Patent Description:
In a Fifth Generation (<NUM>) new radio (New Radio (NR)) system, a radio resource management (Radio Resource Management (RRM)) measurement for a radio resource control (Radio Resource Control (RRC)) idle state (RRC_IDLE) and an RRC inactive state (RRC_Inactive) depend on a synchronization signal block (Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)), because the SSB is a cell-specific signal, even a User Equipment (UE) configured in the RRC_IDLE can obtain information thereof. In a RRC connected state (RRC_Connected mode), there are two kinds of signals that can be used for the RRM measurement, the SSB or a channel state information reference signal (Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS)). The UE selects a corresponding signal for the RRM measurement according to a configuration from a network. According to a definition of a relevant NR standard, a minimum transmission period of the SSB is <NUM>, and a transmission period of the CSI-RS is <NUM> time slots. In order to obtain a valid RRM measurement value, such as a reference signal receiving power (Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP)) or a reference signal receiving quality (Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ)), it is necessary to measure multiple SSBs or multiple CSI-RSs to overcome an influence of channel fading and noise.

When the UE is in the RRC_IDLE or the RRC_Inactive, generally speaking, the UE needs to monitor a page signal and the RRM measurement periodically, so every time the UE wakes up from a discontinuous reception sleep (DRX-OFF), the UE needs to monitor the page signal and the RRM measurement. If the RRM measurement takes a long time, then the UE needs to keep an active state for a long time after waking up, because after the UE wakes up, if the UE completes monitoring the page signal but fails to receive the page signal and the RRM measurement is completed, the UE will return to the DRX-OFF. Simply speaking, a time duration of the RRM measurement will affect a wake-up time duration of the UE, that is, affect a power consumption of the UE since the longer the wake-up time duration is, the greater the power consumption is. This problem equally applies to a RRC connected state (RRC_Connected), because there is DRX configuration either, the RRM measurement is usually performed in a discontinuous reception activated state (DRX-ON) when the UE wakes up, so whether an RRM measurement parameter RSRP/RSRQ for the SSB or the CSI-RS is used, if a period of the SSB or the CSI-RS is longer, then a measurement time duration is longer and the power consumption is greater.

Therefore, in the RRM measurement of the UE in the <NUM> NR, no matter what state the UE is in, if the RRM measurement needs to be performed, a period of the reference signal will affect a waiting time of the measurement, resulting in increased power consumption of the UE.

An international patent publication No. <CIT> discloses a method for DRX in unlicensed band, and device using the method.

patent publication No. <CIT> discloses a method for enhanced cell detection by a UE.

patent No. <CIT> discloses a method in a wireless communication terminal, which is related to positioning reference signal assistance data signaling for enhanced interference coordination in a wireless communication network.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a method and an apparatus of transmitting a reference signal, and a method and apparatus of receiving a reference signal, as defined in accompanying claims, to solve the problem that an increase of power consumption of user equipment exists in a related transmission method.

The beneficial effects of the above technical solutions of the present disclosure are as follows. The method of transmitting a reference signal in the embodiment of the present disclosure is used for the user equipment to perform RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking, the reference signals are continuously transmitted through a preset number of subframes, so that the user equipment can receive the reference signal in consecutive subframes, and complete RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking based on the reference signal. Since long-term detection is not required, effectively reducing the power consumption of the user equipment is achieved.

In order to make technical problems to be solved, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

In view of a problem that a related transmission method causes power consumption of a user equipment to be increased, the present disclosure provides a method of transmitting a reference signal, which reduces the power consumption of user equipment by changing a way of transmitting a reference signal.

As shown in <FIG>, a method of transmitting a reference signal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a network device, and includes a step <NUM>.

Step <NUM>: transmitting a reference signal to a user equipment; where, the reference signal is continuously transmitted through a preset number of subframes, and the reference signal is used for the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking. In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the reference signal is used for the user equipment to perform radio resource management (RRM) measurement or channel parameter measurement.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the reference signal used for the user equipment to perform the synchronization tracking is continuously transmitted through the preset number of subframes, so that the user equipment can receive the reference signal in consecutive subframes, and complete the synchronization tracking based on the reference signal. Since there is no need for detection in a long duration, the problem of how to effectively reduce the power consumption of the user equipment is addressed.

The step <NUM> includes: transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state.

Here, the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state can be the transition process of just starting to enter the active state, or can also be the moment when the transition process ends before entering the active state, or the initial moment of entering the active state. The network device sends the reference signal to the user equipment, so that the user equipment receives the reference signal in time. Because the reference signal is sent in time, the user equipment can quickly perform the synchronization tracking to obtain accurate time and frequency-domain synchronization, and can also obtain channel parameter information and perform channel measurement, which is conducive to channel estimation and subsequent physical downlink control channel (Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)) detection; similarly, obtaining the reference signal in time is very important for performing the RRM measurement by the user equipment, and reducing a time duration of the RRM measurement. All of this is conducive to the user equipment to complete corresponding necessary processes in the shortest time and achieve the purpose of power-saving.

The transition process from the inactive state to the active state includes: the user equipment being configured in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state (RRC_Connected) or an RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) or the RRC inactive state (RRC_Inactive mode); a state transition from discontinuous reception sleep (DRX-OFF) to discontinuous reception activation (DRX-ON); or a state transition from a sleep state to a normal data transmission and reception state; or a state transition from the sleep state to a control channel monitoring state after receiving a wake-up signal; wherein the sleep state means a state in which a transceiver circuit of the user equipment is in an off state or a partially off state, and a downlink control channel is not monitored.

In this embodiment, optionally, the step of transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state includes: transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment based on a first preset period.

Here, the first preset period may be an integer multiple of a transmission period of a page signal, or may be an integer multiple of a DRX period. A network device such as a base station will periodically send the reference signal based on the first preset period. Because the page signal or DRX configuration is usually periodic, the first preset period of the reference signal can match these periods.

Optionally, the step of transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state includes: after transmitting a wake-up signal to the user equipment, transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment.

Here, after the network device configures a wakeup signal for the user equipment and sends the wakeup signal to the user equipment, the reference signal is sent, so as to ensure that the user equipment can receive the reference signal in time during the transition process.

The step of transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state includes: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive mode, and during the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment, wherein the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal or a reference signal shared by multiple user equipment groups.

Here, for a reference signal sent to a user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode, because a specific user equipment of receiving the reference signal cannot be clarified, the reference signal may be a cell-specific reference signal or a reference signal shared by multiple user equipment groups.

The step of transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state includes: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_Connected mode and is in the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment, wherein the reference signal is a user-specific reference signal.

Here, for a reference signal sent to a user equipment configured in the RRC_Connected mode, because a specific user equipment of receiving the reference signal is clarified, the reference signal may optionally be a user-specific (UE specific) reference signal.

The step <NUM> includes: transmitting the reference signal in multiple beam directions.

It is known from the above contents that the reference signal is continuously transmitted through the preset number of subframes, thus has a denser signal pattern compared to that of the SSB and the CSI-RS. Here, the reference signal can be sent in multiple beam directions. Optionally, one slot or multiple slots appear consecutively, and each slot has one or more symbols containing the reference signal. Multiple consecutive signals are sent at a time, and the signals at a time are used to complete measurement of at least one RRM sample.

In this embodiment, the step <NUM> includes: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive mode, transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment based on a second preset period.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, for the user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE or the RRC_Inactive mode, the reference signal can be sent to the user equipment directly based on the second preset period. At this time, the user equipment mainly performs RRM measurement based on the reference signal, and performs cell selection based on a result of the RRM measurement. The reference signal may be a cell-specific reference signal, or a reference signal shared by multiple user equipment groups. Here, the second preset period can a suitable period configured according to an accuracy requirement of the RRM measurement. The purpose thereof is to facilitate management of user equipment mobility, and the user equipment can perform cell identification and cell selection based on the reference signal.

Optionally, the step <NUM> includes: transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment through a subframe spaced from the synchronization signal block (SSB) or the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) by a preset length.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the preset length is set by a system or defined by a user. The preset length is usually set in an integer multiple of a subframe. If the preset length is <NUM>, then the subframe is an adjacent subframe of the SSB or the CSI-RS, for example, the reference signal <NUM> may be sent in a previous frame of the SSB <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, or the reference signal <NUM> may be sent in a next frame of the SSB <NUM> as shown in <FIG>; if the preset length is N≥<NUM>, then there are N subframe between the subframe of the reference signal and the subframe of the SSB or the CSI-RS. In this way, the user equipment can obtain the reference signal around the SSB or the CSI-RS, thereby using the reference information and the SSB/CSI-RS for joint RRM measurement. Specifically, the reference signal is used to perform synchronization calibration or channel tracking first, then the SSB/CSI-RS is used to perform RRM measurement. The reference signal can be used for the initial moment when the user equipment has just changed from the inactive state to the active state, or the reference signal can also be configured on demand according to an operational state of the user equipment, such as when the user equipment has a low signal-to-noise ratio or the user equipment is in cell handover, configuring the reference signal can help the user equipment to perform the RRM measurement, because the reference signal can be used for more accurate synchronization calibration and channel tracking, such as automatic gain adjustment (AGC), so after the reference signal is used for synchronization calibration and channel tracking, an accuracy of the RRM measurement can be improved and a time duration of RRM measurement can be reduced.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the reference signal and the SSB or CSI-RS are in the same RRM measurement window.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, for a RRM measurement window (RRM measurement gap) set for the RRM measurement, the reference signal and the SSB or CSI-RS are in the same RRM measurement window. In this way, the reference signal and the SSB/CSI-RS can be acquired simultaneously in one measurement, thus improving a processing efficiency.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, for an RRM measurement occasion set for the RRM measurement, the reference signal and the SSB or the CSI-RS will appear in one measurement occasion at the same time, so as to reduce multiple processing times and improve an operational efficiency.

Optionally, the network device is a network device of a non-serving cell of the user equipment. Step <NUM> includes: transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment according to received coordination information, where the coordination information includes at least a request indication for transmitting the reference signal, and the coordination information is sent by a network device of a serving cell of the user equipment.

Here, the coordination information is determined by mutual coordination between the network device of the serving cell of the user equipment and the network device of the non-serving cell. The coordination information includes at least a request indication for transmitting the reference signal, which is used to indicate the network device of the non-serving cell of the user equipment to send the reference signal to the user equipment. The network device of the non-serving cell of the user equipment receives the coordination information, determines a time-frequency position for transmitting the reference signal, and notifies the time-frequency position to the network device of the serving cell of the user equipment.

In this way, when the user equipment performs cell handover, the network device of the serving cell of the user equipment and the network device of the non-serving cell (such as a base station of a neighboring cell of the user equipment or a base station using a different carrier frequency) coordinate with each other, the network device of the non-serving cell can transmit a reference signal to the user equipment according to the coordination information, so that the user equipment uses the reference signal to complete corresponding processing, for example, using the reference signal to perform synchronization calibration and channel tracking first, and then perform RRM measurement and data detection. Of course, a division for a non-serving network device and a serving network device depends on a network deployment and a handover method, the non-serving network device and the serving network device may be the same base station (that is, both the serving cell and neighboring cells of the user equipment correspond to the base station) or different base stations; if an intra-gNB handover occurs, then the same base station applies; if an inter-gNB handover occurs, then two different base stations apply, and information coordination needs to be performed through a defined interface (such as an X2 interface).

In addition, in order to ensure that the user equipment can receive the reference signal, based on the foregoing embodiment, the method further includes: transmitting a notification message to the user equipment, where the notification message is used to notify the user equipment to perform RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking based on the reference signal.

Here, the network device sends a notification message to the user equipment, so that the user equipment, through receiving the notification message, realizes the reception of the reference signal and processes the synchronization tracking.

The step of transmitting the notification message to the user equipment includes: transmitting, to the user equipment, system information or user equipment-specific signaling carrying the notification message; wherein, the notification message includes a transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

Here, the transmission configuration parameter will be used to instruct the user equipment to accurately receive the reference signal sent by the network device. The transmission configuration parameter is directed to a specific manner in which the network device transmits the reference signal, and the transmission configuration parameter may include: a transmission period of the reference signal, a transmission beam of the reference signal, a transmission pattern of the reference signal, and so on. In this way, after the user equipment is informed of the transmission period of the reference signal, the user equipment can correspondingly receive the reference signal periodically; after the user equipment is informed of the transmission beam of the reference signal, the user equipment can receive the reference signal on the transmission beam in a targeted manner, thereby reducing consumption of the beam scanning; after the user equipment is informed of the transmission pattern of the reference signal, the user equipment can receive the reference signal at a valid position. In addition, for configuration of the user equipment, on one hand, system information may be updated, and the notification message is carried in the updated system information, to inform the user equipment of the transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal. However, since a user equipment having an individual configuration does not receive the system information, such as the user equipment configured in the RRC _Connected mode, on the other hand, the notification message may be carried in a user equipment-specific signaling, such as an RRC signaling, to inform the user equipment of the transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

It can be known from the foregoing embodiment that the reference signal can be sent in a subframe spaced from the SSB/CSI-RS by a preset length. Therefore, to ensure that the user equipment accurately receives the reference signal, optionally, the transmission configuration parameter includes a time-frequency position at which the reference signal is transmitted.

In this way, in an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the user equipment may accurately obtain the reference signal around the SSB/CSI-RS based on the time-frequency position, and then perform the RRM measurement.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, in order for the user equipment to complete the required RRM measurement based on the reference signal, the network device configures the RRM measurement, so the notification message further includes RRM measurement configuration information.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the RRM measurement configuration information may include contents such as the number of measurement, a measured cell, and a measurement period.

Specific scenarios are described as follows.

Scenario <NUM>: as shown in <FIG>, for a user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE mode, a reference signal <NUM> used for RRM measurement and corresponding to transmission of a synchronization signal block <NUM> has a denser signal pattern. The reference signal <NUM> for RRM measurement will be transmitted before each page transmission window <NUM>.

Scenario <NUM>: as shown in <FIG>, for a user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE mode and configured with a wake-up signal, a reference signal <NUM> used for RRM measurement will be sent after the wake-up signal <NUM> and before each page transmitting window <NUM>.

Scenario <NUM>: as shown in <FIG>, for a user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive mode, the network device will send, at a period of T1 and consecutively in multiple slots, reference signals <NUM> to the user equipment for performing RRM measurement, regardless of whether there is paging or not. T1 may be adjusted according to a need of RRM measurement.

To sum up, in the method of transmitting a reference signal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the reference signal used for performing RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking by a user equipment will be continuously sent through a preset number of subframes. In this way, the user equipment may receive reference signals in consecutive subframes, and complete the RRM measurement or the channel parameter measurement or the synchronization tracking based on the reference signals. Since detection persistent for a long time is not required, effectively reducing the power consumption of the user equipment is achieved.

As shown in <FIG>, the method of receiving a reference signal in an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a user equipment. The method includes steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

Step <NUM>: receiving a reference signal transmitted by a network device, where the reference signal is consecutively transmitted through a preset number of subframes.

Step <NUM>: performing synchronous tracking according to the reference signal. In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the user equipment also performs RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement according to the reference signal.

In this embodiment, the user equipment will receive reference signals transmitted by the network device consecutively through a preset number of subframes, and after receiving the reference signals, perform RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking based on the reference signals. Since the user equipment can receive the reference signals in consecutive subframes, detection persistent for a long time is avoided, and effectively reducing the power consumption of the user equipment is achieved.

Step <NUM> includes: receiving the reference signal transmitted by the network device during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state.

Here, corresponding to the method of transmitting a reference signal in the previous embodiment, received is the reference signal sent by the network device during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state, so as to obtain the reference signal in time and complete subsequent processing.

The transition process from the inactive state to the active state includes: the user equipment being configured in the RRC_Connected state or the RRC_IDLE mode or the RRC _Inactive mode; a state transition from DRX-OFF to DRX-ON; or a state transition from a sleep state to a normal data transmission and reception state; or a state transition from the sleep state to a control channel monitoring state after receiving a wake-up signal; wherein the sleep state means a state in which a transceiver circuit of the user equipment is in an off state or a partially off state, and a downlink control channel is not monitored.

Optionally, the step of receiving the reference signal transmitted by the network device during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state includes: receiving, based on a first preset period, the reference signal transmitted by the network device.

Here, corresponding to the method of transmitting a reference signal in the previous embodiment, received is the reference signal transmitted by the network device based on the first preset period, so as to obtain the reference signal in time and complete subsequent processing.

Optionally, the step of receiving the reference signal transmitted by the network device during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state includes: receiving the reference signal after receiving a wake-up signal.

Here, corresponding to the method of transmitting a reference signal in the previous embodiment, received is the reference signal transmitted by the network device after transmitting the wake-up signal, so as to obtain the reference signal in time and complete subsequent processing. For example, if the user equipment is configured with a wake-up signal, then the user equipment first checks the wake-up signal, and if the user equipment finds existence of the wake-up signal, then the user equipment detects the reference signal after the wake-up signal.

Of course, if the user equipment corresponding to the reference signal is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive mode, and the reference signal is transmitted during the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal or a reference signal shared by multiple user equipment groups; if the user equipment corresponding to the reference signal is configured in the RRC _Connected mode, the reference signal is transmitted in the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, the reference signal is a user-specific reference signal.

In addition, in the method of transmitting a reference signal in the previous embodiment, the user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE or the RRC _Inactive mode can directly receive the reference signal sent to the user equipment in a second preset period. Therefore, step <NUM> includes: based on the second preset period, receiving the reference signal transmitted by the network device when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the reference signal is received based on the second preset period at which the network device transmitted the reference signal, so that the user equipment can perform RRM measurement based on the received reference signal.

Step <NUM> includes: receiving the reference signal in multiple beam directions.

Here, corresponding to the method of transmitting a reference signal in the previous embodiment, received is the reference signal transmitted by the network device in multiple beam directions.

In this embodiment, in order to accurately obtain the reference signal, the method further includes: receiving a notification message transmitted by the network device, where the notification message is used to notify the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking based on the reference signal.

By receiving the notification message, the user equipment realizes the reception of the reference signal and processes synchronization tracking.

The step of receiving the notification message transmitted by the network device includes: receiving system information or user equipment-specific signaling carrying the notification message; wherein, the notification message includes a transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

In the method of transmitting the reference signal in the foregoing embodiment, the transmission configuration parameter will be used to indicate that the user equipment accurately receives the reference signal transmitted by the network device, which will not be repeated here. For transmission carrying the transmission configuration parameters in different ways by the network device, the user equipment will receive updated system information on one hand and obtain the notification message carried in the system information according to configuration of the user equipment; on the other hand, the user equipment will receive a user equipment-specific signaling such as an RRC signaling and obtain the notification message carried in the user equipment-specific signaling.

Optionally, the transmission configuration parameter includes at least a time-frequency position at which the reference signal is transmitted.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the step of receiving the reference signal transmitted by the network device includes: according to the time-frequency position, obtaining the reference signal in a subframe spaced from the SSB or the CSI-RS by a preset length. The method further includes: in an RRM measurement process, after performing synchronization calibration or channel tracking according to the reference signal, using the SSB or the CSI-RS to perform RRM measurement.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, in this way, corresponding to the reference signal transmitted in a subframe spaced from the SSB/CSI-RS by a preset length in the foregoing embodiment, the time-frequency position can ensure that the user equipment accurately receives the reference signal, and if the reference signal and the SSB/CSI-RS are in the same RRM measurement window, the user equipment can obtain the reference signal and the SSB/CSI-RS in the RRM measurement window, thus avoiding multiple processing times. Moreover, the user equipment can use the SSB or the CSI-RS to perform RRM measurement after using the reference signal for synchronization calibration or channel tracking.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, in order for the user equipment to complete the required RRM measurement based on the reference signal, the network device configures the RRM measurement. Therefore, the notification message also includes RRM measurement configuration information.

The RRM measurement configuration information may include: the number of measurements, a measured cell, and a measurement period.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, after the user equipment performs RRM measurement based on the received reference signal according to an instruction from the network device, further processing is required for the user equipment configured in the RRC_Connected mode, and the method further includes: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_Connected mode, generating an RRM measurement result after the RRM measurement, and reporting the RRM measurement result to the network device.

However, when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive mode, the RRM measurement result is no longer reported after the RRM measurement.

The method further includes: if a received power of the reference signal is less than a first threshold or a reception quality of the reference signal is less than the second threshold after the RRM measurement, starting RRM measurement to a neighboring cell.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, for example, when a user equipment configured in RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode learns, according to the notification message in the system information, that the network device sends a reference signal dedicated to RRM measurement, the user equipment will perform monitoring before each page transmitting window, and perform RRM measurement after receiving the reference signal. When the received power RSRP of the reference signal for RRM measurement is less than the first threshold or the received quality RSRQ of the reference signal is less than the second threshold, the RRM measurement to the neighboring cell will be started. Here, the measurement to the neighboring cell can be based on the reference signal dedicated to the SSB or the RRM measurement of the neighboring cell.

Optionally, when the user equipment configured in the RRC_Connected mode learns, according to a notification message in an RRC instruction, that the network device sends a reference signal dedicated to RRM measurement, the user equipment will monitor and receive the reference signal to perform RRM measurement. Similarly, when the RSRP of the reference signal used for RRM measurement is less than the first threshold or the RSRQ is less than the second threshold, the RRM measurement to the neighboring cell will be started. Here, the measurement to the neighboring cell may be a reference signal dedicated to the SSB or the CSI-RS or the RRM measurement of the neighboring cell configured by the network.

If the user equipment is configured with DRX, each time a state transition occurs from DRX-OFF to DRX-ON, the reference signal dedicated to the RRM measurement is detected first.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the method further includes: performing cell selection according to a result of the RRM measurement.

Here, the network device directly periodically transmits reference signals to the user equipment configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode, and the user equipment performs RRM measurement based on the reference signal, and after the RRM measurement, the user equipment performs the cell selection based on the result of RRM measurement.

In summary, the user equipment receives the reference signals transmitted by the network device consecutively through a preset number of subframes, and after receiving the reference signals, the user equipment performs RRM measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking based on the reference signals. Since the user equipment can receive the reference signals in consecutive subframes, detection persistent for a long time is avoided, and effectively reducing the power consumption of the user equipment is achieved.

As shown in <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> of transmitting a reference signal in this embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to network device. The apparatus includes a transmitting module <NUM>.

The transmitting module <NUM> is used to transmit a reference signal to a user equipment; where, the reference signal is continuously transmitted through a preset number of subframes, and the reference signal is used for the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking. In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the present application, the reference signal is also used for the user equipment to perform radio resource management (RRM) measurement or channel parameter measurement.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state.

The transition process from the inactive state to the active state includes: the user equipment being configured in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state (RRC _Connected) or an RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) or the RRC inactive state (RRC _Inactive mode); a state transition from discontinuous reception sleep (DRX-OFF) to discontinuous reception activation (DRX-ON); or a state transition from a sleep state to a normal data transmission and reception state; or a state transition from the sleep state to a control channel monitoring state after receiving a wake-up signal; wherein the sleep state means a state in which a transceiver circuit of the user equipment is in an off state or a partially off state, and a downlink control channel is not monitored.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment based on a first preset period.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment after transmitting a wake-up signal to the user equipment.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive mode, and during the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, transmit the reference signal to the user equipment, wherein the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal or a reference signal shared by multiple user equipment groups.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC _Connected mode and is in the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, transmit the reference signal to the user equipment, wherein the reference signal is a user-specific reference signal.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal in multiple beam directions.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode, transmit the reference signal to the user equipment based on a second preset period.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment through a subframe spaced from a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) by a preset length.

The reference signal and the SSB or CSI-RS are in the same RRM measurement window.

The network device is a network device of a non-serving cell of the user equipment.

The transmitting module <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment according to received coordination information, where the coordination information includes at least a request indication for transmitting the reference signal, and the coordination information is sent by a network device of a serving cell of the user equipment.

The apparatus further includes a notification transmission module.

The notification transmission module is configured to transmit a notification message to the user equipment, where the notification message is used to notify the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking based on the reference signal.

The notification transmission module is further configured to transmit, to the user equipment, system information or user equipment-specific signaling carrying the notification message; wherein, the notification message includes a transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

The notification message further includes RRM measurement configuration information.

The transmission configuration parameter includes a time-frequency position at which the reference signal is transmitted.

It should be noted that the apparatus is an apparatus that applies the foregoing method of transmitting a reference signal, and implementation of the foregoing method of transmitting the reference signal in the foregoing embodiment is applicable to the apparatus, and can also achieve the same technical effect, which will not be repeated here.

As shown in <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM> of receiving a reference signal of in this embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a user equipment. The apparatus <NUM> includes a receiving module <NUM> and a processing module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive a reference signal transmitted by a network device, where the reference signal is consecutively transmitted through a preset number of subframes.

The processing module <NUM> is configured to perform synchronous tracking according to the reference signal.

The receiving module <NUM> is further configured to receive the reference signal transmitted by the network device during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state.

The transition process from the inactive state to the active state includes: the user equipment being configured in the RRC _Connected state or the RRC_IDLE state or the RRC_Inactive mode; a state transition from DRX-OFF to DRX-ON; or a state transition from a sleep state to a normal data transmission and reception state; or a state transition from the sleep state to a control channel monitoring state after receiving a wake-up signal; wherein the sleep state means a state in which a transceiver circuit of the user equipment is in an off state or a partially off state, and a downlink control channel is not monitored.

The receiving module <NUM> is further configured to receive, based on a first preset period, the reference signal transmitted by the network device.

The receiving module <NUM> is further configured to receive the reference signal after receiving a wake-up signal.

The receiving module <NUM> is further configured to: based on a second preset period, receive the reference signal transmitted by the network device when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode.

The receiving module <NUM> is further configured to receive the reference signal in multiple beam directions.

The apparatus further includes a notification reception module.

The notification reception module is configured to receive a notification message transmitted by the network device, where the notification message is used to notify the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking based on the reference signal.

The notification reception module is also configured to receive system information or user equipment-specific signaling carrying the notification message; wherein, the notification message includes a transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

The transmission configuration parameter includes at least a time-frequency position at which the reference signal is transmitted.

The receiving module <NUM> is further configured to: according to the time-frequency position, obtain the reference signal in a subframe spaced from the SSB or the CSI-RS by a preset length.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the presnt application, the apparatus further includes an RRM measurement module.

The RRM measurement module is configured to: in an RRM measurement process, after performing synchronization calibration or channel tracking according to the reference signal, use the SSB or the CSI-RS to perform RRM measurement.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the presnt application, the notification message further includes RRM measurement configuration information.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the presnt application, the processing module <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC _Connected mode, generate an RRM measurement result after the RRM measurement, and report the RRM measurement result to the network device.

In an example used to understand the technical solutions of the presnt application, the processing module <NUM> is further configured to: if a received power of the reference signal is less than a first threshold or a reception quality of the reference signal is less than the second threshold after the RRM measurement, start RRM measurement to a neighboring cell.

The processing module <NUM> is further configured to perform cell selection according to a result of the RRM measurement.

It should be noted that the apparatus is an apparatus that applies the above-mentioned method of receiving a reference signal, and implementation of the above-mentioned method of receiving a receiving signal in the foregoing embodiment is applicable to this apparatus, and the same technical effect can also be achieved, which will not be repeated here.

<FIG> shows an embodiment not covered by the claims. As shown in <FIG>, a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a transceiver <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and a computer program stored on the storage <NUM> and executable by the processor <NUM>; the transceiver <NUM> is configured to transmit a reference signal to the user equipment; wherein, the reference signal is continuously transmitted through a preset number of subframes, and the reference signal is used for the user equipment to perform radio resource management (RRM) measurement or channel parameter measurement or synchronization tracking.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state.

The transition process from the inactive state to the active state includes: the user equipment being configured in the radio resource control (RRC) connected state (RRC _Connected) or an RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) or the RRC inactive state (RRC_Inactive mode); a state transition from discontinuous reception sleep (DRX-OFF) to discontinuous reception activation (DRX-ON); or a state transition from a sleep state to a normal data transmission and reception state; or a state transition from the sleep state to a control channel monitoring state after receiving a wake-up signal; wherein the sleep state means a state in which a transceiver circuit of the user equipment is in an off state or a partially off state, and a downlink control channel is not monitored.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment based on a first preset period.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment after transmitting a wake-up signal to the user equipment.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode, and during the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, transmit the reference signal to the user equipment, wherein the reference signal is a cell-specific reference signal or a reference signal shared by multiple user equipment groups.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC _Connected mode and is in the transition process from the inactive state to the active state, transmit the reference signal to the user equipment, wherein the reference signal is a user-specific reference signal.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to transmit the reference signal in multiple beam directions.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode, transmit the reference signal to the user equipment based on a second preset period.

The transceiver is further configured to transmit the reference signal to the user equipment through a subframe spaced from the synchronization signal block (SSB) or the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) by a preset length.

The network device is a network device of a non-serving cell of the user equipment;.

The transceiver is further configured to: transmit the reference signal to the user equipment according to received coordination information, where the coordination information includes at least a request indication for transmitting the reference signal, and the coordination information is sent by a network device of a serving cell of the user equipment.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to: transmit a notification message to the user equipment, where the notification message is used to notify the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking based on the reference signal.

The transceiver <NUM> is also configured to: transmit, to the user equipment, system information or user equipment-specific signaling carrying the notification message; wherein, the notification message includes a transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

In <FIG>, a bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges. Specifically, various circuits such as one or more processors represented by the processor <NUM> and a storage represented by the storage <NUM> are linked together. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, power management circuits, etc., which are all known in the art, and therefore, will not be further described herein. A bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver <NUM> may be a plurality of elements, that is, including a transmitter and a transceiver, and provides units for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium. The processor <NUM> is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the storage <NUM> may store data used by the processor <NUM> when performing operations.

<FIG> shows an embodiment not covered by the claims, As shown in <FIG>, a user equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a transceiver <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and a computer program stored on the storage <NUM> and executable on the processor <NUM>.

The transceiver <NUM> is configured to receive a reference signal transmitted by a network device, where the reference signal is consecutively transmitted through a preset number of subframes.

The processor <NUM> is configured to perform synchronous tracking according to the reference signal.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to receive the reference signal transmitted by the network device during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state.

The transition process from the inactive state to the active state includes: the user equipment being configured in the RRC _Connected state or the RRC_IDLE mode or the RRC_Inactive mode; a state transition from DRX-OFF to DRX-ON; or a state transition from a sleep state to a normal data transmission and reception state; or a state transition from the sleep state to a control channel monitoring state after receiving a wake-up signal; wherein the sleep state means a state in which a transceiver circuit of the user equipment is in an off state or a partially off state, and a downlink control channel is not monitored.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to receive, based on a first preset period, the reference signal transmitted by the network device.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to receive the reference signal after receiving a wake-up signal.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to: based on a second preset period, receive the reference signal transmitted by the network device when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_IDLE or RRC _Inactive mode.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to receive the reference signal in multiple beam directions.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to receive a notification message transmitted by the network device, where the notification message is used to notify the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking based on the reference signal.

The transceiver <NUM> is also configured to receive system information or user equipment-specific signaling carrying the notification message; wherein, the notification message includes a transmission configuration parameter of the reference signal.

The transceiver is further configured to: according to the time-frequency position, obtain the reference signal in a subframe spaced from the SSB or the CSI-RS by a present length. The processor is further configured to: in an RRM measurement process, after performing synchronization calibration or channel tracking according to the reference signal, use the SSB or the CSI-RS to perform RRM measurement.

The notification message also includes RRM measurement configuration information.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to: when the user equipment is configured in the RRC_Connected mode, generate an RRM measurement result after the RRM measurement, and reporting the RRM measurement result to the network device.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to: if a received power of the reference signal is less than a first threshold or a reception quality of the reference signal is less than a second threshold after the RRM measurement, start RRM measurement to a neighboring cell.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to perform cell selection according to the RRM measurement result.

The transceiver <NUM> is configured to receive and transmit data under a control of the processor <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges. Specifically, various circuits such as one or more processors represented by the processor <NUM> and a memory represented by the storage <NUM> are linked together. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, power management circuits, etc., which are all known in the art, and therefore, will not be further described herein. A bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver <NUM> may be a plurality of elements, that is, include a transmitter and a receiver, and provide units for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium. For different user equipments, a user interface <NUM> may also be an interface capable of connecting externally and internally with a required equipment. The connected equipment includes but not limited to a keypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone, a joystick, etc..

The processor <NUM> is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the storage <NUM> can store data used by the processor <NUM> when performing operations.

Another embodiment not covered by the claims of the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, steps in the method of transmitting a reference signal as described above is implemented.

Another embodiment not covered by the claims of the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, steps in the method of receiving a reference signal as described above is implemented.

Computer-readable media include a permanent or non-permanent medium, or a removable or non-removable medium, and information storage can be implemented by any method or technology. The information can be computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, a phase-change random access memory (PRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory or other memory technologies, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, a magnetic-tape magnetic-disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other non-transmission media can be used to store information that can be accessed by computing devices. According to definitions herein, the computer-readable media do not include transitory media, such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

It should be further noted that the user equipment described in this specification includes, but is not limited to, smart phones, tablet computers, etc., and many of described functional components are referred to as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize independence of their implementations.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, modules may be implemented by software so as to be executed by various types of processors. For example, an identified executable code module may include one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, for example, may be constructed as an object, a process, or a function. Nevertheless, identified executable code modules do not need to be physically located together, but can include different instructions stored in different locations. When these instructions are logically combined together, they constitute a module and implement required purpose of the module.

In fact, an executable code module can be a single instruction or many instructions, and can even be distributed across multiple different code segments, distributed in different programs, and distributed across multiple memory devices. Likewise, operating data can be identified within the module, and can be implemented in any suitable form and organized in any suitable type of data structure. The operating data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed in different locations (including on different storage devices), and at least partly may only exist as electronic signals on a system or a network.

When a module can be implemented by software, considering a level of related hardware technology, the module can be implemented by software. Without considering costs, those skilled in the art can build a corresponding hardware circuit to realize a corresponding function. The hardware circuit includes a conventional very large-scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, and related semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. Modules can also be implemented with programmable hardware devices, such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, etc..

Claim 1:
A method of transmitting a reference signal, the method being performed by network device, the method comprising:
transmitting (<NUM>) a reference signal to a user equipment, wherein, the reference signal is transmitted through a preset number of consecutive subframes, and the reference signal is used for the user equipment to perform synchronization tracking,
characterized in that,
transmitting (<NUM>) the reference signal to the user equipment comprises:
transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during a transition process of the user equipment from an inactive state to an active state, wherein, transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment during the transition process of the user equipment from the inactive state to the active state comprises:
transmitting the reference signal to the user equipment after transmitting a wake-up signal to the user equipment, wherein, each subframe of the preset number of consecutive subframes comprises one slot or multiple consecutive slots, and each slot of the one slot or the multiple consecutive slots comprises one or more symbols containing the reference signal.