Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device. A network device configures a first value and a second value for a first timer for a first type of terminal device, so that the first type of terminal device can select a more appropriate value from the first value and the second value as the value of the first timer in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming RRC connection with the network device, for example, selecting the larger one of the first value and the second value as the value of the first timer, thereby providing a solution for reducing the probability of failure of establishing or reestablishing or resuming RRC connection caused by energy collection of the terminal device in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming RRC connection.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, there is a terminal device which can realize communication with other devices by collecting energy from the outside world, and the energy available for this type of terminal device includes light energy, kinetic energy, thermal energy, radio frequency energy, etc. Since the above-mentioned energy available for this type of terminal device cannot be obtained at any time and any place, the energy stored by this type of terminal device cannot be guaranteed to be sufficient at all times. When the terminal device has insufficient energy, the terminal device needs to interrupt the current communication and then collect energy. After the energy is stored to a certain extent, the terminal device resumes communication. Therefore, it can be seen that the data transmission of this type of terminal device is often intermittent. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, which can improve the probability of normal communication between a terminal device and other devices when the terminal device realizes communication with other devices by collecting energy from the outside world.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a terminal device (which can also be a module in the terminal device, such as a chip) receiving second configuration information from a network device, the second configuration information indicating a first value and a second value of a first timer, the first timer being used to control the length of time required for the terminal device to successfully access a network.

[0005] For example, the first timer can be used to control the length of time required for the terminal device to complete the establishment or re-establishment or resumption of a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the network device.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, the network device configures the first value and the second value of the first timer for the first type of terminal device, so that the first type of terminal device can select a more appropriate value from the first value and the second value as the value of the first timer during the establishment or re-establishment or resumption of the RRC connection with the network device. For example, the larger one of the first value and the second value is selected as the value of the first timer, thereby reducing the probability of failure of the establishment or re-establishment or resumption of the RRC connection due to energy collection by the terminal device during the establishment or re-establishment or resumption of the RRC connection.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the first value is greater than the second value, and the second value is configured by the network device for the second type of terminal device.

[0008] Based on the technical solution, the network device configures a first value for the first timer for the first type of terminal device, thereby distinguishing from a second value corresponding to the second type of terminal device, so that the first type of terminal device can use a more appropriate first value as the value of the first timer in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection with the network device, thereby reducing the probability that the terminal device fails to establish or reestablish or resume the RRC connection due to energy collection in the process.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: when the terminal device is performing energy collection, suspending or suspending or stopping running of the first timer, or, when the terminal device is performing energy collection, increasing the remaining running time of the first timer.

[0010] Based on the technical solution, when the terminal device needs to perform energy collection in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device suspends or suspends or stops running of the first timer when performing energy collection, and resumes running of the first timer when the energy collection ends, or increases the remaining running time of the first timer, thereby reducing the probability that the terminal device fails to establish or reestablish or resume the RRC connection due to energy collection in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, and the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0012] Based on the technical solution, by sending the second indication information to the network device, the network device can determine from the second indication information from the terminal device that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and in this case, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, if the network device determines that a certain message related to the establishment process of the RRC connection is not successfully received by the terminal device, the network device can consider that the reason for not being successfully received by the terminal device is that the terminal device is currently performing energy collection, at this time, the network device will not immediately resend the message to the terminal device, but will wait for a certain length of time before resending the message to the terminal device, in order to complete the energy collection when the message is resent. The terminal device, thereby improving the possibility of successfully receiving the message by the terminal device, and further improving the possibility of successfully establishing the RRC connection.

[0013] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a network device (which can also be a module in the network device, such as a chip) sending second configuration information to a terminal device, the second configuration information indicating a first value and a second value of a first timer, the first timer being used to control a length of time required for the terminal device to successfully access a network.

[0014] For example, the first timer can be used to control a length of time required for a terminal device and a network device to complete establishment or reestablishment or resumption of a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the network device configures the first value and the second value for the first timer for the first type of terminal device, so that the first type of terminal device can select a more appropriate value from the first value and the second value as the value of the first timer in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection with the network device, for example, the larger one of the first value and the second value is used as the value of the first timer, thereby reducing the probability of failure of the establishment or reestablishment or resumption of the RRC connection due to energy collection by the terminal device in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first value is greater than the second value, and the second value is configured by the network device for the second type of terminal device.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the network device configures the first value for the first timer for the first type of terminal device, thereby distinguishing from the second value corresponding to the second type of terminal device, so that the first type of terminal device can use a more appropriate first value as the value of the first timer in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection with the network device, thereby reducing the probability of failure of the establishment or reestablishment or resumption of the RRC connection due to energy collection by the terminal device in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the network device receiving second indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is of the first type or that a feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0019] Based on the above technical solution, by receiving the second indication information from the terminal device, the network device can determine, according to the second indication information from the terminal device, that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the characteristic of the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent. In this case, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, if the network device determines that a certain message related to the establishment process of the RRC connection is not successfully received by the terminal device, the network device can consider that the reason why the certain message is not successfully received by the terminal device is that the terminal device is currently performing energy collection. At this time, the network device will not immediately resend the certain message to the terminal device, but will wait for a certain length of time before resending the certain message to the terminal device, in order to improve the possibility that the terminal device has completed energy collection when the certain message is resent, thereby improving the possibility of successfully establishing the RRC connection.

[0020] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a terminal device (which can also be a module in the terminal device, such as a chip) sending first indication information to a network device, the first indication information indicating a first communication mode, the first communication mode being used to determine a first time length and a second time length, the first time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, and the second time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission; then, the terminal device receiving first configuration information from the network device, the first configuration information indicating a second communication mode, the second communication mode being used to determine a third time length and a fourth time length, the third time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform data transmission, and the fourth time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to interrupt data transmission.

[0021] In an implementation manner, the network device can determine, according to the first indication information from the terminal device, that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the characteristic of the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and further, the network device generates the first configuration information according to the first indication information.

[0022] In another implementation manner, the network device can determine, according to the second indication information from the terminal device, that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the characteristic of the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and further, the network device generates the first configuration information according to the first indication information. In this case, the method further includes: before sending the first indication information to the network device, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the characteristic of the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0023] Based on the technical solution, the terminal device and the network device reach an agreement on the length of time for data transmission and the length of time for energy collection, so that the terminal device and the network device perform data transmission only in the length of time for data transmission, and interrupt data transmission in the length of time for energy collection, thereby reducing the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to the inconsistency between the judgment and the actual situation of the network device on the length of time for data transmission and the length of time for interrupting data transmission.

[0024] In a possible implementation, after receiving the first configuration information from the network device, the method further includes: if the terminal device determines that the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission is less than the third length of time, the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating the remaining length of time in the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission of the terminal device, or indicating that the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission of the terminal device is less than the third length of time.

[0025] Based on the technical solution, when the terminal device determines that the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission is less than the third length of time, the network device is informed of this situation, so that the network device and the terminal device can interrupt data transmission before the end of the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission of the terminal device, thereby reducing the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to the network device still sending downlink data to the terminal device after the end of the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission of the terminal device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sends fourth indication information to the network device, the fourth indication information indicating the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions supported by the terminal device in the first length of time, and the first configuration information further indicates the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions supported by the terminal device in the third length of time.

[0027] Based on the technical solution, the terminal device and the network device reach an agreement on the length of time for data transmission and the length of time for energy collection, so that the terminal device and the network device perform data transmission only in the length of time for data transmission, and interrupt data transmission in the length of time for energy collection, thereby reducing the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to the inconsistency between the judgment and the actual situation of the network device on the length of time for data transmission and the length of time for interrupting data transmission.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first communication mode is further used to determine that the first time length and the second time length are periodic, and the second communication mode is further used to determine that the third time length and the fourth time length are periodic.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: receiving, by a network device (which can also be a module in the network device, such as a chip), first indication information from a terminal device, the first indication information indicating a first communication mode, the first communication mode being used to determine a first time length and a second time length, the first time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, and the second time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission; then sending, by the network device, first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information indicating a second communication mode, the second communication mode being used to determine a third time length and a fourth time length, the third time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform data transmission, and the fourth time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to interrupt data transmission.

[0030] In an implementation, the network device can determine, according to the first indication information from the terminal device, that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or that data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and further generate the first configuration information according to the first indication information.

[0031] In another implementation, the network device can determine, according to second indication information from the terminal device, that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or that data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and further generate the first configuration information according to the first indication information, in which case the method further includes: receiving, before receiving the first indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or that data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0032] Based on the above technical solutions, by making the terminal device and the network device agree on the time length of data transmission and the time length of energy collection of the terminal device, the terminal device and the network device only perform data transmission in the time length of data transmission and interrupt data transmission in the time length of energy collection, thereby reducing the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to inconsistency between the judgment and the actual situation of the network device on the time length of data transmission and the time length of interrupting data transmission of the terminal device.

[0033] In a possible implementation, after the first configuration information is sent to the terminal device, the method further includes: receiving, by the network device, third indication information from the terminal device, the third indication information indicating a remaining time length in the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission currently, or indicating that the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission currently is less than the third time length.

[0034] Based on the technical solution above, when the terminal device determines that the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission currently is less than the third time length, the network device is informed of this situation, so that the network device and the terminal device can interrupt the data transmission before the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission currently ends, thereby reducing the probability of data loss caused by the network device still sending downlink data to the terminal device after the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission currently ends.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving, by the network device, fourth indication information from the terminal device, the fourth indication information indicating the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions supported by the terminal device within the first time length, and the first configuration information further indicating the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions supported by the terminal device within the third time length.

[0036] Based on the technical solution above, by making the terminal device and the network device reach an agreement on both the time length for data transmission and the time length for energy collection of the terminal device, and reach an agreement on the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions supported by the terminal device within the time length for data transmission, the terminal device and the network device only perform the data transmission supported by the terminal device for the corresponding number of times within the time length for data transmission, and interrupt the data transmission within the time length for energy collection, thereby further reducing the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first communication mode is further used to determine that the first time length and the second time length are periodic, and the second communication mode is further used to determine that the third time length and the fourth time length are periodic.

[0038] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a terminal device (which can also be a module in the terminal device, such as a chip) sending second indication information to a network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that data transmission of the terminal device is characterized by discontinuous transmission, wherein the terminal device is currently in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state; and then the terminal device receiving a paging message from the network device, the paging message corresponding to a number of retransmissions greater than a number of retransmissions of a paging message used to page a second type of terminal device, and / or the paging message corresponding to a retransmission interval greater than a retransmission interval of the paging message used to page the second type of terminal device.

[0039] Based on the above technical solution, by causing the terminal device to indicate to the network device, when registering to the network, that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that data transmission of the terminal device is characterized by discontinuous transmission, and causing the network device to increase the number of retransmissions and the retransmission interval of a paging message used to page the terminal device according to the type of the terminal device or the data transmission characteristic of the terminal device, the probability of paging the terminal device is increased.

[0040] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device is currently in the RRC idle state, the network device is a core network device, and the second indication information is carried in a non-access stratum registration message.

[0041] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device is currently in the RRC inactive state, the network device is an access network device, and the second indication information is carried in a terminal device capability information message or a terminal device assistance information message.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a network device (which can also be a module in the network device, such as a chip) receiving second indication information from a terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that data transmission of the terminal device is characterized by discontinuous transmission, wherein the terminal device is currently in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state; and then the network device sending a paging message, the paging message corresponding to a number of retransmissions greater than a number of retransmissions of a paging message used to page a second type of terminal device, and / or the paging message corresponding to a retransmission interval greater than a retransmission interval of the paging message used to page the second type of terminal device.

[0043] Based on the above technical solution, by causing the terminal device to indicate to the network device, when registering to the network, that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that data transmission of the terminal device is characterized by discontinuous transmission, and causing the network device to increase the number of retransmissions and the retransmission interval of a paging message used to page the terminal device according to the type of the terminal device or the data transmission characteristic of the terminal device, the probability of paging the terminal device is increased.

[0044] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device is currently in the RRC idle state, the network device is a core network device, and the second indication information is carried in a non-access layer registration message.

[0045] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device is currently in the RRC inactive state, the network device is an access network device, and the second indication information is carried in a terminal device capability information message or a terminal device assistance information message of the non-access layer.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a terminal device (which can also be a module in the terminal device, such as a chip) sending fifth indication information to a network device, the fifth indication information indicating that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission; and then the network device interrupting data transmission with the network device for a length of time during which data transmission is interrupted.

[0047] Based on the above technical solution, when the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission with the network device, the terminal device dynamically reports to the network device that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission, so that the network device can interrupt data transmission with the terminal device for a length of time during which data transmission is interrupted, and perform data transmission with the network device for a length of time during which data transmission is not interrupted, thereby reducing the probability that data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is lost due to inconsistency between the judgment and the actual situation of the network device on the length of time for which the terminal device performs data transmission and the length of time for which data transmission is interrupted.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is carried in at least one of a medium access control control element (MAC CE), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and terminal device assistance information.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information further indicates the length of time for which data transmission is interrupted.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is carried in the MAC CE or the terminal device assistance information.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is sent together with uplink data sent by the terminal device or is sent separately.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second configuration information from the network device, the second configuration information indicating the length of time for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission.

[0053] In a possible implementation, before receiving the third configuration information from the network device, the method further includes: sending, by the terminal device, sixth indication information to the network device, the sixth indication information indicating a length of time during which the terminal device expects to interrupt the data transmission.

[0054] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: receiving, by a network device (which can also be a module in the network device, such as a chip), fifth indication information from a terminal device, the fifth indication information indicating that the terminal device needs to interrupt the data transmission; and then interrupting, by the network device, the data transmission with the terminal device for a length of time during which the data transmission is interrupted.

[0055] Based on the above technical solutions, when the terminal device needs to interrupt the data transmission with the network device, the terminal device dynamically reports to the network device that the terminal device needs to interrupt the data transmission, so that the network device can interrupt the data transmission with the terminal device for a length of time during which the data transmission is interrupted, and perform the data transmission with the terminal device for a length of time during which the data transmission is not interrupted, thereby reducing the probability that data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is lost due to the inconsistency between the judgment and the actual situation of the network device on the length of time during which the terminal device performs the data transmission and the length of time during which the data transmission is interrupted.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is carried in at least one of a MAC CE, a PUCCH, and terminal device assistance information.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information further indicates the length of time during which the data transmission is interrupted.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is carried in a MAC CE or terminal device assistance information.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is sent together with uplink data sent by the terminal device or is sent separately.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the network device, third configuration information to the terminal device, the third configuration information indicating the length of time during which the terminal device interrupts the data transmission.

[0061] In a possible implementation, before sending the third configuration information to the terminal device, the method further includes: receiving, by the network device, sixth indication information from the terminal device, the sixth indication information indicating the length of time during which the terminal device expects to interrupt the data transmission.

[0062] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be a terminal device in the above method, or a chip applied to a terminal device. The communication apparatus comprises a processor coupled to a memory, configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0063] When the communication apparatus is a terminal device, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0064] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a terminal device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0065] Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0066] In a tenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be a network device in the above method, or a chip applied to a network device. The communication apparatus comprises a processor coupled to a memory, configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method performed by the network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to implement the method performed by the network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to implement the method performed by the network device in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to implement the method performed by the network device in the eighth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0067] When the communication apparatus is a network device, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0068] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a network device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0069] Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0070] In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a program which, when executed by a communication device, is configured to perform any of the methods of the first aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the second aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the third aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the fourth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the fifth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the sixth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the seventh aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the eighth aspect and possible implementations thereof.

[0071] In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a program product comprising program code which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform any of the methods of the first aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the second aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the third aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the fourth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the fifth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the sixth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the seventh aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the eighth aspect and possible implementations thereof.

[0072] In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium storing a program which, when executed, causes a communication device to perform any of the methods of the first aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the second aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the third aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the fourth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the fifth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the sixth aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the seventh aspect and possible implementations thereof, or to perform any of the methods of the eighth aspect and possible implementations thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0073] Figure 1 is a schematic architecture of a mobile communication system suitable for embodiments of the present application;

[0074] Figure 2 is a schematic interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 3is a schematic diagram of an example distribution of the first time length and the second time length provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another example distribution of the first time length and the second time length provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 5 is a schematic interaction flowchart of another example communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 6 is a schematic interaction flowchart of another example communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 7 is a schematic interaction flowchart of another example communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 8 is a schematic interaction flowchart of another example communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 9 is a schematic interaction flowchart of another example communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 10 is a schematic interaction flowchart of another example communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. When a terminal device collects energy from the outside world to implement communication with other devices, the data transmission of the terminal device is often intermittent, which is not conducive to normal communication between the terminal device and other devices. For example, the other device is a network device, and if the network device sends downlink data to the terminal device when the terminal device is currently in an interrupted data transmission state for energy collection, the downlink data will obviously not be received by the terminal device, thereby affecting the normal communication between the terminal device and the network device.

[0086] Therefore, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method to enable normal communication between the terminal device and other devices.

[0087] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), New Radio (NR) in a 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication system, a device to device (D2D) communication system, and a future mobile communication system.

[0088] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a mobile communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 1 , the mobile communication system includes a core network device 110, a radio access network device 120, and at least one terminal device (such as a terminal device 130 and a terminal device 140 in Figure 1 ). The terminal device is connected to the radio access network device in a wireless manner, and the radio access network device is connected to the core network device in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device and the radio access network device can be independent and different physical devices, can be integrated into the same physical device with the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the radio access network device, or can be a physical device integrated with part of the functions of the core network device and part of the functions of the radio access network device. The terminal device can be fixed or mobile. Figure 1 This is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system can also include other network devices, such as a wireless relay device and a wireless backhaul device, which are not shown in Figure 1 . The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of core network devices, radio access network devices, and terminal devices included in the mobile communication system.

[0089] The wireless access network device is an access device through which a terminal device accesses a mobile communication system by wireless means. The wireless access network device can be a base station, NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNodeB), transmission reception point (TRP), next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The wireless access network device can also be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, a relay station, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the wireless access network device. In the present application, the wireless access network device is referred to as a network device. If not otherwise specified, the network device in the present application refers to a wireless access network device.

[0090] The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0091] The network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water surface; can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the terminal device.

[0092] The network device and the terminal device can communicate through a licensed spectrum, an unlicensed spectrum, or both. The network device and the terminal device can communicate through a spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz) or a spectrum above 6 GHz, or both. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum used by the network device and the terminal device.

[0093] It can be understood that, in embodiments of the present application, the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is only an example of a downlink control channel. In different systems and different scenarios, the control channel can have different names, and embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0094] It is worth mentioning that, unless otherwise specified, the terminal device, the first type of terminal device appearing in the following text refers to a terminal device that relies on energy collected from the outside to realize communication with other devices. The second type of terminal device appearing in the following text refers to other terminal devices other than the first type of terminal device. The first type of terminal device can also be referred to as an energy harvesting type of terminal device, and the second type of terminal device can also be referred to as a non-energy harvesting type of terminal device.

[0095] The following describes the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application in combination with Figure 1 a mobile communication system shown in the figures, Figure 2 An example of a communication method is shown from the perspective of device interaction. The method 200 at least includes the following steps.

[0096] In step 202, the terminal device sends first indication information to the network device, the first indication information indicating a first communication pattern, the first communication pattern being used to determine a first time length and a second time length. The first time length is a time length during which the terminal device expects (or prefers) to perform data transmission, and the second time length is a time length during which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first indication information from the terminal device.

[0097] Optionally, as an implementation form, after the RRC connection is established between the terminal device and the network device, the terminal device can perform data transmission with the network device. In order to reduce the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to the inconsistency between the actual situation and the judgment of the network device on the time length of data transmission of the terminal device and the time length of interruption of data transmission of the terminal device, the terminal device can reach an agreement with the network device on the time length of data transmission of the terminal device and the time length of energy collection of the terminal device. It is worth mentioning that the terminal device will interrupt data transmission during energy collection, or the terminal device will perform energy collection during interruption of data transmission, in other words, in the embodiment of the present application, the time length of interruption of data transmission can be considered as the time length of energy collection.

[0098] Optionally, as an implementation form, in order to reach an agreement between the network device and the terminal device on the time length of data transmission of the terminal device and the time length of energy collection of the terminal device, the terminal device can send first indication information to the network device, the first indication information indicating a first communication mode, and the network device can determine the time length of data transmission of the terminal device expected by the terminal device, i.e. the first time length, and determine the time length of interruption of data transmission of the terminal device expected by the terminal device, i.e. the second time length, according to the first communication mode.

[0099] For example, the first communication mode can include a time length of the network device and the terminal device in the RRC connected state and the time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device, and the network device can calculate the time length of interruption of data transmission expected by the terminal device according to this, for example, the network device can determine the time length of interruption of data transmission expected by the terminal device as the time length of the network device and the terminal device in the RRC connected state except the time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device.

[0100] Similarly, the first communication mode can include a time length of the network device and the terminal device in the RRC connected state and the time length of interruption of data transmission expected by the terminal device, and the network device can calculate the time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device according to this, for example, the network device can determine the time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device as the time length of the network device and the terminal device in the RRC connected state except the time length of interruption of data transmission expected by the terminal device.

[0101] For another example, the first communication mode can include the time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device and the time length of interruption of data transmission expected by the terminal device.

[0102] Optionally, as an implementation manner, Figure 3 The distribution of the first time length and the second time length in a time length in which the network device and the terminal device are in the RRC connected state is shown. It is worth mentioning that, Figure 3 The proportion of the first time length and the second time length in the above time length shown in the above table is only illustrative and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0103] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the first communication mode can also be used to determine that the first time length and the second time length are periodic.

[0104] For example, the first communication mode can include the first time length and the period of the first time length, and the network device can calculate the time length in which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission, i.e., the second time length, according to this. For example, for each period, the network device determines the time length in the time length corresponding to the period except the first time length as the second time length.

[0105] Similarly, the first communication mode can include the second time length and the period of the second time length, and the network device can calculate the time length in which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, i.e., the first time length, according to this. For example, for each period, the network device determines the time length in the time length corresponding to the period except the second time length as the first time length.

[0106] For another example, the first communication mode can include the first time length and the second time length, and indicate that the first time length and the second time length are alternately present.

[0107] Optionally, as an implementation manner, Figure 4 The distribution of the first time length and the second time length is shown. From Figure 4 It can be seen from the above table that the first time length and the second time length are alternately present.

[0108] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the first indication information can be carried in a user equipment capability information message or a user equipment assistance information message of an access stratum (AS).

[0109] At step 203, the network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information indicating a second communication mode, the second communication mode being used to determine a third time length and a fourth time length, the third time length being a time length of data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device, and the fourth time length being a time length of interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration information from the network device.

[0110] Optionally, as an implementation manner, after receiving the first indication information from the terminal device, the network device can determine, according to the first indication information, a time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device and a time length of interrupting data transmission expected by the terminal device, further, the network device can determine that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or a characteristic of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, then, the network device can send the first configuration information to the terminal device, in other words, the first configuration information is determined based on the first indication information, the first configuration information indicates the second communication mode, and the terminal device can determine, according to the second communication mode, the third time length of data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device and the fourth time length of interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0111] For example, the second communication mode can include a time length of being in an RRC connected state between the network device and the terminal device and a time length of data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device can calculate the fourth time length of interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device according to the second communication mode. For the method of determining the fourth time length of interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device by the terminal device, refer to the method of determining the time length of interrupting data transmission expected by the terminal device by the network device, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0112] Similarly, the second communication mode can include a time length of being in an RRC connected state between the network device and the terminal device and a time length of interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device can calculate the third time length of data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device according to the second communication mode. For the method of determining the third time length of data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device by the terminal device, refer to the method of determining the time length of data transmission expected by the terminal device by the network device, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0113] For another example, the second communication mode can include a time length of data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device and a time length of interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0114] After that, the terminal device and the network device perform data transmission for a third time length, and the terminal device and the network device interrupt data transmission for a fourth time length, and the terminal device can perform energy collection for the fourth time length, in other words, the terminal device and the network device reach an agreement on the time length for which the terminal device performs data transmission and the time length for which the terminal device performs energy collection.

[0115] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the second communication mode can also be used to determine that the third time length and the fourth time length are periodic.

[0116] For example, the second communication mode can include the third time length and the period of the third time length, and the terminal device can calculate the time length for which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission, that is, the fourth time length. For the method of determining the fourth time length by the terminal device, refer to the method of determining the time length for which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission by the network device, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0117] Similarly, the second communication mode can include the fourth time length and the period of the fourth time length, and the terminal device can calculate the time length for which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission, that is, the third time length. For the method of determining the third time length by the terminal device, refer to the method of determining the time length for which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission by the network device, which will not be described here for brevity.

[0118] For another example, the second communication mode can include the third time length and the fourth time length configured by the network device for the terminal device, and indicate that the third time length and the fourth time length are alternately periodic.

[0119] When the third time length and the fourth time length are periodic, for the third time length in each period, the terminal device and the network device can perform data transmission, and in addition, for the fourth time length in each period, the terminal device can perform energy collection and interrupt data transmission with the network device.

[0120] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the third time length and the fourth time length can be configured by the network device for the terminal device according to the actual situation of the current network.

[0121] For example, the network device can determine that it cannot support the length of time that the terminal device expects to perform data transmission according to the number of currently served terminal devices, in which case, the length of time that the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission can be different from the length of time that the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, that is, the third length of time is different from the first length of time, or the length of time that the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission can be different from the length of time that the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission, that is, the fourth length of time is different from the second length of time.

[0122] Optionally, as an implementation form, the third length of time can be the same as the first length of time, in other words, the length of time that the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission is the same as the length of time that the terminal device expects to perform data transmission.

[0123] Optionally, as an implementation form, the second length of time can be the same as the fourth length of time, in other words, the length of time that the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission is the same as the length of time that the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission.

[0124] Optionally, as an implementation form, in the case that the third length of time is the same as the first length of time and the second length of time is the same as the fourth length of time, the network device can not need to send the first configuration information to the terminal device, but send confirmation information to the terminal device, the confirmation information representing that the network device agrees with the first length of time and the second length of time that the terminal device expects, and then the terminal device and the network device perform data transmission within the first length of time and interrupt data transmission within the second length of time.

[0125] Optionally, as an implementation form, the first configuration information can be carried in an RRC reconfiguration message sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0126] Optionally, as an implementation form, the terminal device can report to the network device that it is a terminal device of the first type, or report to the network device that the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, in which case, the method 200 can further include step 201: the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0127] The network device determines, according to the second indication information, that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and then configures, through the first configuration information, the third length of time and the fourth length of time for the terminal device after receiving the first indication information from the terminal device.

[0128] Optionally, as an implementation form, the second indication information can be carried in a terminal device capability information message of a non-access layer or a terminal device assistance information message.

[0129] Optionally, the second indication information and the first indication information can be carried in the same message (or signaling) and sent to the network device together. Alternatively, the second indication information and the first indication information can also be carried in different messages and sent to the network device respectively.

[0130] Optionally, as an implementation form, when the terminal device performs data transmission with the network device within a third time length, if the terminal device finds that the currently actually supported time length for data transmission is less than the third time length, the terminal device can report the remaining time length in the currently actually supported time length for data transmission to the network device, or report that the currently actually supported time length for data transmission is less than the third time length to the network device. In this case, the method 200 can further include step 204: the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating the remaining time length in the currently actually supported time length for data transmission, or the currently actually supported time length for data transmission being less than the third time length.

[0131] For example, assuming that the terminal device finds that the currently actually supported time length for data transmission is less than the third time length in the process of data transmission with the network device, in this case, the terminal device can report the remaining time length in the currently actually supported time length for data transmission to the network device through the third indication information, or the terminal device can report that the currently actually supported time length for data transmission is less than the third time length to the network device through the third indication information.

[0132] For example, the third time length is 10 milliseconds, assuming that the data transmission between the terminal device and the network device proceeds to the 4th millisecond, the terminal device finds that the remaining time length available for data transmission is 4 milliseconds, it can be seen that the currently actually supported time length for data transmission of the terminal device is 8 milliseconds, which is less than the third time length 10 milliseconds, in this case, the terminal device can report the remaining time length in the currently actually supported time length for data transmission, i.e. 4 milliseconds, to the network device through the third indication information, or the terminal device can report that the currently actually supported time length for data transmission is less than the third time length to the network device through the third indication information.

[0133] Afterwards, the terminal device suspends sending uplink data to the network device before the current actual time length for data transmission supported by the terminal device ends, and the network device suspends sending downlink data to the terminal device before the current actual time length for data transmission supported by the terminal device ends according to the third indication information from the terminal device.

[0134] Optionally, as an implementation, when the current actual time length for data transmission supported by the terminal device is less than the third time length, the time length reduced from the third time length to the current actual time length for data transmission can be predefined by a protocol or preconfigured by the network device.

[0135] The time length reduced from the third time length to the current actual time length for data transmission supported by the terminal device can be understood as the difference between the third time length and the current actual time length for data transmission supported by the terminal device. For example, the third time length is 12 ms, and the current actual time length for data transmission is 8 ms, and the time length reduced from the third time length to the current actual time length for data transmission is 4 ms.

[0136] Optionally, as an implementation, in addition to reporting the first time length and the second time length to the network device, the terminal device can also report the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions that the terminal device expects to support within the first time length to the network device, and in this case, the method 200 can further include step 205: the terminal device sends fourth indication information to the network device, the fourth indication information indicating the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions that the terminal device expects to support within the first time length. It is worth mentioning that after receiving the fourth indication information, the network device can send the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions that the terminal device supports within the third time length and configured by the network device to the terminal device, for example, the network device can send the first configuration information again to the terminal device to indicate the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions that the terminal device supports within the third time length and configured by the network device. It is worth mentioning that in the embodiments of the present application, the information indicating the first communication mode and the information indicating the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions that the terminal device supports within the third time length and configured by the network device can be collectively referred to as the first configuration information.

[0137] For example, the network device configures the terminal device to support 8 times of uplink transmission and 6 times of downlink transmission in the third time length through the re-sent first configuration information, and then the subsequent terminal device can perform 8 times of uplink transmission in the third time length, and stop sending uplink data to the network device after the 8 times of uplink transmission is completed, and the network device can perform 6 times of downlink transmission in the third time length, and stop sending downlink data to the terminal device after the 6 times of downlink transmission is completed.

[0138] Optionally, as an implementation form, the terminal device can report the third indication information to the network device and report the fourth indication information.

[0139] For example, the third time length configured by the network device through the first configuration information is 10 milliseconds, and after receiving the fourth indication information, the network device configures the terminal device to support 7 times of uplink transmission and 5 times of downlink transmission in the third time length through the re-sent first configuration information. However, during the data transmission process between the terminal device and the network device, it is found that the actual supported time length for data transmission is 8 milliseconds. In this case, the terminal device can report the remaining time length in the actual supported time length for data transmission to the network device through the third indication information, or the terminal device can report that the actual supported time length for data transmission is less than the third time length through the third indication information.

[0140] Suppose that the 7 times of uplink transmission and the 5 times of downlink transmission together need 9 milliseconds, in this case, the terminal device and the network device can interrupt the data transmission before the end of the actual supported time length for data transmission of the terminal device, in other words, in this case, the actual completed times of data transmission between the terminal device and the network device is less than 12.

[0141] It is worth mentioning that in the specific implementation, the above two first configuration information can be carried in the same message or in different messages. For example, in an implementation form, the network device can send the first configuration information for indicating the first communication mode to the terminal device through a message after receiving the first indication information from the terminal device, and send the first configuration information for indicating the times of uplink transmission and / or the times of downlink transmission supported by the terminal device in the third time length configured by the network device to the terminal device through another message after receiving the fourth indication information from the terminal device; in another implementation form, the network device can send the above two first configuration information to the terminal device through a message after receiving the first indication information and the fourth indication information from the terminal device, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0142] Optionally, as an implementation form, the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be carried in a same message, for example, the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be carried in a terminal device capability information message of a non-access layer or a terminal device assistance information message. Alternatively, the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be carried in different messages and sent to the network device respectively, and the present application does not limit the order of sending the third indication information and the fourth indication information by the terminal device, i.e., the order of steps 204 and 205.

[0143] Optionally, as an implementation form, the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions supported by the terminal device in the third time length according to the configuration of the network device can be the same as the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions expected by the terminal device in the first time length, in which case the network device can send the confirmation information to the terminal device instead of sending the first configuration information to the terminal device, and the confirmation information represents that the network device agrees with the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions expected by the terminal device in the first time length.

[0144] Optionally, as an implementation form, if the network device agrees with both the first time length and the second time length expected by the terminal device and the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions expected by the terminal device in the first time length, the network device can send two confirmation information to the terminal device, one of the two confirmation information represents that the network device agrees with the first time length and the second time length expected by the terminal device, and the other represents that the network device agrees with the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions expected by the terminal device in the first time length, and optionally, the two confirmation information can be carried in a same message or in different messages; or the network device can send one confirmation information to the terminal device, and the confirmation information represents that the network device agrees with both the first time length and the second time length expected by the terminal device and the number of uplink transmissions and / or the number of downlink transmissions expected by the terminal device in the first time length.

[0145] Based on the above technical solutions, by making the terminal device and the network device agree on the time length for data transmission of the terminal device and the time length for energy collection, the terminal device and the network device only perform data transmission in the time length for data transmission and interrupt data transmission in the time length for energy collection, thereby reducing the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to the inconsistency between the judgment and the actual situation of the network device on the time length for data transmission of the terminal device and the time length for interrupting data transmission.

[0146] It should be noted that the above only takes the terminal device and the network device in the RRC connected state as an example to introduce the method 200, which does not constitute a limitation to the embodiments of the present application. In a specific implementation, the method 200 can also be applied in a small packet transmission scenario.

[0147] Different from the terminal device and the network device in the RRC connected state, in the small packet transmission scenario, the first configuration information can be carried in the RRC release message. For example, if the terminal device does not perform data transmission within a period of time after establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the network device can release the terminal device to the RRC inactive state through the RRC release message. In this case, the first configuration information can be carried in the RRC release message and sent to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device performs small packet transmission in the RRC inactive state, the terminal device can perform data transmission with the network device within the third time length.

[0148] In addition, in the small packet transmission scenario, the first communication mode described above can also include a time length of the terminal device in the small packet transmission process and a time length of the terminal device expecting to perform data transmission. The network device can calculate the time length of the terminal device expecting to interrupt data transmission according to the time length. For example, the network device can determine the time length of the terminal device expecting to interrupt data transmission by subtracting the time length of the terminal device expecting to perform data transmission from the time length of the network device and the terminal device in the small packet transmission process. Alternatively, the first communication mode can also include a time length of the terminal device in the small packet transmission process and a time length of the terminal device expecting to interrupt data transmission. The network device can calculate the time length of the terminal device expecting to perform data transmission according to the time length. For example, the network device can determine the time length of the terminal device expecting to perform data transmission by subtracting the time length of the terminal device expecting to interrupt data transmission from the time length of the network device and the terminal device in the small packet transmission process. Alternatively, the first communication mode can also include a time length of the terminal device expecting to perform data transmission and a time length of the terminal device expecting to interrupt data transmission in the small packet transmission process.

[0149] Further, in the small packet transmission scenario, the first communication mode can also be used to determine that the time length of the terminal device expecting to perform data transmission and the time length of the terminal device expecting to interrupt data transmission in the small packet transmission process are periodic.

[0150] In the small packet transmission scenario, the second communication mode can further include a length of time during which the network device and the terminal device are in the small packet transmission process and a length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission. The terminal device can calculate the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission according to the length of time. For example, the terminal device can determine the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission by subtracting the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission from the length of time during which the network device and the terminal device are in the small packet transmission process. Alternatively, the second communication mode can further include a length of time during which the network device and the terminal device are in the small packet transmission process and a length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission. The terminal device can determine the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission by subtracting the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission from the length of time during which the network device and the terminal device are in the small packet transmission process. Alternatively, the second communication mode can further include a length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission and a length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission.

[0151] Further, in the small packet transmission scenario, the second communication mode can be further used to determine that the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission and the length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission are periodic.

[0152] Figure 5 An example flowchart of another example communication method 500 is shown from the perspective of device interaction, which at least includes the following steps.

[0153] At step 501, the network device sends fourth configuration information to the terminal device. The fourth configuration information indicates a third communication mode. The third communication mode is used to determine a fifth length of time and a sixth length of time. The fifth length of time is a length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to perform data transmission. The sixth length of time is a length of time during which the network device configures the terminal device to interrupt data transmission. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the fourth configuration information from the network device.

[0154] Optionally, as an implementation form, when the network device does not establish the RRC connection with the terminal device, in order to avoid that, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the terminal device, the network device judges the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device and the length of time of interrupting data transmission to be inconsistent with the actual situation, resulting in the loss of messages transmitted between the terminal device and the network device in the process of establishing the RRC connection, and further resulting in the failure of establishing the RRC connection, the network device and the terminal device can reach an agreement on the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device and the length of time of energy collection.

[0155] Optionally, as an implementation form, in order to reach an agreement with the terminal device on the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device and the length of time of energy collection, the network device can send fourth configuration information to the terminal device, the fourth configuration information indicating a third communication mode, the terminal device can determine the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device, i.e., a fifth length of time, and determine the length of time of interrupting data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device, i.e., a sixth length of time, according to the third communication mode.

[0156] For example, the third communication mode can include a length of time for establishing the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device and the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device, i.e., the fifth length of time, and the terminal device can calculate the length of time of interrupting data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device according to this, for example, the terminal device can determine the length of time of interrupting data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device as the length of time other than the fifth length of time in the length of time for establishing the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device.

[0157] Similarly, the third communication mode can include a length of time for establishing the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device and the length of time of interrupting data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device, i.e., the sixth length of time, and the terminal device can calculate the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device according to this, for example, the terminal device can determine the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device as the length of time other than the sixth length of time in the length of time for establishing the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device.

[0158] For example, the third communication mode can include the length of time of data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device and the length of time of interrupting data transmission to the terminal device configured by the network device.

[0159] Optionally, as an implementation form, the third communication mode can also be used to determine that the fifth length of time and the sixth length of time are periodic.

[0160] Optionally, as an implementation form, the network device can carry the fourth configuration information in a broadcast message, and send the broadcast message carrying the fourth configuration information.

[0161] In step 502, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, where the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that a feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0162] Optionally, as an implementation form, after receiving the broadcast message from the network device, the terminal device can start to establish an RRC connection with the network device, and in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can send the above-mentioned second indication information to the network device. It should be noted that the process of establishing the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device can be an RRC connection establishment process, an RRC connection re-establishment process, or an RRC connection recovery process.

[0163] Optionally, as an implementation form, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can indicate the second indication information through a message 1 (msg1) in a random access process, for example, through a specific preamble or a specific physical random access channel (PRACH) resource of the message 1.

[0164] Optionally, as an implementation form, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can indicate the second indication information through a message 3 (msg3) in a random access process, for example, the terminal device can carry the second indication information in the message 3 and send the message 3 carrying the second indication information.

[0165] Optionally, as an implementation form, the network device determines, according to the received second indication information, that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and then the network device uses a third communication mode to communicate during establishment of the RRC connection with the terminal device, that is, the network device performs signaling interaction with the terminal device for a fifth length of time and suspends signaling message interaction with the terminal device for a sixth length of time, and correspondingly, the terminal device performs signaling message interaction with the network device for the fifth length of time and suspends signaling message interaction with the network device for the sixth length of time during establishment of the RRC connection with the network device after determining that the network device receives the second indication information, in other words, the terminal device and the network device reach an agreement on the time for data transmission of the terminal device and the time for energy collection.

[0166] Based on the above technical solution, before the RRC connection is established, the network device configures, through the fourth configuration information, the terminal device with the length of time for data transmission and the length of time for energy collection, and the terminal device indicates, through the second indication information, the network device with the type of the terminal device or the characteristic of intermittent data transmission of the terminal device during establishment of the RRC connection, so that the terminal device and the network device avoid signaling message interaction during the length of time for intermittent data transmission of the terminal device during establishment of the RRC connection, and avoid RRC connection establishment failure due to loss of signaling messages.

[0167] Figure 6 An example flowchart of another example communication method is shown from the perspective of device interaction, the method 600 at least includes the following steps.

[0168] In step 601, the network device sends second configuration information to the terminal device, and the second configuration information carries a first value and a second value of a first timer. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second configuration information from the network device.

[0169] Optionally, as an implementation form, when the network device does not establish the RRC connection with the terminal device, in order to avoid RRC connection failure caused by energy collection of the terminal device during establishment of the RRC connection, the network device can configure two values for the first timer through the second configuration information, which are respectively referred to as the first value and the second value, wherein the first timer is used to control the length of time required for the terminal device and the network device to complete establishment of the RRC connection. As for the length of time required for the first timer to control the terminal device and the network device to complete establishment of the RRC connection, it can be understood that when the first timer expires, the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device fails to be established.

[0170] Optionally, the first value is configured by the network device for the first timer corresponding to the first type of terminal device, and the second value is configured by the network device for the first timer corresponding to the second type of terminal device, and the first value is greater than the second value.

[0171] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the network device can carry the second configuration information in a broadcast message, and send the broadcast message carrying the second configuration information.

[0172] Optionally, as an implementation manner, after receiving the broadcast message from the network device, the terminal device can start to establish an RRC connection with the network device, and in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can take the larger one of the first value and the second value as the value of the first timer; or, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can take the first value or the second value as the value of the first timer, and if the terminal device needs to perform energy collection in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can suspend or suspend or stop running of the first timer; or, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can take the first value or the second value as the value of the first timer, and if the terminal device needs to perform energy collection in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can increase the remaining running time of the first timer.

[0173] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the terminal device can further report the second indication information to the network device, and in this case, the method 600 further includes step 602: the terminal device sends the second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or a characteristic of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0174] Optionally, as an implementation manner, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can send the above-mentioned second indication information to the network device.

[0175] Optionally, as an implementation manner, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can indicate the second indication information through a message 1 in a random access process, for example, indicating the second indication information through a specific preamble or specific PRACH resource of the message 1.

[0176] Optionally, as an implementation manner, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can indicate the second indication information through a message 3 in a random access process, for example, the terminal device can carry the second indication information in the message 3 and send the message 3 carrying the second indication information.

[0177] The network device can determine, according to the second indication information from the terminal device, that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the characteristic of the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, in this case, in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, if the network device determines that a certain message related to the establishment process of the RRC connection is not successfully received by the terminal device, the network device can consider that the reason for not being successfully received by the terminal device is that the terminal device is currently performing energy collection, at this time, the network device can not immediately resend the message to the terminal device, but wait for a period of time and then resend the message to the terminal device, in order to improve the possibility of the terminal device successfully receiving the message when the message is resent, and then improve the possibility of successfully establishing the RRC connection.

[0178] It should be noted that the above is only an example of configuring two values for the first timer to illustrate the method 600, but this does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In specific implementation, one value can be configured for the first timer, and the relationship between the value and another value, for example, the relationship between the value and another value can include at least one of the following: the multiple of another value relative to the value, the change amount of another value relative to the value, and the relationship between the two values.

[0179] It should be further noted that the above is only an example of configuring two values for the first timer to illustrate the method 600, but this does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In specific implementation, only one value can be configured for the first timer, which is the value configured by the network device for the first timer corresponding to the terminal device of the first type and the terminal device of the second type. In the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can take the value as the value of the first timer. If the terminal device needs to perform energy collection in the process of establishing the RRC connection with the network device, the terminal device can pause or suspend or stop the running of the first timer; or the terminal device can increase the remaining running time of the first timer.

[0180] It should be further noted that the above describes the method 600 by taking the establishment process of the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device as an example, in which case the first timer can be the timer T300 for controlling the length of time required for the terminal device and the network device to complete the establishment of the RRC connection. In addition, the above method is also applicable to the scenario of the reestablishment of the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device, in which case the first timer can be the timer T301 for controlling the length of time required for the terminal device and the network device to complete the reestablishment of the RRC connection. In addition, the above method is also applicable to the scenario of the resumption of the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device, in which case the first timer can be the timer T319 for controlling the length of time required for the terminal device and the network device to complete the resumption of the RRC connection. It is worth mentioning that the establishment or reestablishment or resumption of the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device can be understood as the successful access of the terminal device to the network.

[0181] Based on the above technical solution, the network device configures the first terminal device with the first value and the second value for the first timer, so that the first terminal device can select a more appropriate value from the first value and the second value as the value of the first timer in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection with the network device. For example, the larger one of the first value and the second value is selected as the value of the first timer, thereby reducing the probability of failure of the establishment or reestablishment or resumption of the RRC connection due to energy harvesting of the terminal device in the process of establishing or reestablishing or resuming the RRC connection.

[0182] Figure 7 An example flowchart of another communication method is shown from the perspective of device interaction, which method 700 at least comprises the following steps.

[0183] In step 701, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, and the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0184] Optionally, as an implementation manner, after the RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device has been established, in order to avoid wireless link failure caused by energy harvesting of the terminal device in the process of data transmission, the terminal device can indicate to the network device through the second indication information that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0185] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the second indication information can be carried in a non-access layer terminal device capability information message or a terminal device assistance information message.

[0186] At step 702, the network device sends fifth configuration information to the terminal device, and the fifth configuration information carries a value of a second timer, which is used to control a time length required for detecting radio link failure between the terminal device and the network device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the fifth configuration information from the network device. It can be understood that the second timer is used to control the time length required for detecting radio link failure between the terminal device and the network device, which means that radio link failure between the terminal device and the network device occurs when the second timer expires.

[0187] Optionally, as an implementation manner, after determining that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, the network device can configure a corresponding value for the second timer through the fifth configuration information, and the value can be greater than a value configured by the network device for the second timer corresponding to the terminal device of the second type, or the value can be equal to the value configured by the network device for the second timer corresponding to the terminal device of the second type. For example, the second timer can be timer T310.

[0188] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the fifth configuration information can be carried in an RRC message corresponding to the terminal device.

[0189] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the terminal device determines the value of the second timer configured by the network device for the terminal device according to the fifth configuration information. If the terminal device needs to perform energy collection when performing data transmission with the network device, the terminal device can suspend or suspend or stop running of the second timer when performing energy collection, or the terminal device can increase the remaining running time length of the second timer.

[0190] Based on the above technical solution, by configuring a value of the second timer for the terminal device by the network device to be greater than a value of the second timer configured by the network device for the terminal device of the second type, the probability of radio link failure caused by energy collection of the terminal device in the process of data transmission is reduced.

[0191] Figure 8 An example flowchart of another example communication method is shown from the perspective of device interaction, and the method 800 includes at least the following steps.

[0192] At step 801, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, and the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent. Accordingly, the network device receives the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0193] Optionally, as an implementation form, in order to avoid that the terminal device performs energy collection in the process of small packet transmission in the RRC inactive state, causing the small packet transmission to fail, the terminal device can indicate, to the network device, that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent before being released to the RRC inactive state by the network device, through second indication information.

[0194] Optionally, as an implementation form, the second indication information can be carried in a terminal device capability information message of a non-access layer or a terminal device assistance information message.

[0195] At step 802, the network device sends sixth configuration information to the terminal device, and the sixth configuration information carries a value of a third timer used to control the duration during which the terminal device and the network device can perform small packet transmission. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the sixth configuration information from the network device. It can be understood that, when the third timer expires, the terminal device cannot perform small packet transmission with the network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the third timer can also be referred to as a small packet transmission failure timer.

[0196] Optionally, as an implementation form, after determining that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the feature of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, the network device can configure a corresponding value for the third timer through the sixth configuration information, and the value is greater than the value configured by the network device for the third timer corresponding to a second type of terminal device, or the value can be equal to the value configured by the network device for the third timer corresponding to the second type of terminal device.

[0197] Optionally, as an implementation form, the network device can send an RRC release message carrying the sixth configuration information to the terminal device when releasing the terminal device to the RRC inactive state.

[0198] Optionally, as an implementation form, the terminal device determines the value of the third timer configured by the network device for the terminal device according to the sixth configuration information. If the terminal device needs to perform energy collection when performing small packet transmission with the network device, the terminal device can pause, suspend or stop the running of the third timer when performing energy collection, or the terminal device can increase the remaining running duration of the third timer.

[0199] Based on the above technical solutions, by configuring a value for the third timer of the terminal device by the network device, which is greater than the value configured by the network device for the third timer corresponding to a second type of terminal device, the probability that the terminal device performs energy collection in the process of small packet transmission in the RRC inactive state, causing the small packet transmission to fail, is reduced.

[0200] It is worth mentioning that the first timer in the method 600 does not represent a certain timer, but a timer of the same type or with the same function, and accordingly, the second timer in the method 700 does not represent a certain timer, but a timer of the same type or with the same function, and the third timer in the method 800 does not represent a certain timer, but a timer of the same type or with the same function.

[0201] Figure 9 An example flow chart of another example communication method is shown from the perspective of device interaction, the method 900 at least includes the following steps.

[0202] In step 901, the terminal device sends second indication information to the network device, and the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or that the data transmission of the terminal device is characterized by intermittent transmission. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0203] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the terminal device can send the second indication information to the network device when registering to the network, so that the network device knows that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or that the data transmission of the terminal device is characterized by intermittent transmission.

[0204] In step 902, the terminal device receives a paging message from the network device, and the paging message corresponds to a retransmission number of the terminal device that is greater than a retransmission number of a paging message used for paging a terminal device of a second type, and / or the paging message corresponds to a retransmission interval of the terminal device that is greater than a retransmission interval of a paging message used for paging a terminal device of a second type.

[0205] Optionally, as an implementation manner, when the network device needs to page the terminal device, the network device can use a paging message corresponding to a retransmission number that is greater than a retransmission number of a paging message used for paging a terminal device of a second type. The terminal device of the second type can be a terminal device other than the terminal device of the first type, and the terminal device of the second type can also be referred to as a terminal device of a non-energy collection type.

[0206] For example, assuming that a paging message used for paging a terminal device of a second type is retransmitted 5 times, when the network device pages a terminal device of a first type, the corresponding paging message is retransmitted more than 5 times.

[0207] Optionally, as an implementation manner, when the network device needs to page the terminal device, the network device can use a paging message corresponding to a retransmission interval that is greater than a retransmission interval of a paging message used for paging a terminal device of a second type.

[0208] For example, assuming that the retransmission interval of the paging message for paging the second type of terminal device is 4 ms, when the network device pages the first type of terminal device, the retransmission interval of the corresponding paging message is greater than 4 ms.

[0209] Optionally, as an implementation form, when the network device needs to page the terminal device, the retransmission number of the paging message used by the network device can be greater than the retransmission number of the paging message for paging the second type of terminal device, and the retransmission interval of the paging message used by the network device can be greater than the retransmission interval of the paging message for paging the second type of terminal device.

[0210] For example, assuming that the paging message for paging the second type of terminal device is retransmitted 4 times, and the retransmission interval of the paging message is 6 ms, when the network device pages the first type of terminal device, the corresponding paging message is retransmitted more than 4 times, and the retransmission interval of the corresponding paging message is greater than 6 ms.

[0211] Optionally, as an implementation form, if the terminal device is in the RRC idle state when registering to the network, the network device is a core network device, and the second indication information can be carried in a registration message of a non-access stratum (NAS).

[0212] Optionally, as an implementation form, if the terminal device is in the RRC inactive state when registering to the network, the network device is a core network device, and the second indication information can be carried in a terminal device capability information (UE capability information) message or a terminal device assistance information (UE assistance information) message of an access stratum (AS).

[0213] Based on the above technical solution, by causing the terminal device to indicate to the network device, when registering to the network, that the terminal device is the first type of terminal device or that the data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent, and causing the network device to increase the retransmission number and the retransmission interval of the paging message for paging the terminal device according to the type of the terminal device or the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device, the probability of paging the terminal device is increased.

[0214] Figure 10 An example flowchart of another example communication method 1000 is shown from the perspective of device interaction, the method 1000 at least comprising the following steps.

[0215] At step 1003, the terminal device sends fifth indication information to the network device, where the fifth indication information indicates that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission. Correspondingly, the network device receives the fifth indication information from the terminal device.

[0216] The terminal device can send the fifth indication information to the network device when it needs to perform energy collection, so that the network device learns that the terminal device will perform energy collection in a subsequent time length, in other words, the network device learns that the terminal device will interrupt data transmission with the network device in a subsequent time length.

[0217] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the time length for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission can be predefined by a protocol.

[0218] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the time length for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission can be dynamically indicated by the terminal device to the network device, for example, the time length for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission is carried in the fifth indication information and sent to the network device.

[0219] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the time length for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission can be indicated by the network device to the terminal device, in which case, the method 1000 further includes step 1002: the network device sends third configuration information to the terminal device, where the third configuration information indicates the time length for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third configuration information from the network device.

[0220] For example, the network device indicates the time length for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission to the terminal device through the third configuration information, and then when the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission for energy collection, the terminal device can send the fifth indication information to the network device to inform the network device that the terminal device will perform energy collection next time, and the network device interrupts data transmission with the terminal device for the time length indicated by the third configuration information after receiving the fifth indication information.

[0221] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the terminal device can inform the network device of the time length for which it expects to interrupt data transmission before the network device sends the third configuration information, in which case, the method 1000 can further include step 1001: the terminal device sends sixth indication information to the network device, where the sixth indication information indicates the time length for which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission.

[0222] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the fifth indication information can be carried in at least one of a medium access control control element (MAC CE), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and terminal device assistance information.

[0223] Optionally, as an implementation, the fifth indication information can be indicated through a scheduling request (SR). For example, the configuration of an existing SR can be reused, but the meaning of the SR can be redefined. For example, the meaning of the SR can be redefined as: indicating that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission.

[0224] Optionally, as one implementation, the terminal device can send the fifth indication information together with the uplink data to the network device, or send the fifth indication information and the uplink data separately to the network device.

[0225] Step 1004: The terminal device interrupts data transmission with the network device during the interrupted data transmission period. Correspondingly, the network device also interrupts data transmission with the terminal device during the interrupted data transmission period.

[0226] Once the terminal device and the network device determine that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission and the duration of the interruption, the terminal device will interrupt data transmission with the network device during the interrupted period. In other words, the terminal device will transmit data with the network device during the uninterrupted period. Correspondingly, the network device will interrupt data transmission with the terminal device during the interrupted period. In other words, the network device will transmit data with the terminal device during the uninterrupted period.

[0227] Based on the above technical solution, when a terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission with a network device, the terminal device dynamically reports to the network device that it needs to interrupt data transmission. This allows the network device to interrupt data transmission with the terminal device within the duration of the interrupted data transmission and to resume data transmission with the network device within the duration of the uninterrupted data transmission. This reduces the probability of data loss between the network device and the terminal device due to discrepancies between the network device's judgment of the duration of data transmission and the duration of interrupted data transmission and the actual situation.

[0228] The above Figure 1 Taking the system shown as an example, combined with Figures 2 to 10 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application has been described, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to the sidelink (SL) scenario in the device to device (D2D) communication system.

[0229] Taking two terminal devices in the SL as an example, for the convenience of description, the two terminal devices are respectively denoted as a first terminal device and a second terminal device. Exemplarily, the first terminal device is a terminal device of a first type, and the second terminal device is a terminal device of a second type.

[0230] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the first terminal device can indicate to the second terminal device that the first terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that a characteristic of data transmission of the first terminal device is intermittent. After receiving the indication of the first terminal device, the second terminal device determines, together with the first terminal device, a length of time during which the first terminal device performs data transmission and a length of time during which the first terminal device interrupts data transmission. Then, the first terminal device and the second terminal device perform data transmission within the length of time during which each of them performs data transmission and interrupt data transmission within the length of time during which each of them interrupts data transmission.

[0231] Optionally, as an implementation manner, further, the second terminal device can further determine, together with the first terminal device, a number of times of data transmission supported by the first terminal device within the length of time during which the first terminal device performs data transmission. Then, the first terminal device and the second terminal device complete the number of times of data transmission within the length of time during which the first terminal device performs data transmission.

[0232] Optionally, as an implementation manner, if the first terminal device finds that a currently actually supported length of time for data transmission is less than a currently actually supported length of time for data transmission of the first terminal device in the process of data transmission with the second terminal device, in this case, the first terminal device can indicate to the second terminal device a remaining length of time in the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission, or the first terminal device can indicate to the second terminal device that the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission is less than the length of time during which the first terminal device performs data transmission determined by the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0233] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the length of time reduced from the length of time during which the first terminal device performs data transmission determined by the first terminal device and the second terminal device relative to the currently actually supported length of time for data transmission can be predefined by a protocol or preconfigured by a network device.

[0234] Optionally, as an implementation, the first terminal device can indicate to the second terminal device that the first terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission and the length of time for which the data transmission needs to be interrupted when energy collection is needed, for example, the first terminal device can indicate to the second terminal device that the data transmission needs to be interrupted and the length of time for which the data transmission needs to be interrupted when energy is insufficient to support the next data transmission, so that the second terminal device interrupts data transmission with the first terminal device for the length of time for which the data transmission is interrupted, in other words, so that the second terminal device performs data transmission with the first terminal device for the length of time for which the data transmission is not interrupted.

[0235] It is worth mentioning that the above scheme is also applicable to the scenario where the first terminal device and the second terminal device are both terminal devices of the first type, and the scheme where the first terminal device and the second terminal device are both terminal devices of the first type is described above. For brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0236] Figure 11 and Figure 12 A possible structure of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure. The communication apparatus can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In an embodiment of the present application, the communication apparatus can be a terminal device 130 or a terminal device 140 as shown in Figure 1 , or a radio access network device 120 as shown in Figure 1 , or a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal device or a network device.

[0237] As shown in Figure 11 , the communication apparatus 300 includes a processing unit 310 and a transceiver unit 320. The communication apparatus 300 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments shown in Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 .

[0238] When the communication apparatus 300 is used to implement the method embodiments shown in Figure 2When the terminal device functions in the method embodiment shown, the processing unit 310 is configured to generate first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first communication mode, the first communication mode being used to determine a first time length and a second time length, the first time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, and the second time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission; the transceiver unit 320 is configured to send the first indication information to the network device; and the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to receive first configuration information from the network device, the first configuration information indicating a second communication mode, the second communication mode being used to determine a third time length and a fourth time length, the third time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform data transmission, and the fourth time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to interrupt data transmission.

[0239] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to, before sending the first indication information to the network device, send second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a terminal device of a first type or that a characteristic of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0240] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to, after receiving the first configuration information from the network device, if the terminal device determines that a time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission is less than the third time length, send third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating a remaining time length in the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission, or indicating that the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission is less than the third time length.

[0241] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to send fourth indication information to the network device, the fourth indication information indicating a number of times of uplink transmission and / or a number of times of downlink transmission supported by the terminal device within the first time length, and the first configuration information further indicates a number of times of uplink transmission and / or a number of times of downlink transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device within the third time length.

[0242] Optionally, the first communication mode is further used to determine that the first time length and the second time length are periodic, and the second communication mode is further used to determine that the third time length and the fourth time length are periodic.

[0243] When the communication apparatus 300 is used to implement Figure 2In the method embodiment, the transceiver 320 is configured to receive the first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating the first communication mode, the first communication mode being used to determine the first time length and the second time length, the first time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, and the second time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to interrupt the data transmission; the processing unit 310 is configured to generate the first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the second communication mode, the second communication mode being used to determine the third time length and the fourth time length, the third time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform data transmission, and the fourth time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to interrupt the data transmission; and the transceiver 320 is further configured to send the first configuration information to the terminal device.

[0244] Optionally, the transceiver 320 is further configured to, before receiving the first indication information from the terminal device, receive second indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a terminal device of the first type or that a characteristic of data transmission of the terminal device is intermittent.

[0245] Optionally, the transceiver 320 is further configured to, after sending the first configuration information to the terminal device, receive third indication information from the terminal device, the third indication information indicating a remaining time length of the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission, or indicating that the time length actually supported by the terminal device for data transmission is less than the third time length.

[0246] Optionally, the transceiver 320 is further configured to receive fourth indication information from the terminal device, the fourth indication information indicating a number of times of uplink transmission and / or a number of times of downlink transmission supported by the terminal device within the first time length, and the first configuration information further indicating a number of times of uplink transmission and / or a number of times of downlink transmission supported by the terminal device within the third time length.

[0247] Optionally, the first communication mode is further used to determine that the first time length and the second time length are periodic, and the second communication mode is further used to determine that the third time length and the fourth time length are periodic.

[0248] For more detailed description of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver 320, please refer to the description of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver 320 in the communication device 300. Figure 2 The description of the method embodiment is directly obtained from the description of the communication device 300, and thus is not repeated here.

[0249] When the communication device 300 is used to implement the method embodiment, the processing unit 310 is configured to receive the first indication information from the terminal device, the first indication information indicating the first communication mode, the first communication mode being used to determine the first time length and the second time length, the first time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to perform data transmission, and the second time length being a time length during which the terminal device expects to interrupt the data transmission; the processing unit 310 is configured to generate the first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the second communication mode, the second communication mode being used to determine the third time length and the fourth time length, the third time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to perform data transmission, and the fourth time length being a time length configured by the network device for the terminal device to interrupt the data transmission; and the transceiver 320 is further configured to send the first configuration information to the terminal device. Figure 5In the method embodiment shown, the terminal device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates second indication information, which indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent; the transceiver unit 320 sends the second indication information to the network device.

[0250] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 5 In the method embodiment shown, the network device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates fourth configuration information, which indicates a third communication mode. The third communication mode is used to determine a fifth time length and a sixth time length. The fifth time length is the time length for data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device, and the sixth time length is the time length for interrupting data transmission configured by the network device for the terminal device. The transceiver unit 320 sends the fourth configuration information to the terminal device.

[0251] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver unit 320, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 5 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0252] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 6 In the method embodiment shown, the terminal device functions as follows: the transceiver unit 320 is used to receive second configuration information from the network device.

[0253] Optionally, the first value is greater than the second value, where the second value is configured by the network device for the first timer corresponding to the second type of terminal device.

[0254] Optionally, the processing unit 310 is also used to: pause, suspend, or stop the operation of the first timer when the terminal device is harvesting energy, or to increase the remaining operation time of the first timer.

[0255] Optionally, the first timer is used to control the duration required for the terminal device and the network device to establish, rebuild, or restore a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.

[0256] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to: send a second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent.

[0257] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 6 In the method embodiment shown, the network device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates second configuration information, which carries a first value and a second value of a first timer; the transceiver unit 320 sends the second configuration information to the terminal device.

[0258] Optionally, the first value is greater than the second value, where the second value is configured by the network device for the first timer corresponding to the second type of terminal device.

[0259] Optionally, the first timer is used to control the duration required for the terminal device and the network device to establish, rebuild, or restore a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.

[0260] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to: receive second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent.

[0261] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver unit 320, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 6 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0262] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 7 In the method embodiment shown, the terminal device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates second indication information, which indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent; the transceiver unit 320 sends the second indication information to the network device.

[0263] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 7 In the method embodiment shown, the network device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates fifth configuration information, which carries the value of a second timer. The second timer controls the duration required to detect a wireless link failure between the terminal device and the network device; the transceiver unit 320 sends the fifth configuration information to the terminal device.

[0264] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver unit 320, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 7 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0265] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 8 In the method embodiment shown, the terminal device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates second indication information, which indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent; the transceiver unit 320 sends the second indication information to the network device.

[0266] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 8In the method embodiment shown, the network device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates sixth configuration information, which carries the value of a third timer. The third timer controls the duration for which small packet transmission can occur between the terminal device and the network device; the transceiver unit 320 sends the sixth configuration information to the terminal device.

[0267] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver unit 320, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 8 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0268] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 9 In the method embodiment shown, the terminal device functions as follows: the processing unit 310 generates second indication information, which indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent; the transceiver unit 320 sends the second indication information to the network device; the transceiver unit 320 is also used to receive a paging message from the network device, wherein the number of retransmissions corresponding to the paging message is greater than the number of retransmissions corresponding to the paging message used for paging a second type of terminal device, and / or, the retransmission interval corresponding to the paging message is greater than the retransmission interval corresponding to the paging message used for paging a second type of terminal device.

[0269] Optionally, when the terminal device is currently in the RRC idle state, the network device is the core network device, and the second indication information is carried in the registration message of the non-access stratum.

[0270] Optionally, when the terminal device is currently in an inactive RRC state, the network device is an access network device, and the second indication information is carried in the terminal device capability information message or the terminal device auxiliary information message in the non-access layer.

[0271] When the communication device 300 is used to implement Figure 9 In the method embodiment shown, the network device functions as follows: the transceiver unit 320 is used to receive second indication information from the terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent, and the terminal device is currently in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state; the processing unit 310 is used to generate a paging message, the number of retransmissions corresponding to the paging message being greater than the number of retransmissions corresponding to the paging message used for paging a second type of terminal device, and / or, the retransmission interval corresponding to the paging message being greater than the retransmission interval corresponding to the paging message used for paging a second type of terminal device; the transceiver unit 320 is also used to send a paging message to the terminal device.

[0272] Optionally, when the terminal device is currently in the RRC idle state, the network device is the core network device, and the second indication information is carried in the registration message of the non-access stratum.

[0273] Optionally, the terminal device is currently in an RRC inactive state, the network device is an access network device, and the second indication information is carried in a terminal device capability information message or a terminal device assistance information message of a non-access layer.

[0274] For more details about the processing unit 310 and the transceiver unit 320, refer to the description of the communication apparatus 300. Figure 9 The description of the method embodiments shown above is directly obtained, and thus is not repeated here.

[0275] When the communication apparatus 300 is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the method embodiments shown above, the processing unit 310 is configured to generate fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission; and the transceiver unit 320 is configured to send the fifth indication information to the network device. Figure 10 When the communication apparatus 300 is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the method embodiments shown above, the processing unit 310 is configured to generate fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that the terminal device needs to interrupt data transmission; and the transceiver unit 320 is configured to send the fifth indication information to the network device.

[0276] Optionally, the fifth indication information is carried in at least one of a medium access control control element (MAC CE), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and terminal device assistance information.

[0277] Optionally, the fifth indication information further indicates a time length of interrupting data transmission.

[0278] Optionally, the fifth indication information is carried in a MAC CE or terminal device assistance information.

[0279] Optionally, the fifth indication information is sent together with uplink data sent by the terminal device or is sent separately.

[0280] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to receive second configuration information from the network device, the second configuration information indicating a time length of interrupting data transmission by the terminal device.

[0281] Optionally, the transceiver unit 320 is further configured to send, to the network device, sixth indication information before receiving the third configuration information from the network device, the sixth indication information indicating a time length of interrupting data transmission expected by the terminal device.

[0282] When the communication apparatus 300 is used to implement the function of the network device in the method embodiments shown above, the transceiver unit 320 is configured to receive fifth indication information from a terminal device. Figure 10 When the communication apparatus 300 is used to implement the function of the network device in the method embodiments shown above, the transceiver unit 320 is configured to receive fifth indication information from a terminal device.

[0283] Optionally, the fifth indication information is carried in at least one of a medium access control control element (MAC CE), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and terminal device assistance information.

[0284] Optionally, the fifth indication information further indicates a time length of interrupting data transmission.

[0285] Optionally, the fifth indication information is carried in a MAC CE or terminal device auxiliary information.

[0286] Optionally, the fifth indication information is sent together with uplink data sent by the terminal device or is sent separately.

[0287] Optionally, the transceiver 320 is further configured to send third configuration information to the terminal device, the third configuration information indicating a length of time for which the terminal device interrupts data transmission.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver 320 is further configured to receive sixth indication information from the terminal device before sending the third configuration information to the terminal device, the sixth indication information indicating a length of time for which the terminal device expects to interrupt data transmission.

[0289] For more detailed descriptions of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver 320, refer to the descriptions of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver 320 in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10 The descriptions of the processing unit 310 and the transceiver 320 in the method embodiment shown in

[0290] As shown in Figure 12 The communication apparatus 400 includes a processor 410 and an interface circuit 420. The processor 410 and the interface circuit 420 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 400 can further include a memory 430 for storing instructions executed by the processor 410 or storing input data required by the processor 410 to run instructions or storing data generated after the processor 410 runs instructions.

[0291] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown in Figure 2 the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver 320.

[0292] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown in Figure 5 the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver 320.

[0293] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown in Figure 6 the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver 320.

[0294] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown in Figure 7When the method shown is used, the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 described above, and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 320 described above.

[0295] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown, the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 described above, and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 320 described above. Figure 8

[0296] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown, the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 described above, and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 320 described above. Figure 9

[0297] When the communication apparatus 400 is used to implement the method shown, the processor 410 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 310 described above, and the interface circuit 420 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 320 described above. Figure 10

[0298] When the communication apparatus described above is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments described above. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and the information is sent by a network device to the terminal device; or the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and the information is sent by the terminal device to the network device.

[0299] When the communication apparatus described above is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the method embodiments described above. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is sent by a terminal device to the network device; or the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0300] ​​​It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0301] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the network device or the terminal device.

[0302] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in or transmitted by a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server integrating one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a DVD; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state disk (SSD).

[0303] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0304] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the literal description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / ", represents that the front and rear associated objects are in a "division" relationship.

[0305] It can be understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal device and includes: The system receives second configuration information from a network device, the second configuration information indicating a first value and a second value of a first timer, the first timer being used to control the length of time required for the terminal device to successfully access the network; The method further includes: sending a second indication information to the network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent; Among them, the first type of terminal equipment is energy harvesting type terminal equipment; The first value is related to the terminal device of the first type.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first value is greater than the second value, and the second value is the first timer configured by the network device for the second type of terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the terminal device is harvesting energy, the operation of the first timer is paused, suspended, or stopped, or the remaining operation time of the first timer is increased.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first timer is used to control the duration required for the terminal device and the network device to establish, rebuild or restore a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a network device and includes: Send second configuration information to the terminal device. The second configuration information indicates the first value and the second value of the first timer. The first timer is used to control the length of time required for the terminal device to successfully access the network. The method further includes: receiving second indication information from the terminal device, wherein the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is a first type of terminal device or that the data transmission characteristics of the terminal device are intermittent; Among them, the first type of terminal equipment is energy harvesting type terminal equipment; The first value is related to the terminal device of the first type.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first value is greater than the second value, and the second value is the first timer configured by the network device for the second type of terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first timer is used to control the duration required for the terminal device and the network device to establish, rebuild or restore the RRC connection.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7 through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7.

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