Zero-power-consumption communication method and device, equipment and medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a zero-power-consumption communication method and device, equipment and a medium, and relates to the field of wireless communication. The method is performed by a zero power consumption device, the method comprising: transmitting a communication signal in a first transmission manner, the first transmission manner being communication initiated by the zero power consumption device, the communication signal comprising identity information of the zero power consumption device (220).

Description

Zero-power communication method, device, equipment and medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device, and medium for zero-power communication. Background Art

[0002] Zero-power devices offer low complexity, low cost, and are maintenance-free and battery-free. They can be categorized as passive, semi-passive, or active zero-power terminals. They harvest energy from the environment (e.g., radio frequency, light, heat, mechanical, and kinetic energy) to generate energy for communication. They can support backscatter or active transmission.

[0003] Zero-power devices enable high-density and large-scale deployment at a low cost. Due to their maintenance-free and battery-free nature, they have enormous potential for application in industrial sensor networks, smart homes, smart agriculture, logistics and warehousing, smart wearables, and healthcare. Zero-power devices can be combined with sensor equipment for environmental monitoring, hazard warnings, and alarms.

[0004] Zero-power devices rely on energy harvested from the environment to communicate. When charging efficiency is low (e.g., unstable ambient energy, location at the edge of the energy supply network, low received RF signal strength), they often lack the energy required to successfully complete multiple communication attempts (such as repeated transmissions or HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) retransmissions) in a short period of time, as traditional battery-powered terminals do. Therefore, how to efficiently use harvested energy for communication becomes a critical consideration.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a method, apparatus, device, and medium for zero-power communication. The technical solution is as follows:

[0007] According to one aspect of the present application, a zero-power communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a zero-power device, and the method includes:

[0008] A communication signal is sent using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present application, a zero-power communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a network device and includes:

[0010] A communication signal is received that is sent by a zero-power-consumption device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power-consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power-consumption device.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present application, a zero-power communication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0012] The first sending module is configured to send a communication signal in a first sending manner, where the first sending manner refers to communication initiated by a zero-power-consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power-consumption device.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present application, a zero-power communication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0014] The second receiving module is used to receive a communication signal sent by a zero-power consumption device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present application, a terminal is provided, comprising: a transceiver; wherein,

[0016] The transceiver is used to send a communication signal using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by a zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present application, a network device is provided, comprising: a transceiver; wherein,

[0018] The transceiver is used to receive a communication signal sent by a zero-power consumption device using a first transmission mode, where the first transmission mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which executable instructions are stored. The executable instructions are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the zero-power communication method as described in the above aspect.

[0020] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip runs on a computer device, it is used to implement the zero-power communication method described in the above aspect.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided. When the computer program product is executed on a processor of a computer device, the computer device executes the zero-power communication method described in the above aspect.

[0022] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application include at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] Zero-power devices can proactively initiate communications with network devices. When a zero-power device needs to transmit data to a network device, it can initiate communication on its own, without waiting for the network device to schedule it. This improves the performance of zero-power device data transmission, reduces data transmission latency, and mitigates collisions between signals sent by different terminals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a zero-power communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a backscatter communication principle provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an energy harvesting principle provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a circuit principle of resistive load modulation provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG5 is a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG6 is a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG7 is a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a zero-power communication method provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG9 is a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG11 is a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG12 is a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG14 is a structural block diagram of a zero-power communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG15 is a structural block diagram of a zero-power communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the implementation methods of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] First, a brief introduction to the terms involved in the embodiments of this application is given:

[0043] In recent years, the application of zero-power devices has become more and more widespread.

[0044] A typical zero-power device is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which utilizes spatial coupling of radio frequency signals to achieve contactless automatic transmission and identification of tag information. RFID tags are also known as "radio frequency tags" or "electronic tags." Based on their power supply method, electronic tags can be divided into active, passive, and semi-passive tags. Active tags, also known as active tags, are powered by a battery. The battery, memory, and antenna together form an active tag. Unlike passive RF activation, active tags transmit information over a set frequency band until the battery is replaced. Passive tags, also known as passive tags, do not support internal batteries. When a passive tag approaches a reader, it is within the near field formed by the reader's antenna radiation. The tag antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the tag's chip circuit. The chip circuit then transmits the identification information stored in the tag to the reader via the tag antenna. Semi-active electronic tags inherit the advantages of passive electronic tags, such as small size, light weight, low price and long service life. When there is no reader access, the built-in battery only provides power for a small number of circuits in the chip. Only when the reader accesses, the built-in battery supplies power to the RFID chip to increase the reading and writing distance of the tag and improve the reliability of communication.

[0045] RFID is a wireless communication technology. The most basic RFID system consists of two parts: an electronic tag (TAG) and a reader / writer. The electronic tag consists of a coupling component and a chip. Each electronic tag has a unique electronic code and is placed on the target to mark the target object. The reader / writer can not only read the information on the electronic tag, but also write information to the electronic tag, while also providing the electronic tag with the energy required for communication. After the electronic tag enters the electromagnetic field, it receives the radio frequency signal emitted by the reader / writer. Passive or passive electronic tags use the energy generated by the electromagnetic field in space to transmit the information stored on the electronic tag. The reader / writer reads the information and decodes it, thereby identifying the electronic tag.

[0046] Key technologies for zero-power communication include energy harvesting, backscatter communication, and low-power computing. As shown in Figure 1, a typical zero-power communication system consists of a reader and a zero-power device (e.g., an electronic tag). The reader transmits radio waves to provide energy to the zero-power device. An energy harvesting module installed in the zero-power device collects energy from radio waves in space (Figure 1 shows the radio waves emitted by the reader) to drive the zero-power device's low-power computing module and implement backscatter communication. After harvesting energy, the zero-power device receives control commands from the reader and, based on the control signaling, transmits data to the reader via backscatter. This data can be stored in the zero-power device itself (such as an identity tag or pre-programmed information, such as the product's production date, brand, and manufacturer). The zero-power device can also be equipped with various sensors, which can then report data collected by these sensors using a zero-power mechanism.

[0047] It can be understood that the zero-power communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the zero-power communication system based on RFID technology as shown in Figure 1, and can also be applied to other forms of zero-power communication systems, which is not limited in this application.

[0048] Communication based on zero-power devices, referred to as zero-power communication, includes the following key technologies:

[0049] Back Scattering

[0050] Figure 2 shows the principle of backscatter communication. As shown in Figure 2, a zero-power device (referred to as a backscatter tag) receives a carrier signal from a backscatter reader and uses a radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting module to harvest energy. This energy then powers a low-power processing module (referred to as a logic processing module), which modulates the incoming signal and performs backscattering.

[0051] The main features are as follows:

[0052] (1) Zero-power devices do not actively transmit signals, but achieve backscatter communication by modulating incoming signals;

[0053] (2) Zero-power devices do not rely on traditional active power amplifier transmitters and use low-power computing units, greatly reducing hardware complexity;

[0054] (3) Combined with energy harvesting, battery-free communication can be achieved.

[0055] Energy harvesting (RF Power Harvesting)

[0056] Figure 3 shows the energy harvesting principle. As shown in Figure 3, the RF module is used to harvest electromagnetic wave energy from space through electromagnetic induction, thereby driving the load circuit (low-power computing, sensors, etc.), thus eliminating the need for batteries.

[0057] Load modulation

[0058] Load modulation is a common method used by electronic tags to transmit data to readers. Load modulation adjusts the electrical parameters of the tag's oscillating circuit according to the rhythm of the data stream, causing the tag's impedance and phase to change accordingly, thus completing the modulation process.

[0059] There are two main load modulation techniques: resistive load modulation and capacitive load modulation. In resistive load modulation, a resistor is connected in parallel with the load, called the load modulation resistor. This resistor is switched on and off according to the clock of the data stream, and the on and off of switch S is controlled by binary data encoding. The circuit diagram of resistive load modulation is shown in Figure 4. In capacitive load modulation, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the load, replacing the load modulation resistor controlled by the binary data encoding in Figure 4.

[0060] ·coding

[0061] The data transmitted by electronic tags can be represented by various codes to represent binary "1" and "0." RFID systems typically use one of the following encoding methods: Non-Return Zero (NRZ), Manchester, Unipolar Return Zero, Differential BiPhase (DBP), Miller, or differential encoding. In simple terms, different pulse signals are used to represent 0 and 1.

[0062] Energy supply signal and activation signal in zero-power communication system

[0063] 1) Energy supply signal

[0064] From the perspective of energy supply signal carriers, it can be base stations, smart phones, smart gateways, charging stations, micro base stations, etc.

[0065] In terms of frequency band, the radio waves used for energy supply can be low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, etc.

[0066] From the perspective of waveform, the radio waves used for energy supply can be sine waves, square waves, triangle waves, pulses, rectangular waves, etc.

[0067] In addition, it can be a continuous wave or a discontinuous wave (ie, a certain period of interruption is allowed).

[0068] The power supply signal may be a signal specified in the 3GPP standard, such as the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), etc.

[0069] 2) Activation signal

[0070] From the activation signal carrier, it can be a base station, a smart phone, a smart gateway, etc.

[0071] In terms of frequency band, the radio waves used for activation can be low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, etc.

[0072] From the waveform, the radio wave used for activation can be a sine wave, square wave, triangle wave, pulse, rectangular wave, etc.

[0073] In addition, it can be a continuous wave or a discontinuous wave (ie, a certain period of interruption is allowed).

[0074] The activation signal may be a signal specified in the 3GPP standard, such as SRS, PUSCH, PRACH, PUCCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, PBCH, etc.; or it may be a new signal.

[0075] Cellular passive IoT

[0076] As 5G industry applications expand, the types of connected objects and application scenarios will increase, placing higher demands on the price and power consumption of communication terminals. The application of battery-free, low-cost IoT devices has become a key technology for cellular IoT, expanding the types and number of terminals connected to 5G networks and truly realizing the interconnection of everything. Passive IoT devices can be based on zero-power devices, such as RFID technology, and can be extended to suit cellular IoT.

[0077] Classification of zero-power terminals

[0078] Based on the energy source and usage of zero-power terminals, zero-power terminals can be divided into the following types:

[0079] 1) Passive zero-power terminal

[0080] Zero-power terminals do not require internal batteries. When they approach network devices (such as RFID readers), they are within the near-field radiation generated by the network device's antenna. Consequently, the zero-power terminal's antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the low-power chip circuitry in the zero-power terminal. This enables forward link signal demodulation and backward link signal modulation. For backscatter links, the zero-power terminal uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0081] It can be seen that the passive zero-power terminal does not require a built-in battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link, and is a true zero-power terminal.

[0082] Passive zero-power terminals do not require batteries, and their RF and baseband circuits are very simple. For example, they do not require components such as LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), PA (Power Amplifier), crystal oscillator, and ADC (Analog to Digital Converter). Therefore, they have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0083] Passive zero-power terminals can also support other energy collection methods. By collecting energy from the environment (such as light energy, thermal energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, etc.), they obtain energy for driving circuits and support terminal communication.

[0084] 2) Semi-passive zero-power terminal

[0085] Semi-passive zero-power terminals do not have conventional batteries themselves. Instead, they use RF energy harvesting modules to harvest radio wave energy or environmental energy (such as solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical vibration energy). This harvested energy is then stored in an energy storage unit (such as a capacitor). The energy storage unit then powers the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power terminal, performing tasks such as demodulating forward link signals and modulating backward link signals. For backscatter links, the zero-power terminal uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0086] It can be seen that the semi-passive zero-power terminal does not require a built-in battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link. Although energy stored in capacitors is used in operation, the energy comes from the radio energy collected by the energy harvesting module. Therefore, it is also a true zero-power terminal.

[0087] Semi-passive zero-power consumption terminals inherit many advantages of passive zero-power consumption terminals, and therefore have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0088] 3) Active zero-power terminal

[0089] In some scenarios, zero-power terminals can also be active zero-power terminals, which can have built-in batteries. The batteries power the low-power chip circuits in the zero-power terminal, which perform tasks such as demodulating forward link signals and modulating reverse link signals. However, for backscatter links, zero-power terminals use backscattering to transmit signals. Therefore, the zero-power nature of these terminals lies primarily in the fact that reverse link signal transmission does not require the terminal's own power, but rather utilizes backscattering.

[0090] Active zero-power terminals use a built-in battery to power the RFID chip, increasing the tag's read and write distance and improving communication reliability. Therefore, they are suitable for scenarios with relatively high requirements for communication distance and read latency.

[0091] Some zero-power terminals, such as semi-passive zero-power terminals or active zero-power terminals, may have the ability to actively transmit, that is, in addition to communicating through backscattering, the backward link may also communicate through active transmission.

[0092] Zero-power devices have a simple structure, low complexity, and low cost. They can harvest ambient energy (such as light, heat, radio frequency, mechanical, and kinetic energy) to obtain the energy needed for communication. They can support backscatter communication and, for some zero-power devices, active transmission. Zero-power devices can be combined with sensor devices for environmental monitoring, hazard warning, and alarms.

[0093] Zero-power devices do not need to be constantly connected to network devices. When communication is needed, they can be scheduled by the network devices. At the same time, there are also zero-power devices that trigger communication on demand (that is, communication that is not dynamically scheduled by the network devices), for example:

[0094] Zero-power devices periodically communicate with network devices. Typical applications include combining zero-power devices with sensor devices for environmental monitoring, production line monitoring, and other monitoring scenarios. Zero-power devices need to periodically send monitored data to network devices (e.g., every hour, day, or week).

[0095] - Communication between zero-power devices and network devices triggered by emergencies is initiated by the zero-power devices. Typical applications include: when zero-power devices are used for alarms and anomaly monitoring, when the monitored node data is abnormal (for example, environmental data such as temperature / humidity exceeds normal thresholds, or a zero-power device in a fixed location is passively moved), the zero-power device needs to communicate with the network device in a timely and proactive manner, rather than waiting for the network device to schedule communication.

[0096] -Dispatch-free communication by zero-power devices, etc.

[0097] For zero-power devices with low energy harvesting efficiency, when conducting communications that are not scheduled by network devices, such as periodic communications, scheduling-free transmissions, event-triggered communications (such as sending alarm information, terminal-triggered information reporting), etc., it is necessary to design a communication method that can reduce collisions between terminals, improve data transmission performance, and reduce data transmission latency.

[0098] An embodiment of the present application proposes a zero-power communication method, which helps to improve the performance of data transmission of zero-power devices, reduce data transmission delay (the time from the start of communication of the zero-power device to the successful completion of data transmission), and reduce collisions between signals sent by different terminals.

[0099] Below, the zero-power communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is further described.

[0100] FIG5 shows a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to a zero-power device and may include the following steps:

[0101] Step 220: Send a communication signal using a first sending mode. The first sending mode refers to communication initiated by a zero-power device. The communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power device.

[0102] The zero-power device can be any one of a passive zero-power terminal, a semi-passive zero-power terminal, and an active zero-power terminal.

[0103] Zero-power devices can support backscatter communication and / or active transmission communication. A zero-power device can also be a terminal that only supports backscatter communication, including passive zero-power terminals, semi-passive zero-power terminals, and active zero-power terminals. A zero-power terminal can also be a terminal that only supports energy harvesting and active transmission communication (not backscatter communication), such as an ambient IoT device.

[0104] A network device can be a reader / writer in the zero-power communication system shown in Figure 1. It can also be an access network device or a core network device. For example, network devices can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, and so on. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices that function as access network devices may vary. For example, in 5G NR systems, they are called gNodeBs or gNBs (next generation Node Bs, or next generation access network nodes).

[0105] The first transmission mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power device without the need for dynamic scheduling by the network device. Optionally, the first transmission mode includes: the zero-power device actively sending to the network device, or the zero-power device initiating the transmission, or the transmission without dynamic scheduling by the network device.

[0106] The first method of sending a communication signal may include: the zero-power device actively sending a communication signal; or the zero-power device actively initiating communication to send a communication signal; or the zero-power device sending a communication signal without the need for dynamic scheduling of the network device. Optionally, the zero-power device actively sends a communication signal to the network device; or the zero-power device actively initiates communication with the network device and sends a communication signal to the network device; or the zero-power device sends a communication signal to the network device without the need for dynamic scheduling of the network device.

[0107] In an optional embodiment, the first transmission mode includes periodic communication of the zero-power device based on semi-persistent configuration / semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) of the network device. For example, the zero-power device can use the first transmission mode to send communication signals on periodic transmission resources semi-persistently scheduled by the network device.

[0108] The zero-power device can proactively initiate communication to transmit data to the network device when data transmission is required. For example, it can periodically transmit communication signals using a first transmission method; and / or transmit communication signals using a first transmission method based on a triggering event; and / or transmit communication signals using a first transmission method when performing scheduling-free communication.

[0109] The communication signal includes identity information: The communication signal includes at least the identity information of the zero-power device. Since the first transmission mode is communication initiated by the zero-power device, the identity information of the zero-power device needs to be included in the transmitted communication signal so that the network device can identify the zero-power device initiating the communication.

[0110] The identity information of the zero-power device is used by the network device to identify which terminal sent the received communication signal. The identity information of the zero-power device is information that can be used to identify the terminal in the communication system, such as: the terminal identification of the zero-power device (such as the temporary identification TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity) assigned by the network device, RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identity), etc.), the location information of the zero-power device in the communication system (such as the node coordinates of the zero-power device), the device ID of the zero-power device in the communication system (such as the device ID number in the deployment system assigned by the network device to the zero-power device), and the sequence randomly selected in the preset sequence resource pool when the zero-power device communicates.

[0111] Communication mode for transmitting communication signals: The zero-power device may use backscatter and / or active transmission communication modes, and adopt a first transmission mode to transmit communication signals. That is, the communication signal is transmitted using the backscatter communication mode; or, the communication signal is transmitted using the active transmission communication mode; or, the communication signal is transmitted using both the backscatter and active transmission communication modes.

[0112] The time domain resources for transmitting communication signals include: any location in the time domain; or a time domain location indicated by a network configuration; or a time domain location indicated by a pre-configuration; or a time domain location agreed upon by a protocol, for example, a time domain location indicated in the configuration information for semi-static scheduling of a network device.

[0113] When the zero-power device needs to transmit data, it can immediately use the first transmission mode to actively transmit the communication signal. Alternatively, when the zero-power device needs to transmit data, it can use the first transmission mode to actively transmit the communication signal at a pre-configured / network configured / protocol agreed time domain position.

[0114] The frequency domain resources for sending communication signals include:

[0115] When backscattering is used, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal (i.e., direct backscattering), and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offsetting the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal (i.e., the frequency domain resources of the backscattering are different from the incoming signal).

[0116] In the case of active transmission, the frequency domain resources for sending communication signals include: frequency domain resources configured by the network / pre-configured / agreed upon by the protocol;

[0117] When backscattering and active transmission are used simultaneously, the frequency domain resources for sending communication signals using backscattering include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network;

[0118] When backscattering and active transmission are used simultaneously, the frequency domain resources for sending communication signals using active transmission include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network.

[0119] The incoming signal can also be called a carrier signal, and the zero-power device achieves backscatter communication by modulating the incoming signal. The frequency offset value can be preset, implemented by the terminal, or configured by the network device (configured before the current communication).

[0120] That is, when backscattering and active transmission are used at the same time, the frequency domain resources of the two modes can be the same (the frequency domain resources used by the active transmission mode can be determined based on the frequency domain resources of backscattering; or the frequency domain resources of the backscattering communication can be determined based on the frequency domain resources used by the active transmission mode); the frequency domain resources of the two transmission modes can also be different (active transmission uses pre-configured frequency domain resources, and backscattering uses frequency domain resources that are the same as or frequency-shifted as the incoming signal) (or, there is a correlation between the two frequency domain resources, and the frequency domain resources of the backscattering are determined based on the frequency domain resources of the active transmission based on the preset or network device configured frequency offset, and then achieved by frequency shifting the incoming signal; the frequency domain resources of the active transmission can also be determined based on the frequency domain resources of the backscattering based on the preset or network device configured frequency offset).

[0121] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment allows a zero-power device to proactively initiate communication with a network device, initiating communication on demand. For example, a zero-power device can periodically communicate with a network device, or proactively communicate with a network device when an emergency occurs (e.g., abnormal monitoring data, alarm generation, etc.), or perform scheduling-free communication. This improves the performance of data transmission on zero-power devices, reduces data transmission latency, and reduces collisions between signals sent by different terminals.

[0122] FIG6 shows a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to a network device and may include the following steps:

[0123] Step 240: receiving a communication signal sent by the zero-power-consumption device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power-consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power-consumption device.

[0124] Optionally, the communication signal is periodically sent by the zero-power device using the first sending mode. For example, when performing monitoring tasks such as environmental monitoring and production monitoring, the zero-power device periodically sends communication signals to the network device using the first sending mode to send monitored data.

[0125] Alternatively, the communication signal is sent by the zero-power device using the first sending method based on a trigger event. For example, when the zero-power device is performing tasks such as alarm and anomaly monitoring, and detects data anomalies, it uses the first sending method to send a communication signal to the network device to promptly send an alarm message.

[0126] Alternatively, the communication signal is sent using the first sending mode when the zero-power device performs scheduling-free communication.

[0127] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment allows a zero-power device to proactively initiate communication with a network device, initiating communication on demand. For example, a zero-power device can periodically communicate with a network device, or proactively communicate with a network device when an emergency occurs (e.g., abnormal monitoring data, alarm generation, etc.), or perform scheduling-free communication. This improves the performance of data transmission on zero-power devices, reduces data transmission latency, and reduces collisions between signals sent by different terminals.

[0128] For example, the embodiments of the present application provide three solutions for zero-power devices to actively initiate communication:

[0129] Solution 1: The zero-power device sends information consisting of multiple fields to the network device;

[0130] Solution 2: The zero-power device sends a communication request signal to the network device and waits for the network device to schedule the communication;

[0131] Solution 3: The zero-power device sends a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal to the network device.

[0132] Of course, the zero-power communication solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the above three solutions. The following only uses the above three solutions as examples.

[0133] Solution 1: The zero-power device sends information consisting of multiple fields to the network device.

[0134] Optionally, the communication signal may be a first type of communication signal, which includes identity information and data information to be transmitted.

[0135] FIG7 shows a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to a zero-power communication system, which includes a zero-power device and a network device. The method may include the following steps:

[0136] Step 221: the zero-power consumption device transmits a first type of communication signal using a first transmission mode, where the first type of communication signal includes at least: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0137] The network device receives a first type of communication signal sent by the zero-power device in a first sending manner.

[0138] For communications initiated by zero-power devices, such as: periodic communication between zero-power devices and network devices, communication between zero-power devices and network devices triggered by emergencies, and scheduling-free communication performed by zero-power devices, the zero-power devices use the first sending method to send the first type of communication signal.

[0139] Fields included in the first type of communication signal: The zero-power device directly sends information consisting of multiple fields to the network device without establishing a connection with the network device (first type of communication signal). This information contains at least the following two fields:

[0140] - Identity information of zero-power devices;

[0141] -Data information to be transmitted by zero-power devices: data information initiated by zero-power devices and sent to network devices.

[0142] For example, the data information to be transmitted may be data monitored by a zero-power device, locally stored data, alarm data, and the like.

[0143] In addition, the information sent by the zero-power device to the network device (first type of communication signal) may also include the following fields:

[0144] -Signal type identification information (or signal type indication information): used to identify the first transmission mode (communication initiated by the zero-power device), and / or used to identify the type and signal structure of the first type of communication signal. For example, the signal type identification information is used to identify the type, signal structure, and field content of the first type of communication signal. The signal type identification information can be a special sequence, such as a sequence obtained by a specific combination of 0 and 1 bits; or, the signal type identification information can be associated with the first transmission mode and / or the type and signal structure of the first type of communication signal through a bit map.

[0145] For example, the signal type identification information is used to indicate that the first type of communication signal is a signal sent using the first sending method, that is, the first type of communication signal is a signal actively sent by the zero-power device. Alternatively, the signal type identification information is used to identify the first type of communication signal as type 1, and the first type of communication signal of type 1 includes three fields: the identity information of the zero-power device, the data information to be transmitted of the zero-power device, and the signal type identification information. The signal type identification information is used to identify the first type of communication signal as type 2, and the first type of communication signal of type 2 includes four fields: the identity information of the zero-power device, the data information to be transmitted of the zero-power device, the signal type identification information, and the time offset / time window of the monitoring feedback signal.

[0146] That is, the communication signal includes a first-category communication signal, which includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power device; and information about the data to be transmitted by the zero-power device. Optionally, the first-category communication signal also includes the following fields: signal type identification information, which is used to identify the first transmission mode, or to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal.

[0147] Optionally, when the first type of communication signal includes the field: signal type identification information, the signal type identification information is located at the first position of the first type of communication signal, that is, the signal type identification information is the first field of the first type of communication signal.

[0148] Exemplarily, a signal structure sent by a zero-power device is shown in FIG8 . This is only one positional relationship of multiple fields (signal type identification information + identity information of the zero-power device + data information to be transmitted by the zero-power device). This embodiment does not exclude other positional relationships. Optionally, when the first type of communication signal includes signal type identification information, the signal type identification information is located at the beginning of the first type of communication signal.

[0149] Optionally, there is a guard interval between different fields of the first type of communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the first type of communication signal.

[0150] Signal modulation mode: different fields of the first type of communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation mode; or different fields of the first type of communication signal use different coding and / or modulation modes.

[0151] Optionally, different fields in the first type of communication signal actively sent by the zero-power device to the network device can use the same coding and modulation method. Optionally, for some embodiments, different fields in the first type of communication signal can use different coding and modulation methods (signal type identification information and / or zero-power device identity information can use separate coding and debugging methods, which are different from the coding and modulation methods of the data information to be transmitted). For example, the signal type identification information can be sent in a serial manner and does not need to be encoded, while other parts need to be encoded (such as Manchester encoding). The signal type identification information can use the OOK (On Off Keying) modulation method, while the other parts use the FSK (Frequency-Shift Keying) modulation method.

[0152] Signal transmission mode: the first type of communication signal is transmitted using a backscatter communication mode; or, the first type of communication signal is transmitted using an active transmission communication mode; or, the first type of communication signal is transmitted using both backscatter and active transmission communication modes.

[0153] The first type of communication signal actively sent by the zero-power device to the network device can be sent using a backscatter communication method, for example: using the radio frequency signal in the environment, or the radio frequency signal sent by the network device (which can be a periodically sent signal, or a radio frequency signal sent by the network device to other terminals) as a carrier signal / incoming signal, carrying the information that the zero-power device needs to send to the network device; for zero-power devices that support active transmission communication methods, active transmission communication methods can be used to send signals; for zero-power devices that support active transmission communication methods, active transmission and backscatter communication methods can be used to send the signal at the same time. Specifically, the signal type identification information and the identity information of the zero-power device are sent using active transmission, and the data information to be transmitted of the zero-power device is sent using backscatter communication methods.

[0154] Optionally, for zero-power devices that support active transmission communication methods, at least one field of the signal type identification information, the identity information of the zero-power device, and the data information to be transmitted of the zero-power device can be sent using the active transmission communication method, and the remaining fields in the first type of communication signal can be sent using the backscattering communication method. Since the communication process of the zero-power device is energy-limited, for the active transmission communication method and the backscattering communication method of the same zero-power device, the active transmission communication method generally has better data transmission performance than the backscattering communication method. Therefore, for the identity information field of the more important zero-power device, a more robust communication method (active transmission communication method) can be used to ensure that the identity information is correctly transmitted as much as possible. In this way, even if the backscattered transmission data information (energy-limited, cannot be transmitted entirely by active transmission) is not successfully transmitted, the network device can also schedule communication based on the identity information.

[0155] Signal transmission time domain resources: The zero-power device can transmit the first type of communication signal at any location in the time domain, that is, when the zero-power device needs to send the first type of communication signal, it sends it directly to the network device; or, the zero-power device transmits it at a specified location in the time domain, which can be configured in advance by the network device to the zero-power device (it can be a periodically distributed time domain location).

[0156] Optionally, step 260: the network device sends a feedback signal to the zero-power device, where the feedback signal is used to feed back a reception status of the first type of communication signal to the zero-power device.

[0157] The zero-power device monitors the feedback signal, which includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power device and a characteristic bit in a communication signal (first type of communication signal) sent by the zero-power device.

[0158] Optionally, after sending the communication signal (first type of communication signal), the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal based on a time offset or a time window.

[0159] The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

[0160] The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device; the starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

[0161] Monitoring based on time offset: After sending a data signal, the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal after a time offset T. The time offset T can be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or there can be multiple time offset values. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time offset by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time offsets.

[0162] Time-window-based monitoring: After sending data to be transmitted, the zero-power device monitors for feedback signals within a time window (Twindow). The size of the time window can be specified by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or multiple time window sizes can exist. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time window by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time windows.

[0163] For example, a zero-power device sends a first-class communication signal at a first moment and begins monitoring a feedback signal at a second moment, where the second moment is the moment obtained after the first moment is offset by a first time offset. The first time offset may be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device in the first-class communication signal. Alternatively, the first time offset may be determined based on the identity information of the zero-power device. The protocol predetermines a mapping relationship between identity information and time offsets, and the corresponding first time offset is obtained based on the identity information of the zero-power device.

[0164] For another example, the zero-power device sends a first-type communication signal at a third moment and monitors the feedback signal within a first time window. The starting position of the first time window may be agreed upon in a protocol (for example, the protocol stipulates that the starting position of the first time window is a moment after the third moment is offset by a second time offset), and the window length of the first time window may be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device in the first-type communication signal.

[0165] The zero-power device receives the feedback signal and determines, based on the feedback signal, whether the network device successfully receives the first-class communication signal. If, based on the feedback signal, the network device determines that the first-class communication signal has not been successfully received, the zero-power device retransmits the first-class communication signal using the first transmission mode. If, based on the feedback signal, the network device determines that the first-class communication signal has been successfully received, retransmission of the first-class communication signal is unnecessary.

[0166] After transmitting data, the zero-power device needs to monitor the feedback from the network device. If a feedback signal is received from the network device, it means that the data has been successfully transmitted. If no feedback signal is received, it means that the data has not been successfully transmitted.

[0167] The feedback signal of the network device includes at least one of the following fields:

[0168] - Identity information of zero-power devices;

[0169] - Characteristic bits in a communication signal (first type of communication signal) transmitted by a zero-power device; for example, the characteristic bits include: the first X bits of the first type of communication signal, or the last X bits of the first type of communication signal, where X is a positive integer. For another example, the characteristic bits include: the first Y bits of the source bits of the first type of communication signal before encoding, or the last Y bits of the source bits of the first type of communication signal before encoding, where Y is a positive integer.

[0170] In one embodiment, the feedback signal includes identity information and a characteristic bit, wherein the identity information is used to indicate which terminal sent the communication signal fed back by the current feedback signal, and the characteristic bit is used to verify whether the first type of communication signal is received successfully.

[0171] In another embodiment, the feedback signal includes identity information, or the feedback signal includes identity information and characteristic bits; the identity information is used to verify whether the communication signal (first type of communication signal) is successfully received. The zero-power device verifies whether the identity information in the feedback signal is consistent with the identity information in the communication signal it sent. If they are consistent, the communication signal is successfully received; if they are inconsistent, the communication signal reception fails.

[0172] In another embodiment, the feedback signal includes a characteristic bit, or the feedback signal includes identity information and the characteristic bit; the characteristic bit is used to verify whether the communication signal (first type of communication signal) is successfully received. The zero-power device verifies whether the characteristic bit in the feedback signal is consistent with the characteristic bit in the communication signal it transmits. If they are consistent, the communication signal is successfully received; if they are inconsistent, the communication signal is unsuccessfully received.

[0173] When the zero-power consumption device fails to monitor the feedback signal sent by the network device, the communication process is retransmitted. When the zero-power consumption device fails to monitor the feedback signal, the zero-power consumption device retransmits the first type of communication signal using the first transmission mode.

[0174] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment is that the zero-power device can actively initiate communication with the network device. For example, the zero-power device can communicate with the network device periodically, or the zero-power device can actively communicate with the network device when an emergency occurs (monitoring data anomalies, alarms, etc.), or the zero-power device can perform scheduling-free communication. The zero-power device can actively send a first type of communication signal to the network device. The first type of communication signal includes the identity information of the zero-power device and the data information to be transmitted. The network device receives the first type of communication signal to know that it is sent by the zero-power device and read the data information to be transmitted therein, thereby improving the data transmission performance of the zero-power device, reducing the data transmission delay, and reducing the collision between signals sent by different terminals.

[0175] Solution 2: The zero-power device sends a communication request signal to the network device and waits for the network device to schedule the communication.

[0176] Optionally, the communication signal may be a second type of communication signal, which is used to request scheduling from the network device. The second type of communication signal may also be called a communication request signal.

[0177] FIG9 shows a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to a zero-power communication system, which includes a zero-power device and a network device. The method may include the following steps:

[0178] Step 222: The zero-power consumption device transmits a second type of communication signal (communication request signal) using the first transmission mode. The second type of communication signal is used to request scheduling of the network device.

[0179] The network device receives the second type of communication signal sent by the zero-power device in the first sending manner.

[0180] The second type of communication signal is used to request the network device to schedule transmission resources for the zero-power device.

[0181] Fields included in the second type of communication signal: The second type of communication signal includes at least one field: identity information of the zero-power device. Optionally, the second type of communication signal may also include at least one of the following fields: signal type identification information, which is used to identify the first transmission mode and / or to identify the type and signal structure of the second type of communication signal; communication indication information of the zero-power device, which is used to indicate the type of data to be transmitted or the characteristics of the data information to be transmitted; and the time domain location of the scheduling signal of the expected network device.

[0182] For communications initiated by zero-power devices, such as: periodic communication between zero-power devices and network devices, communication between zero-power devices and network devices triggered by emergencies, scheduling-free communication by zero-power devices, etc., the zero-power device uses the first sending method to send the second type of communication signal, requesting the network device to schedule transmission resources for it (for example, sending carrier signals or energy excitation signals) to transmit the data information to be transmitted.

[0183] The zero-power device first sends a communication request signal to the network device, and then waits for the scheduling of the network device to transmit subsequent data.

[0184] Optionally, the communication request signal includes at least one of the following fields:

[0185] -Signal type identification information (or signal type indication information);

[0186] -Zero power device identity information:

[0187] - Communication indication information of zero-power device: indicates the type of data information to be transmitted by the zero-power device, for example: Type 1 data, expected to be transmitted within time T1; Type 2 data, expected to be transmitted within time T2 (T2>T1); Type 3 data, large packet data, TBS (Transport Block Size) is greater than the preset threshold; Type 4 data, small packet data, TBS is less than the preset threshold; Type 5 data, only supports backscatter transmission mode, etc. The indication information can be associated with the corresponding data type in a bit mapping manner. For example, '000' represents type 1, '001' represents type 2, and so on;

[0188] -The time domain position of the scheduling signal of the expected network device: the time domain position of the scheduling signal that the zero-power device wants to monitor. For example, multiple monitoring configurations can be preset, such as multiple time domain offset values, or multiple time window sizes, and the expected monitoring configuration is indicated to the network device by indicating the index of multiple configurations. For another example, the zero-power device can directly indicate a time domain position, such as the value of the field (the time domain position of the scheduling signal of the expected network device) is X, and the time domain offset indicated is X*N, N is a preset value or a value pre-configured by the network device, X and N are positive numbers, and optionally, N can be 1. Optionally, the zero-power device can then monitor the scheduling signal at the time domain position obtained by adding the time domain offset to the end moment of sending the communication request signal.

[0189] Optionally, there is a guard interval between different fields of the second type of communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the second type of communication signal.

[0190] Signal modulation mode: different fields of the second type of communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation mode; or different fields of the second type of communication signal use different coding and / or modulation modes.

[0191] Signal transmission mode: the second type of communication signal is transmitted using a backscatter communication mode; or, the second type of communication signal is transmitted using an active transmission communication mode; or, the second type of communication signal is transmitted using both backscatter and active transmission communication modes.

[0192] The second type of communication signal can be sent by using a backscatter communication method, for example, using the radio frequency signal in the environment, or the radio frequency signal sent by the network device (which can be a periodically sent signal, or a radio frequency signal sent by the network device to other terminals) as a carrier signal to carry the second type of communication signal sent by the zero-power device; for zero-power devices that support active transmission communication methods, the active transmission communication method can be used to send the second type of communication signal.

[0193] Signal sending time domain resources: The zero-power device can send the second type of communication signal at any location in the time domain, that is, when the zero-power device needs to send a communication request signal, it sends it directly to the network device; or, the zero-power device sends the second type of communication signal at a specified location in the time domain, and the location can be configured in advance by the network device to the zero-power device (it can be a periodically distributed time domain location).

[0194] Step 251: The zero-power device monitors the scheduling signal.

[0195] After sending the second type of communication signal, the zero-power device can monitor the scheduling signal of the network device after a time offset (Toffset); or monitor the scheduling signal of the network device within a time window.

[0196] Optionally, after sending the communication signal (second type of communication signal), the zero-power device monitors the scheduling signal based on the time offset or time window.

[0197] In which, the time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device (indicated in the second type of communication signal), or, the time offset is agreed upon by the protocol, or, the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or, the time offset is pre-configured by the network device, or, the time offset is a configuration associated with the communication indication information in the second type of communication signal.

[0198] For example, there are multiple types of time offset configuration information, which have a one-to-one or one-to-many mapping relationship with the type of data information to be transmitted. When the type of data information to be transmitted is determined based on the communication indication information, a corresponding configuration information of the time offset for monitoring the scheduling signal of the network device will be associated. For example, the communication indication information in the second type of communication signal indicates that the type of data information to be transmitted is type 1, and the time offset is the first time offset. Then, when the zero-power device sends the second type of communication signal at the first moment, the zero-power device monitors the scheduling signal at the second moment. The second moment is the moment obtained by offsetting the first moment by the first time offset.

[0199] The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device (indicated in the second type of communication signal), or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the window length of the time window is a configuration associated with the communication indication information in the second type of communication signal; the starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device (indicated in the second type of communication signal).

[0200] Step 252: The network device sends a scheduling signal to the zero-power device.

[0201] The zero-power device receives the scheduling signal.

[0202] Optionally, the network device sends the scheduling signal at the "time domain position of the expected scheduling signal from the network device" indicated by the second type of communication signal. Alternatively, the network device sends the scheduling signal at the time domain position corresponding to the pre-configuration / protocol agreement / network configuration / identity information.

[0203] The scheduling signal is used to indicate the transmission resource of the data information to be transmitted. For example, the scheduling signal can indicate the time domain position and frequency domain position of the data information to be transmitted.

[0204] Alternatively, the scheduling signal is used to indicate at least one of the power supply signal, incoming wave signal, frequency offset, and time domain position of the data information to be transmitted; wherein the power supply signal is used to provide power for the transmission of the data information to be transmitted, the incoming wave signal is used to send the data information to be transmitted using a backscattered communication method, and the frequency offset is used to determine the frequency domain position of the data information to be transmitted based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming wave signal.

[0205] Step 253: The zero-power device sends the data information to be transmitted based on the scheduling signal.

[0206] The network device receives data information to be transmitted.

[0207] Optionally, the zero-power consumption device sends the data information to be transmitted on the transmission resource indicated by the scheduling signal. Alternatively, the zero-power consumption device sends the data information to be transmitted and the identity information of the zero-power consumption device on the transmission resource indicated by the scheduling signal.

[0208] Optionally, if the zero-power device does not monitor the scheduling signal, as shown in FIG11 , step 254 is performed after step 251 .

[0209] Step 254: When no scheduling signal is monitored, the first type of communication signal is sent using the first sending mode.

[0210] Alternatively, step 254 can be replaced by: when the scheduling signal is not heard, retransmitting the second type of communication signal using the first sending method; when the number of retransmissions of the second type of communication signal meets the threshold, or when the scheduling signal is not heard within a preset duration, sending the first type of communication signal using the first sending method; wherein the first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power device, and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power device.

[0211] That is, if the zero-power device does not monitor the scheduling signal sent by the network device, the zero-power device retransmits the communication request signal (the second type of communication signal). Until the scheduling signal sent by the network device is monitored, the data transmission is completed. Taking the zero-power device monitoring the network device scheduling signal within the time window as an example, as shown in Figure 10, after sending the communication request signal, the zero-power device monitors the scheduling signal within the monitoring time window T0. If the scheduling signal is not monitored, the zero-power device retransmits the communication request signal; if the scheduling signal is monitored within the monitoring time window T0, the zero-power device transmits the data information to be transmitted based on the scheduling signal.

[0212] Optionally, if the zero-power device still does not receive the scheduling signal from the network device after sending the communication request signal N times, it will fall back to the method in Solution 1, directly perform the data transmission process, and send the first type of communication signal to the network device, where N is a positive integer.

[0213] Optionally, step 260: the network device sends a feedback signal to the zero-power device, where the feedback signal is used to feed back a reception status of the data information to be transmitted to the zero-power device.

[0214] The zero-power device monitors a feedback signal, where the feedback signal includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power device and a characteristic bit in the data information to be transmitted sent by the zero-power device.

[0215] Optionally, after sending the data information to be transmitted, the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal based on a time offset or a time window.

[0216] The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

[0217] The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device; the starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

[0218] Monitoring based on time offset: After sending a data signal, the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal after a time offset T. The time offset T can be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or there can be multiple time offset values. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time offset by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time offsets.

[0219] Time-window-based monitoring: After sending data to be transmitted, the zero-power device monitors for feedback signals within a time window (Twindow). The size of the time window can be specified by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or multiple time window sizes can exist. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time window by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time windows.

[0220] For example, the zero-power device sends data information to be transmitted at a first moment and begins to monitor the feedback signal at a second moment, where the second moment is the moment obtained after the first moment is offset by the first time offset. The first time offset can be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device in the second type of communication signal. Alternatively, the first time offset can be determined based on the identity information of the zero-power device. The protocol predetermines the mapping relationship between identity information and time offsets, and the corresponding first time offset is obtained based on the identity information of the zero-power device.

[0221] For another example, the zero-power device sends data information to be transmitted at the third moment and monitors the feedback signal within the first time window. The starting position of the first time window may be agreed upon according to the protocol (for example, the protocol stipulates that the starting position of the first time window is a moment after the third moment is offset by the second time offset), and the window length of the first time window may be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device in the second type of communication signal.

[0222] The zero-power device receives a feedback signal and, based on the feedback signal, determines whether the network device has successfully received the data to be transmitted. If, based on the feedback signal, it is determined that the network device has not successfully received the data to be transmitted, the zero-power device retransmits the data to be transmitted. The scheduling signal may indicate the transmission resources for retransmitting the data to be transmitted; alternatively, the zero-power device retransmits a communication request signal, requesting the network device to retransmit the scheduling signal to schedule the transmission resources for retransmitting the data to be transmitted. If, based on the feedback signal, it is determined that the network device has successfully received the data to be transmitted, retransmission of the data to be transmitted is not necessary.

[0223] After transmitting data to be transmitted, the zero-power device needs to monitor feedback from the network device. If a feedback signal is received from the network device, it indicates that the data to be transmitted has been successfully transmitted. If no feedback signal is received, it indicates that the data to be transmitted has not been successfully transmitted.

[0224] The feedback signal of the network device includes at least one of the following fields:

[0225] - Identity information of zero-power devices;

[0226] - Characteristic bits in the data information to be transmitted sent by the zero-power device, for example: the characteristic bits include: the first X bits of the data information to be transmitted, or the last X bits of the data information to be transmitted, where X is a positive integer. For another example, the characteristic bits include: the first Y bits of the source bits of the data information to be transmitted before encoding, or the last Y bits of the source bits of the data information to be transmitted before encoding, where Y is a positive integer.

[0227] In one embodiment, the feedback signal includes identity information and characteristic bits, wherein the identity information is used to indicate which terminal sends the data information to be transmitted fed back by the current feedback signal, and the characteristic bits are used to verify whether the data information to be transmitted is received successfully.

[0228] In another embodiment, the feedback signal includes identity information, or the feedback signal includes identity information and a characteristic bit; the identity information is used to verify whether the data to be transmitted is successfully received. The zero-power device verifies whether the identity information in the feedback signal is consistent with the identity information it carried when sending the data to be transmitted. If they are consistent, the data to be transmitted is successfully received; if they are inconsistent, the data to be transmitted fails to be received.

[0229] In another embodiment, the feedback signal includes a characteristic bit, or the feedback signal includes identity information and the characteristic bit; the characteristic bit is used to verify whether the data to be transmitted is successfully received. The zero-power device verifies whether the characteristic bit in the feedback signal is consistent with the characteristic bit in the data to be transmitted sent by itself. If they are consistent, the data to be transmitted is successfully received; if they are inconsistent, the data to be transmitted fails to be received.

[0230] The zero-power device can monitor the feedback signal sent by the network device based on a time offset or a time window.

[0231] Monitoring based on time offset: After sending data to be transmitted, the zero-power device monitors for feedback signals after a time offset T. The time offset T can be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or there can be multiple time offset values. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time offset by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time offsets.

[0232] Time-window-based monitoring: After sending data to be transmitted, the zero-power device monitors for feedback signals within a time window (Twindow). The size of the time window can be specified by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or multiple time window sizes can exist. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time window by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time windows.

[0233] When the zero-power device does not hear the feedback signal sent by the network device, it retransmits the communication process. When the zero-power device does not hear the feedback signal, it retransmits the data information to be transmitted.

[0234] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment is that the zero-power device can actively initiate communication with the network device. For example, the zero-power device can communicate with the network device periodically, or the zero-power device can actively communicate with the network device when an emergency occurs (monitoring data anomalies, alarms, etc.), or the zero-power device can perform scheduling-free communication. The zero-power device can actively send a second type of communication signal to the network device, which is used to request the scheduling of the network device, and then listen to the scheduling signal of the network device, and transmit the data information to be transmitted to the network device based on the scheduling signal of the network device, thereby improving the data transmission performance of the zero-power device, reducing the data transmission delay, and reducing the collision between signals sent by different terminals.

[0235] Solution 3: The zero-power device sends a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal to the network device.

[0236] Optionally, the communication signal may be a third type of communication signal, which includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0237] FIG12 shows a flowchart of a method for zero-power communication provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to a zero-power communication system, which includes a zero-power device and a network device. The method may include the following steps:

[0238] Step 223: The zero-power consumption device transmits a third type of communication signal using the first transmission mode. The third type of communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0239] The network device receives a third type of communication signal sent by the zero-power device in the first sending mode, where the third type of communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0240] For communications initiated by zero-power devices, such as: periodic communication between zero-power devices and network devices, communication between zero-power devices and network devices triggered by emergencies, scheduling-free communication performed by zero-power devices, etc., the zero-power devices use the first sending method to send communication indication signals and data transmission signals.

[0241] The first type of communication signal contains the following fields:

[0242] The communication indication signal includes at least the identity information of the zero-power device and may also include one of the following fields:

[0243] -Signal type identification information (or signal type indication information), used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication indication signal and / or the data transmission signal;

[0244] Communication control information for zero-power devices: used to indicate the transmission configuration of data transmission signals. Communication control information indicates the configuration information for the zero-power device to send data transmission signals. For example, there are multiple data transmission configurations, including but not limited to data encoding method, debugging method, data block size, etc. The communication control information is the index value indicating the configuration;

[0245] - The association between the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal: it can indicate the time interval between the two, or indicate the time domain and / or frequency domain position of the data transmission signal; it is used for the network device to determine the position of the data transmission signal after receiving the communication indication signal.

[0246] Data transmission signal: data information to be transmitted, initiated by the zero-power device and sent to the network device.

[0247] Optionally, there is a guard interval between different fields of the third type of communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the third type of communication signal.

[0248] Signal modulation mode: different fields of the third category communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation mode; or different fields of the third category communication signal use different coding and / or modulation modes.

[0249] Signal Transmission Mode: The third-category communication signal is transmitted using a backscatter communication mode; or, the third-category communication signal is transmitted using an active transmission communication mode; or, the third-category communication signal is transmitted using both backscatter and active transmission communication modes. The communication indication signal and the data transmission signal may be transmitted using the same communication mode, or the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal may be transmitted using different communication modes.

[0250] The zero-power device can send a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal to the network device at the same time, or send the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal in stages at different times.

[0251] Optionally, the sending of the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal has a time interval; wherein the time interval is determined according to the network configuration, or the time interval is determined according to the protocol agreement, or the time interval is determined by the zero-power device (indicated to the network device through the communication indication signal).

[0252] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the zero-power device sends the communication indication signal corresponding to the actively initiated communication and the actively initiated data transmission signal in two phases. For example, the zero-power device stops sending the communication indication signal at the first moment and starts sending the data transmission signal at the second moment. The time interval T between the first moment and the second moment can be agreed upon by the protocol, configured by the network, pre-configured, or indicated by the zero-power device in the communication indication signal.

[0253] When the time domain position of the data transmission signal is not indicated in the communication indication signal, the time interval between the data transmission signal and the communication indication signal may be a preset value agreed upon in the protocol, or determined by the zero-power consumption device itself.

[0254] In order for the network device to associate the communication indication signal with the data transmission signal, it is necessary to use part or all of the communication indication signal to scramble the data transmission signal. That is, the data transmission signal is obtained by scrambling part or all of the communication indication signal. Accordingly, after receiving the communication indication signal, the network device needs to use part or all of the obtained communication indication signal to descramble the data transmission signal, so as to associate the communication indication signal with the data transmission signal. The part of the communication indication signal used for scrambling can be based on the protocol agreement / network configuration / pre-configuration / zero-power device indication in the communication indication signal. For example, the identity information field of the zero-power device in the communication indication signal is used to scramble the data transmission signal.

[0255] If a network device successfully receives a communication indication signal but fails to receive a data transmission signal, it can initiate peer-to-peer scheduled communication with the zero-power device based on the identity information in the communication indication signal. For example, if the network device fails to receive a data transmission signal, the network device sends a scheduling signal to the zero-power device; the zero-power device retransmits the data transmission signal based on the transmission resources indicated by the scheduling signal.

[0256] The communication indication signal is sent using a backscatter communication mode; or, the communication indication signal is sent using an active transmission communication mode; or, the communication indication signal is sent using both backscatter and active transmission communication modes.

[0257] The data transmission signal is sent using a backscatter communication mode; or, the data transmission signal is sent using an active transmission communication mode; or, the data transmission signal is sent using both backscatter and active transmission communication modes.

[0258] Signal transmission time domain resources: Zero-power devices can transmit Class III communication signals at any location in the time domain. That is, when a zero-power device needs to transmit Class III communication signals, it directly transmits them to the network device. Alternatively, the zero-power device transmits them at a designated location in the time domain, which can be configured in advance by the network device to the zero-power device (it can be a periodically distributed time domain location).

[0259] Optionally, step 260: the network device sends a feedback signal to the zero-power device, where the feedback signal is used to feed back a reception status of the data transmission signal to the zero-power device.

[0260] The zero-power device monitors a feedback signal, where the feedback signal includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power device and a characteristic bit in a data transmission signal sent by the zero-power device.

[0261] Optionally, after sending the data transmission signal, the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal based on a time offset or a time window.

[0262] The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

[0263] The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device; the starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

[0264] Monitoring based on time offset: After sending a data transmission signal, the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal after a time offset T. The time offset T can be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or there can be multiple time offset values. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time offset by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time offsets.

[0265] Time-window-based monitoring: After sending a data transmission signal, the zero-power device monitors for feedback signals within a time window (Twindow). The size of the time window can be specified by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or multiple time window sizes can exist. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time window by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time windows.

[0266] For example, a zero-power device sends a data transmission signal at a first moment and begins monitoring a feedback signal at a second moment, where the second moment is the moment obtained after the first moment is offset by a first time offset. The first time offset may be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device in a communication indication signal. Alternatively, the first time offset may be determined based on the identity information of the zero-power device. The protocol predetermines a mapping relationship between identity information and time offsets, and the corresponding first time offset is obtained based on the identity information of the zero-power device.

[0267] For another example, the zero-power device sends a data transmission signal at the third moment and monitors the feedback signal within the first time window. The starting position of the first time window may be agreed upon according to the protocol (for example, the protocol stipulates that the starting position of the first time window is the moment after the third moment is offset by the second time offset), and the window length of the first time window may be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device in the communication indication signal.

[0268] The zero-power device receives the feedback signal and determines, based on the feedback signal, whether the network device successfully receives the data transmission signal. If the network device determines, based on the feedback signal, that the data transmission signal has not been successfully received, the zero-power device retransmits the data transmission signal using the first transmission mode. If the network device determines, based on the feedback signal, that the data transmission signal has been successfully received, retransmission of the data transmission signal is unnecessary.

[0269] After transmitting data, the zero-power device needs to monitor the feedback from the network device. If a feedback signal is received from the network device, it means that the data has been successfully transmitted. If no feedback signal is received, it means that the data has not been successfully transmitted.

[0270] The feedback signal of the network device includes at least one of the following fields:

[0271] - Identity information of zero-power devices;

[0272] - Characteristic bits in a data transmission signal sent by a zero-power device; for example, the characteristic bits include the first X bits of the data transmission signal, or the last X bits of the data transmission signal, where X is a positive integer. Another example is the characteristic bits include the first Y bits of the source bits before encoding the data transmission signal, or the last Y bits of the source bits before encoding the data transmission signal, where Y is a positive integer.

[0273] In one embodiment, the feedback signal includes identity information and a characteristic bit, wherein the identity information is used to indicate which terminal sent the communication signal fed back by the current feedback signal, and the characteristic bit is used to verify whether the data transmission signal is received successfully.

[0274] In another embodiment, the feedback signal includes identity information, or the feedback signal includes identity information and characteristic bits; the identity information is used to verify whether the communication signal (data transmission signal) is successfully received. The zero-power device verifies whether the identity information in the feedback signal is consistent with the identity information in the communication signal it sent. If they are consistent, the communication signal is successfully received; if not, the communication signal is not received.

[0275] In another embodiment, the feedback signal includes a characteristic bit, or the feedback signal includes both identity information and the characteristic bit; the characteristic bit is used to verify whether the communication signal (data transmission signal) is successfully received. The zero-power device verifies whether the characteristic bit in the feedback signal is consistent with the characteristic bit in the communication signal it transmits. If they are consistent, the communication signal is successfully received; if they are inconsistent, the communication signal is unsuccessfully received.

[0276] The zero-power device can monitor the feedback signal sent by the network device based on a time offset or a time window.

[0277] Monitoring based on time offset: After sending a data transmission signal, the zero-power device monitors the feedback signal after a time offset T. The time offset T can be indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or there can be multiple time offset values. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time offset by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time offsets.

[0278] Time-window-based monitoring: After sending a data transmission signal, the zero-power device monitors for feedback signals within a time window (Twindow). The size of the time window can be specified by the zero-power device to the network device, agreed upon by the protocol, or multiple time window sizes can exist. The zero-power device and the network device determine the corresponding time window by mapping the zero-power device's identity information to multiple time windows.

[0279] When the zero-power device does not detect the feedback signal sent by the network device, it retransmits the communication process. When the zero-power device does not detect the feedback signal, it retransmits the data transmission signal.

[0280] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment allows the zero-power device to actively initiate communication with the network device. For example, the zero-power device can periodically communicate with the network device, or the zero-power device can actively communicate with the network device when an emergency occurs (monitoring data anomalies, alarms, etc.), or the zero-power device can perform scheduling-free communication. The zero-power device can send a third type of communication signal to the network device in stages, first sending a communication indication signal to the network device to indicate the location and related configuration information of the data transmission signal, and then sending a data transmission signal to the network device, thereby improving the data transmission performance of the zero-power device, reducing data transmission delay, and reducing collisions between signals sent by different terminals.

[0281] The structure of the communication signal (the structures of the communication signals mentioned in the above three solutions) can be determined according to the energy situation of the zero-power device during data transmission.

[0282] Optionally, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device; or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the energy collection efficiency of the zero-power device; or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the characteristics of the power supply signal and / or the incoming wave signal; or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the signal strength of the power supply signal and / or the incoming wave signal; wherein the signal structure includes at least one of the following: the communication signal is a first type of communication signal, the communication signal is a second type of communication signal, and the communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0283] For example, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the duty cycle and waveform of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal. When the power supply signal has a large energy as determined by the duty cycle and waveform of the power supply signal, the first or third type of communication signal can be used.

[0284] Take the example where the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the energy storage amount of the zero-power device: the zero-power device supports energy storage; when the energy storage of the zero-power device is greater than the first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a first-class communication signal; when the energy storage of the zero-power device is less than the first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a second-class communication signal; when the energy storage of the zero-power device is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0285] Optionally, a communication mode can be selected based on the energy status of the zero-power device. For example, the communication mode is determined based on the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device; or the communication mode is determined based on the energy collection efficiency of the zero-power device; or the communication mode is determined based on the characteristics of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal; or the communication mode is determined based on the signal strength of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal. The communication mode includes at least one of the following: backscatter, active transmission, or backscatter and active transmission.

[0286] Take the example where the signal structure of the communication signal is determined based on the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device: the zero-power device supports energy storage; when the energy storage of the zero-power device is greater than a first threshold, an active transmission communication method is adopted; when the energy storage of the zero-power device is less than the first threshold, a backscattering communication method is adopted; when the energy storage of the zero-power device is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, a communication method combining backscattering and active reflection is adopted, for example, actively transmitting a communication indication signal first, and then backscattering a data transmission signal.

[0287] Optionally, for semi-active and active zero-power devices, that is, zero-power devices that support energy storage, if they support both backscatter communication and active transmission communication, when it is determined that a signal needs to be sent to a network device, the signal structure in the above-mentioned scheme 1, scheme 2, or scheme 3 is determined based on the energy state, and the signal is sent to the network device.

[0288] For example, for a zero-power device whose energy is greater than threshold 1, that is, the signal can be completely sent, an active transmission communication method is adopted to perform the signal sending process in solution 1.

[0289] For another example, for a zero-power device whose energy is less than threshold 1, that is, it cannot complete the complete signal transmission, the signal transmission method in scheme 2 can be adopted to send a communication request signal to the network device through active transmission communication, and wait for the network device to schedule communication.

[0290] For another example, for a zero-power device whose energy is less than threshold 1 but greater than threshold 2, solution 3 can be adopted. First, an active transmission communication method is used to send a communication indication signal, and energy is collected and stored at the same time. After a time interval T, an active transmission communication method is used to send a data transmission signal.

[0291] To sum up, the method provided in this embodiment allows zero-power devices to actively send communication signals to network devices by selecting different signal structures and different communication methods based on their own energy conditions, thereby improving the data transmission performance of zero-power devices, reducing data transmission delays, and reducing collisions between signals sent by different terminals.

[0292] It should be noted that the above method embodiments can be implemented separately or in combination, and this application does not limit this.

[0293] FIG14 shows a block diagram of a zero-power communication apparatus provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The apparatus can be implemented as a zero-power device, or as a part of a zero-power device. The apparatus includes:

[0294] The first sending module 401 is configured to send a communication signal in a first sending manner, where the first sending manner refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0295] In some optional embodiments, the first sending module 401 is used to periodically send the communication signal using the first sending method; and / or, based on the triggering of a triggering event, send the communication signal using the first sending method; and / or, when performing scheduling-free communication, send the communication signal using the first sending method.

[0296] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal includes a first type of communication signal, and the first type of communication signal includes at least the following fields:

[0297] Identity information of the zero-power device;

[0298] The data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0299] In some optional embodiments, the first type of communication signal further includes the following fields:

[0300] Signal type identification information, the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal.

[0301] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal includes a second type of communication signal, the second type of communication signal is used to request scheduling of the network device, and the second type of communication signal includes at least one of the following fields:

[0302] Identity information of the zero-power device;

[0303] Signal type identification information, where the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal;

[0304] Communication indication information of the zero-power consumption device, wherein the communication indication information is used to indicate the type of data to be sent, or the communication indication information is used to indicate the characteristics of the data information to be sent;

[0305] The time domain position of the scheduling signal of the network device is expected.

[0306] In some optional embodiments, the device further comprises:

[0307] The first receiving module 402 is configured to monitor the scheduling signal.

[0308] In some optional embodiments, the first sending module 401 is configured to send the first type of communication signal using the first sending mode when the scheduling signal is not monitored;

[0309] The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0310] In some optional embodiments, the first sending module 401 is configured to retransmit the second type of communication signal using the first sending mode when the scheduling signal is not monitored;

[0311] The first sending module 401 is configured to send the first type of communication signal using the first sending mode when the number of retransmissions of the second type of communication signal meets a threshold, or when the scheduling signal is not monitored within a preset duration;

[0312] The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0313] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal includes a third type of communication signal, and the third type of communication signal includes: a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal;

[0314] The communication indication signal includes at least one of the following fields: signal type indication information, identity information of the zero-power consumption device, communication control information of the zero-power consumption device, and an association relationship between the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal;

[0315] The data transmission signal is used to carry the data information to be transmitted;

[0316] The signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal; and the communication control information is used to indicate the transmission configuration of the data transmission signal.

[0317] In some optional embodiments, there is a time interval between sending the communication indication signal and sending the data transmission signal;

[0318] The time interval is determined according to a network configuration, or the time interval is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the time interval is determined by the zero-power consumption device.

[0319] In some optional embodiments, there is a guard interval between different fields of the communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the communication signal.

[0320] In some optional embodiments, different fields of the communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation scheme;

[0321] Alternatively, different fields of the communication signal use different coding and / or modulation methods.

[0322] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal is sent using a backscatter communication method;

[0323] Or, the communication signal is sent using an active transmission communication method;

[0324] Alternatively, the communication signal is sent using both the backscattering and active transmission communication modes.

[0325] In some optional embodiments, when using the backscattering, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal.

[0326] In the case of using the active transmission, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include: network configured or preconfigured frequency domain resources;

[0327] In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal using backscattering include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network;

[0328] In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources used to send the communication signal using active transmission include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network.

[0329] In some optional embodiments, the time domain resource for sending the communication signal includes:

[0330] Any position in the time domain;

[0331] or, the time domain location indicated by the network configuration;

[0332] Or, pre-configure the indicated time domain position.

[0333] In some optional embodiments, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy storage capacity of the zero-power consumption device;

[0334] Or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy harvesting efficiency of the zero-power device;

[0335] Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to characteristics of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal;

[0336] Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the signal strength of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal;

[0337] The signal structure includes at least one of the following: the communication signal is a first type of communication signal, the communication signal is a second type of communication signal, and the communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0338] In some optional embodiments, the zero-power device supports energy storage;

[0339] When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is greater than a first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the first type of communication signal;

[0340] When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the second type of communication signal;

[0341] In a case where the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0342] In some optional embodiments, the device further comprises:

[0343] A first receiving module 402, configured to monitor a feedback signal;

[0344] The feedback signal includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and characteristic bits in the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device.

[0345] In some optional embodiments, the first receiving module 402 is configured to monitor the feedback signal based on a time offset after sending the communication signal;

[0346] The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

[0347] In some optional embodiments, the first receiving module 402 is configured to monitor the feedback signal based on a time window;

[0348] The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power consumption device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by a protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power consumption device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device;

[0349] The starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

[0350] In some optional embodiments, the first sending module 401 is configured to retransmit the communication signal using the first sending manner when the feedback signal is not detected.

[0351] FIG15 shows a block diagram of a zero-power communication apparatus provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The apparatus may be implemented as a network device, or as a part of a network device. The apparatus includes:

[0352] The second receiving module 404 is configured to receive a communication signal sent by a zero-power consumption device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0353] In some optional embodiments, the second receiving module 404 is used to periodically receive the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending method; and / or, receive the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending method based on the triggering of a trigger event; and / or, receive the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending method when performing scheduling-free communication.

[0354] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal includes a first type of communication signal, and the first type of communication signal includes at least the following fields:

[0355] Identity information of the zero-power device;

[0356] The data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0357] In some optional embodiments, the first type of communication signal further includes the following fields:

[0358] Signal type identification information, the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal.

[0359] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal includes a second type of communication signal, the second type of communication signal is used to request scheduling of the network device, and the second type of communication signal includes at least one of the following fields:

[0360] Identity information of the zero-power device;

[0361] Signal type identification information, where the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal;

[0362] Communication indication information of the zero-power consumption device, wherein the communication indication information is used to indicate the type of data to be sent, or the communication indication information is used to indicate the characteristics of the data information to be sent;

[0363] The time domain position of the scheduling signal of the network device is expected.

[0364] In some optional embodiments, the device further comprises:

[0365] The second sending module 403 is configured to send a scheduling signal.

[0366] In some optional embodiments, the second receiving module 404 is configured to receive a first type of communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending mode, where the first type of communication signal is sent by the zero-power consumption device without monitoring the scheduling signal;

[0367] The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0368] In some optional embodiments, the second receiving module 404 is configured to receive a first type of communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending mode; the first type of communication signal is sent by the zero-power consumption device when the number of retransmissions of the second type of communication signal meets a threshold, or when the scheduling signal is not detected within a preset time duration;

[0369] The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

[0370] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal includes a third type of communication signal, and the third type of communication signal includes: a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal;

[0371] The communication indication signal includes at least one of the following fields: signal type indication information, identity information of the zero-power consumption device, communication control information of the zero-power consumption device, and an association relationship between the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal;

[0372] The data transmission signal is used to carry the data information to be transmitted;

[0373] The signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal; and the communication control information is used to indicate the transmission configuration of the data transmission signal.

[0374] In some optional embodiments, there is a time interval between sending the communication indication signal and sending the data transmission signal;

[0375] The time interval is determined according to a network configuration, or the time interval is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the time interval is determined by the zero-power consumption device.

[0376] In some optional embodiments, there is a guard interval between different fields of the communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the communication signal.

[0377] In some optional embodiments, different fields of the communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation scheme;

[0378] Alternatively, different fields of the communication signal use different coding and / or modulation methods.

[0379] In some optional embodiments, the communication signal is sent using a backscatter communication method;

[0380] Or, the communication signal is sent using an active transmission communication method;

[0381] Alternatively, the communication signal is sent using both the backscattering and active transmission communication modes.

[0382] In some optional embodiments, when using the backscattering, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal.

[0383] In the case of using the active transmission, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include: network configured or preconfigured frequency domain resources;

[0384] In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal using backscattering include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network;

[0385] In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources used to send the communication signal using active transmission include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network.

[0386] In some optional embodiments, the time domain resource for sending the communication signal includes:

[0387] Any position in the time domain;

[0388] or, the time domain location indicated by the network configuration;

[0389] Or, pre-configure the indicated time domain position.

[0390] In some optional embodiments, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy storage capacity of the zero-power consumption device;

[0391] Or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy harvesting efficiency of the zero-power device;

[0392] Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to characteristics of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal;

[0393] Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the signal strength of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal;

[0394] The signal structure includes at least one of the following: the communication signal is a first type of communication signal, the communication signal is a second type of communication signal, and the communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0395] In some optional embodiments, the zero-power device supports energy storage;

[0396] When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is greater than a first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the first type of communication signal;

[0397] When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the second type of communication signal;

[0398] In a case where the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

[0399] In some optional embodiments, the device further comprises:

[0400] A second sending module 403, configured to send a feedback signal;

[0401] The feedback signal includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and characteristic bits in the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device.

[0402] In some optional embodiments, the second sending module 403 is configured to send the feedback signal based on a time offset after receiving the communication signal;

[0403] The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

[0404] In some optional embodiments, the second sending module 403 is configured to send the feedback signal based on a time window;

[0405] The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power consumption device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by a protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power consumption device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device;

[0406] The starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

[0407] In some optional embodiments, the device further comprises:

[0408] The second receiving module 404 is configured to receive the communication signal retransmitted by the zero-power consumption device using the first transmission mode, where the retransmitted communication signal is sent by the zero-power consumption device without detecting the feedback signal.

[0409] FIG16 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 includes: a processor 901 , a transceiver 902 , and a memory 903 .

[0410] The processor 901 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 901 executes various functional applications by running software programs and modules.

[0411] The transceiver 902 may be used to receive and send information, and the transceiver 902 may be a communication chip.

[0412] The memory 903 may be used to store a computer program, and the processor 901 may be used to execute the computer program to implement each step performed by the communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0413] In addition, the memory 903 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, and the volatile or non-volatile storage device includes but is not limited to: random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state storage technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), high-density digital video disc (DVD) or other optical storage, tape cassettes, magnetic tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0414] Among them, the processor 901 and transceiver 902 involved in the embodiments of the present application can execute the steps performed by the zero-power device in any of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0415] Optionally, the transceiver 902 is configured to send a communication signal using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by a zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

[0416] Among them, the processor 901 and transceiver 902 involved in the embodiments of the present application can execute the steps performed by the network device in any of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] Optionally, the transceiver 902 is used to receive a communication signal sent by a zero-power device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power device.

[0418] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, in which at least one instruction, at least one program, code set or instruction set is stored. The at least one instruction, the at least one program, the code set or instruction set is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the zero-power communication method provided by the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0419] In an exemplary embodiment, a chip is further provided. The chip includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it is used to implement the zero-power communication method described in the above aspects.

[0420] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is further provided. When the computer program product is run on a processor of a computer device, the computer program product is configured to execute the zero-power communication method described in the above aspects.

[0421] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps to implement the above embodiments may be accomplished by hardware, or by a program to instruct the relevant hardware, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may be a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk, etc.

[0422] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this document. The term "and / or" in this document is simply a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association relationship. For example, A indicates B, which can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association relationship between A and B. It should also be understood that the "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can mean that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or it can mean that there is an association relationship between the two, or it can mean a relationship between indication and indication, configuration and configuration, etc. It should also be understood that the “predefined”, “protocol agreed”, “predetermined” or “predefined rules” mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in devices (for example, including network devices and user devices). This application does not limit its specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and this application does not limit this.

[0423] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A zero-power communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a zero-power consumption device, and the method includes: A communication signal is sent using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending of the communication signal in the first sending mode includes: Periodically sending the communication signal using the first sending mode; and / or, based on a triggering event, sending the communication signal in the first sending manner; And / or, when performing scheduling-free communication, the communication signal is sent using the first sending method.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The communication signal includes a first type of communication signal, and the first type of communication signal includes at least the following fields: Identity information of the zero-power device; The data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first type of communication signal also includes the following fields: Signal type identification information, the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The communication signal includes a second type of communication signal, the second type of communication signal is used to request scheduling of the network device, and the second type of communication signal includes at least one of the following fields: Identity information of the zero-power device; Signal type identification information, where the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal; Communication indication information of the zero-power consumption device, wherein the communication indication information is used to indicate the type of data to be sent, or the communication indication information is used to indicate the characteristics of the data information to be sent; The time domain position of the scheduling signal of the network device is expected.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Monitors scheduling signals.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: In the case where the scheduling signal is not monitored, sending the first type of communication signal using the first sending mode; The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: retransmitting the second type of communication signal using the first sending mode when the scheduling signal is not monitored; When the number of retransmissions of the second-category communication signal meets a threshold, or when the scheduling signal is not monitored within a preset duration, the first-category communication signal is sent using the first sending mode; The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The communication signal includes a third type of communication signal, and the third type of communication signal includes: a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal; The communication indication signal includes at least one of the following fields: signal type indication information, identity information of the zero-power consumption device, communication control information of the zero-power consumption device, and an association relationship between the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal; The data transmission signal is used to carry the data information to be transmitted; The signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal; and the communication control information is used to indicate the transmission configuration of the data transmission signal.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that There is a time interval between the sending of the communication indication signal and the sending of the data transmission signal; The time interval is determined according to a network configuration, or the time interval is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the time interval is determined by the zero-power consumption device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that: There is a guard interval between different fields of the communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the communication signal.

12. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that: Different fields of the communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation method; Alternatively, different fields of the communication signal use different coding and / or modulation methods.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The communication signal is sent using a backscatter communication method; Or, the communication signal is sent using an active transmission communication method; Alternatively, the communication signal is sent using both the backscattering and active transmission communication modes.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that In the case of using the backscattering, the frequency domain resource for sending the communication signal includes at least one of the following: a frequency domain resource that is the same as the incoming signal, and a frequency domain resource obtained by performing a frequency shift based on the frequency domain resource of the incoming signal; In the case of using the active transmission, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include: network configured or preconfigured frequency domain resources; In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal using backscattering include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network; In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources used to send the communication signal using active transmission include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The time domain resources for sending the communication signal include: Any position in the time domain; or, the time domain location indicated by the network configuration; Or, pre-configure the indicated time domain position.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy storage capacity of the zero-power consumption device; Or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy harvesting efficiency of the zero-power device; Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to characteristics of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal; Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the signal strength of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal; The signal structure includes at least one of the following: the communication signal is a first type of communication signal, the communication signal is a second type of communication signal, and the communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The zero-power device supports energy storage; When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is greater than a first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the first type of communication signal; When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the second type of communication signal; In a case where the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Monitor feedback signals; The feedback signal includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and characteristic bits in the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The monitoring feedback signal includes: After sending the communication signal, monitoring the feedback signal based on a time offset; The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein The monitoring feedback signal includes: monitoring the feedback signal based on a time window; The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power consumption device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by a protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power consumption device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device; The starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: In the case that the feedback signal is not monitored, the communication signal is retransmitted using the first sending mode.

22. A method for zero-power communication, characterized in that: The method is performed by a network device, and includes: A communication signal is received that is sent by a zero-power-consumption device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power-consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power-consumption device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The receiving a communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device in the first sending mode includes: Periodically receiving the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending mode; and / or, receiving the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device in the first sending manner based on a triggering event; And / or, receiving the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending mode when performing scheduling-free communication.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The communication signal includes a first type of communication signal, and the first type of communication signal includes at least the following fields: Identity information of the zero-power device; The data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first type of communication signal also includes the following fields: Signal type identification information, the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal.

26. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The communication signal includes a second type of communication signal, the second type of communication signal is used to request scheduling of the network device, and the second type of communication signal includes at least one of the following fields: Identity information of the zero-power device; Signal type identification information, where the signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal; Communication indication information of the zero-power consumption device, wherein the communication indication information is used to indicate the type of data to be sent, or the communication indication information is used to indicate the characteristics of the data information to be sent; The time domain position of the scheduling signal of the network device is expected.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a scheduling signal.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first type of communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first sending mode, where the first type of communication signal is sent by the zero-power consumption device without monitoring the scheduling signal; The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first type of communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device using the first transmission mode; the first type of communication signal is sent by the zero-power consumption device when the number of retransmissions of the second type of communication signal meets a threshold, or when the scheduling signal is not monitored within a preset duration; The first type of communication signal includes at least the following two fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and data information to be transmitted of the zero-power consumption device.

30. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The communication signal includes a third type of communication signal, and the third type of communication signal includes: a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal; The communication indication signal includes at least one of the following fields: signal type indication information, identity information of the zero-power consumption device, communication control information of the zero-power consumption device, and an association relationship between the communication indication signal and the data transmission signal; The data transmission signal is used to carry the data information to be transmitted; The signal type identification information is used to identify the first sending mode, and / or the signal type identification information is used to identify the type and signal structure of the communication signal; and the communication control information is used to indicate the transmission configuration of the data transmission signal.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein There is a time interval between the sending of the communication indication signal and the sending of the data transmission signal; The time interval is determined according to a network configuration, or the time interval is determined according to a protocol agreement, or the time interval is determined by the zero-power consumption device.

32. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 31, characterized in that There is a guard interval between different fields of the communication signal, or there is no guard interval between different fields of the communication signal.

33. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 32, characterized in that Different fields of the communication signal use the same coding and / or modulation method; Alternatively, different fields of the communication signal use different coding and / or modulation methods.

34. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 33, characterized in that The communication signal is sent using a backscatter communication method; Or, the communication signal is sent using an active transmission communication method; Alternatively, the communication signal is sent using both the backscattering and active transmission communication modes.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein In the case of using the backscattering, the frequency domain resource for sending the communication signal includes at least one of the following: a frequency domain resource that is the same as the incoming signal, and a frequency domain resource obtained by performing a frequency shift based on the frequency domain resource of the incoming signal; In the case of using the active transmission, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal include: network configured or preconfigured frequency domain resources; In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources for sending the communication signal using backscattering include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency shifting the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network; In the case of using the backscattering and the active transmission at the same time, the frequency domain resources used to send the communication signal using active transmission include at least one of the following: the same frequency domain resources as the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources of the incoming signal, the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network, and the frequency domain resources obtained by frequency offset based on the frequency domain resources configured or pre-configured by the network.

36. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 35, characterized in that The time domain resources for sending the communication signal include: Any position in the time domain; or, the time domain location indicated by the network configuration; Or, pre-configure the indicated time domain position.

37. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 35, characterized in that The signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy storage capacity of the zero-power consumption device; Or, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the energy harvesting efficiency of the zero-power device; Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to characteristics of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal; Alternatively, the signal structure of the communication signal is determined according to the signal strength of the power supply signal and / or the incoming signal; The signal structure includes at least one of the following: the communication signal is a first type of communication signal, the communication signal is a second type of communication signal, and the communication signal includes a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein The zero-power device supports energy storage; When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is greater than a first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the first type of communication signal; When the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is the second type of communication signal; In a case where the energy storage of the zero-power consumption device is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, the signal structure of the communication signal is a communication indication signal and a data transmission signal.

39. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 38, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send feedback signals; The feedback signal includes at least one of the following fields: identity information of the zero-power consumption device and characteristic bits in the communication signal sent by the zero-power consumption device.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein The sending of the feedback signal includes: After receiving the communication signal, sending the feedback signal based on the time offset; The time offset is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device, or the time offset is agreed upon by a protocol, or the time offset corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power device, or the time offset is pre-configured by the network device.

41. The method according to claim 39, wherein The sending of the feedback signal includes: Sending the feedback signal based on a time window; The window length of the time window is indicated by the zero-power consumption device to the network device, or the window length of the time window is agreed upon by a protocol, or the window length of the time window corresponds to the identity information of the zero-power consumption device, or the window length of the time window is pre-configured by the network device; The starting position of the time window is agreed upon by the protocol, or the starting position of the time window is pre-configured by the network device, or the starting position of the time window is a periodically distributed position in the time domain, or the starting position of the time window is indicated by the zero-power device to the network device.

42. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 41, characterized in that The method further comprises: The communication signal retransmitted by the zero-power consumption device using the first transmission mode is received, where the retransmitted communication signal is sent by the zero-power consumption device without monitoring the feedback signal.

43. A zero-power communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The first sending module is configured to send a communication signal in a first sending manner, where the first sending manner refers to communication initiated by a zero-power-consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power-consumption device.

44. A zero-power communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The second receiving module is used to receive a communication signal sent by a zero-power consumption device using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

45. A zero-power consumption device, characterized in that The terminal includes: a transceiver; wherein, The transceiver is used to send a communication signal using a first sending mode, where the first sending mode refers to communication initiated by a zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

46. ​​A network device, characterized in that The network device includes: a transceiver; wherein, The transceiver is used to receive a communication signal sent by a zero-power consumption device using a first transmission mode, where the first transmission mode refers to communication initiated by the zero-power consumption device, and the communication signal includes identity information of the zero-power consumption device.

47. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The readable storage medium stores executable instructions, which are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the zero-power communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 42.

48. A chip, characterized in that The chip includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running, it is used to implement the zero-power communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 42.

49. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product or computer program includes computer instructions, which are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the zero-power communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 42.

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