Communication method, device, system, storage medium and program product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method, device, system, storage medium and program product, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises: sending first information to a network device; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a data amount of first data in a logical channel group, or data amount information of second data in the logical channel group; wherein the first data includes the second data, or the first data does not include the second data. A unified reporting format of the data amount of the data in the logical channel group is provided, which avoids repeated reporting of the data amount by the terminal and saves transmission resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, system, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0002] Buffer Status Report (BSR) is a control message used in the Media Access Control (MAC) layer of a mobile communication system. Terminals use BSR to send the amount of data to be transmitted in their uplink buffer (classified by Logical Channel Group (LCG)) to the network. This allows the network to allocate appropriate uplink (UL) resources to the terminal based on the reported data volume, thereby improving resource utilization and avoiding resource waste.

[0003] The Delay Status Report (DSR) is used to provide the network with the delay status of the LCG. The delay status of the LCG includes the minimum remaining duration and the total amount of delay-critical UL data. According to relevant regulations, the minimum remaining duration is the minimum remaining duration of the running PDCP discard timer in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol Service Data Unit (PDCP SDU) that is buffered in the LCG but has not yet been transmitted in any Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU). Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a communication method, device, system, storage medium, and program product for providing a unified reporting format for the amount of data in a logical channel group, avoiding repeated reporting of data by the terminal and saving transmission resources.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, executed by a terminal, the method comprising: sending first information to a network device; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0006] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0007] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0008] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0009] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first information can indicate the amount of data of the first data in the logical channel group and the amount of data of the second data in the logical channel group. That is, by reporting all the information required by the network in one message, the terminal does not need to report BSR and DSR separately, which can avoid the terminal repeatedly reporting the amount of data and save transmission resources.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network device, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0011] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0012] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0013] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0015] A transceiver module is used to send first information to a network device; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0016] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0017] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0018] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0020] A transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0021] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0022] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0023] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the communication method of any of the first aspects.

[0025] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the communication method of any of the second aspects.

[0026] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network device.

[0027] The terminal is configured to implement the communication method of any of the first aspects.

[0028] The network device is configured to implement the communication method of either of the second aspects.

[0029] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions which, when executed on a communication device, implement a communication method as described in either the first or second aspect.

[0030] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, the program product including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement a communication method as described in either the first or second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the DSR reporting format in related technologies;

[0033] Figure 2 This is an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 This is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4a A schematic diagram of the structure of at least one cache area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4b A schematic diagram of the structure of at least one cache area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 4c A schematic diagram of the structure of at least one cache area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 4d A schematic diagram of the structure of at least one cache area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4e A schematic diagram illustrating the format of the first information provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 4f A schematic diagram illustrating the format of the first information provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0041] Figure 5a This is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network device proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 6a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 6b This is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0045] This disclosure provides a communication method, device, system, storage medium, and program product to provide a unified reporting format for the amount of data in a logical channel group, avoiding repeated reporting of data by the terminal and saving transmission resources.

[0046] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0047] Send the first message to the network device;

[0048] The first piece of information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0049] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0050] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0051] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0052] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first information can indicate the amount of data of the first data in the logical channel group and the amount of data of the second data in the logical channel group. That is, by reporting all the information required by the network in one message, the terminal does not need to report BSR and DSR separately, which can avoid the terminal repeatedly reporting the amount of data and save transmission resources.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the second data is specific data within the first data.

[0054] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the second data is a specific data in the first data. Based on the data volume of the first data in the logical channel group indicated by the first information, the first information can also indicate the data volume information of the second data. The terminal does not need to report BSR and DSR separately, which can avoid the terminal repeatedly reporting the data volume and save transmission resources.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information includes: first instruction information;

[0056] The first indication information indicates whether the first data includes the second data, or the first indication information characterizes whether the first information indicates the amount of data of the second data.

[0057] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first information includes: first indication information, which helps the network to know whether there is second data in the first data that needs to be urgently dispatched.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the data volume information of the second data includes N partition information out of M partition information, where M is a positive integer and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M;

[0059] M partition information are associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data;

[0060] Partition information is used to indicate the amount of data corresponding to the cache area associated with the partition information.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the cache associated with each of the N partition information contains data from the second data.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes:

[0063] Receive second information sent by the network device, wherein the second information is used to indicate N.

[0064] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the second information indicates the number (N) of partition information that the terminal needs to report, which helps the terminal report partition information according to network requirements.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the partitioning information includes at least one of the following:

[0066] The quantized value of the data volume corresponding to the data cached in the cache area associated with the partition information; or,

[0067] The percentage of cached data in the first data within the cache area associated with the partition information.

[0068] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the contents that may be included in the partition information are defined, such as the quantified value of the data volume corresponding to the data cached in the cache associated with the partition information, or at least one of the proportions of the data cached in the cache associated with the partition information in the first data, which helps the network to know the data volume of the cached data in the cache associated with the partition information.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the partitioning information also includes at least one of the following:

[0070] The minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information; or,

[0071] The second indication information is used to indicate whether there is other partition information after the partition information.

[0072] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the partition information may further include the minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information. This helps the network schedule the cached data in the cache with the shortest minimum remaining duration based on the minimum remaining duration, so as to prevent the terminal from discarding the cached data in the cache with the shortest minimum remaining duration.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the M cache areas corresponding to the second data are obtained by dividing the cache area where the first data is located using any of the following methods:

[0074] At least one level of emergency dispatch; or,

[0075] At least one remaining time threshold.

[0076] In this embodiment of the disclosure, it is defined that the cache area where the first data is located can be divided according to at least one remaining time threshold or at least one level of urgency. In practical applications, the terminal can flexibly choose any one of these methods to divide the cache area where the first data is located.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving third information sent by a network device;

[0078] The third piece of information is used to indicate any of the following:

[0079] At least one level of emergency dispatch; or,

[0080] At least one remaining time threshold.

[0081] In this embodiment of the disclosure, using third information to indicate at least one level of urgency or at least one remaining time threshold helps the terminal divide the buffer containing the first data according to network requirements.

[0082] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the format of the first information is the format of the Media Access Control (MAC) CE.

[0083] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0084] The first message sent by the receiving terminal;

[0085] The first piece of information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0086] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0087] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0088] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the second data is specific data within the first data.

[0090] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information includes: first instruction information;

[0091] The first indication information indicates whether the first data includes the second data, or the first indication information characterizes whether the first information indicates the amount of data of the second data.

[0092] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the data volume information of the second data includes N partition information out of M partition information, where M is a positive integer and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M;

[0093] M partition information are associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data;

[0094] Partition information is used to indicate the amount of data corresponding to the cache area associated with the partition information.

[0095] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the cache associated with each of the N partition information contains data from the second data.

[0096] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0097] Send the second message to the terminal;

[0098] The second piece of information is used to indicate N.

[0099] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the partitioning information includes at least one of the following:

[0100] The quantized value of the data volume corresponding to the data cached in the cache area associated with the partition information; or,

[0101] The percentage of cached data in the first data within the cache area associated with the partition information.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the partitioning information also includes at least one of the following:

[0103] The minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information; or,

[0104] The second indication information is used to indicate whether there is other partition information after the partition information.

[0105] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the M cache areas corresponding to the second data are obtained by dividing the cache area containing the first data into any of the following:

[0106] At least one level of emergency dispatch; or,

[0107] At least one remaining time threshold.

[0108] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0109] Send third information to the terminal;

[0110] The third piece of information is used to indicate any of the following:

[0111] At least one level of emergency dispatch; or,

[0112] At least one remaining time threshold.

[0113] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the format of the first information is the format of the Media Access Control (MAC) CE.

[0114] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0115] The transceiver module is used to send initial information to network devices;

[0116] The first piece of information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0117] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0118] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0119] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0120] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0121] The transceiver module is used to receive the first information sent by the terminal;

[0122] The first piece of information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0123] The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or,

[0124] Data volume information for the second data in the logical channel group;

[0125] The first data may include the second data, or the first data may not include the second data.

[0126] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is used to execute the communication method of any one of the first aspects.

[0127] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the communication method of any of the second aspects.

[0128] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, including: a terminal and / or a network device; wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of any of the first aspects; and the network device is configured to implement the communication method of any of the second aspects.

[0129] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, implement a communication method as described in either the first or second aspect.

[0130] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product, the program product including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement a communication method as described in either the first or second aspect.

[0131] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform a communication method as described in either the first or second aspect.

[0132] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the communication method described in either the first or second aspect.

[0133] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0134] This disclosure provides communication methods, devices, systems, storage media, and program products. In some embodiments, terms such as communication method and information processing method may be used interchangeably.

[0135] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0136] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0137] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the aforementioned," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular or a plural expression.

[0138] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0139] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0140] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0141] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0142] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. For descriptions of the descriptive objects, please refer to the claims or the context of the embodiments. The use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is "instruction information," then the ordinal numbers preceding "instruction information" in "first instruction information" and "second instruction information" do not restrict the position or order of the "instruction information." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "instruction information" they modify is in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first instruction information" and "second instruction information."

[0143] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0144] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0145] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0146] 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,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0147] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0148] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0149] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0150] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriberstation, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, and client can be used interchangeably.

[0151] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0153] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0154] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0155] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0156] First, the relevant technologies will be explained.

[0157] 1. Buffer Status Report (BSR) Reporting Mechanism

[0158] BSR is a control message at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer in a mobile communication system. Terminals use BSR to send the amount of data to be transmitted in their uplink buffer (classified by Logical Channel Group (LCG)) to the network. This allows the network to allocate appropriate uplink (UL) resources to the terminal based on the reported data volume, thereby improving resource utilization and avoiding resource waste.

[0159] For an activated cell group, if UL data arrives at the MAC entity in a logical channel belonging to a certain LCG, and at least one of the following conditions is met, then BSR is triggered:

[0160] The logical channel to which the UL data belongs has a higher priority than any logical channel (which includes available UL data and belongs to that LCG); or,

[0161] None of the logical channels belonging to LCG contain any usable UL data.

[0162] BSRs can be divided into three types: "filler BSRs", "regular BSRs", and "periodic BSRs".

[0163] When the network allocates UL resources to the terminal and the number of padding bits is equal to or greater than the size of the DSR MAC CE and its sub-headers, the triggered BSR is called "paddling BSR".

[0164] A BSR triggered when the retransmission BSR timer (retxBSR-Timer) expires and UL data exists in at least one logical channel of the LCG is called a "regular BSR".

[0165] A BSR triggered when the periodic BSR timer times out is called a "periodic BSR".

[0166] Regarding "periodic BSR", the terminal sends BSR periodically. If the terminal has not received UL resources allocated by the network for a long period of time, the terminal can repeatedly send BSR.

[0167] 2. Reporting mechanism for Delay Status Reports (DSR)

[0168] The DSR is used to provide the network with the latency status of the LCG. The latency status of the LCG includes the minimum remaining duration and the total amount of latency-critical UL data. According to relevant regulations, the minimum remaining duration is the minimum remaining duration of the PDCP discard timer running in the Packet Data Convergence Protocol Service Data Unit (PDCP SDU) that is buffered in the LCG but has not yet been transmitted in any Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU).

[0169] The triggering conditions for a logical channel's DSR are: among all PDCP SDUs that are buffered for the logical channel, have not yet been transmitted in any MAC PDU, and have not been reported as DSR MAC CEs, the minimum remaining duration of the running PDCP drop timer is lower than the remaining duration threshold of the LCG; and the logical channel has no pending DSRs.

[0170] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the reporting format of DSR in related technologies. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the DSR may include: LCG field, remaining duration field, buffer table (BT) field, and buffer size field.

[0171] The "LCG m" field indicates whether to report the "remaining duration m" and "BTm" fields corresponding to LCG m. A value of 1 for the "LCG m" field indicates reporting the "remaining duration m" and "BTm" fields of LCG m; conversely, a value of 0 for the "LCG m" field indicates not reporting the "remaining duration m" and "BTm" fields of LCG m. In some embodiments, m takes values ​​from 0 to 7.

[0172] The "Remaining Duration m" field represents the minimum remaining duration of the PDCP discard timer corresponding to LCG m. The "Remaining Duration m" field is 6 bits long, and the value r of "Remaining Duration m" indicates that the remaining duration is in the range of (r, r+1) milliseconds.

[0173] The “BTm” field indicates which “buffer size table” the terminal used to calculate and the buffer size LCG m. A value of 1 in the “BTm” field indicates that the terminal used the extended table; or a value of 0 in the “BTm” field indicates that the terminal used the base table.

[0174] The “Buffer Size m” field is used to indicate the total amount of delay-critical UL data in LCG m whose remaining duration is less than the remaining duration threshold.

[0175] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, "R" represents reserved bit and "Oct" represents byte.

[0176] In the existing mechanism, DSR includes the "remaining duration m" field, the "BTm" field, and the "buffer size m" field corresponding to LCG m.

[0177] The current discussion calls for enhancing the DSR (Detailed Scheduler). Specifically, for an LCG (Local Character Group), the DSR will carry multiple sets, or at least one set, of remaining duration and buffer size. This introduces a second type of DSR, distinct from the original first type. The difference between the second and first type of DSR for an LCG is that the first type carries only one set of remaining duration and buffer size fields, while the second type can carry multiple sets.

[0178] In summary, the existing mechanism completely separates BSR reporting and DSR reporting, and their triggering conditions are also different. BSR reporting is triggered based on the arrival of high-priority data, while DSR reporting is triggered based on the urgency of the data.

[0179] However, in reality, the content reported by DSR is only a part of the content reported by BSR. If BSR content is included in the DSR report, submitting BSR again would result in duplicate reporting.

[0180] To address the aforementioned problems, this disclosure provides a communication method, device, system, storage medium, and program product. This disclosure introduces a unified reporting scheme to avoid duplicate reporting by terminals.

[0181] Figure 2 This is an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2As shown, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. It should be understood that... Figure 2 The number and form of each device shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure. In actual applications, it may include two or more terminals or two or more network devices. Figure 2 The communication system 100 shown is only illustrated by example, which includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0182] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0183] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0185] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0186] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0187] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a single device, including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0188] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0189] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to Figure 2 The communication system 100 shown, or a part thereof, but not limited to it. Figure 2 The entities shown are illustrative; a communication system may include... Figure 2 All or part of the main body, or may include Figure 2 Other entities besides the main body, the number and form of each entity are arbitrary, each entity can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between the entities is illustrative, the entities can be unconnected or connected, and the connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0190] The embodiments disclosed herein 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), Futuregeneration radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0191] The communication methods, devices, systems, storage media, and program products provided in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0192] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a communication method provided according to embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 3As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0193] In step S3101, the network device sends third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information sent by the network device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate any of the following: at least one level of emergency dispatch, or at least one remaining time threshold.

[0195] In some embodiments, at least one urgency level is used by the terminal to divide the buffer area containing the first data in the logical channel group according to at least one urgency level.

[0196] In some embodiments, at least one level of urgency is used by the terminal to divide the first data according to at least one level of urgency.

[0197] In some embodiments, at least one remaining duration threshold is used by the terminal to divide the buffer area where the first data in the logical channel group is located according to at least one remaining duration threshold.

[0198] In some embodiments, at least one remaining duration threshold is used by the terminal to divide the first data according to at least one remaining duration threshold.

[0199] In step S3102, the terminal divides the buffer area where the first data in the logical channel group is located according to at least one emergency scheduling level or at least one remaining duration threshold, to obtain at least one buffer area.

[0200] In some embodiments, step S3101 is an optional step. When step S3101 is not included in the embodiments of this disclosure, at least one emergency dispatch level and at least one remaining time threshold can be parameters agreed upon in the protocol.

[0201] The following explanation of step S3102 is based on examples A1 and A2.

[0202] Example A1: The third information indicates at least one level of emergency scheduling. The terminal divides the buffer area where the first data in the logical channel group is located according to at least one level of emergency scheduling to obtain at least one buffer area.

[0203] At least one urgency level is associated with the at least one buffer. Optionally, one urgency level is associated with one buffer.

[0204] The following combination Figure 4a and Figure 4b Provide an explanation for obtaining at least one cache area.

[0205] Figure 4aA schematic diagram illustrating the structure of at least one buffer area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4a As shown, at least one emergency scheduling level includes emergency scheduling level 1, emergency scheduling level 2, and emergency scheduling level 3, and at least one buffer includes buffer 1, buffer 2, and buffer 3, wherein emergency scheduling level 1 is associated with buffer 1, emergency scheduling level 2 is associated with buffer 2, and emergency scheduling level 3 is associated with buffer 3.

[0206] Figure 4b A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of at least one buffer area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4b As shown, at least one emergency scheduling level includes emergency scheduling level 0 and emergency scheduling level 1, and at least one buffer includes buffer 1 and buffer 2, wherein emergency scheduling level 0 is associated with buffer 0 and emergency scheduling level 1 is associated with buffer 1.

[0207] In some embodiments, different urgency levels associated caches are used to cache data with different urgency levels in the first data.

[0208] Example A2: The third information indicates at least one remaining duration threshold. The terminal divides the buffer area where the first data in the logical channel group is located according to the at least one remaining duration threshold to obtain at least one buffer area.

[0209] At least one remaining duration threshold is associated with at least one cache. Optionally, one remaining duration threshold is associated with one cache.

[0210] The following combination Figure 4c and Figure 4d Provide an explanation for obtaining at least one cache area.

[0211] Figure 4c A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of at least one buffer area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4c As shown, at least one remaining time threshold includes remaining time threshold 1, remaining time threshold 2, and remaining time threshold 3, and at least one cache includes cache 1, cache 2, and cache 3, wherein remaining time threshold 1 is associated with cache 1, remaining time threshold 2 is associated with cache 2, and remaining time threshold 3 is associated with cache 3.

[0212] Figure 4d A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of at least one buffer area provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4d As shown, at least one remaining time threshold includes remaining time threshold 0 and remaining time threshold 1, and at least one cache includes cache 1 and cache 2, wherein remaining time threshold 0 is associated with cache 0 and remaining time threshold 1 is associated with cache 1.

[0213] In some embodiments, caches associated with different remaining time thresholds are used to store / cachate data with different levels of urgency.

[0214] In some embodiments, a smaller remaining time threshold is associated with a cache area used to store / cache data with a higher degree of urgency in scheduling.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terminal divides the first data in the logical channel group according to at least one emergency scheduling level or at least one remaining duration threshold to obtain at least one data partition.

[0216] It is worth noting that the process of dividing the first data in the logical channel group to obtain at least one data partition is similar to the process of dividing the buffer area where the first data in the logical channel group is located to obtain at least one buffer area, and will not be elaborated here.

[0217] In step S3103, the terminal determines M buffers corresponding to the second data in at least one buffer. Where M is a positive integer.

[0218] In some embodiments, at least one cache includes M caches corresponding to the second data.

[0219] In some embodiments, some or all of the M cache areas may be used to store the second data.

[0220] In some embodiments, the terminal may implement step S3103 using the following examples B1, B2 and B3.

[0221] In example B1, the terminal can identify at least one buffer as one of the M buffers corresponding to the second data.

[0222] Example B2: When the second data is data in the first data whose urgency level is greater than or equal to the preset urgency level, at least one buffer with a corresponding urgency level greater than or equal to the preset urgency level is identified as the M buffers corresponding to the second data.

[0223] For example, in Figure 4a If the data has a preset scheduling level (e.g., emergency scheduling level 2), then at least one buffer 2 and buffer 3 in the buffer will be determined as 2 (i.e., M=2) buffers corresponding to the second data.

[0224] For example, in Figure 4b If the data has a preset scheduling level (e.g., an emergency scheduling level of 1), then at least one buffer 1 in the buffer will be determined as one (i.e., M=1) buffer corresponding to the second data.

[0225] Example B3: When the second data is data in the first data whose corresponding remaining time threshold is less than or equal to the preset remaining time threshold, at least one cache area whose corresponding remaining time is less than or equal to the preset remaining time threshold is determined as the M cache areas corresponding to the second data.

[0226] For example, in Figure 4c If the preset remaining time threshold is 1, then at least one cache area, cache area 1 and cache area 2, will be determined as 2 (i.e. M=2) cache areas corresponding to the second data.

[0227] For example, in Figure 4d If the preset remaining time threshold is 0, then at least one cache 0 in the cache will be determined as 1 (i.e., M=1) cache corresponding to the second data.

[0228] In some embodiments, M caches are associated with M partition information, and one partition information is used to indicate the amount of data corresponding to the cache associated with that partition information.

[0229] In some embodiments, the partition information includes at least one of the following:

[0230] The quantized value of the data volume corresponding to the data cached in the cache area associated with the partition information; or,

[0231] The percentage of cached data in the first data within the cache area associated with the partition information.

[0232] In some embodiments, the partition information also includes at least one of the following:

[0233] The minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information; or,

[0234] The second indication information is used to indicate whether there is other partition information after the partition information.

[0235] In some embodiments, the data volume quantification value can be high, medium, low, etc. In some embodiments, the data volume quantification value can also be level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, etc.

[0236] In some embodiments, the percentage may be expressed as a percentage.

[0237] In some embodiments, the proportion of cached data in the cache associated with partition information in the first data can also be replaced by the ratio of the amount of cached data in the cache associated with partition information to the amount of the first data.

[0238] For example, the proportion of data cached in the cache associated with partition information in the first data is 10%, or in other words, 10% of the data in the first data is data cached in the cache associated with partition information, or the amount of data cached in the cache associated with partition information is 10% of the amount of data in the first data.

[0239] In some embodiments, the second data corresponds to 1 (M=1) cache area associated with 1 partition information.

[0240] The partition information must include at least the data volume quantization value corresponding to the second data. For example, a high data volume quantization value indicates that there are more second data in the first data.

[0241] The partition information must include at least the percentage of the second data within the first data. For example, a percentage of 5% means that the second data accounts for 5% of the first data, or that 5% of the first data is the second data, or that the amount of the second data is 5% of the amount of the first data.

[0242] In some embodiments, the two (M=1) caches corresponding to the second data are associated with two partition information. The two caches include a first cache and a second cache, and the two partition information includes partition information 1 and partition information 2. Partition information 1 is associated with the first cache, and partition information 2 is associated with the second cache.

[0243] Partition information 1 includes at least the data volume quantization value (e.g., high) corresponding to the data cached in the first cache area, and partition information 2 includes at least the data volume quantization value (e.g., low) corresponding to the data cached in the second cache area. A high data volume quantization value indicates that the first cache area contains a large amount of data. A low data volume quantization value indicates that the first cache area contains a small amount of data.

[0244] Partition information 1 includes at least the percentage of data cached in the first cache area within the first data (e.g., 10%), and partition information 2 includes at least the percentage of data cached in the second cache area within the first data (e.g., 20%). The percentage of data cached in the first cache area being 10% of the first data indicates that the data cached in the first cache area constitutes 10% of the first data. Similarly, the percentage of data cached in the second cache area being 20% ​​of the first data indicates that the data cached in the second cache area constitutes 20% of the first data.

[0245] In some embodiments, the value of the second indication information can be 0 or 1, wherein 0 is used to indicate that there is other partition information after the partition information, and 1 is used to indicate that there is no other partition information after the partition information; or, 0 is used to indicate that there is no other partition information after the partition information, and 1 is used to indicate that there is other partition information after the partition information.

[0246] In some embodiments, the terminal determines M data partitions corresponding to the second data in at least one data partition.

[0247] In some embodiments, the process of determining the M data partitions corresponding to the second data in at least one data partition is similar to the process of determining the M cache areas corresponding to the second data in at least one cache area, and will not be described again here.

[0248] In step S3104, the network device sends second information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information sent by the network device. The second information is used to indicate N. Here, N is the number of partition information corresponding to the second data that the network device needs the terminal to send. Here, N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0249] In step S3105, the terminal sends first information to the network device. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first information sent by the network device.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the amount of data of first data in a logical channel group, or the amount of data of second data in the logical channel group. Wherein, the first data includes the second data, or the first data does not include the second data.

[0251] In some embodiments, when the first data does not include the second data, the first information is used to indicate the amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group, and the first information does not indicate the amount of data in the second data in the logical channel group.

[0252] In some embodiments, the second data is specific data within the first data.

[0253] In some embodiments, the specific data is data whose emergency dispatch level is greater than or equal to a preset dispatch level.

[0254] In some embodiments, the specific data is data with characteristics such as urgent dispatch needs and / or importance.

[0255] In some embodiments, the first information includes first indication information.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first indication information indicates whether the first data includes the second data.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first information includes the data volume of the first data in the logical channel group and the first indication information. When the first indication information indicates that the first data includes the second data, the first information also includes the data volume information of the second data; or, when the first indication information indicates that the first data does not include the second data, the first information does not include the data volume information of the second data.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first indication information is a first value or a second value. The first value indicates that the first data includes the second data, or that the first data is entirely the second data. The second value indicates that the first data does not include the second data.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first indication information characterizes whether the first information indicates the data volume information of the second data.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first indication information is a first value or a second value. The first value represents the amount of data in which the first information indicates the amount of second data. The second value represents the amount of data in which the first information does not indicate the amount of second data.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first value and the second value are different. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. For example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0262] In some embodiments, the data volume information of the second data includes N partition information from the M partition information associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data. In some embodiments, the data volume information of the second data includes N partition information from the M partition information associated with the M data partitions corresponding to the second data.

[0263] In some embodiments, the cache associated with each of the N partition information contains data from the second data. That is, the N partition information reported by the terminal refers to the partition information corresponding to each of the N caches that contain data from the second data.

[0264] In some embodiments, the data partitions associated with each of the N partition information include data from the second data.

[0265] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cache associated with partition information can be replaced with the data partition associated with partition information.

[0266] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cached data in the cache area associated with the partition information can be replaced with the data included in the data partition associated with the partition information.

[0267] The following examples, C1 to C4, illustrate the content of the first information.

[0268] Example C1, the first information includes: the amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group.

[0269] Example C2, the first information includes: the data volume of the first data in the logical channel group and the data volume information of the second data in the logical channel group.

[0270] Example C3, the first information includes: the data volume of the first data in the logical channel group, and the first indication information.

[0271] Optionally, the first indication information in Example C3 can be used to indicate whether the first data includes the second data. In some embodiments, when the first indication information can be used to indicate that the first data includes the second data, the first information may also include data volume information of the second data.

[0272] Example C4, the first information includes: the data volume of the first data in the logical channel group, the first indication information, and the data volume information of the second data.

[0273] Optionally, the first indication information in Example C4 represents the amount of data in the first information that includes the second data. In some embodiments, when the first indication information represents the amount of data in the first information that does not include the second data, the first information may not include the amount of data in the second data.

[0274] The following examples, D1 to D2, illustrate the content of the data volume information of the second data.

[0275] Example D1: The data volume information of the second data includes: the M partition information associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data.

[0276] Example D2: The data volume information of the second data includes: N partition information from the M partition information associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data.

[0277] In some embodiments, step S3104 is an optional step. When step S3104 is not included in the embodiments of this disclosure, the content of the data volume information of the second data can be as shown in Example D1.

[0278] The following examples, E1 through E4, illustrate the content of the partition information.

[0279] Example E1, the partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information, the proportion of cached data in the first data in the cache associated with the partition information, and the second indication information.

[0280] Example E2, the partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information, and the proportion of cached data in the first data in the cache associated with the partition information.

[0281] Example E3, the partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information, the quantization value of the data volume corresponding to the cached data in the cache associated with the partition information, and the second indication information.

[0282] Example E4, the partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache associated with the partition information, and the quantized value of the data volume corresponding to the cached data in the cache associated with the partition information.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first information is in the format of a Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC CE).

[0284] In some embodiments, the subheader corresponding to the first information may include reserved bits (R field), a format field (F field), a logical channel identity (LCID), an extended logical channel identity (eLCID), and a length field (L field). The F field indicates the length of the L field, and the L field is used to indicate the number of bytes in the first information.

[0285] The following combination Figure 4e The format of the first piece of information is explained.

[0286] Figure 4e This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of the first information provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4e As shown, the subheader corresponding to the first information includes reserved bits (R field), format field (F field), LCID, eLCID, and L field.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first information may include multiple logical channel groups (e.g. Figure 4e The corresponding indicator fields for "LCG 1", "LCG 2", etc. in the code.

[0288] For a specific logical channel group, for example, the first information may include the amount of data of the first data in that logical channel group. Figure 4e "Buffer size 0" and first indication information (in the buffer size 0) Figure 4e The information includes “R1” in the logical channel group and the three partitions corresponding to the second data in the logical channel group.

[0289] The first partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in its associated cache area ( Figure 4e The remaining duration (1) and the proportion of cached data in the first data in the cache area associated with the partition information ( Figure 4e The "percentage 1" in the text), and the second instruction information ( Figure 4e (R2 in the text).

[0290] The second partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in its associated cache area ( Figure 4eThe remaining duration (2) and the proportion of cached data in the first data in the cache area associated with the partition information ( Figure 4e The percentage of 2), and the second instruction information ( Figure 4e (R2 in the text).

[0291] The third partition information includes: the minimum remaining duration of cached data in its associated cache area ( Figure 4e The remaining duration (3) in the data, the proportion of cached data in the first data (in the proportion 3 field), and the second indication information (in the partition information associated with the cache). Figure 4e (R2 in the text).

[0292] In some embodiments, some information in the first information may occupy multiple bits, which are consecutive bits in different bytes. For example, the remaining duration 1 occupies some bits in byte 3 and some bits in byte 4.

[0293] It is worth noting that, Figure 4e This explanation uses the example of identical BT domains. Here, buffer size 0 represents the total buffer size. When R1 = 1, it indicates the presence of data for the second data segment. When R2 = 1, it indicates the presence of a partition.

[0294] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the partition information may also be referred to as DSR partition information.

[0295] In some embodiments, for a DSR partition information, the size of the cache associated with the DSR partition information is equal to the product of the buffer size 0 and the proportion of the DSR partition information.

[0296] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3105. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101 to S3103 and step S3105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3102 to S3105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3102 to S3103 and step S3105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0297] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3103 may be swapped with step S3104.

[0298] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3104 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0299] In some embodiments, steps S3102 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0300] In some embodiments, steps S3103 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0301] In some embodiments, steps S3104 to S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0302] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3103 and step S3105 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0303] In some embodiments, step S3104 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0304] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0305] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0306] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0307] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a scheme for the buffer size of data packets reported by a terminal is provided.

[0308] The first information indicates the first amount of data from the terminal. Optionally, the first information may carry a second amount of data.

[0309] Wherein, the first data volume refers to the amount of data in the first set of data. The second data volume refers to the amount of data in the second set of data.

[0310] In one embodiment, the first data includes the second data, or the second data is a subset of the first data.

[0311] In some embodiments, the second data may be data with specific characteristics from the first data.

[0312] For example, the second data could be data from the first data that has an urgent scheduling need. Or the second data could be data from the first data that has characteristics such as importance.

[0313] In one embodiment, the second data is the data derived from the first data according to a characteristic dimension. This characteristic dimension can also be based on other dimensions.

[0314] In this way, the base station can fully know the details of the data to be transmitted by the terminal (i.e., the first data).

[0315] The first information can be in MAC CE format.

[0316] Based on the MAC CE format, in addition to the first data volume, the first information may also include an indicator field. This indicator field is used to indicate whether a second data volume exists.

[0317] In some embodiments, the indication field occupies 1 bit. The information in this indication field may be referred to as first indication information.

[0318] In some embodiments, when the value of the 1 bit is 1, it indicates that there is a second data quantity (the second data quantity does not need to be reported temporarily); or, when the value of the 1 bit is 1, it indicates that the first data is all the second data, for example, the first data is all data with urgent scheduling needs.

[0319] In some embodiments, when the value of this 1-bit is 0, it indicates that there is no second data quantity, that is, the first data does not include the second data. For example, taking urgency as an example, all data is non-urgent data.

[0320] In some embodiments, the indication field occupies 2 bits, which are used to indicate 4 code points, and the information in the indication field can be referred to as the first indication information.

[0321] For example, different code points indicate different scenarios.

[0322] 00 indicates that there is no second data volume, meaning that the first data does not include the second data. For example, in terms of urgency, all data would be non-urgent data.

[0323] 01 indicates the existence of a second data volume; for example, the terminal detects urgent reporting data.

[0324] 10 indicates that there is a second data volume and all data is urgently reported data.

[0325] Based on the MAC CE format, in addition to the first data volume, the first information may also include an indicator field, which indicates whether there is a reporting field with a second data volume. This reporting field with the second data volume can be referred to as the second data field.

[0326] In some embodiments, the indication field occupies 1 bit.

[0327] In some embodiments, when the value of the 1 bit is 1, the reporting field of the second data immediately follows the first data amount, that is, there is a reporting field of the second data, that is, the first data includes the second data.

[0328] In some embodiments, when the value of the 1 bit is 0, there is no reporting field for the second data following the first data amount, that is, there is no reporting field for the second data, which means that the first data does not include the second data.

[0329] In some embodiments, the reporting domain of the second data volume may include a reporting domain corresponding to at least one partition.

[0330] The partitioning mentioned here refers to dividing data into different statistical intervals according to characteristic dimensions. In some embodiments, the partitioning may also be referred to as the data partitioning described above.

[0331] For example, it can be divided into three zones based on urgency levels: high, medium, and low.

[0332] For example, if the network sets N remaining time thresholds, it means that the data is divided into N+1 intervals according to the urgency of data scheduling.

[0333] At least one partition includes one partition that can indicate the amount of data in the cache corresponding to the second data field, wherein the partition is associated with the cache. Alternatively, the reporting field corresponding to the partition can indicate the amount of data in the cache corresponding to the second data field. In some embodiments, the amount of data in the cache is the amount of cached data in the cache.

[0334] In some embodiments, the amount of data in the buffer can be indicated using a data volume quantization value, such as high, medium, or low. Alternatively, the partition can be categorized as high, medium, or low.

[0335] In some embodiments, the amount of data in the cache can be indicated as a percentage. Alternatively, the partition can be indicated as a percentage. For example, 10% means that 10% of the first data is the second data.

[0336] At least one partition includes multiple partitions, which can indicate the amount of data in multiple caches corresponding to the second data field, wherein the multiple partitions are associated with multiple caches. Alternatively, the reporting field corresponding to multiple partitions can indicate the amount of data in multiple caches corresponding to the second data field.

[0337] For example, multiple partitions include partition 1 and partition 2, and multiple cache areas include a first cache area and a second cache area. Partition 1 is high (or the reporting field corresponding to partition 1 indicates high), and partition 2 is low (or the reporting field corresponding to partition 2 indicates high), indicating that the data volume of the first cache area is high and the data volume of the second cache area is low.

[0338] For example, multiple partitions include partition 1 and partition 2, multiple caches include a first cache and a second cache, partition 1 is 10% (or the reporting field corresponding to partition 1 indicates 10%), partition 2 is 20% (or the reporting field corresponding to partition 2 indicates 20%), indicating that the data volume of the first cache is 10% of the data volume of the first data, and the data volume of the second cache is 20% of the data volume of the first data.

[0339] When multiple partitions indicate the amount of data in multiple caches of the second data domain, the division of caches can be refined according to predetermined principles.

[0340] In some embodiments, the cache area can be divided into multiple cache areas according to the urgency of scheduling.

[0341] For example, partition 1 indicates the amount of data in the cache with the highest urgency level (or the reporting field corresponding to partition 1 indicates the amount of data in the cache with the highest urgency level), and partition 2 indicates the amount of data in the cache with the second highest urgency level (or the reporting field corresponding to partition 2 indicates the amount of data in the cache with the second highest urgency level).

[0342] In some embodiments, the predetermined principles for data volume statistics partitioning may be configured by the network for the terminal.

[0343] In some embodiments, the network configures at least one remaining time threshold for the terminal to divide the buffer area according to the urgency of scheduling.

[0344] In some embodiments, the maximum number (e.g., N) of partitions that a terminal can report can be configured by the network for the terminal.

[0345] In some embodiments, if there is no uncached data in the cache corresponding to a partition, then there is no need to report the partition.

[0346] In some embodiments, after a terminal reports a partition, an indicator field can be used to indicate whether there is a next partition.

[0347] For example, for a logical channel group (LCG), a terminal reports a first data field along with an indicator field, such as a value of 1, to indicate that a reporting field (corresponding to partition 1) immediately following the first data field can include a second data field. The second data reporting field can then be followed by an indicator field, such as a value of 1, signifying another reporting field immediately following the second data field (corresponding to partition 2). When the second data reporting field is followed by an indicator field, such as a value of 0, it indicates that no further reporting field immediately following the second data field has been added, signifying the end of reporting for that LCG.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first data field is used to indicate the amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group, and the first amount of data may also be referred to as the first data amount.

[0349] Figure 4f This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of the first information provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4f As shown, the subheader corresponding to the first information includes reserved bits (R field), format field (F field), LCID, eLCID, and L field.

[0350] In some embodiments, the first information may include multiple logical channel groups (e.g. Figure 4f The corresponding indicator fields for "LCG 1", "LCG 2", etc. in the code.

[0351] For each logical channel group, the first information may also include the amount of data of the first data in the logical channel group. Figure 4f The "buffer size 0" (i.e., the first data field) and indication information ( Figure 4f The “R1” in the logical channel group and the reporting field of the second data in the logical channel group.

[0352] In some embodiments, a reporting field of the second data may include a remaining duration field (e.g., Figure 4f (e.g., "remaining time 1") or a percentage field (e.g., used to indicate...) Figure 4f (The "percentage 1" field). The remaining duration field indicates the minimum remaining duration associated with a partition corresponding to the second data, and the percentage field indicates a partition corresponding to the second data.

[0353] In some embodiments, some fields in the first information may occupy multiple bits, which are consecutive bits in different bytes. For example, the remaining duration field ( Figure 4f The "Remaining Duration 1" in the text occupies some bits in byte 3 and some bits in byte 4.

[0354] It is worth noting that, Figure 4f This explanation uses the example of identical BT domains.

[0355] Figure 4f The "buffer size 0" indicates the total buffer size corresponding to a logical channel group. Figure 4f In the context of R1=1, this indicates a reporting field that indicates the existence of a second data point.

[0356] In this disclosure, the partition may also be referred to as a DSR partition. In some embodiments, when the partition is a DSR partition, the buffer size corresponding to the DSR partition is equal to the product of the total buffer size and the DSR partition.

[0357] In this embodiment, the meaning of the BT field is the same as that in related technologies, and will not be repeated here.

[0358] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0359] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0360] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be hardware circuits designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASICs, such as Neural Network Processing Units (NPUs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and Deep Learning Processing Units (DPUs).

[0361] Figure 5a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Terminal 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, such as... Figure 5a As shown, terminal 5100 may include at least one of the following: transceiver module 5101, processing module 5102, etc.

[0362] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5101 is configured to send first information to a network device; wherein the first information is configured to indicate at least one of the following: the amount of data of first data in a logical channel group, or the amount of data of second data in a logical channel group; wherein the first data includes the second data, or the first data does not include the second data.

[0363] Optionally, the transceiver module 5101 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S3101, S3104, and S3105, but not limited thereto), which will not be described in detail here.

[0364] Optionally, the processing module 5102 is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S3102, step S3103, but not limited thereto) executed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0365] Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The network device 5200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, such as... Figure 5b As shown, network device 5200 may include at least one of transceiver module 5201, etc.

[0366] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5201 is used to receive first information sent by the terminal; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the data volume of first data in a logical channel group, or the data volume information of second data in a logical channel group; wherein the first data includes the second data, or the first data does not include the second data.

[0367] Optionally, the transceiver module 5201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (such as step S3101, step S3104, step S3105, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0368] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0369] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0370] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0371] Figure 6a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in this embodiment. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0372] like Figure 6aAs shown, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0373] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S3101, S3104, S3105, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S3102, S3103, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0374] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6102 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6102 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0375] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may vary. Figure 6a The limitations. Communication equipment can be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, communication equipment can be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0376] Figure 6b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to... Figure 6b The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the structure of chip 6200, but it is not limited to this.

[0377] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0378] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0379] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S3101, S3104, and S3105, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 6202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S3102 and S3103, but not limited thereto).

[0380] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0381] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 6100, cause the communication device 6100 to perform 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 not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0382] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by the communication device 6100, cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the above program product is a computer program product.

[0383] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0384] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0385] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0386] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal, and the method includes: Send the first message to the network device; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or, The data volume information of the second data in the logical channel group; Wherein, the first data includes the second data, or the first data does not include the second data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second data is a specific data from the first data.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information includes: first instruction information; The first indication information indicates whether the first data includes the second data, or the first indication information characterizes whether the first information indicates the data volume information of the second data.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The data volume information of the second data includes N partition information out of M partition information, where M is a positive integer and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; The M partition information is associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data; The partition information is used to indicate the amount of data corresponding to the cache area associated with the partition information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cache areas associated with each of the N partition information contain the data from the second data.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information sent by the network device, wherein the second information is used to indicate the N.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The partition information includes at least one of the following: The quantized value of the data volume corresponding to the data cached in the cache area associated with the partition information; or, The percentage of cached data in the cache area associated with the partition information in the first data.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The partition information also includes at least one of the following: The minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache area associated with the partition information; or, The second indication information is used to indicate whether there are other partition information after the partition information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4-8, characterized in that, The M cache areas corresponding to the second data are obtained by dividing the cache area containing the first data using any of the following methods: At least one level of emergency dispatch; or, At least one remaining time threshold.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information sent by the network device; The third information is used to indicate any of the following: The at least one level of emergency dispatch; or The at least one remaining time threshold.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The format of the first information is that of the Media Access Control (MAC) CE.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a network device, and the method includes: The first message sent by the receiving terminal; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The amount of data in the first data in the logical channel group; or, The data volume information of the second data in the logical channel group; Wherein, the first data includes the second data, or the first data does not include the second data.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second data is a specific data from the first data.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information includes: first instruction information; The first indication information indicates whether the first data includes the second data, or the first indication information characterizes whether the first information indicates the data volume information of the second data.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The data volume information of the second data includes N partition information out of M partition information, where M is a positive integer and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M; The M partition information is associated with the M cache areas corresponding to the second data; The partition information is used to indicate the amount of data corresponding to the cache area associated with the partition information.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The cache areas associated with each of the N partition information contain the data from the second data.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the second information to the terminal; The second information is used to indicate the N.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, The partition information includes at least one of the following: The quantized value of the data volume corresponding to the data cached in the cache area associated with the partition information; or, The percentage of cached data in the cache area associated with the partition information in the first data.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The partition information also includes at least one of the following: The minimum remaining duration of cached data in the cache area associated with the partition information; or, The second indication information is used to indicate whether there are other partition information after the partition information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized in that, The M cache areas corresponding to the second data are obtained by dividing the cache area containing the first data using any of the following methods: At least one level of emergency dispatch; or, At least one remaining time threshold.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send third information to the terminal; The third information is used to indicate any of the following: The at least one level of emergency dispatch; or The at least one remaining time threshold.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12-21, characterized in that, The format of the first information is that of the Media Access Control (MAC) CE.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or any one of claims 12 to 22.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, include: Terminals and network equipment; The terminal is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11; or, The network device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

25. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, it causes the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 or any one of claims 12 to 22.

26. A program product comprising a program and / or instructions, characterized in that, When the program and / or instructions are executed by the communication device, they implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or any one of claims 12 to 22.

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