Communication method and device, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device and a storage medium. According to the invention, the terminal and the network equipment respectively determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on the predefined rule, or the network equipment sends the indication information to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on the indication information sent by the network equipment. Therefore, the terminal and the network equipment can determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

Description

Communication method and apparatus, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] Network Energy Saving (NES) technology, as a technology capable of reducing network energy consumption, optimizing energy utilization and network device management, plays an important role in a 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) system, and is an important part of promoting sustainable development of 5G technology. In related technologies, NES technology can be introduced in the process of network access of a terminal, so that a terminal with NS capability can implement network access using lower energy consumption.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] In a case where a network device configures an adjustable PRACH resource for a terminal, in order to ensure that the determination of the initial resource position of the adjustable PRACH resource can be implemented, the present disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a terminal, and the method comprising:

[0006] Determining an initial resource position of a first Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a network device, and the method comprising:

[0008] Determining an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule, or sending indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used by the terminal to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0009] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0010] A processing module configured to determine an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0012] a processing module, configured to determine an initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule;

[0013] a transceiving module, configured to send indication information to the terminal, the indication information being used by the terminal to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, including:

[0015] one or more processors;

[0016] The processor is configured to perform the communication method according to the first aspect.

[0017] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication apparatus is provided, including:

[0018] one or more processors;

[0019] The processor is configured to perform the communication method according to the second aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method according to the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method according to the second aspect.

[0021] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the communication method according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0022] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined by the terminal and the network device based on a predefined rule respectively, or the indication information is sent by the network device to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on the indication information sent by the network device, so as to ensure that the terminal and the network device can determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0023] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2A is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 2B is an interaction diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4A is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4B is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5A is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5B is a flow diagram of a communication method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 6A is a structural diagram of a terminal, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 6B is a structural diagram of a network device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7A is a structural diagram of a communication device 7100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 7B is a structural diagram of a chip 7200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise indicated, like numbers in the figures indicate contact elements or features that are the same or similar. The following exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of examples only, upon which the principles of the present disclosure are illustrated. These principles are not, however, limited to the specific embodiments described herein but can be applied in any device and method in accordance with the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0039] The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0040] It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be employed in this disclosure to describe various messages, the messages are not to be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one message from another. For example, a first message can be termed a second message without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and similarly, a second message can be termed a first message. The word "if" can be interpreted as meaning "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining," depending on the context.

[0041] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and device, and a storage medium.

[0042] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a terminal, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0043] Determining an initial resource position of a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal.

[0044] In the above embodiment, by determining the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on the predefined rule or the indication information sent by the network device, it is ensured that the terminal can determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following:

[0046] Receiving first configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information being used to indicate a random access channel (RACH) configuration index of the first PRACH resource;

[0047] Receiving second configuration information sent by the network device, the second configuration information being used to indicate a RACH configuration index of a second PRACH resource.

[0048] In the above embodiment, by configuring, for the terminal, the first configuration information used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource by the network device, the configuration of the adjustable first PRACH resource is realized through the first configuration information; and by configuring, for the terminal, the second configuration information used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource by the network device, the configuration of the default second PRACH resource is realized through the second configuration information.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first PRACH resource occupies the same number of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource.

[0050] In the above embodiment, by configuring the first PRACH resource to occupy the same number of RBs in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource, consistency of resource allocation in the frequency domain of the adjustable first PRACH resource and the default second PRACH resource is ensured.

[0051] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the initial resource location of the first PRACH resource is determined based on indication information sent by the network device to the terminal, including at least one of:

[0052] The starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0053] The resource location of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0054] The RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0055] In the above embodiment, in the case where the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the time domain is determined according to the indication information sent by the network device, so that the determination of the first PRACH resource which is different from the second PRACH resource can be realized based on the indication of the same RACH configuration index as the second PRACH resource.

[0056] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to the indication information sent by the network device, including any one of:

[0057] The starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to the starting RB index indicated by the indication information.

[0058] The starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to the RB offset indicated by the indication information.

[0059] In the above embodiment, in the case where the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, multiple optional implementation manners of determining the starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device are provided, so as to improve the flexibility of the process of determining the starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0060] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the RB offset indicated by the network device is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and a first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0061] The first RB is an RB corresponding to the lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is an RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

[0062] In the above embodiment, in the case where the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the optional implementation of determining the number of RBs indicated by the RB offset indicated by the network device is provided, so that not only the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource can be determined according to the RB offset indicated by the network device, but also the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource can be determined according to the RB offset indicated by the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of the determination process of the initial frequency domain resource position.

[0063] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain includes at least one of the following:

[0064] The occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain;

[0065] The radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain;

[0066] The time slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain.

[0067] In the above embodiment, in the case where the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the various optional resource positions of the first PRACH resource in the time domain are provided, so that the determination of various time domain resource positions can be realized according to the indication information sent by the network device, thereby improving the flexibility of the process of determining the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0068] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined based on the indication information sent by the network device to the terminal, including:

[0069] determine, according to the indication information sent by the network device, a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in a frequency domain;

[0070] wherein a RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from a RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and a resource position of the first PRACH resource in a time domain is determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0071] In the above embodiment, in the case that the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the different resource positions of the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource in the time domain can be determined according to the different RACH configuration indexes, and on this basis, the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to the indication information sent by the network device, so as to ensure that the initial time-frequency resource of the first PRACH resource can be determined.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the determining, according to the indication information sent by the network device, of the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain comprises:

[0073] determining, according to a starting resource block (RB) index indicated by the network device, a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0074] In the above embodiment, in the case that the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, an optional implementation manner of determining the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device is provided, so as to ensure that the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain can be determined according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0075] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the determining of the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule comprises at least one of the following:

[0076] determining, according to a predefined value, the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain;

[0077] determining, according to a predefined value, the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain.

[0078] In the above embodiments, an optional implementation of determining the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain and the frequency domain based on the predefined rule is provided, to ensure that the determination of the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain and the frequency domain is realized, to ensure the determination of the initial time-frequency resource of the first PRACH resource.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the determining the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the predefined value comprises:

[0080] determining the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the predefined RB offset.

[0081] In the above embodiments, an optional implementation of determining the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the predefined rule is provided, to ensure that the determination of the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain can be realized according to the predefined rule.

[0082] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain comprises at least one of:

[0083] the occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain;

[0084] the radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain;

[0085] the time slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain.

[0086] In the above embodiments, multiple optional resource positions of the first PRACH resource in the time domain are provided, so that the determination of multiple time domain resource positions can be realized according to the predefined rule, to improve the flexibility of the process of determining the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to the predefined rule.

[0087] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a network device, and the method comprises:

[0088] determining the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule; or sending indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used for the terminal to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0089] In the above embodiments, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined by the network device based on a predefined rule, or the network device sends indication information to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on the indication information sent by the network device, to ensure that the determination of the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource can be realized.

[0090] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of:

[0091] sending first configuration information to the terminal, the first configuration information being used to indicate a RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource;

[0092] sending second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to indicate a RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0093] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first PRACH resource occupies the same number of RBs in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource.

[0094] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource, including at least one of:

[0095] the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain;

[0096] the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain;

[0097] wherein the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0098] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain, including any one of:

[0099] the indication information is used to indicate a starting RB index of the first PRACH resource, and the starting RB index indicated by the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain;

[0100] the indication information is used to indicate an RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the RB offset indicated by the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0101] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate a RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the RB offset indicated by the indication information is used to determine a number of RBs between a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and a first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0102] The first RB is an RB corresponding to a lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is an RB corresponding to a highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

[0103] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain includes at least one of:

[0104] a periodicity of the first PRACH resource in the time domain;

[0105] a radio frame in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain;

[0106] a time slot in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain.

[0107] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is used by the terminal to determine an initial resource position of the first PRACH resource, including:

[0108] the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain;

[0109] The RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0110] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain, including:

[0111] the indication information is used to indicate a RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0112] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined based on a predefined rule, including at least one of:

[0113] determine, according to the predefined value, a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in a frequency domain;

[0114] determine, according to the predefined value, a resource position of the first PRACH resource in a time domain.

[0115] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, determining, according to the predefined value, the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain comprises:

[0116] determining, according to a predefined RB offset, a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0117] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain comprises at least one of:

[0118] an occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain;

[0119] a radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain;

[0120] a time slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain.

[0121] A third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal, comprising:

[0122] a processing module configured to determine an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal.

[0123] A fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device, comprising:

[0124] a processing module configured to determine an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule;

[0125] a transceiver module configured to send indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used by the terminal to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0126] A fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, comprising:

[0127] one or more processors;

[0128] The processor is configured to perform the communication method according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0129] A sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, comprising:

[0130] one or more processors;

[0131] The processor is configured to perform the communication method according to the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0132] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method according to the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0133] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0134] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, when the program product is executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0135] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0136] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the communication method according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0137] It can be understood that the terminal, the network device, the communication device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0138] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and device, a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms of the communication method and the information processing method, the PRACH resource determination method, the adjustable PRACH resource determination method, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms of the communication device and the information processing device, the PRACH resource determination device, the adjustable PRACH resource determination device, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms of the information processing system and the communication system, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0139] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing part of the steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, part or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation of other embodiments arbitrarily.

[0140] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0141] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0142] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the elements expressed in singular form, such as "one", "a", "the", "above", "said", "preceding", "this" and the like, can represent "one and only one", and can also represent "one or more", "at least one" and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" and the like in English, the noun after the article can be understood as singular expression, and can also be understood as plural expression.

[0143] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0144] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0145] In some embodiments, "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "in one case A, in another case B", "responsive to case A, responsive to case B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option), in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed).

[0146] In some embodiments, "A or B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option).

[0147] In some embodiments, the prefix words "first", "second", and the like, are used only to distinguish different descriptive objects, and do not limit the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects, and the description of the descriptive objects is referred to the description in the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitations. For example, the descriptive object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the descriptive object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the descriptive object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more, for example, "first device", where the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the descriptive object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the descriptive object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0148] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A", can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0149] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0150] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "fewer than", "fewer than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0151] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", and the like.

[0152] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus included in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, and the like.

[0153] In some embodiments, an “access network device (AN device)” can also be referred to as a “radio access network device (RAN device),” a “base station (BS),” a “radio base station,” a “fixed station,” and in some embodiments can also be understood as a “node,” an “access point,” a “transmission point (TP),” a “reception point (RP),” a “transmission / reception point (TRP),” a “panel,” an “antenna panel,” an “antenna array,” a “cell,” a “macro cell,” a “small cell,” a “femto cell,” a “pico cell,” a “sector,” a “cell group,” a “serving cell,” a “carrier,” a “component carrier,” a “bandwidth part (BWP),” and the like.

[0154] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0155] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be acquired in compliance with laws and regulations of a country in which a location is situated.

[0156] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be acquired after consent of a user is obtained.

[0157] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in a table of embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0158] FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0159] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), and the terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet (Pad), a wireless transceiver-equipped computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0160] In some embodiments, the network device 102 includes at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the access network device is at least one of, but not limited to, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, including at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in a 5G Internet of Things (IOT) system, a base station in a 6G IOT system, a base station in an Ambient IOT system, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0162] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applied to an Open RAN architecture, at which time the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0163] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and some of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the rest or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but not limited to this.

[0164] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including multiple network elements, etc., or can be multiple devices or device groups each including all or part of the multiple network elements. The network elements can be virtual or physical. The core network includes, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0165] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a first network element, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0166] In some embodiments, the first network element is used for access management and mobility management of a user, but is not limited thereto.

[0167] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a second network element, for example, a session management function (SMF).

[0168] In some embodiments, the second network element is used for session management of a control plane and a user plane, but is not limited thereto.

[0169] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a third network element, for example, a user plane function (UPF).

[0170] In some embodiments, the third network element is used for data forwarding, traffic statistics, quality of service (QoS) management, etc. of a user plane, but is not limited thereto.

[0171] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a fourth network element, for example, a policy control function (PCF).

[0172] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is used to implement control policy management of a user, including but not limited to control of QoS, service access control, etc.

[0173] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a fifth network element, for example, a unified data management function (UDM).

[0174] In some embodiments, the fifth network element is configured to implement subscription data management, roaming control, and the like for the user, but is not limited thereto.

[0175] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a sixth network element, for example, an authentication server function (AUSF).

[0176] In some embodiments, the sixth network element is configured to implement user identity authentication, but is not limited thereto.

[0177] In some embodiments, each of the network elements described above can be independent of the core network device.

[0178] In some embodiments, each of the network elements described above can be part of the core network device.

[0179] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0180] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, the connection can be any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0181] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0182] In the related art, in order to reduce the energy consumption of the base station and the network side, research on Network Energy Saving (NES) technology is carried out.

[0183] In some embodiments, the time domain location of PRACH transmission occasion can be semi-statically configured, and the base station can periodically wake up to detect the reception of PRACH, but this can limit the use of (deeper) sleep mode by the base station to save energy. Therefore, the reception of PRACH can be limited by using time domain techniques to increase the sleep time of the base station to achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0184] In some embodiments, the PRACH resource configuration information can be configured by semi-static signaling, for example, the configuration information of PRACH resource can be provided by system information block 1 (SIB1) or UE-dedicated RRC signaling.

[0185] In some embodiments, the time-frequency resource for PRACH transmission can be determined according to the configuration information provided by SIB1 or UE-dedicated RRC signaling. The terminal and the base station can determine the valid random access occasion (RO) that can be truly used for PRACH transmission according to the configuration information, in combination with time division duplex (TDD) structure, synchronization signal block (SSB) time domain location and downlink transmission and other related information. Further, the terminal and the base station can determine the mapping relationship between SSB and RO according to the foregoing configuration, SSB configuration and valid RO, so that the terminal can send the preamble bound with the SSB related to itself on the determined valid RO according to its own needs.

[0186] It should be noted that the foregoing configuration and resource determination of PRACH are directed to all terminals within the cell. If the transmission behavior of the common channel or signal changes (including but not limited to changes in time domain resource, frequency domain resource, spatial domain resource, etc.), non-NES UE (i.e. non-NES UE) cannot recognize the changes and will still perform reception and transmission of the common channel or signal according to the configured PRACH resource, but part of the resource understood by non-NES UE can no longer be used to transmit the common channel or signal, thereby causing the deterioration of the transmission performance of non-NES UE.

[0187] Therefore, in some embodiments, for a terminal supporting NES technology (i.e., NES UE), the network side can configure a default physical random access channel (PRACH) resource and an additional PRACH resource for the terminal, and for a non-NES UE, the network side can configure a default PRACH resource for the terminal; on this basis, the network side can adjust the additional PRACH resource without adjusting the default PRACH resource, so as to avoid affecting the non-NES UE.

[0188] However, there is no clear method for determining the initial resource location of the additional PRACH resource.

[0189] FIG. 2A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2A, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0190] In step S2101, the terminal determines an initial resource location of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule.

[0191] In some embodiments, the terminal can be a terminal supporting NES technology, or in other words, the terminal can be a terminal with NES capability.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource is a resource where the additional PRACH resource is located, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the adjustment manner of the first PRACH resource.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource can be configured by the network device. Optionally, the network device can send first configuration information to the terminal supporting NES technology, and the terminal supporting NES technology (the terminal in step S2101 is the terminal supporting NES technology) receives the first configuration information sent by the network device, and the first configuration information is used to indicate a random access channel (RACH) configuration index of the first PRACH resource, so that the configuration of the first PRACH resource can be realized through the RACH configuration index indicated by the first configuration information.

[0194] In some embodiments, the name of the first PRACH resource is not limited, which is, for example, “additional PRACH resource”, “additional PRACH resource”, etc.

[0195] In some embodiments, the network device can further configure a second PRACH resource for the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, and the second PRACH resource is a non-adjustable PRACH resource.

[0196] In some embodiments, the network device can send second configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, and both the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology can receive the second configuration information sent by the network device, and the terminal in step S2101 is the terminal supporting the NES technology, and thus it can also receive the second configuration information sent by the network device, and the second configuration information is used to indicate a RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, so that the configuration of the second PRACH resource can be implemented through the RACH configuration index indicated by the second configuration information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index indicated by the second configuration information is used to determine RACH related information of the second PRACH resource, including but not limited to time domain resource, format, period, etc.

[0198] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and the terms such as “information”, “message”, “signal”, “signaling”, “report”, “configuration”, “indication”, “instruction”, “command”, “channel”, “parameter”, “domain”, “field”, “symbol”, “symbol”, “codebook”, “codeword”, “code point”, “bit”, “data”, “program”, “chip”, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0199] In some embodiments, the name of the second PRACH resource is not limited, which is, for example, “default PRACH resource”, “default PRACH resource”, “legacy PRACH resource”, “legacy PRACH resource”, etc.

[0200] In some embodiments, the terms “resource,” “resource set,” “resource group,” “precoding,” “precoder,” “weight,” “precoding weight,” “quasi-co-location (QCL),” “transmission configuration indication (TCI) state,” “spatial relation,” “spatial domain filter,” “transmission power,” “phase rotation,” “antenna port,” “antenna port group,” “layer,” “the number of layers,” “rank,” “beam,” “beam width,” “beam angular degree,” “antenna,” “antenna element,” “panel,” and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0201] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0202] In some embodiments, regardless of whether the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the terminal can determine the initial time-frequency resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule.

[0203] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined value.

[0204] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined RB offset. For example, the terminal can determine the starting RB index of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the predefined RB offset.

[0205] The predefined RB offset can be a positive number equal to or greater than 0.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource occupies the same number of RBs in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource.

[0207] In some embodiments, the terms "resource block (RB)", "physical resource block (PRB)", "sub-carrier group (SCG)", "resource element group (REG)", "PRB pair", "RB pair", "resource element (RE)", "sub-carrier", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0208] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to a predefined value.

[0209] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine at least one of the occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain, the radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, the slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, according to a predefined value, but is not limited thereto.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terms "slot", "sub-slot", "mini-slot", "symbol", "frame", "radio frame", "subframe", "symbol", "transmission time interval (TTI)", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0211] For example, {x, y} parameters for determining a radio frame in a RACH configuration table, a slot in which the first PRACH resource is located within the radio frame, and the like can be determined according to a predefined value, so that the terminal can implement the determination of the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain.

[0212] In step S2102, the network device determines the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource is a resource where the adjustable PRACH is located, and the disclosure embodiments do not limit the adjustment manner of the first PRACH resource.

[0214] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the first PRACH resource for the terminal supporting the NES technology.

[0215] In some embodiments, the network device can send the first configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology, the terminal supporting the NES technology receives the first configuration information sent by the network device, and the first configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource, so that the configuration of the first PRACH resource can be realized through the RACH configuration index indicated by the first configuration information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the network device can also configure the second PRACH resource for the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, and the second PRACH resource is an unadjustable PRACH resource.

[0217] In some embodiments, the network device can send the second configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, and the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology can both receive the second configuration information sent by the network device, and the terminal in step S2101 is the terminal supporting the NES technology, so it can also receive the second configuration information sent by the network device, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, so that the configuration of the second PRACH resource can be realized through the RACH configuration index indicated by the second configuration information.

[0218] The RACH configuration index indicated by the second configuration information is used to determine the RACH related information of the second PRACH resource, including but not limited to time domain resource, format, period, etc.

[0219] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0220] In some embodiments, whether the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource or not, the network device can determine the initial time-frequency resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule.

[0221] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined value.

[0222] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined RB offset. For example, the network device can determine the starting RB index of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the predefined RB offset.

[0223] The predefined RB offset can be a positive value greater than or equal to 0.

[0224] In some embodiments, the number of RBs occupied by the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as the number of RBs occupied by the second PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0225] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to a predefined value.

[0226] In some embodiments, the network device can determine at least one of the occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain, the radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, the slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, according to a predefined value, but not limited to this.

[0227] For example, the {x, y} parameters for determining the radio frame in the RACH configuration table, the slot in which the first PRACH resource is located within the radio frame, etc. can be determined according to a predefined value, so that the network device can determine the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain.

[0228] It should be noted that for the predefined rule, the terminal and the network device can have the same understanding, so that the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource determined by the terminal and the network device according to the predefined rule is consistent, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the subsequent communication process.

[0229] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, processing by itself, and other meanings.

[0230] In some embodiments, the terms "send", "transmit", "report", "issue", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced with each other.

[0231] In some embodiments, the terms "certain", "preset", "pre-set", "set", "indicated", "any", "first", and the like can be replaced with each other, and "certain A", "preset A", "pre-set A", "set A", "indicated A", "any A", "first A" can be interpreted as A predetermined in a protocol or the like, or A obtained by setting, configuration, or indication, or a specific A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0232] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values (for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0233] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving in the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data or the like after receiving the data or the like; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiving party to respond to the content of the sending.

[0234] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2101-S2102. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2101+S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0235] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0236] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0237] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0238] FIG. 2B is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method includes:

[0239] In step S2201, the network device sends indication information to the terminal.

[0240] In some embodiments, the terminal can be a terminal supporting the NES technology, or in other words, the terminal can be an NES-capable terminal.

[0241] In some embodiments, the network device can configure a first PRACH resource for the terminal supporting the NES technology, and the first PRACH resource is a resource where the adjustable PRACH is located. The adjustment manner of the first PRACH resource is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0242] In some embodiments, the network device can send first configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology (i.e., the terminal in step S2101), and the terminal supporting the NES technology receives the first configuration information sent by the network device. The first configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource, so that the configuration of the first PRACH resource can be realized through the RACH configuration index indicated by the first configuration information.

[0243] In some embodiments, the network device can further configure a second PRACH resource for the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, and the second PRACH resource is a non-adjustable PRACH resource.

[0244] In some embodiments, the network device can send second configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology. The terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology can both receive the second configuration information sent by the network device. The terminal in step S2101 is the terminal supporting the NES technology, and thus it can also receive the second configuration information sent by the network device. The second configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, so that the configuration of the second PRACH resource can be realized through the RACH configuration index indicated by the second configuration information.

[0245] The RACH configuration index indicated by the second configuration information is used to determine the RACH-related information of the second PRACH resource, including but not limited to time domain resource, format, period, etc.

[0246] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0247] On the basis that the network device configures the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource for the terminal supporting the NES technology, the network device can further send indication information to the terminal.

[0248] In some embodiments, the indication information indicates parameter information used for determining the initial resource location of the first PRACH resource.

[0249] In some embodiments, the indication information indicates parameter information used for determining the initial frequency domain resource location and / or the initial time domain resource location of the first PRACH resource, and the indicated parameter information can be a RB offset, a starting RB index, etc.

[0250] In some embodiments, the indication information is not limited in name, and is, for example, “indication signaling”, “explicit signaling”, etc.

[0251] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the indication information indicates parameter information used for determining the initial frequency domain resource location of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information can indicate a RB offset, a starting RB index, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0252] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the indication information indicates parameter information used for determining the initial frequency domain resource location of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information can indicate a RB offset, but is not limited thereto.

[0253] In some embodiments, the RB offset indicated by the network device is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource. The first RB is the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

[0254] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the indication information indicates parameter information used for determining the initial frequency domain resource location of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information can be used to determine the {x, y} parameters of the radio frame in the RACH configuration table, the slot in which the first PRACH resource is located within the radio frame, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0255] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the resource location of the first PRACH resource in the time domain can be directly determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource (i.e., the RACH configuration index indicated by the first configuration information), without the need for the network device to indicate through additional indication information.

[0256] In some embodiments, the terminal receives indication information sent by the network device.

[0257] In step S2202, the terminal determines the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on the indication information sent by the network device.

[0258] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0259] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0260] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the network device can indicate the RB offset or the starting RB index to the terminal.

[0261] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal can determine the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the network device.

[0262] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal can determine the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the RB offset indicated by the network device.

[0263] In some embodiments, the RB offset indicated by the network device is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource. The first RB is the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

[0264] In some embodiments, the number of RBs occupied by the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as the number of RBs occupied by the second PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0265] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to the indication information sent by the network device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal can determine at least one of the occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain, the radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, and the slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain according to the indication information sent by the network device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0267] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the resource location of the first PRACH resource in the time domain can be directly determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource (i.e., the RACH configuration index indicated by the first configuration information), without the need for the network device to indicate through additional indication information.

[0268] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of step S2201 to step S2202. For example, step S2201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2201+S2202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0269] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional, and in different embodiments, this step can be omitted or replaced.

[0270] In some embodiments, step S2202 is optional, and in different embodiments, this step can be omitted or replaced.

[0271] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B can be referred to.

[0272] According to the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal and the base station can determine the initial time-frequency resource location of the adjustable PRACH according to the predefined rule; or the terminal can determine the initial time-frequency resource location of the adjustable PRACH according to the explicit signaling sent by the base station.

[0273] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the initial time-frequency resource location of the first PRACH according to the predefined rule or the explicit signaling sent by the base station:

[0274] Manner 1: The terminal receives the RACH configuration index configured by the base station for determining the first PRACH resource, and the RACH configuration index for determining the first PRACH resource is the same as the legacy RACH configuration index. The terminal determines the first RACH resource by one of the following methods:

[0275] (1) The terminal determines at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource according to a predefined value:

[0276] a. The terminal determines the starting RB index of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain, and the starting RB index of the first RACH resource is determined according to a predefined RB offset, and the RB offset is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Wherein, the number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0277] b. Determine the resource position of the first RACH resource in the time domain, including at least one of the following parameters: period, appearing radio frame, appearing slot, etc. For example, the {x, y} parameter in the existing RACH configuration table.

[0278] (2) The terminal determines at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource according to the indication signaling sent by the base station:

[0279] a. The starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain:

[0280] Optionally, the terminal determines the starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the base station;

[0281] Or, the terminal determines the starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain according to the RB offset indicated by the base station, wherein the RB offset is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB occupied by the first RACH resource and the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index or the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the legacy RACH resource.

[0282] Wherein, the number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0283] b. Resource location of the first RACH resource in time domain, including at least one of the following parameters: periodicity, radio frame where the first RACH resource appears, slot where the first RACH resource appears, etc. For example, {x, y} parameters in the existing RACH configuration table.

[0284] Method 2: The terminal receives the RACH configuration index configured by the base station for determining the first PRACH resource, and the RACH configuration index for determining the first PRACH resource is different from the legacy RACH configuration index. The terminal determines the first RACH resource by one of the following methods:

[0285] (1) The terminal determines at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource according to a predefined value:

[0286] a. The terminal determines the starting RB index of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain, and the starting RB index of the first RACH resource is determined according to a predefined RB offset, which is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Wherein, the number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0287] b. Determine the resource location of the first RACH resource in the time domain, including at least one of the following parameters: periodicity, radio frame where the first RACH resource appears, slot where the first RACH resource appears, etc. For example, {x, y} parameters in the existing RACH configuration table, slot where the RACH resource is located in the radio frame, etc.

[0288] (2) The terminal determines at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource according to the indication signaling sent by the base station:

[0289] The terminal determines the starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the base station. Wherein, the number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0290] In some embodiments, the base station determines the initial time-frequency resource location of the first PRACH according to a predefined rule; or the base station sends an explicit signaling for the terminal to determine the initial time-frequency resource location of the first PRACH:

[0291] Manner 1: The base station configures the terminal with RACH configuration index for determining the first PRACH resource location, which is the same as the legacy RACH configuration index. The base station determines the first RACH resource by one of the following methods:

[0292] (1) The base station determines at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource according to a predefined value:

[0293] a. The base station determines the starting RB index of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain, which is determined according to a predefined RB offset. The RB offset is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0294] b. Determine the resource location of the first RACH resource in the time domain, including at least one of the following parameters: period, appearing radio frame, appearing slot, etc. For example, the {x, y} parameter in the existing RACH configuration table.

[0295] (2) The base station sends an indication signaling to the terminal to configure at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource:

[0296] a. The starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain:

[0297] Optionally, the terminal determines the starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the base station.

[0298] Or, the terminal determines the starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain according to the RB offset indicated by the base station, wherein the RB offset is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB occupied by the first RACH resource and the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index or the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the legacy RACH resource.

[0299] The number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0300] b. Resource location of the first RACH resource in time domain, including at least one of the following parameters: periodicity, radio frame where the RACH resource appears, slot where the RACH resource appears, etc. For example, the {x, y} parameter in the existing RACH configuration table.

[0301] Method 2: The base station configures the terminal with a RACH configuration index for determining the location of the first PRACH resource, which is different from the legacy RACH configuration index. The base station determines the first RACH resource by one of the following methods:

[0302] (1) The base station determines at least one of the following parameters of the first RACH resource according to a predefined value:

[0303] a. The base station determines the starting RB index of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain, which is determined according to a predefined RB offset. The RB offset is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0304] b. Determine the resource location of the RACH resource in the time domain, including at least one of the following parameters: periodicity, radio frame where the RACH resource appears, slot where the RACH resource appears, etc. For example, the {x, y} parameter in the existing RACH configuration table for determining the radio frame, the slot where the RACH resource is located in the radio frame, etc.

[0305] (2) The base station sends an indication signaling to the terminal to configure the starting RB index of the first RACH resource, but not limited to this. The terminal determines the starting RB of the first RACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the base station. The number of RBs occupied by the first RACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as that of the legacy RACH resource.

[0306] It should be noted that the legacy RACH configuration index is a RACH configuration index supported by an existing protocol and provided for all terminals, and the terminal with NES capability and the terminal without NES capability can determine the RACH related information according to the legacy RACH configuration index, including time domain resource, format, period, etc.

[0307] It should be noted that the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a terminal with NES capability, or a terminal with corresponding capability in the future.

[0308] It should be noted that the first PRACH resource is a resource where the adjustable PRACH transmission is located, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not make any limitation on the adjustment mode of the adjustable PRACH.

[0309] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method comprises:

[0310] Step S3101, obtaining first configuration information.

[0311] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0312] In some embodiments, the terminal is a terminal supporting NES technology, or in other words, the terminal is a terminal with NES capability.

[0313] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first configuration information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first configuration information sent by other subjects.

[0314] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first configuration information specified by a protocol.

[0315] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first configuration information from the upper layer(s).

[0316] In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the first configuration information.

[0317] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first configuration information, or the above function is default or default.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0319] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource is an adjustable PRACH resource.

[0320] At step S3102, the second configuration information is acquired.

[0321] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0322] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the second configuration information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the second configuration information sent by other subjects.

[0323] In some embodiments, the terminal acquires the second configuration information specified by a protocol.

[0324] In some embodiments, the terminal acquires the second configuration information from upper layer(s).

[0325] In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the second configuration information.

[0326] In some embodiments, step S3102 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the second configuration information, or the above function is default or default.

[0327] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0328] In some embodiments, the second PRACH resource is a traditional PRACH resource.

[0329] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0330] At step S3103, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined based on a predefined rule.

[0331] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0332] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined value.

[0333] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined RB offset.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource occupies the same number of RBs in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource.

[0335] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to a predefined value.

[0336] In some embodiments, the terminal determines at least one of the occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain, the radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, and the slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain according to a predefined value.

[0337] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101-S3103. For example, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101+S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3102+S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0338] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0339] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0340] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method includes:

[0341] Step S3201: transmitting first configuration information.

[0342] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, which will not be described here.

[0343] In some embodiments, the network device transmits the first configuration information to a terminal supporting the NES technology, but is not limited thereto, and can also transmit the first configuration information to other subjects.

[0344] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource is an adjustable PRACH resource.

[0346] Step S3202: transmitting the second configuration information.

[0347] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0348] In some embodiments, the network device transmits the second configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, but is not limited thereto, and can transmit the second configuration information to other subjects.

[0349] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0350] In some embodiments, the second PRACH resource is a traditional PRACH resource.

[0351] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0352] Step S3203: determining the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule.

[0353] The optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0354] In some embodiments, the network device determines the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined value.

[0355] In some embodiments, the network device determines the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined RB offset.

[0356] In some embodiments, the number of RBs occupied by the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is the same as the number of RBs occupied by the second PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0357] In some embodiments, the network device determines the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to a predefined value.

[0358] In some embodiments, the network device determines at least one of a periodicity of the first PRACH resource in a time domain, a radio frame in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain, and a time slot in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain according to a predefined value.

[0359] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3201-S3203. For example, step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3201+S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3202+S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0360] In some embodiments, steps S3201 and S3202 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously, steps S3201 and S3203 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously, and steps S3202 and S3203 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0361] In some embodiments, steps S3201 and S3202 are optional, and one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0362] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, step S3201 can be combined with step S3101 of FIG. 3A, and step S3202 can be combined with step S3102 of FIG. 3A.

[0363] FIG. 4A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0364] Step S4101: obtaining first configuration information.

[0365] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 of FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be described here.

[0366] In some embodiments, the terminal is a terminal supporting NES technology, or in other words, a terminal with NES capability.

[0367] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first configuration information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first configuration information sent by other subjects.

[0368] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first configuration information specified by a protocol.

[0369] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first configuration information from an upper layer.

[0370] In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the first configuration information.

[0371] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first configuration information, or the function is default or default.

[0372] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0373] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource is an adjustable PRACH resource.

[0374] Step S4102, obtaining second configuration information.

[0375] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0376] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the second configuration information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the second configuration information sent by other subjects.

[0377] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the second configuration information specified by the protocol.

[0378] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the second configuration information from the upper layer(s).

[0379] In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the second configuration information.

[0380] In some embodiments, step S4102 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the second configuration information, or the function is default or default.

[0381] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0382] In some embodiments, the second PRACH resource is a traditional PRACH resource.

[0383] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0384] Step S4103, obtaining indication information.

[0385] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0386] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the indication information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the indication information sent by other subjects.

[0387] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the indication information specified by the protocol.

[0388] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the indication information from the upper layer(s).

[0389] In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the indication information.

[0390] In some embodiments, step S4103 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the indication information, or the above function is default or default.

[0391] In some embodiments, the indication information indicates parameter information used to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0392] In step S4104, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined based on the indication information.

[0393] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0394] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal determines the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to the indication information.

[0395] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal determines the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the indication information; or the terminal determines the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the RB offset indicated by the indication information.

[0396] In some embodiments, the RB offset indicated by the indication information is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource; wherein the first RB is the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

[0397] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal determines at least one of the occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain, the radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, and the slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain according to the indication information.

[0398] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal determines the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device; wherein the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0399] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the terminal determines the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the indication information.

[0400] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S4101-S4104. For example, step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4102+S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4102+S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4103+S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4102+S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4102+S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4103+S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4102+S4103+S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0401] In some embodiments, steps S4101, S4102, S4103 are optional, which can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0402] In some embodiments, steps S4101, S4102, S4104 are optional, which can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0403] FIG. 4B is a flow diagram of a communication method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0404] Step S4201: transmitting first configuration information.

[0405] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be described here.

[0406] In some embodiments, the network device transmits the first configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology, but is not limited thereto, and can transmit the first configuration information to other subjects.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0408] In some embodiments, the first PRACH resource is an adjustable PRACH resource.

[0409] Step S4202: transmitting second configuration information.

[0410] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2B, which will not be described here.

[0411] In some embodiments, the network device transmits the second configuration information to the terminal supporting the NES technology and the terminal not supporting the NES technology, but is not limited thereto, and can transmit the second configuration information to other subjects.

[0412] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to indicate the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0413] In some embodiments, the second PRACH resource is a traditional PRACH resource.

[0414] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, or the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

[0415] In step S4203, the indication information is sent.

[0416] The optional implementation of step S4203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in FIG. 2B and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] In some embodiments, the network device sends the indication information to the terminal, but is not limited thereto, and can send the indication information to other subjects.

[0418] In some embodiments, the indication information indicates parameter information used to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0419] In some embodiments, the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0420] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain.

[0421] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, the indication information is used to indicate the starting RB index of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain; or the indication information is used to indicate the RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

[0422] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate the RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the RB offset indicated by the indication information is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and the first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource; wherein the first RB is the RB corresponding to the lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is the RB corresponding to the highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

[0423] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the indication information is used by the terminal to determine at least one of a periodicity of occurrence of the first PRACH resource in the time domain, a radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain, and a time slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain.

[0424] In some embodiments, the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain; wherein a resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

[0425] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S4201-S4203. For example, step S4203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4201+S4203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4202+S4203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0426] In some embodiments, steps S4201 and S4202 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously, steps S4201 and S4203 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously, and steps S4202 and S4203 can be exchanged in order or performed simultaneously.

[0427] In some embodiments, steps S4201 and S4202 are optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0428] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, step S4201 can be combined with step S4101 of FIG. 4A, and step S4202 can be combined with step S4102 of FIG. 4A.

[0429] FIG. 5A is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the above method includes:

[0430] Step S5101, determining an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device.

[0431] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2A, step S2201, the optional implementation of step S2202 in FIG. 2B, step S3101, step S3102, the optional implementation of step S3103 in FIG. 3A, step S4101, step S4102, step S4103, the optional implementation of step S4104 in FIG. 4A, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4A, which are not described herein again.

[0432] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure at least can include step S5101, and step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0433] FIG. 5B is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0434] In step S5201, the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined based on a predefined rule, or the terminal is sent indication information indicating the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

[0435] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2A, step S2201, the optional implementation of step S2202 in FIG. 2B, step S3201, step S3202, the optional implementation of step S3203 in FIG. 3B, step S4201, step S4202, step S4203 in FIG. 4B, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4B, which are not described herein again.

[0436] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure at least can include step S5201, and step S5201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0437] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps, and the optional implementation thereof, can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or can be combined with the optional implementation of other embodiments.

[0438] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, for example, an apparatus is proposed, which comprises units or modules for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is proposed, which comprises units or modules for implementing each step performed by the network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0439] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0440] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuits is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0441] FIG. 6A is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6A, the terminal 6100 can at least include a processing module 6101. In some embodiments, the processing module 6101 is configured to determine an initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal. Optionally, the processing module 6101 is configured to perform at least one of other steps (for example, steps S2101 and S2202, but not limited thereto) in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again. In some embodiments, the terminal 6100 can further include a transceiver module. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2201, but not limited thereto) in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again.

[0442] FIG. 6B is a structural schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6B, the network device 6200 can include at least one of a processing module 6201 and a transceiver module 6202. In some embodiments, the processing module 6201 is configured to determine an initial resource location of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule; and the transceiver module 6202 is configured to send indication information to a terminal, where the indication information is used by the terminal to determine the initial resource location of the first PRACH resource. Optionally, the processing module 6201 is configured to perform at least one of other steps (for example, step S2102, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein. Optionally, the transceiver module 6202 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2201, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein.

[0443] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be mutually replaced with a transceiver.

[0444] In some embodiments, the processing module can be one module or include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be mutually replaced with a processor.

[0445] FIG. 7A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 7100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 7100 can be a network device (for example, an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (for example, a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0446] As shown in FIG. 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 7100 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0447] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7102 can also be outside the communication device 7100.

[0448] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the transceiver 7103 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2201, but not limited to) in the above-described methods, and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2101, step S2102, step S2202, but not limited to).

[0449] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms of transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms of transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms of receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0450] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 can include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuit 7104 is connected with the memory 7102, and the interface circuit 7104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 7102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7104 can read the instructions stored in the memory 7102 and send the instructions to the processor 7101.

[0451] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 can not be limited by FIG. 7A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the set of ICs can also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (7) others, etc.

[0452] FIG. 7B is a structural schematic diagram of the chip 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case that the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in FIG. 7B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0453] The chip 7200 comprises one or more processors 7201, and the chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0454] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further comprises one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, the interface circuit 7202 is connected with the memory 7203, and the interface circuit 7202 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 7203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 7202 can be configured to send signals to the memory 7203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 7202 can read instructions stored in the memory 7203 and send the instructions to the processor 7201.

[0455] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2201, but not limited thereto) in the above methods, and the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2101, step S2102, step S2202, but not limited thereto).

[0456] In some embodiments, the terms of interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0457] In some embodiments, the chip 7200 further comprises one or more memories 7203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 7203 can be outside the chip 7200.

[0458] The present disclosure further proposes a storage medium, and instructions are stored on the storage medium. When the instructions are run on the communication device 7100, the communication device 7100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0459] The present disclosure further proposes a program product, and the program product is executed by the communication device 6100, so that the communication device 6100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0460] The present disclosure further proposes a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer executes any of the above methods.

[0461] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the features disclosed herein. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including any paterns of this disclosure which are within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The specification and examples are to be construed as merely illustrative of the present disclosure and not limitative of the true scope and spirit of the disclosure.

[0462] It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise construction herein described and as shown in the attached drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a terminal, and the method comprises: Determining an initial resource position of a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises at least one of the following: Receiving first configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information being used to indicate a random access channel (RACH) configuration index of the first PRACH resource; Receiving second configuration information sent by the network device, the second configuration information being used to indicate a RACH configuration index of a second PRACH resource.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first PRACH resource occupies the same number of resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Determining the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal comprises at least one of the following: Determining a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device; Determining a resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to the indication information sent by the network device. The RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The determining of the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device comprises any one of the following: Determining a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a starting RB index indicated by the indication information; Determining a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to an RB offset indicated by the indication information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The RB offset indicated by the network device is used to determine the number of RBs between the starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain and a first RB corresponding to the second PRACH resource; The first RB is an RB corresponding to a lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is an RB corresponding to a highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain comprises at least one of the following: An occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain; A radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain; A time slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, Determining the initial resource position of the first PRACH resource based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal comprises: Determining a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device; The RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The determining of the starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the indication information sent by the network device comprises: determine a starting RB index of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the starting RB index indicated by the network device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, determine an initial resource location of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule, including at least one of the following: determine a starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined value; determine a resource location of the first PRACH resource in the time domain according to a predefined value.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The determining of the starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to the predefined value includes: determine a starting RB index of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain according to a predefined RB offset.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The resource location of the first PRACH resource in the time domain includes at least one of the following: an occurrence period of the first PRACH resource in the time domain; a radio frame in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain; a time slot in which the first PRACH resource occurs in the time domain.

13. A method of communication, comprising: The method is performed by a network device, and the method includes: determine an initial resource location of the first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule; or, send indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used by the terminal to determine the initial resource location of the first PRACH resource.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further includes at least one of the following: send first configuration information to the terminal, the first configuration information being used to indicate a RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource; send second configuration information to the terminal, the second configuration information being used to indicate a RACH configuration index of a second PRACH resource.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first PRACH resource occupies the same number of RBs in the frequency domain as the second PRACH resource.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The indication information used by the terminal to determine the initial resource location of the first PRACH resource includes at least one of the following: the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain; the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a resource location of the first PRACH resource in the time domain; The RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is the same as the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The indication information used by the terminal to determine the starting resource location of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain includes any one of the following: the indication information is used to indicate a starting RB index of the first PRACH resource, and the starting RB index indicated by the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain; the indication information is used to indicate an RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the RB offset indicated by the indication information is used by the terminal to determine a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The indication information is used to indicate an RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the RB offset indicated by the indication information is used to determine a number of RBs between a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in a frequency domain and a first RB corresponding to a second PRACH resource. The first RB is an RB corresponding to a lowest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource, or the first RB is an RB corresponding to a highest RB index occupied by the second PRACH resource.

19. The method of any one of claims 16-18, wherein, The resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain includes at least one of the following: A periodicity of the first PRACH resource in the time domain; A radio frame in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain; A time slot in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain.

20. The method of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein, The indication information is used for the terminal to determine an initial resource position of the first PRACH resource, including: The indication information is used for the terminal to determine a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain. The RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource is different from the RACH configuration index of the second PRACH resource, and the resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined based on the RACH configuration index of the first PRACH resource.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The indication information is used for the terminal to determine a starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain, including: The indication information is used to indicate an RB offset of the first PRACH resource, and the indication information is used for the terminal to determine a starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain.

22. The method of any one of claims 13-21, wherein, The initial resource position of the first PRACH resource is determined based on a predefined rule, including at least one of the following: A starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to a predefined value; A resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain is determined according to a predefined value.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The starting resource position of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to a predefined value, including: A starting RB of the first PRACH resource in the frequency domain is determined according to a predefined RB offset.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein, The resource position of the first PRACH resource in the time domain includes at least one of the following: A periodicity of the first PRACH resource in the time domain; A radio frame in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain; A time slot in which the first PRACH resource appears in the time domain.

25. A terminal, characterized by The method comprises: A processing module configured to determine an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule or based on indication information sent by a network device to the terminal.

26. A network device, comprising: The method comprises: A processing module configured to determine an initial resource position of a first PRACH resource based on a predefined rule; A transceiver module configured to send indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used for the terminal to determine an initial resource position of the first PRACH resource.

27. A communications device, characterized by The method comprises: One or more processors; The processor is used to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-12.

28. A communications device, characterized by The method comprises: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 13-24.

29. A communication system, characterized by comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1-12, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 13-24.

30. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, when the instructions are run on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1-12 or 13-24.

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