CN113115593B

CN113115593B - Apparatus and method for discontinuous reception of apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN113115593B
Application number: CN201980035066.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 石聪; 田文强
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-12
Filing date: 2019-11-13
Publication date: 2023-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-13
Also published as: CN113115593A; WO2020098718A1

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for discontinuous reception of the apparatus are provided. The method comprises receiving a signal from a network node, wherein the signal indicates whether a user equipment follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the method comprises following the COT structure or the DRX configuration depending on the signal.

Description

Apparatus and method for discontinuous reception of apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication systems, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for discontinuous reception of the apparatus.

Background

For Discontinuous Reception (DRX) operation in new radios in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), some possible problems are as follows.

1. During the DRX on duration (on duration), if a channel is not available, a network node (e.g., NR base station (gNB)) cannot transmit a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) even if a User Equipment (UE) is monitoring the channel, which results in unnecessary PDCCH monitoring.

2. During the DRX on duration, after the gNB occupied channel reaches a Maximum Channel Occupied Time (MCOT), the gNB needs to perform random backoff, during which the gNB cannot transmit a PDCCH signal even though the UE is monitoring the channel.

During the DRX off duration (off duration), the gNB still cannot transmit the PDCCH since the UE is not monitoring the channel if the channel is available.

Accordingly, there is a need to propose an apparatus and a method for discontinuous reception of the apparatus, which can solve the problems of the prior art, reduce power consumption and improve reliability.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to propose an apparatus and a method for discontinuous reception of the apparatus, which can solve the problems of the prior art, reduce power consumption and improve reliability.

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a user equipment for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver. The processor is configured to control the transceiver to receive a signal from the network node, wherein the signal indicates whether the processor follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the processor is configured to follow the COT structure or the DRX configuration in accordance with the signal.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) of a user equipment includes: a signal is received from a network node, wherein the signal indicates whether a user equipment follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the method comprises following the COT structure or the DRX configuration in dependence on the signal.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a network node for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver. The processor is configured to control the transceiver to transmit a signal to the user equipment, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the processor is configured to control the user equipment to follow the COT structure or the DRX configuration in accordance with the signal.

In a fourth aspect of the disclosure, a method for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) of a network node includes transmitting a signal to a user equipment, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the method includes controlling the user equipment to follow the COT structure or the DRX configuration according to the signal.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the above-described method.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device includes a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory to perform the above-described method.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a base station includes a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory to perform the above-described method.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or related techniques, the drawings described in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It is evident that these drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and that a person of ordinary skill in the art may obtain other drawings from these drawings without undue effort.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary illustration of a connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a user equipment and a network node for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for Discontinuous Reception (DRX) of a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary illustration of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary illustration of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a system for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings by technical contents, structural features, achieved objects and effects. In particular, the terminology in the embodiments of the disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

In a new wireless (NR) grant operation, discontinuous Reception (DRX) operation is configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC). In NR and Long Term Evolution (LTE) operations, a Medium Access Control (MAC) entity may be configured by RRC with a DRX function that controls Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring activities of a user equipment's cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for the MAC entity, a configured scheduling RNTI (CS-RNTI), an interrupt RNTI (INT-RNTI), a slot format indication RNTI (SFI-RNTI), a semi-persistent channel state information RNTI (SP-CSI-RNTI), a transmit power control-physical uplink control channel-RNTI (TPC-PUCCH-RNTI), a TPC-physical uplink shared channel-RNTI (TPC-PUSCH-RNTI), and a TPC-sounding reference symbol-RNTI (TPC-SRS-RNTI).

The C-RNTI is a unique identity for identifying RRC connection and scheduling dedicated to a particular UE. A network node such as a gNB assigns different C-RNTI values to different UEs. The gNB uses the C-RNTI to allocate uplink grants, downlink allocations, etc. to the UE. The C-RNTI is used by the gNB to distinguish uplink transmissions (e.g., PUSCH and/or PUCCH) of the UE from other.

The TPC RNTI is used for uplink power control. There are three types of TPC-RNTI, namely TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI and TPC-SRS-RNTI. The TPC RNTI is allocated to a group of UEs. The gNB may configure TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI and TPC-SRS-RNTI to the UE via higher layer signaling such as RRC.

While in RRC connected operation, the MAC entity may monitor the PDCCH discontinuously using DRX operation if DRX operation is configured, otherwise the MAC entity monitors the PDCCH continuously.

In some embodiments, when the DRX cycle is configured, the activation time includes a time when a DRX on duration timer (DRX on duration timer), a DRX inactivity timer (DRX inactivity timer), a DRX retransmission timer for Downlink (DL) (DRX retransmission timer for downlink), a DRX retransmission timer for Uplink (UL) (DRX retransmission timer for uplink), or a ra contention resolution timer (ra-contention resolution timer) is running.

In some embodiments, when configuring the DRX cycle, the scheduling request is sent on PUCCH and pending.

In some embodiments, when configuring the DRX cycle, a PDCCH indicating a new transmission of the C-RNTI addressed to the MAC entity has not been received after successfully receiving a random access response of a random access preamble of the contention-based random access preamble that was not selected by the MAC entity.

In some embodiments, DRX operation may also be configured to control the behavior of paging monitoring for RRC idle and inactive modes. The UE may use Discontinuous Reception (DRX) in RRC idle and inactive modes in order to reduce power consumption. The UE monitors one Paging Occasion (PO) per DRX cycle. The PO is a set of PDCCH monitoring occasions, which may contain a number of slots (e.g., subframes or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols) in which paging DCI may be transmitted. A Paging Frame (PF) is a radio frame that may contain one or more POs or POs origination points.

One example of a connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) operation is shown in fig. 1. The DRX short cycle is 5 ms, the DRX on duration timer is 1 ms, and the DRX inactivity timer is 3 ms.

The NR unauthorized operation is as follows. For NR unauthorized operation, the sender needs to perform Listen Before Talk (LBT) when a transmission is initiated. The Maximum Channel Occupation Time (MCOT) is different according to the type of LBT. In LTE Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), the eNB does not continuously transmit for a period exceeding the Tmcot shown in table 1 on the channel on which the LAA Scell transmission is performed.

Table 1

In some embodiments, in NR, the LBT type has not been determined, but its principle is expected to be similar to LTE LAA, and the indication of the COT structure in the time domain is considered beneficial, except for the functionality provided by DCI format 2_0 in release 15 NR. This means that for NR-U, the gNB may indicate the COT structure to the UE.

Fig. 2 illustrates that in some embodiments, a User Equipment (UE) 10 and a network node 20, such as a gNB for Discontinuous Reception (DRX), are provided in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 10 may include a processor 11, a memory 12, and a transceiver 13. Network node 20 may include a processor 21, a memory 22, and a transceiver 23. The

processor

11 or 21 may be configured to implement the proposed functions, processes and/or methods described in the present specification. The layers of the radio interface protocol may be implemented in the

processor

11 or 21. The

memory

12 or 22 is operatively coupled to the

processor

11 or 21 and stores various information to operate the

processor

11 or 21. The

transceiver

13 or 23 is operatively coupled to the

processor

11 or 21, and the

transceiver

13 or 23 transmits and/or receives radio signals.

The

processor

11 or 21 may include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), other chipset, logic circuit, and/or data processing device.

Memory

12 or 22 may include Read Only Memory (ROM), random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, memory cards, storage media, and/or other storage devices. The

transceiver

13 or 23 may include baseband circuitry to process radio frequency signals. When the embodiments are implemented in software, the techniques described herein may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. These modules may be stored in the

memory

12 or 22 and executed by the

processor

11 or 21. The

memory

12 or 22 may be implemented within the

processor

11 or 21 or external to the

processor

11 or 21, in which case the

memory

12 or 22 can be communicatively coupled to the

processor

11 or 21 via various means as is known in the art.

According to the side-chain technology developed by the third generation partnership project (3 GPP) releases 14, 15, 16 and beyond, communication between UEs involves vehicle-to-all (V2X) communications including vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) and vehicle-to-infrastructure/network (V2I/N). UEs communicate directly with each other through a side-chain interface such as a PC5 interface.

In some embodiments, processor 11 is configured to control transceiver 13 to receive a signal from network node 20, wherein the signal indicates whether processor 11 follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and processor 11 is configured to follow the COT structure or the DRX configuration according to the signal.

In some embodiments, the processor 11 is configured to control the transceiver 13 to receive DRX configurations from the network node 20 via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, the signal is also indicative of a COT structure. In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted in Downlink Control Information (DCI), a Medium Access Control (MAC) signal, or a sequence.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the processor 11 follows a Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT) of the COT structure, the processor 11 monitors a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state. In detail, the processor 11 is configured to monitor signals carrying information of the COT structure and is further configured to monitor the configured search space during the full DRX on duration.

In some embodiments, the configured search space monitored by processor 11 is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal or indicated by DCI received during the DRX on duration. In some embodiments, processor 11 enters the partial DRX on duration after MCOT. In some embodiments, the processor 11 is configured to continue monitoring the signal carrying information of the COT structure during the partial DRX on duration but not the configured search space.

In some embodiments, the signal is configured to start or restart a DRX inactivity timer to extend the partial DRX on duration.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the processor 11 follows the DRX configuration, the processor 11 monitors the PDCCH during the DRX on duration even if the MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than the DRX off duration. In some embodiments, the processor 11 instructs the switch to the DRX off duration by this signal.

In some embodiments, the signal indicates a default behavior that the processor 11 follows if there is no other indication of the signal, and the default behavior is MCOT following the COT structure or DRX configuration.

In some embodiments, the processor 21 is configured to control the transceiver 23 to transmit a signal to the user equipment 10, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment 10 follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the processor 21 is configured to control the user equipment 10 to follow the COT structure or the DRX configuration according to the signal.

In some embodiments, the processor 21 is configured to control the transceiver 23 to transmit the DRX configuration to the user equipment 10 via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, the signal is also indicative of a COT structure. In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted in Downlink Control Information (DCI), a Medium Access Control (MAC) signal, or a sequence.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the user equipment 10 follows a Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT) of the COT structure, the processor 21 controls the user equipment 10 to monitor a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state. In some embodiments, the processor 21 is configured to control the user equipment 10 to monitor the configured search space and signals carrying information of the COT structure during the full DRX on duration.

In some embodiments, the configured search space monitored by the user equipment 10 is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal or indicated by DCI received during the DRX on duration.

In some embodiments, the processor 21 controls the user equipment 10 to enter the partial DRX on duration after the MCOT. In some embodiments, the processor 21 is configured to control the user equipment 10 to continue monitoring the signal carrying information of the COT structure during the partial DRX on duration but not the configured search space.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the user equipment 10 follows the DRX configuration, the processor 21 controls the user equipment 10 to monitor the PDCCH during the DRX on duration even if the MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than the DRX off duration.

In some embodiments, the signal instructs the user equipment 10 to switch to the DRX off duration.

In some embodiments, the signal indicates a default behavior that the user equipment 10 follows if there is no other indication of the signal, and the default behavior is MCOT following the COT structure or DRX configuration.

Fig. 3 illustrates a method 200 of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 200 includes: block 202, receiving a signal from a network node, wherein the signal indicates whether a user equipment follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration; and block 204, following a COT structure or DRX configuration in accordance with the signal.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a DRX configuration from the network node via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, the signal is also indicative of a COT structure. In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted in Downlink Control Information (DCI), a Medium Access Control (MAC) signal, or a sequence.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows a Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT) of a COT structure, the user equipment monitors a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state. In some embodiments, the method further comprises monitoring the search space for signals and configurations carrying information of the COT structure during the full DRX on duration.

In some embodiments, the configured search space monitored by the user equipment is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal, or indicated by DCI received during the DRX on duration. In some embodiments, the user equipment enters the partial DRX on duration after the MCOT.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises continuing to monitor the signal carrying information of the COT structure during the partial DRX on duration but not monitoring the configured search space.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the DRX configuration, the user equipment monitors the PDCCH during the DRX on duration even though the MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than the DRX off duration.

In some embodiments, the user equipment is instructed by the signal to switch to DRX off duration.

In some embodiments, the signal indicates a default behavior, and if there is no other indication of the signal, the user equipment follows the default behavior, and the default behavior is following the MCOT of the COT structure or following the DRX configuration.

Fig. 4 illustrates a method 300 of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) of a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 300 includes: a block 302 of transmitting a signal to a user equipment, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration; and block 304, controlling the user equipment to follow a COT structure or DRX configuration according to the signal.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting the DRX configuration to the user equipment via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

In some embodiments, the signal is also indicative of a COT structure. In some embodiments, the signal is transmitted in Downlink Control Information (DCI), a Medium Access Control (MAC) signal, or a sequence.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows a Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT) of the COT structure, the network node controls the user equipment to monitor a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: during the full DRX on duration, the user equipment is controlled to monitor the configured search space and signals carrying information of the COT structure.

In some embodiments, the configured search space monitored by the user equipment is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal, or indicated by DCI received during the DRX on duration. In some embodiments, the method further comprises controlling the user equipment to enter the partial DRX on duration after the MCOT. In some embodiments, the method further comprises controlling the user equipment to continue monitoring the signal carrying information of the COT structure but not the configured search space during the partial DRX on duration.

In some embodiments, if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the DRX configuration, the network node controls the user equipment to monitor the PDCCH during the DRX on duration even if the MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than the DRX off duration.

In some embodiments, the signal indicates that the user equipment switches to DRX off duration.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary illustration of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 shows that in some embodiments, the UE is in a legacy DRX on state (on state) during which the UE only needs to monitor signals from the network node, where the signals indicate whether the UE follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the signals also indicate the COT structure. In some embodiments, the UE is in a full DRX on state, indicated by a signal indicating MCOT, during which the UE needs to monitor not only the signal, but also the configured search space. In some embodiments, the configured search space that the UE needs to monitor is configured by RRC. In some embodiments, the configured search space that the UE needs to monitor is indicated by the signal or DCI received during the DRX on state.

Fig. 6 is an exemplary illustration of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 shows that in some embodiments, similar to PDCCH, the signal from the network node indicates whether the UE follows a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) structure or a DRX configuration, and the signal also indicates the COT structure. The signal may start or restart the DRX inactivity timer, which means that the partial DRX on state will be extended.

In summary, some embodiments provide the following three aspects.

The drx activation time takes MCOT into account.

The drx activation time may be as large as MCOT.

3. The DRX inactivity timer may be started or restarted based on a signal indicating the COT structure.

Some embodiments provide the following detailed information.

1. The activation time may be a full DRX on state during which the UE monitors the PDCCH based on the configuration or indication, while the UE may also monitor the signal of the indication with or without the COT structure.

2. The activation time may also be a partial DRX on state during which the UE monitors only the signal with or without an indication of the COT structure.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an example system 700 for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. Fig. 7 illustrates a system 700 that includes Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 710, baseband circuitry 720, application circuitry 730, memory/storage 740, a display 750, a camera 760, sensors 770, and an input/output (I/O) interface 780 coupled to one another, at least as shown.

Application circuitry 730 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor may comprise any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors such as graphics processors, application processors. The processor may be coupled with the memory/storage and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to implement various applications and/or operating systems running on the system.

Baseband circuitry 720 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor may comprise a baseband processor. The baseband circuitry may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks through the RF circuitry. Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation, encoding, decoding, radio frequency shifting, and the like. In some embodiments, baseband circuitry may provide communications compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may support communication with an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) and/or other Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs), wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multimode baseband circuitry.

In various embodiments, baseband circuitry 720 may include circuitry to operate with signals that are not strictly considered to be at baseband frequency. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may include circuitry that operates with signals having intermediate frequencies between baseband frequencies and radio frequencies.

The RF circuitry 710 may enable communication with a wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry may include switches, filters, amplifiers, and the like to facilitate communication with the wireless network.

In various embodiments, RF circuitry 710 may include circuitry that operates using signals that are not strictly considered to be in radio frequency. For example, in some embodiments, the RF circuitry may include circuitry to operate on signals having an intermediate frequency between a baseband frequency and a radio frequency.

In various embodiments, the transmitter circuitry, control circuitry, or receiver circuitry discussed above with respect to the user equipment, eNB, or gNB may be embodied in whole or in part in one or more of RF circuitry, baseband circuitry, and/or application circuitry. As used herein, "circuitry" may refer to, or be part of, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, electronic device circuitry may be implemented in or functions associated with one or more software or firmware modules.

In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry, application circuitry, and/or memory/storage may be implemented together on a system on a chip (SOC).

Memory/storage 740 may be used to load and store data and/or instructions for the system, for example. The memory/storage of an embodiment may include any combination of suitable volatile memory, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as flash memory.

In various embodiments, the I/O interface 780 may include one or more user interfaces designed to enable a user to interact with the system and/or peripheral component interfaces designed to enable peripheral components to interact with the system. The user interface may include, but is not limited to, a physical keyboard or keypad, a touchpad, a speaker, a microphone, and the like. Peripheral component interfaces may include, but are not limited to, non-volatile memory ports, universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, audio jacks, and power interfaces.

In various embodiments, the sensor 770 may include one or more sensing devices to determine environmental conditions and/or location information related to the system. In some embodiments, the sensors may include, but are not limited to, gyroscopic sensors, accelerometers, proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, and positioning units. The positioning unit may also be part of or interact with baseband circuitry and/or RF circuitry to communicate with components of a positioning network, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites.

In various embodiments, display 750 may include a display, such as a liquid crystal display and a touch screen display. In various embodiments, system 700 may be a mobile computing device such as, but not limited to, a notebook computing device, a tablet computing device, a netbook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, and the like. In various embodiments, the system may have more or fewer components and/or different architectures. The methods described herein may be implemented as computer programs, where appropriate. The computer program may be stored on a storage medium such as a non-transitory storage medium.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for discontinuous reception of the apparatus that can solve the problems of the related art, reduce power consumption, and improve reliability. Embodiments of the present disclosure are a combination of techniques/procedures that may be employed in 3GPP specifications to create end products.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each of the units, algorithms, and steps described and disclosed in the embodiments of the disclosure are implemented using electronic hardware, or a combination of software and electronic hardware for a computer. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. One of ordinary skill in the art may implement the functionality of each particular application in a different manner without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, since the operation of the above-described systems, devices and units are substantially identical, he/she may refer to the operation of the systems, devices and units in the above-described embodiments. For ease of description and simplicity, these operations will not be described in detail.

It should be understood that the systems, devices, and methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in other ways. The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary. The partitioning of the cells is based solely on logic functions, while other partitions exist in the implementation. Multiple units or components may be combined or integrated in another system. It is also possible to omit or skip certain features. On the other hand, the mutual coupling, direct coupling or communicative coupling shown or discussed operates in an electrical, mechanical or other form, indirectly or communicatively through some ports, devices or units.

The units described as separate components are physically separated or not. The units for displaying are physical units or not physical units, i.e. located in one location or distributed over a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units are used according to the purpose of the embodiment. Furthermore, each functional unit in each embodiment may be integrated in one processing unit, physically separate, or integrated in one processing unit having two or more units.

If the software functional unit is implemented, used and sold as a product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium in a computer. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions proposed by the present disclosure may be implemented substantially or partly in the form of a software product. Alternatively, a part of the technical solution beneficial to the conventional technology may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product in the computer is stored in a storage medium, including a plurality of commands for a computing device (such as a personal computer, server, or network device) to execute all or part of the steps disclosed by embodiments of the present disclosure. The storage medium includes a USB disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a floppy disk, or other medium capable of storing program code.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but is intended to cover various arrangements made without departing from the scope of the appended claims in its broadest interpretation.

Claims

1. A user equipment for discontinuous reception, DRX, comprising:

a memory;

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to:

controlling the transceiver to receive a signal from a network node, wherein the signal indicates whether the processor follows a channel occupancy time, COT, structure or a DRX configuration; and

following the COT structure or the DRX configuration according to the signal;

wherein if the signal indicates that the processor follows a maximum channel occupancy time, MCOT, of the COT structure, the processor monitors a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state;

if the signal indicates that the processor follows the DRX configuration, the processor monitors PDCCH during a DRX ON duration even if MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than a DRX OFF duration.

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to control the transceiver to receive the DRX configuration from the network node via radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

3. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the signal is further indicative of the COT structure.

4. A user equipment according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the signal is transmitted in downlink control information, DCI, a medium access control, MAC, signal or sequence.

5. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to monitor the signal carrying information of the COT structure and a configured search space during the full DRX on duration.

6. The user equipment of claim 5, wherein the configured search space monitored by the processor is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal, or indicated by DCI received during a DRX on duration.

7. The user equipment of any of claims 1-6, wherein if the signal indicates that the processor follows the MCOT of the COT structure, the processor enters a partial DRX on duration after the MCOT.

8. The user equipment of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to continue monitoring the signal carrying information of the COT structure during the partial DRX on duration but not configured search space.

9. The user equipment of claim 7 or 8, wherein the signal is configured to start or restart a DRX inactivity timer to extend the partial DRX on duration.

10. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processor instructs switching to the DRX off duration by the signal.

11. The user equipment of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the signal indicates a default behavior, which the processor follows if there is no other indication of the signal, and which is MCOT following the COT structure or following the DRX configuration.

12. A method for discontinuous reception, DRX, of a user equipment, comprising:

receiving a signal from a network node, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment follows a channel occupancy time, COT, structure or a DRX configuration; and

following the COT structure or the DRX configuration according to the signal;

wherein if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows a maximum channel occupation time MCOT of the COT structure, the user equipment monitors a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state;

if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the DRX configuration, the user equipment monitors PDCCH during a DRX ON duration even if MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than a DRX OFF duration.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: the DRX configuration from the network node via radio resource control, RRC, signaling is received.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the signal is further indicative of the COT structure.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 14, wherein the signal is transmitted in downlink control information, DCI, medium access control, MAC, signals or sequences.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: the signal carrying information of the COT structure and a configured search space are monitored during the full DRX on duration.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the configured search space monitored by the user equipment is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal, or indicated by DCI received during a DRX on duration.

18. The method according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the MCOT of the COT structure, the user equipment enters a partial DRX on duration after the MCOT.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: the monitoring of the signal carrying information of the COT structure is continued during the partial DRX on duration but without monitoring a configured search space.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the signal is configured to start or restart a DRX inactivity timer to extend the partial DRX on duration.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the user equipment is instructed by the signal to switch to the DRX off duration.

22. The method according to any of claims 12 to 21, wherein the signal indicates a default behavior, which the user equipment follows if there is no other indication of the signal, and which is MCOT following the COT structure or following the DRX configuration.

23. A network node for discontinuous reception, DRX, comprising:

a memory;

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to:

controlling the transceiver to transmit a signal to a user equipment, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment follows a channel occupancy time, COT, structure or a DRX configuration; and

controlling the user equipment to follow the COT structure or the DRX configuration according to the signal;

wherein if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows a maximum channel occupancy time, MCOT, of the COT structure, the processor controls the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state;

the processor controls the user equipment to monitor a PDCCH during a DRX on duration if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the DRX configuration even though MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than the DRX off duration.

24. The network node of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to control the transceiver to send the DRX configuration to the user equipment via radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

25. The network node of claim 24, wherein the signal is further indicative of the COT structure.

26. The network node of claim 23 or 25, wherein the signal is transmitted in downlink control information, DCI, a medium access control, MAC, signal or sequence.

27. The network node of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to control the user equipment to monitor the signal carrying information of the COT structure and a configured search space during the full DRX on duration.

28. The network node of claim 27, wherein the configured search space monitored by the user equipment is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal or indicated by DCI received during a DRX on duration.

29. The network node of any of claims 23 to 28, wherein if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the MCOT of the COT structure, the processor controls an incoming partial DRX on duration of the user equipment after the MCOT.

30. The network node of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured to control the user equipment to continue monitoring the signal carrying information of the COT structure during the partial DRX on duration but not configured search space.

31. The network node of claim 29 or 30, wherein the signal is configured to start or restart a DRX inactivity timer to extend the partial DRX on duration.

32. The network node of claim 23, wherein the signal instructs the user equipment to switch to the DRX off duration.

33. The network node of any of claims 23 to 32, wherein the signal indicates a default behavior, which the user equipment follows if there is no other indication of the signal, and which is MCOT following the COT structure or following the DRX configuration.

34. A method for discontinuous reception, DRX, of a network node, comprising:

transmitting a signal to the user equipment, wherein the signal indicates whether the user equipment follows a channel occupancy time, COT, structure or a DRX configuration; and

wherein if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows a maximum channel occupation time MCOT of the COT structure, the network node controls the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel PDCCH during the MCOT, wherein the user equipment is in a full DRX on state;

if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the DRX configuration, the network node controls the user equipment to monitor PDCCH during a DRX ON duration even if MCOT of the COT structure is shorter than a DRX OFF duration.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: the DRX configuration is sent to the user equipment via radio resource control, RRC, signaling.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the signal is further indicative of the COT structure.

37. The method of claim 34 or 36, wherein the signal is transmitted in downlink control information, DCI, a medium access control, MAC, signal or a sequence.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising: controlling the user equipment to monitor the signal carrying information of the COT structure and configured search space during the full DRX on duration.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the configured search space monitored by the user equipment is configured by RRC signaling, indicated by the signal, or indicated by DCI received during a DRX on duration.

40. The method of any one of claims 34 to 39, further comprising: and if the signal indicates that the user equipment follows the MCOT of the COT structure, controlling the user equipment to enter a partial DRX on duration after the MCOT.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising: the user equipment is controlled to continue monitoring the signal carrying information of the COT structure during the partial DRX on duration but not monitoring a configured search space.

42. The method of claim 40 or 41, wherein the signal is configured to start or restart a DRX inactivity timer to extend the partial DRX on duration.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the signal instructs the user equipment to switch to the DRX off duration.

44. The method of any one of claims 34 to 43, wherein the signal indicates a default behavior, which the user equipment follows if there is no other indication of the signal, and which is MCOT following the COT structure or following the DRX configuration.

45. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of claims 12 to 22 and 34 to 44.

46. A terminal device, comprising: a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program, the processor being configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 12 to 22.

47. A base station, comprising: a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program, the processor being configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 34 to 44.