TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

A wireless telecommunications system supports a DRX operating mode for communications between a base station and terminal device. This mode comprises a regular and repeating cycle of DRX inactive periods in which the terminal device monitors a downlink channel from the base station and DRX active periods during which the terminal device enters a power-saving mode and does not monitor the downlink channel. The terminal device transmits uplink signalling that is a trigger for subsequent downlink signalling. For example, the uplink signalling may comprise acknowledgement signalling for a previous downlink transmission or a request for uplink transmission resources. The base station receives the uplink signalling, determines the time of an upcoming DRX inactive period for the terminal device, and delays transmitting downlink signalling in response to the uplink signalling until the upcoming DRX inactive period. The terminal device enters the power saving mode after transmitting the uplink signalling and exits the power saving mode for the DRX inactive period to monitor the downlink channel for the downlink signalling.