Communication method and apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, computer program product

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device, computer readable storage medium and computer program product, relating to the technical field of communication. The method comprises: a reader sends first information to a device, and correspondingly, the device receives the first information, the first information being used for triggering random access; in response to a value of a counter being less than a first quantity, the device sends second information using a first resource, and correspondingly, the reader receives the second information, the second information comprising a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined according to the value of the counter and the first quantity, and the first quantity being a quantity of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit. Through the application scheme, the device access efficiency and communication efficiency in the A-IoT system can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically to a communication method and apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] The latest 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) meeting identified the first 16 radio access network (RAN) projects for the R19 protocol (Release 19). Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) is one of the important R19 standardization topics.

[0003] In A-IoT systems, multi-device read / write identification is similar to multi-tag identification in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems. In multi-tag identification environments, multiple tags typically exist simultaneously and send data to the reader at the same time, leading to response conflicts and impacting the tag reading speed of the RFID system. Current solutions mostly employ time-slot-based anti-collision algorithms. However, when the number of tags is large, this results in too many time slots for communication or a sharp increase in the collision rate within a time slot, drastically reducing the identification efficiency and channel utilization of the RFID system. Directly applying the existing multi-tag identification mechanism of RFID systems to A-IoT systems would obviously affect device access efficiency and communication efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention is how to improve the device access efficiency and communication efficiency in A-IoT systems.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; in response to a counter value being less than a first quantity, sending second information using a first resource, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined based on the counter value and the first quantity, the first quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0006] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving third information, the third information including information on at least one frequency domain location, the at least one frequency domain location being selected from an available frequency domain location associated with the first time unit.

[0007] Optionally, the third information includes: fourth information, including at least one random access identifier included in the second information; and / or, fifth information, including the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit.

[0008] Optionally, the fourth information may also include the first frequency domain location associated with the random access identifier.

[0009] Optionally, the communication method further includes: in response to the third information including the correct random access identifier, sending sixth information using a second resource, the sixth information including a device identifier, the second resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a first frequency domain position; in response to the third information not including the random access identifier or the random access identifier included in the third information being incorrect, adjusting the value of the counter to a first preset value.

[0010] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate the release of a third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, wherein the third resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a third time unit and the first frequency domain position.

[0011] Optionally, the communication method further includes: in response to the value of the counter being greater than or equal to the first quantity, in response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit, subtracting the first quantity from the value of the counter to obtain an updated counter value; in response to the updated counter value being less than the second quantity, sending the second information using a fourth resource, wherein the fourth resource is a time-frequency resource defined by the second time unit and the second frequency domain position, the second frequency domain position being determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, and the second quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the second time unit.

[0012] Optionally, the second quantity is the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain positions associated with correctly received second information, and / or the second quantity is indicated by third information.

[0013] Optionally, the first frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the counter value and the first quantity or the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter, and N is the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit.

[0014] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving configuration information, the configuration information including the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

[0015] Optionally, the configuration information may be selection information or inventory query information.

[0016] Optionally, the frequency domain location of the at least one resource is indicated by at least one of the following methods: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and frequency division ratio.

[0017] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication method, comprising: sending first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; receiving second information, the second information being sent by a device whose counter value is less than a first number using a first resource, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined according to the counter value and the first number, the first number being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0018] Optionally, the communication method further includes: sending third information, the third information including information on at least one frequency domain location, the at least one frequency domain location being selected from an available frequency domain location associated with the first time unit.

[0019] Optionally, the third information includes: fourth information, including at least one random access identifier included in the second information; and / or, fifth information, including the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit.

[0020] Optionally, the fourth information may also include the first frequency domain location associated with the random access identifier.

[0021] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving sixth information, the sixth information being sent by the device using a second resource in response to the third information including the correct random access identifier, the sixth information including a device identifier, and the second resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and the first frequency domain position.

[0022] Optionally, the communication method further includes: sending a seventh message, the seventh message being used to indicate the release of a third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, wherein the third resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a third time unit and the first frequency domain position.

[0023] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving second information, the second information being sent by a device whose updated counter value is less than a second quantity using a fourth resource, the fourth resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a second frequency domain position, the second frequency domain position being determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, the second quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the second time unit, wherein the updating process of the counter value includes: in response to the counter value being greater than or equal to the first quantity, in response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit, subtracting the first quantity from the counter value to obtain an updated counter value.

[0024] Optionally, the second quantity is the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain positions associated with correctly received second information, and / or the second quantity is indicated by third information.

[0025] Optionally, the first frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the counter value and the first quantity or the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter, and N is the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit.

[0026] Optionally, the communication method further includes: sending configuration information, the configuration information including the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

[0027] Optionally, the configuration information may be selection information or inventory query information.

[0028] Optionally, the frequency domain location of the at least one resource is indicated by at least one of the following methods: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and frequency division ratio.

[0029] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, comprising: a receiving module for receiving first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; and a sending module for sending second information using a first resource in response to a counter value being less than a first quantity, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined based on the counter value and the first quantity, the first quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0030] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; and a receiving module for receiving second information, the second information being transmitted by a device whose counter value is less than a first number using a first resource, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined based on the counter value and the first number, the first number being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0031] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile or non-transient storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When the computer program is run by a processor, it executes the steps of the above-described method.

[0032] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the above-described method when running the computer program.

[0033] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described method.

[0034] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, including a network device and a terminal device for performing the above-described methods.

[0035] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application also provides a chip (or communication device) storing a computer program, which, when executed by the chip, implements the steps of the above-described method.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0037] This application provides a communication method, comprising: a reader sending first information to a device (e.g., a tag), and correspondingly, the device receiving the first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; in response to a counter value being less than a first quantity, the device sending second information using a first resource, and correspondingly, the reader receiving the second information, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain location, the first frequency domain location being determined according to the counter value and the first quantity, and the first quantity being the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit.

[0038] The device can be, for example, a tag. In this application, the resources used by the tag to send the second information are access resources in both the time and frequency domains, which helps to better distinguish multiple tags and achieve collision avoidance. Furthermore, compared to the prior art where a tag can only initiate random access when the counter value is zero, this application's solution, by adding a frequency domain dimension, allows one or more tags with counter values ​​less than a first number to initiate random access in the same time unit. This increases the chance of successful tag access through Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), improving device access efficiency. Furthermore, the selection of the first frequency domain position is related to the counter and the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit, enabling the tag to accurately determine the appropriate frequency domain resources to initiate random access. Therefore, the communication efficiency of multi-device read / write identification in the A-IoT system can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, the reader sends third information, and correspondingly, the device receives the third information. The third information includes information about at least one frequency domain location, selected from available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit. Thus, the reader can respond to random access for different frequency points using the third information. Furthermore, the third information can indicate response information for different frequency points, allowing different devices to perform different operations at different frequency points in the second time unit. For example, the third information may include a random access identifier carried in the received second information, so that a device that sent the corresponding random access identifier in the first time unit can send a sixth message (carrying a device identifier) ​​using the second resource in the second time unit. As another example, the third information can indicate available frequency points associated with the second time unit, so that devices that did not send the second information in the first time unit can perform access operations in the second time unit. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a tag inventory process provided in this application;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the PRDCH command provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the PRDCH command provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a frequency domain location indication method for a resource provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the PRDCH command provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the PRDCH command provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the PRDCH command provided in this embodiment of the invention;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth structure of the PRDCH command provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the seventh structure of the PRDCH command provided in this embodiment of the invention;

[0050] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of time-frequency resources in a typical application scenario of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] A-IoT is a highly simplified Internet of Things (IoT) technology that allows objects to harvest energy from environmental sources such as light sources, heat sources, and radio waves, and then transmit signals via backscattering and low-power radio frequency (RF) to achieve low-bandwidth data transmission. It offers advantages in transmission speed, power consumption, size, and cost. 3GPP's A-IoT project research focuses on new ultra-low-power tag devices, enabling ultra-low-power, ultra-low-cost IoT command issuance applications. A-IoT can achieve signal transmission over a range of several meters with power consumption as low as 1 milliwatt. 3GPP Release 19 primarily considers two A-IoT modes: microwatt and microwatt-level. The microwatt-level mode relies mainly on pure reflection. That is, the base station sends a signal, and the terminal reflects the energy back. Its characteristic is low energy consumption, typically around 1 microwatt. Although the amount of energy received and reflected is small, it is sufficient to transmit low-bandwidth data and is suitable for electronic tag scenarios. The microwatt-level mode harvests energy and drives an amplifier, allowing the signal to be transmitted over a longer distance. This mode harvests and stores energy through capacitors. For example, when a certain amount of voltage is collected, it can drive a small power amplifier, thereby amplifying the signal and transmitting it further, reaching the level of 100 microwatts. In this mode, applications such as logistics tracking and environmental monitoring can be realized.

[0055] As mentioned in the background section, multi-device reading and writing identification in an A-IoT system is similar to multi-electronic tag identification in an RFID system. In a multi-electronic tag identification environment, tag collisions are a significant factor affecting the tag reading speed of an RFID system.

[0056] Specifically, RFID technology is an automatic identification technology characterized by real-time, rapid, and accurate data collection. RFID systems use radio frequency signals to achieve contactless information transmission through spatial coupling (alternating magnetic or electromagnetic fields), and use the transmitted information to identify target objects. The reader and tags communicate via a wireless channel. When multiple tagged objects enter the reader's recognition range, simultaneous communication between the tags and the reader can cause signal interference, resulting in collisions and failures in tag identification and data transmission. Therefore, an effective anti-collision mechanism is needed to coordinate communication between the reader and tags to achieve simultaneous identification of multiple tags. In RFID systems, the methods or mechanisms used to solve the collision problem in multi-tag identification are called anti-collision algorithms or anti-collision protocols.

[0057] In RFID applications, collisions are typically categorized into two types: tag collisions and reader collisions. Solving tag collisions essentially boils down to multi-tag identification. Currently, proposed multi-tag identification anti-collision algorithms can be broadly classified into two categories: one is time-slot-based anti-collision algorithms based on ALOHA, and the other is tree-search-based anti-collision algorithms.

[0058] The basic characteristic of ALOHA-type algorithms is that the system divides the channel in which tags respond into several intervals (called time slots) according to time. In operation, the reader sends a probability (or a range of selectable time slots) to each tag via instructions. The tag randomly selects a time slot based on the received time slot range and responds to the reader's request. If a collision occurs, a new time slot is selected for data transmission until all tags have been identified. Collision prevention algorithms based on ALOHA mainly include: Slotted ALOHA (S-ALOHA), Frame Slotted ALOHA (FSA), and Dynamic Frame Slotted ALOHA (DFSA).

[0059] Generally speaking, the inventory process for tags (which can be electronic tags in an RFID system or devices in an A-IoT system) is similar to a random access process. Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the tag inventory process. In some scenarios, tags can be attached to objects to identify them, and the inventory process can be applied to inventory checks in warehouses. Alternatively, tags can be attached to the ears or bodies of animals, and the inventory process can be applied to livestock inventory checks in smart farms, etc. (Reference) Figure 1 The inventory process for tags may include the following steps (denoted as S):

[0060] S1. The reader (which can be a base station (gNodeB, gNB), an intermediate node, or a user equipment (UE)) sends a select message.

[0061] The reader can send selection information to multiple tags, allowing it to select some or all of the tags. The reader can then modify the inventory flag of a tag's session (a tag can have up to four sessions) using this selection information, enabling the reader to select the tags to be inventoried based on the inventory flag of the tag's session using the inventory query information in step S2.

[0062] S2. The reader sends a disk query message, denoted as message 0 (MSG0), to trigger the tag for feedback.

[0063] A tag can have 4 sessions. A tag can only be in one session during an inventory process. An inquiry signal can select one of the 4 sessions and initialize the inventory process for a subset of tags that match the inventory flag in that session. Each tag in the subset of tags runs a counter, and the initial value of the counter is a random number selected by the tag. Figure 1The following is an example of how tag 1 receives MSG0.

[0064] S3. Tag 1 sends RN16 information to the reader, denoted as message 1 (MSG1).

[0065] When the counter value of a tag that initiates the inventory process reaches 0, the tag will select a 16-bit random number (RN) as its temporary identification information. This 16-bit random number is also called RN16 information, or simply RN16. Tag 1 then uses the uplink resources configured by the reader to send the RN16 information to the reader.

[0066] S4. The reader sends an inventory acknowledgment (ACK) message to tag 1, denoted as message 2 (MSG2).

[0067] When the reader successfully receives the temporary identifier from tag 1, it sends a storage ACK message to tag 1 in response. This storage ACK message contains the temporary identifier from tag 1, serving as confirmation of the temporary identifier returned by the tag.

[0068] S5. Tag 1 sends data to the reader, denoted as message 3 (MSG3).

[0069] After receiving the inventory ACK information from the reader, tag 1 determines that the reader has received the temporary identifier. Then, tag 1 sends the real identifier information (i.e., tag-related information) to the reader, such as the electronic product code (EPC), or a part of the EPC, or other identifier (ID).

[0070] If the EPC received by the reader from tag 1 is invalid—for example, if the reader fails to perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on the received EPC—the reader can consider the EPC invalid. The reader then sends a negative acknowledgement (NAK) message back to the tag.

[0071] S6. The reader sends a QueryRep message (or a QueryAdjust message), denoted as message 4 (MSG4).

[0072] If a tag receives a duplicate inventory query from the reader, all tags with non-zero counter values ​​will decrement their counter value by 1. If a tag's counter value becomes zero after decrementing, that tag will send a temporary identifier (a 16-bit random number) to the reader. If a tag receives an adjustment inventory query from the reader, all tags will reselect a random number as the initial value for their counters.

[0073] If the reader is Figure 1 In step S3, receiving an RN16 message from a single tag indicates normal inventory management. If multiple tags send RN16 messages, the reader cannot decode the tag's temporary identifier, indicating a tag conflict. In this case, the reader will not send an inventory ACK message but will instead send a duplicate inventory query message to continue the subsequent inventory process. Conversely, if the reader sends an inventory query message or a duplicate inventory query message but does not receive a temporary identifier from the tag on the uplink resources, the reader will wait for a period of time before sending the duplicate inventory query message again.

[0074] Depend on Figure 1 As shown in the overall process, since data transmission between the reader and tags is based on time slots, the only way to avoid collisions between multiple tags at this stage is through time-based differentiation. Although some manufacturers have proposed frequency-domain-based differentiation schemes, these only involve the initial concept that the reader can be configured with multiple frequency domains, and multiple tags can use different frequency domains to provide feedback information to avoid collisions. The specific methods for better utilizing the frequency domain to achieve collision avoidance are not yet clearly defined. For example, how the tag should specifically select its frequency domain, and how each frequency domain should be applied at a specific moment as the behavior of multiple tags changes, are still unclear.

[0075] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, comprising: a reader sending first information to a device (e.g., a tag), and correspondingly, the device receiving the first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; in response to a counter value being less than a first quantity, the device sending second information using a first resource, and correspondingly, the reader receiving the second information, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined based on the counter value and the first quantity, and the first quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0076] The device can be a tag. In this application, the resources used by the tag to send the second information are access resources in both the time and frequency domains, which helps to better distinguish multiple tags and achieve collision avoidance. Furthermore, based on the addition of the frequency domain dimension, this application allows one or more tags with counter values ​​less than a first number to initiate random access in the same time unit. Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) increases the chance of successful tag access, improving device access efficiency. Furthermore, the selection of the first frequency domain position is related to the counter and the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit, enabling the tag to accurately determine the appropriate frequency domain resources to initiate random access. Therefore, the communication efficiency of multi-device read / write identification in the A-IoT system can be improved.

[0077] The method provided in this application involves a reader and a device. According to the data transmission direction from reader to device, the communication model of the A-IoT system mainly consists of signal encoding, modulation, waveform generation, and resource mapping in the reader; the transmission medium; and envelope detection, demodulation, and signal decoding in the device. The ultimate function of the A-IoT system is data acquisition. This data exchange within the system has two aspects: data transmission from reader to device is downlink (DL, also known as R2D), and data transmission from device to reader is uplink (UL, also known as D2R). The downlink channel is called the Physical Reader Device channel (PRDCH), and the uplink channel is called the Physical Device Reader channel (PDRCH).

[0078] The reader can be any of the network devices or UEs. The device can be a tag (also known as an electronic tag). This device can be a passive device, specifically a passive tag that uses backscattering technology to collect energy for transmitting and receiving messages. Passive tags include, but are not limited to, radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other power-free terminal tags. The device can also be a semi-passive device or an active device.

[0079] The UE in this application embodiment is a device with wireless communication capabilities, which may be referred to as a terminal, terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment, industrial control terminal equipment, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The UE can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the UE can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR). For example, a UE can be a mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer, laptop computer, all-in-one computer, in-vehicle terminal, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, wearable device, terminal device in future mobile communication networks, or terminal device in future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. In some embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system. The chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete components.

[0080] In this application embodiment, the network device is a communication device that provides wireless communication functions for the UE and the device. It can also be referred to as an access network device, radio access network (RAN) device, or access network element. The network device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE or NR. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to: intermediate nodes, auxiliary nodes, generation node B (gNB) in 5th-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), basestation controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B (HNB)), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc. Network devices can also be radio controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or access network devices can be relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted devices, terminal devices, wearable devices, and network devices in future mobile communications or future evolved PLMNs. In some embodiments, network devices can also be means for providing wireless communication functions to UEs, such as chip systems. For example, a chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete components.

[0081] In this application embodiment, the communication link between the reader and the device may specifically include a base station connecting to the UE / intermediate node / auxiliary node, and the UE / intermediate node / auxiliary node communicating with the device.

[0082] The resources in this embodiment are access resources determined by both the time and frequency domains; that is, time-frequency resources defined by a specific time unit and a specific frequency domain location. Assuming the resources are located in time slots 1, 2, and 3 in the time domain and at frequencies f0 to f3 in the frequency domain, there are a total of 12 resources: resources defined by time slot 1 and frequency f0, resources defined by time slot 1 and frequency f1, resources defined by time slot 1 and frequency f2, resources defined by time slot 1 and frequency f3, resources defined by time slot 2 and frequency f0, resources defined by time slot 2 and frequency f1, resources defined by time slot 2 and frequency f2, resources defined by time slot 2 and frequency f3, resources defined by time slot 3 and frequency f0, resources defined by time slot 3 and frequency f1, resources defined by time slot 3 and frequency f2, and resources defined by time slot 3 and frequency f3, etc. Figure 11 As shown.

[0083] Furthermore, a frequency point can also be referred to as a frequency domain location, frequency domain channel, channel, frequency domain resource, or uplink transmission resource. In the embodiments of this application, the uplink may include multiple frequency domain resources, and a downlink command targets one or more uplink frequency domain resources.

[0084] In the embodiments of this application, the time unit can be the communication granularity between the device and the reader in the time domain. For example, the unit of time unit can be a time slot, a mini-slot (i.e., a shorter duration unit than a time slot), a subframe, a symbol, a frame, etc. The same time unit refers to the same time unit. In the time domain, the lengths of two consecutive time units can be different; for example, the first time unit includes 2 time slots, and the second time unit includes 3 time slots. The length of a single time unit can be determined by the transmission time required for commands between the device and the reader. At the same time domain location, the lengths of time units corresponding to different frequency domain locations can also be different. For example, there are two frequency points f0 and f1 on time slot 1, where the time unit corresponding to f0 is symbols 0 to 5, and the time unit corresponding to f1 is symbols 4 to 10.

[0085] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] Figure 2 This is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] This implementation scheme can be applied to multi-device read / write identification scenarios in A-IoT systems. Specifically, devices can communicate with the reader in a manner similar to random access. Furthermore, in this implementation scheme, multiple devices can (e.g., simultaneously) respond to downlink commands from the reader via multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., related commands in the tag inventory process). Devices can be, for example, tags.

[0088] In specific implementation, in the communication method provided by steps (S) 201 to S206 below, the actions performed by the device can be performed by a chip with communication function in the device or by a baseband chip in the device. The actions performed by the reader can be performed by a chip with communication function in the reader or by a baseband chip in the reader.

[0089] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 The communication method described in this implementation scheme may include the following steps:

[0090] S201, the reader sends the first information to the device. Correspondingly, the device receives the first information from the reader.

[0091] More specifically, the first information is used to trigger random access. In some embodiments, the first information may correspond to Figure 1 MSG0 in the inventory process of the label shown. The reader can broadcast the first message to instruct the device to begin the random access procedure. Figure 2 The example shown is that both device 11 and device 12 receive the first information.

[0092] In one specific implementation, when or before a random access is triggered, the device can obtain the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit after the start of random access, similar to an initial value. Subsequently, with each round of identification, the available frequency domain resources of the current time unit (the time unit in which the device responds in each round of identification) change with the interaction between the device and the reader during the previous round of identification. That is, in the first round of identification, the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the current time unit is the initial value. In subsequent rounds of identification, the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the current time unit may change compared to the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the previous time unit. For ease of description, this paper denotes the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the current time unit as N (that is, the number of time-frequency resources defined by the current time unit and the available frequency domain locations during data transmission in the current time unit), and the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the previous time unit as M (that is, the number of time-frequency resources defined by the previous time unit and the available frequency domain locations during data transmission in the previous time unit).

[0093] Specifically, this implementation scheme may further include the following steps (not shown in the figure): the reader sends configuration information to the device, and the device receives the configuration information accordingly. The configuration information includes the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

[0094] Furthermore, at least one resource can be selected from multiple candidate resources.

[0095] In some embodiments, the multiple candidate resources can be preset or pre-configured values. That is, the number of initially available frequency domain locations for random access is configured by fixing settings or system configuration values, and the configuration information can indicate specific frequency domain locations and / or adjust the number of available frequency domain locations. For example, if 5 candidate resources are pre-configured, the configuration information (e.g., first information) indicates that 4 of them are available for this random access. In a variation, the configuration information can be omitted, that is, the number of available frequency domain locations and the location information of each available frequency domain resource are fixed by the protocol or pre-configured by the network.

[0096] In some embodiments, multiple candidate resources can be configured using configuration information. For example, this can be achieved through preliminary commands in the random access procedure (such as selecting which devices will participate in the access procedure, etc.). Figure 1 The selection information (also called the selection command) in the illustrated embodiment indicates the number of initially available frequency domain locations. (See reference...) Figure 3 The PRDCH command encoding is set to 1010, representing the selection of several devices to facilitate subsequent random access. An uplink channel (UL channel) field is added to the command (e.g., to the control field), indicating which frequency domain resources the device can use for random access. Additionally, the command may include a preamble field, a CRC field, and a postamble field.

[0097] In some embodiments, the configuration information can reuse the aforementioned first information, in which case at least one resource is equivalent to multiple candidate resources. Thus, the number of initially available frequency domain locations is indicated simultaneously with triggering random access.

[0098] Specifically, the reader sends a PRDCH and a field carrying Q information (similar to the Q in RFID) indicating response resources available for random access. Unlike RFID, where the Q is only used to generate time-domain resources, the Q in this embodiment is used to determine access resources in both the time and frequency domains.

[0099] refer to Figure 4 The command encoding of PRDCH is set to 01, which indicates that random access is initiated. An uplink channel field is also added, indicating which frequency domain resources the device can perform random access on.

[0100] In one specific implementation, the frequency domain location of at least one resource (i.e., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The uplink channel can be indicated using a bitmap. For example, if there are four candidate resources, 1101 means that only the first, second, and fourth frequency domain resources are available for this random access.

[0101] In one variation example, the frequency domain location of at least one resource (i.e., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The uplink channel can be jointly indicated using a combination of the starting frequency and the number of frequency points. For example, the starting frequency is the first one, and a total of two frequency points are available.

[0102] In one variation example, the frequency domain location of at least one resource (i.e., Figure 3 and Figure 4 The uplink channel can be indicated using a frequency division ratio. Specifically, it can be added to or reduced from the base frequency domain resources, such as moving up or down a specific frequency domain width (pre-configured or indicated by configuration information) to obtain the available frequency domain resources.

[0103] For example, refer to Figure 5 Assuming the center frequency of the basic frequency domain resource (denoted as the first available frequency domain resource) is f2, a 1-fold division increases the frequency domain width by 10 to obtain the center frequency of the second available frequency domain resource, f3. A 2-fold division decreases the frequency domain width by 10 to obtain the center frequency of the third available frequency domain resource, f1. A 3-fold division increases the frequency domain width by 20 to obtain the center frequency of the fourth available frequency domain resource, f4. A 4-fold division decreases the frequency domain width by 20 to obtain the center frequency of the fifth available frequency domain resource, f0.

[0104] Alternatively, combinations of division ratios can be used, such as 1 and 3 division ratios. Figure 5 As shown in the example, f0 to f4 can be understood as candidate resources. The reader can indicate the available frequency domain resources for this random access as f3 and f4 through the first information.

[0105] In one specific implementation, the device receiving the first information generates a random number and determines the response time-frequency position based on the random number. Specifically, the random number generated by the device is the value of its own counter, and the magnitude of this value determines whether access should be initiated in the current time unit. If it is determined that an access should be initiated in the current time unit, the device at least determines the uplink frequency domain resources for random access based on this value and sends a random access identifier on the corresponding resources.

[0106] Continue to refer to Figure 2 Both device 11 and device 12 receive the first information and determine a random number from 0 to 2^Q-1 as the value of their own counter based on the Q value in the first information. They then determine the response time and frequency position based on this value.

[0107] Furthermore, in each round of identification, if the value of the device's counter is less than N, it can be determined that the device can respond in the current time unit. In other words, if the device calculates its own counter value (counter) and the number of available frequency domain positions (N) associated with the current time unit to satisfy the equation floor(counter / N) = 0, then the device determines the current time unit as the response time unit.

[0108] Assuming the current time unit is the first time unit, and the number N of available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit is denoted as the first quantity, device 11 determines to respond in the first time unit and continues to refer to... Figure 2 The communication method described in this embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0109] S202, in response to the counter value being less than a first quantity, device 11 uses the first resource to send second information to the reader. Accordingly, the reader receives the second information sent by device 11.

[0110] Specifically, the second information includes the random access identifier. The second information is similar to that described above. Figure 1 MSG1 in the example shown. The second message sent by device 11 includes RN16 of device 11.

[0111] Furthermore, the first resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position. The first frequency domain position is determined based on the counter value and a first quantity. Multiple intervals can be divided in the frequency domain, corresponding to multiple available frequency domain positions. Each device selects one of the multiple available frequency domain positions as the first frequency domain position based on the calculation result of its own counter value and the first quantity, and together with the current time unit, determines the corresponding first resource.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first frequency domain position can be the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the value of the counter and the first quantity, i.e., i = counter % N.

[0113] Assuming N = 4 (available frequencies f0 to f3), taking devices as tags (including tags 1-4) and time units as time slots as examples, tag 1's counter = 3. Since any counter less than N can respond in the current time slot, i.e., floor(counter / N) = 0, tag 1 determines the current time slot as the response time slot; counter%N = 3, so tag 1 determines f3 as the response frequency. Tags 2 / 3's counter = 1, also determining the current time slot as the response time slot; counter%N = 1, so tags 2 / 3 both determine f1 as the response frequency. Tag 4's counter is 2, determining the current time slot as the response time slot; counter%N = 2, so tag 4 determines f2 as the response frequency.

[0114] Alternatively, i can be the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter. Taking N=4 (available frequencies f0 to f3) as an example, with devices as tags (including tags 1-4) and time units as time slots, if the last ceil(log2N) bit of tag 1's counter is 3, then the first frequency (counting from the 0th frequency) among the four available frequencies f0-f3 is determined as frequency f3. If the last ceil(log2N) bit of tag 2 / 3's counter is 1, then the first frequency f1 among the four available frequencies f0-f3 is determined as frequency f1. Assuming a tag's counter is 0 and the last ceil(log2N) bit is 0, then the 0th frequency f0 among the four available frequencies f0-f3 is determined as frequency f0.

[0115] In one specific implementation, among the multiple devices that receive the first information, one or more devices whose counter values ​​are less than a first number will send the second information. If multiple devices select the same first frequency domain position in the first time unit, a collision will occur (as in tags 2 and 3 in the previous example). If no device selects a certain first frequency domain position, that first frequency domain position is empty (as in f0 in the previous example). If only one device selects a certain first frequency domain position to send MSG1, it is a random access situation, and the reader may receive it correctly (as in tags 1 and 2 in the previous example).

[0116] In one specific implementation, in response to receiving second information transmitted by multiple devices through multiple first frequency domain locations in a first time unit, the reader can respond to the second information.

[0117] Specifically, continue to refer to Figure 2 The communication method described in this embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0118] S203, the reader sends third information to the device, and the device receives the third information accordingly. The third information can be similar to... Figure 1MSG2 in the illustrated process. The reader can broadcast third-party information.

[0119] Furthermore, the third information includes information about at least one frequency domain location, which is selected from the available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit. The reader can simultaneously indicate response information for one or more frequency domain locations through the third information.

[0120] The reader, through its response to the access of the second information, indicates the reception result of the second information in the first time unit and / or the utilization status of each available frequency domain position in the first time unit. For devices that have sent the second information in the first time unit, the reader can determine how to act in the second time unit (located after the first time unit), including: which frequency point to send the device ID on if the reception is correct; adjusting the value of its own counter to the maximum if there is a collision; and how devices that have not sent the second information in the first time unit should act in the second time unit, such as selecting a frequency point to send the second information after the value of the counter is less than a first number.

[0121] In some embodiments, the third information may include fourth information, including at least one random access identifier included in the second information and a first frequency domain location for transmitting each of the second information.

[0122] Specifically, an access response can only respond to correctly received information, indicating the correctly received uplink frequency point information and confirming the random access identifier information. In this case, the device can obtain the number of available frequency points associated with the second time unit based on the correctly received uplink frequency point information.

[0123] For example, refer to Figure 6 The correctly received command is encoded as 01. This PRDCH command carries the correctly received uplink frequency information and random access identifier. Taking tags 1-4 as an example, if the second information sent by tag 1 in time unit f3 (using resources jointly defined by time unit 1 and f3) and the second information sent by tag 4 in time unit f2 (using resources defined by time unit 1 and f2) are correctly received, then it can be determined that two uplink channels (f2 and f3) are correct. In the PRDCH command sent by the reader, 0011 indicates that f3 / f2 correctly received the random access identifier, and the random access identifiers are Random Access ID1 (the reader's interpretation of tag 1's random access identifier) ​​and Random Access ID2 (the reader's interpretation of tag 4's random access identifier), respectively. It should be noted that the frequency domain position indication method in the third information can be any of the following: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and division ratio.

[0124] In one possible example, the fourth message could carry the random access identifier of the correctly received second message.

[0125] Alternatively, the fourth message may carry a random access identifier from the second message that the reader did not determine resulted in a collision. However, it cannot be ruled out that a collision actually occurred at the first frequency domain location where the second message was sent.

[0126] In some embodiments, the third information may include fifth information, including the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit. Specifically, the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit may be the available frequency domain location where a collision occurred associated with the first time unit, or it may be an unused available frequency domain location associated with the first time unit.

[0127] In this example, an access response can simply indicate a failed reception or no reception, along with the uplink frequency information for that failure or failure. A specific sequence or value can be used to represent no reception or a detected collision.

[0128] For example, refer to Figure 7 The command encoding for erroneous reception or no reception is 00. This PRDCH command carries uplink frequency point information indicating erroneous reception or no reception. Taking tags 1-4 as an example, tags 2 and 3 collide in time unit f1 (i.e., both tags use the resources defined by time unit and f1 to send second information), and the associated f0 of the first time unit is empty (i.e., the resources defined by time unit and f0 are not used). This indicates that there are two uplink channels with erroneous or no reception. In the PRDCH command sent by the reader, 1100 indicates that f0 / f1 had an erroneous or no reception in the previous time unit (i.e., the first time unit), meaning that the next time unit (i.e., the second time unit) can be used for random access of the second information.

[0129] In some embodiments, the third information may include the fourth and fifth information. That is, an access response broadcast by the reader in S203 may be an uplink frequency point information indicating correct reception and confirming the random access ID information, as well as an uplink frequency point information indicating incorrect reception or no reception.

[0130] Furthermore, the PRDCH command can sequentially specify the commands for each uplink frequency point. Furthermore, for each command, if corresponding control information exists, it can also be included in the PRDCH command. For example, refer to... Figure 8 The uplink channel (i.e., frequency domain location) is indicated one by one, with each uplink channel indicating correct reception / incorrect reception / no reception via command encoding. Furthermore, some uplink channels include control information; in this case, after the commands for all uplink channels, the specific control information is indicated via a control field, such as RN16 in the second information for correct reception.

[0131] In one variation, in response to the third information including the fourth and fifth information, the first frequency domain position associated with the second information indicated in the fourth information may not be displayed.

[0132] Specifically, indication can be given sequentially, one frequency domain position at a time. Taking tags 1-4 as an example again, the second information sent by tag 1 in time unit f3 and the second information sent by tag 4 in time unit f2 are correctly received. Tags 2 and 3 collide in time unit f1, and the associated time unit f0 is empty. (See reference...) Figure 9 Command 1 corresponds to f0. Since no data was received in the first time unit, Command 1 carries a duplicate inventory query (QueryRep) message. Command 2 corresponds to f1. A collision occurred in the first time unit, so Command 2 also carries a QueryRep message. Command 3 corresponds to f2. It was correctly received in the first time unit, so Command 3 carries an inventory acknowledgment (ACK) message. Command 4 corresponds to f3. It was correctly received in the first time unit, so Command 4 carries an ACK message. Furthermore, the control field in the PRDCH command can carry RN16 of tag 1 and tag 4.

[0133] In one specific implementation, a device that transmits second information in a first time unit in response to receiving third information (e.g., ...) Figure 2 The device 11) can determine the position of its own relevant information in the third information based on the value of the counter, and then verify whether the random access identifier carried in the third information is correct.

[0134] Specifically, please refer to Figure 2 The communication method described in this embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0135] S204, in response to the third information including a correct random access identifier, device 11 sends sixth information to the reader using the second resource. Accordingly, the reader receives the sixth information sent by device 11. The sixth information may include a device identifier; in this example, the sixth information sent by device 11 includes the device identifier of device 11. The sixth information is similar to... Figure 1 MSG3 in the process shown.

[0136] Furthermore, the second resource is a time-frequency resource defined by the second time unit and the first frequency domain position. The second time unit is a time unit located after the first time unit, and is the current time unit for sending the sixth information. That is, device 11 uses the resources at frequency domain position 1 (i.e., the resources defined by the first time unit and frequency domain position 1) to send the second information in the first time unit. Then, if the RN16 of device 11 included in the received third information is consistent with the RN16 reported by itself, then device 11 uses the resources at frequency domain position 1 (i.e., the resources defined by the second time unit and frequency domain position 1) to send the sixth information containing the device identifier of device 11 in the second time unit.

[0137] In some embodiments, in response to the third information not including the random access identifier or the random access identifier included in the third information being incorrect (i.e., the RN16 reported by the device in the second information and the RN16 fed back to the device by the reader at the corresponding position in the third information are inconsistent), the device can adjust the value of its own counter to a first preset value. The first preset value may be, for example, a maximum value such as 7FFF.

[0138] In one specific implementation, in response to receiving the sixth information from device 11, the reader verifies the sixth information. If the verification is correct, the frequency domain position used to send the sixth information can be used for access by other devices (i.e., sending the second information), or it can be used for access procedures such as read and write operations on device 11 (i.e., sending other commands).

[0139] Specifically, continue to refer to Figure 2 The communication method described in this embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0140] S205, the reader sends a seventh message to the device. Correspondingly, the device receives the seventh message. The seventh message is used to indicate the release of the third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, similar to... Figure 1 MSG4 in the process shown.

[0141] Furthermore, the third resource is a resource defined by the third time unit and the first frequency domain position, with the third time unit located after the second time unit.

[0142] In response to receiving the seventh message, device 11 can determine whether to use the resources defined by the third time unit and frequency domain position 1 to receive further commands from the reader. If the seventh message indicates the release of the third resource, other devices (e.g., Figure 2 The device 12) can send the second information using frequency domain position 1 in the third time unit.

[0143] In some embodiments, if the third resource is used for inventorying other devices, such as the seventh information indicating multiple available frequency domain locations are QueryAdjust commands, i.e., instructions for adjusting the Q value of devices that have not yet been inventoried, then in the next round of identification, these devices will regenerate the counter values ​​using the new Q values.

[0144] For example, refer to Figure 10 The correctly received command encoding is 1001. This PRDCH command carries a command to adjust the Q value. Specifically, the Q value field indicates the value x. The device receiving this command will subtract x from its own Q value as the updated Q value, where x is a positive integer.

[0145] Furthermore, the PRDCH command can also include available uplink frequency information. Assuming the seventh information indicates that three frequency points (f1 to f3) are available for other devices in the third time unit, the uplink channel field in the PRDCH command can indicate 0111, such as... Figure 10 As shown, there are three uplink channels available for the new second information, specifically f1-f3.

[0146] In one specific implementation, for a device that did not send the second information in the first time unit because the value of the counter was greater than or equal to the first quantity (e.g., Figure 2 In response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit, device 12 can subtract the first quantity from its own counter value to obtain the updated counter value.

[0147] Specifically, for the second time unit, the first quantity is the number of available frequency domain positions M in the previous time unit (while for the first time unit, the first quantity is the number of available frequency domain positions N in the current time unit).

[0148] Furthermore, the device 12 can determine whether the second time unit can be accessed and obtain the number of available frequency domain positions on the second time unit based on the third information received in S203.

[0149] Further reference Figure 2 The communication method described in this embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0150] S206, in response to the updated counter value of device 12 being less than the second quantity, device 12 sends the second information to the reader using the fourth resource. Accordingly, the reader receives the second information sent by device 12. In this example, the second information carries RN16 of device 12.

[0151] It should be noted that S206 and S204 are actions executed in the same time unit.

[0152] Furthermore, the fourth resource is a frequency domain resource defined by the second time unit and the second frequency domain position, the second frequency domain position being determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, the second quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions on the second time unit.

[0153] For example, the second frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the second time unit, where i = the updated counter value % the second quantity.

[0154] Specifically, device 12 determines the response time and frequency position based on counter = (random number - M) and sends the second information, where M is the first quantity. The action of updating the counter value can be performed at any time before the end of the second time unit, such as in the first time unit, when device 11 sends the second information and device 12 updates the counter value.

[0155] In response to receiving the third information, device 12, which did not send RN16 in the first time unit, obtains from the third information that there are a second number of N=2 frequency domain resources available in the second time unit.

[0156] Assuming Ceil(counter / N) = 0, device 12 determines the second time unit as the response time unit. Further, assuming counter%N = 0, device 12 determines the first available frequency indicated in the third information as the response frequency.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second quantity can be the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain locations associated with correctly received second information. For example, the device can determine the number of available frequency domain locations for the current time unit using the correctly received frequency domain location information indicated in the third information.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second quantity may also be directly indicated in the third information.

[0159] In a typical application scenario, refer to Figure 11 Assuming that in time slot 0, the reader broadcasts the first message MSG0 / selection information / pre-configuration, indicating four available frequency points f0-f3. In the diagram, the values ​​in parentheses are the counter values.

[0160] First round of identification: M (number of available slots in the previous time slot) = N (number of available slots in the current time slot) = 4. Assume that the counter for tag 1 is 3, the counter for tags 2 and 3 is 1, the counter for tag 4 is 2, and the random numbers (i.e., counter values) generated for tags 5, 6, 7, and 8 are 4, 5, 5, and 10, respectively.

[0161] In time slot 1, tags 1-4 all send the second message MSG1 because their respective counter values ​​are all less than N=4. Tag 1 sends using f3 (counter % N = 3 % 4 = 3), tags 2 / 3 send using f1 (counter % N = 1 % 4 = 1), and tag 4 sends using f2 (counter % N = 2 % 4 = 2). No device generates counter = 0, so f0 is idle. Tags 5-8 do not send messages in time slot 1 because their respective counter values ​​are greater than N=4, and they decrement their own counter values ​​by M=4 (this can be done before or within time slot 2). The updated counter values ​​for tags 5-8 are 0, 1, 1, and 6, respectively.

[0162] In response to receiving the second information transmitted on time slot 1, the reader broadcasts the third information MSG2, indicating that f3-tag 1's RN16 was correctly received and f2-tag 4's RN16 was received (but not consistent with the RN16 reported by tag 4), and / or f1 was incorrectly received and f0 was not received.

[0163] Second round of identification: M=4, N=2

[0164] In response to receiving the third message, since the counter of tag 1 in time slot 1 is 3, tag 1 obtains the command for f3 as 00 from the information contained in the third message, and the random access ID is also consistent. Therefore, tag 1 determines the f3 transmitting device identifier in the next time slot (i.e., time slot 2). Since the counter of tag 2 / 3 in time slot 1 is 1, tag 2 / 3 obtains the command for f1 as erroneous or not received from the information in the third message, determines that a collision has occurred, and sets its own counter to a specific value. Tag 4's RN16 does not correspond, so it also sets its own counter to a specific value.

[0165] Correspondingly, in slot 2, tag 1 sends the sixth message MSG3 using f3; tag 4 adjusts its own counter value to a fixed value and does not send the message using f2; tags 2 and 3 adjust their own counter values ​​to fixed values.

[0166] For tags 5-8, based on the updated counter values ​​(in the order 0, 1, 1, 6), those less than N=2 can send the second information in time slot 2. Specifically, tag 5 sends using f0 (counter % N = 0 % 2 = 0); tags 6 / 7 send using f1 (counter % N = 1 % 2 = 1), resulting in a collision; tag 8, with a counter of 6 greater than 2, does not send in time slot 2. Correspondingly, f2 in time slot 2 is empty.

[0167] In response to receiving a message at least one frequency point on time slot 2, the reader broadcasts a third message indicating that RN16 of tag 5 was correctly received at f0 and that f1 was incorrectly received; in addition, the reader also receives MSG3 of tag 1 at f3, but does not receive any information at f2.

[0168] Third round of identification: M=2, N=2 (f3 is used for the access procedure); or, M=2, N=3 (f3 is released for random access). Figure 11 (This scenario will be used as an example for demonstration)

[0169] Tags 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 did not undergo inventory checks in time slots 1 and 2. After recognizing the queryadjust command in the third message, assuming the original Q = 4 and the third message indicates x = 1, the Q value will be adjusted to 3. Assume the new counter values ​​generated for tags 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively.

[0170] In time slot 3, tags 2-4 all send the second message MSG1 because their respective counter values ​​are all less than N=3. Specifically, tag 2 sends using f1 (counter%N=0%3=0), tag 3 sends using f2 (counter%N=1%3=1), and tag 4 sends using f3 (counter%N=2%3=2). Additionally, tag 5 sends MSG3 using f0.

[0171] In this embodiment, the counting of time units (e.g., the above) Figure 11 The counting of time slots in the application scenario shown can be based on the device's transmissions only, or it can count the actions of both the reader and the device.

[0172] Therefore, by adopting this implementation scheme, the resources used by the device to send the second information are access resources in both the time and frequency domains, which is beneficial for better differentiation among multiple devices to achieve collision avoidance. Furthermore, by adding the frequency domain dimension, one or more devices with counter values ​​less than a first number are allowed to initiate random access in the same time unit, increasing the chance of successful device access through FDM and improving device access efficiency. Furthermore, the selection of the first frequency domain position is related to the counter and the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit, enabling the device to accurately determine the appropriate frequency domain resources to initiate random access. Thus, the communication efficiency of multi-device read / write identification in the A-IoT system can be improved.

[0173] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device of this embodiment can be used to implement the above-described... Figures 2 to 11 The method described in the embodiments. The communication device can be one of the devices mentioned above.

[0174] Specifically, refer to Figure 12 The communication device described in this embodiment may include: a receiving module 31, used to receive first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; and a sending module 32, used to send second information using a first resource in response to a counter value being less than a first quantity, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined according to the counter value and the first quantity, the first quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0175] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a third information receiving module, configured to receive third information, the third information including information on at least one frequency domain position, the at least one frequency domain position being selected from an available frequency domain position associated with the first time unit.

[0176] In some embodiments, the third information includes: fourth information, including at least one random access identifier included in the second information; and / or, fifth information, including the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit.

[0177] In some embodiments, the fourth information further includes the first frequency domain location of the random access identifier.

[0178] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a sixth information sending module, which, in response to the third information including the correct random access identifier, sends the sixth information using a second resource, the sixth information including a device identifier, the second resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a first frequency domain position; and a processing module, which, in response to the third information not including the random access identifier or the random access identifier included in the third information being incorrect, adjusts the value of the counter to a first preset value.

[0179] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a seventh information receiving module, used to receive seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate the release of a third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, wherein the third resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a third time unit and the first frequency domain position.

[0180] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: an update module, which, in response to the value of the counter being greater than or equal to the first quantity, subtracts the first quantity from the value of the counter to obtain an updated counter value in response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit; and a transmission module, which, in response to the value of the updated counter being less than the second quantity, transmits the second information using a fourth resource, wherein the fourth resource is a time-frequency resource defined by the second time unit and the second frequency domain position, the second frequency domain position being determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, and the second quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the second time unit.

[0181] In one specific implementation, the second quantity is the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain positions associated with correctly received second information, and / or the second quantity is indicated by third information.

[0182] In one specific implementation, the first frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the counter value and the first quantity or the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter, and N is the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit.

[0183] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a configuration information receiving module for receiving configuration information, the configuration information including the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

[0184] In one specific implementation, the configuration information is selection information or inventory query information.

[0185] In one specific implementation, the frequency domain location of the at least one resource is indicated by at least one of the following methods: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and frequency division ratio.

[0186] For more information on the working principle and operation mode of the communication device, please refer to the above. Figures 2 to 11 The relevant descriptions in the text will not be repeated here.

[0187] In specific implementations, the aforementioned communication device may correspond to a chip in the device that has data transmission function, or to a chip that has data processing function, such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC), a baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in the device that includes a chip with data transmission function; or to a chip module that has a chip with data processing function; or to the device itself.

[0188] Figure 13This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device of this embodiment can be used to implement the above-described... Figures 2 to 11 The method described in the embodiments. The communication device can be the reader mentioned above.

[0189] Specifically, refer to Figure 13 The communication device may include: a sending module 41 for sending first information, the first information being used to trigger random access; and a receiving module 42 for receiving second information, the second information being sent by a device whose counter value is less than a first number using a first resource, the second information including a random access identifier, the first resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position, the first frequency domain position being determined according to the counter value and the first number, the first number being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

[0190] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a third information transmission module for transmitting third information, the third information including information on at least one frequency domain position, the at least one frequency domain position being selected from an available frequency domain position associated with the first time unit.

[0191] In one specific implementation, the third information includes: fourth information, including at least one random access identifier included in the second information; and / or, fifth information, including the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit.

[0192] In one specific implementation, the fourth information also includes the first frequency domain location associated with the random access identifier.

[0193] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a sixth information receiving module, configured to receive sixth information, the sixth information being transmitted by the device using a second resource in response to the third information including the correct random access identifier, the sixth information including a device identifier, and the second resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and the first frequency domain position.

[0194] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a seventh information sending module, used to send seventh information, the seventh information being used to indicate the release of a third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, wherein the third resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a third time unit and the first frequency domain position.

[0195] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a second information receiving module, configured to receive second information, the second information being sent by a device whose updated counter value is less than a second quantity using a fourth resource, the fourth resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a second frequency domain position, the second frequency domain position being determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, the second quantity being the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the second time unit, wherein the update process of the counter value includes: in response to the counter value being greater than or equal to the first quantity, in response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit, subtracting the first quantity from the counter value to obtain the updated counter value.

[0196] In one specific implementation, the second quantity is the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain positions associated with correctly received second information, and / or the second quantity is indicated by third information.

[0197] In one specific implementation, the first frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the counter value and the first quantity or the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter, and N is the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit.

[0198] In one specific implementation, the communication device further includes: a configuration information sending module for sending configuration information, the configuration information including the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

[0199] In one specific implementation, the configuration information is selection information or inventory query information.

[0200] In one specific implementation, the frequency domain location of the at least one resource is indicated by at least one of the following methods: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and frequency division ratio.

[0201] For more information on the working principle and operation mode of the communication device, please refer to the above. Figures 2 to 11 The relevant descriptions in the text will not be repeated here.

[0202] In specific implementations, the aforementioned communication device may correspond to a chip in a reader that has data transmission function, or to a chip that has data processing function, such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC), a baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in a reader that includes a chip with data transmission function; or to a chip module that has a chip with data processing function; or to a reader.

[0203] In specific implementation, the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both.

[0204] For example, for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The components can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into the terminal, each of its components / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components within the terminal. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the terminal, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0205] This application embodiment also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the above-mentioned... Figures 2 to 11 The steps of the communication method provided in the illustrated embodiment are performed.

[0206] In the embodiments of this application, the storage medium may include non-volatile memory or non-transitory memory, and may also include optical disks, hard disk drives, solid-state drives, etc.

[0207] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0208] Specifically, refer to Figure 14The communication device may include a processor 51, which is coupled to a memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may be located within or outside the device. Optionally, a transceiver 53 may also be included. The memory 52, processor 51, and transceiver 53 may be connected via a communication bus. The memory 52 stores a computer program that can run on the processor 51. When the processor 51 runs the computer program, it performs the above-described... Figures 2 to 11 In the communication method provided in the illustrated embodiment, the transceiver 53 can perform the sending and / or receiving actions described above under the control of the processor 51. The communication device can be one of the aforementioned devices or a reader.

[0209] In this embodiment, the memory 52 includes non-volatile or non-transitory memory, and may also include optical disks, hard disks, solid-state drives, etc.

[0210] In this embodiment, the processor 51 can be a central processing unit (CPU), but it can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0211] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions, characterized in that the computer program / instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the above-described... Figures 2 to 11 The steps of the communication method described in the illustrated embodiment.

[0212] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments can be performed by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may include ROM, RAM, disk, or optical disk, etc.

[0213] The embodiments described in this application are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (devices), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0214] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0215] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0216] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, the simultaneous existence of A and B, or the existence of B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0217] In this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0218] This application can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, that are executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. This application can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices connected via a communication network. In distributed computing environments, program modules can reside in local and remote computer storage media, including storage devices.

[0219] The various embodiments in this application are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the device embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0220] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0221] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the devices, apparatuses, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0222] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive first information, which is used to trigger random access; In response to the counter value being less than a first quantity, a second message is sent using a first resource. The second message includes a random access identifier. The first resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain location. The first frequency domain location is determined based on the counter value and the first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive third information, the third information including information on at least one frequency domain location, the at least one frequency domain location being selected from an available frequency domain location associated with the first time unit.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The third information includes: The fourth information includes at least one random access identifier included in the second information; and / or, The fifth piece of information includes the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fourth piece of information also includes the first frequency domain location associated with the random access identifier.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: In response to the third information including the correct random access identifier, a sixth message is sent using a second resource, the sixth message including a device identifier, the second resource being a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and the first frequency domain position; In response to the third information not including the random access identifier or the random access identifier included in the third information being incorrect, the value of the counter is adjusted to a first preset value.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive a seventh message, which is used to indicate the release of a third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, wherein the third resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a third time unit and a first frequency domain position.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: In response to the value of the counter being greater than or equal to the first quantity, in response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit, the value of the counter is subtracted from the first quantity to obtain an updated value of the counter; In response to the updated counter value being less than a second quantity, the second information is sent using a fourth resource, which is a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a second frequency domain position. The second frequency domain position is determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, which is the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the second time unit.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second quantity is the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain positions associated with correctly received second information, and / or the second quantity is indicated by third information.

9. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the counter value and the first quantity or the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter, and N is the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit.

10. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive configuration information, which includes the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The configuration information is either selection information or inventory query information.

12. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The frequency domain location of the at least one resource is indicated by at least one of the following methods: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and frequency division ratio.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send a first message, which is used to trigger random access; The device receives second information, which is sent by a device whose counter value is less than a first number using a first resource. The second information includes a random access identifier. The first resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain location. The first frequency domain location is determined based on the counter value and the first number. The first number is the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a third message, the third message including information on at least one frequency domain location, the at least one frequency domain location being selected from an available frequency domain location associated with the first time unit.

15. The communication method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The third information includes: The fourth information includes at least one random access identifier included in the second information; and / or, The fifth piece of information includes the available frequency domain location associated with the second time unit.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The fourth piece of information also includes the first frequency domain location associated with the random access identifier.

17. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, Also includes: The device receives a sixth message, which is sent by the device using a second resource in response to the third message including the correct random access identifier. The sixth message includes a device identifier, and the second resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a first frequency domain location.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Also includes: Send a seventh message, which is used to indicate the release of a third resource for use by other devices or for data transmission using the third resource, wherein the third resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a third time unit and a first frequency domain position.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, Also includes: The second information is received by a device whose updated counter value is less than a second quantity, using a fourth resource. This fourth resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a second time unit and a second frequency domain location. The second frequency domain location is determined based on the updated counter value and the second quantity, where the second quantity is the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the second time unit. The process of updating the counter value includes: in response to the counter value being greater than or equal to the first quantity, in response to receiving the first information or before the end of the second time unit, subtracting the first quantity from the counter value to obtain an updated counter value.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The second quantity is the first quantity minus the number of first frequency domain positions associated with correctly received second information, and / or the second quantity is indicated by third information.

21. The communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The first frequency domain position is the i-th frequency domain position among the available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit, where i is the remainder of the counter value and the first quantity or the value of the last ceil(log2N) bit of the counter, and N is the number of available frequency domains in the current time unit.

22. The communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, Also includes: Send configuration information, which includes the time-frequency domain location of at least one resource.

23. The communication method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The configuration information is either selection information or inventory query information.

24. The communication method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The frequency domain location of the at least one resource is indicated by at least one of the following methods: bitmap, starting frequency and number of frequency points, and frequency division ratio.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The receiving module is used to receive first information, which is used to trigger random access; The sending module, in response to a counter value being less than a first quantity, sends second information using a first resource. The second information includes a random access identifier. The first resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain location. The first frequency domain location is determined based on the counter value and the first quantity. The first quantity is the number of available frequency domain locations associated with the first time unit.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The sending module is used to send first information, which is used to trigger random access. A receiving module is configured to receive second information, which is sent by a device whose counter value is less than a first quantity using a first resource. The second information includes a random access identifier. The first resource is a time-frequency resource defined by a first time unit and a first frequency domain position. The first frequency domain position is determined based on the counter value and the first quantity, where the first quantity is the number of available frequency domain positions associated with the first time unit.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, and a computer program is stored thereon, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

28. A communication device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

29. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program / instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 24.

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