Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and device are used for improving working efficiency. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first message, wherein the first message is used for indicating that N time units are contained in a first period; receiving an ith second message, wherein the ith second message is used for indicating that the ith time unit in the N time units starts; and receiving an (i + M) th second message, wherein the (i + M) th second message is used for indicating the end of the ith time unit. Wherein N is a positive integer, i is a positive integer smaller than or equal to N, and M is an integer larger than or equal to 2. Based on the communication method, parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and the access network device can be realized, so that the transmission efficiency is improved, and meanwhile, the (i + M) th second message indicates that the ith time unit is ended, so that the signaling overhead can be saved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A radio frequency identification (RFID) system consists of a reader and a tag. When a tag is within the coverage area of ​​a reader, it receives the radio frequency signal from the reader and uses the energy obtained from the induced current to drive the tag itself to operate. The reader reads the information in the tag or writes the information that the tag needs to store into the tag.

[0003] With the development of communication technology, it is proposed to introduce RFID technology into cellular networks to realize the Internet of Things (IoT). That is, the base station can integrate the capabilities of readers and writers, and the terminal devices are IoT terminal devices that support RFID technology.

[0004] However, RFID systems are single-process systems. That is, a reader only allows one tag to access and communicate with it within a certain period of time. Only after the period ends will the next tag be allowed to access. If the IoT, which incorporates RFID technology, still operates in the same way as RFID systems, the system will be inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving work efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, which can be a terminal device (such as a first terminal device), or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or a functional module in a terminal device (such as a first terminal device). The method may include: receiving a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate that a first period includes N time units; receiving an i-th second message, wherein the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among the N time units; and receiving an i+M-th second message, wherein the i+M-th second message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit. Wherein, N is a positive integer, i is a positive integer less than or equal to N, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0007] Based on the above communication method, parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network devices can be achieved, thereby improving transmission efficiency. In addition, indicating the end of the i-th time unit through the i+M-th second message can eliminate the need for introducing new signaling, saving signaling overhead.

[0008] In one possible design, the first message may include M; or, a third message may be received before the first message is received, and the third message may include M. In this way, the end of the corresponding time unit can be clearly indicated by the second message separated by M.

[0009] In one possible design, the first message may also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, and the i-th time unit may be used for a first terminal device to initiate access, where the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices. In this way, the first terminal device may select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0010] In one possible design, the i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0011] In one possible design, after receiving the (i+M)th second message, the flag bit may be changed from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed. This can avoid the first terminal device from repeatedly executing access after completing access, saving signaling overhead.

[0012] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, which can be an access network device, or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or a functional module in the access network device. The method can include: sending a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a first period includes N time units; sending an i-th second message, the i-th second message being used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among the N time units; and sending an i+M-th second message, the i+M-th second message being used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit. Wherein, N is a positive integer, i is a positive integer less than or equal to N, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0013] Based on the above communication method, parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network devices can be achieved, thereby improving transmission efficiency. In addition, indicating the end of the i-th time unit through the i+M-th second message can eliminate the need for introducing new signaling, saving signaling overhead.

[0014] In one possible design, the first message includes M; or, a third message is sent before sending the first message, and the third message includes M. In this way, the end of the corresponding time unit can be clearly indicated by the second message separated by M.

[0015] In one possible design, the first message is further used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices. In this way, the first terminal device can select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0016] In one possible design, the i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be a terminal device (such as a first terminal device), or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or a functional module in a terminal device (such as a first terminal device). The method may include: receiving a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a first period includes N time units; receiving an i-th second message, the i-th second message being used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among the N time units; and receiving a fourth message, the fourth message being used to indicate the end of the N time units. Wherein, N is a positive integer, and i is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0018] Based on the above communication method, parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network equipment can be achieved, thereby improving transmission efficiency. In addition, if the fourth message is a newly defined message, indicating the end of all time units in the current cycle through the newly defined message only introduces a new signaling. If the fourth message reuses existing signaling, indicating the end of all time units in the current cycle through the existing signaling does not require the introduction of new signaling, which can save signaling overhead.

[0019] In one possible design, the fourth message may also be used to indicate that the second period includes K time units, where K is a positive integer. In this way, the message indicating that the second period includes K time units can be reused to indicate the end of N time units, without introducing new signaling, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0020] In one possible design, the first message may also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices. In this way, the first terminal device can select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0021] In one possible design, the i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0022] In one possible design, after receiving the fourth message, the flag bit can be changed from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed. This can avoid the first terminal device from repeatedly performing access after completing access, saving signaling overhead.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be an access network device, or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or functional module in the access network device. The method can include: sending a first message, the first message indicating that a first period includes N time units; sending an i-th second message, the i-th second message indicating the start of the i-th time unit of the N time units; and sending a fourth message indicating the end of the N time units. N is a positive integer, and i is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0024] Based on the above communication method, parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network equipment can be achieved, thereby improving transmission efficiency. In addition, if the fourth message is a newly defined message, indicating the end of all time units in the current cycle through the newly defined message only introduces a new signaling. If the fourth message reuses existing signaling, indicating the end of all time units in the current cycle through the existing signaling does not require the introduction of new signaling, which can save signaling overhead.

[0025] In one possible design, the fourth message is also used to indicate that the second period includes K time units, where K is a positive integer. In this way, the message indicating that the second period includes K time units can be reused to indicate the end of N time units, without introducing new signaling, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0026] In one possible design, the first message is further used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices. In this way, the first terminal device can select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0027] In one possible design, the i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, which can be a terminal device (such as a first terminal device), or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or a functional module in a terminal device (such as a first terminal device). The method may include: receiving a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate that a first period includes N time units; receiving an i-th second message, wherein the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among the N time units; and receiving an i-th fifth message, wherein the i-th fifth message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit. Wherein, N is a positive integer, and i is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0029] Based on the above communication method, parallel transmission can be achieved between multiple terminal devices and access network devices, thereby improving transmission efficiency. At the same time, the access network device can control the sending position of the fifth message, thereby controlling the duration of a time unit, thereby controlling the number of terminal devices transmitting in parallel and reducing communication interference between terminal devices.

[0030] In one possible design, the first message is further used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices. In this way, the first terminal device can select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0031] In one possible design, the i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0032] In one possible design, after receiving the i-th fifth message, the flag bit can be changed from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed. This can avoid the first terminal device from repeatedly performing access after completing access, saving signaling overhead.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, which can be an access network device, or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or a functional module in the access network device. The method can include: sending a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that a first period includes N time units; sending an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among the N time units; and sending an i-th fifth message, where the i-th fifth message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit. Wherein, N is a positive integer, and i is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0034] Based on the above communication method, parallel transmission can be achieved between multiple terminal devices and access network devices, thereby improving transmission efficiency. At the same time, the access network device can control the sending position of the fifth message, thereby controlling the duration of a time unit, thereby controlling the number of terminal devices transmitting in parallel and reducing communication interference between terminal devices.

[0035] In one possible design, the first message is further used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices. In this way, the first terminal device can select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0036] In one possible design, the i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, which can be a terminal device (such as a first terminal device), or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit or a functional module in a terminal device (such as a first terminal device). The method may include: receiving an access confirmation response message, and sending a first identifier to an access network device in response to the access confirmation response message; receiving a second identifier, wherein the second identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit, the i-th time unit being the time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, and i being an integer greater than or equal to 1. The first identifier is allocated by a core network device, or the first identifier is predefined.

[0038] Based on the above communication method, the probability of identifier conflicts of the terminal devices can be reduced by allocating the second identifier to the first terminal device through the access network device.

[0039] In one possible design, before receiving the access confirmation response message, a sixth message may be sent, where the sixth message is used to access the access network device. The sixth message includes a third identifier, where the third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit. In this way, the first terminal device can inform the access network device of the identifier of the first terminal device when accessing the access network device, so that the access network device can identify the first terminal device.

[0040] In one possible design, the third identifier is generated by the first terminal device.

[0041] In one possible design, the value of the third identifier falls within a first value range, the value of the second identifier falls within a second value range, and the first value range and the second value range do not intersect. This can avoid a situation where the third identifier generated by one terminal device is the same as the second identifier assigned to another terminal device by an access network device, thereby reducing conflicts between terminal devices.

[0042] In one possible design, before sending the sixth message, a first message may be received, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, the i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to N. In this way, the first terminal device can select a corresponding time unit from the N time units based on the first message.

[0043] In one possible design, the first message is also used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first cycle. This allows the first terminal device to select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0044] In one possible design, the second identifier may be received by: receiving a seventh message, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate the second identifier; wherein the seventh message also includes the third identifier, wherein the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device, or the seventh message also includes the first identifier, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device. In this way, when allocating the second identifier, the access network device can indicate that the second identifier is allocated to the first terminal device through the first identifier or the third identifier.

[0045] In one possible design, an eighth message is sent, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the second identifier has been received.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, which can be an access network device, or can be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, or a functional module in the access network device. The method can include: sending an access confirmation response message; receiving a first identifier, where the first identifier is assigned by a core network device or the first identifier is predefined; and sending a second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify a first terminal device within an i-th time unit, where the i-th time unit is a time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, and i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0047] Based on the above communication method, the probability of identifier conflicts of the terminal devices can be reduced by allocating the second identifier to the first terminal device through the access network device.

[0048] In one possible design, before sending the access confirmation response message, a sixth message may be received, where the sixth message is used to access the access network device, and the sixth message includes a third identifier, where the third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit. In this way, the first terminal device can inform the access network device of the identifier of the first terminal device when accessing the access network device, so that the access network device can identify the first terminal device.

[0049] In one possible design, the third identifier is generated by the first terminal device.

[0050] In one possible design, the value of the third identifier falls within a first value range, the value of the second identifier falls within a second value range, and the first value range and the second value range do not intersect. This can avoid a situation where the third identifier generated by one terminal device is the same as the second identifier assigned to another terminal device by an access network device, thereby reducing conflicts between terminal devices.

[0051] In one possible design, before receiving the sixth message, a first message may be sent, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, the i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to N. In this way, the first terminal device can select a corresponding time unit from the N time units based on the first message.

[0052] In one possible design, the first message is also used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first cycle. This allows the first terminal device to select the i-th time unit to initiate access based on the first message.

[0053] In one possible design, the second identifier is sent by: sending a seventh message, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate the second identifier; the seventh message also includes the third identifier, wherein the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device, or the seventh message also includes the first identifier, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device. In this way, when allocating the second identifier, the access network device can indicate that the second identifier is allocated to the first terminal device through the first identifier or the third identifier.

[0054] In one possible design, an eighth message is received, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the second identifier has been received.

[0055] In the ninth aspect, the present application also provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device (such as a first terminal device), or may be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit or a functional module in a terminal device (such as a first terminal device). The communication device has the function of implementing the method in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect, or the third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect, or the fifth aspect or each possible design example of the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect or each possible design example of the seventh aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0056] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally may also include a transceiver unit. These units can perform the functions of the method in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect, or the third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect, or the fifth aspect or each possible design example of the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect or each possible design example of the seventh aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0057] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processor, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver, the transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages or information, and is used to communicate and interact with other devices in the communication system, and the processor is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect, or the third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect, or the fifth aspect or each possible design example of the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect or each possible design example of the seventh aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0058] In the tenth aspect, the present application also provides a communication device, which may be an access network device, or may be a processor, chip, chip system, circuit or a functional module in the access network device. The communication device has the function of implementing the method in the second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect, or the fourth aspect or each possible design example of the fourth aspect, or the sixth aspect or each possible design example of the sixth aspect, or the eighth aspect or each possible design example of the eighth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0059] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally may also include a transceiver unit. These units can perform the functions of the method in the second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect, or the fourth aspect or each possible design example of the fourth aspect, or the sixth aspect or each possible design example of the sixth aspect, or the eighth aspect or each possible design example of the eighth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0060] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processor, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver, the transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages or information, and is used to communicate and interact with other devices in the communication system, and the processor is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect, or the fourth aspect or each possible design example of the fourth aspect, or the sixth aspect or each possible design example of the sixth aspect, or the eighth aspect or each possible design example of the eighth aspect. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0061] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which may include a terminal device (such as a first terminal device, etc.) and an access network device. The terminal device is used to implement the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or each possible design example of the first aspect, or the above-mentioned third aspect or each possible design example of the third aspect, or the above-mentioned fifth aspect or each possible design example of the fifth aspect, or the above-mentioned seventh aspect or each possible design example of the seventh aspect. The access network device is used to implement the method in the above-mentioned second aspect or each possible design example of the second aspect, or the above-mentioned fourth aspect or each possible design example of the fourth aspect, or the above-mentioned sixth aspect or each possible design example of the sixth aspect, or the above-mentioned eighth aspect or each possible design example of the eighth aspect.

[0062] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores program instructions. When the program instructions are executed on a computer, the computer performs the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the second aspect and any possible design thereof, or the third aspect and any possible design thereof, or the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the fifth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the seventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the eighth aspect and any possible design thereof. Exemplarily, the computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example but not limitation, the computer-readable medium can include non-transitory computer-readable media, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0063] In aspect 13, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect, or the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or the eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect to be executed.

[0064] In the fourteenth aspect, the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or the above-mentioned fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or the above-mentioned sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect, or the above-mentioned seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or the above-mentioned eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect.

[0065] For each of the above-mentioned aspects 9 to 14 and the technical effects that may be achieved by each of the aspects, please refer to the above-mentioned description of the technical effects that can be achieved with respect to the first aspect or the various possible solutions in the first aspect, or the above-mentioned second aspect or the various possible solutions in the second aspect, or the above-mentioned third aspect or the various possible solutions in the third aspect, or the above-mentioned fourth aspect or the various possible solutions in the fourth aspect, or the above-mentioned fifth aspect or the various possible solutions in the fifth aspect, or the above-mentioned sixth aspect or the various possible solutions in the sixth aspect, or the above-mentioned seventh aspect or the various possible solutions in the seventh aspect, or the above-mentioned eighth aspect or the various possible solutions in the eighth aspect, and no further details will be given here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application;

[0067] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the basic RFID workflow provided in this application;

[0068] Figure 3 A flow chart of a communication method provided in this application;

[0069] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of three terminal devices communicating with an access network device in parallel provided by this application;

[0070] Figure 5 A flow chart of another communication method provided by this application;

[0071] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the start and end of the i-th time unit to the N-th time unit provided by this application;

[0072] Figure 7 Another schematic diagram of the start and end of the i-th time unit to the N-th time unit provided by this application;

[0073] Figure 8 A flow chart of another communication method provided by this application;

[0074] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of three terminal devices communicating with an access network device in parallel provided by this application;

[0075] Figure 10 A flow chart of another communication method provided by this application;

[0076] Figure 11 A flowchart of an example of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0077] Figure 12A flowchart of an example of another communication method provided by the present application;

[0078] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the value range of an identifier provided in this application;

[0079] Figure 14 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application;

[0080] Figure 15 This is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving work efficiency. The method and apparatus described in the present application are based on the same technical concept. Since the method and apparatus solve similar problems, the implementation of the apparatus and method can refer to each other, and the repetitive parts will not be repeated.

[0082] In the description of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0083] In the description of this application, "at least one (kind)" refers to one (kind) or more (kinds), and more (kinds) refers to two (kinds) or more than two (kinds). "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and (or) c can represent one of the following situations: a exists alone, b exists alone, c exists alone, a and b exist at the same time, a and c exist at the same time, b and c exist at the same time, and a, b and c exist at the same time, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0084] In the description of this application, "and / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. " / " means "or", for example, a / b means a or b.

[0085] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the communication method and device provided in the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] For example, Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible communication system architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system may include access network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0087] Among them, the access network device can be an access network device in a cellular system related to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), for example, an access network device in a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or an access network device in a future-oriented evolution system (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The access network device can also be an access network device in an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The access network device can also be an access network device in a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are integrated.

[0088] In one possible scenario, the access network device may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU). Optionally, the access network device may also be a reader. All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application may also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The access network device in this application may also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0089] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0090] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU may also be called open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP may also be called open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP may also be called open CU-UP (open CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU may also be called open RU (open RU, O-RU). Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0091] Among them, the terminal device can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), ambient IoT, virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. For example, the terminal device can be a passive terminal device or a semi-passive terminal device, which can be called a passive terminal device. For another example, the terminal device can be an active terminal device, which can be called an active terminal device. For example, the terminal device can be a tag, etc. The terminal device of the embodiment of the present application can also be called an ambient IoT terminal device, an IoT terminal device, an ambient IoT device, or an IoT device, etc.

[0092] It should be understood that Figure 1 The communication system shown is only an example, and the communication system may also include more devices, such as core network devices, etc. The names of the various devices used in the embodiments of the present application may retain the same functions in future communication systems, but the names may be changed.

[0093] The following first explains the relevant terms or technologies involved in the embodiments of this application. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0094] 1) Radio frequency identification (RFID)

[0095] Radio frequency identification, also known as electronic tag or wireless radio frequency identification, is a communication technology that can identify specific targets and read and write related data through radio signals without establishing mechanical or optical contact between the identification system and the specific target. An RFID system consists of a reader and a tag (also called a device). The basic principle of RFID technology is that when a tag is within the reader's coverage area, it receives the radio frequency signal emitted by the reader and uses the energy obtained from the induced current to transmit the product information stored in the chip (corresponding to a passive tag), or the tag actively transmits a signal of a certain frequency (corresponding to an active tag). The reader reads and decodes the information and sends it to the central information system for relevant data processing.

[0096] RFID technology is a short-range communication technology, and the reader is usually only a few dozen centimeters away from the tag.

[0097] Optionally, the reader may include an interrogator, etc.

[0098] 2) Basic workflow of RFID

[0099] In the RFID standard, the communication between the reader and the tag can include the following processes:

[0100] Selection process: The reader can set certain flags of tags that meet specific conditions to specific values ​​through one or more "broadcast" signals (i.e., Select signals). This can be understood as selecting a tag subpopulation from the tag population.

[0101] Inventory process: It can also be called inventory process or query process. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the inventory process may include the following steps:

[0102] Step 201a: The reader sends a Query command.

[0103] Step 201b: The reader sends a query repetition (QueryRep) command or a query adjustment (QueryAdjust) command.

[0104] The Query command will start a query round, and multiple tags can be communicated with in sequence within a query round. The Query command can contain a parameter Q, indicating that the current query round contains 2Q Each tag will randomly select a slot n (slot n is from slot 0 to slot 2 Q -1) attempts to initiate access. If the access is successful, the tag may have further communication with the reader, that is, enter the subsequent access process.

[0105] It's important to note that the concept of slots in RFID differs from that in cellular networks. In cellular networks, a slot is a fixed duration, such as 0.5 milliseconds (ms) or 1 ms. In RFID, however, the start and end of a slot are triggered by signaling. Each time a tag receives a Query Repetition (QueryRep) command, it considers the current slot to have ended and the next one to have begun.

[0106] Step 202: If a tag determines the slot n selected by the tag according to the received QueryRep, the tag sends a random number (random number 16, RN16). RN16 carries a 16-bit random number.

[0107] Step 203: After receiving RN16, the reader will feedback an acknowledgment (ACK) signaling to the tag. The ACK signaling includes a received RN16, which is used to notify the tag that the RN16 of the tag has been received and to indicate that the ACK is a feedback for the RN16.

[0108] In some scenarios, because tags select slot n randomly, two tags may select the same slot n and each send an RN16. For example, tag-1 and tag-2 send RN16-1 and RN16-2, respectively. In this case, after receiving both RN16s, the reader can choose to reply with an ACK for only one RN16. For example, if the ACK sent by the reader carries RN16-1, tag-1 will assume that tag-1 has successfully accessed, while tag-2 will assume that tag-2 has failed to access. Tag-2 will then try to access again.

[0109] Step 204: The tag that has successfully connected sends an electronic product code (EPC) to the reader. The EPC is a globally unique tag identification (ID) and is usually tens or hundreds of bits long.

[0110] The above steps complete the inventory of a tag. Each slot only inventories a single tag at most. A reader may inventory multiple tags (in different slots) in a single query round. A reader may complete an inventory of all target tags across multiple query rounds.

[0111] Access process: It can also be understood as the unicast transmission process after a tag accesses the reader. In a certain slot, after a tag completes access, the reader can further perform unicast data transmission (such as reading, writing, etc.) for it. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the access process may include the following steps:

[0112] Step 205: After receiving the EPC, the reader sends a random number request (Req_RN) command to the tag. The Req_RN command carries the RN16 used by the tag to access the target tag, to identify the target tag.

[0113] Step 206: The tag sends a handle to the reader, where the handle is a 16-bit random number generated by the tag.

[0114] Step 207: In the subsequent communication process, each command (such as read or write memory) sent by the reader to the tag will carry the handle as the tag identifier. That is, in the subsequent unicast transmission process, the handle replaces the function of the RN16 mentioned above.

[0115] It should be noted that the RFID standard defines several flags within tags, one of which is the inventoried flag. The inventoried flag takes a value of either A or B. When a tag receives a Query, QueryRep, or QueryAdjust, if the tag has already been inventoried (that is, it is in the acknowledged state), the tag can flip the inventoried flag (marking the tag as inventoried); otherwise, the tag maintains the original value of the inventoried flag (marking the tag as uninventoried).

[0116] 3) Ambient IoT

[0117] Ambient IoT refers to technology that allows IoT devices to harvest energy from their surroundings (e.g., radio waves, solar energy, wind, vibration, heat, etc.) to meet their operational needs. IoT devices can operate without batteries or limited storage. In this application, the term "environment" can also refer to the surroundings, meaning that the ambient IoT can also refer to the ambient IoT.

[0118] In some scenarios, ambient IoT is also referred to as passive IoT. A source is a power source or energy source, while passive refers to the absence of an external energy source (e.g., a battery). Passive IoT refers to the passive nature of IoT devices. This doesn't mean they don't use energy (e.g., electricity), but rather that they use a different method to obtain energy.

[0119] In some embodiments, in an IoT environment, communication from reader to tag may be referred to as reader to device (R2D) communication, and communication from tag to reader may be referred to as device to reader (D2R) communication.

[0120] Currently, RFID systems are single-process systems. That is, within a certain period of time (a slot), the card reader only allows one tag to access and communicate with it. After the period ends, the next tag is allowed to access. If ambient IoT were still implemented in the same way as RFID systems, the system would be inefficient. Therefore, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method to improve efficiency.

[0121] In the following embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail using an access network device and a terminal device (such as a first terminal device or a second terminal device, etc.) as examples. It should be understood that the operations performed by the access network device can also be implemented by a processor, a chip, a chip system, or a functional module in the access network device, and the operations performed by the terminal device can also be implemented by a processor, a chip, a chip system, or a functional module in the terminal device, and this application does not limit this.

[0122] Based on the above description, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, such as Figure 3 As shown, the process of the method may include:

[0123] Step 301: The access network device sends a first message, where the first message indicates that a first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message.

[0124] It should be understood that the terminal device receiving the first message means that one or more terminal devices will receive the first message. In the description of the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device is used as an example for illustration. For example, Figure 3 In step 301, a first terminal device receiving a first message is used as an example. The first terminal device is one of the one or more terminal devices, and the other terminal devices are similar to the first terminal device.

[0125] The time unit may also be referred to as a time interval, a time period, or a time slot, etc., which is not limited in this application. The length of the time unit is not fixed, for example, N time units may correspond to N different time lengths.

[0126] Optionally, the first message may be a query signaling, or the first message may be a signal or message containing a query signaling. The query signaling may refer to the above description and will not be described in detail here. Accordingly, the first cycle may be understood as a query round initiated by the query signaling, i.e., a round of inventory process. Further, N time units may be 2 Q Wherein, Q is a parameter carried by the first message, which is used to indicate the number of time units in the first cycle, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0127] In this application, signaling and message are equivalent concepts and can be described interchangeably.

[0128] In some examples, the first message is used to indicate that the first period includes N time units, which can also be understood as the first message being used to trigger the start of the first period.

[0129] Step 302: The access network device sends the i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the i-th second message.

[0130] In an optional implementation, the first message may also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, with the i-th time unit being used for the first terminal device to initiate access.

[0131] It should be understood that the terminal device receiving the i-th second message means that one or more terminal devices will receive the i-th second message. In the description of the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device is used as an example for illustration. For example, Figure 3 Step 302 is illustrated by taking the first terminal device receiving the i-th second message as an example.

[0132] In the present application, the first terminal device selects the i-th time unit from N time units, and the first terminal device initiates access within the i-th time unit.

[0133] Optionally, other terminal devices may select another time unit from the N time units to initiate access. For example, the access network device sends the (i+1)th second message, and the (i+1)th second message is used to indicate the start of the (i+1)th time unit from the N time units. The second terminal device selects the (i+1)th time unit from the N time units, and the second terminal device initiates access within the (i+1)th time unit.

[0134] For another example, the access network device sends the (i+2)th second message, which is used to indicate the start of the (i+2)th time unit among the N time units. The third terminal device selects the (i+2)th time unit among the N time units, and the third terminal device initiates access within the (i+2)th time unit.

[0135] The same applies to other terminal devices. Here, only three terminal devices are used as an example. It should be understood that the three terminal devices are only examples and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0136] It should be understood that in the above example, it is described that only the first terminal device, the second terminal device and the third terminal device initiate access in the i-th, i+1-th and i+2-th time units respectively. In fact, the access initiated by the terminal device is contention-based access, so in the same time unit, there may be multiple terminal devices initiating access. For example, in the i-th time unit, there may also be a fourth terminal device initiating access. At this time, there is competition for the access of the first terminal device and the fourth terminal device. After the network device receives signals from two terminal devices (for example, two RN16s), it will at most feedback ACK for one terminal device, that is, (when the RN16s of different terminal devices are different) at most only one terminal device can successfully access.

[0137] In some embodiments, multiple terminal devices may initiate access within the time corresponding to the i-th time unit. For example, at the beginning of the i-th time unit, the first terminal device initiates access in the i-th time unit; at the beginning of the i+1-th time unit and before the end of the i-th time unit, when the second terminal device initiates access in the i+1-th time unit, it can also be understood that the second terminal device also initiates access in the i-th time unit; at the beginning of the i+2-th time unit and before the end of the i-th time unit, when the third terminal device initiates access in the i+2-th time unit, it can also be understood that the third terminal device also initiates access in the i-th time unit. In other words, within the i-th time unit, the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the third terminal device initiate access.

[0138] It should be understood that when the second terminal device initiates access within the i-th time unit, it means that the second terminal device initiates access during the overlapping time portion between the i-th time unit and the i+1-th time unit. Similarly, when the third terminal device initiates access within the i-th time unit, it means that the second terminal device initiates access during the overlapping time portion between the i-th time unit and the i+2-th time unit. It can be understood that, as mentioned above, the second terminal device and the third terminal device respectively select the i+1-th time unit and the i+2-th time unit to initiate access, but the time of initiating access also happens to fall within the i-th time unit.

[0139] Optionally, the second message may be a QueryRep signaling, or the second message may be a signal or message including a QueryRep signaling. The QueryRep signaling may be described in the foregoing introduction and will not be described in detail here.

[0140] Step 303: The access network device sends the (i+M)th second message, where the (i+M)th second message is used to indicate the end of the (i)th time unit, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the (i+M)th second message.

[0141] In an optional implementation, the first message may include M.

[0142] In another optional implementation, the terminal device may receive a third message before receiving the first message, and the third message may include M.

[0143] In this application, "include" can also be understood as "indicate". For example, if the first message includes "M", it can be understood that the first message indicates "M".

[0144] Optionally, the third message may be a Select signaling. For details about the Select signaling, please refer to the above introduction and will not be repeated here.

[0145] The terminal device receives the i+Mth second message, which means that one or more terminal devices will receive the i+Mth second message. In the description of the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device is used as an example for illustration. For example, Figure 3 Step 303 is illustrated by taking the first terminal device receiving the (i+M)th second message as an example.

[0146] It should be understood that since the (i+M)th second message is used to indicate the end of the (i)th time unit, when the first terminal device receives the (i+M)th second message, it can determine that the (i)th time unit has ended.

[0147] For example, still using the example of the second terminal device and the third terminal device mentioned above, the access network device sends the i+1+Mth second message, and the i+1+Mth second message is used to indicate the end of the i+1th time unit in N time units. At this time, when the second terminal device receives the i+1+Mth second message, it can determine that the i+1th time unit has ended.

[0148] The access network device sends the i+2+Mth second message, and the i+2+Mth second message is used to indicate the end of the i+2th time unit in N time units. At this time, when the third terminal device receives the i+2+Mth second message, it can determine that the i+2th time unit has ended.

[0149] Optionally, after the first terminal device initiates access within the i-th time unit, it sends a third identifier (e.g., RN16) to the access network device within the i-th time unit. The third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit. Thereafter, the access network device sends an access confirmation response message (e.g., ACK). In response to the access confirmation response message, the first terminal device sends a first identifier (e.g., EPC) to the access network device. When there is data transmission, the access network device carries the handle as the identifier of the first terminal device in subsequent commands. Among them, the handle can be found in the above introduction and will not be described in detail here.

[0150] The first identifier is assigned by the core network device. For example, when the first terminal device first accesses the network, the core network device assigns the first identifier to the first terminal device. In some examples, when the first terminal device first accesses the network, the first terminal device may report a random number to serve as the first identifier. If the core network device finds that the first terminal device has not been registered with the core network, it assigns the first identifier to the first terminal device for use when the first terminal device accesses the network again.

[0151] Alternatively, the first identifier is predefined. For example, the first identifier is determined when the first terminal device leaves the factory and is written into the memory of the first terminal device by the manufacturer of the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first identifier is assigned by the user of the first terminal device and written into the memory of the first terminal device.

[0152] The access confirmation response message may include a third identifier (eg, RN16) for indicating to which terminal device the access message of the access confirmation response message is in response.

[0153] Optionally, the first terminal device may send RN16 at a time interval T1 from the time of receiving the i-th second message, where T1 is a positive number.

[0154] The other terminal devices can communicate with the access network device in the same way within the time units they choose, and can refer to each other.

[0155] For example, assuming that M is 3, taking the second message as QueryRep signaling as an example, taking three terminal devices as an example, the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the third terminal device respectively select the i-th time unit, the i+1-th time unit, and the i+2-th time unit. Through the communication method of the present application, the i-th time unit ends under the indication of the i+3-th QueryRep signaling, the i+1-th time unit ends under the indication of the i+4-th QueryRep signaling, and the i+2-th time unit ends under the indication of the i+5-th QueryRep signaling. The first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the third terminal device communicate with the access network device respectively within the selected time units, for example Figure 4 shown.

[0156] Depend on Figure 4 It can be seen that the three terminal devices can interact with the access network device RN16, EPC, etc. respectively within their respective corresponding time units, that is, the access network device does not need to wait for the end of a time unit before communicating with another terminal device. Figure 4 It can be understood that M=3 processes are introduced, that is, three terminal devices can communicate with the access network device in parallel.

[0157] Among them, in the embodiments of the present application, parallel is a description in a macro sense. In the embodiments of the present application, parallel communication with the access network device includes the situation where only one terminal device communicates with the access network device at a certain moment, and includes the situation where at least two terminal devices communicate with the access network device at a certain moment or a certain time period. Exemplarily, in the present application, there will be an overlapping time period between at least every two adjacent time units, and at least two terminal devices communicate with the access network device during the overlapping time period, which can be understood as multiple terminal devices communicating with the access network device in parallel. The parallel involved in the following embodiments of the present application is similar, and can be referred to each other, and will not be repeated below.

[0158] In some embodiments, after receiving the (i+M)th second message, the first terminal device may change the flag bit from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed. This can also be understood as a terminal device changing the flag bit from the first value to the second value after the time unit for selecting to initiate access has expired.

[0159] Here, changing the flag bit from the first value to the second value can be understood as flipping the flag bit.

[0160] For example, the flag may be an inventoried flag.

[0161] In some scenarios, the indication that access has been completed can also be understood as marking as inventoried.

[0162] pass Figure 3 The communication method shown can achieve parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network devices, thereby improving transmission efficiency. In addition, indicating the end of the i-th time unit through the i+M-th second message can eliminate the need for introducing new signaling, saving signaling overhead.

[0163] Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the example in which the first message is not used to indicate the start of a time unit, and only the second message can indicate the start of a time unit is used for explanation. In some scenarios, both the first message and the second message can indicate the start of a time unit, and in this case the first message can indicate the start of the first time unit among N time units. Then the first second message indicates the start of the second time unit, that is, the i-th second message indicates the start of the i+1-th time unit, and i is a positive integer less than or equal to N-1. In this scenario, the M-th second message can indicate the end of the first time unit, and the i+M-th second message is used to indicate the end of the i+1-th time unit. In this way, after a message indicates the start of a time unit, the end of the time unit can be indicated by a message separated by M.

[0164] In order to improve the working efficiency of the system, the embodiment of the present application also provides another communication method, such as Figure 5 As shown, the process of the method may include:

[0165] Step 501: The access network device sends a first message, where the first message indicates that a first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message.

[0166] Among them, step 501 is similar to the aforementioned step 301, and they can refer to each other, and will not be repeated here.

[0167] Step 502: The access network device sends the i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the i-th second message.

[0168] Among them, step 502 is similar to the aforementioned step 302, and they can refer to each other, and will not be repeated here.

[0169] Figure 5 Steps 501 and 502 shown in FIG. 5 are still illustrated by taking the first terminal device as an example.

[0170] Step 503: The access network device sends a fourth message, which is used to indicate the end of N time units. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth message.

[0171] It should be understood that when a terminal device receives the fourth message, one or more terminal devices will receive the fourth message. When all terminal devices receive the fourth message, the time unit selected by each terminal device ends. It can also be understood that N time units end at the same time. In the description of the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device is used as an example for illustration. For example, Figure 5 Step 503 is illustrated by taking the first terminal device receiving the fourth message as an example.

[0172] That is to say, each second message starts a time unit. In this way, after multiple second messages start different time units respectively, multiple time units will overlap until the fourth message appears and multiple time units end at the same time.

[0173] In an optional implementation, the fourth message may be a newly defined message. For example, the fourth message may be named an All Slots End (AllslotsEnd) message. Of course, the fourth message may also have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0174] For example, taking the second message as QueryRep signaling and the fourth message as AllslotsEnd message as an example, the schematic diagram of the start and end of the i-th time unit to the N-th time unit can be as follows: Figure 6 shown.

[0175] In another optional implementation, the fourth message may also be used to indicate that the second cycle includes K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0176] Alternatively, it can also be understood that the fourth message is also used to trigger the start of the second cycle.

[0177] Exemplarily, the fourth message may be the next Query signaling after the first message, that is, the next Query signaling may indicate the start of the second cycle (ie, the next Query Round) or the end of all time units in the first cycle.

[0178] For example, taking the second message as QueryRep signaling and the fourth message as the next Query signaling after the first message as an example, the schematic diagram of the start and end of the i-th time unit to the N-th time unit can be as follows: Figure 7 shown.

[0179] Depend on Figure 6 and Figure 7As can be seen, multiple time units can exist in parallel, that is, multiple terminal devices can communicate with the access network device in parallel. For example, the process of each terminal device communicating with the access network device within the selected time unit can be referred to the process of the tag communicating with the reader within a slot, and will not be described in detail here.

[0180] In some embodiments, after receiving the fourth message, the first terminal device may change the flag bit from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed. Alternatively, a terminal device may change the flag bit from the first value to the second value after the time unit selected to initiate access has expired. The same applies to other terminal devices.

[0181] Here, changing the flag bit from the first value to the second value can be understood as flipping the flag bit.

[0182] For example, the flag may be an inventoried flag.

[0183] In some scenarios, the indication that access has been completed can also be understood as marking as inventoried.

[0184] pass Figure 5 The communication method shown can achieve parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network equipment, thereby improving transmission efficiency. In addition, the newly defined message indicating the end of all time units in the current cycle only introduces one new signaling message. The next query signaling message indicating the end of all time units in the current cycle can eliminate the need for new signaling messages, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0185] Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the first message is not used to indicate the start of a time unit, and only the second message can indicate the start of a time unit. In some scenarios, both the first message and the second message can indicate the start of a time unit. In this case, the first message can indicate the start of the first time unit among N time units. Then the first second message indicates the start of the second time unit, that is, the i-th second message indicates the start of the i+1-th time unit, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N-1. In this scenario, the end of N time units can still be indicated by a fourth message, and the fourth message can still refer to the above description.

[0186] Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth message may indicate the end of N time units. In some scenarios, multiple fourth messages may be defined, and each fourth message may indicate the end of all time units opened before the fourth message. For example, after F time units are opened, the access network device sends a fourth message, and the fourth message indicates the end of the aforementioned F time units, where F is an integer greater than or equal to 2. It can be understood that the access network device will end the F time units before the fourth message through a fourth message every F time units. Optionally, the fourth message may be a newly defined message, or the second message may be reused. For example, the fourth message may be a second message that is separated by F time units from the first time unit of the F time units. It should be understood that the fourth message is merely an example, and there may be many other implementation methods, which are not limited by this application.

[0187] In order to improve the working efficiency of the system, the embodiment of the present application also provides another communication method, such as Figure 8 As shown, the process of the method may include:

[0188] Step 801: The access network device sends a first message, where the first message indicates that a first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message.

[0189] Among them, step 801 is similar to the aforementioned step 301, and they can refer to each other, and will not be repeated here.

[0190] Step 802: The access network device sends the i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit among N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the i-th second message.

[0191] Among them, step 802 is similar to the aforementioned step 302, and they can refer to each other, and will not be repeated here.

[0192] Figure 8 Steps 801 and 802 shown in FIG. 8 are still illustrated by taking the first terminal device as an example.

[0193] Step 803: The access network device sends the ith fifth message, where the ith fifth message is used to indicate the end of the ith time unit. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the ith fifth message.

[0194] Optionally, the fifth message may be a broadcast message, and the fifth message does not carry an identifier or a time slot unit index, etc.

[0195] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a newly defined message, for example, the fifth message may be a slot end (slotEnd) message. Of course, the fifth message may also have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0196] The terminal device receives the i-th fifth message, which means that one or more terminal devices will receive the i-th fifth message. In the description of the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device is used as an example for illustration. For example, Figure 8 Step 803 is illustrated by taking the first terminal device receiving the i-th fifth message as an example.

[0197] It should be understood that each time unit corresponds to a fifth message to indicate the end of that time unit. After the first terminal device selects the i-th time unit, when the first terminal device receives the i-th fifth message, it can be determined that the i-th time unit has ended. The receipt of the i-th fifth message by other terminal devices does not end the time units selected by other terminal devices. In other words, other terminal devices will only end their selected time units when they recognize the message indicating the end of the time units corresponding to the other terminal devices.

[0198] Optionally, after the first terminal device initiates access within the i-th time unit, it sends a third identifier (e.g., RN16) to the access network device within the corresponding time unit. The third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit. The access network device then sends an access confirmation response message (e.g., ACK). In response to the access confirmation response message, the first identifier (e.g., EPC) is sent to the access network device. When data is transmitted, the access network device carries the handle as the identifier of the first terminal device in subsequent commands. Among them, the handle can be found in the above introduction and will not be described in detail here.

[0199] The first identifier is allocated by the core network device, or the first identifier is predefined. Figure 3 The relevant description of the first identifier involved in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0200] The access confirmation response message may include a third identifier (eg, RN16) for indicating to which terminal device the access message of the access confirmation response message is in response.

[0201] Optionally, the first terminal device may send RN16 at a time interval T1 from the time of receiving the i-th second message, where T1 is a positive number.

[0202] The other terminal devices can communicate with the access network device in the same way within the time units they choose, and can refer to each other.

[0203] For example, taking the second message as QueryRep signaling and the fifth message as slotEnd message as an example, and taking three terminal devices as an example, the first terminal device, the second terminal device and the third terminal device respectively select the i-th time unit, the i+1-th time unit and the i+2-th time unit. Through the communication method of the present application, the i-th time unit ends under the instruction of the i-th slotEnd message, the i+1-th time unit ends under the instruction of the i+1-th slotEnd message, and the i+2-th time unit ends under the instruction of the i+2-th slotEnd message. The first terminal device, the second terminal device and the third terminal device respectively communicate with the access network device within the selected time unit, for example Figure 9 shown.

[0204] Depend on Figure 9 It can be seen that the three terminal devices can interact with the access network device RN16, EPC, etc. respectively within their respective corresponding time units, that is, the access network device does not need to wait for the end of a time unit before communicating with another terminal device. Figure 9 It can be understood that three terminal devices communicate with the access network device in parallel.

[0205] In an optional embodiment, after receiving the i-th fifth message, the first terminal device may change the flag bit from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed. The principle is similar to the principle described above in which the first terminal device changes the flag bit from the first value to the second value after receiving the i+M-th second message. Reference can be made to each other and will not be described in detail here. Other terminal devices operate similarly after receiving the fifth message corresponding to their respective selected time units and will not be described individually here.

[0206] pass Figure 8 The communication method shown can realize parallel transmission between multiple terminal devices and access network devices, thereby improving transmission efficiency. At the same time, the access network device can control the sending position of the fifth message, thereby controlling the duration of a time unit, thereby controlling the number of terminal devices transmitting in parallel and reducing communication interference between terminal devices.

[0207] Figure 8In the illustrated embodiment, the first message is not used to indicate the start of a time unit, and only the second message can indicate the start of a time unit. In some scenarios, both the first message and the second message can indicate the start of a time unit. In this case, the first message can indicate the start of the first time unit among N time units. Then the first second message indicates the start of the second time unit, that is, the i-th second message indicates the start of the i+1-th time unit, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N-1. In this scenario, the end of the i-th time unit can still be indicated by the i-th fifth message, and the fifth message can still refer to the above description.

[0208] also, Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the time unit corresponds to the fifth message one by one, that is, the i-th time unit corresponds to the i-th fifth message. In some scenarios, multiple time units may correspond to one fifth message, that is, the 1st to n-th time units correspond to the 1st fifth message, the n+1th to 2n-th time units correspond to the 2nd fifth message, and so on. In this scenario, through the The fifth message indicates the end of the i-th time unit. Where n is a positive integer, Indicates a round-up operation.

[0209] In addition, in current RFID systems, since both RN16 and handle are randomly selected by the tag, a conflict will occur when two tags select the same random number (i.e., a reader sends a signal, and both tags think it is sent to themselves; or two tags send the same RN16, and the reader cannot realize that it is two tags that sent RN16). If a large number of tags are transmitted within a period of time, the probability of a conflict will also increase. Based on this, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method to reduce the probability of identification conflicts of terminal devices.

[0210] For example, in order to reduce the probability of identification conflicts of terminal devices, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, such as Figure 10 As shown, the process of the method may include:

[0211] Step 1001: The access network device sends an access confirmation response message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device sends an access confirmation response message.

[0212] For example, Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown in , the access confirmation response message may be an ACK message.

[0213] In some embodiments, before receiving the access confirmation response message, the first terminal device may send a sixth message for accessing the access network device. The sixth message may include a third identifier, which is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit. Accordingly, the access network device receives the sixth message. The i-th time unit is the time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0214] The third identifier is generated by the first terminal device.

[0215] Optional, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown in FIG, the third identifier may be RN16. It should be understood that the third identifier may also be other identifiers, which is not limited in this application.

[0216] In some examples, the ACK message sent by the access network device may include a third identifier (such as RN16) to clarify that the ACK message is sent to the first terminal device.

[0217] In an optional embodiment, before the first terminal device sends the sixth message, the access network device sends a first message, and the first terminal device receives the first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, the i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to N.

[0218] The first message may also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in a first cycle, wherein the first terminal device is one of the one or more terminal devices, and the first terminal device selects to initiate access within the i-th time unit in the first cycle.

[0219] Specifically, the first message can be found in the relevant introduction in the aforementioned embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0220] For example, Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the example, the first message is Query signaling.

[0221] Step 1002: The first terminal device sends a first identifier to the access network device in response to the access confirmation response message. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first identifier.

[0222] The first identifier may be assigned by a core network device. For example, when the first terminal device first accesses the network, the core network device assigns the first identifier to the first terminal device. In some examples, when the first terminal device first accesses the network, the first terminal device may report a random number to serve as the first identifier. If the core network device finds that the first terminal device has not been registered with the core network, it assigns the first identifier to the first terminal device for use when the first terminal device accesses the network again.

[0223] Alternatively, the first identifier may be predefined. For example, the first identifier is determined when the first terminal device leaves the factory and is written into the memory of the first terminal device by the manufacturer of the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first identifier may be assigned by the user of the first terminal device and written into the memory of the first terminal device.

[0224] Optionally, the first identifier may be EPC, or other identifiers, which are not limited in this application. Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the example, the first identifier is EPC.

[0225] Step 1003: The access network device sends a second identifier, which is used to identify the first terminal device in the i-th time unit. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second identifier.

[0226] In some embodiments, the access network device may indicate the second identifier by sending a seventh message, so that the access network device sends the second identifier. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the seventh message indicating the second identifier, so that the first terminal device receives the second identifier.

[0227] In one example, the seventh message indicating the second identifier may be implemented by the seventh message directly including the second identifier, or the seventh message may also display an indication of the second identifier in other ways, which is not limited in this application.

[0228] Specifically, the second identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit, which means identifying the first terminal device during the communication process after the first terminal device completes access within the i-th time unit.

[0229] Optionally, the second identifier may be a handle, or may be other identifiers, which are not limited in this application. Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the example, the second identifier is handle.

[0230] After the access network device sends the second identifier and the first terminal receives the second identifier, in subsequent communications between the first terminal device and the access network device, each signaling may include the second identifier to indicate that the signaling is sent to the first terminal device. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The command sent by the first terminal device to the access network device includes a handle.

[0231] In this way, the access network device allocates a second identifier to the first terminal device and carries the second identifier in subsequent signaling to identify the first terminal device. The first terminal device does not need to generate the second identifier by itself, avoiding the terminal devices from generating the same second identifier, thereby reducing conflicts.

[0232] In a possible example, the seventh message may further include a third identifier, and the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device. Figure 11 The seventh message including handle (ie, the second identifier) ​​and RN16 (ie, the third identifier) ​​is taken as an example.

[0233] In another possible example, the seventh message may further include a first identifier, where the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device. Figure 12 The seventh message including the handle (ie, the second identifier) ​​and the EPC (ie, the first identifier) ​​is taken as an example.

[0234] Since the first identifier (such as EPC) is the unique identifier of the first terminal device, the case where the first identifier is included in the seventh message can avoid the conflict caused by the first terminal device and other terminal devices selecting the same third identifier compared to the case where the third identifier is included in the seventh message.

[0235] In some embodiments, as Figure 11 or Figure 12 As shown, after the first terminal device receives the second identifier, it can send an eighth message, which is used to indicate that the second identifier has been received. Accordingly, the access network device receives the eighth message to clarify that the first terminal device has received the second identifier.

[0236] Exemplarily, the eighth message may be a confirmation message, a response message, or other message, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0237] Optionally, the eighth message may include a second identifier (such as handle) to indicate that the eighth message is sent to the first terminal device.

[0238] In an optional embodiment, as Figure 13As shown, the value of the third identifier can belong to the first value range, and the value of the second identifier can belong to the second value range, and the first value range and the second value range do not intersect. This can avoid the situation where the third identifier generated by one terminal device is the same as the second identifier assigned to another terminal device by the access network device, thereby reducing conflicts between terminal devices.

[0239] The union of the first value range and the second value range may be the total value range of the 16-bit random number. The first value range, the second value range, and the total value range may be referred to as an identification resource pool or other names.

[0240] Optionally, the first value range may be larger than the second value range, which can reduce the probability of selecting the same value of the third identifier between terminal devices.

[0241] based on Figure 10 The communication method shown, by allocating a second identifier to a first terminal device through an access network device, can reduce the probability of identifier conflicts of the terminal devices.

[0242] It should be understood that Figure 10 The embodiment described can be combined with the aforementioned Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 8 The embodiments shown are combined.

[0243] Based on the above embodiments, the present application also provides a communication device, see Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1400 may include a transceiver unit 1401 and a processing unit 1402. The transceiver unit 1401 is used for the communication device 1400 to communicate, such as receiving information (message or data) or sending information (message or data), and the processing unit 1402 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 1400. The processing unit 1402 may also control the steps performed by the transceiver unit 1401.

[0244] Exemplarily, the communication device 1400 may specifically be the terminal device (such as the first terminal device) in the above embodiment, a processor of the terminal device (such as the first terminal device), or a chip, or a chip system, or a functional module, etc. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 may specifically be the access network device in the above embodiment, a processor, or a chip, or a chip system, or a functional module, etc. in the access network device.

[0245] In one embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 3In the embodiment shown, when the terminal device (such as the first terminal device) functions, the transceiver unit 1401 can be used to: receive a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; and, receive the i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit in the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and, receive the i+M-th second message, where the i+M-th second message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The processing unit 1402 can be used to control the transceiver operation of the transceiver unit 1401.

[0246] In an optional implementation, the first message may include the M; or the transceiver unit 1401 may also be configured to: receive a third message before receiving the first message, the third message including the M.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first message can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, and the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

[0248] Among them, the i-th time unit can be selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0249] In one example, the processing unit 1402 can also be used to: after the transceiver unit 1401 receives the i+Mth second message, change the flag bit from the first value to the second value, and the second value is used to indicate that the access has been completed.

[0250] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, when the access network device functions, the transceiver unit 1401 may be configured to: send a first message indicating that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; send an i-th second message indicating the start of an i-th time unit among the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and send an i+M-th second message indicating the end of the i-th time unit, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The processing unit 1402 may be configured to control the transceiver unit 1401's transceiver operations.

[0251] In an optional implementation, the first message may include the M; or the transceiver unit 1401 may also be configured to: send a third message before sending the first message, the third message including the M.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first message can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

[0253] Optionally, the i-th time unit may be selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0254] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, when a terminal device (such as a first terminal device) functions, the transceiver unit 1401 may be configured to: receive a first message indicating that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; receive an i-th second message indicating the start of an i-th time unit in the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and receive a fourth message indicating the end of the N time units. The processing unit 1402 may be configured to control the transceiver unit 1401's transceiver operations.

[0255] In an optional implementation, the fourth message may also be used to indicate that the second cycle includes K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0256] In some examples, the first message can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

[0257] Optionally, the i-th time unit may be selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0258] In a possible manner, the processing unit 1402 may also be configured to: after the transceiver unit 1401 receives the fourth message, change the flag bit from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed.

[0259] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, when the access network device functions, the transceiver unit 1401 may be configured to: send a first message indicating that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; send an i-th second message indicating the start of an i-th time unit of the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and send a fourth message indicating the end of the N time units. The processing unit 1402 may be configured to control the transceiver unit 1401's transceiver operations.

[0260] In an optional implementation, the fourth message is further used to indicate that the second cycle includes K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0261] Optionally, the first message can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

[0262] Exemplarily, the i-th time unit may be selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0263] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, when the terminal device (such as the first terminal device) functions, the transceiver unit 1401 can be used to: receive a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; receive an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of the i-th time unit in the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and receive an i-th fifth message, where the i-th fifth message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit. The processing unit 1402 can be used to control the transceiver unit 1401's transceiver operations.

[0264] In an optional embodiment, the first message can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

[0265] Optionally, the i-th time unit may be selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0266] In one possible manner, the processing unit 1402 may also be configured to: after the transceiver unit 1401 receives the i-th fifth message, change the flag bit from the first value to the second value, where the second value is used to indicate that access has been completed.

[0267] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, when the access network device functions, the transceiver unit 1401 may be configured to: send a first message indicating that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; send an i-th second message indicating the start of an i-th time unit among the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; and send an i-th fifth message indicating the end of the i-th time unit. The processing unit 1402 may be configured to control the transceiver unit 1401's transceiver operations.

[0268] In an optional embodiment, the first message can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

[0269] Exemplarily, the i-th time unit may be selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

[0270] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, when the terminal device (such as the first terminal device) functions, the transceiver unit 1401 can be used to: receive an access confirmation response message, and in response to the access confirmation response message, send a first identifier to the access network device, where the first identifier is assigned by the core network device, or the first identifier is predefined; and receive a second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit, where the i-th time unit is the time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, and i is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The processing unit 1402 can be used to control the transceiver operation of the transceiver unit 1401.

[0271] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit 1401 can also be used to: send a sixth message before receiving the access confirmation response message, the sixth message is used to access the access network device, the sixth message includes a third identifier, and the third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit.

[0272] The third identifier is generated by the first terminal device.

[0273] Optionally, the value of the third identifier belongs to a first value range, the value of the second identifier belongs to a second value range, and the first value range and the second value range have no intersection.

[0274] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit 1401 can also be used to: receive a first message before sending the sixth message, wherein the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle contains N time units, the i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to N.

[0275] In one example, the first message may also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period.

[0276] In some embodiments, when receiving the second identifier, the transceiver unit 1401 can be used to: receive a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to indicate the second identifier; the seventh message also includes the third identifier, where the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device, or the seventh message also includes the first identifier, where the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device.

[0277] In an optional implementation, the transceiver unit 1401 may also be configured to send an eighth message, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the second identifier has been received.

[0278] In another embodiment, the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, when the access network device functions, the transceiver unit 1401 can be used to: send an access confirmation response message; receive a first identifier, where the first identifier is assigned to the core network device or the first identifier is predefined; and send a second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit, where the i-th time unit is the time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, and i is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The processing unit 1402 can be used to control the transceiver operation of the transceiver unit 1401.

[0279] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit 1401 can also be used to: receive a sixth message before sending the access confirmation response message, the sixth message is used to access the access network device, the sixth message includes a third identifier, and the third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit.

[0280] Optionally, the third identifier is generated by the first terminal device.

[0281] In one example, the value of the third identifier belongs to a first value range, the value of the second identifier belongs to a second value range, and the first value range and the second value range have no intersection.

[0282] In some embodiments, the transceiver unit 1401 can also be used to: send a first message before receiving the sixth message, wherein the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle contains N time units, the i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to N.

[0283] Exemplarily, the first message may also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period.

[0284] In one possible embodiment, when sending the second identifier, the transceiver unit 1401 can be used to: send a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to indicate the second identifier; the seventh message also includes the third identifier, where the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device, or the seventh message also includes the first identifier, where the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device.

[0285] In some embodiments, the transceiver unit 1401 may also be configured to receive an eighth message, where the eighth message is configured to indicate that the second identifier has been received.

[0286] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. The functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0287] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0288] Based on the above embodiments, the present application also provides a communication device, see Figure 15 As shown, the communication device 1500 may include a processor 1502. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a transceiver 1501. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1503. The memory 1503 may be disposed inside the communication device 1500 or outside the communication device 1500. The processor 1502 may control the transceiver 1501 to receive and send information, messages, or data.

[0289] Specifically, the processor 1502 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 1502 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0290] The transceiver 1501, the processor 1502, and the memory 1503 are interconnected. Optionally, the transceiver 1501, the processor 1502, and the memory 1503 are interconnected via a bus 1504; the bus 1504 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, Figure 15 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0291] In an optional embodiment, the memory 1503 is used to store programs, etc. Specifically, the programs may include program code, which includes computer operating instructions. The memory 1503 may include RAM, or may also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as one or more disk storage devices. The processor 1502 executes the application program stored in the memory 1503 to implement the above functions, thereby realizing the functions of the communication device 1500.

[0292] In one embodiment, when the communication device 1500 implements the functions of the terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device) in the aforementioned method embodiment, the transceiver 1501 can implement the transceiver operations performed by the terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device) in the aforementioned method embodiment; and the processor 1502 can implement other operations performed by the terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device) in the aforementioned method embodiment in addition to the transceiver operations. Specific related descriptions can be found in the relevant descriptions of the aforementioned method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0293] In another embodiment, when the communication device 1500 implements the functions of the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiment, the transceiver 1501 may implement the transceiver operations performed by the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiment; and the processor 1502 may implement other operations performed by the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiment in addition to the transceiver operations. For specific details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0294] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which may include the terminal device (such as the first terminal device, etc.) and access network device involved in the above embodiments.

[0295] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0296] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0297] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to call a program in the memory so that the chip implements the communication method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0298] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is coupled to a memory and is used to implement the communication method provided in the above method embodiment.

[0299] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0300] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0301] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0302] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0303] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receive a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; receiving an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of an i-th time unit among the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; An i+Mth second message is received, where the i+Mth second message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first message includes the M; or The method further includes: receiving a third message before receiving the first message, the third message including the M.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After receiving the (i+M)th second message, the method further includes: The flag bit is changed from a first value to a second value, where the second value is used to indicate that the access has been completed.

4. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; Sending an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of an i-th time unit in the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; Send an i+Mth second message, where the i+Mth second message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first message includes the M; or The method further includes: sending a third message before sending the first message, wherein the third message includes the M.

6. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receive a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; receiving an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of an i-th time unit among the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; A fourth message is received, where the fourth message is used to indicate that the N time units have ended.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The fourth message is further used to indicate that the second cycle includes K time units, where K is a positive integer.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: After receiving the fourth message, the method further includes: The flag bit is changed from a first value to a second value, where the second value is used to indicate that the access has been completed.

9. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; Sending an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of an i-th time unit in the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; A fourth message is sent, where the fourth message is used to indicate that the N time units have ended.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The fourth message is further used to indicate that the second cycle includes K time units, where K is a positive integer.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receive a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that a first period includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; receiving an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of an i-th time unit among the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; An i-th fifth message is received, where the i-th fifth message is used to indicate an end of the i-th time unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein After receiving the i-th fifth message, the method further includes: The flag bit is changed from a first value to a second value, where the second value is used to indicate that the access has been completed.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the first cycle includes N time units, where N is a positive integer; Sending an i-th second message, where the i-th second message is used to indicate the start of an i-th time unit in the N time units, where i is a positive integer less than or equal to N; An i-th fifth message is sent, where the i-th fifth message is used to indicate the end of the i-th time unit.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The first message is also used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first period, the i-th time unit is used for the first terminal device to initiate access, and the first terminal device is any one of the one or more terminal devices.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The i-th time unit is selected by the first terminal device from the N time units.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving an access confirmation response message, and sending a first identifier to the access network device in response to the access confirmation response message, where the first identifier is allocated by the core network device or is predefined; Receive a second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit, where the i-th time unit is the time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, and i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein Before receiving the access confirmation response message, the method further includes: Send a sixth message, where the sixth message is used to access the access network device, and the sixth message includes a third identifier, where the third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein Before sending the sixth message, the method further includes: A first message is received, where the first message is used to indicate that a first cycle includes N time units, an i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to the N.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: Receiving the second identifier includes: receiving a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to indicate the second identifier; The seventh message also includes the third identifier, and the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device, or the seventh message also includes the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein: The method further comprises: An eighth message is sent, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the second identifier has been received.

21. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending an access confirmation response message; receiving a first identifier, where the first identifier is allocated by a core network device or is predefined; Send a second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit, where the i-th time unit is the time unit in which the first terminal device initiates access, and i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein Before sending the access confirmation response message, the method further includes: Receive a sixth message, where the sixth message is used to access the access network device, and the sixth message includes a third identifier, where the third identifier is used to identify the first terminal device within the i-th time unit.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein Before receiving the sixth message, the method further includes: A first message is sent, where the first message is used to indicate that a first cycle includes N time units, the i-th time unit is included in the N time units, N is a positive integer, and i is less than or equal to the N.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein: Sending the second identifier includes: sending a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to indicate the second identifier; The seventh message also includes the third identifier, and the third identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device, or the seventh message also includes the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to indicate that the seventh message is sent to the first terminal device.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein: The method further comprises: An eighth message is received, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the second identifier has been received.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19 and 22 to 24, wherein: The third identifier is generated by the first terminal device.

27. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19 and 22 to 24, wherein: The value of the third identifier belongs to a first value range, the value of the second identifier belongs to a second value range, and the first value range and the second value range have no intersection.

28. The method according to claim 18 or 23, wherein The first message is also used to instruct one or more terminal devices to initiate access in the first cycle.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and 14 to 15, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 4 to 5 and 14 to 15, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 6 to 8 and 14 to 15, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 9 to 10 and 14 to 15, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 11 to 12 and 14 to 15, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 13 to 15, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 16 to 20 and 26 to 28, or a module or unit for executing the method described in any one of claims 21 to 28.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-3, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 4-5, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 6-8, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 9-10, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 11-12, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 13-15, or the method according to any one of claims 16-20, 26-28, or the method according to any one of claims 21-28.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when called by the computer, execute the method according to any one of claims 1-3, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 4-5, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 6-8, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 9-10, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 11-12, 14-15, or the method according to any one of claims 13-15, or the method according to any one of claims 16-20, 26-28, or the method according to any one of claims 21-28.

32. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 14 to 15, or the method according to any one of claims 4 to 5, 14 to 15 to be performed, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, 14 to 15 to be performed, or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 10, 14 to 15 to be performed, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, 14 to 15 to be performed, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15 to be performed, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, 26 to 28 to be performed, or the method according to any one of claims 21 to 28 to be performed.

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