Communication method and device

Abstract

According to the communication method and device, in the method, a first device sends first information to a plurality of second devices, and the first information comprises a first message, a message number of the first message and a timestamp of the first message. Wherein the first information is used for the plurality of second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message. The plurality of second devices belong to the same broadcast domain. According to the method, multiple second devices can broadcast the first message according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message at the same time, and SFN broadcasting is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] A broadcast single-frequency network (SFN) allows all cells in a broadcast session to transmit the same broadcast data over the same time-frequency resources. Broadcast SFN offers the following benefits: Terminal devices can treat broadcast data from different cells as multipath, achieving combining gain; and the consistency of broadcast content across cells reduces service discontinuity during terminal handover. However, implementing broadcast SFN remains an open research topic. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which are conducive to implementing broadcast SFN.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can be performed by a first device. The first device here can refer to the first device itself or a processor, module, chip, or chip system that implements the method in the first device. In this method, the first device sends first information to multiple second devices, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message. The first information is used by multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message based on the message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message. The multiple second devices belong to the same broadcast domain.

[0005] It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, when the first device sends a first message to multiple second devices in the same broadcast domain, it also sends the message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message, which is beneficial for multiple second devices to broadcast the first message simultaneously according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message, so that multiple second devices can realize broadcast SFN.

[0006] In an optional implementation, the first information also includes the number of first messages and the data volume of the first message. The number of first messages is the cumulative number of messages sent when the first device sends the first message within the first scheduling period. The data volume of the first message is the cumulative amount of data sent when the first device sends the first message within the first scheduling period. The first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

[0007] It can be seen that the first device also sends the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period to multiple second devices through the first information, which is beneficial for multiple second devices to determine the message packet loss situation within the first scheduling period.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the first device further sends second information to multiple second devices, where the second information includes a timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period, a second message number, and a second message data volume. The second message number is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the second message data volume is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, where the first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

[0009] It can be seen that the second device can also send the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device in the first scheduling period to multiple second devices through the second information, which is conducive to multiple second devices determining the message packet loss situation in the first scheduling period.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the second information further includes the message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first scheduling period, the plurality of messages including the first message. This approach facilitates the plurality of second devices to determine the length of the lost message in the first scheduling period.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the first information further includes the number of third messages and the data volume of the third messages. The number of third messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period, and the data volume of the third messages is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period. The first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

[0012] It can be seen that the first device can also send the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period to multiple second devices through the first information, thereby facilitating multiple second devices to determine the message packet loss situation within the first synchronization period.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the first device further sends third information to multiple second devices, where the third information includes a timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period, the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the second message data volume, and the fourth message data volume.

[0014] The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period. The first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message, the first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

[0015] As can be seen, the first device also sends the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, as well as the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, to multiple second devices via third information. This approach facilitates the multiple second devices to determine the packet loss situation during the first synchronization period by combining the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period, thereby improving the accuracy of packet loss information.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the third information further includes the message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first synchronization period, wherein the plurality of messages includes the first message. This method facilitates the plurality of second devices to determine the length of the lost message in the first synchronization period.

[0017] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a second device. The second device herein may refer to the second device itself or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the second device that implements the method. In this method, the second device receives first information, the first information including a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message. The second device determines a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message. Based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, the second device broadcasts the first message.

[0018] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the present application, when the second device receives the first message, it also receives the message number and timestamp of the first message. Therefore, the second device can determine the second scheduling period for scheduling the first message based on the timestamp of the first message, and broadcast the first message based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, which is conducive to achieving broadcast SFN with other second devices.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the first information further includes the number of first messages and the data volume of the first messages. The number of first messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period, the first message data volume is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period, and the first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message. Thus, the second device can also obtain the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period through the second information.

[0020] When the first information further includes the number of first messages and the data volume of the first messages, the second device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, including: determining first packet loss information based on the number of first messages and the data volume of the first message, the first packet loss information including at least one of the message number of the lost message and the data length of the lost message; and broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the first packet loss information. In this manner, when the second device broadcasts the first message, packet loss within the first scheduling period is taken into account, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss within the first scheduling period on the broadcast SFN.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, the second device may further perform the following steps: receiving second information, the second information including a timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period, a second number of messages, and a second message data volume; and determining second packet loss information based on the second information, the second packet loss information including at least one of a message number of the lost message and a data length of the lost message. Thus, the second device broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message includes: broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the second packet loss information.

[0022] Among them, the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, the second message data volume is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

[0023] As can be seen, the second device can also use the second information to learn the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and thus can determine the second packet loss information based on the second information. Furthermore, when the second device broadcasts the first message, it also takes into account the packet loss during the first scheduling period, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss during the first scheduling period on the broadcast SFN.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the second information further includes the message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first scheduling period, the plurality of messages including the first message. This approach enables the second device to determine the length of the lost message in the first scheduling period.

[0025] In an optional embodiment, the first information further includes the number of third messages and the data volume of the third messages. The number of third messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period, and the data volume of the third messages is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period. The first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period. Thus, the second device can also obtain the cumulative number of messages and the data volume of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period through the first information.

[0026] When the first information further includes the number of third packets and the amount of third packet data, the second device determining the first packet loss information based on the first number of packets and the first packet data amount includes: determining the first packet loss information based on the number of first packets, the first packet data amount, the number of third packets, and the third packet data amount. This approach can improve the accuracy of the first packet loss information.

[0027] In an optional embodiment, the second device further receives third information, the third information including a timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period, the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the second message data volume, and the fourth message data volume, and determines third packet loss information based on the third information. The third packet loss information includes at least one of a message number of the lost message and a data length of the lost message. Thus, the second device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, including: broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the third packet loss information.

[0028] The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period. The first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message, the first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

[0029] It can be seen that the second device can also receive the third information and determine the third packet loss information based on the third information. Then, it can broadcast the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the third packet loss information. This method can reduce the impact of message loss in the first synchronization period on the broadcast SFN.

[0030] In an optional implementation, the third information further includes the message length of each message in multiple messages within the first synchronization period, and the multiple messages include the first message. This method allows the second device to determine the length of the lost message within the first scheduling period.

[0031] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a third device. The third device herein may refer to the third device itself or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the third device that implements the method. In this method, the third device receives fourth information from a first device, the fourth information including a first message and a first message number of the first message. The third device sends fifth information to multiple fourth devices, the fifth information including a second message number of the first message and a timestamp of the first message.

[0032] The second message number is determined based on the first message number, and the fifth information is used by multiple fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message. In addition, the third device and the multiple fourth devices belong to the same broadcast domain.

[0033] It can be seen that after the third device receives the first message and the first message number of the first message from the first device, it sends the timestamp of the first message and the second message number determined based on the first message number to multiple fourth devices, which is conducive to the multiple fourth devices broadcasting the first message simultaneously according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message, thereby realizing the broadcast SFN.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the third device further performs the following steps: determining a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message; and broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period and the second message number. This method is conducive to broadcasting SFN with multiple fourth devices.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, the fifth information further includes a second message number of each message in the plurality of messages within a first synchronization period, a timestamp of each message, and a message length of each message. The first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the plurality of messages includes the first message.

[0036] In another optional embodiment, the fifth information further includes the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the second message data volume, and the fourth message data volume. The second message number is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, the fourth message number is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period. The first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

[0037] In addition, the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, which can be understood as: the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages received by the third device during the first scheduling period; the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, which can be understood as: the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages received by the third device during the first synchronization period. The second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, which can be understood as: the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data received by the third device during the first scheduling period; the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, which can be understood as: the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data received by the third device during the first synchronization period.

[0038] The fifth information also includes the second message number of each message in the plurality of messages within the first synchronization period, the timestamp of each message, and the message length of each message, and / or when the fifth information also includes the second message number, the fourth message number, the second message data volume, and the fourth message data volume, the third device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number, including: determining fourth packet loss information according to the fifth information, the fourth packet loss information including at least one of the message number of the lost message and the data length of the lost message; and broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period, the second message number, and the fourth packet loss information. In this manner, when the third device broadcasts the first message, packet loss within the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period is taken into account, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss within the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period on the broadcast SFN.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a fourth device. The fourth device herein may refer to the fourth device itself or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the fourth device that implements the method. In this method, the fourth device receives fifth information from a third device, the fifth information including a second message number of a first message and a timestamp of the first message. The fourth device determines a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message and broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number.

[0040] It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, the fourth device determines the second scheduling period for scheduling the first message based on the timestamp of the first message, and broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number, which is conducive to realizing broadcast SFN with other fourth devices.

[0041] In an optional embodiment, the fifth information further includes a second message number of each message in the plurality of messages within a first synchronization period, a timestamp of each message, and a message length of each message. The first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the plurality of messages includes the first message.

[0042] In an optional embodiment, the fifth information further includes the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the second message data volume, and the fourth message data volume. The second message number is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, the fourth message number is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period. The first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

[0043] In addition, the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, which can be understood as: the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages received by the third device during the first scheduling period; the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, which can be understood as: the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages received by the third device during the first synchronization period. The second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, which can be understood as: the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data received by the third device during the first scheduling period; the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period, which can be understood as: the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data received by the third device during the first synchronization period.

[0044] The fifth information also includes the second message number of each message in the plurality of messages within the first synchronization period, the timestamp of each message, and the message length of each message, and / or when the fifth information also includes the second message number, the fourth message number, the second message data volume, and the fourth message data volume, the fourth device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number, including: determining fourth packet loss information according to the fifth information, the fourth packet loss information including at least one of the message number of the lost message and the data length of the lost message; and broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period, the second message number, and the fourth packet loss information. In this manner, when the fourth device broadcasts the first message, packet loss within the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period is taken into account, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss within the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period on the broadcast SFN.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device has the function of implementing some or all of the functions of the first device described in the first aspect above, or implementing some or all of the functions of the second device described in the second aspect above, or implementing some or all of the functions of the third device described in the third aspect above, or implementing some or all of the functions of the fourth device described in the fourth aspect above. For example, the functions of the communication device may have the functions of some or all of the embodiments of the first device described in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present application, or may have the functions of implementing any one of the embodiments of the present application alone. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0046] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions in the above method. The communication unit is configured to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0047] In one embodiment, the communication apparatus includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, the apparatus is applied to a first device, the processing unit is configured to process a signal / signaling;

[0048] The communication unit is configured to send first information to multiple second devices, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message;

[0049] The first information is used by the multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message; the multiple second devices belong to the same broadcast domain.

[0050] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0051] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the apparatus is applied to a second device;

[0052] The communication unit is configured to receive first information, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message;

[0053] The processing unit is configured to determine a second scheduling period according to the timestamp of the first message;

[0054] The processing unit is further configured to broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message.

[0055] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0056] In yet another embodiment, the communication apparatus comprises: a processing unit and a communication unit, the apparatus is applied to a third device, the processing unit is configured to process the signal / signaling;

[0057] The communication unit is configured to receive fourth information from the first device, where the fourth information includes a first message and a first message number of the first message;

[0058] The communication unit is further configured to send fifth information to the plurality of fourth devices, the fifth information including the second message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message;

[0059] The second message number is determined based on the first message number, and the fifth information is used for multiple fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message.

[0060] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, the communication apparatus comprises: a processing unit and a communication unit, and the apparatus is applied to a fourth device;

[0062] The communication unit is configured to receive fifth information from the second device, the fifth information including a second message number of the first message and a timestamp of the first message;

[0063] The processing unit is configured to determine a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message;

[0064] The processing unit is further configured to broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number.

[0065] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0066] As an example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor.

[0067] In one embodiment, the communication apparatus includes: a processor and a transceiver, the apparatus is applied to a first device, and the processor is configured to process signals / signaling;

[0068] The transceiver is configured to send first information to multiple second devices, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message;

[0069] The first information is used by the multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message; the multiple second devices belong to the same broadcast domain.

[0070] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0071] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus includes: a processor and a transceiver, and the apparatus is applied to the second device;

[0072] The transceiver is configured to receive first information, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message;

[0073] The processor is configured to determine a second scheduling period according to a timestamp of the first message;

[0074] The processor is further configured to broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message.

[0075] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0076] In yet another embodiment, the communication apparatus comprises: a processor and a transceiver, the apparatus is applied to a third device, the processor is configured to process signals / signaling;

[0077] The transceiver is configured to receive fourth information from the first device, where the fourth information includes a first message and a first message number of the first message;

[0078] The transceiver is further configured to send fifth information to the plurality of fourth devices, the fifth information including the second message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message;

[0079] The second message number is determined based on the first message number, and the fifth information is used for multiple fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message.

[0080] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0081] In yet another embodiment, the communication apparatus comprises: a processor and a transceiver, and the apparatus is applied to a fourth device;

[0082] The transceiver is configured to receive fifth information from the second device, the fifth information including a second message number of the first message and a timestamp of the first message;

[0083] The processor is configured to determine a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message;

[0084] The processor is further configured to broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number.

[0085] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0086] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. The processing unit may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit; and the communication unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or related circuits on the chip or chip system.

[0087] During implementation, the processor can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The above-mentioned devices can be respectively arranged on independent chips, or at least partially or completely arranged on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. Among them, the analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver on the same chip, and the digital baseband processor can be arranged on an independent chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (such as but not limited to a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system on a chip (SoC). Whether each device is independently arranged on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of product design. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0088] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a processor for executing the various methods described above. In the process of executing these methods, the process of sending the above-mentioned information and receiving the above-mentioned information in the above-mentioned methods can be understood as the process of the processor outputting the above-mentioned information and the process of the processor receiving the above-mentioned information input. When outputting the above-mentioned information, the processor outputs the above-mentioned information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After being output by the processor, the above-mentioned information may also need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives the above-mentioned information input, the transceiver receives the above-mentioned information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above-mentioned information, the above-mentioned information may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0089] For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual functions or internal logic in the relevant descriptions, they can be more generally understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, rather than sending and receiving operations directly performed by the RF circuit and antenna.

[0090] During implementation, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to execute these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or may be disposed on separate chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory or the configuration of the memory and the processor.

[0091] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, the system comprising a first device and multiple second devices. In another possible design, the system may further comprise other devices / functional network elements that interact with the first device and / or the second device.

[0092] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implements the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0093] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, implements the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0094] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement or support the first device to implement the function involved in the first aspect, or implement or support the second device to implement the function involved in the second aspect, or implement or support the third device to implement the function involved in the third aspect, or implement or support the fourth device to implement the function involved in the fourth aspect. For example, determine or process at least one of the data and information involved in the above method. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0095] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor for executing a computer program or executable instructions stored in a memory, so that when the computer program or executable instructions are executed, the device executes a method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0096] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated;

[0097] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0098] The beneficial effects of the fifth to eleventh aspects can refer to the beneficial effects of the first to fourth aspects and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a broadcast SFN scenario;

[0101] Figure 3 This is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] Figure 4 This is a transmission diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] Figure 5 This is another transmission schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] Figure 6 This is another transmission schematic diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] Figure 7 This is another transmission schematic diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] Figure 8 This is another transmission schematic diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] Figure 9 This is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] Figure 10 This is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] Figure 11 This is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] Figure 12 This is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Figure 13 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] Figure 14 It is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0114] To better understand the embodiments of the present application, the following first introduces the system architecture involved in the embodiments of the present application:

[0115] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to long-term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, and other systems that have evolved after 5G, satellite communications, and short-range wireless communication systems. A wireless communication system may include one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices. A wireless communication system may also perform point-to-point communication, such as communication between multiple terminal devices.

[0116] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1As shown, the system architecture includes a first device and n second devices, the first device can communicate and interact with the n second devices, the n second devices belong to the same broadcast domain, and n is a positive integer. In an optional implementation, the first device is a core network device, and the second device is a network device. In another optional implementation, the first device is a centralized unit (CU) and the second device is a distributed unit (DU). In addition, the third device in the embodiment of the present application is one of the n second devices, and the fourth device is the other second device among the n second devices except the third device.

[0117] Optional, Figure 1 The system architecture shown may also include other devices / functional network elements that interact with the first device and / or the second device. For example, Figure 1 The illustrated system architecture may also include one or more end devices that interact with the second device.

[0118] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device is an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals, has wireless transceiver functions, and is used to communicate with terminal devices. The network device can be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a base station in a 5G / 6G network or a base station in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, or a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, etc. Optionally, the network devices in the embodiments of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, devices that realize base station functions in the future, access points (APs) in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, transmitting and receiving points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and devices that assume base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, and devices that evolve after 5G. The device that realizes the base station function in the communication system, integrated access and backhaul (IAB), and may also include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) in the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) system, and a network device in the non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, that is, it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite, and can also be various types of equipment that constitute an access node, such as an active antenna unit (AAU) and a baseband unit (BBU), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0119] Network devices can communicate and interact with core network devices to provide communication services to terminal devices. Core network devices are, for example, devices in the 5G core network (CN). As a bearer network, the core network provides an interface to the data network, providing communication connections, authentication, management, policy control, and data service delivery for terminals.

[0120] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, and may include various handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal. The terminal device may also refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit (subscriberunit), user agent, cellular phone (cellular phone), smartphone (smartphone), wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, tablet computer, wireless modem (modem), handheld device (handset), laptop computer (laptop computer), smart point of sale (POS) machine, customer-premises equipment (CPE), machine type communication (MTC) terminal , communication equipment carried on high-altitude aircraft, wearable devices, drones, robots, terminals in D2D, terminals in V2X, virtual reality (VR) terminal equipment, augmented reality (AR) terminal equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, or terminal equipment in future communication networks, etc., are not limited in this application.

[0121] The embodiments disclosed herein will present various aspects, embodiments, or features of the present invention centered around a system comprising multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these solutions may also be used.

[0122] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a broadcast SFN scenario. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, to implement broadcast SFN, network devices #1, #2, and #3 must belong to the same broadcast domain and use the same radio resources to transmit the same broadcast session. Radio resources include but are not limited to time-frequency resources, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and coding.

[0123] This embodiment of the application proposes a communication method 100. Figure 3 1 is an interactive diagram of the communication method 100. The communication method 100 is described from the perspective of the interaction between a first device and multiple second devices. The communication method 100 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0124] S101. A first device sends first information to multiple second devices, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message. Accordingly, each of the multiple second devices receives the first information from the first device.

[0125] The multiple second devices belong to the same broadcast domain, i.e., the multiple second devices are devices that perform broadcast services in the same broadcast domain. The first message is any one of the multiple messages to be broadcast by the multiple second devices. For example, if the multiple messages to be broadcast by the multiple second devices include message #1, message #2, and message 3, then the first message is message #1, or the first message is message #2, or the first message is message #3.

[0126] The message number of the first message may be a multicast / broadcast service sequence number (MBSSN), where the MBSSN may be a quality of service flow identifier sequence number (QFISN). Optionally, the message number of the first message may also be a sequence number in other forms, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0127] In addition, the timestamp of the first message may be the absolute time of the current moment when the first device sends the first information or the first message. The absolute time of the current moment may be, for example, global positioning system (GPS) time or network time protocol (NTP) time. For example, if the absolute time of the current moment when the first device sends the first message is t1, then the timestamp of the first message is t1.

[0128] Optionally, the timestamp of the first message may be determined by the first device based on the current time at which the first information or the first message is sent. For example, the first device may use a time N scheduling periods after the current time at which the first information or the first message is sent as the timestamp of the first message, where N is a positive integer. The scheduling period is a period configured by the first device for scheduling messages. For example, if the current time at which the first device sends the first information is t1 and one scheduling period is T, the first device may determine the timestamp of the first message as t1+T.

[0129] It can be seen that when the first device sends the first message to multiple second devices via the first information, it also sends the message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message to the multiple second devices via the first information. The way the first device sends the message number of the first message to multiple second devices is conducive to having the same number for the first message among multiple second devices, which in turn helps multiple second devices determine the same first message. In addition, the first device sends the timestamp of the first message to multiple second devices, which helps multiple second devices determine the scheduling period for scheduling the first message. Therefore, the first information is used for multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message based on the message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message.

[0130] That is to say, when the first device sends the first message to multiple second devices, it also carries the message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message, which is beneficial for multiple second devices to broadcast the first message simultaneously according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message, so that multiple second devices can realize broadcast SFN.

[0131] Optionally, the first device further transmits first information corresponding to other messages in addition to the first message to the multiple second devices. For example, the first device further transmits first information corresponding to the second message to the multiple second devices, where the first information corresponding to the second message includes the message number of the second message and the timestamp of the second message. This facilitates the multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the second messages according to the message numbers and timestamps of the second messages, thereby achieving a broadcast SFN for the second messages.

[0132] Alternatively, it can be understood as: the first device sends the first information corresponding to multiple messages to multiple second devices, the multiple messages include the first message, and the first information corresponding to each message in the multiple messages includes the message number of the message and the timestamp of the message. This method can enable multiple second devices to obtain the message numbers and timestamps of multiple messages, which is beneficial for multiple second devices to realize the broadcast SFN for multiple messages.

[0133] Optionally, before the first device sends the first information to multiple second devices, the first device also configures the same broadcast wireless resources to the multiple second devices. The wireless resources include spatial resources, time domain resources, frequency domain resources and MCS, etc. This method enables multiple second devices to use the same wireless resources to broadcast messages.

[0134] Optionally, before the first device sends the first information to the multiple second devices, the first device further configures the multiple second devices to permit the same broadcast session. This allows the multiple second devices to broadcast the same message. For example, the first device sends permission information to the multiple second devices, where the permission information is used to instruct the second devices to permit the first broadcast session. As a result, each of the multiple second devices can permit the first broadcast session, and the multiple second devices can then broadcast the messages generated by the first broadcast session.

[0135] Optionally, before the first device sends the first information to multiple second devices, the first device also configures the same multiple scheduling periods for the multiple second devices. The multiple scheduling periods are periods for scheduling messages for the multiple second devices, or periods for broadcasting messages for the multiple second devices. This method enables multiple second devices to broadcast the same message within the same scheduling period.

[0136] It can be seen that before the first device sends the first information to multiple second devices, it can configure the same broadcast wireless resources and the same scheduling period for multiple second devices, and configure multiple second devices to allow the same broadcast session. This method can provide conditions for multiple second devices to implement broadcast SFN.

[0137] S102. The second device determines a second scheduling period according to the timestamp of the first message.

[0138] The second device in S102 and S103 described below may be each of the multiple second devices in S101. That is, each of the multiple second devices may execute S102 and S103. Furthermore, the second scheduling period is a scheduling period for the second device to schedule the first message, or a scheduling period for the second device to broadcast the first message.

[0139] In an optional implementation, when the timestamp of the first message is the absolute time of the current moment when the first device sends the first information or the first message, the second device determines the second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message, including: postponing the timestamp of the first message by n scheduling periods to the scheduling period in which the time is located, and determining it as the second scheduling period, where n is a positive integer.

[0140] It can be seen that when the timestamp of the first message is the absolute time of the current moment when the first device sends the first information or the first message, the second scheduling period used to schedule the first message can be the scheduling period in which the timestamp of the first message is delayed by n scheduling periods.

[0141] For example, Figure 4 A transmission diagram is shown. Figure 4 Each number in represents a message, for example, number 1 represents message 1, and number 2 represents message 2. Figure 4 As shown, the first device uses the absolute time t1 of the current moment when message 1 is sent as the timestamp of message 1. If n is equal to 1, the second scheduling period for scheduling message 1 is the scheduling period at the moment t1+1 scheduling periods, that is, the second scheduling period for scheduling message 1 is scheduling period T1. For another example, the first device uses the absolute time t2 of the current moment when message 2 is sent as the timestamp of message 2. If n is equal to 1, the second scheduling period for scheduling message 2 is the scheduling period at the moment t1+1 scheduling periods, that is, the second scheduling period for scheduling message 2 is scheduling period T1.

[0142] In another optional embodiment, when the timestamp of the first message is a time point N scheduling periods later than the current time point at which the first device sends the first information or the first message, the second device determines the second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message, including: determining the scheduling period in which the timestamp of the first message lies as the second scheduling period. In other words, when the timestamp of the first message is a time point N scheduling periods later than the current time point at which the first device sends the first information or the first message, the second scheduling period used to schedule the first message is the scheduling period in which the timestamp of the first message lies.

[0143] For example, Figure 5 This is another transmission diagram. Figure 5 As shown, the timestamp of message 1 is the current time when the first device sends broadcast message 1, which is delayed by one scheduling period. In this case, the second scheduling period used to schedule message 1 is scheduling period T1, which is the time stamp of message 1. For another example, the timestamp of message 2 is the current time when the first device sends message 2, which is delayed by one scheduling period. In this case, the second scheduling period used to schedule message 2 is scheduling period T1, which is the time stamp of message 2.

[0144] It can be seen that each of the multiple second devices can determine the second scheduling period for scheduling the first message based on the timestamp of the first message, thereby facilitating the multiple second devices to broadcast the first message within the same scheduling period.

[0145] Optionally, the multiple second devices may further determine a second scheduling period for scheduling the message based on the timestamp of a message other than the first message. That is, the multiple second devices may determine the second scheduling period for scheduling the message based on the timestamp of each message in the multiple messages, where the multiple messages include the first message. For example, the multiple second devices may further determine the second scheduling period for scheduling the second message based on the timestamp of the second message.

[0146] S103. The second device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message.

[0147] The second device broadcasting the first message means that the second device broadcasts the first message to multiple terminal devices.

[0148] In one implementation, the second device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, including: broadcasting the first message according to the message number of the first message within the second scheduling period.

[0149] In one embodiment, the second device broadcasts the first message within the second scheduling period according to the message number of the first message, including: determining multiple messages with a scheduling period within the second scheduling period, the multiple messages including the first message; and broadcasting the multiple messages sequentially within the second scheduling period according to the message numbers of the multiple messages. The first device determines the multiple messages with a scheduling period within the second scheduling period, including: determining the multiple messages with a scheduling period within the second scheduling period based on a timestamp of each message in the multiple messages.

[0150] Optionally, the second device broadcasts multiple messages in sequence according to the message numbers of the multiple messages within the second scheduling period, including: within the second scheduling period, broadcasting multiple messages in sequence according to the message numbers of the multiple messages based on the same MCS and the same encoding method.

[0151] For example, Figure 6 This is another transmission diagram. Figure 6As shown, within scheduling period T0, the first device sends message 1, message 2, and message 3 to second device 1 and second device 2, sequentially. The timestamps of message 1, message 2, and message 3 are their respective current transmission times, namely, t1, t2, and t3, respectively. Based on the timestamps of message 1, message 2, and message 3, second device 1 and second device 2 determine that the second scheduling period for scheduling messages 1, 2, and 3 is scheduling period T1. Consequently, starting from the start of scheduling period T1, second device 1 and second device 2 broadcast messages 1, 2, and 3, sequentially according to their message numbers, using the same MCS and encoding scheme. This shows that second device 1 and second device 2 can broadcast message 1, message 2, and message 3 on the same wireless resources, broadcast message 2 on the same wireless resources, and broadcast message 3 on the same wireless resources, thereby achieving a broadcast SFN.

[0152] As can be seen, each of the multiple second devices broadcasts the first message according to the message number of the first message within the same second scheduling period. This approach allows multiple second devices to use the same wireless resources to broadcast the first message, thus achieving a broadcast SFN. In other words, this approach can achieve broadcast synchronization between different second devices.

[0153] In addition, when some of the multiple second devices receive the first information from the first device, packet loss may occur, resulting in some messages not being received. In this case, the wireless resources used by the second device experiencing packet loss to broadcast a certain message may be different from the wireless resources used by other second devices that did not experience packet loss to broadcast the same message, thereby affecting the implementation of the broadcast SFN.

[0154] For example, Figure 7 This is another transmission diagram. Figure 7 In the example, the first device is a user plane function (UPF) network element, and the plurality of second devices include base station 1 and base station 2. Figure 7As shown, the UPF network element sends messages 1, 2, and 3 to base stations 1 and 2 during scheduling period T0, and messages 4 to 12 to base stations 1 and 2 during scheduling period T1. Base station 1 receives messages 1, 3, and 4 to 10 from the UPF network element, but does not receive messages 2, 11, and 12. Base station 2 receives messages 1 to 12 from the UPF network element. This means that when base station 1 receives messages from the UPF network element, messages 2, 11, and 12 experience packet loss; when base station 2 receives messages from the UPF network element, no packet loss occurs. In this case, base station 2 broadcasts messages 1, 2, and 3 in scheduling period T1, and messages 4 to 12 in scheduling period T2, based on the timestamps carried by each message and the message number of each message. However, when base station 1 broadcasts messages sequentially within scheduling period 1 according to their respective timestamps and message numbers, it does not receive message 2 and does not know its data length. Therefore, base station 1 does not know the time-frequency resources occupied by message 2 and cannot determine which time-frequency resource to broadcast message 3 on. Consequently, it cannot achieve broadcast SFN with base station 2 within scheduling period T1. Furthermore, base station 1 does not receive messages 11 and 12. Therefore, base station 1 broadcasts messages 4 through 10 within scheduling period T2 and does not broadcast messages 11 and 12. Therefore, base station 1 cannot achieve broadcast SFN with base station 2 within scheduling period 2. Therefore, packet loss when base station 1 receives messages from the UPF network element can affect the implementation of broadcast SFN.

[0155] The following combines multiple implementations to solve the problem of implementing a broadcast SFN caused by packet loss in some of the multiple second devices:

[0156] Implementation method 1: The first device further sends the number of first messages and the data volume of the first messages to multiple second devices through the first information.

[0157] That is, the first information also includes the number of first messages and the data volume of the first messages. The number of first messages is the cumulative number of messages sent when the first device sends the first message within the first scheduling period, and the data volume of the first message is the cumulative amount of data sent when the first device sends the first message within the first scheduling period.

[0158] Optionally, the first scheduling period is a scheduling period in which the first device sends the first information or the first message. For example, the first message is Figure 4 For message 1 in , the current time when the first device sends message 1 is t1, then the first scheduling period is the scheduling period where t1 is located, that is, the first scheduling period is scheduling period T0. For another example, the first message is Figure 7For message 4 in the message, the current time when the UPF network element sends message 4 is t4, then the first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which t4 is located, that is, the first scheduling period is T1.

[0159] Optionally, the first scheduling period may be a scheduling period corresponding to a timestamp. When the timestamp of the first message is the absolute time of the current moment when the first device sends the first message, the first scheduling period is the scheduling period where the timestamp is located. For example, the first message is Figure 4 Message 1 in the message, the timestamp of message 1 is the absolute time t1 of the current moment when the first device sends message 1, then the first scheduling period is the scheduling period where t1 is located, that is, scheduling period T0. Optionally, when the timestamp of the first message is the current moment when the first device sends the first message delayed by N scheduling periods, the first scheduling period is the scheduling period where the timestamp of the first message is located advanced by N scheduling periods. For example, the first message is Figure 5 For message 2 in the message, the timestamp of message 2 is the current time t2 when the first device sends message 2, which is delayed by one scheduling cycle. Then, the first scheduling cycle of message 2 is scheduling cycle T0.

[0160] As can be seen, the first device also transmits, via the first information, the cumulative number of messages sent and the amount of message data when the first device sends the first message during the first scheduling period. Thus, upon receiving the first message, the multiple second devices can learn the cumulative number of messages sent and the amount of message data when the first device sends the first message during the first scheduling period.

[0161] Furthermore, in S103, the second device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, including: determining the first packet loss information according to the number of first messages and the data volume of the first message, the first packet loss information including at least one of the message number of the packet loss message and the data length of the packet loss message; broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message and the first packet loss information.

[0162] That is, the second device can determine whether packet loss occurred before receiving the first message based on the number of first messages and the data volume of the first message, as well as first packet loss information if packet loss occurred. Therefore, when the second device broadcasts the first message, it can broadcast the first message in conjunction with the packet loss situation within the first scheduling period.

[0163] In an optional embodiment, before the second device receives the first message, if the number of messages received in the first scheduling period is equal to the number of first messages, and / or the amount of message data received in the first scheduling period is equal to the amount of first message data, then the second device determines that no message loss occurs before receiving the first message in the first scheduling period.

[0164] When the second device determines that no packet loss occurs before receiving the first message within the first scheduling period, the second device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message. The implementation method can be referred to in the above S103 and will not be repeated here.

[0165] In another optional embodiment, before the second device receives the first message, if the number of messages received in the first scheduling period is not equal to the number of first messages, and / or the amount of message data received in the first scheduling period is not equal to the amount of first message data, then the second device determines that packet loss occurs before receiving the first message in the first scheduling period.

[0166] After the second device determines that packet loss occurs in the first scheduling period, it determines first packet loss information based on the number of packets received in the first scheduling period, the amount of received packet data, and the number of first packets and the amount of first packet data. Figure 7 In message 3, the number of first messages is 2, and the data volume of the first message is 3 bits. Before base station 1 receives message 3, it has received message 1 in scheduling period T0, and the data length of message 1 is 1 bit. Then, the number of messages received by base station 1 before receiving message 3 in scheduling period T0 is not equal to the number of first messages, and the data volume of received messages is not equal to the data volume of the first message. Then, before base station 1 receives broadcast message 3 in scheduling period T0, packet loss occurs. The number of first messages is 2, and the number of messages lost by base station 1 in scheduling period T0 is 1, that is, packet loss occurs in message 2. In addition, the data volume of the first message is 3 bits, and the data volume of message 1 is 1 bit. Then, the data length of message 2 that is lost by base station 1 in scheduling period T0 is 2 bits. The first packet loss information packet contains the message number of message 2 and the data length of message 2.

[0167] After the second device determines the first packet loss information, it broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the first packet loss information. Specifically, in the second scheduling period, the second device broadcasts the first message according to the message number of the first message based on the first packet loss information. For example, Figure 7 As shown, base station 1 begins broadcasting messages from the start of scheduling period T1. After message 1 is broadcast, the time-frequency resources occupied by 2 bits of data are freed up before broadcasting message 3. Therefore, the time-frequency resources used by base station 1 to broadcast message 3 are the same as those used by base station 2 to broadcast message 3. This shows that even if base station 1 experiences packet loss while receiving message 2, base station 1 and base station 2 can still broadcast the same SFN for message 3. This approach reduces the impact of packet loss at base station 1 on the subsequent SFN broadcast.

[0168] In summary, if packet loss occurs in the second device, the second device can recover at least one of the packet number and data length of the lost packet before receiving the first packet through implementation mode 1, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss on subsequent broadcast SFN.

[0169] Implementation method 2: The first device sends second information to multiple second devices, where the second information includes a timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period, the number of second messages, and the amount of second message data.

[0170] The first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first information or the first message. The first scheduling period can be referred to above and will not be described in detail.

[0171] The timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period is used to determine the first scheduling period. That is, the multiple second devices can determine the first scheduling period through the timestamp in the second information. The timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period can be any time within the first scheduling period. For example, the first scheduling period is Figure 4 If the scheduling period is T0 in the first scheduling period, the timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period may be any time within the scheduling period T0, so that the second device may determine that the first scheduling period is the scheduling period T0 based on the any time.

[0172] In addition, the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the second message data volume is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device in the first scheduling period. Figure 4 The scheduling period T0 in the second message number is the total number of messages sent by the first device in the scheduling period T0, and the second message data volume is the total message data volume sent by the first device in T0.

[0173] As can be seen, the first device can inform multiple second devices of the total number of messages and message data volume sent by the first device during the first scheduling period for sending the first message through the second information. This method allows multiple second devices to determine whether packet loss occurred during the first scheduling period after receiving the messages from the first device during the first scheduling period.

[0174] That is, the second device may also determine second packet loss information within the first scheduling period based on the second information, where the second packet loss information includes at least one of a message number of the packet loss message and a data length of the packet loss message. Thus, in S103, the second device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, including broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the second packet loss information. Specifically, the second device broadcasts the first message based on the message number of the first message and the second packet loss information within the second scheduling period of the first message.

[0175] For example, Figure 7 As shown, the UPF network element sends messages 4 through 12 to multiple second devices during scheduling period T1. The number of second messages corresponding to scheduling period T1 is 9, and the second message data size is 9 bits. Base station 1 receives messages 4 through 10 sent by the UPF network element during scheduling period T1, and base station 1 broadcasts messages 4 through 10 sequentially according to their message numbers during scheduling period T2. Since the total number of messages sent by the UPF network element during scheduling period T1 is 9, and the total message data size is 9 bits, base station 1 can determine that it did not receive messages 11 and 12 sent by the UPF network element during scheduling period T1, i.e., messages 11 and 12 have been lost, and the data lengths of messages 11 and 12 are both 1 bit. Therefore, the second packet loss information determined by base station 1 includes the message number of message 11, the message number of message 12, the data length of message 11, and the data length of message 12. Then, base station 1 leaves the time-frequency resources corresponding to the 2 bits occupied after message 10 blank, that is, does not use the time-frequency resources corresponding to the 2 bits occupied after message 10 to send other data. Optionally, base station 1 uses the time-frequency resources corresponding to the 2 bits occupied after message 10 to send unicast data.

[0176] To sum up, if packet loss occurs in the second device during the first scheduling period, the second device can recover at least one of the message number and data length of the lost message during the first scheduling period through implementation method 2, and then free up the time-frequency resources occupied by the lost message or send unicast data. This method can also reduce the impact of the packet loss on the subsequent broadcast SFN.

[0177] Implementation method 3: Based on implementation method 2, the first device further sends the message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first scheduling period to the plurality of second devices through second information, where the plurality of messages include the first message.

[0178] In other words, the second information also includes the message length of the broadcast message among the multiple messages in the first scheduling period. Thus, the multiple second devices can know the message length of each message sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, which is conducive to the multiple second devices determining the length of the lost packet message in the first scheduling period.

[0179] For example, Figure 7As shown, base station 1 learns from the second information that the UPF network element sent message 2 during scheduling period T0, and that the length of message 2 is 2 bits. Based on the received message, base station 1 then determines that message 2 was not received and that the data length of message 2 that was lost is 2 bits. Therefore, when base station 1 broadcasts messages during scheduling period T1, after broadcasting message 1, it frees up the radio resources corresponding to the 2 bits and then broadcasts message 3. This approach ensures that the time-frequency resources used by base station 1 to broadcast message 3 are the same as those used by base station 2 to broadcast message 3. That is, base station 1 and base station 2 can achieve the same broadcast SFN for message 3, reducing the impact of the lost message 2 on the broadcast SFN.

[0180] Implementation method 4: Based on implementation method 1, the first device further sends the number of third messages and the data volume of the third messages to multiple second devices through the first information.

[0181] That is, the first information also includes the number of third messages and the data volume of the third messages. The number of third messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period, and the data volume of the third messages is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period. The first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, or in other words, the first synchronization period is the synchronization period in which the first device sends the first information, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

[0182] Furthermore, the synchronization period can be considered a smaller period within the scheduling period. Alternatively, it can be understood as dividing the scheduling period into multiple smaller periods, each of which is called a synchronization period. In other words, 1 scheduling period = M * synchronization periods, where M is a positive integer. This shows that the first device can pre-divide a scheduling period into multiple synchronization periods and assign the multiple synchronization periods to multiple second devices.

[0183] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the naming of multiple small cycles obtained by dividing the scheduling cycle, that is, each small cycle in the multiple small cycles can also be called other cycles, such as the first cycle.

[0184] As can be seen, the first device also informs multiple second devices, through the first information, of the cumulative number of messages and the amount of message data sent during the first synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message. Consequently, the second devices can determine packet loss during the first synchronization period based on the third number of messages and the third amount of message data. In other words, when determining the first packet loss information, the second devices can also combine the third number of messages and the third amount of message data to improve the accuracy of the first packet loss information, thereby helping to reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0185] For example, Figure 8 This is another transmission diagram. Figure 8 As shown, scheduling period T0 includes synchronization period X0, synchronization period X1, synchronization period X2, and synchronization period X3. During scheduling period T0, the UPF network element sends messages 1 to 8 to multiple second devices. Furthermore, for example, if the first message is message 4, the UPF network element also transmits, via first information, the cumulative number of third messages sent and the cumulative amount of third message data sent by the first device during synchronization period X1 when message 4 was sent. The number of third messages is 3, and the amount of third message data is 3 bits. Therefore, after receiving message 4, base station 1 learns that the UPF network element had already sent a total of 3 messages before sending message 4 during synchronization period X1, resulting in a cumulative amount of 3 bits of message data. Furthermore, based on the received messages, base station 1 determines that message 3 was lost, and the amount of data lost in message 3 was 1 bit. Therefore, after broadcasting message 2 during scheduling period T1, base station 1 reserves the time-frequency resources occupied by 1 bit and then broadcasts message 4. This approach allows the time-frequency resources used by base station 1 to broadcast message 4 to be the same as the time-frequency resources used by base station 2 to broadcast message 4, thereby achieving the broadcast SFN for message 4.

[0186] Furthermore, in Embodiment 4, even if the second device cannot broadcast the SFN with other second devices during the first synchronization period, the broadcast SFN during the first synchronization period is affected, and the broadcast SFN during other synchronization periods other than the first synchronization period during the first scheduling period is not affected. In other words, Embodiment 4 can further reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0187] For example, Figure 8 In the example, base station 1 does not receive message 3 sent by the UPF network element in synchronization cycle X1, which affects the broadcast SFN of message 3 in synchronization cycle X1. However, base station 1 receives messages 5 and 6 sent by the UPF network element in synchronization cycle X2. Base station 1 can achieve the broadcast SFN of messages 5 and 6 with base station 2. It can be seen that the loss of message 3 in synchronization cycle X1 does not affect the broadcast SFN of messages 5 and 6 in synchronization cycle X2.

[0188] Implementation method 5: The first device sends third information to multiple second devices, where the third information includes a timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period, the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the data volume of the second messages, and the data volume of the fourth messages.

[0189] The first synchronization period can be described in Implementation 4 above and will not be repeated here. The timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period is used by the second device to determine the first synchronization period. The timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period can be any time within the first synchronization period. In other words, the first device can determine any time within the first synchronization period as the timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period.

[0190] The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device during the first synchronization period. The second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device during the first synchronization period.

[0191] As can be seen, the first device notifies multiple second devices, through the third information, of the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent during the first synchronization period, as well as the cumulative number of messages and message data volume sent during the first scheduling period. Consequently, the multiple second devices can determine the packet loss situation during the first synchronization period based on the received messages and the third information. Furthermore, the second devices can broadcast the first messages according to their message numbers during the second scheduling period, based on the packet loss situation during the first synchronization period.

[0192] That is, the second device further determines third packet loss information based on the third information, where the third packet loss information includes at least one of the message number of the packet loss message and the data length of the packet loss message. Thus, the second device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message, including: broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the third packet loss information. The manner in which the second device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the third packet loss information can be found in Implementation 4 above, where the second device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the first packet loss information, and is not further described.

[0193] Furthermore, in Embodiment 5, even if the second device cannot broadcast the SFN with other second devices during the first synchronization period, the broadcast SFN during the first synchronization period is affected, and the broadcast SFN during other synchronization periods other than the first synchronization period during the first scheduling period is not affected. In other words, Embodiment 5 can further reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0194] Implementation method 6: Based on implementation method 5, the first device further sends the message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first synchronization period to the plurality of second devices through third information, where the plurality of messages include the first message.

[0195] That is, based on embodiment 5, the third information further includes the message length of each message in the plurality of messages in the first synchronization period. This approach enables the second device to determine the data length of the lost message in the first synchronization period.

[0196] As can be seen, through any of the above embodiments 1 to 6, the second device can determine whether packet loss occurred during the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period, as well as at least one of the packet number and data length of the lost packet. Thus, the second device can broadcast the first message in conjunction with the packet loss information, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN of multiple second devices and achieving broadcast synchronization in the event of packet loss on some second devices.

[0197] Optionally, any two or three of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3 may be combined. The combined embodiments may also reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN implementation of multiple second devices. For example, embodiment 1 may be combined with embodiment 2, i.e., the first device and multiple second devices may implement embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. For another example, embodiment 1 may be combined with embodiment 3, i.e., the first device and multiple second devices may implement embodiment 1 and embodiment 3. For another example, embodiment 2 may be combined with embodiment 3, i.e., the first device and multiple second devices may implement embodiment 2 and embodiment 3. For another example, embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 3 may be combined, i.e., the first device and multiple second devices may implement embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 3.

[0198] Similarly, any two or three of the above-mentioned embodiments 4 to 5 can be combined, and the combined embodiment can also reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcasting of SFN by multiple second devices. For example, embodiment 4 can be combined with embodiment 5, that is, the first device and multiple second devices can implement embodiment 4 and embodiment 5.

[0199] In an embodiment of the present application, when a first device sends a first message to multiple second devices via a first message, it also sends the message number and timestamp of the first message to the multiple second devices via the first message. Consequently, multiple second devices can simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the message number and based on the timestamp of the first message, thereby achieving a broadcast SFN. Furthermore, multiple terminal devices receiving the first message can view broadcast signals from different cells as multipath, thereby achieving combining gain. Furthermore, multiple second devices broadcast the same message to the terminal device, reducing service discontinuity during terminal device handover.

[0200] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is an interactive diagram of another communication method. Specifically, Figure 9The first device is a broadcast multicast - user plane function (multicast / broadcast user plane function, MB-UPF) network element, and the multiple second devices include base station 1, base station 2 and base station 3 as an example, for the interaction diagram of the communication method 100. Figure 9 As shown, the multicast / broadcast service transport function (MBSTF) sends first information to the broadcast multicast-user plane function network element. The first information includes an MBS packet (MBS Spacket), an MBS sequence number (MBSSN), and a timestamp T. The MBS packet is the first message to be broadcast, and the MBSSN is the message number of the MBS packet. Consequently, the MB-UPF network element sends the first information to base station 1 (gNB1), base station 2 (gNB2), and base station 3 (gNB3). Accordingly, based on the received first information, base stations 1, 2, and 3 can obtain the MBS packet, the MBS packet's message number, and the MBS packet's timestamp T.

[0201] Furthermore, base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3 each determine a second scheduling period for scheduling MBS data packets based on the timestamp T of the MBS data packets, and broadcast the MBS data packets according to the MBSSN during the second scheduling period, thereby implementing broadcast SFN. The implementation of base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3 determining the second scheduling period and broadcasting the MBS data packets according to the second scheduling period and the MBSSN can be referenced to the above-described S102 and S103, and will not be repeated here.

[0202] In addition, in order to reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN, the MB-UPF network element, base station 1, base station 2 and base station 3 can execute at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, or can execute at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments 4 to 6 to achieve broadcast synchronization in the scenario where packet loss occurs in some base stations.

[0203] Optionally, other implementations of the MB-UPF network element, base station 1, base station 2 and base station 3 may refer to those described in the above-mentioned communication method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0204] See Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is another interactive diagram of a communication method. Specifically, Figure 10The first device is a CU-user plane (centralized unit user plane, CU-UP), the CU is connected to the CU-control plane (centralized unit control plane, CU-UP) #1, CU-UP #2 and CU-UP #3, CU-UP #1, CU-UP #2 and CU-UP #3 are connected to DU #1, DU #2 and DU #3 respectively, and the multiple second devices include DU #1, DU #2 and DU #3 as an example, for the interaction diagram of the communication method 100. Figure 10 As shown, the MBS broadcast function sends the MBS data packet (MBSpacket) and MBS sequence number (MBSSN) to the MB-UPF network element, which then sends the MBSpacket and MBSSN to the CU-UP. The CU-UP sends first information to DU#1, DU#2, and DU#3, respectively. The first information includes the MBSpacket, MBSSN, and timestamp T. Accordingly, based on the received first information, DU#1, DU#2, and DU#3 can obtain the MBS data packet, the message number of the MBS data packet, and the timestamp T of the MBS data packet.

[0205] DU#1, DU#2, and DU#3 then determine a second scheduling period for scheduling MBS packets based on the timestamp T of the MBS packets. During the second scheduling period, the MBS packets are broadcast according to the MBSSN to implement broadcast SFN. The implementation of how DU#1, DU#2, and DU#3 determine the second scheduling period and broadcast the MBS packets according to the second scheduling period and MBSSN can be found in S102 and S103 above and will not be repeated here.

[0206] In addition, to reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN, CU-UP, DU#1, DU#2, and DU#3 may implement at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, or may implement at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments 4 to 6, to achieve broadcast synchronization in a scenario where packet loss occurs in some DUs.

[0207] Optionally, other implementations of CU-UP, DU#1, DU#2 and DU#3 may also refer to those described in the above-mentioned communication method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0208] This embodiment of the application also proposes a communication method 200, Figure 11 2 is an interactive diagram of the communication method 200. The communication method 100 is described from the perspective of the interaction between the first device, the third device, and multiple second devices. The communication method 200 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0209] S201. A first device sends fourth information to a third device and a plurality of fourth devices respectively, the fourth information including a first message and a first message number of the first message. Correspondingly, the third device and the plurality of fourth devices receive the fourth information from the first device.

[0210] The first message may be any one of multiple messages to be broadcast, and the first message number may be, for example, MBSQFISN. The third device and the multiple fourth devices belong to the same broadcast domain. Furthermore, the third device may be any one of the multiple second devices in the communication method 100, and the multiple fourth devices may be multiple second devices in the multiple second devices excluding the third device.

[0211] Optionally, the third device may be selected by the first device from multiple second devices, or may be pre-negotiated between the first device and the multiple second devices. For example, the first device is a UPF network element, the multiple second devices include base station 1, base station 2, and base station 3, and the UPF network element determines that the third device is base station 2, then the multiple fourth devices include base station 1 and base station 3. For another example, the first device is a CU, the multiple second devices include DU#1, DU#2, DU#3, and DU#4, and the CU determines that the third device is DU#4, then the multiple fourth devices include DU#1, DU#2, and DU#3.

[0212] Optionally, other implementations in S201 may refer to the implementations in S101 and are not described in detail. For example, the first device may configure the same broadcast radio resources and the same scheduling period for the third device and the plurality of fourth devices, and configure the third device and the plurality of fourth devices to permit the same broadcast session. This approach may provide conditions for the third device and the plurality of fourth devices to implement a broadcast SFN.

[0213] S202. The third device sends fifth information to multiple fourth devices, the fifth information including a second message number of the first message and a timestamp of the first message, where the second message number is determined based on the first message number. In response, the multiple fourth devices receive the fifth information from the third device.

[0214] The second message number is determined based on the first message number. For example, the first message number of the first message is MBSQFISN, and the third device determines MBSPDCPSN based on the MBSQFISN, where MBSPDCPSN is the second message number of the first message. Optionally, the second message number of the first message is the first message number, i.e., the third device does not process the first message number of the first message and directly determines the first message number as the second message number. For example, the first message number of the first message is MBSQFISN, and the third device determines MBSQFISN as the second message number of the first message.

[0215] The timestamp of the first message may be the current time when the third device receives the first message. For example, if the current time when the third device receives the first message is t1, the third device determines the timestamp of the first message to be t1. Optionally, the timestamp of the first message may be the time when the third device receives the first message delayed by X scheduling periods, where X is a positive integer. For example, if the current time when the third device receives the first message is t1, the third device determines the timestamp of the first message to be t1+X*T, where T is one scheduling period.

[0216] As can be seen, after the third device receives the first message and the first message number from the first device, it determines the second message number based on the first message number and the timestamp of the first message based on the current moment of receiving the first message. Thus, the third device sends the second message number and timestamp of the first message to multiple fourth devices via the fifth information.

[0217] The manner in which the third device transmits the fifth information to the plurality of fourth devices enables the plurality of fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message, thereby facilitating the implementation of a broadcast SFN. In other words, the fifth information is used by the plurality of fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message.

[0218] Optionally, the third device also receives other messages from the first device, and thus the third device also sends fifth information corresponding to the other messages to multiple fourth devices. The fifth information corresponding to the other messages includes the second message number of the message and the timestamp of the message. For example, if the third device also receives the second message from the first device and the first message number of the second message, the third device also sends fifth information corresponding to the second message to multiple fourth devices. The fifth information corresponding to the second message includes the second message number of the second message and the timestamp of the second message, where the second message number of the second message is determined based on the first message number of the second message. The fifth information corresponding to the second message is used by multiple fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the second message according to the second message number of the second message and based on the timestamp of the second message.

[0219] S203. The fourth device determines a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message.

[0220] The fourth device in S203 and the following S204 may be each of the plurality of fourth devices in S202. That is, each of the plurality of fourth devices may execute S203 and S204. In addition, the second scheduling period determined by the fourth device is used to schedule the first message.

[0221] In an optional implementation, when the timestamp of the first message is the current moment when the third device receives the first message, the fourth device can determine the scheduling period in which the timestamp is delayed by X scheduling periods as the second scheduling period, and the value of X can be pre-negotiated by the third device and multiple fourth devices.

[0222] In another optional embodiment, when the timestamp of the first message is a time point that is X scheduling periods later than the current time point at which the third device receives the first message, the fourth device may determine the scheduling period in which the timestamp is located as the second scheduling period. The specific implementation of the above two embodiments can refer to the above description of S102 and will not be repeated here.

[0223] Optionally, if the fourth device also receives fifth information corresponding to another message from the third device, the fourth device further determines a second scheduling period for scheduling the message based on the timestamp of the other message. For example, if the fourth device also receives fifth information corresponding to a second message, the fourth device further determines a second scheduling period for scheduling the second message based on the timestamp of the second message.

[0224] S204. The fourth device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number of the first message.

[0225] The fourth device broadcasting the first message means that the fourth device broadcasts the first message to multiple terminal devices.

[0226] The fourth device broadcasts the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number of the first message, including: broadcasting multiple messages sequentially according to the second message number order of the multiple messages within the second scheduling period, the multiple messages including the first message, and the multiple messages having the same second scheduling period. The implementation method of the fourth device broadcasting multiple messages sequentially according to the second message number order of the multiple messages within the second scheduling period of the first message can refer to the implementation method of the second device broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message in S103 above, and is not further described.

[0227] As can be seen, after receiving the first message and the first message number of the first message, the third device transmits the second message number of the first message, determined based on the first message number, and the timestamp of the first message to the multiple fourth devices via the fifth information. Consequently, each of the multiple fourth devices can determine the second scheduling period for scheduling the first message based on the timestamp of the first message, and broadcast the first message according to the second message number within the second scheduling period, thereby implementing a broadcast SFN.

[0228] Optionally, the third device may also determine a second scheduling period for scheduling the first message based on the timestamp of the first message, and broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number of the first message. Thus, the third device and multiple fourth devices can implement a broadcast SFN for the first message. The third device broadcasting the first message refers to the third device broadcasting the first message to multiple terminal devices.

[0229] In addition, when the third device receives the message from the first device, there may be packet loss. To reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN, the following introduces multiple implementation methods:

[0230] Implementation method a: The third device further sends the second message number, the timestamp, and the message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first synchronization period to the plurality of fourth devices via the fifth information, wherein the plurality of messages includes the first message.

[0231] That is, the fifth information also includes the second message number of each message in the multiple messages in the first synchronization period, the timestamp of each message, and the message length of each message. Alternatively, it can be understood that the third device also sends the mapping relationship between the second message number and the timestamp of each message in the multiple messages in the first synchronization period, as well as the message length of each message, to the multiple fourth devices via the fifth information.

[0232] The first synchronization period is the synchronization period during which the first device sends the first message, or it can be understood that the first synchronization period is the synchronization period during which the third device receives the first message. The first synchronization period is determined based on the first scheduling period, and the first scheduling period is the synchronization period during which the first device sends the first message, or it can be understood that the first scheduling period is the scheduling period during which the third device receives the first message.

[0233] Implementation method a enables the fourth device to determine whether packet loss occurs in the first synchronization period based on the message received by the fourth device and the fifth information, and broadcast multiple messages based on the packet loss information of the lost message, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0234] Optionally, the fourth device may further send the second message number of each message among the multiple messages received during the first synchronization period, the timestamp of each message, and the message length of each message to the third device. In other words, the fourth device may also send the message status received during the first synchronization period to the third device, so that the third device can determine whether packet loss occurred during the first synchronization period and broadcast messages based on the packet loss information of the lost messages, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0235] Implementation method b: Based on implementation method a, the third device further sends the second message number, the fourth message number, the second message data volume and the fourth message data volume to multiple fourth devices through fifth information.

[0236] That is, the fifth information also includes the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the data volume of the second messages, and the data volume of the fourth messages.

[0237] Among them, the second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first synchronization period, the second data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the fourth data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device in the first synchronization period.

[0238] The second number of messages in the fifth information can also be understood as the cumulative number of messages received by the third device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth number of messages in the fifth information can also be understood as the number of messages received by the third device during the first synchronization period. Similarly, the second message data volume in the fifth information can also be understood as the cumulative message data volume received by the third device during the first scheduling period, and the fourth message data volume in the fifth information can also be understood as the cumulative message data volume received by the third device during the first synchronization period. It can be seen that the second number of messages and the second message data volume in the fifth information are determined by the third device based on the cumulative messages received during the first scheduling period; the fourth number of messages and the fourth message data volume in the fifth information are determined by the third device based on the cumulative messages received during the first synchronization period. For example, the third device receives message 1, message 2 and message 3 in the first scheduling period, and receives message 1 and message 2 in the first synchronization period. The data lengths of message 1, message 2 and message 3 are 1 bit, 2 bits and 1 bit respectively. Then the number of second messages is equal to 3, the number of fourth messages is equal to 2, the data volume of the second message is equal to 4 bits, and the data volume of the fourth message is equal to 3 bits.

[0239] It can be seen that the third device also sends the cumulative number of messages received and the amount of message data during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period to multiple fourth devices through the fifth information, so that the fourth device can determine whether the fourth device itself has message loss during the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period based on the cumulative message received by the third device during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period, so as to reduce the impact of message loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0240] Optionally, multiple fourth devices may also send to the third device the cumulative number of messages and message data volume received by the fourth device during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period. For example, if the third device is base station 1, and the multiple fourth devices include base station 2 and base station 3, base station 2 may send to base station 1 the cumulative number of messages and message data volume received during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period, and base station 3 may also send to base station 1 the cumulative number of messages and message data volume received during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period. This approach allows the third device to determine whether packet loss has occurred on the third device itself during the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period, based on the message status received by the multiple fourth devices during the first scheduling period and the first synchronization period, thereby reducing the impact of message packets on the broadcast SFN.

[0241] Optionally, the third device and the plurality of fourth devices may independently implement implementation mode a or implementation mode b. Optionally, the third device and the plurality of fourth devices may also independently implement implementation mode a and implementation mode b. Regardless of whether the third device and the plurality of fourth devices independently implement implementation mode a or implementation mode b, or implement implementation mode a and implementation mode b, the plurality of fourth devices may determine packet loss within the first scheduling period or the first synchronization period, thereby reducing the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0242] Based on implementation a and implementation b, the fourth device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period and the second message number of the first message, including: determining fourth packet loss information based on the fifth information, the fourth packet loss information including at least one of the message number of the packet loss message and the data length of the packet loss message; and broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the second message number of the first message, and the fourth packet loss information. Similarly, based on implementation a and implementation b, the third device broadcasts the first message based on the second scheduling period and the second message number of the first message, including: determining fourth packet loss information based on the fifth information, the fourth packet loss information including at least one of the message number of the packet loss message and the data length of the packet loss message; and broadcasting the first message based on the second scheduling period, the second message number of the first message, and the packet loss information. The implementation method for the fourth device or the third device to broadcast the first message based on the second scheduling period, the second message number of the first message, and the fourth packet loss information can refer to the implementation method for the second device to broadcast the first message based on the second scheduling period, the second message number of the first message, and the first packet loss information in S103 above, and will not be repeated here. This method can solve the broadcast synchronization problem when packet loss occurs on some devices and reduce the impact of packet loss on the broadcast SFN.

[0243] In an embodiment of the present application, a third device receives a first message and a first message number from a first device, and sends a second message number determined based on the first message number and a timestamp of the first message to multiple fourth devices. Consequently, the multiple fourth devices simultaneously broadcast the first message based on the timestamp of the first message and the second message number of the first message, thereby achieving a broadcast SFN. Furthermore, the multiple terminal devices receiving the first message can view the broadcast signals from different cells as multipath, thereby achieving combining gain. Furthermore, the multiple second devices broadcast the same message to the terminal devices, reducing service discontinuity during terminal device handover.

[0244] See Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is another interactive diagram of a communication method. Specifically, Figure 12 The interactive diagram of the communication method 200 is as follows: the first device is a broadcast multicast-user plane function network element, the third device is a base station 1, and the plurality of fourth devices include base stations 2 and 3. Figure 12 As shown, the Broadcast Multicast Service Transmission Function (MBSTF) sends an MBS data packet (MBS Spacket) and an MBS sequence number (MBSSN) to the Broadcast Multicast-User Plane Function (MB-UPF) network element. The MBS data packet is the first message to be broadcast, and the MBSSN is the first message number of the MBS data packet. The MB-UPF network element sends the MBS data packet and MBS sequence number to base station 1 (gNB1), base station 2 (gNB2), and base station 3 (gNB3). Base station 1 then sends fifth information to base stations 2 and 3. The fifth information includes a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) sequence number and a timestamp T of the MBS data packet. The PDCP sequence number is the second message number of the MBS data packet and is determined based on the MBS sequence number. The timestamp T of the MBS data packet is determined by base station 1 based on the current time when the MBS data packet is received. Therefore, base station 2 and base station 3 can determine the second scheduling period for scheduling the MBS data packet based on the timestamp T of the MBS data packet, and broadcast the MBS data packet according to the second scheduling period and the PDCP sequence number to achieve broadcast SFN.

[0245] Optionally, base station 1 further determines a second scheduling period for scheduling MBS data packets based on the timestamp T of the MBS data packets, and broadcasts the MBS data packets according to the second scheduling period and the PDCP sequence number to implement broadcast SFN with base stations 2 and 3.

[0246] Optionally, to reduce the impact of packet loss on broadcast SFN, the MB-UPF network element, base station 1, base station 2 and base station 3 may execute implementation a or implementation b above to achieve broadcast synchronization in a scenario where packet loss occurs in some base stations.

[0247] With respect to the technical solutions described above, the corresponding device implementation solutions are further described below.

[0248] To implement the various functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first device, the second device, the third device, and the fourth device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and implement the aforementioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular one of the aforementioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0249] like Figure 13 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1300. The communication device 1300 can be a component of a first device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), a component of a second device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), a component of a third device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or a component of a fourth device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 1300 can also be other communication units for implementing the method in the method embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 may include: a communication unit 1301 and a processing unit 1302. Optionally, a storage unit 1303 may also be included.

[0250] In one possible design, Figure 13 One or more units may be implemented by one or more processors, or by one or more processors and memories, or by one or more processors and transceivers, or by one or more processors, memories, and transceivers, and this is not limited in the present embodiment. The processors, memories, and transceivers may be provided separately or integrated.

[0251] The communication device 1300 is capable of implementing the functions of the first device, the second device, the third device, or the fourth device described in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the communication device 1300 includes a reader that executes the modules, units, or means corresponding to the steps involved in the first device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The functions, units, or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing the corresponding software implementation, or by a combination of software and hardware. For details, please refer to the corresponding description in the above-mentioned corresponding method embodiments.

[0252] In one possible design, communication apparatus 1300 may include: a processing unit 1302 and a communication unit 1301 , wherein the processing unit 1302 is configured to process signals / signaling;

[0253] The communication unit 1301 is configured to send first information to multiple second devices, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message;

[0254] The first information is used by the multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message; the multiple second devices belong to the same broadcast domain.

[0255] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content in the above method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0256] In another possible design, the communication apparatus 1300 may include: a processing unit 1302 and a communication unit 1301, where the apparatus is applied to a second device;

[0257] The communication unit 1301 is configured to receive first information, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message;

[0258] The processing unit 1302 is configured to determine a second scheduling period according to the first message timestamp;

[0259] The processing unit 1302 is further configured to broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message.

[0260] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content in the above method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0261] In yet another possible design, communication apparatus 1300 may include: a processing unit 1302 and a communication unit 1301, where the apparatus is applied to a third device, the processing unit 1302 being configured to process the signal / signaling;

[0262] The communication unit 1301 is configured to receive fourth information from the first device, where the fourth information includes a first message and a first message number of the first message;

[0263] The communication unit 1301 is further configured to send fifth information to multiple fourth devices, where the fifth information includes the second message number of the first message and the timestamp of the first message;

[0264] The second message number is determined based on the first message number, and the fifth information is used for multiple fourth devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the second message number and based on the timestamp of the first message.

[0265] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content in the above method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0266] In yet another possible design, the communication apparatus 1300 may include: a processing unit 1302 and a communication unit 1301 , where the apparatus is applied to a fourth device;

[0267] The communication unit 1301 is configured to receive fifth information from the second device, where the fifth information includes a second message number of the first message and a timestamp of the first message;

[0268] The processing unit 1302 is configured to determine a second scheduling period based on the timestamp of the first message;

[0269] The processing unit 1302 is further configured to broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the second message number.

[0270] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content in the above method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0271] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0272] This embodiment of the application further provides a communication device 1400, Figure 14 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400. The communication device 1400 can be a first device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first device in implementing the above-mentioned method; or a second device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the second device in implementing the above-mentioned method; or a third device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the third device in implementing the above-mentioned method; or a fourth device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the fourth device in implementing the above-mentioned method. This device can be used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0273] The communication device 1400 may include one or more processors 1401. The processor 1401 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU or CU, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0274] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may include one or more memories 1402, on which instructions 1404 may be stored. The instructions may be executed on the processor 1401, causing the communication device 1400 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 1402 may also store data. The processor 1401 and memory 1402 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0275] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1405 and an antenna 1406. The transceiver 1405 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 1405 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0276] In one possible design, the communication apparatus 1400 may be applied to a first device. Specifically, the transceiver 1405 is used to execute S101 in the above-mentioned communication method 100 and S201 in the communication method 200.

[0277] In another possible design, the communication apparatus 1400 may be applied to a second device. Specifically, the transceiver 1405 is used to execute S101 in the above-mentioned communication method 100; and the processor 1401 is used to execute S102 and S103 in the above-mentioned communication method 100.

[0278] In another possible design, the communication apparatus 1400 may be applied to a third device. Specifically, the transceiver 1405 is used to execute S201 and S202 in the above-mentioned communication method 200.

[0279] In another possible design, the communication device 1400 can be applied to a fourth device. Specifically, the transceiver 1405 is used to execute S202 in the above-mentioned communication method 200; the transceiver 1405 is used to execute S203 and S204 in the above-mentioned communication method 200.

[0280] Optionally, the processor 1401 may store an instruction 1403. The instruction 1403 runs on the processor 1401, which may enable the communication device 1400 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. The instruction 1403 may be fixed in the processor 1401. In this case, the processor 1401 may be implemented by hardware.

[0281] The embodiments of the present application and the method embodiments shown in the above-mentioned communication method 100 and communication method 200 are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown in the above-mentioned communication method 100 and communication method 200, and no further details will be given.

[0282] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which may include a first device and a second device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices / functional network elements that interact with the first device and the second device.

[0283] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor, and the processor calls a computer program stored in a memory to enable a communication device including the chip to implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0284] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0285] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0286] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program that, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0287] The terms "first" and "second" in the description, claims and drawings of the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. "First", "second" and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second" and the like may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0288] Furthermore, the terms "include," "comprise," and "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or elements is not limited to the listed steps or elements, but may optionally include steps or elements not listed, or may optionally include other steps or elements inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0289] Reference to an "embodiment" in the embodiments of this application means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it mean that each embodiment is mutually exclusive of another embodiment or an alternative embodiment. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0290] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0291] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0292] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, an SSD).

[0293] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending first information to multiple second devices, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message; The first information is used by the multiple second devices to simultaneously broadcast the first message according to the message number of the first message and based on the timestamp of the first message; the multiple second devices belong to the same broadcast domain.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information also includes the number of first messages and the data volume of the first messages; The first message number is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period, and the first message data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period; The first scheduling period is a scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information to the multiple second devices, where the second information includes a timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period, a number of second messages, and a data volume of the second messages; The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the second message data volume is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device in the first scheduling period; The first scheduling period is a scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second information further includes a message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first scheduling period, where the plurality of messages includes the first message.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first information also includes the number of third messages and the data volume of the third messages; The third number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period, and the third message data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period; The first synchronization period is a synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending third information to the multiple second devices, the third information including a timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period, the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, the data volume of the second messages, and the data volume of the fourth messages; The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first synchronization period; The second data amount is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the fourth data amount is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device in the first synchronization period; The first scheduling period is a scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message, the first synchronization period is a synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The third information further includes a message length of each message in a plurality of messages within the first synchronization period, and the plurality of messages includes the first message.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving first information, where the first information includes a first message, a message number of the first message, and a timestamp of the first message; Determining a second scheduling period according to the timestamp of the first message; Broadcast the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first information further includes the number of first messages and the data volume of the first messages; and broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message includes: Determining first packet loss information according to the number of the first packets and the data volume of the first packets, where the first packet loss information includes at least one of a packet number of the lost packet and a data length of the lost packet; broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the first packet loss information; The number of the first messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period, the data volume of the first message is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first scheduling period, and the first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second information, where the second information includes a timestamp corresponding to the first scheduling period, a number of second messages, and a data volume of the second messages; Determine second packet loss information according to the second information, where the second packet loss information includes at least one of a message number of the lost packet and a data length of the lost packet; The broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message includes: broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the second packet loss information; The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, the second message data volume is the cumulative data volume sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the first scheduling period is the scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second information further includes a message length of each message in a plurality of messages in the first scheduling period, where the plurality of messages includes the first message.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first information further includes the number of third messages and the amount of third message data; and determining the first packet loss information based on the number of first messages and the amount of first message data includes: Determining first packet loss information according to the number of the first messages, the amount of the first message data, the number of the third messages, and the amount of the third message data; The third number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period, and the third message data volume is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device when sending the first message within the first synchronization period; The first synchronization period is a synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

13. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information including a timestamp corresponding to the first synchronization period, the number of second messages, the number of fourth messages, a data volume of the second messages, and a data volume of the fourth messages; Determine third packet loss information according to the third information, where the third packet loss information includes at least one of a message number of the packet loss message and a data length of the packet loss message; The broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period and the message number of the first message includes: broadcasting the first message according to the second scheduling period, the message number of the first message, and the third packet loss information; The second number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the fourth number of messages is the cumulative number of messages sent by the first device in the first synchronization period; The second data amount is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device in the first scheduling period, and the fourth data amount is the cumulative amount of data sent by the first device in the first synchronization period; The first scheduling period is a scheduling period in which the first device sends the first message, the first synchronization period is a synchronization period in which the first device sends the first message, and the first synchronization period is within the first scheduling period.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The third information further includes a message length of each message in a plurality of messages within the first synchronization period, and the plurality of messages includes the first message.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A chip, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor, wherein the processor calls a computer program stored in a memory to enable the communication device comprising the chip to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or implement the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to be executed, or enable the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 to be executed.

19. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the computer is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is executed.

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