located, whether the UE1 keeps the phase locked loop on continuously depends on the scheduling and transmission condition of each sTTI in the next slot or subframe, and the specific determination manner is similar to the slot or subframe where the sTTI1 is located.

As shown in the diagram of fig. 2B for the terminal to transmit data and DMRS, the UE1 determines to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the sTTI1 or the end position of the symbol in the sTTI1 for transmitting DMRS until the slot or the end position of the subframe where the sTTI1 is located. Whether to keep the phase-locked loop on continuously after the slot or the subframe where the sTTI1 is located depends on the scheduling and transmission condition of each sTTI in the next slot, and the specific determination manner is similar to the slot or the subframe where the sTTI1 is located.

When the UE1 determines to keep the pll on from the end position in the sTTI1, the time unit may be at the sTTI level, since the sTTI1 itself has a transmission on one symbol, the UE1 itself keeps the pll on in the sTTI 1.

As shown in fig. 2A, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, a UE1 determines that a DMRS corresponding to data transmission in an sTTI3 is transmitted in an sTTI1 according to a downlink control channel corresponding to an sTTI3, then the UE1 determines that a phase-locked loop is kept on between time intervals of sTTI1 and sTTI3, that is, the phase-locked loop is kept on in an sTTI2, because there is transmission in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, the UE1 itself keeps the phase-locked loop on in the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, and the state of the phase-locked loop after the sTTI3 depends on the specific transmission condition of the subsequent sTTI, and the determination manner is similar to the above process.

As shown in fig. 2B, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, the UE1 determines that the DMRS corresponding to data transmission in the sTTI3 is transmitted in the sTTI1 according to the downlink control channel corresponding to the sTTI3, and then the UE1 determines that the phase-locked loop is kept open between the time intervals of the sTTI1 and the sTTI 3. Specifically, the time unit may be at the sTTI level, because there is a transmission on one symbol in the sTTI1, the UE itself keeps the pll on in the sTTI1, and thus it can be understood that the pll needs to keep on only in the sTTI2 when the time interval from the sTTI1 to the sTTI3 is between the sTTI 3; or the time unit may be symbol level, because the first symbol of the sTTI1 and the transmission itself in the sTTI3 keep the pll on in the first symbol of the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, and the remaining symbols where no transmission exists and the sTTI to save power, the UE keeps the pll on between the sTTI1 and the sTTI3, so it can be understood that the pll needs to keep the pll on in the second and third symbols of the sTTI1 and the sTTI 2.

As shown in fig. 2A, in the schematic diagram of UE transmitting data and DMRS, the UE starts a timer at the end position or the start position of the sTTI1, and keeps the pll on until the end of the timing within the timing duration of the timer, and if the timer is started at the start position of the sTTI1, the timing duration of the timer contains the sTTI1 transmission time, and if the timer is started at the end position of the sTTI1, the timing duration of the timer does not contain the sTTI1 transmission time.

For example, if the timing duration is 1 slot or 3 sTTI lengths, if the UE1 starts the timer at the start position of the sTTI1 and keeps the pll on for the duration of the timer, the pll is kept on before the slot end position of the sTTI1, and if the UE1 starts the timer at the end position of the sTTI1, the pll is kept on until the corresponding position in the next slot, where the corresponding position satisfies the duration of 1 slot from the end position of the sTTI1 to the position.

Or the UE1 determines to start a timer at the end position or the start position of the sTTI1, the timing duration is 1 subframe or 6 sTTI lengths, and the UE1 determines that the sTTI4 includes the DMRS during the timing process, ends the timing at the end position of the sTTI3, and keeps the phase-locked loop on before ending the timing. After the timing is finished, whether the phase-locked loop is required to be kept on in the sTTI4 and the following sTTI can be determined in a similar manner as the sTTI 1.

As shown in the diagram of fig. 2B for the terminal to transmit data and DMRS, the UE starts a timer at the end position of the sTTI1, or at the start position of the sTTI1, or at the end position of the symbol used for transmitting DMRS in the sTTI1, or at the start position of the symbol used for transmitting DMRS in the sTTI1, and keeps the phase-locked loop open until the timing ends.

Or the UE1 determines to start a timer at the ending position or the starting position of the sTTI1, the timing duration is 1 subframe or 6 sTTI lengths, and the UE1 determines that the sTTI4 includes the DMRS during the timing process, ends the timing at the ending position of the sTTI3, and keeps the phase-locked loop on before ending the timing; after the timing is finished, whether the phase-locked loop is required to be kept on in the sTTI4 and the following sTTI is determined, which may be performed in a similar manner as the sTTI1 described above

In this embodiment of the present invention, the time unit is a seventh number of symbols, or an eighth number of minislots, or a ninth number of sTTI, a tenth number of slots, or an eleventh number of subframes, where the seventh number, the eighth number, the ninth number, the tenth number, and the eleventh number are integers not less than 1. The sTTI length is 2 or 3 symbols, but may also be other numbers of symbols, for example, 4 symbols; the minislot is 1 or 2 or 3 symbols, but may be other numbers of symbols, such as 4 symbols or more than 4 symbols.

The time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel is a time unit where a PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) scheduled by the downlink control channel is located, or a time unit where ACK/NACK (acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement) feedback transmission corresponding to the downlink control channel or a time unit where ACK/NACK feedback transmission corresponding to a PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel) scheduled by the downlink control channel is located.

Fig. 3 is an apparatus for determining to keep a phase-locked loop turned on by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the apparatus includes:

a determining module 31, configured to determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to a predetermined method or configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling;

a phase locked loop 32 for determining whether to remain on based on the result of the determination module.

The determining module 31 is configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop on all the time.

The determining module 31 is configured to determine to keep a phase-locked loop on in a slot or a subframe in which a time element k1 is located if the UE determines that the time element k1 contains a symbol for transmitting a DMRS; or determining to keep a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or determining to keep a phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or starting a timer, and keeping the phase-locked loop to be started all the time within a preset timing duration; or starting a timer, ending the timing when determining that a symbol for transmitting the DMRS is contained in a time unit k3 after the time unit k1 in the timing process, and keeping the phase-locked loop on until the timing is ended.

The determining module 31 is configured to determine to keep a phase-locked loop on between time intervals from the time unit k1 to the time unit k2 if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in the time unit k2 is transmitted in the time unit k 1; or keeping a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located; or keeping the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located.

The device further comprises:

a determining module 33, configured to determine whether there is transmission between the time unit k1 and the time unit k2, and if not, trigger the determining module 31; or judging whether the symbols of the DMRS transmitted in the time unit k1 and the time unit k2 have transmission, and if not, triggering the determining module 31.

The determining module 31 is configured to receive a configuration signaling, and determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication of the configuration signaling.

The determining module 31 is specifically configured to receive a high-level signaling, and determine whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to an indication of the high-level signaling; or receiving a downlink control channel, and determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop open according to an indication domain in the downlink control channel.

The downlink control channel further has a time length indicating that the UE keeps the phase-locked loop turned on, and the determining module 31 is specifically configured to determine that the phase-locked loop is kept turned on in a time slot or a subframe where the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the starting position of the time unit k4 to the ending position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

The determining module 31 is specifically configured to, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, keep the phase-locked loop turned on at a start position or an end position of a time unit k4 corresponding to the downlink control channel until a time unit k5 corresponding to a new received downlink control channel.

The determining module 31 is specifically configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop turned on in a time slot or a subframe where a time unit k4 is located when determining to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the indication in the downlink control channel; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

The determining module 31 is specifically configured to, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, determine to keep the phase-locked loop on between a time interval from the time element k4 to the time element k6 if it is determined that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in the time element k6 is transmitted in the time element k 4; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; the time unit k4 and the time unit k6 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel.

The determining module 31 is specifically configured to start a timer when determining to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, and keep the phase-locked loop on for a preset timing duration; or starting a timer, and ending timing when it is determined that a time unit k7 after the time unit k4 contains a symbol for transmitting the DMRS during timing, and keeping the phase-locked loop on until the timing is ended, wherein the time unit k4 and the time unit k7 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel, or the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel, and the time unit k7 is a time unit corresponding to another downlink control channel after the downlink control channel.

The specific above apparatus may be located in a UE.

For the system/apparatus embodiments, since they are substantially similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and reference may be made to some descriptions of the method embodiments for relevant points.

It is to be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or operations.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely application embodiment, or an embodiment combining application and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

While the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including preferred embodiments and all alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the application.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

Claims

1. A method for a terminal to determine to keep a phase-locked loop on, the method comprising:

the UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop open according to a predetermined method or the configuration or transmission condition of the configuration signaling;

wherein the UE determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the transmission condition comprises:

The UE starts a timer, and in the timing process, when the time unit k3 after the time unit k1 is determined to contain symbols for transmitting the DMRS, the timing is ended, and the phase-locked loop is kept open before the timing is ended; and/or

The UE determines whether to keep the phase-locked loop open according to the transmission condition, and the method comprises the following steps:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE determining whether to keep a phase locked loop on according to a pre-agreed method comprises:

the UE determines to keep the phase locked loop on all the time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preset timing duration is a first number of symbols symbol, or a second number of slot slots, or a third number of minislots mini-slots, or a fourth number of subframes, or a fifth number of time units, or a sixth number of short transmission time intervals sTTI, wherein the first number, the second number, the third number, the fourth number, the fifth number, and the sixth number are integers not less than 1.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in time element k2 is transmitted in time element k1, before the UE determines whether to keep the phase locked loop on, one of the following methods is used:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE determining whether to keep a phase-locked loop on based on the configuration of the configuration signaling comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the UE receives configuration signaling, and wherein the determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on is performed according to an indication of the configuration signaling by one of:

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the higher layer signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or medium access control (MAC CE) signaling.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein an indication field further exists in the downlink control channel to indicate a time length for which the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on, and the determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication field in the downlink control channel comprises:

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the UE receives a downlink control channel, and wherein determining whether to keep a phase-locked loop on based on an indicator field in the downlink control channel comprises:

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the UE receives a downlink control channel, and wherein determining whether to keep a phase-locked loop on based on an indicator field in the downlink control channel comprises:

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the UE receives a downlink control channel, and wherein determining whether to keep a phase-locked loop on based on an indicator field in the downlink control channel comprises:

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the UE receives a downlink control channel, and wherein determining whether to keep a phase-locked loop on based on an indicator field in the downlink control channel comprises:

The UE starts a timer, and in the timing process, when it is determined that a time unit k7 after a time unit k4 contains a symbol for transmitting the DMRS, the timing is ended, and the phase-locked loop is kept to be started until the timing is ended, wherein the time unit k4 and the time unit k7 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel, or the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel, and the time unit k7 is a time unit corresponding to another downlink control channel after the downlink control channel.

13. The method of any one of claims 6 or 8-12, wherein the downlink control channel is a downlink control channel using an uplink DCI format or a downlink control channel using a downlink DCI format.

14. The method according to any of claims 6 or 8-12, wherein the downlink control channel is used for scheduling at least one time unit.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the time unit is a seventh number of symbols, or an eighth number of minislots, or a ninth number of sTTI, or a tenth number of slots, or an eleventh number of subframes, wherein the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh numbers are integers not less than 1.

16. An apparatus for a terminal to determine to hold a phase locked loop on, the apparatus comprising:

the phase-locked loop is used for determining whether to keep on or not according to the result of the determining module;

the determining module is configured to determine to keep a phase-locked loop on in a slot or a subframe in which a time element k1 is located if the UE determines that the time element k1 contains a symbol for transmitting the DMRS; or determining to keep a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or determining to keep a phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 is located; or starting a timer, and keeping the phase-locked loop to be started all the time within a preset timing duration; or starting a timer, ending the timing when determining that a time unit k3 after the time unit k1 contains symbols for transmitting the DMRS in the timing process, and keeping the phase-locked loop open until the timing is ended; and/or

The determining module is configured to determine to keep a phase-locked loop open between time intervals from time unit k1 to time unit k2 if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in time unit k2 is transmitted in time unit k 1; or keeping a phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located; or keeping the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k1 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k1 or the time unit k2 is located.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the determining module is configured to determine to keep a phase locked loop on at all times.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a judging module, configured to, if the UE determines that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in time element k2 is transmitted in time element k1, judge whether there is transmission between time element k1 and time element k2, and if not, trigger the determining module; or judging whether the symbols of the DMRS transmitted in the time unit k1 exist transmission with the time unit k2, if not, triggering a determining module.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the determining module is configured to receive configuration signaling and determine whether to keep a phase locked loop on based on an indication of the configuration signaling.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the determining module is specifically configured to receive a higher layer signaling, and determine whether to keep the phase locked loop on according to an indication of the higher layer signaling; or receiving a downlink control channel, and determining whether to keep the phase-locked loop open according to an indication domain in the downlink control channel.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein there is also a time length indicating that the UE keeps the phase-locked loop on in the downlink control channel, and the determining module is specifically configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop on in a time slot or a subframe in which a time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the starting position of the time unit k4 to the ending position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the determining module is specifically configured to, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop turned on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, keep the phase-locked loop turned on at a start position or an end position of a time unit k4 corresponding to the downlink control channel until a time unit k5 corresponding to a new received downlink control channel.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the determining module is specifically configured to determine to keep the phase-locked loop on in a time slot or a subframe in which time unit k4 is located, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or the sub-frame in which the time unit k4 is located; wherein the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the determining module is specifically configured to, when it is determined to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, if it is determined that the DMRS corresponding to the data transmission in time element k6 is transmitted in time element k4, determine to keep the phase-locked loop on between the time elements k4 and k 6; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the end position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or subframe in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; or determining to keep the phase-locked loop on from the start position of the time unit k4 to the end position of the time slot or sub-frame in which the time unit k4 or the time unit k6 is located; the time unit k4 and the time unit k6 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel.

25. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the determining module is specifically configured to start a timer when determining to keep the phase-locked loop on according to the indication in the downlink control channel, and keep the phase-locked loop on for a preset timing duration; or starting a timer, and ending timing when it is determined that a time unit k7 after a time unit k4 contains a symbol for transmitting the DMRS during timing, and keeping the phase-locked loop on until the timing is ended, wherein the time unit k4 and the time unit k7 are time units corresponding to the downlink control channel, or the time unit k4 is a time unit corresponding to the downlink control channel, and the time unit k7 is a time unit corresponding to another downlink control channel after the downlink control channel.