Patent Description:
This application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for controlling a timer.

In the field of mobile communications, discontinuous reception (discontinuous reception, DRX) for user equipment (UE) means that if the UE does not obtain, through monitoring, scheduling information on a physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) in a period of time, the UE may enter a sleep mode (sleep mode). The UE in the sleep mode does not monitor the PDCCH channel. When monitoring is required, the UE wakes up (wake up) from the sleep mode. In this way, power consumption of the UE can be reduced. Before entering the sleep mode, the UE needs to determine that timers such as a DRX-retransmission timer (DRX-retransmission timer) and a DRX HARQ RTT (DRX hybrid automatic repeat request-round-trip time) timer all expire, to determine that the UE can enter the sleep mode. Before these timers perform timing, the UE needs to configure timing duration of these timers based on a parameter of a currently activated bandwidth part (bandwidth part, BWP).

However, the foregoing timing mechanism may not applicable to a BWP Publication "<NPL>) also considers the problem of continuation of timers when a BWP switch occurs.

This application provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a timer, to optimize control over a timer in a BWP scenario.

Further detailed embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for controlling a timer. In the method, after user equipment activates a first bandwidth part in response to a first message, the user equipment performs the following steps to avoid impact of activation of a new BWP on normal communication of the UE: controlling a target timer to perform timing based on a unit time length of a second bandwidth part until the target timer is stopped or the target timer expires, and thereafter controlling the target timer to perform timing based on a unit time length of the first bandwidth part. Other alternative solutions, not claimed in the present invention, consist on the steps of determining a first count value of a target timer that exists when the first bandwidth part is activated, determining a second count value of the target timer based on the first count value, and controlling the target timer to perform timing from the second count value of the target timer based on a unit time length of the first bandwidth part; or determining a third count value based on a first count value, and controlling a target timer to perform, based on a unit time length of the first bandwidth part, timing for a quantity of times that is equal to the third count value; or controlling a target timer to re-perform timing based on a unit time length of the first bandwidth part; or stopping a target timer or enabling a target timer to expire; or controlling a target timer to continue to perform timing based on a unit time length of the first bandwidth part. In this way, impact of BWP switching or BWP addition on normal communication of the UE is avoided.

The following describes the embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a communications system provided in the embodiments of the present invention is described. Then, a transmit end device and user equipment provided in the embodiments of the present invention are separately described. Finally, a method for controlling data transmission provided in the embodiments of the present invention is described.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a communications system <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. The communications system <NUM> includes a network side device <NUM> and UE <NUM>.

The communications system <NUM> provided in this embodiment of this application includes but is not limited to the following communications standards: global system for mobile communications (global system of mobile communication, GSM), code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) IS-<NUM>, code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) <NUM>, time division-synchronous code division multiple access (time division-synchronous code division multiple access, TD-SCDMA), wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA), time division duplexing-long term evolution (time division duplexing-long term evolution, TDD LTE), and frequency division duplexing-long term evolution (frequency division duplexing-long term evolution, FDD LTE), long term evolution advanced (long term evolution-advanced, LTE-advanced), a personal handy-phone system (personal handy-phone system, PHS), wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, Wi-Fi) specified in the <NUM> protocols, a next-generation <NUM> mobile communications system (5th-generation, fifth-generation mobile communications system), and the like.

The network side device <NUM> may include a base station, or include a base station and a radio resource management device configured to control the base station. For example, for an LTE system such as a TDD LTE system, an FDD LTE system, or an LTE-A system, a network side device <NUM> in a wireless communications system <NUM> may be an evolved NodeB (evolved NodeB, eNodeB). For a TD-SCDMA system or a WCDMA system, a network side device <NUM> in a wireless communications system <NUM> may include a NodeB (NodeB), or include a NodeB and a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC). For a GSM system, a network side device <NUM> in a wireless communications system <NUM> may include a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), or include a BTS and a base station controller (base station controller, BSC).

The UE <NUM> may be a device such as a terminal (terminal), a mobile station (mobile station, MS), or a mobile terminal (mobile terminal). The UE <NUM> can communicate with one or more network side devices in one or more communications systems, and receive a network service provided by a network side device. The network side device herein includes but is not limited to the network side device <NUM>. For example, in this embodiment of this application, the UE <NUM> may be a mobile phone (or referred to as a "cellular" phone), or a computer with a mobile terminal, or the UE <NUM> may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer built-in, or in-vehicle mobile apparatus. In addition, the UE <NUM> may alternatively be a communications chip having a communications module.

It should be understood that user equipment related to a timer configuration method provided in the embodiments of this application may be the UE <NUM> included in the communications system <NUM>, and a network side device provided in the embodiments of this application may be the network side device <NUM>.

In implementation, the UE <NUM> shown in <FIG> may have a structure shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, UE <NUM> for controlling a timer according to an embodiment of this application includes a transceiver <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is configured to perform interaction by the UE <NUM>. The memory <NUM> is configured to store a computer program or an instruction. The processor <NUM> is configured to execute the computer program or the instruction stored in the memory, to enable the UE <NUM> to implement steps performed by the UE <NUM> in the method for controlling data transmission provided in the embodiments of this application.

The UE <NUM> is used as an example. When DRX is performed, the UE <NUM> needs to configure a DRX-retransmission timer and a DRX HARQ RTT timer based on a DRX parameter sent by the network side device <NUM>.

The UE <NUM> may configure the DRX-retransmission timer based on a quantity of slots (slot) that is indicated by the network side device <NUM>, and the UE <NUM> monitors a PDCCH channel based on the quantity of slots that is indicated by the network side device <NUM>, to ensure that no retransmitted data is obtained through monitoring on the PDCCH channel within a slot length of the quantity of slots. DRX-retransmission timers may include an uplink DRX-retransmission timer (DRX-retransmission timer UL) and a downlink DRX-retransmission timer (DRX-retransmission timer DL). The uplink DRX-retransmission timer is used to indicate a maximum time length within which the PDCCH can be continuously monitored before uplink retransmitted data is received. The downlink DRX-retransmission timer is used to indicate a maximum time length within which the PDCCH can be continuously monitored before downlink retransmitted data is received.

The UE <NUM> may configure the DRX HARQ RTT timer based on a quantity of symbols that is indicated by the network side device <NUM>, and the UE <NUM> ensures that no HARQ retransmission occurs within a symbol length of the quantity of symbols that is indicated by the network side device <NUM>. DRX HARQ RTT timers may include an uplink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer (DRX-HARQ-RTT-Timer UL) and a downlink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer (DRX-HARQ-RTT-Timer DL). The uplink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer is used to indicate a minimum time length for which a media access control layer (media access control, MAC) entity of the UE <NUM> needs to wait before the MAC entity obtains an uplink grant (UL grant) for an uplink HARQ retransmission. The downlink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer is used to indicate a minimum time length for which the MAC entity of the UE <NUM> needs to wait before the MAC entity expects to obtain a resource allocated for a downlink HARQ retransmission.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may configure an uplink DRX-retransmission timer based on a quantity of slots that is configured by the network side device <NUM>. For example, the UE <NUM> configures timing duration of the uplink DRX-retransmission timer to <NUM> slots, and it is assumed that a slot length of a BWP <NUM> currently activated by the UE <NUM> is <NUM> millisecond (ms). In this case, a time length of timing that actually needs to be performed by the DRX-retransmission timer is <NUM>. If the uplink DRX-retransmission timer with the time length of <NUM> expires, it indicates that monitoring has been performed in <NUM> slots corresponding to the BWP <NUM>. For another example, the UE <NUM> configures timing duration of the uplink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer to <NUM> symbols, and it is assumed that a slot length of a BWP <NUM> currently activated by the UE <NUM> is <NUM>. If the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is seven times a symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, to be specific, the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a time length of timing actually to be performed by the uplink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer is <NUM>. If the uplink DRX-HARQ-RTT timer with the time length of <NUM> expires, it indicates that monitoring has been performed in <NUM> symbols.

When the UE <NUM> needs to perform BWP switching from the activated BWP <NUM> to a BWP <NUM> shown in <FIG>, or the UE <NUM> needs to activate a new BWP <NUM> on a basis of the BWP <NUM>, if the UE <NUM> needs to transmit data on the new BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> should control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on a quantity of slots and a slot length of the BWP <NUM> when the DRX-retransmission timer is started, and/or control the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on a quantity of symbols and a symbol length of the BWP <NUM> when the DRX HARQ RTT timer is started. However, when the UE <NUM> activates the new BWP, the DRX-retransmission timer has started to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> that is previously activated by the UE <NUM>, and has a count value; and/or the DRX HARQ RTT timer has been controlled to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> that is previously activated by the UE <NUM>, and has a count value. After the BWP <NUM> is activated, the DRX-retransmission timer can perform timing only based on the count value and the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, and/or the DRX HARQ RTT timer can perform timing only based on the count value and the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>. Because a slot length and a symbol length of a BWP may be determined based on a subcarrier spacing (subcarrier spacing, SCS) of the BWP, and an SCS of the BWP <NUM> may be different from an SCS of the BWP <NUM> that is previously activated by the UE <NUM>, the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the slot length of the BWP <NUM> that is previously activated by the UE <NUM>, and the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> that is previously activated by the UE <NUM>. Based on the foregoing timing solution, the existing count value of the DRX-retransmission timer cannot accurately reflect a quantity of slots in which monitoring has been performed on the BWP <NUM>, and/or the existing count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer cannot accurately reflect a quantity of symbols in which monitoring has been performed on the BWP <NUM>. Consequently, the UE <NUM> cannot accurately determine whether the UE <NUM> can enter a sleep mode.

The following describes a timer configuration method according to an embodiment of this application by using a network side device <NUM> and UE <NUM> as an example in which a first bandwidth part is the BWP <NUM> shown in <FIG> and a second bandwidth part is the BWP <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the method includes the following steps:.

Step S101: The UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM> in response to a first message sent by the network side device <NUM>. Activating the BWP <NUM> herein may mean that the UE <NUM> performs BWP switching from the active BWP <NUM> to the BWP <NUM> or the UE <NUM> maintains the BWP <NUM> in an active state when activating the BWP <NUM>.

Step S102-a: The UE <NUM> controls a target timer to perform timing based on a unit time length of the BWP <NUM> until the target timer is stopped or the target timer expires, and controls the target timer to perform timing based on a unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

Alternatively, step S102-b: The UE <NUM> determines a first count value of a target timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, determines a second count value based on the first count value, and controls the target timer to perform timing from the second count value based on a unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

Alternatively, step S102-c: The UE <NUM> determines a first count value of a target timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, determines a third count value based on the first count value, and controls the target timer to perform, based on a unit time length of the BWP <NUM>, timing for a quantity of times that is equal to the third count value.

Alternatively, step S <NUM>-d: The UE <NUM> controls a target timer to re-perform timing based on a unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

Alternatively, step S102-e: The UE <NUM> stops a target timer, or the UE <NUM> sets a target timer to expiry.

Alternatively, step S102-f: The UE <NUM> controls a target timer to continue to perform timing based on a unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

The target timer includes a DRX-retransmission timer and/or a DRX HARQ RTT timer.

The BWP <NUM> is a bandwidth part that has been activated before the user equipment activates the BWP <NUM>.

It should be noted that only one of steps S102-a, S102-b, S <NUM>-c, S <NUM>-d, S102-e, and S102-f is selected to be performed. Herein, DRX-retransmission timers may include an uplink DRX-retransmission timer and a downlink DRX-retransmission timer, and DRX HARQ RTT timers may include an uplink DRX HARQ RTT timer and a downlink DRX HARQ RTT timer.

When the foregoing steps are implemented, if the target timer is the DRX-retransmission timer, the unit time length is a slot length, and a time length of timing that needs to be performed by the DRX-retransmission timer can be determined based on the unit time length and a quantity of slots that is configured by the UE <NUM> for the DRX-retransmission timer. If the target timer is the DRX HARQ RTT timer, the unit time length is a symbol length, and a time length of timing that needs to be performed by the DRX HARQ RTT timer can be determined based on the unit time length and a quantity of symbols that is configured by the UE <NUM> for the DRX HARQ RTT timer. In implementation, a slot length and a symbol length of the BWP <NUM> may be determined based on a configuration of a subcarrier spacing of the BWP <NUM>, and a slot length and a symbol length of the BWP <NUM> may be determined based on a configuration of a subcarrier spacing of the BWP <NUM>.

When step S101 is implemented, the first message to which the UE <NUM> responds may be a command that is used to instruct the UE <NUM> to perform BWP switching from the activated BWP <NUM> to the BWP <NUM> and that is sent by the network side device <NUM> to the UE <NUM>, or a command that is used to instruct the UE <NUM> to activate the new BWP <NUM> while maintaining the BWP <NUM> and that is sent by the network side device <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. Specifically, the first message may be PDCCH signaling, or may be a MAC CE or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

In implementation, the network side device <NUM> may carry an identifier (identify, ID) of the BWP <NUM> in the first message, and the UE <NUM> performs BWP switching based on known information about the BWP <NUM>. For example, the network side device <NUM> may further send a second message to the network side device <NUM>, where the second message includes the information about the BWP <NUM>. For example, the second message may be an RRC reconfiguration message, and may include some or all of: SCS information, slot length information, and symbol length information of the BWP <NUM>. After receiving the first message, the UE <NUM> may perform BWP switching from the active BWP <NUM> to the BWP <NUM> based on the known information about the BWP <NUM> or activate the BWP <NUM> based on the known information about the BWP <NUM>. In addition, information about the BWP <NUM> that has been activated by the UE <NUM> may alternatively be configured by the network side device <NUM> for the UE <NUM>. For example, the network side device <NUM> carries the information about the BWP <NUM> in a third message that is sent to the UE <NUM>, where the information about the BWP <NUM> is used by the UE <NUM> to activate the BWP <NUM>. The third message may be an RRC reconfiguration message, and the information about the BWP <NUM> may include some or all of: SCS information, slot length information, and symbol length information of the BWP <NUM>. In implementation, the network side device <NUM> may further send both the information about the BWP <NUM> and the information about the BWP <NUM> to the UE <NUM> by using a same message (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message), where the message may further include information about another BWP. After receiving the message, the UE <NUM> may send a response message to the network side device <NUM> for feedback.

It should be noted that this embodiment of this application does not exclude a case in which the network side device <NUM> sends the information about the BWP <NUM> to the UE <NUM> by using the first message, where the information about the BWP <NUM> is used by the UE <NUM> to activate the BWP <NUM>. For example, the first message may include some or all of: SCS information, slot length information, and symbol length information of the BWP <NUM>. Alternatively, the step of activating the BWP <NUM> by the UE <NUM> may be performed by the UE <NUM> in response to a fourth message after the UE <NUM> receives the fourth message, where the fourth message may be sent by the network side device <NUM>.

Before step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f is implemented, the UE <NUM> may further determine a relationship between the unit time length of the BWP <NUM> and the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>, to determine whether step S102-a, S102-b, S <NUM>-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f needs to be performed.

Specifically, if the UE <NUM> determines, based on the first message, that the UE <NUM> needs to perform BWP switching from the activated BWP <NUM> to the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f after determining that the unit time length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>. If the UE <NUM> determines that the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the slot length of the BWP <NUM> (to be specific, the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, or the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is less than the slot length of the BWP <NUM>), the UE may perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f for the DRX-retransmission timer, to ensure that the DRX-retransmission timer does not expire at an earlier time or ensure that the DRX-retransmission timer does not expire at an earlier time or a later time, so as to avoid abnormal communication that occurs because a count value of the DRX-retransmission timer for the UE <NUM> is inaccurate. In addition, when the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is definitely different from the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>. In this case, after determining that the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may further perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f for or only for the DRX HARQ RTT timer. If the UE <NUM> determines that the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE may perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f, to ensure that the DRX HARQ RTT timer does not expire at an earlier time or ensure that the DRX HARQ RTT timer does not expire at an earlier time or a later time, so as to avoid abnormal communication that occurs because a count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer for the UE <NUM> is inaccurate. In addition, after determining that the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may further perform one of step S102-a, S <NUM>-b, S <NUM>-c, S <NUM>-d, S <NUM>-e, or S <NUM>-f for or only for the DRX HARQ RTT timer.

In addition, if the UE <NUM> determines, based on the first message, that the UE <NUM> needs to activate the BWP <NUM> and perform communication through both the BWP <NUM> and the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f after determining that the unit time length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>. If the UE <NUM> determines that the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE may perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f for the DRX-retransmission timer, to ensure that the DRX-retransmission timer does not expire at an earlier time or ensure that the DRX-retransmission timer does not expire at an earlier time or a later time, so as to avoid abnormal communication that occurs because a count value of the DRX-retransmission timer for the UE <NUM> is inaccurate. In addition, when the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is definitely greater than the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>. In this case, after determining that the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is different from the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may further perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f for or only for the DRX HARQ RTT timer. If the UE <NUM> determines that the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE may perform one of step S102-a, S102-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-ffor the DRX HARQ RTT timer, to ensure that the DRX HARQ RTT timer does not expire at an earlier time or ensure that the DRX HARQ RTT timer does not expire at an earlier time or a later time, so as to avoid abnormal communication that occurs because a count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer for the UE <NUM> is inaccurate. In addition, after determining that the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may further perform one of step S <NUM>-a, S <NUM>-b, S102-c, S102-d, S102-e, or S102-f for or only for the DRX HARQ RTT timer.

When step S <NUM>-a is implemented, the UE <NUM> may control the target timer to continue performing timing based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>, and after the target timer is stopped or expires, the UE <NUM> restarts the target timer, and controls the target timer to perform timing based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>. Specifically, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to continue performing timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> until the DRX-retransmission timer is stopped or the DRX-retransmission timer expires; and after starting the DRX-retransmission timer next time, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>. That the DRX-retransmission timer is stopped may be that the DRX-retransmission timer is stopped under control of the UE <NUM>.

In an implementation, if the UE <NUM> determines that the slot length of the newly activated BWP <NUM> is less than the slot length of the previously activated BWP <NUM>, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to continue performing timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> until the DRX-retransmission timer is stopped or the DRX-retransmission timer expires; and after restarting the DRX-retransmission timer, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>. In addition, if the UE <NUM> determines that the slot length of the newly activated BWP <NUM> is greater than the slot length of the previously activated BWP <NUM>, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to continue to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> until the DRX-retransmission timer is stopped or the DRX-retransmission timer expires; and after restarting the DRX-retransmission timer, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, if the UE <NUM> configures timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer to <NUM> slots, and the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>. It is assumed that the DRX-retransmission timer runs for <NUM> when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. In this case, according to step S <NUM>-a, the UE <NUM> may continue performing timing for <NUM> based on the slot length of <NUM> until the DRX-retransmission timer expires. Then, the UE <NUM> controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>. If the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a time length of the DRX-retransmission timer is changed to <NUM>. In the foregoing example, it is assumed that the DRX-retransmission timer runs for <NUM> when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM> (if timing is performed based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, compared with the time length of <NUM>, a count value of <NUM> means that the DRX-retransmission timer does not expire). However, the time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is only <NUM> (compared with the time length of <NUM>, the count value of <NUM> means that the DRX-retransmission timer expires). When BWP switching to the BWP <NUM> is performed, the DRX-retransmission timer may expire, and consequently the UE <NUM> enters a sleep mode at an earlier time. However, if the UE <NUM> controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of <NUM> until the DRX-retransmission timer expires, the UE <NUM> may be prevented from entering the sleep mode at an earlier time. In this way, normal communication is not affected.

In addition, the UE <NUM> may further control the DRX HARQ RTT timer to continue performing timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> until the DRX HARQ RTT timer is stopped or the DRX HARQ RTT timer expires; and after the DRX-retransmission timer is started next time, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>. That the DRX HARQ RTT timer is stopped may be that the DRX HARQ RTT timer is stopped under control of the UE <NUM>.

When step S102-b is implemented, the UE <NUM> may determine the second count value of the target timer based on the first count value of the target timer and an adjustment multiple ratio, where the adjustment multiple ratio may be determined based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM> and the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>. Then, the UE <NUM> may control the target timer to perform timing from the second count value based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

Specifically, if the target timer is the DRX-retransmission timer, the UE <NUM> may determine a first count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, and determine a second count value based on the first count value and the adjustment multiple ratio. Then, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing from the second count value based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> (to be specific, perform timing from the second count value until the DRX-retransmission timer expires, where a time length existing when the DRX-retransmission timer expires is determined based on the quantity of slots that is configured by the UE <NUM> and the slot length of the BWP <NUM>). The adjustment multiple ratio may be determined based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> and the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, or may be determined based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> and the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>. For example, if the adjustment multiple ratio is equal to a ratio of the slot length of the BWP <NUM> to the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the second count value is equal to a value obtained by multiplying the first count value by the adjustment multiple ratio. If the adjustment multiple ratio is equal to a ratio of the slot length of the BWP <NUM> to the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, the second count value is equal to a value obtained by dividing the first count value by the adjustment multiple ratio.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, if the UE <NUM> configures timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer to <NUM> slots, and the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>. It is assumed that the DRX-retransmission timer runs for <NUM> when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. In this case, according to step S <NUM>-b, the UE <NUM> may determine that a count value of the DRX-retransmission timer is <NUM>. In addition, the UE <NUM> may determine that the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>. In this case, a ratio of the slot length of the BWP <NUM> to the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>:<NUM>, and the UE <NUM> may determine that the second count value is <NUM> (that is, <NUM> x <NUM>/<NUM>) ms, and control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing from <NUM>. The DRX-retransmission timer expires when a count value is <NUM> (because the UE <NUM> configures the timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer to <NUM> slots, a time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, in other words, the DRX-retransmission timer expires when the count value reaches <NUM>). According to the method, a case in which the DRX-retransmission timer expires at an earlier time or a later time can be avoided, and therefore normal communication is not affected.

Correspondingly, when step S <NUM>-b is implemented, the UE <NUM> may further determine a first count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer that exists when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>, and determine an adjustment multiple ratio for determining a second count value. Then, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing from the second count value based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>. The adjustment multiple ratio may be equal to a value obtained by dividing the slot length of the BWP <NUM> by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, and the second count value is a value obtained by multiplying, by the adjustment multiple ratio, the count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. Alternatively, the adjustment multiple ratio may be equal to a value obtained by dividing the slot length of the BWP <NUM> by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, and the second count value is a value obtained by dividing, by the adjustment multiple ratio, the count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. In addition, the adjustment multiple ratio may alternatively be equal to a value obtained by dividing the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> by the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, and the second count value is a value obtained by multiplying, by the adjustment multiple ratio, the count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. Alternatively, the adjustment multiple ratio may be equal to a value obtained by dividing the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> by the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, and the second count value is a value obtained by dividing, by the adjustment multiple ratio, the count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>.

When step S102-c is implemented, the third count value may indicate remaining timing duration of the target timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, and the remaining timing duration is used to indicate a quantity of remaining slots or a quantity of remaining symbols that are used by the target timer to perform timing based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM> before the target timer expires. The UE <NUM> may determine the third count value based on a remaining unit time length of the target timer and remaining timing duration of the BWP <NUM>, where the remaining timing duration of the target timer may be determined by the UE <NUM> based on the first count value of the target timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated. After determining the third count value, the UE <NUM> may control the target timer to perform timing based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM> and the third count value. For example, the UE <NUM> controls the target timer to perform timing for a quantity of times that is equal to the third count value, and a time length of each timing is the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

Specifically, if the target timer is the DRX-retransmission timer, the UE <NUM> may determine a first count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, and obtain a third count value by dividing, by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, remaining timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated. As shown in <FIG>, if the UE <NUM> configures timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer to <NUM> slots, and the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>. It is assumed that the DRX-retransmission timer runs for <NUM> when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. In this case, according to step S <NUM>-c, the UE <NUM> may determine that a count value of the DRX-retransmission timer is <NUM>, in other words, the first count value is <NUM>, and remaining timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer is <NUM>. The UE <NUM> determines, by dividing the timing duration by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, that the third count value is <NUM>. Then, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to continue performing timing for <NUM> (i.e. <NUM> times x <NUM>) ms based on the count value of <NUM>.

Correspondingly, when step S <NUM>-c is implemented, the UE <NUM> may further determine a first count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer that exists when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>, and determine a third count value. Then, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> and the third count value. The third count value may be determined by dividing, by the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, remaining timing duration of the DRX HARQ RTT timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated.

When step S102-d is implemented, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may restart the DRX-retransmission timer, and control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, if the UE <NUM> configures timing duration of the DRX-retransmission timer to <NUM> slots, the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, and the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>. It is assumed that the DRX-retransmission timer runs for <NUM> when the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>. In this case, according to step S <NUM>-c, the UE <NUM> restarts the DRX-retransmission timer for timing, and controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of <NUM> of the BWP <NUM>. In other words, the UE <NUM> controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing for a time length of <NUM> based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>. According to this solution, after BWP switching to the BWP <NUM> is performed, the UE <NUM> controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform complete timing for a slot length of a specified quantity of slots based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>. In this way, the UE <NUM> can be prevented from entering a sleep mode at an earlier time because the DRX-retransmission timer expires, and normal communication is not affected.

Correspondingly, when step S <NUM>-c is implemented, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may further restart the DRX HARQ RTT timer, and control the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>.

When step S102-e is implemented, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may stop the DRX-retransmission timer and/or the DRX HARQ RTT timer. In addition, after activating the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may alternatively set the DRX-retransmission timer and/or the DRX HARQ RTT timer to expiry. In implementation, after the UE <NUM> stops the DRX-retransmission timer or sets the DRX-retransmission timer to expiry, the UE <NUM> may no longer monitor and detect, on a PDCCH channel, a data packet that is scheduled by the network side device <NUM> and that is retransmitted in a HARQ process corresponding to the timer. In addition, after the UE <NUM> stops the DRX HARQ RTT timer or sets the DRX HARQ RTT timer to expiry, the UE <NUM> may start a DRX-retransmission timer in a HARQ process corresponding to the DRX HARQ RTT timer. After starting the DRX-retransmission timer, the UE <NUM> may monitor the PDCCH channel to obtain a retransmission scheduled in the HARQ process.

When step S102-f is implemented, the UE <NUM> may alternatively control the target timer to continue to perform timing based on the unit time length of the BWP <NUM>.

Specifically, the UE <NUM> still maintains the BWP <NUM> after activating a BWP <NUM>, where a slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, and the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>. In this case, after the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may control the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, and/or the UE <NUM> controls the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, to prevent the DRX-retransmission timer and/or the DRX HARQ RTT timer from expiring at an earlier time. In this case, after the UE <NUM> activates the BWP <NUM>, if the UE <NUM> still controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, when the DRX-retransmission timer expires, a quantity of slots in which the UE <NUM> performs monitoring on the BWP <NUM> has not reached a quantity of slots that is configured by the UE <NUM> for a DRX timer. Consequently, the DRX-retransmission timer expires at an earlier time, and the UE <NUM> may not receive scheduling information in time based on the BWP <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when UE <NUM> performs BWP switching from an activated BWP <NUM> to a BWP <NUM> based on a first message sent by a network side device <NUM>, where a slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, and a slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a method for controlling a timer provided in an embodiment of this application specifically includes the following steps:.

Step <NUM>: The UE <NUM> determines the slot length and a symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, and the slot length and a symbol length of the BWP <NUM> based on an RRC reconfiguration message sent by the network side device <NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The UE <NUM> receives the first message sent by the network side device <NUM>, where the first message is used to indicate the UE <NUM> to perform BWP switching from the activated BWP <NUM> to the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>: In response to the first message, the UE <NUM> performs BWP switching from the activated BWP <NUM> to the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>: The UE <NUM> determines that the slot length of the BWP <NUM> is greater than the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, then performs any one of step <NUM>-a, <NUM>-a, <NUM>-a, <NUM>-a, or <NUM>-a to adjust a DRX-retransmission timer, and performs any one of step <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-b, or <NUM>-b to adjust a DRX HARQ RTT timer.

Step <NUM>-a: The UE <NUM> controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM> until the DRX-retransmission timer is stopped or the DRX-retransmission timer expires, and controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-b: The UE <NUM> controls the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM> until the DRX HARQ RTT timer is stopped or the DRX HARQ RTT timer expires, and controls the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-a: The UE <NUM> determines a first count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, obtains an adjustment multiple ratio by dividing the slot length of the BWP <NUM> by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, obtains a second count value by dividing the first count value by the adjustment multiple ratio, and controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing from the second count value based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-b: The UE <NUM> determines a first count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, obtains an adjustment multiple ratio by dividing the slot length of the BWP <NUM> by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, obtains a second count value by dividing the first count value by the adjustment multiple ratio, and controls the DRX HARQ RTT timer to perform timing from the second count value based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-a: The UE <NUM> determines a first count value of the DRX-retransmission timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, determines a remaining unit time length of the DRX-retransmission timer based on the first count value, obtains a third count value by dividing the remaining unit time length by the slot length of the BWP <NUM>, and controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing for a quantity of times that is equal to the third count value, where a unit time length of each timing is equal to the slot length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-b: The UE <NUM> determines a first count value of the DRX HARQ RTT timer that exists when the BWP <NUM> is activated, determines a remaining unit time length of the DRX HARQ RTT timer based on the first count value, obtains a third count value by dividing the remaining unit time length by the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>, and controls the DRX-retransmission timer to perform timing for a quantity of times that is equal to the third count value, where a unit time length of each timing is equal to the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-a: The UE <NUM> controls the DRX-retransmission timer to re-perform timing based on the slot length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-b: The UE <NUM> controls the DRX HARQ RTT timer to re-perform timing based on the symbol length of the BWP <NUM>.

Step <NUM>-a: The UE <NUM> stops the DRX-retransmission timer or sets the DRX-retransmission timer to expiry.

Step <NUM>-b: The UE <NUM> stops the DRX HARQ RTT timer or sets the DRX HARQ RTT timer to expiry.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when UE <NUM> activates a BWP <NUM> based on a first message sent by a network side device <NUM>, and maintains an activated BWP <NUM> in an active state, where a slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, and a slot length of the BWP <NUM> is <NUM>, a method for controlling a timer provided in an embodiment of this application specifically includes the following steps:.

Based on a same concept as that in the foregoing method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides user equipment configured to implement the method performed by user equipment in the embodiments of this application. In specific implementation, the user equipment may be user equipment configured to implement the foregoing methods, or another device or hardware having such a type of function. The user equipment may have the structure shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a possible logical structure of the user equipment <NUM> related to the foregoing embodiment according to an embodiment of this application. The user equipment <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>. In this embodiment of this application, the processor <NUM> is configured to control and manage an action of the user equipment <NUM>. The user equipment <NUM> may further include a transceiver <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> is configured to store a computer program of the user equipment <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is configured to support the user equipment <NUM> to perform communication.

In the user equipment shown in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processor may implement or execute various example logical blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to content disclosed in this application. Alternatively, the processor may be a combination of processors implementing a computing function, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, or a combination of the digital signal processor and a microprocessor.

Specifically, in the user equipment <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the transceiver <NUM> is configured to perform communication by the user equipment.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store computer code or an instruction.

The processor <NUM> is configured to invoke the computer code or the instruction in the memory <NUM>, to perform the following steps:.

The second bandwidth part is a bandwidth part that has been activated before the first bandwidth part is activated.

Optionally, the processor <NUM> is specifically configured to:
determine the second count value of the target timer based on the first count value of the target timer and an adjustment multiple ratio, where the adjustment multiple ratio is determined based on the unit time length of the first bandwidth part and the unit time length of the second bandwidth part.

Optionally, the adjustment multiple ratio is a ratio of the unit time length of the first bandwidth part to the unit time length of the second bandwidth part.

Alternatively, the adjustment multiple ratio is a ratio of the unit time length of the second bandwidth part to the unit time length of the first bandwidth part.

Optionally, the third count value indicates remaining timing duration of the target timer that exists when the first bandwidth part is activated, and the remaining timing duration is used to indicate a quantity of remaining slots or a quantity of remaining symbols that are used by the target timer to perform timing based on the unit time length of the second bandwidth part before the target timer expires.

Optionally, the unit time length is a slot length, and/or the unit time length is a symbol length.

Optionally, a slot length and/or a symbol length of the first bandwidth part are/is determined based on a configuration of a subcarrier spacing of the first bandwidth part, and a slot length and/or a symbol length of the second bandwidth part are/is determined based on a configuration of a subcarrier spacing of the second bandwidth part.

In addition, in this embodiment of this application, the user equipment may be divided into functional modules based on the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the functional modules may be obtained through division based on corresponding functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional module. It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, division into the modules is merely an example and logical function division, and may be other division in actual implementation.

When the functional modules are obtained through division based on the corresponding functions, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the user equipment related to the foregoing embodiments. The user equipment includes a sending unit <NUM> and a receiving unit <NUM>. The sending unit <NUM> is configured to support the user equipment to perform a step of sending a message by the user equipment in the foregoing method embodiments. The receiving unit <NUM> is configured to support the user equipment to perform a step of receiving a message by the user equipment in the foregoing method embodiments. In implementation, the user equipment further includes a processing unit <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> is configured to support the user equipment to perform a step of determining information by the user equipment in the foregoing method embodiments, for example, determining a unit time length of a BWP <NUM> and/or a unit time length of a BWP <NUM>, and/or controlling a timer to perform timing, and a function that needs to be implemented by the user equipment other than the functions of the sending unit <NUM> and the receiving unit <NUM>.

When being implemented by hardware, the processing unit <NUM> may be a processor, a processing circuit, or the like; the sending unit <NUM> may be a transmitter, a transmitter circuit, or the like; and the receiving unit <NUM> may be a receiver, a receiver circuit, or the like. The sending unit <NUM> and the receiving unit <NUM> may constitute a transceiver.

In a possible implementation, for a structure of the user equipment, refer to a device shown in <FIG>. The device includes a processor <NUM>, an application processor, a wireless transceiver <NUM>, a memory, a user interface, and some other elements (including a device such as a power supply that is not shown). The processor in the user equipment may be the processor <NUM> in <FIG>, and implements a corresponding function. The transceiver in the user equipment may be the wireless transceiver <NUM> in the figure, and implements a corresponding function through an antenna. It may be understood that the elements shown in the figure are merely an example, and are not mandatory elements for implementing the embodiments.

In addition, for a structure of the user equipment, refer to a device shown in <FIG>. For example, the device may implement a function similar to that of the processor <NUM> in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the device includes a processor <NUM>, a data sending processor <NUM>, and a data receiving processor <NUM>. In <FIG>, the transceiver may be the data sending processor <NUM> and/or the data receiving processor <NUM>; and the processor or the processing unit may be the processor <NUM>, and implements a corresponding function. The sending unit may be the data sending processor <NUM> in <FIG>, and the receiving unit may be the data receiving processor <NUM> in <FIG>. Although a channel encoder and a channel decoder are shown in the figure, it may be understood that the modules are merely an example, and do not constitute a limitation on this embodiment.

<FIG> shows another form of user equipment according to an embodiment. A processing apparatus <NUM> includes modules such as a modulation subsystem, a central processing subsystem, and a peripheral subsystem. The user equipment in this embodiment may be used as the modulation subsystem in the processing apparatus <NUM>. Specifically, the modulation subsystem may include a processor <NUM> and an interface <NUM>. The processor <NUM> implements a function of the processing unit, and the interface <NUM> implements a function of the transceiver. As another variant, the modulation subsystem includes a memory <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and a program that is stored in the memory <NUM> and that can be run by the processor <NUM>. When executing the program, the processor <NUM> implements the method in the embodiments. It should be noted that the memory <NUM> may be nonvolatile or volatile. The memory <NUM> may be located in the modulation subsystem, or may be located in the processing apparatus <NUM>, as long as the memory <NUM> can be connected to the processor <NUM>.

Based on a same concept as that in the foregoing method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores some instructions. When these instructions are invoked and executed, a terminal is enabled to perform a function in any one of the foregoing method embodiments or the possible designs of the foregoing method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the computer-readable storage medium may be a RAM (random access memory, random access memory) or a ROM (read-only memory, read-only memory).

Based on a same concept as that in the foregoing method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores some instructions. When these instructions are invoked and executed, an authentication server is enabled to perform a function in any one of the foregoing method embodiments or the possible designs of the foregoing method embodiments. The readable storage medium is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the readable storage medium may be a RAM or a ROM.

Based on a same concept as that in the foregoing method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on a computer, a terminal is enabled to perform a function in any one of the foregoing method embodiments or the possible designs of the foregoing method embodiments.

Based on a same concept as that in the foregoing method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on a computer, an authentication server is enabled to perform a function in any one of the foregoing method embodiments or the possible designs of the foregoing method embodiments.

In addition, an embodiment of this application further provides a method for controlling DRX active time.

The communications system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is still used as an example. When the UE <NUM> operates in a DRX mode, the UE <NUM> may receive a DRX command from the network side device <NUM> in a slot, where the DRX command is used to instruct the UE <NUM> to enter a sleep mode. However, a time period from the slot in which the network side device <NUM> sends the DRX command to a slot in which the network side device <NUM> determines that the UE <NUM> successfully receives the DRX command is a DRX fuzzy period. To be specific, in the fuzzy period, neither the network side device <NUM> nor the UE <NUM> can exactly determine whether the UE <NUM> should be in an active state or in a sleep mode. According to a method for determining a DRX fuzzy period provided in an embodiment of this application, the network side device <NUM> and the UE <NUM> can accurately determine the DRX fuzzy period, so as to determine whether the UE <NUM> enters a sleep mode.

New cross-slot scheduling and a related hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement, HARQ-ACK) mechanism are introduced to a new radio (new radio, NR) system. The DRX fuzzy period may be determined in the following manner: The DRX fuzzy period includes some or all of the following: a delay of processing a PDCCH and a cross-slot scheduling slot K0, a delay of processing a physical downlink shared channel (physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH) scheduled on the PDCCH and used for transmitting a DRX command, and a delay k of processing corresponding HARQ-ACK feedback. Optionally, the DRX fuzzy period may include one additional slot.

K0 may be configured by the network side device <NUM> for the UE <NUM> by using dedicated signaling, and k may be obtained from PDCCH scheduling information sent by the network side device <NUM>. A reason for calculating one additional slot is as follows: One additional slot needs to be calculated for the UE <NUM> to perform HARQ-ACK. Because a HARQ-ACK has not been successfully sent to the network side device <NUM> in the slot, the network side device <NUM> still cannot determine whether the UE <NUM> is definitely in an active state or an inactive state in the slot. To reduce complexity caused by blind detection on transmission of channel state information (channel state information, CSI) feedback information and a sounding reference signal (sounding reference signalling, SRS) because the network side device <NUM> cannot determine whether the UE <NUM> is in an active state or an inactive state, one additional slot is relaxed. To be specific, in a next slot of the slot in which the UE sends the HARQ-ACK, the network side device <NUM> can definitely determine whether the UE <NUM> is in an active state or an inactive state.

Based on this, the DRX fuzzy period may be determined as (n - K0 - k - <NUM>) slots. For example, as shown in <FIG>, if the network side device <NUM> sends a DRX command in a slot (n - K0 - k - <NUM>), a DRX fuzzy period is from the slot (n - K0 - k - <NUM>) to a slot n. In the slot n, the UE <NUM> determines, based on the DRX command sent by the network side device <NUM> in the slot (n - K0 - k - <NUM>) and transmission of other scheduling information, whether the UE <NUM> is in an active state or a sleep mode and whether CSI or an SRS needs to be sent. Transmission of other scheduling information includes downlink resource allocation information indicated by a PDCCH, UL resource allocation information, scheduling request information sent by the UE, and the like.

To facilitate implementation performed by the UE <NUM>, the DRX fuzzy period may be determined based on some or all of the following: n - K0 - k, n - k - <NUM>, n - k, n - K0_max - k_max - <NUM>, n - K0_max - k_max, n - k_max - <NUM>, or n - k_max, where K0_max represents a maximum value that can be obtained for K0 in the NR system, and k_max represents a maximum value that can be obtained for k in the NR system. Based on the DRX fuzzy period, the UE <NUM> can determine whether the UE <NUM> is in DRX inactive time. For example, after receiving PDCCH scheduling information for a DRX control command in a second slot, the UE <NUM> may determine that a MAC entity of the user equipment is in the DRX inactive time in a first slot. A slot offset from the second slot to the first slot is the DRX fuzzy period.

Optionally, the UE <NUM> may or may not perform CSI and/or SRS transmission from a slot n - (K0 + k + <NUM>) to the slot n or from a slot n - (K0 + k) to the slot n.

In addition, if the UE <NUM> currently has a plurality of active BWPs, and the plurality of BWPs have different slot lengths, how to determine a fuzzy period length is also a problem to be resolved.

In implementation, the UE <NUM> may determine the fuzzy period length based on (n - K0 - k - <NUM>) and a slot length that corresponds to a BWP for receiving the DRX command.

Alternatively, the UE <NUM> may determine the DRX fuzzy period length through calculation based on (n - K0 - k - <NUM>) and a maximum slot length that corresponds to a BWP in the plurality of BWPs that are currently active.

Based on the foregoing method for determining a DRX fuzzy period, a method for controlling DRX active time provided in an embodiment of this application includes:.

Optionally, the method further includes:
receiving, by the user equipment, a first message, where the first message includes a value of K0.

Optionally, the method further includes:
receiving, by the user equipment, a second message, where the second message includes a value of k.

Persons skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of this application may be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product.

This application is described with reference to the flowcharts and/or block diagrams of the method, the device (system), and the computer program product in the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and/or each block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams and a combination of a process and/or a block in the flowcharts and/or the block diagrams. These computer program instructions may be provided for a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of another programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by a computer or a processor of the another programmable data processing device generate an apparatus for implementing a specific function in one or more processes in the flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

These computer program instructions may be stored in a computer-readable memory that can instruct the computer or the another programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory generate an artifact that includes an instruction apparatus.

Claim 1:
A method for controlling a timer, implemented in a user equipment, comprising:
receiving (S101) a first message from a network device, wherein the first message is used to switch from a first bandwidth part to a second bandwidth part, wherein a target timer is running based on a unit time length of the first bandwidth part when receiving the first message; and characterized by
performing bandwidth part switching from the first bandwidth part to the second bandwidth part in response to the first message;
controlling (S102-a) the target timer to perform timing based on the unit time length of the first bandwidth part until the target timer is stopped or the target timer expires;
after the target timer is stopped or expires, controlling the target timer to perform timing based on a unit time length of the second bandwidth part.