A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and device, wherein the method comprises: a terminal device generates a first medium access control layer control element (MAC CE), wherein the first MAC CE comprises channel quality information of the terminal device; the terminal device determines whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into a message 3; when the terminal device determines to multiplex the first MAC CE into the message 3, the terminal device sends the message 3 comprising the first MAC CE to a network device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Long Term Evolution (LTE) machine-type communication (MTC) systems or narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems differ from traditional LTE communication. They do not prioritize data transmission rates, multi-band, multi-antenna, or full-duplex transmission, but rather require terminal devices to achieve low power consumption and low cost. Typical MTC or NB-IoT applications include smart grids, smart agriculture, smart transportation, smart homes, and environmental monitoring. In MTC or NB-IoT applications, data transmission is characterized by small data volumes and uncertain arrival times. In existing technologies, for data transmission between the terminal device and the base station, a radio resource control (RRC) connection must first be established through a random access (RA) procedure, and then data is transmitted through the established RRC connection. This process incurs significant signaling overhead and latency, and also results in high power consumption for the terminal device.

[0003] To save signaling overhead, reduce latency, and minimize power consumption of terminal devices, early data transmission (EDT) technology has been proposed based on the random access procedure. During EDT, the terminal device can send uplink data to the base station via the RRC message in message 3, or the base station can send downlink data to the terminal device via message 4. Furthermore, to better schedule downlink data from the terminal device, the network device may require the terminal device to report channel quality information during the random access procedure or EDT. However, how the terminal device reports channel quality information during the random access procedure or EDT is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of how terminal devices report channel quality information.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, comprising: a terminal device generating a first MAC CE, the first MAC CE including channel quality information of the terminal device; the terminal device determining whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3; and when the terminal device determines to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3, sending message 3 including the first MAC CE to a network device.

[0006] In the above method, channel quality information is not sent through the RRC message in message 3, but through the first MAC CE in message 3. If the terminal device initiates a conventional random access procedure or a downlink EDT procedure, the channel quality information does not occupy the resources of the RRC message. Therefore, when the resources of message 3 are large enough, or when the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is high, the terminal device can send the channel quality information, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of the channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of the channel quality information. If the terminal device initiates an uplink EDT procedure, the channel quality information does not occupy the resources of the uplink data in the RRC message. Therefore, when the resources of message 3 are large enough, or when the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is high, the terminal device can send the channel quality information, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of the channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of the channel quality information.

[0007] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3 by: the terminal device determining whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3 based on the logical channel priority (LCP) priority of the first MAC CE.

[0008] In the above method, when the terminal device sends message 3, it determines whether to reuse the first MAC CE in message 3 based on the LCP priority of the first MAC CE. When the TBS of message 3 is large, or the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is high, the terminal device can send the first MAC CE through message 3, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of channel quality information.

[0009] In one possible design, the logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP of the second MAC CE, and the second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a padding BSR.

[0010] In the above method, since the BSR is sent using idle bits when there are idle bits in message 3, the LCP priority of the second MAC CE carrying the BSR can be lower than that of the first MAC CE, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of channel quality information.

[0011] In one possible design, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit (MAC SDU), where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from the logical channel.

[0012] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

[0013] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device having the ability to report channel quality information.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, wherein: the memory is used to store instructions; the processor is used to execute the methods in the first aspect or any possible design in the first aspect according to the instructions stored in the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver for supporting the communication device in sending and / or receiving information in the above-described methods. Optionally, the communication device may be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device, such as a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip system includes at least one chip, and the chip system may also include other circuit structures and / or discrete devices.

[0015] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing the first aspect or any one of the methods described above, including corresponding functional modules, such as a processing unit and a transceiver unit, which are respectively used to implement the steps in the above methods.

[0016] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, including: a network device receiving a message 3 sent by a terminal device; when the network device determines that the message 3 includes a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, it determines the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on channel quality information in the first MAC CE.

[0017] In the above method, the channel quality information is not sent through the RRC message in message 3, but through the first MAC CE in message 3. Therefore, the channel quality information does not occupy the uplink data resources in the RRC message, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of the channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of the channel quality information.

[0018] In one possible design, the logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP of the second MAC CE, and the second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a buffer status report (BSR).

[0019] In one possible design, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit (MAC SDU), where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from the logical channel.

[0020] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, wherein: the memory is used to store instructions; the processor is used to execute the methods in the fourth aspect or any possible design in the fourth aspect according to the instructions stored in the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver for supporting the communication device in sending and / or receiving information in the above-described methods. Optionally, the communication device may be a network device or a device within a network device, such as a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip system includes at least one chip, and the chip system may also include other circuit structures and / or discrete devices.

[0021] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing the fourth aspect or any one of the methods described above, including corresponding functional modules, such as a processing unit, a transceiver unit, etc., respectively used to implement the steps in the above methods.

[0022] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, comprising: a terminal device determining whether to send channel quality information via message 3; if the terminal device determines to send channel quality information via message 3, generating a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including the channel quality information, and sending message 3 including the RRC message to a network device.

[0023] In the above method flow, before sending message 3, the terminal device needs to determine whether to send channel quality information through message 3. Only when it is determined that channel quality information can be sent through message 3 will the RRC message including the channel quality information be sent through message 3, thereby improving resource utilization while ensuring uplink data transmission.

[0024] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether to send channel quality information via message 3 by: the terminal device determining whether to send the channel quality information via message 3 based on the transport block size (TBS) of message 3.

[0025] In one possible design, the terminal device determines to send the channel quality information through message 3 based on the transport block size (TBS) of message 3, including: when the terminal device determines that the transport block size (TBS) of message 3 is greater than or equal to a first threshold, it determines to send the channel quality information through message 3.

[0026] Using the above method, regardless of whether the terminal device initiates a traditional random access procedure, a downlink EDT procedure, or an uplink EDT procedure, the terminal device will only send channel quality information through message 3 if it determines that the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold and that the resources of message 3 are large enough. This increases the probability of successful transmission of channel quality information and thus improves the transmission efficiency of channel quality information.

[0027] In one possible design, the first threshold is received from the network device.

[0028] In one possible design, the first threshold is the sum of the TBS required to carry the uplink data in message 3 and the TBS required to carry the RRC message including the channel quality information.

[0029] When the terminal device determines that the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, that is, when the TBS of message 3 can simultaneously accommodate uplink data and the RRC message including the channel quality information, it can be considered that the TBS of message 3 is large enough to carry channel quality information, and thus it can be determined that channel quality information can be sent through message 3.

[0030] In one possible design, the TBS of message 3 is indicated by the Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the terminal device to the RRC layer of the terminal device.

[0031] In one possible design, the terminal device determines to send channel quality information via message 3, including: when the terminal device determines that message 3 is a message in the Early Data Transmission (EDT) process, it determines to send the channel quality information via message 3.

[0032] In the above process, when the terminal device determines whether to send channel quality information in the RRC message based on the TBS of message 3, if the TBS of message 3 is insufficient, the terminal device can prioritize sending data through message 3, and the channel quality information, as auxiliary information, can be temporarily withheld. Conversely, when the TBS of message 3 is sufficient, the terminal device can send channel quality information through message 3.

[0033] In one possible design, the RRC message is an RRC data early transmission request message, or an RRC connection recovery request message, or an RRC connection reconstruction request message, or an RRC connection request message.

[0034] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

[0035] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device having the ability to report channel quality information.

[0036] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, wherein: the memory is used to store instructions; the processor is used to execute the methods in the eighth aspect or any possible design in the eighth aspect according to the instructions stored in the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver for supporting the communication device in sending and / or receiving information in the above-described methods. Optionally, the communication device may be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device, such as a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip system includes at least one chip, and the chip system may also include other circuit structures and / or discrete devices.

[0037] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing the method of the eighth aspect or any one of the eighth aspects, including corresponding functional modules, such as a processing unit, a transceiver unit, etc., respectively used to implement the steps in the above methods.

[0038] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, comprising: a network device receiving a message 3 sent by a terminal device; when the network device determines that the RRC message in the message 3 includes channel quality information, determining the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information.

[0039] In the above method flow, before sending message 3, the terminal device needs to determine whether to send channel quality information through message 3. Only when it is determined that channel quality information can be sent through message 3 will the RRC message including the channel quality information be sent through message 3, thereby improving resource utilization while ensuring uplink data transmission.

[0040] In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device sending a first threshold to the terminal device.

[0041] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, wherein: the memory is used to store instructions; the processor is used to execute the methods in the tenth aspect or any possible design in the tenth aspect according to the instructions stored in the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include the memory. Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver for supporting the communication device in sending and / or receiving information in the above-described methods. Optionally, the communication device may be a network device or a device within a network device, such as a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip system includes at least one chip, and the chip system may also include other circuit structures and / or discrete devices.

[0042] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing the method of the tenth aspect or any one of the tenth aspects, including corresponding functional modules, such as a processing unit, a transceiver unit, etc., respectively used to implement the steps in the above method.

[0043] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, a communication device performs any of the methods described above in the possible design.

[0044] This application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes a communication device to perform any of the methods described above in the possible design.

[0045] This application provides a chip connected to a memory for reading and executing software programs stored in the memory to implement any of the methods in the above-described possible designs.

[0046] This application provides a communication device including a processor, which is coupled to a memory to read and execute instructions in the memory to implement any of the above aspects or any possible design methods in any of the above aspects.

[0047] This application provides a communication system, including the communication device described in the second aspect and the communication device described in the fifth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the communication method in the embodiments of this application;

[0049] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the random access procedure or EDT procedure in existing technologies;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The embodiments of this application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various mobile communication systems, such as: New Radio (NR) system, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, and other communication systems. Specifically, no limitation is made herein.

[0058] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, let's first take... Figure 1 The communication system shown in the figure is used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the communication method of embodiments of this application is shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the base station and terminal devices 1 to 6 form a communication system. In this communication system, the base station sends information to one or more of the terminal devices 1 to 6. Furthermore, terminal devices 4 to 6 also form a communication system. In this communication system, terminal device 5 can send information to one or more of the terminal devices 4 and 6.

[0059] Specifically, the terminal device in this application embodiment is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities or a chip that can be configured in the device, providing voice and / or data connectivity to the user. The terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, personal digital assistant (PDA), virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios. In this application, the aforementioned terminal devices and chips that can be configured in the aforementioned terminal devices are collectively referred to as terminal devices. The terminal device in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), user terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment.

[0060] Network equipment refers to devices with wireless transceiver capabilities or chips that can be configured on such devices. This network equipment can be used to convert received air frames and IP packets to each other, act as a router between terminal devices and the rest of the access network, and coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. This equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission and reception point (TRP or transmission point, TP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, and can also be a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G (NR) system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system.

[0061] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0062] The embodiments of this application can be applied to networks such as NB-IoT and enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC). Some scenarios in the embodiments of this application are illustrated using the NB-IoT network scenario in wireless communication networks as an example. It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other wireless communication networks, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other wireless communication networks.

[0063] The embodiments of this application can be applied to random access procedures or EDT procedures, and the random access procedures or EDT procedures can be as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the message flow mainly includes four steps:

[0064] Step 201: The terminal device sends a random access preamble to the network device.

[0065] The random access preamble, also known as message 1 (msg 1), is used to initiate the random access procedure or EDT procedure.

[0066] It should be noted that in current NB-IoT systems, there are multiple usable preambles. These preambles can be divided into two orthogonal sets. Preambles in one set are used to initiate the random access procedure (hereinafter referred to as set 1); preambles in the other set are used to initiate the EDT procedure (hereinafter referred to as set 2). If the preamble sent by the terminal device comes from set 1, it is used to initiate the random access procedure; if the preamble sent by the terminal device comes from set 2, it is used to initiate the EDT procedure.

[0067] It should be noted that the EDT process can be further divided into uplink EDT and downlink EDT. The uplink EDT is initiated by the terminal device when it needs to send uplink data, and the preamble it sends comes from set 2. The network device can determine whether the terminal device has initiated the uplink EDT based on the received preamble. The downlink EDT, on the other hand, is initiated by the network device. For example, when the network needs to send downlink data to the terminal device, the network device can instruct the terminal device to initiate the downlink EDT.

[0068] Step 202: The network device sends a random access response (RAR) to the terminal device.

[0069] RAR can also be called message 2 (msg 2).

[0070] Step 203: The terminal device sends message 3 (message 3, msg 3) to the network device.

[0071] During random access, message 3 does not include uplink data; during uplink EDT, message 3 includes the uplink data that the terminal device needs to send.

[0072] It should be noted that message 3 is sent in the form of a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU). Currently, a MAC PDU includes M MAC Service Data Units (SDUs) and N MAC Control Elements (CEs), where M and N are integers greater than or equal to 0. Each MAC SDU or MAC CE corresponds to a Logical Channel Prioritization (LCP) priority. The LCP priority of each MAC SDU or MAC CE is configured by the network device or pre-agreed upon by the protocol.

[0073] The uplink data that the terminal device may need to send is located in message 3. Since the terminal device needs to send RRC messages first, the LCP of the MAC SDU carrying the RRC message has the highest priority. The terminal device will prioritize multiplexing the MAC SDU carrying the RRC message into the MAC PDU of message 3.

[0074] Step 204: The network device sends a contention resolution message to the terminal device.

[0075] This message can also be referred to as message 4 (msg 4). During the downlink EDT process, message 4 also includes downlink data sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0076] In summary, the main differences between the random access procedure and the EDT procedure lie in messages 3 and 4. In the random access procedure, message 3 does not include uplink data, and message 4 does not include downlink data. In the uplink EDT procedure, message 3 includes the uplink data that the terminal device needs to send. In the downlink EDT procedure, message 4 also includes the downlink data sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0077] Based on the above description, such as Figure 3 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 The procedure shown can be applied to the random access procedure or the EDT procedure.

[0078] See Figure 3 The method includes:

[0079] Step 301: The terminal device generates the first MAC CE.

[0080] The first MAC CE includes the channel quality information of the terminal device.

[0081] Before generating the first MAC CE, the terminal device also includes the following process: the terminal device sends a preamble to the network device, the preamble being used to initiate a random access procedure or EDT; the terminal device receives a RAR sent by the network device, the RAR being sent by the network device after receiving the preamble.

[0082] Step 302: The terminal device determines whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3; when the terminal device determines to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3, it sends message 3, which includes the first MAC CE, to the network device.

[0083] Accordingly, when the terminal device determines that it will not reuse the first MAC CE in the message 3, it sends the message 3, which does not include the first MAC CE, to the network device.

[0084] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device may determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3 based on the LCP priority of the first MAC CE, or may determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3 in other ways, which will not be elaborated here.

[0085] It should be noted that the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is pre-configured, and the specific configuration method is not limited in this embodiment. Message 3 also includes a MAC SDU carrying RRC messages. The MAC SDU carrying RRC messages has the highest LCP priority, and the terminal device prioritizes multiplexing the MAC SDU carrying RRC messages into the MAC PDU of message 3.

[0086] The RRC message can be an RRC Early Data Request message, an RRC Connection Resume Request message, an RRC Connection Reestablishment Request message, or an RRC Connection Request message, etc.

[0087] It should be noted that, prior to step 301 or 302, the terminal device may proceed with step 301 or 302 only if at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0088] The terminal device receives a first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information;

[0089] The terminal device has the ability to report channel quality information. In this embodiment, the channel quality information may be a channel quality indicator (CQI), the number of times the terminal device transmits data, or the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) determined by the terminal device, etc. This embodiment does not limit the information.

[0090] When at least one of the above conditions is met, the terminal device determines that it needs to send channel quality information through message 3 of the random access procedure or EDT procedure.

[0091] Step 303: The network device receives message 3 sent by the terminal device.

[0092] When message 3 includes a first MAC CE, the first MAC CE is multiplexed into message 3 by the terminal device according to the LCP priority of the first MAC CE.

[0093] Step 304: When the network device determines that message 3 includes a first MAC CE, it determines the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information in the first MAC CE.

[0094] Because the resources of the RRC message in message 3 are limited, during a random access procedure or downlink EDT, the terminal device may not be able to send channel quality information via the RRC message in message 3. Even if the terminal device sends channel quality information via the RRC message in message 3, the channel quality information may occupy uplink data resources, causing the terminal device to only transmit a portion of the uplink data. This necessitates re-requesting resources to transmit uplink data, resulting in significant uplink data latency. In this embodiment, the channel quality information is not sent via the RRC message in message 3, but rather via the first MAC CE in message 3. If the terminal device initiates a traditional random access procedure or downlink EDT, the channel quality information does not occupy the resources of the RRC message. Therefore, when the resources in message 3 are sufficiently large, or when the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is high, the terminal device can send the channel quality information, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of the channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of the channel quality information. If the terminal device initiates an uplink EDT process, the channel quality information will not occupy the resources of the uplink data in the RRC message. Therefore, when the resources in message 3 are large enough, or when the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is high, the terminal device can send the channel quality information, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of the channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of the channel quality information.

[0095] Based on the foregoing description, in this embodiment of the application, before sending message 3, the terminal device generates P MAC SDUs and Q MAC CEs, where the Q MAC CEs include a first MAC CE, and P and Q are integers greater than or equal to 0. The terminal device multiplexes and assembles the MAC SDUs and MAC CEs with higher priorities into the MAC PDU of message 3 according to the LCP priorities of the P MAC SDUs and Q MAC CEs. The terminal device can determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3 based on the LCP priority of the first MAC CE. For example, during the assembly of the MAC PDU of message 3, the terminal device can determine the required transport block size (TBS) of all MAC SDUs and MAC CEs among the P MAC SDUs and Q MAC CEs whose LCP priorities are higher than the LCP priority of the first MAC CE, hereinafter referred to as the first TBS. If the terminal device determines that the first TBS is greater than or equal to the TBS of message 3, it can determine not to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3; correspondingly, if the terminal device determines that the first TBS is less than the TBS of message 3, and the difference between the TBS of message 3 and the first TBS is greater than or equal to the TBS required for the first MAC CE, it can determine to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3.

[0096] In the above method, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE, which includes channel quality information, can be pre-configured. When the terminal device sends message 3, it determines whether to reuse the first MAC CE in message 3 based on the LCP priority of the first MAC CE. When the TBS of message 3 is large, or the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is high, the terminal device can send the first MAC CE through message 3, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of channel quality information and thus improving the transmission efficiency of channel quality information.

[0097] In this embodiment, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be configured by the network device, preset, or determined by the terminal device. The LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be determined according to the actual situation. For example, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be higher than the LCP priority of the second MAC CE, where the second MAC CE includes a padding buffer status report (BSR).

[0098] Since the padding BSR is sent using idle bits when there are idle bits in message 3, the LCP priority of the second MAC CE carrying the padding BSR can be lower than the LCP priority of the first MAC CE.

[0099] In the first possible scenario, the terminal device needs to prioritize sending uplink data. For example, if the terminal device needs to send message 3 in the uplink EDT, it determines that it needs to prioritize sending uplink data. Of course, this is just an example; the terminal device can also determine whether it needs to prioritize sending uplink data based on other circumstances.

[0100] In this scenario, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be lower than the LCP priority of the first MAC SDU, where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from logical channels. In this case, the terminal device will preferentially multiplex the first MAC SDU into the MAC PDU of message 3, thereby increasing the uplink data transmission priority. Logical channels include, but are not limited to, broadcast channels, common control channels, and dedicated control channels, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0101] In the above method, during the uplink EDT process, since the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first MAC SDU, when the TBS of message 3 is small, the transmission of uplink data can be guaranteed first; when the TBS of message 3 is large, the transmission of channel quality information can be guaranteed to be transmitted simultaneously with the transmission of all uplink data.

[0102] In the second possible scenario, the terminal device needs to prioritize receiving downlink data sent by the network device. For example, when the terminal device needs to send message 3 in the downlink EDT, the terminal device determines that it needs to prioritize receiving downlink data sent by the network device. Of course, the above is just an example, and the terminal device can also determine whether it needs to prioritize receiving downlink data sent by the network device based on other circumstances.

[0103] In this scenario, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be higher than the LCP priority of the first MAC SDU. In this case, the terminal device will preferentially multiplex the first MAC CE into the MAC PDU of message 3, thereby increasing the transmission priority of channel quality information.

[0104] In the above method, during the downlink EDT process, since the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is higher than that of the first MAC SDU, channel quality information can be sent first, thereby improving the success rate of channel quality information transmission.

[0105] In the first and second possible scenarios described above, the reported channel quality information is carried by the first MAC CE, without the need for the RRC layer to participate. The MAC layer of the terminal device can determine whether to send the first MAC CE including the channel quality information in message 3 based on the TBS of the MAC PDU in message 3.

[0106] In this embodiment, since the LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be configured to be lower than the LCP priority of data in any logical channel, when the terminal device has data to send, but the TBS of the MAC PDU is insufficient to send data and the first MAC CE at the same time, the terminal device will send data first to ensure that the data transmission will not be affected by the reported channel quality information.

[0107] In addition, since the LCP priority of the first MAC CE can be configured to be higher than the LCP priority of data on any logical channel, when the terminal device has data to send, but the TBS of the MAC PDU is insufficient to send the data and the channel quality information MAC CE at the same time, the terminal device will report the channel quality information first, and the terminal device's data can be sent in subsequent transmissions.

[0108] In this embodiment, when a random access procedure is in progress, the TBS allocated by the network device for message 3 will be greater than or equal to 56 bits. This only guarantees the transmission of an RRC message (such as an RRC Connection Reestablishment Request or RRC Connection Request message) that does not contain channel quality information. If the RRC message contains channel quality information, the number of bits required for the RRC message may exceed the TBS allocated by the network device for message 3, causing the RRC message to fail to be transmitted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can pre-determine whether channel quality information can be transmitted via message 3 before sending message 3, thereby increasing the probability of successful transmission of channel quality information. This will be described in detail below.

[0109] Based on the above description, such as Figure 4 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 The illustrated procedure can be applied to either the random access procedure or the EDT (Electronic Demand Test). See also Figure 4 The method includes:

[0110] Step 401: The terminal device determines whether to send channel quality information via message 3.

[0111] Step 402: If the terminal device determines that it will send channel quality information via message 3, it generates an RRC message including the channel quality information and sends message 3 including the RRC message to the network device.

[0112] The RRC message can be an RRC Early Data Request message, an RRC Connection Resume Request message, an RRC Connection Reestablishment Request message, or an RRC Connection Request message.

[0113] Step 403: The network device receives message 3 sent by the terminal device.

[0114] Step 404: When the network device determines that the RRC message in message 3 includes channel quality information, it determines the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information.

[0115] In the above process, when the network device instructs the terminal device to report channel quality information, it typically allocates sufficient TBS for message 3, allowing the terminal device to send channel quality information via message 3. However, currently only some terminal devices support reporting channel quality information in message 3. If the network device allocates sufficient TBS for message 3 for all terminal devices, it would lead to resource waste for terminal devices that do not support reporting channel quality information. Therefore, the TBS allocated by the network device for message 3 may be insufficient for the terminal device to send channel quality information. To address this, before sending message 3, the terminal device needs to determine whether to send channel quality information via message 3. Only when it is determined that channel quality information can be sent via message 3 should the terminal device send an RRC message containing the channel quality information via message 3, thereby improving resource utilization while ensuring uplink data transmission.

[0116] It should be noted that before step 401 or 402, the terminal device may determine whether at least one of the following conditions is met: the terminal device receives first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information; the terminal device has the ability to report channel quality information.

[0117] When at least one of the above conditions is met, the terminal device may send a preamble to the network device, the preamble being used to initiate a random access procedure or an EDT; the terminal device receives a RAR sent by the network device.

[0118] Before sending message 3, the terminal device can determine whether to send channel quality information via message 3 in several ways, which will be described in detail below.

[0119] In the first possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to send channel quality information via message 3 based on the TBS of message 3.

[0120] Specifically, if the terminal device determines that the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it determines that the channel quality information can be sent through message 3. Conversely, if the terminal device determines that the TBS of message 3 is less than the first threshold, it determines that the channel quality information cannot be sent through message 3.

[0121] Using the above method, regardless of whether the terminal device initiates a traditional random access procedure, a downlink EDT procedure, or an uplink EDT procedure, the terminal device will only send channel quality information through message 3 if it determines that the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold and that the resources of message 3 are large enough. This increases the probability of successful transmission of channel quality information and thus improves the transmission efficiency of channel quality information.

[0122] In this embodiment, the first threshold can be determined in various ways. For example, the first threshold can be sent by the network device or pre-agreed upon by the network device and the terminal device. For instance, the network device can send the first threshold to the terminal device, and the first threshold can be 64 bits or 8 bytes, etc. When the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device determines that the channel quality information is included in the RRC message; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the channel quality information is not included in the RRC message.

[0123] The first threshold can also be the sum of the TBS required for the uplink data carried in message 3 and the TBS required for the RRC message including the channel quality information. When the terminal device determines that the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, that is, when the TBS of message 3 can simultaneously accommodate uplink data and the RRC message including the channel quality information, it can be considered that the TBS of message 3 is large enough to carry the channel quality information; correspondingly, when the terminal device determines that the TBS of message 3 is less than the first threshold, it can be considered that the TBS of message 3 is small and cannot carry the channel quality information.

[0124] In the above process, when the terminal device determines whether to send channel quality information in the RRC message based on the TBS of message 3, if the TBS of message 3 is insufficient, the terminal device can prioritize sending data through message 3, and the channel quality information, as auxiliary information, can be temporarily withheld. Conversely, when the TBS of message 3 is sufficient, the terminal device can send channel quality information through message 3.

[0125] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the application, the MAC PDU of message 3 belongs to the MAC layer. Therefore, the MAC layer entity of the terminal device can determine the TBS of message 3, and thus the MAC layer entity of the terminal device can indicate the TBS of message 3 to the upper layer. The upper layer can be the RRC layer.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the MAC layer entity of the terminal device can determine whether to send channel quality information through message 3 based on the TBS of message 3. For example, when the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the MAC layer entity of the terminal device determines that the channel quality information is included in the RRC message and sends transmission indication information to the RRC layer entity of the terminal device. The transmission indication information is used to indicate that the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, so the RRC layer entity of the terminal device can determine that the channel quality information needs to be included in the RRC message.

[0127] Of course, in this embodiment, the MAC layer entity of the terminal device can also determine whether channel quality information is included in the RRC message of message 3 and instruct the RRC layer entity accordingly. For example, when the TBS of message 3 is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the MAC layer entity of the terminal device can directly instruct the RRC layer entity of the terminal device to include the channel quality information in the RRC message. As another example, the MAC layer entity of the terminal device determines, based on information such as the TBS of message 3 and the TBS required for uplink data, that message 3 does not have sufficient resources to send channel quality information, and thus instructs the RRC layer entity whether to include the channel quality information in the RRC message of message 3.

[0128] In the second possible implementation, when the terminal device determines that message 3 is a message in an EDT process, it can be determined that the terminal device is performing an uplink EDT process or a downlink EDT process. The terminal device can assume that the TBS of message 3 is large enough, and thus can send channel quality information through the RRC message of message 3. Alternatively, if the terminal device determines that the RRC message in message 3 is an RRC Early Data Request message or an RRC Connection Resume Request message, the terminal device can assume that the TBS of message 3 is large enough, and thus can send channel quality information through the RRC message of message 3. Correspondingly, when the terminal device determines that message 3 is a message in a random access process, it can be determined that the TBS allocated to message 3 by the network device is small, and thus it can be determined that channel quality information cannot be sent through the RRC message of message 3.

[0129] In the above process, the terminal device determines whether it is an uplink EDT or a downlink EDT by judging the type of message 3. Since the TBS of message 3 in both uplink and downlink EDT processes is usually large enough, in most cases, it can ensure that channel quality information and terminal device data are transmitted simultaneously.

[0130] like Figure 5 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can be used to perform the above-described... Figure 3 or Figure 4 The communication device 500 includes a processing unit 501 and a transceiver unit 502, which are responsible for the actions of the terminal equipment during the process.

[0131] The communication device is used to perform the above. Figure 3 When the terminal device performs an action during the process, the processing unit 501 and the transceiver unit 502 respectively execute the following:

[0132] Processing unit 501 is configured to generate a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, the first MAC CE including channel quality information; and determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3.

[0133] The transceiver unit 502 is configured to send the message 3, which includes the first MAC CE, to the network device when the processing unit 501 determines that the first MAC CE will be multiplexed into the message 3.

[0134] In one possible design, the processing unit 501 is specifically used for:

[0135] Based on the logical channel priority (LCP) priority of the first MAC CE, determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3.

[0136] In one possible design, the logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP of the second MAC CE, and the second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a buffer status report (BSR).

[0137] In one possible design, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit (MAC SDU), where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from the logical channel.

[0138] In one possible design, the transceiver unit 502 is further configured to: receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

[0139] In one possible design, the processing unit 501 has the ability to report channel quality information.

[0140] The communication device is used to perform the above. Figure 4 When the terminal device performs an action during the process, the processing unit 501 and the transceiver unit 502 respectively execute the following:

[0141] Processing unit 501 is used to determine whether to send channel quality information via message 3;

[0142] The transceiver unit 502 is configured to generate a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including the channel quality information and send the message 3 including the RRC message to the network device if the processing unit 501 determines that the channel quality information is to be sent via message 3.

[0143] In one possible design, the processing unit 501 is specifically used for:

[0144] The decision on whether to send the channel quality information via message 3 is determined based on the transport block size (TBS) of message 3.

[0145] In one possible design, the processing unit 501 is specifically used for:

[0146] If the Transport Block Size (TBS) of message 3 is determined to be greater than or equal to a first threshold, then the channel quality information is determined to be sent through message 3.

[0147] In one possible design, the transceiver unit 502 is also configured to: receive the first threshold from the network device.

[0148] In one possible design, the first threshold is the sum of the TBS required to carry the uplink data in message 3 and the TBS required to carry the RRC message including the channel quality information.

[0149] In one possible design, the TBS of message 3 is indicated by the Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the terminal device to the RRC layer of the terminal device.

[0150] In one possible design, the processing unit 501 is specifically used to: when it is determined that message 3 is a message in the Early Data Transmission (EDT) process, then determine to send the channel quality information through message 3.

[0151] In one possible design, the RRC message is an RRC data early transmission request message, or an RRC connection recovery request message, or an RRC connection reconstruction request message, or an RRC connection request message.

[0152] In one possible design, the transceiver unit 502 is further configured to: receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

[0153] In one possible design, the processing unit 501 has the ability to report channel quality information.

[0154] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 The communication device shown can be Figure 5 The diagram illustrates one implementation of the hardware circuitry for a communication device. This communication device is applicable to... Figure 3 or Figure 4 The flowchart shown illustrates the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. For ease of explanation, Figure 6Only the main components of the communication device are shown. Optionally, the communication device can be a terminal device, or a component within a terminal device, such as a chip or chip system, wherein the chip system includes at least one chip, and the chip system may also include other circuit structures and / or discrete devices. Optionally, taking the communication device as an example of a terminal device, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 600 includes a processor 601, a memory 602, a transceiver 603, an antenna 604, and an input / output device 605. The processor 601 is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the entire wireless communication device, executing software programs, and processing data from the software programs, such as supporting the wireless communication device in performing the actions described in the above method embodiments. The memory 602 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 603 is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna 604 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device 605, such as a touch screen, display screen, or keyboard, is mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0155] The communication device is used to perform Figure 3 In the flowchart shown, the functions of the terminal device are:

[0156] Processor 601 is configured to generate a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, the first MAC CE including channel quality information; and determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3.

[0157] Transceiver 603 is configured to send message 3, which includes the first MAC CE, to the network device when the processor 601 determines that the first MAC CE will be multiplexed into the message 3.

[0158] In one possible design, the processor 601 is specifically used for:

[0159] Based on the logical channel priority (LCP) priority of the first MAC CE, determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3.

[0160] In one possible design, the logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP of the second MAC CE, and the second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a buffer status report (BSR).

[0161] In one possible design, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit (MAC SDU), where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from the logical channel.

[0162] In one possible design, the transceiver 603 is further configured to: receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

[0163] In one possible design, the processor 601 has the ability to report channel quality information.

[0164] The communication device is used to perform the above. Figure 4 When the terminal device performs actions during the process:

[0165] Processor 601 is used to determine whether to send channel quality information via message 3;

[0166] Transceiver 603 is configured to generate a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including the channel quality information if the processor 601 determines that channel quality information is to be transmitted via message 3, and to transmit message 3 including the RRC message to the network device.

[0167] In one possible design, the processor 601 is specifically used for:

[0168] The decision on whether to send the channel quality information via message 3 is determined based on the transport block size (TBS) of message 3.

[0169] In one possible design, the processor 601 is specifically used for:

[0170] If the Transport Block Size (TBS) of message 3 is determined to be greater than or equal to a first threshold, then the channel quality information is determined to be sent through message 3.

[0171] In one possible design, transceiver 603 is also configured to: receive the first threshold from the network device.

[0172] In one possible design, the first threshold is the sum of the TBS required to carry the uplink data in message 3 and the TBS required to carry the RRC message including the channel quality information.

[0173] In one possible design, the TBS of message 3 is indicated by the Media Access Control (MAC) layer of the terminal device to the RRC layer of the terminal device.

[0174] In one possible design, the processor 601 is specifically configured to: when it is determined that message 3 is a message in the Early Data Transmission (EDT) process, then determine to send the channel quality information through message 3.

[0175] In one possible design, the RRC message is an RRC data early transmission request message, or an RRC connection recovery request message, or an RRC connection reconstruction request message, or an RRC connection request message.

[0176] In one possible design, the transceiver 603 is further configured to: receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

[0177] In one possible design, the processor 601 has the ability to report channel quality information.

[0178] like Figure 7 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can be used to perform the above-described... Figure 3 or Figure 4 The communication device 700 includes a processing unit 702 and a transceiver unit 701, which are used to control the network devices in the process.

[0179] The communication device is used to perform the above. Figure 3 When the network device operates during the process, the processing unit 702 and the transceiver unit 701 respectively execute the following:

[0180] Transceiver unit 701 is used to receive message 3 sent by terminal device;

[0181] The processing unit 702 is used to determine the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information in the first MAC CE when it is determined that the message 3 includes a first media access control layer control element (MAC CE).

[0182] In one possible design, the logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP of the second MAC CE, and the second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a buffer status report (BSR).

[0183] In one possible design, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit (MAC SDU), where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from the logical channel.

[0184] The communication device is used to perform the above. Figure 4 When the network device operates during the process, the processing unit 702 and the transceiver unit 701 respectively execute the following:

[0185] The transceiver unit 701 is used to receive message 3 sent by the terminal device.

[0186] Processing unit 702 is used to determine the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information when it is determined that the RRC message in message 3 includes channel quality information.

[0187] In one possible design, the transceiver unit 701 is also used to send a first threshold to the terminal device.

[0188] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 The communication device shown can be Figure 7 The diagram illustrates one implementation of the hardware circuitry for a communication device. This communication device is applicable to... Figure 3 or Figure 4 The flowchart shown illustrates the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. For ease of explanation, Figure 8 Only the main components of the communication device are shown. Optionally, the communication device can be a network device, or a component within a network device, such as a chip or chip system, wherein the chip system includes at least one chip, and the chip system may also include other circuit structures and / or discrete devices. Optionally, taking a network device as an example, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 includes a processor 801, a memory 802, a transceiver 803, an antenna 804, etc.

[0189] The communication device 800 is used to perform Figure 3 In the flowchart shown, the functions of the network device are:

[0190] Transceiver 803 is used to receive message 3 sent by the terminal device;

[0191] When the processor 801 determines that the message 3 includes a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, it determines the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information in the first MAC CE.

[0192] In one possible design, the logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP of the second MAC CE, and the second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a buffer status report (BSR).

[0193] In one possible design, the LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit (MAC SDU), where the first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from the logical channel.

[0194] The communication device is used to perform the above. Figure 4 When network devices operate during the process:

[0195] Transceiver 803 is used to receive messages 3 sent by terminal devices.

[0196] Processor 801 is configured to determine the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information when it is determined that the RRC message in message 3 includes channel quality information.

[0197] In one possible design, transceiver 803 is also used to send a first threshold to the terminal device.

[0198] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0199] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0200] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0201] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The terminal device generates a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, wherein the first MAC CE includes the channel quality information of the terminal device; The terminal device determines whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3 based on the logical channel LCP priority of the first MAC CE. The LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from any logical channel. The LCP priority of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP priority of the second MAC CE. The second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a Buffer Status Report (BSR). The message 3 also includes a second MAC SDU. The second MAC SDU has the highest priority. The second MAC SDU is used to carry Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, or to carry RRC messages and data. When the terminal device determines that the first MAC CE will be multiplexed into the message 3, it sends the message 3, which includes the first MAC CE, to the network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to report the channel quality information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The terminal device has the ability to report channel quality information.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The network device receives message 3 sent by the terminal device; When the network device determines that message 3 includes a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, it determines the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information in the first MAC CE. The logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control (MAC) Serving Data Unit (MAC SDU). The first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from any logical channel. The logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP priority of the second MAC CE. The second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a Buffer Status Report (BSR). Message 3 also includes a second MAC SDU, which has the highest priority. The second MAC SDU is used to carry Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages or to carry both RRC messages and data.

5. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to generate a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE, wherein the first MAC CE includes channel quality information. Based on the logical channel priority (LCP) priority of the first MAC CE, determine whether to multiplex the first MAC CE into message 3; The LCP priority of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control Layer Service Data Unit MAC SDU. The first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from any logical channel. The LCP priority of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP priority of the second MAC CE. The second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a Buffer Status Report (BSR). The message 3 also includes a second MAC SDU. The second MAC SDU has the highest priority. The second MAC SDU is used to carry Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, or to carry RRC messages and data. The transceiver unit is configured to send the message 3, which includes the first MAC CE, to the network device when the processing unit determines that the first MAC CE will be multiplexed into the message 3.

6. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver unit is used to receive messages 3 sent by the terminal device; The processing unit is configured to determine the channel quality between the network device and the terminal device based on the channel quality information in the first MAC CE when the message 3 includes a first Media Access Control (MAC) CE. The logical channel priority (LCP) of the first MAC CE is lower than the LCP priority of the first Media Access Control (MAC) Serving Data Unit (MAC SDU). The first MAC SDU is a MAC SDU that includes data from any logical channel. The LCP priority of the first MAC CE is higher than the LCP priority of the second MAC CE. The second MAC CE is a MAC CE that includes a Buffer Status Report (BSR). The message 3 also includes a second MAC SDU, which has the highest priority. The second MAC SDU is used to carry Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages or to carry both RRC messages and data.

7. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A memory and a processor, the memory being used to store instructions, the processor being used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, and the execution of the instructions stored in the memory such that the processor is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It includes computer-readable instructions that, when read and executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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