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

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, device, equipment, storage medium and program product. After receiving configuration information sent by a network device, a terminal device receives an indication of whether to initiate an uplink access signal in a listening window. If access permission information is detected, the terminal device can initiate an uplink random access in a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain position associated with the listening window. If the access permission information carries time domain or frequency domain indication information, the terminal device initiates a random access in a time domain or frequency domain position indicated by the access permission information. Since the terminal device receives the configuration information, the association between the listening window and the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is clear. The terminal device only listens in a specific window, avoids blindly sending an access request, and reduces signal conflicts caused by random access attempts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the ultra-low power consumption of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence & Internet of Things) tags, they cannot be equipped with batteries or other power supply modules. They typically use dual-polarized antennas to obtain radio frequency (RF) power, which is then stored in capacitors. As the tag stores energy in these capacitors using received RF signals, the energy received gradually decreases with increasing distance from the CW (Continuous Wave) RF power source, making it take longer to reach the activation threshold. To support uplink transmission from terminal devices, the network needs to configure random access resources for the terminals. However, since passive IoT terminals (i.e., tags) lack batteries and rely on external power sources such as electromagnetic waves or solar energy, the continuous monitoring time is extremely short.

[0003] In existing active communication systems, the timing of random access is fixed, and all terminal devices can initiate access within the random access window. If a conflict occurs, the system backs off and waits before attempting to access again. However, in passive systems, communication bandwidth is narrower, and random access resources are even more limited, requiring a balance between the power consumption and storage efficiency of tag signal reception and transmission. If the existing random access mechanism of active communication systems is adopted in a passive system, the next random access window may arrive before the previous tag has completed its communication process. This can lead to communication conflicts, with signals from multiple tags interfering with each other. This prevents the reader from accurately receiving and processing the information sent by the tags, thus affecting the normal use of the tags, such as the inability to correctly read data from the tags or causing tag communication failures. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product, in which the terminal device determines the timing of random access by receiving indication information, avoiding blindly sending access requests and reducing signal conflicts caused by random access attempts.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0006] The terminal device receives configuration information sent by a network device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0007] Listen within the listening window;

[0008] When access permission information is detected in the listening window, random access is initiated at a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain location associated with the listening window, or random access is initiated according to the indication information carried in the access permission information.

[0009] As an improvement to the above scheme, the indication information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information.

[0010] As an improvement to the above scheme, each of the listening windows is associated with at least one first time domain and / or first frequency domain location.

[0011] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0012] If no access permission information is detected in the listening window, the access permission information will continue to be detected in the next listening window.

[0013] As an improvement to the above scheme, after initiating random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, the method further includes:

[0014] When random access fails, initiate random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the next or Nth listening window, where N≥1.

[0015] As an improvement to the above scheme, N is configured by the network device, or N is generated by the terminal device based on the configuration information.

[0016] As an improvement to the above solution, the configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0017] Configuration information for the location of the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain;

[0018] Configuration information for the listening window.

[0019] As an improvement to the above scheme, the configuration information of the first time domain and / or first frequency domain location includes at least one of the following:

[0020] First quantity;

[0021] First cycle;

[0022] First starting position;

[0023] First bias;

[0024] First time domain length;

[0025] First frequency domain position.

[0026] As an improvement to the above solution, the configuration information of the listening window includes at least one of the following:

[0027] Second quantity;

[0028] Second cycle;

[0029] Second starting position;

[0030] Second bias;

[0031] Window length;

[0032] Reference frequency domain location.

[0033] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention also provide another communication method applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0034] Send configuration information to the terminal device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0035] Send access permission information to the terminal device, wherein the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain location associated with the listening window, or, the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access according to the instruction information carried in the access permission information.

[0036] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device applied to a terminal device, the device comprising:

[0037] A configuration information receiving module is used to receive configuration information sent by a network device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0038] The listening module is used to listen within the listening window;

[0039] The random access module is configured to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain location associated with the listening window when the access permission information is detected in the listening window, or to initiate random access based on the indication information carried in the access permission information.

[0040] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention also provide another communication device applied to a network device, the device comprising:

[0041] A configuration information sending module is used to send configuration information to a terminal device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0042] An access permission information sending module is used to send access permission information to a terminal device. The access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, or the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access according to the indication information carried in the access permission information.

[0043] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0044] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when running, controls the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located to execute the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0045] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0046] Compared to existing technologies, the communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product disclosed in this invention, after receiving configuration information sent by the network device, allows the terminal device to receive an indication of whether to permit uplink access signals within a listening window. If permission is detected, the terminal device can initiate uplink random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain location associated with the listening window. If permission information carries time domain or frequency domain indication information, the terminal device initiates random access at the time domain or frequency domain location indicated by the permission information. Because the terminal device clearly understands the association between the listening window and the first time domain and / or first frequency domain location after receiving the configuration information, it only listens within a specific window, avoiding blindly sending access requests and reducing signal conflicts caused by arbitrary access attempts. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the first communication method provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first type of association between the monitoring window and the position in the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second type of association between the monitoring window and the position of the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the third type of association between the monitoring window and the position of the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the second communication method provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of the first communication device provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 7 This is a structural block diagram of the second communication device provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] The terminal device described in this embodiment of the invention is a device that serves as the communication counterpart of a network device, such as an electronic tag, user equipment (UE), IoT device, or IoT tag. User equipment includes, but is not limited to, handheld devices and vehicle-mounted devices.

[0057] The network device described in this embodiment of the invention can be a base station reader or a terminal reader, such as an evolved node base station (eNB), a next-generation node base station (gNB), or a TRP (Transmission and Receiving Point) with read and write functions.

[0058] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a first communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The first communication method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes:

[0059] S11. Receive configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position, wherein the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0060] S12. Listen within the listening window;

[0061] S13. When access permission information is detected in the listening window, random access is initiated at the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, or random access is initiated according to the indication information carried in the access permission information.

[0062] For example, since passive IoT systems are asynchronous, the amount of data that each terminal device needs to transmit is unpredictable. Therefore, it is impossible to predict whether the terminal device will be able to complete communication within the estimated time before communication begins. Consequently, network devices need to flexibly indicate whether access resources are available and which specific time-domain or frequency-domain resources are available. Each downlink listening window is used for terminal devices to initiate uplink random access. However, if a previously accessed terminal device is still communicating and occupying time-domain or frequency-domain resources, the downlink listening window will instruct the terminal device not to access at the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position associated with that downlink listening window. If some resources are still available for access, the listening window will instruct the terminal device to access at the indicated time-domain or frequency-domain resource.

[0063] Based on the above scenario, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: configuration information for a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain position; and configuration information for a listening window. After receiving the configuration information sent by the network device, the terminal device in this invention receives an indication within the listening window regarding whether to permit the initiation of an uplink access signal. If permission information is detected, the terminal device can initiate uplink random access at the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position associated with the listening window. Furthermore, if permission information carries time domain or frequency domain indication information, the terminal device initiates random access at the time domain or frequency domain position indicated by the permission information.

[0064] In this embodiment of the invention, since the terminal device, after receiving the configuration information, clearly understands the association between the listening window and the position of the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain, the terminal device only listens within a specific window, avoiding blindly sending access requests and reducing signal conflicts caused by arbitrary access attempts. Furthermore, the indication information carried in the access permission information provides the terminal device with diverse access methods. The terminal can choose the appropriate method to access based on its own situation and network status, enhancing the system's adaptability to different scenarios. For example, in complex electromagnetic environments, the terminal can avoid interference frequency bands through frequency or frequency offset indications; in scenarios with high real-time requirements, the access time can be precisely controlled using time domain indications.

[0065] Specifically, the configuration information of the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position includes at least one of the following: first quantity, first period, first start position, first offset, first time domain length, and first frequency domain position.

[0066] For example, after receiving the configuration information of the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain location, the terminal device can know at what time and frequency location it can access the network, such as:

[0067] 1.1) The first quantity determines how many first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions are available for terminal devices in a specific communication scenario. For example, if the first quantity is configured as 5, it means that the network device sets 5 different first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions for the terminal devices throughout the entire communication process. By limiting the number of first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions, the number of terminal devices attempting to access the network at the same time can be effectively controlled, avoiding network congestion due to excessive access requests.

[0068] 1.2) The first period refers to the time interval at which the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position recurs. Based on the first period, the terminal device can know the interval between two adjacent first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions in the time domain, such as the interval between the starting points of two adjacent first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions. Assuming the first period is set to 100 milliseconds, this means that the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position will appear once every 100 milliseconds. The setting of the first period affects the frequency at which the terminal device initiates random access. A shorter period allows the terminal device to attempt access more frequently, which is suitable for services with high real-time requirements, such as real-time video calls; while a longer period is suitable for services with low real-time requirements, such as file downloads, which can reduce the number of access requests in the network and reduce the probability of collisions.

[0069] 1.3) The first starting position is used to determine the starting point of the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position on the time axis. The first offset can be understood as the offset of the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position relative to a certain reference point. Based on the first starting position and an optional first offset parameter, the starting point of the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position can be determined. For example, if the first starting position is set to 20 milliseconds, then the first first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position will start from 20 milliseconds. Setting the first starting position allows the network to flexibly adjust the occurrence time of the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position according to its own service arrangements and resource allocation, thereby optimizing network performance. Furthermore, if the first offset is considered, with a specific system clock signal as a reference, and the first offset is set to 5 milliseconds, then the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain position will appear 5 milliseconds later than the original time based on the first starting position. The function of the first offset is to allow for fine-tuning of the first time-domain and / or first frequency-domain positions for different types of terminal devices or different service requirements, making network resource allocation more reasonable.

[0070] 1.4) The first time domain length represents the duration of the first time domain in the time dimension. For example, if the first time domain length is set to 10 milliseconds, it means that each first time domain lasts for 10 milliseconds from start to finish. The size of the first time domain length affects the operations that the terminal device can complete within the first time domain. A longer first time domain length allows the terminal device more time to send complex access request data, which is suitable for access scenarios that require the transmission of a large amount of information; a shorter first time domain length is suitable for simple access requests and can accommodate more access attempts per unit time.

[0071] 1.5) The first frequency domain location determines the frequency range corresponding to the access opportunity, and the frequency domain information of each first frequency domain location within the access opportunity can be obtained. For example, in a communication system with multiple available frequency bands, the first frequency domain location can specify a particular frequency band for terminal equipment to use. By setting different first frequency domain locations, different access requests can be allocated to different frequency resources, thereby avoiding frequency conflicts and improving spectrum utilization.

[0072] Specifically, the monitoring window configuration information includes at least one of the following: second quantity, second period, second start position, second offset, window length, and reference frequency domain position.

[0073] For example, after receiving the above information, the terminal device can determine the time and frequency at which it will perform downlink monitoring, such as:

[0074] 2.1) The second quantity determines the number of windows that the terminal device can use for listening within a specific communication cycle. This setting can precisely control the intensity of the terminal device's listening activities. When the network load is high, reducing the number of listening windows can reduce the terminal device's energy consumption and network resource occupation; when business needs are urgent, increasing the number of listening windows allows the terminal device to have more opportunities to receive critical signals and improve communication response speed.

[0075] 2.2) The second period represents the time interval at which the listening window repeats. Based on the period, the interval between two adjacent downlink listening windows in the time domain can be determined, such as the interval between the starting points of two adjacent downlink listening windows in the time domain. Assuming the second period is set to 50 milliseconds, a listening window will appear every 50 milliseconds. This setting is crucial for balancing the power consumption of the terminal device with the timeliness of information acquisition. For services with high real-time requirements, such as online games, a shorter second period allows the terminal device to listen frequently and receive server instructions promptly, ensuring smooth gameplay. For services with lower real-time requirements, such as periodic data synchronization, a longer second period can reduce the device's listening frequency and lower energy consumption.

[0076] 2.3) The second starting position is used to define the start time of the listening window on the timeline; the second offset is the time offset of the listening window relative to a reference point. Based on the second starting position and an optional second offset parameter, the starting point of the downlink listening window can be determined. For example, if the second starting position is set to 15 milliseconds, then the first listening window starts at 15 milliseconds. Network devices can adjust the second starting position according to their own service rhythm and resource allocation, allowing terminal devices to listen at appropriate times, thus optimizing network resource utilization efficiency. Furthermore, by combining the second offset with a specific system clock signal as a reference, if the second offset is set to 3 milliseconds, then the listening window will open with a 3-millisecond delay based on the time of the second starting position. This setting allows for fine-tuning of the listening window time for different types of terminal devices or service requirements, making network resource allocation more suitable for actual application scenarios and improving overall communication performance.

[0077] 2.4) Window length represents the duration of the listening window in the time dimension. Based on the window length, the length of each downlink listening window can be determined.

[0078] 2.5) The reference frequency domain location determines the frequency range corresponding to the listening window. Based on the reference frequency domain location, the frequency domain information of each downlink listening window is obtained. In multi-band communication systems, the reference frequency domain location can specify a specific frequency band for terminal devices to listen to signals within the listening window. By reasonably setting different reference frequency domain locations, the listening activities of different services or different types of terminal devices can be allocated to different frequency resources, effectively avoiding frequency conflicts and improving spectrum utilization.

[0079] Specifically, each of the listening windows is associated with at least one first time domain and / or first frequency domain location. Embodiments of the present invention provide three association relationships between listening windows and first time domain and / or first frequency domain locations: 1) one listening window is associated with one first time domain and / or first frequency domain location; 2) one listening window is associated with at least two first time domain and / or first frequency domain locations; 3) at least two listening windows are associated with at least two first time domain and / or first frequency domain locations.

[0080] For case 1), see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the first type of association between the monitoring window and the location in the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain, as provided in this embodiment of the invention. Taking the first time domain as an example (the first frequency domain location uses the same association method, which will not be repeated here), downlink monitoring window 0 is associated with first time domain 0, downlink monitoring window 1 is associated with first time domain 1, and so on. If a terminal device receives downlink access permission information in monitoring window 0, the terminal device can attempt to initiate random access in first time domain 0.

[0081] For case 2), see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a second association between the monitoring window and the positions in the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain, as provided in this embodiment of the invention. Taking the first time domain as an example (the first frequency domain positions use the same association method, which will not be repeated here), downlink monitoring window 0 is associated with first time domains 0 and 1, downlink monitoring window 1 is associated with first time domains 2 and 3, and so on. If a terminal device receives downlink access permission information in downlink monitoring window 0, the terminal device can attempt to initiate random access in either first time domain 0 or first time domain 1.

[0082] For case 3), see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a third association relationship between the monitoring window and the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position provided in this embodiment of the invention. Taking the first time domain as an example (the first frequency domain position uses the same association method, which will not be repeated here), downlink monitoring windows 0 and 1 are both associated with first time domains 0 and 1, downlink monitoring windows 2 and 3 are both associated with first time domains 2 and 3, and so on. If a terminal device receives downlink access permission information in downlink monitoring window 0 and / or downlink monitoring window 1, the terminal device can attempt to initiate random access in the first time domain 0 or the first time domain 1.

[0083] In this embodiment of the invention, when each monitoring window is associated with at least one first time domain and / or first frequency domain position, the terminal device can quickly initiate random access at the associated first time domain and / or first frequency domain position after monitoring the relevant signal. Different types of terminal devices may have different monitoring and access requirements. This association method allows the network device to configure appropriate first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions for the corresponding monitoring windows of different terminal devices according to their characteristics. In addition, the network device can allocate resources more finely according to the first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions associated with different monitoring windows. For example, for some services with extremely high real-time requirements, multiple first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions can be associated with the corresponding monitoring window, or a first time domain and / or first frequency domain position that is earlier in time, to prioritize the access needs of such services; while for ordinary data services, relatively later or fewer first time domain and / or first frequency domain positions can be associated, so that network resources can be reasonably allocated among different services, improving the overall resource utilization efficiency.

[0084] Specifically, the indication information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information.

[0085] For example, the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate uplink access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain position that can be associated with the downlink listening window, such as allowing the terminal device to send an uplink RN16 to attempt access. If no access permission information is detected in the current downlink listening window, it means that the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the current listening window has been occupied. The tag does not need to initiate random access, which ensures that the tag that is transmitting can continue transmitting data without being interfered with or interrupted by new tags, and also saves the power consumption of other tags that are listening, allowing them to continue to sleep and wait for the subsequent first time domain and / or first frequency domain position.

[0086] For example, the access permission information sent by the network device may or may not carry indication information. When the access permission information does not carry indication information, the terminal device directly initiates random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window that received the access permission information. At this time, the entire first time domain and / or first frequency domain position can initiate random access. When the access permission information carries indication information, there are two situations: Situation 1: Initiate random access directly according to the time domain position and / or frequency domain information indicated by the indication information; Situation 2: In the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window that received the access permission information, further initiate random access according to the time domain position and / or frequency domain information indicated by the indication information.

[0087] Furthermore, the frequency domain information is frequency information or frequency offset information, used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access on that frequency. For example, if a terminal device is conducting data communication on frequency F1, this frequency domain information can be used to instruct subsequent accessing terminal devices to use frequency F2, which is different from F1, for random access. The time domain information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access within that time domain. For example, the network device can explicitly instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at or after a specific time. During this period, the terminal device does not need to listen to the network side's instruction information and can continue charging.

[0088] In this embodiment of the invention, network devices can flexibly allocate resources through configuration information. When there are multiple terminal devices, different listening windows and associations with the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain location can be assigned to different terminals according to service requirements and network load. When initiating random access at the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain location, the terminal device listens in a specific downlink listening window, and only initiates random access at the associated first time domain and / or the first frequency domain location after receiving a permission signal, reducing the possibility of conflicts with simultaneous access from other tags.

[0089] Specifically, the method further includes: when no access permission information is detected in the listening window, continuing to detect the access permission information in the next listening window.

[0090] For example, if the current channel is occupied by another terminal device, the network device will not send access permission information within the downlink listening window. This means the terminal device currently listening in that window will not access the network and will continue to wait for the next downlink listening window. This avoids interference from uplink access messages sent by other terminal devices preparing to access the network at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain location during data transmission by the terminal device currently occupying the channel. Figure 4 For example, if a terminal device does not detect downlink access permission information in either the first time domain 0 or the first time domain 1, then the terminal device is not allowed to access in the first time domain 0 and the first time domain 1, and continues to listen in the downlink listening windows 2 and 3.

[0091] In this embodiment of the invention, for terminal devices, especially energy-constrained devices such as passive tags, this mechanism can significantly reduce power consumption. If no access permission information is detected in the listening window, the terminal device does not need to initiate random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, but will continue to sleep, waiting for the subsequent first time domain and / or first frequency domain position, thus saving energy.

[0092] Specifically, after initiating random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, the method further includes: when random access fails, initiating random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the next or Nth listening window, where N≥1. N is configured by the network device, or N is generated by the terminal device based on the configuration information.

[0093] For example, after receiving access permission information in the current listening window, the terminal device initiates random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the current listening window. If the random access fails, it waits for the next listening window to initiate random access again at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position, or waits for the Nth listening window to initiate random access again at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position. N can be configured by the network device. This invention provides an example (but is not limited to this): if the network device analyzes factors such as the access failure rate, network bandwidth usage, and the number of simultaneously online terminal devices in the area over a period of time using an algorithm, and finds that under the current network conditions, the terminal device needs to initiate access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the third listening window to succeed, then the network device configures the value of N to 3. Alternatively, N can be configured by the terminal device based on the configuration information. This invention provides an example (but is not limited to this): if the terminal device determines the historical access situation under the same configuration based on this configuration information, and then selects an appropriate N value, if the analysis finds that the terminal device can only successfully initiate access at the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position associated with the fourth listening window under the same configuration information, then the terminal device configures the N value to 4.

[0094] In this embodiment of the invention, the network device provides the terminal device with multiple access attempts to avoid communication interruption due to a single failure. For example, in remote areas with weak signals, the terminal's first access attempt may fail due to interference or signal attenuation. However, retrying at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the subsequent listening window increases the chances of successfully connecting to the network, ensuring smooth data transmission. Furthermore, during peak network periods, numerous terminals compete for access, leading to a high probability of initial access failure. By retrying at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the subsequent listening window, the terminal device can avoid network congestion peaks, improving access effectiveness and ensuring users' basic communication needs under different network conditions. For real-time services, such as online video conferencing and voice calls, timely retries after access failure reduce interruption time, maintain service continuity, and prevent users from being forced to interrupt important communications due to brief access issues, ensuring a smooth user experience.

[0095] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a second communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The second communication method is applied to a network device, and the method includes:

[0096] S21. Send configuration information to the terminal device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0097] S22. Send access permission information to the terminal device, wherein the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, or the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access according to the instruction information carried in the access permission information.

[0098] It should be noted that the working process of the second communication method described in the embodiments of the present invention can refer to the working process of the network device in the first communication method described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0099] See Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of a first type of communication device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 100 is applied to a terminal device and includes:

[0100] The configuration information receiving module 11 is used to receive configuration information sent by the network device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0101] Listening module 12 is used for listening within the listening window;

[0102] The random access module 13 is used to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window when the access permission information is detected in the listening window, or to initiate random access according to the indication information carried in the access permission information.

[0103] Specifically, when the random access module 13 does not detect access permission information in the listening window, the listening module 12 continues to detect the access permission information in the next listening window.

[0104] Specifically, when random access fails, the random access module 13 initiates random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the next or Nth listening window, where N≥1.

[0105] It should be noted that the working process of each module in the communication device 100 described in the embodiments of the present invention can be referred to the working process of the terminal device in the first communication method of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0106] See Figure 7 , Figure 7This is a structural block diagram of a second communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The second communication device 200 is applied to a network device, and the device includes:

[0107] Configuration information sending module 21 is used to send configuration information to terminal device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access.

[0108] The access permission information sending module 22 is used to send access permission information to the terminal device. The access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, or the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access according to the instruction information carried in the access permission information.

[0109] It should be noted that the working process of each module in the communication device 200 described in the embodiments of the present invention can refer to the working process of the network device in the first communication method of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 300 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, and a computer program stored in the memory 32 and executable on the processor 31. When the processor 31 executes the computer program, it implements the steps in the various communication method embodiments described above.

[0111] For example, the computer program may be divided into one or more modules / units, which are stored in the memory 32 and executed by the processor 31 to complete the present invention. The one or more modules / units may be a series of computer program instruction segments capable of performing a specific function, which describe the execution process of the computer program in the communication device 300.

[0112] The communication device 300 may include, but is not limited to, a processor 31 and a memory 32. Those skilled in the art will understand that the schematic diagram is merely an example of the communication device 300 and does not constitute a limitation on the communication device 300. It may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine certain components, or different components. For example, the communication device 300 may also include input / output devices, network access devices, buses, etc.

[0113] The processor 31 can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processor 31 is the control center of the communication device 300, connecting all parts of the communication device 300 via various interfaces and lines.

[0114] The memory 32 can be used to store the computer programs and / or modules. The processor 31 implements various functions of the communication device 300 by running or executing the computer programs and / or modules stored in the memory 32 and calling the data stored in the memory 32. The memory 32 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system, at least one application program required for a function (such as sound playback function, image playback function, etc.), etc.; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the mobile phone (such as audio data, phonebook, etc.). In addition, the memory 32 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as hard disk, memory, plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0115] Wherein, if the modules / units integrated in the communication device 300 are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed by the processor 31, it can implement the steps of the various method embodiments described above. The computer program includes computer program code, which can be in the form of source code, object code, executable files, or certain intermediate forms. The computer-readable medium can include: any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program code, recording media, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, magnetic disks, optical disks, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution media, etc.

[0116] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0117] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: The terminal device receives configuration information sent by a network device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access. Listen within the listening window; When access permission information is detected in the listening window, random access is initiated at a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain location associated with the listening window, or random access is initiated according to the indication information carried in the access permission information.

2. The communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The indication information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information.

3. The communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned listening windows is associated with at least one first time domain and / or first frequency domain location.

4. The communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If no access permission information is detected in the listening window, the access permission information will continue to be detected in the next listening window.

5. The communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After initiating random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain location associated with the listening window, the method further includes: When random access fails, initiate random access at the first time domain and / or first frequency domain position associated with the next or Nth listening window, where N≥1.

6. The communication method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The N is configured by the network device, or the N is generated by the terminal device based on the configuration information.

7. The communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration information includes at least one of the following: Configuration information for the location of the first time domain and / or the first frequency domain; Configuration information for the listening window.

8. The communication method as described in any one of claims 7, characterized in that, The configuration information for the first time domain and / or first frequency domain location includes at least one of the following: First quantity; First cycle; First starting position; First bias; First time domain length; First frequency domain position.

9. The communication method as described in any one of claims 7, characterized in that, The configuration information of the listening window includes at least one of the following: Second quantity; Second cycle; Second starting position; Second bias; Window length; Reference frequency domain location.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: Send configuration information to the terminal device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access. Send access permission information to the terminal device, wherein the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain location associated with the listening window, or, the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access according to the instruction information carried in the access permission information.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the device includes: A configuration information receiving module is used to receive configuration information sent by a network device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access. The listening module is used to listen within the listening window; The random access module is configured to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or first frequency domain location associated with the listening window when the access permission information is detected in the listening window, or to initiate random access based on the indication information carried in the access permission information.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the device includes: A configuration information sending module is used to send configuration information to a terminal device. The configuration information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a listening window, a first time domain associated with the listening window, and a first frequency domain position. The first time domain and / or the first frequency domain position is used by the terminal device to initiate random access. An access permission information sending module is used to send access permission information to a terminal device. The access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access at a first time domain and / or a first frequency domain position associated with the listening window, or the access permission information is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate random access according to the indication information carried in the access permission information.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein, when the computer program is executed, it controls the device on which the computer-readable storage medium is located to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program / instruction that, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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