Data Transmission Method, Device, Terminal, Network Device and Medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a data transmission method, apparatus, terminal, network device and medium, belonging to the field of communication technologies. The method includes: sending small data through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data. This method can enable a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state to perform small data transmission using the random access procedure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a data transmission method, apparatus, terminal, network device, and medium. Background Art

[0002] In the NR (New Radio) system, a terminal can be in one of three RRC states, namely, the RRC_IDLE (Radio Resource Control_IDLE) state, the RRC_CONNECTED (RRC connected) state, and the RRC_INACTIVE (RRC inactive) state.

[0003] In the related art, a terminal needs to first convert from the RRC_INACTIVE state to the RRC_CONNECTED state through a random access process and then perform data transmission. Affected by this state conversion process, the latency of the terminal for transmitting data is relatively large. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data transmission method, apparatus, terminal, network device, and medium. The technical solutions are as follows:

[0005] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a data transmission method is provided, which is applied to a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE (Radio Resource Control_INACTIVE) state. The method includes: sending small data through a random access process, where the random access process is one of a two-step random access process and a four-step random access process, and the random access process is determined according to the data volume of the small data.

[0006] In a possible implementation manner, the sending small data through a random access process includes:

[0007] In response to determining that a first RO (RACH occasion) included in the RO (RACH occasion) configured by the network device has resources in the PO (PUSCH occasion, Physical Uplink Shared Channel occasion) associated with the first RO sufficient to carry the small data, sending the small data through a two-step random access process.

[0008] In another possible implementation manner, the sending small data through a random access process includes:

[0009] In response to determining that a second random access opportunity (RO) included in the network device configuration is a dedicated RO for transmitting small data, small data is sent through a two-step random access procedure.

[0010] In another possible implementation, sending small data through a random access procedure includes:

[0011] In response to determining that the data volume is not greater than a data volume threshold and that a first RO is included in the random access opportunities (ROs) configured by the network device, small data is sent through a two-step random access procedure.

[0012] Optionally, sending small data through a two-step random access procedure includes:

[0013] Sending the small data using the physical uplink shared channel opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO.

[0014] In another possible implementation, sending small data through a random access procedure includes: In response to determining that the first RO is not included in the random access opportunities (ROs) configured by the network device, the small data is sent through a four-step random access procedure, and the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0015] In another possible implementation, sending small data through a random access procedure includes:

[0016] In response to determining that neither the first RO nor the second RO is included in the ROs configured by the network device, the small data is sent through a four-step random access procedure, where the resources in the physical uplink shared channel opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is a dedicated RO for transmitting small data configured by the network device.

[0017] In yet another possible implementation, sending small data through a random access procedure includes:

[0018] In response to determining that the data volume is greater than the data volume threshold, small data is sent through a four-step random access procedure.

[0019] Optionally, sending the small data through a four-step random access procedure includes:

[0020] Sending a first preamble, which is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the four-step random access procedure;

[0021] Receiving a random access response, which includes indication information of the resources for transmitting the small data, and the random access response is sent according to the first preamble;

[0022] Send the small data in Message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

[0023] Optionally, the data volume threshold is configured by the network device.

[0024] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes:

[0025] Receive small data sent through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure. The random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data, and the small data is sent by a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the receiving of the small data sent through the random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent in a Physical Uplink Shared Channel Opportunity (PO) associated with a first Random Access Occasion (RO) through the two-step random access procedure. The first PO is one of multiple ROs configured by the network device, and the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0027] In another possible implementation, the receiving of the small data sent through the random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent in a PO associated with a second RO through the two-step random access procedure. The second PO is one of multiple ROs configured by the network device, and the first RO is an RO configured by the network side for sending small data.

[0028] In yet another possible implementation, the receiving of the small data sent through the random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent through the four-step random access procedure, where the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold.

[0029] In yet another possible implementation, the receiving of the small data sent through the random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent through the four-step random access procedure, and the resources in the PO associated with the RO configured by the network device are not sufficient to carry the small data.

[0030] Optionally, the receiving of the small data sent through the four-step random access procedure includes:

[0031] Receive a first preamble, where the first preamble is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the four-step random access procedure;

[0032] Send a random access response according to the first preamble, where the random access response includes indication information of the resources for transmitting the small data;

[0033] Receive the small data sent in Message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

[0034] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a data transmission device is provided, and the device includes:

[0035] A sending module, configured to send small data through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data.

[0036] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a data transmission device is provided, and the device includes:

[0037] A receiving module, configured to receive small data sent through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data, and the small data is sent by a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0038] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, and the terminal includes:

[0039] A processor;

[0040] A memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

[0041] Wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the data transmission method as described in any one of the foregoing.

[0042] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, and the network device includes:

[0043] A processor;

[0044] A memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

[0045] Wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the data transmission method as described in any one of the foregoing.

[0046] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, and when the instructions in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by a processor, the data transmission method as described in the foregoing aspect can be executed.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state needs to send small data, it determines a random access procedure from a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure according to the data volume of the small data for sending the small data. By selecting an appropriate random access procedure, the terminal can perform small data transmission during the process of transitioning from the RRC_INACTIVE state to the RRC_CONNECTED state, without waiting until the state transition is completed to perform small data transmission, enabling the small data to be transmitted in a timely manner and reducing the delay.

[0048] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of the specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 1 Block diagram of a communication system shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] Figure 2 Flowchart of a contention-based four-step random access procedure;

[0052] Figure 3 Flowchart of a contention-based two-step random access procedure;

[0053] Figure 4 Flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0054] Figure 5 Flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0055] Figure 6 Flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0056] Figure 7 Flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0057] Figure 8 Flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0058] Figure 9 Flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0059] Figure 10 Flowchart of a method for transmitting small data through a four-step random access procedure shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0060] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission device shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0061] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission device shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0062] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a terminal shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0063] Figure 14 is a block diagram of a network device shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0064] Here, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, and examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The implementation manners described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementation manners consistent with the present disclosure. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0065] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The singular forms "a" and "the" used in the embodiments of the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0066] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the words "if" and "when" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "when" or "in response to a determination".

[0067] It should be understood that although the steps are described in a numbered manner for ease of understanding in the embodiments of the present disclosure, these numbers do not represent the execution order of the steps, nor do they mean that the steps with sequential numbers must be executed together. It should be understood that one or several steps among multiple steps with sequential numbers can be executed alone to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the predetermined technical solutions. Even for multiple steps that are exemplarily listed together in the drawings, it does not mean that these steps must be executed together; the drawings are only for exemplary listing of these steps for ease of understanding.

[0068] The embodiments of the present disclosure are mainly about sending small data using the random access procedure. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, small data refers to data whose data volume does not exceed a set value. Exemplarily, the set value is specified by the protocol, such as 240 bits, etc.

[0069] Figure 1 Shown is a block diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as Figure 1 shown, the communication system may include: a network side 12 and a terminal 13.

[0070] The network side 12 includes several network devices 120. The network device 120 may be a base station, which is a device deployed in the access network to provide wireless communication functions for the terminal. The base station may be either the base station of the serving cell of the terminal 13 or the base station of an adjacent cell of the serving cell of the terminal 13. The base station may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, Transmission Reception Points (TRPs), etc. In systems adopting different radio access technologies, the name of the device with base station functions may be different. In the 5G NR system, it is called a gNodeB or gNB. With the evolution of communication technologies, the name "base station" may change. The network device 120 may also be a Location Management Function (LMF).

[0071] The terminal 13 may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication functions, as well as various forms of user equipment, Mobile Stations (MSs), terminals, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Industry Internet of Things (IIoT) devices, etc. For ease of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as terminals. The network device 120 and the terminal 13 communicate with each other through a certain air interface technology, such as the Uu interface.

[0072] The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not constitute a limitation to the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art know that with the evolution of communication systems and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0073] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the 4-step random access procedure and the 2-step random access procedure in the NR system are first introduced below.

[0074] When the contention-based random access procedure is completed in 4 steps, each step is a message (Msg, Message). In the standard, these 4 steps are referred to as Msg1 to Msg4. Figure 2 is a flowchart of the contention-based 4-step random access procedure, as Figure 2 shown, the 4-step random access procedure includes:

[0075] Step 1, the terminal sends Msg1 to the network device. The Msg1 includes a random access preamble sequence (preamble).

[0076] Among them, the total number of available random access preamble sequences in each cell is 64. Two subsets are defined among these 64 random access preamble sequences, and the set of random access preamble sequences in each subset is informed to the terminal as part of the system information. When performing contention-based random access, the terminal can arbitrarily select a random access preamble sequence from these two subsets and send it on the physical random access channel (PRACH, Physical Random Access Channel) resource (i.e., time-frequency resource).

[0077] The available random access preamble sequences for contention-based random access and the PRACH resources for sending the random access preamble sequences are configured by the network device, and the configuration results are notified to the terminals in the cell through system messages.

[0078] Step 2, the network device sends Msg2 to the terminal. The Msg2 includes a random access response (Random Access Response, RAR).

[0079] One Msg2 can contain the identifiers (i.e., index values) of multiple preamble sequences sent by different terminals, and simultaneously respond to the random access requests of multiple terminals. The terminal determines whether it has received a random access response by detecting whether the identifier of the preamble sequence it sent is carried in Msg2.

[0080] The network device schedules Msg2 using the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and addresses (also known as scrambling) it with a Random Access - Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA - RNTI). The RA - RNTI is determined by the time - frequency resource location of the PRACH carrying Msg1.

[0081] The Msg2 may include parameters such as the identifier of the random access preamble sequence corresponding to Msg1, the uplink transmission timing advance, the uplink resources allocated for the terminal, and the temporary C - RNTI.

[0082] Step 3: The terminal sends Msg3 to the network device.

[0083] After correctly receiving Msg2, the terminal transmits Msg3 in the uplink resources allocated in Msg2, completing the first scheduled transmission.

[0084] The Msg3 may include the identity information of the terminal. For example, the C - RNTI identifier or the temporary C - RNTI identifier.

[0085] Step 4: The network device sends Msg4 to the terminal.

[0086] The network device and the terminal complete the final contention resolution through Msg4. The content of Msg4 corresponds to the content of Msg3.

[0087] If the terminal is not assigned a C - RNTI, the network device will schedule Msg4 using a PDCCH scrambled with the temporary C - RNTI. The terminal addresses on the PDCCH using the temporary C - RNTI to obtain the time - frequency resource location of Msg4. After successful addressing, Msg4 is obtained from this time - frequency resource location. Msg4 carries a Contention Resolution Identity (CRI) through a Media Access Control (MAC) layer Control Element (CE). After receiving this MAC CE, the terminal compares it with the identity information it sent in Msg3. If they are the same, it is determined that the contention resolution is successful, and the terminal determines that the random access is completed.

[0088] If the terminal has already been assigned a C - RNTI, the network device will schedule Msg4 using a PDCCH scrambled with the C - RNTI. The terminal addresses on the PDCCH using the C - RNTI. Successful addressing indicates that the contention resolution is successful, and the terminal determines that the random access is completed.

[0089] Figure 3It is a flowchart of a two-step random access procedure based on contention. As Figure 3 shown, the two-step random access procedure includes:

[0090] In the first step, the terminal sends MsgA to the network device, and the network device receives MsgA.

[0091] The MsgA includes a random access preamble sequence and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) data. The PUSCH data may contain the identity information of the terminal, such as C-RNTI, etc. That is to say, MsgA includes the contents of Msg1 and Msg3.

[0092] In the second step, the network device sends MsgB to the terminal, and the terminal receives MsgB.

[0093] MsgB includes: a random access response and contention resolution information. That is to say, MsgB includes the contents of Msg2 and Msg4. Among them, the random access response includes the identifier of the random access preamble sequence, and the contention resolution information may contain a contention resolution identifier.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal supports both the two-step random access procedure and the four-step random access procedure.

[0095] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be executed by the terminal. Refer to Figure 4 , this method includes the following steps:

[0096] In step 101, small data is sent through a random access procedure, and the random access procedure is one of the two-step random access procedure and the four-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data.

[0097] It should be noted that when the terminal sends small data through the random access procedure, the terminal is in RRC_INACTIVE.

[0098] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state needs to send small data, it determines a random access procedure from the two-step random access procedure and the four-step random access procedure according to the data volume of the small data for sending the small data. By selecting a suitable random access procedure, it is realized that during the process of the terminal transitioning from RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED, small data is transmitted, without waiting for the state transition to complete before transmitting the small data, enabling the small data to be transmitted in a timely manner and reducing the delay.

[0099] Optionally, sending small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0100] In response to determining that a first random access opportunity (RO) included in the RO configured by the network device, sending small data through a two-step random access procedure, where the resources in the physical opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0101] Optionally, sending small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0102] In response to determining that the data volume is not greater than a data volume threshold and that a first RO is included in the RO configured by the network device, sending small data through a two-step random access procedure.

[0103] Optionally, sending small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0104] In response to determining that a second RO is included in the RO configured by the network device, sending small data through a two-step random access procedure, where the second RO is an RO specifically configured by the network device for sending small data.

[0105] Optionally, sending small data through a two-step random access procedure includes:

[0106] Sending the small data using the PO associated with the first RO.

[0107] Optionally, sending small data through the random access procedure includes: In response to determining that the first RO is not included in the RO configured by the network device, sending the small data through a four-step random access procedure, where the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0108] Optionally, sending small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0109] In response to the first RO not being included in the RO configured by the network device but the second RO being included, sending the small data through a two-step random access procedure. For the first RO and the second RO, the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is an RO specifically configured by the network device for sending small data.

[0110] Optionally, sending small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0111] In response to determining that neither the first RO nor the second RO is included in the RO configured by the network device, sending the small data through a four-step random access procedure, where the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is an RO specifically configured by the network device for sending small data.

[0112] Optionally, sending the small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0113] In response to determining that the data volume is greater than the data volume threshold, send the small data through a 4-step random access procedure.

[0114] Optionally, sending the small data through the 4-step random access procedure includes:

[0115] Send a first preamble, where the first preamble is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the 4-step random access procedure;

[0116] Receive a random access response, where the random access response includes indication information of resources for transmitting the small data, and the random access response is sent according to the first preamble;

[0117] Send the small data in Message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

[0118] Optionally, the data volume threshold is configured by a network device.

[0119] It should be noted that the foregoing step 101 and the above optional steps can be combined arbitrarily.

[0120] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be executed by a network device. Refer to Figure 5 and this method includes the following steps:

[0121] In step 201, receive small data sent through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a 2-step random access procedure and a 4-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data, and the small data is sent by a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state needs to send small data, it determines a random access procedure from the 2-step random access procedure and the 4-step random access procedure according to the data volume of the small data for sending the small data. By selecting a suitable random access procedure, small data transmission is achieved during the process of the terminal transitioning from the RRC_INACTIVE state to the RRC_CONNECTED state, without waiting for the state transition to complete before performing small data transmission, enabling the small data to be transmitted in a timely manner and reducing the delay.

[0123] Optionally, receiving the small data sent through a random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent in a PO associated with a first RO through a two-step random access procedure, where the first RO is one of multiple ROs configured by a network device, and the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0124] Optionally, receiving the small data sent through a random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent in a PO associated with a second RO through a two-step random access procedure, where the second RO is one of multiple ROs configured by a network device, and the second RO is an RO configured by the network side for sending small data.

[0125] Optionally, receiving the small data sent through a random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent through a four-step random access procedure, where the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold.

[0126] Optionally, receiving the small data sent through a random access procedure includes: receiving the small data sent through a four-step random access procedure, where the resources in the POs associated with the ROs configured by the network device are not sufficient to carry the small data.

[0127] Optionally, receiving the small data sent in the four-step random access procedure includes:

[0128] Receiving a first preamble, where the first preamble is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the four-step random access procedure;

[0129] Sending a random access response according to the first preamble, where the random access response includes indication information about the resources for transmitting the small data;

[0130] Receiving the small data sent in message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

[0131] It should be noted that the foregoing step 201 and the above optional steps can be combined arbitrarily.

[0132] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be jointly executed by a terminal and a network device. Refer to Figure 6 and this method includes the following steps:

[0133] In step 301, the network device sends a random access configuration message.

[0134] The random access configuration message includes indication information about multiple ROs, and the indication information about the ROs is used to indicate the resource locations of the multiple ROs. These multiple ROs include ROs for the two-step random access procedure and ROs for the four-step random access procedure.

[0135] For an RO used in a two-step random access procedure, each RO is associated with a PO, and different ROs are associated with different POs. The PO associated with an RO is configured by a network device. Optionally, the sizes of the resources in the POs associated with different ROs are the same or different.

[0136] In step 302, the terminal receives a random access configuration message from the network device.

[0137] In step 303, the terminal determines whether there is a first RO among multiple ROs used in the two-step random access procedure.

[0138] The resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the resources in the PO refer to time-frequency resources.

[0139] This step 303 includes: for each RO among the multiple ROs, the terminal calculates the maximum data volume that the resources of the PO associated with the RO can carry; if the maximum data volume is not less than the data volume of the small data that the terminal needs to send, it means that the resources in the PO associated with the RO are sufficient to carry the small data; or, if the maximum data volume is less than the data volume of the small data that the terminal needs to send, it means that the resources in the PO associated with the RO are not sufficient to carry the small data.

[0140] Optionally, one or more first ROs are included among the multiple ROs. If the terminal determines that there is a first RO among the multiple ROs, step 304 is executed.

[0141] In step 304, the terminal sends the small data through a two-step random access procedure.

[0142] In this step 304, the terminal uses the PO associated with a first RO to send the small data. That is, the terminal sends the small data through Msg.A.

[0143] Optionally, when multiple first ROs are included among the multiple ROs configured by the network device, in one possible implementation, the terminal randomly selects a first RO from the multiple first ROs, and then sends the small data through the PO associated with the selected first RO. In another possible implementation, the terminal selects the first RO from the multiple first ROs whose associated PO has the maximum data volume closest to the data volume of the small data that the terminal needs to send, and then sends the small data through the PO associated with the selected first RO.

[0144] Through this step 303 and step 304, the terminal can determine the random access procedure for sending small data according to the data volume of the small data to be transmitted.

[0145] In step 305, the network device receives the small data sent by the terminal through the two-step random access procedure.

[0146] Alternatively, in another embodiment, step 304 may be replaced with: the terminal determines whether there is a second RO among multiple ROs, and the second RO is an RO specifically configured by the network device for transmitting small data. Correspondingly, step 304 may be replaced with: if the terminal determines that there is a second RO among multiple ROs, it sends the small data through the two-step random access procedure. In this case, the network device enables the terminal to send the small data through the two-step random access procedure by configuring an RO specifically for transmitting small data for the terminal.

[0147] Alternatively, in another embodiment, step 403 may be replaced with: the terminal sequentially determines whether there is a first RO and a second RO among multiple ROs; the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is an RO specifically configured by the network device for transmitting small data. If the terminal determines that there is at least one of the first RO and the second RO among multiple ROs, it sends the small data through the two-step random access procedure.

[0148] Moreover, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the order in which the terminal determines the first RO and the second RO. For example, the terminal first determines whether there is a second RO. If the terminal determines that there is a second RO, it uses the PO associated with the second RO to send the small data through the two-step random access procedure. If the terminal determines that there is no second RO, the terminal determines whether there is a first RO. If the terminal determines that there is a first RO, it uses the PO associated with the first RO to send the small data through the two-step random access procedure.

[0149] For another example, the terminal first determines whether there is a first RO. If the terminal determines that there is a first RO, it uses the PO associated with the first RO to send the small data through the two-step random access procedure. If the terminal determines that there is no first RO, the terminal determines whether there is a second RO. If the terminal determines that there is a second RO, it uses the PO associated with the second RO to send the small data through the two-step random access procedure.

[0150] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be jointly executed by the terminal and the network device. The difference between this method and Figure 6 the method shown is that the terminal first compares the data volume of the small data with the data volume threshold. When the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, it then determines whether there is a first RO among the multiple ROs configured by the network device for the two-step random access procedure. In this way, when the data volume of the small data is large and the number of ROs is large, the terminal does not need to calculate the maximum data volume that can be carried by the resources of the associated PO for each RO, simplifying the terminal's process and improving the efficiency of random access.

[0151] See Figure 7 , the method includes the following steps:

[0152] In step 401, the network device sends a random access configuration message.

[0153] In step 402, the terminal receives the random access configuration message from the network device.

[0154] In step 403, the terminal compares the data volume of the small data to be sent with the data volume threshold.

[0155] If the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, step 404 is executed.

[0156] Optionally, the data volume threshold is configured by the network device. Exemplarily, the data volume threshold is greater than or equal to the maximum value among the maximum data volumes that can be carried by the resources corresponding to the POs associated with all possible ROs configured by the network device. For example, the data volume threshold is 300 bits, the maximum value is 72 bits, and the data volume threshold is greater than the maximum value.

[0157] In this case, the method further includes:

[0158] The network device sends the data volume threshold;

[0159] The terminal receives the data volume threshold sent by the network device.

[0160] Exemplarily, the network device sends the data volume threshold through a System Information Block (SIB).

[0161] In step 404, the terminal determines whether there is a first RO among multiple ROs.

[0162] If the terminal determines that there is a first RO among multiple ROs, step 405 is executed.

[0163] In step 405, the terminal sends the small data through a two-step random access procedure.

[0164] In step 406, the network device receives the small data sent by the terminal through the two-step random access procedure.

[0165] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state needs to send small data, it determines a random access procedure from a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure according to the data volume of the small data for sending the small data. By selecting an appropriate random access procedure, the terminal can perform small data transmission (SDT) during the process of transitioning from the RRC_INACTIVE state to the RRC_CONNECTED state, without waiting until the state transition is completed to perform small data transmission, enabling the small data to be transmitted in a timely manner and reducing the delay.

[0166] In addition, when the terminal has small data to send, it first determines whether the resources corresponding to the PO associated with the RO can carry the small data. If there are resources corresponding to the PO associated with the RO that can carry the small data, it uses the resources corresponding to the PO to send the small data through a two-step random access procedure, further improving the transmission efficiency of the small data.

[0167] Figure 8 It is a flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be jointly executed by a terminal and a network device. Refer to Figure 8 and this method includes the following steps:

[0168] In step 501, the network device sends a random access configuration message.

[0169] For the relevant content of step 501, refer to the foregoing step 301, which will not be elaborated here.

[0170] In step 502, the terminal receives the random access configuration message from the network device.

[0171] In step 503, the terminal determines whether there is a first RO among multiple ROs.

[0172] The resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0173] If the terminal determines that there is no first RO among multiple ROs, it executes step 504.

[0174] For the relevant content of step 503, refer to the foregoing step 303, and the detailed description is omitted here.

[0175] In step 504, the terminal sends the small data through a four-step random access procedure.

[0176] In step 505, the network device receives the small data sent by the terminal through a four-step random access procedure.

[0177] Figure 9It is a flowchart of a data transmission method shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This method can be jointly executed by a terminal and a network device. The difference between this method and the method shown in Figure 8 is that the terminal first compares the data volume of the small data with the data volume threshold. When the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, it then determines whether there is a first RO among the multiple ROs configured by the network device for the two-step random access process. In this way, when the data volume of the small data is large and the number of ROs is large, the terminal does not need to calculate the maximum data volume that the resources associated with each RO can carry, simplifying the terminal's process and improving the efficiency of random access.

[0178] See Figure 9 , this method includes:

[0179] In step 601, the network device sends a random access configuration message.

[0180] In step 602, the terminal receives the random access configuration message from the network device.

[0181] In step 603, the terminal compares the data volume of the small data to be sent with the data volume threshold.

[0182] If the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, step 604 is executed; if the data volume of the small data exceeds the data volume threshold, step 605 is executed.

[0183] For the relevant description of the data volume threshold, see the foregoing step 403, and the detailed description is omitted here.

[0184] In step 604, the terminal determines whether there is a first RO among the multiple ROs.

[0185] The resources in the PO associated with this first RO are sufficient to carry the small data. When the terminal determines that there is a first RO among the multiple ROs, it sends the small data through the two-step random access process.

[0186] If the terminal determines that there is no first RO among the multiple ROs, step 605 is executed.

[0187] In step 605, the terminal sends the small data through the four-step random access process.

[0188] In step 606, the network device receives the small data sent by the terminal through the four-step random access process.

[0189] Figure 10 It is a flowchart of transmitting small data using a four-step random access process shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 10 shown, transmitting small data using a four-step random access process includes the following steps:

[0190] In step 701, the terminal sends a first preamble, and the first preamble is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent through a four-step random access procedure.

[0191] In step 702, the network device receives the first preamble.

[0192] Optionally, the first preamble is determined from a first preamble set.

[0193] Exemplarily, the network device divides multiple preambles into two sets. The first preamble set includes multiple first preambles. The first preambles in the first preamble set are not only used to indicate that the terminal needs to perform random access, but also used to indicate that small data needs to be sent through a four-step random access procedure; the second preamble set includes multiple second preambles, and the second preambles are ordinary preambles, which are only used to indicate that the terminal needs to perform random access.

[0194] In step 703, the network device sends a random access response according to the first preamble.

[0195] Wherein, the random access response includes indication information of resources for transmitting the small data, and the random access response is sent according to the first preamble.

[0196] The resources allocated by the network device to the terminal according to the first preamble are more than the resources allocated by the network device to the terminal according to the second preamble, so that the terminal can obtain sufficient resources to transmit small data as much as possible. For example, the network device allocates more uplink grants (UL grants) to the terminal according to the first preamble.

[0197] Exemplarily, the quantity of the resources indicated by the indication information is fixed. For example, the maximum data volume that the resources indicated by the indication information can carry is equal to the aforementioned data volume threshold.

[0198] In step 704, the terminal receives the random access response.

[0199] In step 705, the terminal uses the resources indicated by the indication information to send the small data in Message 3.

[0200] In step 706, the network device receives the small data sent in Message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

[0201] Through steps 701 to 706, the aforementioned steps 504 to 505 can be implemented, or steps 605 to 606 can be implemented.

[0202] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state needs to send small data, it determines a random access procedure from a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure according to the data volume of the small data for sending the small data. By selecting an appropriate random access procedure, the terminal can perform small data transmission during the process of transitioning from the RRC_INACTIVE state to the RRC_CONNECTED state, without waiting for the state transition to complete before performing small data transmission, enabling the small data to be transmitted in a timely manner and reducing the delay.

[0203] In addition, when the terminal has small data to send, it first determines whether the resources corresponding to the PO associated with the RO can carry the small data. If there are resources corresponding to the PO associated with the RO that cannot carry the small data, the small data is sent using the four-step random access procedure. Since during the four-step random access process, the resources used by the terminal to transmit data are allocated by the network device according to the random access request, when the terminal needs to send relatively large small data through the four-step random access procedure, larger resources can be allocated without making major changes to the physical layer protocol, which is easy to implement.

[0204] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission device shown according to an exemplary embodiment. This device has the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments, and these functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. As Figure 11 shown, the device 800 includes: a sending module 801. The sending module 801 is configured to send small data through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data. The device 800 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0205] Optionally, the sending module 801 is configured to send small data through a two-step random access procedure in response to determining that the random access opportunity RO configured by the network device includes a first RO, and the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0206] Optionally, the sending module 801 is configured to send the small data using the PO associated with the first RO.

[0207] Optionally, the sending module 801 is configured to send the small data through a four-step random access procedure in response to determining that the random access opportunity RO configured by the network device does not include a first RO, and the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0208] Optionally, the sending of small data through the random access procedure includes:

[0209] In response to determining that the amount of data is greater than a data volume threshold, small data is sent through a 4-step random access procedure.

[0210] Optionally, the apparatus 800 further includes a receiving module 802. The sending module 801 is configured to send a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the 4-step random access procedure; the receiving module 802 is configured to receive a random access response, and the random access response includes indication information of a resource for transmitting the small data, and the random access response is sent according to the first preamble sequence; the sending module 801 is further configured to send the small data in message 3 by using the resource indicated by the indication information.

[0211] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission apparatus shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The apparatus has the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment, and the functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. As Figure 12 shown, the apparatus 900 includes: a receiving module 901. The receiving module 901 is configured to receive small data sent through a random access procedure, and the random access procedure is one of a 2-step random access procedure and a 4-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data, and the small data is sent by a terminal in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0212] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is configured to receive small data sent in a PO associated with a first RO through a 2-step random access procedure, and the first PO is one of a plurality of ROs configured by the network device, and the resources in the PO associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data.

[0213] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is configured to receive small data sent through a 4-step random access procedure, and the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold; or, the resources in a PO associated with a random access opportunity RO configured by the network device are not sufficient to carry the small data.

[0214] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a sending module 902. The receiving module 901 is configured to receive a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the 4-step random access procedure; the sending module 902 is configured to receive a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the 4-step random access procedure; the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive small data sent in message 3 by using the resource indicated by the indication information.

[0215] Figure 13 It is a block diagram of a terminal 1000 shown according to an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 13As shown, the terminal 1000 may include: a processor 1001, a receiver 1002, a transmitter 1003, a memory 1004, and a bus 1005.

[0216] The processor 1001 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 1001 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0217] The receiver 1002 and the transmitter 1003 may be implemented as a communication component, and the communication component may be a communication chip.

[0218] The memory 1004 is connected to the processor 1001 through the bus 1005.

[0219] The memory 1004 can be used to store at least one instruction, and the processor 1001 is used to execute the at least one instruction to execute the method performed by the terminal in the signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0220] In addition, the memory 1004 may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. The volatile or non-volatile storage device includes but is not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0221] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided. At least one instruction, at least one segment of program, code set or instruction set is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. The at least one instruction, the at least one segment of program, the code set or instruction set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the steps performed by the terminal in the data transmission method provided in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0222] Figure 14 is a block diagram of a network device 1100 shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 14 shown, the network device 1100 may include: a processor 1101, a receiver 1102, a transmitter 1103, and a memory 1104. The receiver 1102, the transmitter 1103, and the memory 1104 are respectively connected to the processor 1101 through the bus.

[0223] Among them, the processor 1101 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 1101 executes the methods performed by the network device in the signal transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure by running software programs and modules. The memory 1104 can be used to store software programs and modules. Specifically, the memory 1104 can store an operating system 11041 and application program modules 11042 required for at least one function. The receiver 1102 is used to receive communication data sent by other devices, and the transmitter 1103 is used to send communication data to other devices.

[0224] In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one instruction, at least one segment of program, a set of codes or a set of instructions, which are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the steps performed by the network device in the data transmission methods provided in the above method embodiments.

[0225] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal and a network device. The terminal is the terminal provided in the embodiment as Figure 13 shown in the embodiment. The network device is the network device provided in the embodiment as Figure 14 shown in the embodiment.

[0226] After considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other embodiments of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure, which follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include known common knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and embodiments are only regarded as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are pointed out by the following claims.

[0227] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present disclosure is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) Inactive state for small data transmission during the process of transitioning from the RRC Inactive state to the RRC Connected state, the method includes: In response to determining that the data volume of the small data is greater than a data volume threshold, sending the small data through a 4-step random access procedure; In response to determining that the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, determining whether there is a first RO and a second RO among multiple random access opportunities (ROs) configured by the network device for a 2-step random access procedure, where the resources in the uplink physical shared channel opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is the RO specifically configured by the network device for transmitting the small data; In response to determining that the ROs configured by the network device include at least one of the first RO and the second RO, sending the small data through a 2-step random access procedure.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sending of the small data through a 2-step random access procedure includes: Sending the small data using the PO associated with the first RO or the second RO.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes: In response to determining that the ROs configured by the network device do not include the first RO and the second RO, sending the small data through a 4-step random access procedure.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The sending of the small data through a 4-step random access procedure includes: Sending a first preamble sequence, which is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in the 4-step random access procedure; Receiving a random access response, which includes indication information of the resources for transmitting the small data, and the random access response is sent based on the first preamble sequence; Sending the small data in Message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The data volume threshold is configured by the network device.

6. A data transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving small data sent through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a 2-step random access procedure and a 4-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data. The small data is sent by a terminal in the RRC Inactive state, and the terminal performs small data transmission during the process of transitioning from the RRC Inactive state to the RRC Connected state; Wherein, the terminal, in response to determining that the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold, sends the small data through a 4-step random access procedure; in response to determining that the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, determines whether there is a first RO and a second RO among multiple random access opportunities (ROs) configured by the network device for a 2-step random access procedure, where the resources in the uplink physical shared channel opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is the RO specifically configured by the network device for transmitting the small data; in response to determining that the ROs configured by the network device include at least one of the first RO and the second RO, sends the small data through a 2-step random access procedure.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The receiving of the small data sent through a random access procedure includes: Receive small data sent at a Physical Uplink Shared Channel Opportunity (PO) associated with a first Random Access Opportunity (RO) or a second RO through a two-step random access procedure.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein The receiving of small data sent through a random access procedure includes: Receiving small data sent through a four-step random access procedure, where the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold; or, the resources in the POs associated with the ROs configured by the network device are not sufficient to carry the small data.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The receiving of small data sent through a four-step random access procedure includes: Receiving a first preamble, which is used to indicate that small data needs to be sent in a four-step random access procedure; Sending a random access response according to the first preamble, where the random access response includes indication information of resources for transmitting the small data; Receiving the small data sent in Message 3 using the resources indicated by the indication information.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The data volume threshold is configured by the network device.

11. A data transmission device, characterized in that, The device is in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) Inactive state and performs small data transmission during the process of transitioning from the RRC Inactive state to the RRC Connected state. The device includes: A sending module, configured to, in response to determining that the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold, send the small data through a four-step random access procedure; In response to determining that the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, determine whether there is a first RO and a second RO among the multiple random access opportunities ROs configured by the network device for a two-step random access procedure, where the resources in the Physical Uplink Shared Channel Opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is the RO specifically configured by the network device for transmitting the small data; In response to determining that the ROs configured by the network device include at least one of the first RO and the second RO, send the small data through a two-step random access procedure.

12. A data transmission device, characterized in that, The device includes: A receiving module, configured to receive small data sent through a random access procedure, where the random access procedure is one of a two-step random access procedure and a four-step random access procedure, and the random access procedure is determined according to the data volume of the small data. The small data is sent by a terminal in the RRC Inactive state, and the terminal performs small data transmission during the process of transitioning from the RRC Inactive state to the RRC Connected state; Wherein, the terminal, in response to determining that the data volume of the small data is greater than the data volume threshold, sends the small data through a four-step random access procedure; in response to determining that the data volume of the small data does not exceed the data volume threshold, determine whether there is a first RO and a second RO among the multiple random access opportunities ROs configured by the network device for a two-step random access procedure, where the resources in the Physical Uplink Shared Channel Opportunity (PO) associated with the first RO are sufficient to carry the small data, and the second RO is the RO specifically configured by the network device for transmitting the small data; in response to determining that the ROs configured by the network device include at least one of the first RO and the second RO, send the small data through a two-step random access procedure.

13. A terminal, characterized in that, The terminal includes: A processor; A memory for storing processor-executable instructions; Wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the data transmission method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

14. A network device, characterized in that, The network device includes: A processor; A memory for storing processor-executable instructions; Wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the data transmission method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, When the instructions in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the processor, it is capable of executing the data transmission method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or capable of executing the data transmission method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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