Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device, which can save power consumption of a base station and a terminal. The method comprises the following steps: a terminal determines a first resource; the terminal sends first scheduling request information to the base station on the first resource, the first scheduling request information and / or the first resource indicates first information, and the first information comprises at least one of the following: PDCP discard timer residual time of a first data packet, PDCP discard timer residual time level, PDB residual time, or PDB residual time level; and the base station centrally schedules a plurality of first data packets based on the first information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] The packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer at the sending end maintains a PDCP drop timer, the duration of which is determined by the upper-layer protocol. Each time the sending end receives a PDCP service data unit (SDU) from the upper layer, it triggers the start of a PDCP drop timer. The remaining time of the PDCP drop timer reflects the transmission congestion status of the PDCP layer.

[0003] Currently, when the remaining time of the shortest PDCP discard timer for buffered data packets in a logical channel group (LCG) is less than the threshold configured by the base station, and the LCG has no unprocessed delay status reports (DSRs), the terminal sends a DSR to the base station on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) allocated by the base station. This DSR includes the remaining time of the shortest PDCP discard timer for the buffered data packets in the LCG. For example, when a terminal sends a scheduling request (SR) to the base station, the base station, upon receiving the SR, sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal. This DCI dynamically indicates PUSCH resources. When the remaining time of the shortest PDCP discard timer for buffered data packets in an LCG is less than the threshold configured by the base station, and the LCG has no unprocessed DSRs, the terminal sends a DSR to the base station on the PUSCH resources dynamically indicated by the DCI. How to enable the base station to know the remaining time of the terminal's buffered data packets earlier is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables a second communication device to obtain the remaining time information of a first data packet earlier, and enables the base station to centrally schedule more data packets, thereby saving power consumption of the base station and the terminal.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first communication device, such as being executed by the first communication device, which can be a terminal, or a device applied to the terminal (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, chip system or processor), or a logic node, logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions.

[0006] The method includes: determining a first resource; sending a first scheduling request message on the first resource, wherein the first scheduling request message and / or the first resource indicates first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP drop timer for a first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer, the remaining time of the packet delay budget (PDB), or the remaining time level of the PDB.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the first communication device sends a first scheduling request information and / or a first resource indicator for transmitting the first scheduling request information to the second communication device, which includes the remaining time information of the first data packet. Compared with the scheme in which the first communication device sends a DSR including the remaining time of the data packet to the second communication device on the PUSCH resource obtained by sending the SR, the embodiments of this application can enable the second communication device to know the remaining time information of the first data packet earlier, can realize the centralized scheduling of more data packets by the second communication device, enable faster and more concentrated data transmission, and can allow the first and second communication devices to have longer sleep time, thereby saving the power consumption of the first and second communication devices.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first data packet satisfies at least one of the following: the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDCP discard timer among a plurality of cached data packets; the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDB among a plurality of cached data packets; or, the first data packet is the data packet with the earliest arrival time among a plurality of cached data packets. Wherein, the data packet with the earliest arrival time among a plurality of cached data packets can be understood as the data packet that arrived at the first communication device earliest among a plurality of cached data packets, or the first packet among a plurality of cached data packets.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the plurality of data packets are data packets cached in a logical channel group, and the first information further includes the identifier of the logical channel group; or, the plurality of data packets are data packets corresponding to a quality of service flow (QoS flow), and the first information further includes the identifier of the QoS flow; or, the plurality of data packets are data packets corresponding to a task, and the first information further includes the identifier of the task. Wherein, one task corresponds to one or more modalities.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first scheduling request information indicating the first information further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating whether the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information; sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the first indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information. Based on this implementation, when the second communication device has packet aggregation scheduling needs or energy-saving needs, the first indication information sent by the second communication device to the first communication device indicates the sending of the first scheduling request information indicating the first information; the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information indicating the first information to the second communication device according to the first indication information, and the second communication device can perform packet aggregation scheduling more flexibly according to the first information, thereby saving the power consumption of the second communication device.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first scheduling request information indicating the first information further includes: sending second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; the step of sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the second indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information. Based on this implementation, the second communication device can know whether the first communication device has sent the first scheduling request information indicating the first information according to the second indication information. When the second indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information indicating the first information, the second communication device monitors the first scheduling request information on the first resource.

[0012] Optionally, if the second indication information instructs the first communication device not to send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device will not send the first scheduling request information; correspondingly, if the second indication information instructs the first communication device not to send the first scheduling request information, the second communication device will not monitor the first scheduling request information on the first resource. In this implementation, the second communication device can choose not to monitor the first scheduling request information on the first resource according to the second indication information, thereby saving power consumption of the second communication device; or, the second communication device can utilize the first resource to transmit other information besides the first scheduling request information according to the second indication information, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second indication information is the information indicated by the uplink (UL) WUS.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: receiving first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the first resource and the second resource, the second resource is used to transmit second scheduling request information, and the second scheduling request information and / or the second resource does not indicate the first information. Based on this implementation, the first communication device can use the first resource or the second resource as needed. For example, if the size of the first resource is larger than the size of the second resource, the first resource can be used when the first communication device needs to indicate the first information through the scheduling request information, and the second resource can be used when the first communication device does not need to indicate the first information through the scheduling request information. This avoids resource waste and also helps to save transmission energy consumption.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first resource indicating the first information further includes: receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating a plurality of third resources, the plurality of third resources being associated with at least one of the following different things: PDCP discard timer remaining time, PDCP discard timer remaining time level, PDB remaining time, or PDB remaining time level, wherein the first resource is the resource among the plurality of third resources associated with the content of the first information.

[0016] Based on this implementation, the first resource is determined from the plurality of third resources according to the first information. The first information can be indicated by sending the first resource containing the first scheduling request information. Compared to the implementation method that indicates the first information via the first scheduling request information itself, this implementation method reduces the number of bits occupied by the first scheduling request information, thereby saving resources used for transmitting the first scheduling request information.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first information is indicated by one or more of the following methods: transmission resources, fields, constellation diagrams, or cyclic shift values. The remaining time information indicated by different constellation diagrams may be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol, and the remaining time information indicated by different cyclic shift values ​​may also be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information further includes the data volume or data volume level corresponding to the first data packet. Based on this implementation, the second communication device can know in advance the data volume or data volume range of the first data packet cached in the first communication device based on the first information, thereby scheduling an appropriate amount of uplink resources to centrally schedule multiple first data packets.

[0019] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to, or executed by, a second communication device. This second communication device can be a network device, or a device applied to a network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. For example, the network device can be a base station or access network device.

[0020] The method includes: receiving first scheduling request information on a first resource, wherein the first scheduling request information and / or the first resource indicates first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer for a first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB; and centrally scheduling multiple first data packets based on the first information, wherein the multiple first data packets include the first data packet. For example, the multiple first data packets are data packets cached in different LCGs of a first communication device, or the multiple first data packets are data packets corresponding to different Quality of Service flows cached by the first communication device, or the multiple first data packets are data packets corresponding to different tasks cached by the first communication device. For example, the multiple first data packets are data packets cached by different first communication devices.

[0021] The method provided in the second aspect is the network device-side method corresponding to the first aspect. Its beneficial effects and some possible implementation methods can be referred to the first aspect.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first scheduling request information indicating the first information further includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the first indication information indicates that the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first scheduling request information indicating the first information further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the second indication information indicates that the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, some implementations of the second aspect further include: sending first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the first resource and the second resource, the second resource is used to transmit second scheduling request information, and the second scheduling request information and / or the second resource does not indicate the first information.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first resource indicating the first information further includes: sending second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating a plurality of third resources, the plurality of third resources being associated with at least one of the following different things: PDCP discard timer remaining time, PDCP discard timer remaining time level, PDB remaining time, or PDB remaining time level, and the first resource being the resource among the plurality of third resources associated with the content of the first information.

[0026] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first communication device, such as being executed by the first communication device, which can be a terminal, or a device applied to the terminal (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, chip system or processor), or a logic node, logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal functions.

[0027] The method includes: receiving fourth configuration information, the fourth configuration information indicating a fourth resource and a fifth resource, the fourth resource being used to transmit third scheduling request information, and the fifth resource being used to transmit first information; sending the third scheduling request information on the fourth resource, the third scheduling request information indicating whether the first communication device should send the first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer of the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB; and, if the third scheduling request information indicates that the first communication device should send the first information, sending the first information on the fifth resource.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, the third scheduling request information sent by the first communication device on the fourth resource indicates whether to send first information including remaining time information. If the third scheduling request information indicates the sending of first information including remaining time information, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device on the fifth resource. The fifth resource used to send the first information is pre-configured and is not the PUSCH resource dynamically indicated by the second communication device via DCI after the first communication device sends the SR. Therefore, compared with the scheme where the first communication device sends a DSR including the remaining time of the data packet to the second communication device on the PUSCH resource obtained by sending the SR, the embodiments of this application allow the second communication device to know the remaining time information of the first data packet earlier, enabling centralized scheduling of more data packets by the second communication device, enabling faster and more concentrated data transmission, and allowing the first and second communication devices to have longer sleep times, thereby saving power consumption of both devices.

[0029] Optionally, if the third scheduling request information instructs the first communication device not to send the first information, the first communication device will not send the first information on the fifth resource. Correspondingly, the second communication device will not monitor the first information on the fifth resource, which can save the power consumption of the second communication device; or, the second communication device can schedule the fifth resource to transmit other information besides the first information, thereby improving the utilization rate of the resources.

[0030] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first data packet satisfies at least one of the following: the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDCP discard timer among a plurality of cached data packets; the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDB among a plurality of cached data packets; or, the first data packet is the data packet with the earliest arrival time among a plurality of cached data packets.

[0031] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the plurality of data packets are data packets cached in a logical channel group, and the first information further includes the identifier of the logical channel group; or, the plurality of data packets are data packets corresponding to a quality of service flow, and the first information further includes the identifier of the quality of service flow; or, the plurality of data packets are data packets corresponding to a task, and the first information further includes the identifier of the task.

[0032] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the sending of the first information is indicated by one or more of the following methods: field, constellation diagram, or cyclic shift value.

[0033] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information also includes the data volume or data volume level corresponding to the first data packet. Based on this implementation, the second communication device can know in advance the data volume or data volume range of the first data packet cached in the first communication device based on the first information, thereby scheduling an appropriate amount of uplink resources to centrally schedule multiple first data packets.

[0034] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to, or executed by, a second communication device. This second communication device can be a network device, or a device applied to a network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. For example, the network device can be a base station or access network device.

[0035] The method includes: sending fourth configuration information, the fourth configuration information indicating a fourth resource and a fifth resource, the fourth resource being used to transmit third scheduling request information, and the fifth resource being used to transmit first information; receiving third scheduling request information on the fourth resource, the third scheduling request information indicating whether a first communication device should send the first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer of a first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB; and receiving the first information on the fifth resource if the third scheduling request information indicates that the first communication device should send the first information.

[0036] The method provided in the fourth aspect is the same as the network device-side method in the third aspect. Its beneficial effects and some possible implementation methods can be referred to the third aspect.

[0037] Fifthly, a communication device is provided that can be applied to the first communication device described in the first aspect. The communication device includes: a processing module for implementing the processing function of the method described in the first aspect; and a transceiver module for implementing the receiving and sending functions of the method described in the first aspect. For example, the processing module is used to determine a first resource; and the transceiver module is used to send a first scheduling request information on the first resource.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the fifth aspect may further include a storage module. This storage module may be integrated with the processing module or may be separate. The storage module may be used to store computer programs and / or data involved in the method of the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which can be applied to the second communication device described in the second aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module for implementing the receiving and sending functions of the method described in the second aspect; and a processing module for implementing the processing functions of the method described in the second aspect. For example, the transceiver module is used to receive first scheduling request information on a first resource; and the processing module is used to determine how to schedule the first data packet based on the first information.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the sixth aspect may further include a storage module. This storage module may be integrated with the processing module or may be separate. The storage module may be used to store computer programs and / or data involved in the methods of the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided that can be applied to the first communication device described in the third aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions of the method described in the third aspect; and a processing module for implementing the processing functions of the method described in the third aspect.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the seventh aspect may further include a storage module. This storage module may be integrated with the processing module or disposed separately. The storage module may be used to store computer programs and / or data involved in the method of the third aspect or any embodiment of the third aspect.

[0043] Eighthly, a communication device is provided that can be applied to the second communication device described in the fourth aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions of the method described in the fourth aspect; and a processing module for implementing the processing functions of the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the eighth aspect may further include a storage module. This storage module may be integrated with the processing module or disposed separately. The storage module may be used to store computer programs and / or data involved in the method of the fourth aspect or any embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0045] A ninth aspect provides a communication device comprising: a processor configured to implement the methods of the first to fourth aspects or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further comprises an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0046] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor for invoking a computer program or computer instructions in memory to cause the processor to perform the methods described in the first to fourth aspects or any possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0048] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device for performing the method as described in the first aspect, and a second communication device for performing the method as described in the second aspect; or, the communication system comprises a first communication device for performing the method as described in the third aspect, and a second communication device for performing the method as described in the fourth aspect.

[0049] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable medium storing a computer program; when the computer program is executed by a processor, the methods in the first to fourth aspects or any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects are performed.

[0050] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when executed, causes the methods of the first to fourth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

[0051] The solutions provided in aspects five through thirteen above are used to implement or cooperate with the methods provided in aspects one, two, three or four above, and therefore can achieve the same or corresponding beneficial effects as aspects one, two, three or four, which will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 2 This is an example diagram of an open radio access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) system;

[0054] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the dynamic scheduling of upstream resources.

[0055] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 5a An example diagram showing the remaining time information and LCG ID for a Media Access Control (MACCE) element in the SR (Media Access Control) system.

[0057] Figure 5b SR MAC CE includes the remaining time information corresponding to multiple LCGs, as well as the LCGs themselves. i An example diagram;

[0058] Figure 5c SR MAC CE includes the remaining time information corresponding to multiple LCGs, and LCGs i And an example diagram showing the data volume of the first data packet in different LCGs;

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 provided for an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, wherein the RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., Figure 1 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110, may also include at least one terminal (such as...). Figure 1 RAN100, denoted as RAN100, comprises RAN nodes 120a-120j, collectively referred to as RAN120. RAN100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. Terminals and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Communication system 1000 may also include a core network (CN) 200. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 via wireless or wired means. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be independent physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating the logical functions of core network equipment and RAN node. Communication system 1000 may also include Internet 300.

[0062] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, or a future communication network system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), or it can be a WiFi system. RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0063] RAN nodes, also known as radio access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminals access communication systems wirelessly. In one application scenario, an RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. RAN nodes can also be macro base stations (such as...) Figure 1 110a in the text), can also be a micro base station or an indoor station (such as... Figure 1 110b in the middle can also be a relay node or a donor node.

[0064] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and PDCP, and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and media access control (MAC) layer, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of these protocol layers, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0065] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, a RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description.

[0066] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from a base station. Terminal 120 can also be referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as NTN, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The terminal can also be a communication module with satellite communication capabilities, a satellite phone or its components, or a satellite communication terminal, such as a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) (commonly referred to as a VSAT terminal), a portable station, a fixed station, a vehicle-mounted or airborne satellite communication terminal, etc. It should be understood that the satellite communication terminal can serve as a micro base station to further provide data interfaces to accessed user equipment. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the terminal.

[0067] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0068] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative, for example, Figure 1 The helicopter or drone 120i can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol; in this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 The 110a and 110b in the text can be referred to as communication devices with base station functions. Figure 1 The 120a-120j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0069] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0070] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0071] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. To communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When the terminal communicates with this serving cell, it is also susceptible to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0072] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), PUSCH and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) are only examples of downlink control channel, uplink data channel and uplink control channel, respectively. In different systems and different scenarios, data channel and control channel may have different names, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0073] Figure 2 This is an example diagram of an O-RAN system, which may include... Figure 2 Other components besides those shown. For example... Figure 2 As shown, access network equipment (such as eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network equipment) communicates with the CN via a backhaul link and with the terminal via an air interface.

[0074] Specifically, the BBU in the access network equipment communicates with the CN via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network equipment communicates with at least one terminal via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located.

[0075] The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0076] There is an interface between the DU and RU. Depending on the functions of the DU and RU, and / or the switching method, the interface between the DU and RU can be CPRI or enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI).

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terms or concepts involved in the embodiments of this application will first be explained.

[0078] Wake-up signal (WUS): WUS can be a chirp signal, an on-off keying (OOK) signal (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), a low-power sequence signal (such as Gold sequence signal, M sequence signal, ZC sequence signal, chirp sequence signal, Walsh sequence signal, Golay sequence signal, Kasami sequence signal, low-density sequence signal, discrete fourier transform (DFT) / fast fourier transform (FFT) sequence signal, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal, symbol-based sequence signal, etc.), amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal, frequency shift keying (FSK) signal, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal. The wake-up signal can be one or more of the following: multiplexing (OFDM) signals, or it can be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals. The WUS signal can also be a digital signal or an analog signal. The WUS signal can also be a low-power WUS (LP-WUS), which is not limited in this application.

[0079] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions related to the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0080] I. SR Mechanism

[0081] When a terminal has no uplink data to transmit, the base station does not need to allocate uplink resources to the terminal, otherwise it would result in a waste of resources. Therefore, the base station needs to know in advance whether the terminal needs uplink data transmission, and for this purpose, 4G / 5G systems provide an uplink scheduling request mechanism. Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the dynamic scheduling of uplink resources. The specific process includes the following.

[0082] S310, when the terminal has uplink data to transmit, the terminal sends a scheduling request message to the base station on the PUCCH. This scheduling request message is used to request uplink authorized resources. This scheduling request message informs the base station whether there is uplink data to transmit, but it cannot specify the size or quantity of the uplink data to be transmitted. Correspondingly, the base station receives the scheduling request message from the terminal.

[0083] 320. After receiving the scheduling request information, the base station sends a first DCI to the terminal on the PDCCH. This first DCI indicates the time-frequency resources (PUSCH resources) used for the terminal to transmit uplink data. Since the base station does not know the size or quantity of uplink data that the terminal needs to transmit, it will schedule resources for the terminal based on a relatively small, fixed amount of uplink transmission requirement. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first DCI from the base station.

[0084] 330. After receiving the first DCI, the terminal sends uplink data, a buffer status report (BSR), and a power headroom report (PHR) to the base station on the time-frequency resources indicated by the first DCI. The BSR informs the base station how much uplink data the terminal still needs to transmit, and the PHR informs the base station of the terminal's current power headroom. Correspondingly, the base station receives the uplink data, BSR, and PHR from the terminal.

[0085] 340. If the BSR received by the base station is greater than 0, the base station will send a second DCI to the terminal. This second DCI indicates the time-frequency resources used for transmitting uplink data. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second DCI from the base station.

[0086] 350. After receiving the second DCI, the terminal sends uplink data and BSR information to the base station on the time-frequency resources indicated by the second DCI. When there is no uplink data to be transmitted in the terminal's buffer, the terminal sends BSR=0 to the base station, indicating that the terminal device has no uplink data to be transmitted, and the base station will also stop dynamic scheduling of uplink resources.

[0087] When a terminal has uplink data to transmit, but the uplink is in an "out-of-sync" state, or the terminal does not have available PUCCH resources for SR transmission, or the SR transmission exceeds the maximum number of transmissions, the terminal can initiate contention-based random access through the physical random access channel (PRACH) to obtain uplink scheduling opportunities. In this case, the PRACH acts as an SR.

[0088] SR resources are dedicated to the terminal and allocated by the base station. Therefore, there is a one-to-one correspondence between SR resources and terminals, and the base station knows the specific correspondence. The base station does not know when a terminal will send an SR, so it needs to check for SR reports on the allocated SR resources. When a terminal sends SR information, it does not need to specify its own identifier. The base station knows which terminal is requesting uplink resources by using the time-frequency location of the SR resource.

[0089] II. PDCP discard timer and DSR

[0090] The PDCP layer at the sending end maintains a PDCP drop timer. The duration of the PDCP drop timer is determined by the upper-layer protocol; for example, the duration of the PDCP drop timer for PDCP SDUs corresponding to different QoS flows varies. Each time the sending end receives a PDCP SDU from the upper layer, it triggers the start of a PDCP drop timer. The remaining time of the PDCP drop timer reflects the transmission congestion status of the PDCP layer. Once the PDCP drop timer for a PDCP SDU expires, the PDCP SDU is discarded.

[0091] Release 18 introduces an event-based DSR reporting method for latency-sensitive Extended Reality (XR) services. Specifically, when the remaining time of the shortest PDCP discard timer for cached data packets in an LCG is less than the threshold configured by the base station, and there are no unprocessed DSRs in that LCG, the terminal reports the DSR to the base station on the PUSCH allocated by the base station. This DSR includes the remaining time of the shortest PDCP discard timer for the cached data packets in the LCG.

[0092] For example, the terminal sends a DSR to the base station on the PUSCH dynamically scheduled by the DCI. Specifically, the terminal sends an SR to the base station, and after receiving the SR, the base station sends a DCI to the terminal, which dynamically indicates the PUSCH resources. When the remaining time of the shortest PDCP discard timer for buffered data packets in an LCG is less than the threshold configured by the base station, and there are no unprocessed DSRs in that LCG, the terminal sends a DSR to the base station on the PUSCH resources dynamically indicated by the DCI.

[0093] Compared with the technical solution of sending DSR including the remaining time of data packets to the base station on the PUSCH resources obtained by sending SR, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can enable the base station to know the remaining time of data packets cached in the terminal earlier, and can realize the centralized scheduling of more data packets by the base station, thereby saving the power consumption of the base station and the terminal.

[0094] Unless otherwise specified, the first communication device in this application can be a terminal or a module within a terminal (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The second communication device in this application can be a network device or a module within a network device (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. The network device in the embodiments of this application can be a base station or an access network device.

[0095] The chip can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip; or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core; or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can be divided among multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by a base station can be divided among at least one of a CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0096] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the SR (First Scheduling Request Information) sent by the terminal to the base station and / or the resources used to send the SR can indicate the remaining time information of the data packets. Compared with the scheme of sending a DSR (Digital Subscription Rate) including the remaining time of the data packets to the base station on the PUSCH resources obtained by sending the SR, this embodiment of the application allows the base station to know the remaining time information of the data packets earlier, and enables the base station to centrally schedule more data packets, thereby saving power consumption of the base station and the terminal.

[0097] S410, the first communication device determines a first resource, which is used to transmit first scheduling request information. The first resource and / or the first scheduling request information is used to indicate first information, which includes at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer for the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB. The remaining time level indicates a remaining time range, and the remaining time range indicated by different remaining time levels can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol. In this application, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer can be replaced with the PDCP discard timer time range; the remaining time level of the PDB can be replaced with the remaining time range of the PDB.

[0098] In this application, the PDB of the first data packet can be understood as the maximum allowable delay time along the entire transmission path of the first data packet from the first communication device to the second communication device. This maximum delay time includes the processing time, transmission time, and queuing time of the first data packet at each network node (such as base stations and core network equipment). The remaining time of the PDB of the first data packet can be understood as the remaining time of the maximum delay time corresponding to the first data packet.

[0099] For example, the first data packet satisfies at least one of the following: the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining PDCP discard timer among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device; the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining PDB time among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device; or, the first data packet is the data packet with the earliest arrival time among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device. Here, the data packet with the earliest arrival time among the cached multiple data packets can be understood as the data packet that arrived at the first communication device earliest among the cached multiple data packets, or the first packet among the cached multiple data packets. Based on this implementation, compared to indicating the remaining PDCP discard timer of all data packets in the multiple data packets cached by the first communication device, the indication overhead of the first information can be reduced; for example, indicating the first information in the first scheduling request information can reduce the transmission resources of the first scheduling request information, thereby reducing resource overhead.

[0100] For example, the first information includes the remaining time of the PDCP drop timer of the first data packet and / or the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer; the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDCP drop timer among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device, or the first data packet is the first packet among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device.

[0101] For example, the first information includes the remaining PDB time and / or the remaining PDB time level of the first data packet; the first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining PDB time among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device, or the first data packet is the first packet among multiple data packets cached by the first communication device. Based on this example, the remaining PDB time can reflect the waiting time of the first data packet at the access stratum. Therefore, compared with the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining PDB time can more accurately reflect the congestion status of the first data packet.

[0102] For example, multiple data packets are data packets buffered in a logical channel group, and the first information also includes the identifier of the logical channel group (LCG identification, LCG ID) or multiple LCGs. i Among them, LCG i Indicates whether the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th logical channel group exists; for example, LCG. i =1 indicates that the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th logical channel group is reported, LCG i =0 indicates that the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th logical channel group will not be reported. In this application, the remaining time information includes at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the packet delay budget (PDB), or the remaining time level of the PDB.

[0103] For example, multiple data packets correspond to a single Quality of Service (QoS) flow, and the first information also includes the identifier of the QoS flow or multiple QoS flow IDs. i Among them, QoS flow ID i Indicates whether the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th quality of service flow exists; for example, QoS flow ID. i =1 indicates that the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th QoS flow ID is reported. i If the value is 0, it indicates that the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th quality of service flow will not be reported.

[0104] For example, multiple data packets correspond to a single task, and a single task corresponds to one or more modalities; the first information also includes the identifier of the task, or the identifier of the single-modal or multi-modal service corresponding to the task (multi-modal service ID), or multiple multi-modal service IDs. i Among them, multi-modal serviceID iIndicates whether the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th multimodal service exists; for example, the multi-modal service ID. i =1 indicates that the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th multimodal service is reported, multi-modal service ID i =0 indicates that the remaining time information corresponding to the i-th multimodal service will not be reported.

[0105] Optionally, the multiple data packets may be data packets cached in multiple logical channel groups, or the multiple data packets may be data packets corresponding to multiple quality of service flows, or the multiple data packets may be data packets corresponding to multiple tasks.

[0106] Optionally, the first information of the first scheduling request information and / or the first resource indication includes the remaining time information corresponding to the multiple first data packets respectively, the multiple first data packets being data packets cached in different LCGs, or the multiple first data packets being data packets corresponding to different quality of service flows, or the multiple first data packets being data packets corresponding to different tasks.

[0107] For example, multiple data packets may be multiple PDCP SDUs, or multiple data packets may be multiple radio link control (RLC) SDUs, or multiple data packets may be data packets buffered in one or more logical channels (LCHs); this application does not limit this.

[0108] Optionally, the first information also includes the data volume or data volume level corresponding to the first data packet. The data volume level indicates a data volume range, and the data volume range indicated by different data volume levels can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol. Based on this optional implementation, the second communication device can know in advance the data volume or data volume range of the first data packet cached in the first communication device based on the first information, thereby scheduling an appropriate amount of uplink resources to centrally schedule multiple first data packets.

[0109] Optionally, the first communication device determines the implementation method of the first resource, including but not limited to the following three.

[0110] In the first implementation, the first communication device determines a first resource based on the first configuration information, which indicates a first resource and a second resource. The first resource is used to transmit a first scheduling request message, and the second resource is used to transmit a second scheduling request message. The second scheduling request message and / or the second resource do not indicate the first information. Based on this implementation, the first communication device can use either the first resource or the second resource as needed. For example, if the size of the first resource is larger than the size of the second resource, for the second scheduling request message, it indicates whether the terminal device needs to transmit uplink data, but does not indicate the first information. Therefore, the resource configured for the second scheduling request message can be smaller. Similarly, for the first scheduling request message, it indicates whether the terminal device needs to transmit uplink data, and also indicates the first information. Therefore, the resource configured for the first scheduling request message is larger than the resource configured for the second scheduling request message. Using the first resource when the first communication device needs to indicate the first information through the scheduling request message, and using the second resource when the first communication device does not need to indicate the first information through the scheduling request message, can avoid resource waste and also help save transmission energy.

[0111] For example, the first scheduling request information indicates first information, and the second scheduling request information does not indicate first information. In this example, the first resource does not indicate first information, and the second resource also does not indicate first information; the first resource is used to transmit the first scheduling request information indicating first information, and the second resource is used to transmit the second scheduling request information not indicating first information.

[0112] For example, a first resource indicates first information, while a second resource does not indicate first information. In this example, neither the first scheduling request information nor the second scheduling request information indicates first information. For instance, there may be multiple first resources, and each first resource may be associated with at least one of the following: remaining time of a PDCP discard timer, a PDCP discard timer remaining time level, remaining time of a PDB, or a PDB remaining time level.

[0113] For example, the first resource and the first scheduling request information indicate the first information, while the second scheduling request information and the second resource do not indicate the first information. For instance, the first information may require 3 bits to indicate it; the first bit is indicated by the first resource, and the remaining two bits are indicated by the first scheduling request information. If the first bit of the first information is 1, the first resource is associated with bit 1, and the second resource is associated with bit 0. In this example, the first resource and the first scheduling request information jointly indicate the first information. For example, there may be multiple first resources, and each first resource may be associated with at least one of the following: remaining time of the PDCP discard timer, remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, remaining time of the PDB, or remaining time level of the PDB.

[0114] Optionally, in step S411, before the first communication device determines the first resource, the second communication device sends first configuration information to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first configuration information from the second communication device.

[0115] In the second implementation, the first communication device determines a first resource based on first information to be indicated and second configuration information. The second configuration information indicates multiple third resources, and the first resource indicates the first information. The multiple third resources are associated with at least one of the following different values: remaining time of the PDCP discard timer, remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, remaining time of the PDB, or remaining time level of the PDB. The first resource is the resource among the multiple third resources associated with the content of the first information. Specifically, the first resource is determined by the first communication device from among the multiple third resources based on the first information. Based on this implementation, the first information can be indicated by sending the first resource of the first scheduling request information. Compared with the implementation method of indicating the first information through the first scheduling request information, this implementation method can reduce the number of bits occupied by the first scheduling request information, thereby saving resources used for transmitting the first scheduling request information.

[0116] For example, the first information includes the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer for the first data packet. Multiple third resources are associated with different remaining time levels of their PDCP drop timers, but the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer for the first data packet is the same as the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer associated with the first resource. As another example, the first information includes the remaining time level of the PDB for the first data packet. Multiple third resources are associated with different remaining time levels of their PDBs, but the remaining time level of the PDB for the first data packet is the same as the remaining time level of the PDB associated with the first resource.

[0117] Optionally, in step S411, before the first communication device determines the first resource, the second communication device sends second configuration information to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second configuration information from the second communication device.

[0118] In the third implementation, the first communication device determines the first resource based on the third configuration information, the third configuration information indicating the first resource, the first resource being used to transmit the first scheduling request information indicating the first information, and the first resource not indicating the first information.

[0119] Optionally, in step S411, before the first communication device determines the first resource, the second communication device sends third configuration information to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third configuration information from the second communication device. Based on this implementation, resources for transmitting the first scheduling request information indicating the first information can be configured for the first communication device when the second communication device has packet aggregation scheduling needs or energy-saving needs; when the second communication device does not have packet aggregation scheduling needs or energy-saving needs, it is not necessary to configure excessive SR resources for the first communication device.

[0120] For example, at least one of the first configuration information, the second configuration information, or the third configuration information may be sent by the second communication device to the first communication device via a radio resource control (RRC) message, or it may be sent by the second communication device to the first communication device in other ways, without limitation.

[0121] S420, the first communication device sends a first scheduling request message to the second communication device on the first resource, the first scheduling request message and / or the first resource indicating first information. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first scheduling request message from the first communication device on the first resource.

[0122] For example, the first information is indicated by at least one or more of the following: transport resources, fields, constellation diagrams, or cyclic shift values. Examples of indicating the first information include, but are not limited to, the following.

[0123] Example 1, First Resource Indicates First Information. In this example, the resource indicates the first information by transmitting the first scheduling request.

[0124] Example 2: The first scheduling request information indicates first information, and the first scheduling request information includes a field used to indicate the first information. In this example, the first information is indicated by the field.

[0125] Example 3, First Resource and First Scheduling Request Information indicate the first information. In this example, the first information is indicated by the transport resource and field.

[0126] Example 4: The first scheduling request information uses a constellation diagram to indicate the first information. In this example, the first information is indicated by a constellation diagram, and the remaining time information indicated by different constellation diagrams can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol.

[0127] Example 5: The first scheduling request information uses a cyclic shift value to indicate the first information. In this example, the first information is indicated by a cyclic shift value, and the remaining time information indicated by different cyclic shift values ​​can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol. If the remaining time level indicated by different cyclic shift values ​​is predefined by the protocol, the cyclic shift value can be 0, 3, 6, or 9, or other values; Table 1 shows an example of the remaining time level indicated by different cyclic shift values.

[0128] Table 1

[0129] Circular shift value Remaining Time Level 0 00 3 01 6 10 9 11

[0130] It should be noted that Examples 2, 4, and 5 all indicate the first information through the first scheduling request information, while Example 3 indicates the first information through the first resource and the first scheduling request information.

[0131] For example, when the first information is indicated by a field, and the first information includes the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer or the remaining time of the PDB, the field indicating the first information occupies x bits, and the unit of the remaining time is milliseconds (msec); where x is a positive integer, for example, x = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ... . The value r in the field indicating the first information represents the range of the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer or the remaining time of the PDB as (r, r+1] msec.

[0132] For example, in the case where the first information is indicated by a field, and the first information includes the LCG ID and the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer or the remaining time of the PDB, the field used to indicate the first information occupies x bits.

[0133] For example, in the case where the first information is indicated by a field and the first information includes LCG i In cases where the PDCP discards the remaining time of the timer or the PDB, the field used to indicate the first information occupies x bits.

[0134] For example, when the first information is indicated by a field, and the first information includes the PDCP discard timer remaining time level or the PDB remaining time level, the field indicating the PDCP discard timer remaining time level or the PDB remaining time level occupies 2 bits. The protocol can preconfigure or predefine the remaining time range corresponding to the remaining time level indicated by 2 bits; Table 2 shows an example of the remaining time range corresponding to the remaining time level indicated by 2 bits. For example, the field indicating the PDCP discard timer remaining time level or the PDB remaining time level can also occupy more or fewer bits, which is not limited.

[0135] Table 2

[0136] 2 bits indicate the remaining time level Remaining time range 00 [0,16) 01 [10,32) 10 [32,48) 11 [48,64)

[0137] Optionally, in step S412, before the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information, the second communication device sends a first indication information to the first communication device. This first indication information indicates whether the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information, and the first scheduling request information indicates first information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first indication information from the second communication device. If the first indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information to the second communication device on the first resource, and the first resource does not indicate the first information. Based on this implementation, when the second communication device has packet aggregation scheduling needs or energy-saving needs, the first indication information sent by the second communication device to the first communication device indicates the sending of the first scheduling request information indicating the first information. The first communication device sends the first scheduling request information indicating the first information to the second communication device based on the first indication information. The second communication device can then perform packet aggregation scheduling based on the first information, thereby saving power consumption of the second communication device.

[0138] It should be noted that step S412 can be executed after step S410, or before step S410, or simultaneously with step S410. This application does not limit this.

[0139] For example, when the first instruction information instructs the first communication device to send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device determines the first resource according to the first configuration information or the third configuration information, and sends the first scheduling request information on the first resource. The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, but the first resource does not indicate the first information.

[0140] For example, the first indication information is information indicated by a DCI, MAC CE, RRC message, downlink (DL) WUS, or paging early indication (PEI), or the first indication information is information carried by an RRC message or RRC reconfiguration message. For example, the DCI indicating the first indication information is a paging DCI or a scheduling data DCI. In embodiments of this application, DL WUS can also be replaced by a low-power signal or a narrowband signal. The low-power signal or narrowband signal can also be referred to as LP-WUS. The low-power signal or narrowband signal may include at least one of the following signals: linear frequency modulated signals, OOK signals (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), low-power sequence signals (such as Gold sequence signals, M sequence signals, ZC sequence signals, Chirp sequence signals, Walsh sequence signals, Golay sequence signals, Kasami sequence signals, low-density sequence signals, DFT / FFT sequence signals, QAM signals, symbol-based sequence signals, etc.), ASK signals, FSK signals, or OFDM signals. Alternatively, the low-power signal or narrowband signal may also be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the low-power signal or narrowband signal may be a digital signal or an analog signal, without limitation.

[0141] For example, the first indication information contains 1 bit, where "0" indicates sending the first scheduling request information and "1" indicates sending the second scheduling request information. The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and the second scheduling request information does not indicate the first information; or, "1" indicates sending the first scheduling request information and "0" indicates sending the second scheduling request information.

[0142] Optionally, the first configuration information also includes resource identifiers corresponding to the first resource and the second resource, and / or the PUCCH formats supported by the first resource and the second resource, respectively. For example, the second communication device indirectly instructs the first communication device whether to send the first scheduling request information through the resource identifier indicated by the first indication information; if the first indication information indicates the resource identifier of the first resource, the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information to the second communication device on the first resource. For example, the second communication device indirectly instructs the first communication device whether to send the first scheduling request information through the PUCCH format indicated by the first indication information; if the first indication information indicates the PUCCH format supported by the first resource, the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information to the second communication device on the first resource. Optionally, the resource identifiers corresponding to the first resource and the second resource, and / or the PUCCH formats supported by the first resource and the second resource, can also be predefined by the protocol; this application does not limit this.

[0143] Optionally, if the first indication information instructs the first communication device not to send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device will not send the first scheduling request information.

[0144] Optionally, the first configuration information sent by the second communication device to the first communication device also indicates the duration of the timer. The protocol predefines that when the timer is running, the first communication device uses first resources to send a first scheduling request message indicating first information; when the timer expires or fails, the first communication device uses second resources to send a second scheduling request message, which does not indicate the first information. Optionally, before the first communication device sends the first scheduling request message, the second communication device sends a first indication message to the first communication device indicating whether the first communication device should trigger (start) the timer; if the first indication message indicates that the timer should be triggered (started), the first communication device starts the timer and, while the timer is running, uses first resources to send the first scheduling request message indicating the first information.

[0145] Optionally, in step S413, before the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information, the first communication device sends second indication information to the second communication device. The second indication information indicates whether the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information, and the first scheduling request information indicates first information. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the second indication information from the first communication device. If the second indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information indicating the first information on the first resource, and the first resource does not indicate the first information. Based on this implementation, the second communication device can determine whether the first communication device has sent the first scheduling request information indicating the first information with low power consumption based on the second indication information. If the second indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information indicating the first information, the second communication device monitors the first scheduling request information on the first resource.

[0146] It should be noted that steps S412 and S413 do not occur simultaneously. Step S413 can be executed after step S410, before step S410, or simultaneously with step S410. This application does not limit this.

[0147] For example, when the second instruction information instructs the first communication device to send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device determines the first resource according to the first configuration information or the third configuration information, and sends the first scheduling request information on the first resource. The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, but the first resource does not indicate the first information.

[0148] Optionally, if the second indication information instructs the first communication device not to send the first scheduling request information, the first communication device will not send the first scheduling request information; correspondingly, if the second indication information instructs the first communication device not to send the first scheduling request information, the second communication device will not monitor the first scheduling request information on the first resource. In this implementation, the second communication device can choose not to monitor the first scheduling request information on the first resource according to the second indication information, thereby saving power consumption of the second communication device; or, the second communication device can utilize the first resource to transmit other information besides the first scheduling request information according to the second indication information, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0149] Exemplarily, the second indication information is information indicated by UL WUS. In embodiments of this application, UL WUS can also be replaced by a low-power signal, a narrowband signal, or a PRACH. The low-power signal, narrowband signal, or PRACH can also be referred to as LP-WUS. The low-power signal or narrowband signal can include at least one of the following signals: linear frequency modulation signal, OOK signal (such as OOK-1, OOK-2, OOK-3, OOK-4, etc.), low-power sequence signal (such as Gold sequence signal, M sequence signal, ZC sequence signal, Chirp sequence signal, Walsh sequence signal, Golay sequence signal, Kasami sequence signal, low-density sequence signal, DFT / FFT sequence signal, QAM signal, symbol-based sequence signal, etc.), ASK signal, FSK signal, or OFDM signal. Alternatively, the low-power signal, narrowband signal, or PRACH can also be a signal obtained by optimizing the above signals, etc., which is not limited in this application. Optionally, the low-power signal, narrowband signal, or PRACH can be a digital signal or an analog signal, without limitation.

[0150] Optionally, the third configuration information also indicates resources for transmitting the second instruction information, such as UL WUS transmission resources. This can be understood as the third configuration information indicating resources for transmitting the second instruction information and a first resource for transmitting the first scheduling request information, wherein the resources for transmitting the second instruction information and the first resource are associated.

[0151] For example, the first resource indicated by the third configuration information is the transmission resource of uplink control information (UCI), which is accompanied by PUSCH, and the first scheduling request information is carried in the UCI.

[0152] For example, the first resource indicated by the third configuration information is a PUSCH resource. For instance, the first scheduling request information is carried in the MAC CE carried by the PUSCH. The MAC CE carrying the first scheduling request information can be called an SR MAC CE, which may include remaining time information corresponding to one or more LCGs and LCG ID / LCG. i The SR MAC CE may also include the data volume of the first packet in the LCG. Figure 5a An example diagram for SR MAC CE that includes the remaining time information corresponding to an LCG and the LCG ID. Figure 5b SR MAC CE includes the remaining time information corresponding to multiple LCGs, as well as the LCGs themselves. i An example diagram, where m is the number of LCGs with remaining time for information transmission. Figure 5cSR MAC CE includes the remaining time information corresponding to multiple LCGs, and LCGs i And an example diagram showing the data size of the first data packet in different LCGs, where BT i This is an optional field, R is reserved bits, and i is a positive integer less than or equal to m.

[0153] Optionally, the second configuration information sent by the second communication device to the first communication device also indicates a second resource. This can be understood as the second configuration information indicating multiple third resources and a second resource. The second resource is used to transmit the second scheduling request information, and the second resource and the second scheduling request information do not indicate the first information.

[0154] Optionally, before the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information, the second communication device sends third indication information to the first communication device. This third indication information indicates whether the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information based on multiple third resources. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third indication information from the second communication device. If the third indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information based on multiple third resources, the first communication device determines a first resource from the multiple third resources according to first information and sends the first scheduling request information on the first resource, whereby the first resource indicates the first information. Based on this implementation, by sending the third indication information, the second communication device can inform the first communication device whether to use a resource among the multiple third resources that can indicate remaining time information to transmit the first scheduling request information.

[0155] Optionally, if the third indication information indicates that the first communication device does not send the first scheduling request information based on multiple third resources, the first communication device does not use any of the multiple third resources to send the first scheduling request information, and the first communication device may use the second resource to send the first scheduling request information.

[0156] Optionally, before the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information, the first communication device sends a fourth indication information to the second communication device. This fourth indication information indicates whether the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information based on multiple third resources. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the fourth indication information from the first communication device. If the fourth indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information based on multiple third resources, the first communication device determines the first resource from the multiple third resources according to the fourth indication information and the first information, and sends the first scheduling request information on the first resource, whereby the first resource indicates the first information. Based on this implementation, by sending the fourth indication information, the first communication device can inform the second communication device whether the first communication device uses a resource from among the multiple third resources that can indicate remaining time information to transmit the first scheduling request information.

[0157] Optionally, if the fourth indication information indicates that the first communication device does not send the first scheduling request information based on multiple third resources, the first communication device does not use any of the multiple third resources to send the first scheduling request information, and the first communication device may use the second resource to send the first scheduling request information.

[0158] For example, the first scheduling request information can be sent using polar code encoding or using a sequence bearer.

[0159] S430, the second communication device centrally schedules multiple first data packets based on the first information, wherein the multiple first data packets include first data packets cached by the first communication device. For example, the multiple first data packets may be data packets cached in different LCGs of the first communication device, or the multiple first data packets may be data packets corresponding to different Quality of Service flows cached by the first communication device, or the multiple first data packets may be data packets corresponding to different tasks cached by the first communication device. For example, the multiple first data packets may be data packets cached by different first communication devices.

[0160] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, the first communication device sends a first scheduling request information and / or a first resource indicator for transmitting the first scheduling request information to the second communication device, which includes the remaining time information of the first data packet. Compared with the scheme in which the first communication device sends a DSR including the remaining time of the data packet to the second communication device on the PUSCH resource obtained by sending the SR, the embodiment of this application allows the second communication device to know the remaining time information of the first data packet earlier, enables the second communication device to centrally schedule more data packets, enables faster and more centralized data transmission, and allows the first and second communication devices to have longer sleep time, thereby saving the power consumption of the first and second communication devices.

[0161] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. This embodiment allows the second communication device to obtain the remaining time information of the first data packet earlier, and enables the second communication device to centrally schedule more data packets, thereby saving power consumption of both the first and second communication devices.

[0162] S610, the second communication device sends fourth configuration information to the first communication device. The fourth configuration information indicates a fourth resource and a fifth resource. The fourth resource is used to transmit a third scheduling request information, and the fifth resource is used to transmit first information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the fourth configuration information from the second communication device.

[0163] For example, the fourth resource and the fifth resource are indicated to the terminal together, the protocol predefines that the fourth resource and the fifth resource are associated, or the fourth configuration information further indicates the association relationship between the fourth resource and the fifth resource. For example, the fourth resource, the fifth resource, and the association relationship between the fourth resource and the fifth resource are indicated by the second communication device through different RRC messages.

[0164] For example, the fourth resource is the PUCCH resource.

[0165] For example, the fifth resource is a configured grant (CG) PUSCH resource. For example, the fifth resource is a UCI transport resource, which is an accompanying PUSCH, with the first information carried in the UCI.

[0166] For example, the first information is carried in the MAC CE carried by the PUSCH, and the MAC CE may include the remaining time information corresponding to one or more LCGs and the LCG ID / LCG. i The MAC CE can also include the data size of the first packet in the LCG. For an example of the MAC CE including the remaining time information for an LCG and the LCG ID, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5a MAC CE includes the remaining time information corresponding to multiple LCGs, as well as the LCGs themselves. i For specific examples, please refer to Figure 5b MAC CE includes the remaining time information corresponding to multiple LCGs, and LCGs i For examples of the data size of the first data packet in different LCGs, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5c .

[0167] S620, the first communication device sends a third scheduling request message to the second communication device on the fourth resource. This third scheduling request message indicates whether the first communication device should send first information. The first information includes at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer for the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the third scheduling request message from the first communication device. The remaining time level indicates the remaining time range, and the remaining time range indicated by different remaining time levels can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol.

[0168] For example, the first communication device indicates whether to send the first information by one or more of the following methods: transmission resources, fields, constellation diagrams, or cyclic shift values. Examples of indicating whether to send the first information include, but are not limited to, the following.

[0169] Example 1: The third scheduling request information includes a field indicating whether to send the first message. In this example, the field indicates whether to send the first message. For example, the third scheduling request information includes 1 bit to indicate whether to send the first message. This example is similar to... Figure 4 Compared to the previous method, the SR can carry less bit information, use less transmission resources, and have more resources available for data transmission, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0170] Example 2: The constellation diagram used in the third scheduling request information indicates whether to send the first information. In this example, the constellation diagram indicates whether to send the first information. For example, if the constellation diagram used in the third scheduling request information is the first constellation diagram, it indicates that the first information should be sent; if the constellation diagram used in the third scheduling request information is the second constellation diagram, it indicates that the first information should not be sent. The first and second constellation diagrams can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol.

[0171] Example 3: The cyclic shift value used in the third scheduling request information indicates whether to send the first information. In this example, the first information is indicated by the cyclic shift value. For example, a cyclic shift value of 1 indicates that the first information should be sent, while a cyclic shift value of 2 indicates that the first information should not be sent. The cyclic shift values ​​1 and 2 can be configured by the second communication device or predefined by the protocol.

[0172] For further descriptions of the first data packet and the first information, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 The descriptions in the method embodiments are not repeated here.

[0173] S630, when the third scheduling request information instructs the first communication device to send the first information, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device on the fifth resource; correspondingly, when the third scheduling request information instructs the first communication device to send the first information, the second communication device receives the first information from the first communication device on the fifth resource.

[0174] Optionally, the second communication device centrally schedules multiple first data packets based on the first information, wherein the multiple first data packets include first data packets cached by the first communication device. For example, the multiple first data packets may be data packets cached in different LCGs of the first communication device, or the multiple first data packets may be data packets corresponding to different Quality of Service flows cached by the first communication device, or the multiple first data packets may be data packets corresponding to different tasks cached by the first communication device. For example, the multiple first data packets may be data packets cached by different first communication devices.

[0175] In the technical solution provided in this application embodiment, the third scheduling request information sent by the first communication device on the fourth resource indicates whether to send first information including remaining time information. If the third scheduling request information indicates to send first information including remaining time information, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device on the fifth resource. The fifth resource used to send the first information is pre-configured and is not the PUSCH resource dynamically indicated by the second communication device via DCI after the first communication device sends the SR. Therefore, compared with the scheme where the first communication device sends a DSR including the remaining time of the data packet to the second communication device on the PUSCH resource obtained by sending the SR, this application embodiment allows the second communication device to know the remaining time information of the first data packet earlier, enables centralized scheduling of more data packets by the second communication device, facilitates faster and more concentrated data transmission, and allows the first and second communication devices to have longer sleep times, thereby saving power consumption of both devices.

[0176] Optionally, if the third scheduling request information instructs the first communication device not to send the first information, the first communication device will not send the first information on the fifth resource. Correspondingly, the second communication device will not monitor the first information on the fifth resource, which can save the power consumption of the second communication device; or, the second communication device can schedule the fifth resource to transmit other information besides the first information, thereby improving the utilization rate of the resources.

[0177] Optionally, the fifth resource is a CG PUSCH resource shared by multiple users. In this implementation, the fifth resource is a PUSCH resource shared by multiple first communication devices (terminals), which eliminates the need to configure too many PUSCH resources and helps improve the resource utilization of the fifth resource.

[0178] Optionally, the fourth configuration information indicates one fourth resource and M fifth resources, where the M fifth resources are M CG PUSCH resources shared by multiple users. The fourth configuration information also indicates the identifiers corresponding to the M CG PUSCH resources shared by multiple users, where the M fifth resources are shared by N users, N is greater than M, and M and N are positive integers. Before the first communication device sends the first information, the first communication device determines which CG PUSCH resource shared by multiple users will be used to send the first information. The third scheduling request information sent by the first communication device to the second communication device also indicates the identifier of the CG PUSCH resource shared by multiple users that the first communication device will use, enabling the second communication device to know which CG PUSCH resource shared by multiple users will be used by the first communication device to send the first information.

[0179] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the first communication device (terminal) and the second communication device (base station) include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0180] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described above. The execution subject used to perform the above communication method will be described below.

[0181] Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first communication device (terminal) or the second communication device (base station) in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be as follows: Figure 1 The terminal 120 shown can also be as follows: Figure 1 The base station 110 shown can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal or base station.

[0182] like Figure 7 As shown, the communication device 700 includes a processing module 710 and a transceiver module 720. The communication device 700 is used to implement the above-mentioned... Figure 4 The method embodiments shown depict the functions of the first or second communication device.

[0183] When the communication device 700 is used to achieve Figure 4 The function of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown is as follows:

[0184] Processing module 710 is used to determine the first resource;

[0185] The transceiver module 720 is configured to send a first scheduling request information on the first resource, wherein the first scheduling request information and / or the first resource indicates first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the remaining time of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) drop timer for the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer, the remaining time of the Packet Delay Budget (PDB), or the remaining time level of the PDB.

[0186] Optionally, the first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and the transceiver module 720 is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating whether the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information; specifically, the transceiver module 720 is configured to send the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the first indication information indicates that the first communication device should send the first scheduling request information.

[0187] Optionally, the first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and the transceiver module 720 is further configured to send a second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; specifically, the transceiver module 720 is configured to send the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the second indication information indicates that the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information.

[0188] Optionally, the transceiver module 720 is further configured to receive first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the first resource and the second resource, the second resource is used to transmit second scheduling request information, and the second scheduling request information and / or the second resource does not indicate the first information.

[0189] Optionally, the first resource indicates the first information, and the transceiver module 720 is further configured to receive second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating a plurality of third resources, the plurality of third resources being associated with at least one of the following different values: PDCP discard timer remaining time, PDCP discard timer remaining time level, PDB remaining time, or PDB remaining time level, and the first resource being the resource among the plurality of third resources associated with the content of the first information.

[0190] When the communication device 700 is used to achieve Figure 4 The function of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown is as follows:

[0191] Transceiver module 720 is configured to receive first scheduling request information on a first resource, wherein the first scheduling request information and / or the first resource indicates first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer of the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB.

[0192] Processing module 710 is used to determine a scheduling strategy for scheduling the first data packet based on the first information;

[0193] The transceiver module 720 is further configured to schedule the first data packet based on the scheduling strategy.

[0194] Optionally, the first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and the transceiver module 720 is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; specifically, the transceiver module 720 is configured to receive the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the first indication information indicates that the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information.

[0195] Optionally, the first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and the transceiver module 720 is further configured to receive second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; specifically, the transceiver module 720 is configured to receive the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the second indication information indicates that the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information.

[0196] Optionally, the transceiver module 720 is further configured to send first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the first resource and the second resource, the second resource is used to transmit second scheduling request information, and the second scheduling request information and / or the second resource does not indicate the first information.

[0197] Optionally, the first resource indicates the first information, and the transceiver module 720 is further configured to send second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating a plurality of third resources, the plurality of third resources being associated with at least one of the following different values: PDCP discard timer remaining time, PDCP discard timer remaining time level, PDB remaining time, or PDB remaining time level, and the first resource being the resource among the plurality of third resources associated with the content of the first information.

[0198] For a more detailed description of the aforementioned processing module 710 and transceiver module 720, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown.

[0199] like Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 includes a transceiver module 810. Optionally, the communication device 800 also includes a processing module 820. The communication device 800 is used to implement the above-described... Figure 6 The method embodiments shown depict the functions of the first or second communication device.

[0200] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 6 The function of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown is as follows:

[0201] The transceiver module 810 is used to receive fourth configuration information, which indicates a fourth resource and a fifth resource. The fourth resource is used to transmit a third scheduling request information, and the fifth resource is used to transmit first information.

[0202] The transceiver module 810 is further configured to send the third scheduling request information on the fourth resource, the third scheduling request information indicating whether the first communication device should send the first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer of the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB.

[0203] The transceiver module 810 is further configured to transmit the first information on the fifth resource when the third scheduling request information instructs the first communication device to transmit the first information.

[0204] Optionally, the processing module 820 is used to determine whether to send the first message.

[0205] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 6 The function of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown is as follows:

[0206] The transceiver module 810 is used to send fourth configuration information, which indicates a fourth resource and a fifth resource. The fourth resource is used to transmit a third scheduling request information, and the fifth resource is used to transmit first information.

[0207] The transceiver module 810 is further configured to receive third scheduling request information on the fourth resource, the third scheduling request information indicating whether the first communication device should send the first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP discard timer of the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP discard timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB.

[0208] The transceiver module 810 is further configured to receive the first information on the fifth resource when the third scheduling request information instructs the first communication device to send the first information.

[0209] Optionally, the processing module 820 is used to determine the fourth configuration information.

[0210] For a more detailed description of the transceiver module 810 and the processing module 820 mentioned above, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown.

[0211] like Figure 9As shown, the communication device 900 can be applied to the first communication device or the second communication device described above. The communication device 900 includes a processor 910, which implements the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

[0212] Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include interface circuitry 920. Processor 910 and interface circuitry 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuitry 920 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0213] Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910, or storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions.

[0214] The aforementioned processor 910 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions. The aforementioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0215] This application also provides a communication system, including a first communication device and a second communication device in the communication method provided in this application.

[0216] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for implementing the methods in the above-described method embodiments. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer can implement the methods in the above-described method embodiments.

[0217] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0218] This application also provides a chip, including a processor connected to a memory for storing computer programs, and the processor for executing the computer programs stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0219] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second" and "third", and there is no order of precedence or size among the technical features described by "first", "second" and "third".

[0220] Furthermore, the term "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. The term "at least one" in this application can represent "one" and "two or more." For example, A, B, and C can represent: A existing alone, B existing alone, C existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, A and C existing simultaneously, C and B existing simultaneously, and A, B, and C existing simultaneously.

[0221] In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0222] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and terminals, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0223] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0224] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (hereinafter referred to as instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only indicate a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sending end of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiving end of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0225] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0226] 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 application.

[0227] Those skilled in the art will clearly 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.

[0228] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0229] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0230] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0231] If the aforementioned functions 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, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0232] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application 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 application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Identify the primary resource; Send a first scheduling request message on the first resource, the first scheduling request message and / or the first resource indicates first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) drop timer of the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer, the remaining time of the Packet Delay Budget (PDB), or the remaining time level of the PDB.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first data packet satisfies at least one of the following: The first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDCP discard timer among multiple cached data packets; The first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining PDB time among multiple cached data packets; or, The first data packet is the earliest arriving data packet among the multiple cached data packets.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The multiple data packets are data packets buffered in a logical channel group, and the first information also includes the identifier of the logical channel group; or, The plurality of data packets are data packets corresponding to a single Quality of Service (QoS) flow, and the first information further includes the identifier of the QoS flow; or, The multiple data packets are data packets corresponding to a single task, and the first information also includes the identifier of the task.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and further includes: receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; Sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the first indication information instructs the first communication device to send the first scheduling request information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and further includes: sending second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; Sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: sending the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the second indication information instructs the first communication device to send the first scheduling request information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the first resource and the second resource, the second resource being used to transmit second scheduling request information, the second scheduling request information and / or the second resource not indicating the first information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first resource indicates the first information, and further includes: Receive second configuration information, which indicates a plurality of third resources, wherein the plurality of third resources are associated with at least one of the following different things: PDCP discard timer remaining time, PDCP discard timer remaining time level, PDB remaining time, or PDB remaining time level, and the first resource is the resource among the plurality of third resources associated with the content of the first information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first information is indicated by one or more of the following methods: transmission resources, fields, constellation diagrams, or cyclic shift values.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first information also includes the amount of data corresponding to the first data packet.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Receive a first scheduling request message on a first resource, wherein the first scheduling request message and / or the first resource indicates first information, the first information including at least one of the following: the remaining time of the PDCP drop timer of the first data packet, the remaining time level of the PDCP drop timer, the remaining time of the PDB, or the remaining time level of the PDB; Based on the first information, multiple first data packets are centrally scheduled, and the multiple first data packets include the first data packet.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first data packet satisfies at least one of the following: The first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining time of the PDCP discard timer among multiple cached data packets; The first data packet is the data packet with the shortest remaining PDB time among multiple cached data packets; or, The first data packet is the earliest arriving data packet among the multiple cached data packets.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The multiple data packets are data packets buffered in a logical channel group, and the first information also includes the identifier of the logical channel group; or, The plurality of data packets are data packets corresponding to a single Quality of Service (QoS) flow, and the first information further includes the identifier of the QoS flow; or, The multiple data packets are data packets corresponding to a single task, and the first information also includes the identifier of the task.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and further includes: sending first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; Receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the first indication information instructs the first communication device to send the first scheduling request information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The first scheduling request information indicates the first information, and further includes: receiving second indication information, wherein the second indication information indicates whether the first communication device sends the first scheduling request information; Receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource includes: receiving the first scheduling request information on the first resource when the second indication information instructs the first communication device to send the first scheduling request information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, Also includes: Send first configuration information, which indicates the first resource and the second resource. The second resource is used to transmit second scheduling request information. The second scheduling request information and / or the second resource does not indicate the first information.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The first resource indicates the first information, and further includes: Send second configuration information, which indicates a plurality of third resources, each of which is associated with at least one of the following different values: PDCP discard timer remaining time, PDCP discard timer remaining time level, PDB remaining time, or PDB remaining time level, wherein the first resource is the resource among the plurality of third resources associated with the content of the first information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, The first information is indicated by one or more of the following methods: transmission resources, fields, constellation diagrams, or cyclic shift values.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that, The first information also includes the amount of data corresponding to the first data packet.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is used to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, and the second communication device is used to implement the method of any one of claims 10 to 18.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, include: The computer-readable medium stores a computer program; When the computer program is run by the processor, the method of any one of claims 1 to 18 is performed.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program, which, when executed, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 18 to be performed.

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