Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and device are beneficial to improve the probability of complete resource mapping of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in an SPS period, and improve the service quality of voice service. The method comprises: in the process of transmitting voice service data in the SPS period, the network device and the terminal first determine the starting time unit of the current SPS period, and then start transmitting the voice service data according to the resource configuration of the voice service data from the starting time unit, and then in the case that the total number of time units for carrying NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the second time unit is taken as the ending time unit of the first SPS period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Voice service is an important service in mobile communication systems. Voice service data packets have characteristics such as fixed period and constant data packet length. In order to reduce the control signaling overhead caused by voice service, mobile communication networks usually use semi-static scheduling (SPS) to schedule the transmission of voice service data packets. After SPS is activated, network devices and terminals transmit one uplink data packet and / or downlink data packet in each SPS period according to the length of the SPS period.

[0003] To meet the voice service needs of narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) terminals in scenarios such as uninhabited areas and oceans, voice services can be provided to NB-IoT terminals through non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

[0004] When transmitting data in an NTN network, the same data is usually transmitted repeatedly. Since it is impossible to map the data to be transmitted onto various gaps in the NB-IoT system or the reserved subframes of the NTN network during data interaction with NB-IoT terminals, when using SPS technology to provide voice services to NB-IoT terminals in an NTN network, the number of times data packets are repeatedly transmitted within the SPS cycle is insufficient, resulting in poor voice service quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that helps improve the service quality of voice services.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a communication device. This device can be a terminal or a communication module / processing module within a terminal, or a circuit or chip within the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as 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), or a circuit or chip within the terminal responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). Alternatively, the communication device can also be a network device, a module applied to a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. The network device can be an entity implementing baseband processing functions (such as a DU), or a protocol layer entity implementing radio frequency transceiver functions (such as a RU). The method includes: determining a first time unit, which is the start time unit of a first SPS period; and, if the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, using the second time unit as the end time unit of the first SPS period, wherein the first-type time units are used to carry a narrowband physical uplink shared channel (NPUSCH) and / or a narrowband physical downlink shared channel (NPDSCH).

[0007] Based on the above scheme, after the communication device determines the start time unit (i.e., the first time unit) of the first SPS cycle, if the total number of first-type time units used to carry NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH between the second time unit and the first time unit is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the second time unit is taken as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle. This changes the triggering condition for the end of the first SPS cycle to the total number of first-type time units contained in the first SPS cycle satisfying the first threshold. This allows for flexible changes in the actual total number of time units contained in the first SPS cycle and enables the first SPS cycle to contain a number of first-type time units greater than or equal to the first threshold. This increases the probability that NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH carried in the first SPS cycle will complete complete resource mapping within the first SPS cycle, reduces the probability of chaotic data mapping between different SPS cycles, and helps improve the quality of voice services provided by the NTN network to NB-IoT terminals.

[0008] In one possible design, the first SPS cycle also includes at least one second-type time unit, which cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH.

[0009] In one possible design, the second type of time unit includes an invalid time unit and a fully reserved time unit. The invalid time unit is used to carry at least one of the following: uplink interval, uplink timing adjustment gap, downlink interval, narrowband physical random access channel NPRACH, primary synchronization signal NPSS, secondary synchronization signal NSSS, narrowband physical broadcast channel NPBCH, system information block SIB, or primary information block MIB.

[0010] In one possible design, the first type of time unit is a time unit used to carry mapped data in the time unit of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH; or, the first type of time unit includes time units for carrying mapped data and time units for carrying unmapped data in the time unit of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH.

[0011] Based on this scheme, when the first type of time unit is the time unit for mapped data, the first SPS cycle will not end before the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH reaches the first threshold, greatly increasing the probability that NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH can achieve complete resource mapping in the first SPS cycle; when the first type of time unit includes time units for mapped data and time units for unmapped data, the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS cycle can be flexibly adjusted as needed within a range less than or equal to the first threshold, which is beneficial for adapting to the requirements of different scenarios on the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and NPDSCH, and improving the data transmission flexibility of the first SPS cycle.

[0012] In one possible design, the communication method further includes receiving or sending first information, the first information indicating a first threshold.

[0013] In one possible design, the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission in one SPS cycle is less than or equal to a first threshold; the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission in one SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold; or, the sum of the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission in one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission in one SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0014] Based on this scheme, the first threshold can be applied to the requirements of different types of data transmission in the SPS cycle, which helps to improve the adaptability of the above scheme to different application scenarios.

[0015] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: if the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the next time unit of the second time unit is taken as the starting time unit of the second SPS cycle.

[0016] Based on this scheme, the communication device enters the next SPS cycle after the end of the end time unit of one SPS cycle, reducing or even eliminating the probability of overlapping time units between adjacent SPS cycles. This significantly reduces the probability of resource mapping chaos between adjacent SPS cycles, which is beneficial to improving the data transmission quality of service data transmitted based on SPS cycles.

[0017] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to network devices, modules applied to network devices (e.g., processors, chips, or chip systems), or logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of network devices. The network device can be an entity implementing baseband processing functions (e.g., a DU), or a protocol layer entity implementing radio frequency transceiver functions (e.g., a RU). The method includes: determining third information, the third information indicating the total number of time units in a first SPS period, the total number of time units in the first SPS period being determined based on the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units, the first-type time units being used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH, and the second-type time units not being used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH; and transmitting the third information.

[0018] Based on this scheme, a time unit in an SPS cycle is pre-configured for time units that cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH. On the one hand, this helps to reduce the impact of various gaps and fully reserved time units on the mapping of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH resources within the SPS cycle, reduce the probability of bit errors caused by the increase in bit rate due to invalid time units and / or fully reserved time units, and improve the data transmission quality within the SPS cycle. On the other hand, it can be directly compatible with existing SPS mechanisms and reduce the amount of protocol modifications required by applying the above scheme.

[0019] In one possible design, the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle is equal to or greater than the sum of the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units.

[0020] Based on this scheme, the total number of Type I time units in an SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the total number of time units required for NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH to achieve complete resource mapping within the SPS cycle, further increasing the probability that NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH will achieve complete resource mapping within the SPS cycle.

[0021] In one possible design, the second type of time unit includes an invalid time unit and a fully reserved time unit. The invalid time unit is used to carry at least one of the following: uplink interval, uplink timing adjustment gap, downlink interval, narrowband physical random access channel NPRACH, primary synchronization signal NPSS, secondary synchronization signal NSSS, narrowband physical broadcast channel NPBCH, system information block SIB, or primary information block MIB.

[0022] Thirdly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a communication device, which may be a terminal or a communication module / processing module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for processing functions (such as a GPU, AI processor, or ASIC). Alternatively, the communication device may also be a network device, a module applied to a network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The network device may be an entity that implements baseband processing functions (such as a DU), or a protocol layer entity that implements radio frequency transceiver functions (such as a RU). The communication method includes: determining a second value, the second value being the total number of a first type of time unit in a first SPS period, the first type of time unit being used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH; and transmitting data of a first service within the first SPS period when the second value is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0023] Based on this scheme, the communication device will only transmit the data of the first service in an SPS cycle if the number of first type time units (i.e., the second value) contained in an SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the second threshold. This significantly reduces the data transmission quality problem caused by transmitting the data of the first service in an SPS cycle with an insufficient number of first type time units, and is conducive to improving the data transmission quality of the first service.

[0024] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: sending data of the first service within the second SPS period when the second value is less than the second threshold and the total number of the first type of time units in the second SPS period is greater than or equal to the second threshold, wherein the second SPS period is the next SPS period after the first SPS period.

[0025] In one possible design, the communication method further includes receiving or sending a fourth message, which indicates a second threshold.

[0026] In one possible design, the second threshold satisfies any of the following: the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; or, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle.

[0027] Based on this scheme, the second threshold is determined according to the type of data transmission in the SPS cycle and the resource configuration of the first service during data transmission. When the number of first-type time units in the SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the probability of achieving complete resource mapping of NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH in the SPS cycle can be further improved, which is conducive to improving the data transmission quality of the first service.

[0028] Fourthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a communication device, which may be a terminal or a communication module / processing module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for processing functions (such as a GPU, AI processor, or ASIC). Alternatively, the communication device may also be a network device, a module applied to a network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The network device may be an entity that implements baseband processing functions (such as a DU), or a protocol layer entity that implements radio frequency transceiver functions (such as a RU). The communication method includes: determining a second value, the second value being the total number of a first type of time unit in a first SPS period, the first type of time unit being used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH; and receiving data of a first service within the first SPS period when the second value is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0029] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: receiving data of the first service in the second SPS period when the second value is less than the second threshold and the total number of the first type of time units in the second SPS period is greater than or equal to the second threshold, wherein the second SPS period is the next SPS period after the first SPS period.

[0030] In one possible design, the communication method further includes sending or receiving a fourth message, which indicates a second threshold.

[0031] In one possible design, the second threshold satisfies any of the following: the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; or, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle.

[0032] The technical effects of the fourth aspect and any possible design can be referenced from the technical effects of the third aspect and similar possible designs, and will not be elaborated here.

[0033] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing various methods. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the implementation of the methods, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0034] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module, respectively used to implement the receiving function and the transmitting function in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0035] In some possible designs, the transceiver module can consist of transceiver circuits, transceivers, transceivers, or communication interfaces.

[0036] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory being used to store computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method described in either aspect.

[0037] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any aspect.

[0038] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; said processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor.

[0039] A ninth aspect provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), the communication device including a processor for implementing the functions involved in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0040] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0041] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0042] It is understood that the communication device provided in the fifth to ninth aspects may be a terminal as described in the first to fourth aspects, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit) in the terminal that performs the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first to fourth aspects, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the terminal, or a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the terminal's functions; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the first to fourth aspects, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, chip system, or circuit) in the network device that performs the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first to fourth aspects, or a module or unit that can be used in conjunction with the network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the network device's functions.

[0043] It is understandable that when the communication device provided in any of the fifth to ninth aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as outputting information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as inputting information.

[0044] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0045] Eleventhly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0046] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a terminal and a network device. The terminal and network device are configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof; or, the network device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect and any possible design thereof; or, the terminal is configured to perform the method described in the third aspect and any possible design thereof, and the network device is configured to perform the method described in the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof; or, the terminal is configured to perform the method described in the fourth aspect and any possible design thereof, and the network device is configured to perform the method described in the third aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0047] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through twelfth can be found in the technical effects of different design methods in aspects one through four, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of resource mapping within an SPS cycle provided in this application;

[0049] Figure 2 A system schematic diagram of a communication system provided in this application;

[0050] Figure 3 This application provides a satellite network architecture diagram in a transparent transmission mode;

[0051] Figure 4 This application provides a satellite network architecture diagram under a regeneration mode;

[0052] Figure 5 A satellite network architecture diagram under another regeneration mode provided in this application;

[0053] Figure 6 This application provides a satellite network architecture diagram under yet another regeneration mode;

[0054] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application;

[0055] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0056] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of an SPS cycle provided in this application;

[0057] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in this application;

[0058] Figure 11 Another SPS cycle diagram provided for this application;

[0059] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0060] Figure 13 Another SPS cycle diagram provided for this application;

[0061] Figures 14-16 A schematic diagram of the communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between the related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0063] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0064] Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0066] It is understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0067] It is understood that in this application, "...when" and "if" both refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time, nor do they require a judgment action to be performed during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0068] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0069] 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, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0070] For ease of understanding, the prior art related to the embodiments of this application is described below.

[0071] 1. Voice services:

[0072] Voice services are an important component of mobile networks. In the application of second-generation wireless telephone technology (2G) and third-generation mobile communication technology (3G), voice services in mobile networks are implemented based on circuit-switched (CS) technology. That is, a dedicated line is established in the network for the two user devices associated with the voice service, and the line is disconnected when the voice service ends. Voice services based on CS technology have disadvantages such as high resource consumption, complex networking, and low network efficiency.

[0073] With the advent of the 4G era, voice services based on Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) and Voice Over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) were introduced. CSFB-based voice services refer to a scenario where, when a user initiates a voice call in a 4G network, both parties fall back to a 2G / 3G network to complete the voice call using CSFB technology, before returning to the 4G network after the call ends. VoLTE-based voice services are based on the Internet Protocol (IP) and are managed by the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), carried on 4G networks. VoLTE-based voice services primarily achieve this by introducing IMS to directly provide IP-based voice services and encapsulating voice data packets for transmission, eliminating the need for dedicated resources and significantly improving network efficiency. Similarly, in the 5G network, voice services based on Voice over New Radio (VoNR) have been proposed.

[0074] Voice services are characterized by periodically sending data packets during user calls. In IMS-based voice services, the generation period of voice data packets is 20ms. Therefore, current voice service data transmission is mainly based on semi-static scheduling. That is, after activating SPS, the voice data packets of the voice service are periodically sent or received according to the SPS period, which helps to reduce the control signaling overhead caused by voice service data transmission.

[0075] Voice data packets for IMS-based voice services contain a large amount of header information, such as IP headers, User Datagram Protocol (UDP) headers, Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) headers, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) headers, Radio Link Control (RLC) headers, or Media Access Control (MAC) headers. Even with compression of the header information in the voice data packets, the proportion of valid voice data in the data packets remains relatively low. However, in terrestrial network scenarios, available bandwidth is sufficient and path loss for data transmission is minimal, allowing voice data packets to be sent or received with minimal time-frequency resources.

[0076] 2. NTN:

[0077] NTN communication, developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) in Release 17, is a direct communication technology between terminals and satellites based on New Radio (NR) technology. Compared to terrestrial network communication, NTN communication offers advantages such as wider coverage and more flexible network deployment. Introducing NTN communication into 5G or future mobile communication technologies can provide communication services to areas difficult to cover with terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. It can also enhance communication reliability, providing more stable and higher-quality communication services for users on trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation.

[0078] Currently, NTN technology has been widely used in fields such as aviation communications and maritime communications. Various research institutes, communications organizations, and companies are participating in the research of NTN communication technology and standards, striving to build a unified communication network for air, space, and ground communications.

[0079] In NTN communication, equipment such as flight platforms are used to form a network to provide terminals with data transmission, voice communication and other services. According to the altitude of the flight platform above the ground, NTN can include a low altitude platform (LAP) subnetwork, a high altitude platform (HAP) subnetwork, and a satellite communication subnetwork.

[0080] Because the distance between the data sender and receiver is relatively large and the link budget is poor during NTN communication, in order to improve the data transmission quality, a number of repetitions is usually configured for a data item, and the data is transmitted multiple times according to the number of repetitions to increase the probability that the data can be successfully parsed.

[0081] 3. NB-IoT System:

[0082] NB-IoT systems are built on cellular networks, consuming only about 180kHz of bandwidth. They can be directly deployed in 4G, 5G, or future communication systems, supporting low-power devices for cellular data connections in wide-area networks. Various gaps exist in NB-IoT systems. According to the 3GPP protocol, when the NPUSCH and NPDSCH encounter a gap during resource mapping in the NB-IoT system, mapping needs to be suspended until the gap is cleared before continuing.

[0083] Currently, the gaps in NB-IoT systems mainly include: uplink gap (UL Gap), narrowband physical random access channel (NPRACH), uplink timing adjustment gaps for NTN, downlink gap (DL Gap), and subframes carrying system information (such as subframes carrying the primary synchronization signal (NPSS), secondary synchronization signal (NSSS), narrowband physical broadcast channel occasion (NPBCHOccasion), master information block (MIB), or system information block (SIB).

[0084] The UL Gap is mainly used to address crystal oscillator offset in terminals. Since low-cost NB-IoT terminals are generally equipped with low-cost crystal oscillators, the heat dissipation of the terminal power amplifier during continuous uplink transmission will cause crystal oscillator offset, thus affecting uplink transmission performance. After introducing the UL Gap in NB-IoT, the terminal has a 40ms UL Gap after continuously sending 256ms NPUSCH. During the UL Gap, the terminal switches to the downlink and uses NPSS / NSSS / narrowband reference signal (NRS) for time synchronization and time-frequency offset compensation.

[0085] NPRACH Occasion is used for the initial access of the terminal. NPUSCH is not mapped in the time unit that is the NPRACH Occasion. The uplink timing adjustment gap was introduced by 3GPP in Release 17. During this time window, the terminal suspends uplink transmission and adapts to changes in propagation delay by adjusting the transmission timing.

[0086] The DL Gap primarily addresses downlink resource conflicts. When downlink resources are continuously occupied by the narrowband physical downlink control channel (NPDCCH) and its scheduled NPDSCH of a coverage enhancement terminal, downlink traffic transmissions from other terminals on the carrier, especially those not requiring coverage enhancement, are blocked. By introducing the DL Gap, the NPDCCH and NPDSCH with a high repetition rate are mapped to discontinuous subframes, allowing transmission for users with normal or moderate coverage to occur on the subframes designated as the DL Gap.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the 3GPP protocol, in the NB-IoT system, when NPUSCH and NPDSCH encounter fully reserved subframes configured by higher-level protocol layers during resource mapping, mapping must be suspended until the fully reserved subframes have ended. In other words, the subframes occupied by gaps in the NB-IoT system can be considered invalid subframes for NPUSCH and NPDSCH. NPUSCH and NPDSCH need to skip invalid and fully reserved subframes during resource mapping (or, in other words, when colliding with invalid / fully reserved subframes during resource mapping, mapping must be suspended until the invalid / fully reserved subframes have ended).

[0088] To meet the calling needs of NB-IoT terminals in uninhabited areas and oceans, voice services can be provided to NB-IoT terminals through the NTN network. However, when providing voice services to terminals in the NB-IoT system through the NTN network, the bandwidth available to the NB-IoT terminals and the low link budget caused by the high path loss of long-distance transmission in the NTN network limit the transmission of a single voice data packet. This results in a single data packet occupying multiple subframes in the time domain (i.e., when SPS is activated, a single voice data packet needs to occupy multiple subframes within one SPS period), making uplink and downlink resource allocation relatively limited.

[0089] Currently, NB-IoT systems mainly adopt half-duplex frequency division multiplexing mode, and the resource mapping of NPDSCH and NPUSCH needs to avoid invalid subframes. Therefore, the actual length occupied by voice data in the time domain may be different in different SPS cycles. Since the length of the SPS cycle is a pre-configured fixed length, when there are too many invalid subframes and fully reserved subframes in the SPS cycle, data mapping chaos or incomplete data mapping may occur in the SPS cycle.

[0090] For example, refer to Figure 1 In example (a), taking an SPS cycle consisting of 14 system frames (i.e., a length of 140 milliseconds (ms)) and with both uplink and downlink SPS active (i.e., one uplink voice data packet and one downlink voice data packet being transmitted within one SPS cycle), SPS cycle 1 does not contain invalid subframes or fully reserved subframes. NPDSCH is mapped to system frames 0-5, and NPUSCH is mapped to system frames 7-12. SPS cycle 2 overlaps with the PRARCH Occasion. After NPDSCH is mapped to system frames 0-5 and NPUSCH to system frames 7-9, to avoid invalid system frames that constitute the PRARCH Occasion, NPUSCH mapping is stopped. Occasion ends in SPS period 3. NPUSCH mapping cannot be restored in SPS period 2 (i.e., NPUSCH mapping in SPS period 2 is incomplete). If mapping is restored in SPS period 3, it will cause data mapping confusion between SPS period 2 and SPS period 3. SPS period 3 includes system frames for transmitting SIBs. NPDSCH mapping stops after system frames 0-4. Mapping is restored in system frame 7 after the invalid system frames carrying SIBs end. NPUSCH mapping occurs between system frames 7-12. NPUSCH and NPDSCH will experience uplink and downlink data mapping confusion in system frame 7.

[0091] refer to Figure 1 In example (b), taking an SPS cycle consisting of 14 system frames (i.e., a length of 140ms) and uplink active SPS for unidirectional continuous SPS transmission (i.e., transmission of one uplink voice data packet in each of several consecutive SPS cycles), SPS cycle 1 does not contain invalid subframes or fully reserved subframes. NPUSCH is mapped in system frames 0-11, while system frames 12 and 13 are unused. SPS cycle 2 overlaps with PRARCH Occasion. NPUSCH is mapped in system frames 0-8, then mapping is stopped. Mapping resumes in system frame 13 after system frames 9-12 carrying PRARCH Occasion. NPUSCH mapping in SPS cycle 2 is incomplete. SPS cycle 3 overlaps with UL Gap. NPUSCH is mapped in system frames 0-10, then mapping is stopped. Since UL Gap occupies system frames 11-13, NPUSCH cannot resume mapping in SPS cycle 3. NPUSCH mapping in SPS cycle 3 is incomplete.

[0092] In other words, when providing voice services to NB-IoT terminals in the NTN network based on the current voice service transmission scheme (i.e., voice data packet transmission based on SPS), it is easy to encounter problems such as insufficient repeated transmission of voice data packets within an SPS cycle or chaotic data mapping between adjacent SPS cycles, which in turn leads to poor service quality of the voice service.

[0093] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. During data transmission when activating SPS, network devices and terminals first determine a first time unit (i.e., the start time unit of the first SPS cycle). Then, they count the number of first-type time units included in the first SPS cycle starting from the first time unit. These first-type time units are used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH. If the number of first-type time units between the first and second time units is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the second time unit is used as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle. In other words, the end time unit of the first SPS cycle is determined based on the number of first-type time units included in the first SPS cycle, ensuring that the number of first-type time units in the first SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold. This increases the probability that data carried in the first SPS cycle will complete complete resource mapping before the end of the first SPS cycle, reduces the probability of chaotic data mapping between different SPS cycles, and helps improve the quality of voice services provided by the NTN network to NB-IoT terminals.

[0094] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be used in various communication systems, including 3GPP communication systems, such as 4G systems like LTE, 5G systems like NR, NTN, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, LTE and 5G hybrid networking systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other future communication systems. The communication system can also be a non-3GPP communication system or other future communication systems. The application is not limited to non-3GPP communication systems.

[0095] The communication systems described above are merely illustrative examples, and are not limited to those described herein. The communication systems provided in this application do not impose any limitations on the solutions described herein. This will be explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0096] Figure 2 A possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram is shown. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the communication system includes terminals and network equipment. Figure 2 The number of network devices and terminals in this example is just one example; a communication system can include more than that. Figure 2 This indicates more or fewer network devices or terminals.

[0097] Optionally, terminals can communicate with each other, terminals and network devices can communicate with each other, and network devices can communicate with each other via wired or wireless means.

[0098] Optionally, the terminal can be a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities, or a chip or chip system embedded in that device. The terminal can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile terminal (MT), user terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, the terminal can be a terminal in IoT, V2X, D2D, M2M, 5G networks, or future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs). The terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites).

[0099] For example, a terminal can be a drone, an IoT device (e.g., a sensor, an electricity meter, a water meter, etc.), a V2X device, a station (ST) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device (also known as a wearable smart device), a tablet computer or a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home. The terminal can be a wireless terminal in the home, an in-vehicle terminal, a vehicle with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capability, an intelligent connected vehicle, or a drone with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to UAV (U2U) communication capability, etc. The terminal can be mobile or fixed; this application does not specifically limit its location.

[0100] Optionally, the network device can be a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities, or it can be a chip, chip system, or module installed in the device. The network device is located in the radio access network (RAN) of the mobile communication system and is used to provide access services to terminals.

[0101] As one possible implementation, the network device can be a wireless relay node or a wireless backhaul node. For example, the network device can act as a Layer 1 relay device to regenerate physical layer signals (i.e., wireless frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification processing) without having other higher protocol layers.

[0102] As another possible implementation, network equipment can perform some or all of the functions of a base station. For example, network equipment can be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE or evolved LTE systems (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A), such as a traditional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in ​​heterogeneous network scenarios; or it can be a next-generation node B (gNodeB or gNB) in a 5G system; or it can be a transmission reception point (TRP); or it can be a base station in a future evolved PLMN; or it can be a device that implements base station functions in IoT, V2X, D2D, or M2M.

[0103] Alternatively, network equipment can be modules or units capable of performing some or all of the functions of a base station. For example, network equipment can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), CU and DU, CU (control plane, CP), CU (user plane, UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0104] In Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, the CU and DU decompose the eNB's protocol layers. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining or all protocol layer functions are distributed across the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency (RF) devices or RF units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning.

[0105] As one possible implementation, the network device in this application embodiment can be deployed on a ground platform. For example, the network device is a ground base station or a module that implements some functions of a ground base station, and the terminal can be a device deployed on a non-ground platform.

[0106] As another possible implementation, the network device in this application embodiment can be deployed on a non-terrestrial platform, such as a low-altitude platform (e.g., a drone), a high-altitude platform (e.g., an aircraft), or a satellite. Therefore, the network device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a non-terrestrial network device.

[0107] For example, taking a network device deployed on a satellite, or a satellite as an example, the communication system may also include an NTN gateway (or gateway station). Typically, the NTN gateway is deployed on the ground. The NTN gateway can communicate with the satellite; the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway is called a feeder link, and the link between the satellite and the terminal is called a service link.

[0108] like Figure 3 As shown, when a satellite acts as a wireless relay node, or in other words, when a satellite has relay forwarding capabilities, the NTN gateway possesses the functions of a base station or some of the functions of a base station. In this case, the NTN gateway can function as a base station. Alternatively, the NTN gateway can be deployed separately from the base station; that is, in addition to the NTN gateway, the communication system also includes a base station. Figure 3 The example of deploying NTN gateways and base stations separately will be used to illustrate this.

[0109] like Figure 4As shown, when a satellite can perform some or all of the functions of a base station, and possesses data processing capabilities, it can be used as a base station. In this case, the NTN gateway and the satellite can transmit user plane data of the terminal through the satellite radio interface (SRI).

[0110] Furthermore, in cases where satellites can perform some or all of the functions of a base station, such as... Figure 5 As shown, there are inter-satellite links (ISLs) between different satellites, allowing them to communicate. Alternatively, as... Figure 6 As shown, a satellite can have the DU processing function of a base station, or in other words, a satellite can act as a DU. In this scenario, the CU processing function of the base station can be deployed on the ground, and the CU and DU communicate with each other through an NTN gateway using the F1 interface.

[0111] exist Figures 3 to 6 In the architecture shown, NG refers to the interface between the base station and the core network. Uu refers to the interface between the base station and the terminal. Xn refers to the interface between base stations. It is understood that as the communication system evolves, the names of the interfaces between the base station and the core network, between the base station and the terminal, and between base stations may also change, and this application does not specifically limit them.

[0112] Optionally, when a satellite acts as a wireless relay node with relay forwarding capabilities, it can be considered to be operating in transparent mode. When a satellite has data processing capabilities and can perform some or all of the functions of a base station, it can be considered to be operating in regenerative mode. For a given satellite, it may support only transparent mode, only regenerative mode, or both transparent and regenerative modes, and it may be able to switch between transparent and regenerative modes.

[0113] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0114] The following is combined with Figure 2The communication system shown uses the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device as an example to describe the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. It should be noted that in the following embodiments of this application, the message names, parameter names, or information names between communication devices are just examples, and other names may be used in other embodiments. The method provided in this application does not specifically limit these names.

[0115] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the first communication device or the second communication device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also execute other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the various steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0116] It is understood that this application uses the first and second communication devices as examples to illustrate the execution of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the second communication device in this application can also be executed by a module applied to the second communication device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device; similarly, the method executed by the first communication device in this application can also be executed by a module applied to the first communication device (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device.

[0117] See Figure 7 The above is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method may include the following steps:

[0118] S701, The communication device determines the first time unit. The first time unit is the start time unit of the first SPS cycle.

[0119] For example, the aforementioned communication device can be either a first communication device or a second communication device; that is, the communication device can be either a first communication device or a second communication device. Figure 2 The network devices in the communication system shown can also be Figure 2 The terminal in the communication system shown.

[0120] For example, the first time unit being the starting time unit of the first SPS period can be understood as the first time unit contained in the first SPS period, or it can also be understood as the first time unit being the time unit with the smallest index among the multiple time units contained in the first SPS period.

[0121] It is worth mentioning that the first SPS cycle can be any SPS cycle during the data transmission process of the communication device after SPS is activated. In other words, after SPS is activated, the communication device can determine the start time unit of the first SPS cycle by combining the configuration parameters of SPS and the time unit occupied by the SPS cycles before the first SPS cycle (if there are other SPS cycles before the first SPS cycle).

[0122] For example, if the first SPS period is the first SPS period after SPS activation, and the SPS configuration parameters include an interval of 2 between the starting subframe of the first SPS period after SPS activation and the subframe carrying the SPS activation indication information, then if the SPS activation indication information is carried in subframe 1, the starting subframe of the first SPS period is subframe 3.

[0123] Optionally, the first time unit can be a first system frame, a first subframe, a first resource unit (RU), a first time slot, or a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, etc. That is, the time unit in the embodiments of this application can be a system frame, a subframe, a resource unit (RU), a time slot, or an OFDM symbol. In addition, the first time unit can also be other time units newly defined by the standard, without limitation.

[0124] S702, if the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the communication device uses the second time unit as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle. The first-type time units are used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH.

[0125] For example, the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit can be understood as the number of first-type time units in all time units, including the second time unit, starting from the first time unit (i.e., when the second time unit is a first-type time unit, the second time unit is counted in the total number of first-type time units). Alternatively, it can be understood as the number of first-type time units in all time units, including the time unit preceding the second time unit, starting from the first time unit (i.e., when the second time unit is a first-type time unit, the second time unit is not counted in the total number of first-type time units). For ease of understanding, the following embodiments of this application use the example of the second time unit being counted in the total number of first-type time units when the second time unit is a first-type time unit.

[0126] For example, the first type of time unit used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH can be understood as the first type of time unit supporting / being available for resource mapping of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH, or it can also be understood as the first type of time unit having the ability to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH, or it can also be understood as the first type of time unit being a time unit that is not marked as an invalid time unit and a fully reserved time unit.

[0127] As one possible implementation, the first type of time unit is the time unit used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH mapped data. That is, in determining the number of the first type of time units, all time units that support resource mapping for NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH are counted; or, all time units with the ability to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH are counted. If all time units used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the SPS cycle map data, the total number of the first type of time units is the total number of time units that map NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH data.

[0128] For example, taking a first threshold of 6 as an example, where the first SPS cycle is used to carry NPDSCH that occupies 6 time units. The communication device can add an SPS counter to count the total number of the first type of time units, and use the time unit when the counter value reaches the first threshold as the second time unit. For example, time unit 1 is the starting time unit of the first SPS cycle, time units 1-5 are the time units occupied by NPDSCH, time units 6-8 are the invalid time units occupied by SIB, and time unit 9 is the time unit occupied by NPDSCH.

[0129] When counting the total number of the first type of time units using the SPS counter, the initial count value of the SPS counter is 0. Since time units 1-5 are occupied by NPDSCH, the SPS counter increments by 1 once for each of the time units 1-5. The count value of the SPS counter after the end of time unit 5 is 5. Since time units 6-8 are invalid time units, the count value of the SPS counter remains unchanged (or stops counting) for time units 6-8. After the end of time unit 8, the count value of the SPS counter is still 5. Time unit 9 is occupied by NPDSCH. The SPS counter increments by 1 once for time unit 9 (i.e., resumes counting). After the end of time unit 9, the count value of the SPS counter is 6 (equal to the first threshold). Time unit 9 is then used as the second time unit (i.e., the end time unit of the first SPS cycle), and the count value of the counter is cleared to zero. After entering a new SPS cycle, the counting of the first type of time units in the new SPS cycle is performed.

[0130] Based on this scheme, when the communication device determines the last time unit (i.e., the second time unit) included in the first SPS cycle according to the first threshold and the number of the first type of time units, the first SPS cycle uses the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS cycle reaching the first threshold as the trigger condition for the end of the cycle. This ensures that the first SPS cycle will not end before the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH reaches the first threshold, greatly increasing the probability that NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH can achieve complete resource mapping in the first SPS cycle, which is beneficial to improving the data transmission quality of the first SPS cycle.

[0131] As another possible implementation, the first type of time unit includes both time units with mapped data and time units without mapped data within the time units used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH. That is, in determining the number of first-type time units, all time units that support resource mapping for NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH are counted, or in other words, all time units capable of carrying NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH are counted. When the SPS cycle includes time units with unmapped NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH data, those time units are also counted in the first type of time units.

[0132] For example, taking a first threshold of 10 as an example, the first SPS cycle is used to carry NPDSCH that occupies 8 time units. The communication device can add an SPS counter to count the total number of the first type of time units, and use the time unit when the counter value reaches the first threshold as the second time unit. For example, time unit 1 is the starting time unit of the first SPS cycle, time unit 1 is not marked as an invalid time unit / fully reserved time unit, and time unit 1 is not occupied by NPDSCH; time units 2-9 are time units occupied by NPDSCH; time units 10-12 are invalid time units occupied by SIB; and time unit 13 is not marked as an invalid time unit / fully reserved time unit, and is not occupied by NPDSCH.

[0133] When counting the total number of the first type of time units using the SPS counter, the initial count value of the SPS counter is 0. Since time unit 1 is not marked as an invalid time unit / fully reserved time unit, the SPS counter increments by 1 once in time unit 1. The count value of the SPS counter after the end of time unit 1 is 1. Time units 2-9 are time units occupied by PDSCH, and the SPS counter increments by 1 once in each of time units 2-9. The count value of the SPS counter after time unit 9 is 9 (less than the first threshold). Although NPDSCH has completed resource mapping on time units 2-9, time unit 9 cannot be used as the second time unit. Therefore, the first SPS cycle will not end immediately after NPDSCH completes resource mapping. Since time units 10-12 are invalid time units, the count value of the SPS counter remains unchanged on time units 10-12. After the end of time unit 12, the count value of the SPS counter is still 9. Time unit 13 is not marked as an invalid time unit / fully reserved time unit. The SPS counter increments its count value by 1 once in time unit 13. After time unit 13 ends, the count value of the SPS counter is 10 (equal to the first threshold). Time unit 13 is taken as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle (i.e., the second time unit), and the count value of the counter is cleared to zero. After entering a new SPS cycle, the number of first-type time units in the new SPS cycle is counted.

[0134] Based on this scheme, when the communication device determines the last time unit (i.e., the second time unit) included in the first SPS cycle according to the first threshold and the number of the first type of time units, the trigger condition for the end of the first SPS cycle is that the total number of time units included that carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH reaches the first threshold. The first SPS cycle will not end before the total number of the first type of time units included reaches the first threshold, ensuring that the total number of time units that can be used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS cycle is sufficient, increasing the probability that NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH can achieve complete resource mapping in the first SPS cycle. On the other hand, the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS cycle can be flexibly adjusted as needed within a range of less than or equal to the first threshold, which is beneficial for adapting to the requirements of different scenarios on the total number of time units occupied by NPUSCH and NPDSCH, and improving the data transmission flexibility of the first SPS cycle.

[0135] It is worth mentioning that the above method of counting the number of first-type time units using the SPS counter is only one example. On the one hand, the SPS counter can also have other names, such as first counter, effective subframe counter, effective time unit counter, etc. On the other hand, the counting of the number of first-type time units can also be achieved in other ways, such as setting the initial count value of the SPS counter to the first threshold, decrementing the count value by one when a first-type time unit is detected, and taking the time unit when the count value of the SPS counter changes to 0 as the second time unit, without restriction.

[0136] Furthermore, the above scheme takes the first SPS period used to carry one NPDSCH as an example. The first SPS period can also be an SPS period used to carry one NPUSCH, or it can be an SPS period used to carry one NPDSCH and one NPUSCH. There are no restrictions. The method of determining the second time unit is similar to the above scheme. You can refer to the relevant description in the above scheme.

[0137] Optionally, the first threshold can be defined by a standard or configured by the network device.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the first SPS cycle also includes at least one second type of time unit, which cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH.

[0139] For example, the fact that the second type of time unit cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH can be understood as the second type of time unit not having the ability to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH, or it can also be understood as NPUSCH and NPDSCH not being able to be resource-mapped on the second type of time unit.

[0140] As one possible implementation, the second type of time unit includes invalid time units and fully reserved time units. Invalid time units are used to carry at least one of the following: uplink interval, uplink timing adjustment gap, downlink interval, NPRACH, NPSS, NSSS, NPBCH, MIB, or SIB.

[0141] The meaning of invalid time unit is similar to that of invalid subframe in the previous embodiment. The meaning of fully reserved time unit is similar to that of fully reserved subframe in the previous embodiment. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the previous embodiments. They will not be repeated here.

[0142] In other words, after adjusting the trigger condition for the end of an SPS cycle to be equal to or greater than the first threshold, the actual number of time units occupied by an SPS cycle in the time domain includes the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units, but the number of second-type time units does not affect the position of the end time unit of an SPS cycle.

[0143] For example, with a first threshold of 8, the first type of time unit includes time units for carrying NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH, including time units for mapped data and time units for unmapped data. Time unit 1 is the starting time unit of the first SPS cycle. Time unit 1 is not marked as an invalid time unit / fully reserved time unit, and time unit 1 is not occupied by NPDSCH and NPUSCH. Time units 2-6 are time units occupied by NPUSCH / NPDSCH. Time units 7-10 are time units occupied by SIB. Time units 11-12 are not marked as invalid time units / fully reserved time units, and time unit 12 is not occupied by NPDSCH and NPUSCH. In this case, starting from time unit 1, time unit 12 is the 8th first type of time unit, that is, time unit 12 is the end time unit of the first SPS cycle (i.e., the second time unit). The first SPS cycle actually includes 8 first type of time units and 4 second type of time units. The end time unit of the first SPS cycle is the 11th time unit after the first time unit.

[0144] Furthermore, the above embodiments are based on the example of the first SPS cycle including the second type of time unit. When the first SPS cycle does not include the second type of time unit, the actual number of time units occupied by the first SPS cycle in the time domain is determined only by the number of the first type of time unit. When the first SPS cycle does not include the second type of time unit, the method for determining the end time unit of the first SPS cycle can refer to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0145] In one possible implementation, if the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the next time unit of the second time unit is taken as the starting time unit of the second SPS cycle.

[0146] In other words, after the communication device uses the second time unit as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle (or the last time unit contained in the first SPS cycle), it uses the next time unit of the second time unit as the start time unit of the next SPS cycle (i.e., the second SPS cycle) and begins to transmit service data in the second SPS cycle. This reduces or even eliminates the probability of overlapping time units between adjacent SPS cycles, significantly reducing the probability of resource mapping confusion between adjacent SPS cycles, which is beneficial to improving the data transmission quality of service data transmitted based on SPS cycles.

[0147] Based on this scheme, the communication device can use the number of the first type of time units reaching a first threshold as a trigger condition for the end of an SPS cycle. This ensures that the total number of time units in an SPS cycle that can be used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH meets the first threshold, increasing the probability that NPUSCH / NPDSCH carried in a time unit within an SPS cycle can achieve complete resource mapping within that SPS cycle. This helps reduce the probability of data mapping confusion between different SPS cycles and improves the data transmission quality during data transmission based on SPS cycles.

[0148] The above describes the implementation method of the communication device determining the end time unit of an SPS cycle based on a first threshold. The following describes the implementation method of two communication devices performing service data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle when both devices determine the end time unit of the SPS cycle according to the above method. For example, the first service can be a voice service, or it can be a buffer status reporting (BSR) report.

[0149] refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8The following is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method may include the following steps:

[0150] S801, the second communication device sends second information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second information from the second communication device. The second information is used to activate SPS.

[0151] For example, the second communication device is a network device, and the first communication device is a terminal.

[0152] In other words, after determining that SPS needs to be activated and service data interaction needs to be performed based on the service data interaction requirements between the second communication device and the first communication device, the second communication device generates second information for activating SPS and indicating the link for taking effect of SPS configuration parameters according to the service data interaction mode (such as bidirectional real-time transmission or unidirectional centralized transmission), and sends the second information to the first communication device, so that the first communication device can activate SPS and perform service data transmission on the link for taking effect of SPS configuration parameters indicated by the second information according to the received second information.

[0153] For example, the second information used to activate SPS includes the following three possible implementations:

[0154] Method 1: The second information is used to indicate that the SPS configuration parameters are effective for the uplink (UL). That is, semi-static scheduling is used to control the transmission of uplink data.

[0155] For example, the second information can be downlink control information (DCI) Format N0 scrambled using a semi-static scheduling cell radio network temporary identifier (SPS-C-RNTI). That is, the second communication device sends the SPS-C-RNTI-scrambled DCI Format N0 to the first communication device through the NPDCCH search space. After the first communication device retrieves the SPS-C-RNTI-scrambled DCI Format N0 from the NPDCCH search space, it activates SPS and transmits uplink data within the SPS period.

[0156] It is worth mentioning that uplink data can be understood as data transmitted from the terminal to the network device, while uplink only indicates the direction of data flow.

[0157] Method 2: The second piece of information is used to indicate that the SPS configuration parameters are effective for the downlink (DL). That is, semi-static scheduling is used to control the transmission of downlink data.

[0158] For example, the second information can be DCI Format N1 scrambled using SPS-C-RNTI. That is, the second communication device sends DCI Format N1 scrambled by SPS-C-RNTI to the first communication device through the search space of NPDCCH. After the first communication device retrieves DCI Format N1 scrambled by SPS-C-RNTI in the search space of NPDCCH, it activates SPS and transmits downlink data within the SPS period.

[0159] It is worth mentioning that downlink data can be understood as data transmitted from the network device to the terminal, while downlink only indicates the direction of data flow.

[0160] Method 3: The second information is used to indicate that the configuration parameters of SPS are effective for both UL and DL.

[0161] For example, the second information can be transmitted using the same subframe, and both DCI Format N1 and DCI Format N0 are scrambled using SPS-C-RNTI. That is, the second communication device multiplexes the same subframe in the NPDCCH search space and sends DCI Format N1 and DCI Format N0 scrambled by SPS-C-RNTI to the first communication device. After the first communication device retrieves DCI Format N1 and DCI Format N0 scrambled by SPS-C-RNTI in the NPDCCH search space, it activates SPS and performs one uplink data transmission and one downlink data transmission respectively within one SPS cycle.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the second information is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of resource units (RUs) occupied by the first data block, the number of times the first data block is repeated in one SPS cycle, the number of time units occupied by the second data block, the number of times the second data block is repeated in one SPS cycle, the resource start position for transmitting the first data block in one SPS cycle (i.e., the resource start position of NPUSCH), or the resource start position for transmitting the second data block in one SPS cycle (i.e., the resource start position of NPDSCH).

[0163] A Resource Unit (RU) includes at least one time unit. A first data block represents uplink data of a first service within one SPS cycle, and a second data block represents downlink data of the first service within one SPS cycle. The meaning of the Resource Unit (RU) can be found in the descriptions in the preceding embodiments. When the first service is a voice service, the first data block can be an uplink voice data packet of the voice service within one SPS cycle, and the second data block can be a downlink voice data packet of the voice service within one SPS cycle.

[0164] For example, the resource start position for transmitting the first data block in an SPS cycle can be the interval between the time unit where the resource start position is located and the first time unit in the SPS cycle, or it can be the index of the time unit where the resource start position is located in the SPS cycle. Similarly, the meaning of the resource start position for transmitting the second data block in an SPS cycle can be referred to the above description.

[0165] The number of times the first data block is repeated within an SPS cycle can be understood as the number of times the first data block is repeatedly transmitted within an SPS cycle, or it can also be understood as the total number of the first data blocks contained in the NPUSCH carried within an SPS cycle; similarly, the number of times the second data block is repeated within an SPS cycle can be referred to the above description.

[0166] For example, when the second information is implemented in the manner described in method 1 (i.e., the second information is used to indicate the activation of SPS and the transmission of uplink data within the SPS cycle), the second information may also indicate the number of resource units (RUs) occupied by the first data block, the number of repetitions of the first data block within one SPS cycle, and the resource start position for transmitting the first data block within one SPS cycle. After receiving the second information, the first communication device can determine the total number of time units occupied by the NPUSCH for transmitting the first data block based on the number of resource units (RUs) occupied by the first data block and the number of repetitions of the first data block, and determine the target start time unit for carrying the NPUSCH based on the resource start position for transmitting the first data block within one SPS cycle.

[0167] For example, when the second information is implemented in the manner described in method 2 (i.e., the second information is used to indicate the activation of SPS and the transmission of downlink data within the SPS cycle), the second information may also indicate the number of time units occupied by the second data block, the number of repetitions of the second data block within one SPS cycle, and the resource start position for transmitting the second data block within one SPS cycle. After receiving the second information, the first communication device can determine the total number of time units occupied by the NPDSCH for transmitting the second data block based on the number of time units occupied by the second data block and the number of repetitions of the second data block, and determine the target start time unit for carrying the NPDSCH based on the resource start position for transmitting the second data block within one SPS cycle.

[0168] For example, when the second information is implemented using method 3 (i.e., the second information is used to indicate the activation of SPS and the transmission of downlink and uplink data within the SPS cycle), the second information may also indicate the number of resource units (RUs) occupied by the first data block, the number of repetitions of the first data block within one SPS cycle, the resource start position for transmitting the first data block within one SPS cycle, the number of time units occupied by the second data block, the number of repetitions of the second data block within one SPS cycle, and the resource start position for transmitting the second data block within one SPS cycle. When the second information is implemented using method 3, it is equivalent to a combination of the second information implemented using methods 1 and 2 described above. The actions performed by the first communication device after receiving the second information can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0169] Following S801, the first communication device and the second communication device can transmit service data of the first service within an SPS cycle, depending on the specific implementation of the second information. Depending on the different implementations of the second information, the first and second communication devices can transmit a first data block and / or a second data block within one SPS cycle. The transmission of a first data block and / or a second data block by the first and second communication devices within one SPS cycle will be described below.

[0170] S802a: The first communication device sends a first data block to the second communication device in the first SPS cycle according to the second information. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first data block from the first communication device in the first SPS cycle.

[0171] For example, when the second information is implemented in the manner described in Method 1 above, after receiving the second information, the first communication device determines the first time unit (i.e., the start time unit) of the first SPS cycle based on the second information, and determines the target start time unit of the NPUSCH that carries the transmission of the first data block in the first SPS cycle in combination with the resource start position of the first data block. If the target start time unit is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the NPUSCH resource mapping starts from the target start time unit. When a time unit marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit is encountered, the NPUSCH resource mapping is stopped. After the fully reserved time unit and / or invalid time unit ends, the NPUSCH resource mapping is resumed until the number of the first type of time units contained in the first SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, and the first SPS cycle ends.

[0172] Accordingly, when the second information is implemented through method 1 described above, the second communication device begins receiving NPUSCH after determining the first time unit of the first SPS period. During the NPUSCH reception process, the second communication device can directly skip time units marked as fully reserved time units and invalid time units, receiving NPUSCH only on each of the first type of time units included in the first SPS period. After the number of the first type of time units included in the first SPS period reaches a first threshold, the first SPS period ends. Then, the second communication device can integrate and decode the NPUSCH received on the first type of time units included in the first SPS period.

[0173] For example, in a voice service where the first service is a unidirectional centralized transmission, the first type of time unit includes time units for mapped data and time units for unmapped data within the time units used to carry NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH, with a first threshold of 10 as an example. (Reference) Figure 9In (a), SPS cycle 1 starts from subframe 0 of system frame 1. The second communication device takes subframe 0 of system frame 1 as the target start time unit of NPUSCH (denoted as NPUSCH1) for transmitting the first data block 1 according to the second information. Since subframe 1 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the resource mapping of NPUSCH1, which requires 9 first-type time units, and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units included in SPS cycle 1 are performed directly from subframe 0 of system frame 1. The implementation of resource mapping and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. After subframe 8 of system frame 1 ends, the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 1 is 9 (less than the first threshold). Subframe 8 of system frame 1 cannot be the last subframe of SPS cycle 1. Since subframe 9 of system frame 1 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, and after subframe 9 of system frame 1 ends, the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 1 is 10 (equal to the first threshold). Subframe 9 of system frame 1 is taken as the end time unit of SPS cycle 1. The total number of subframes actually included in SPS cycle 1 is 10.

[0174] Then, subframe 0 of system frame 2 is used as the starting time unit of SPS cycle 2. Based on the second information, subframe 0 of system frame 2 is used as the target starting time unit for the NPUSCH (denoted as NPUSCH2) of the first data block 2. Since subframe 0 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the total number of first-type time units included in SPS cycle 2 and the resource mapping of NPUSCH2, which requires 9 first-type time units, are calculated starting from subframe 0 of system frame 2. Subframes 6-8 of system frame 2 are NPUSCH... The invalid subframes occupied by Occasion stop the resource mapping of NPUSCH2 and the counting of the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 on subframes 6-8 of system frame 2. After subframe 8 of system frame 2 ends, the resource mapping of NPUSCH2 and the counting of the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 are resumed. The resource mapping of NPUSCH2 is completed on subframe 1 of system frame 3. Since subframe 1 of system frame 3 is the 9th first-type time unit contained in SPS cycle 2, subframe 1 of system frame 3 cannot be used as the end time unit of SPS cycle 2. Subframe 2 of system frame 3 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit. After subframe 2 of system frame 3 adds one to the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2, the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 meets the first threshold. Therefore, subframe 2 of system frame 3 is used as the end time unit of SPS cycle 2. The actual total number of subframes contained in SPS cycle 2 is 13.

[0175] Similarly, the first communication device and the second communication device transmit different first data blocks of the first service one by one through different SPS cycles until the first communication device and the second communication device complete the interaction of all first data blocks of the first service, or the second communication device instructs the first communication device to activate SPS.

[0176] In other words, if the trigger condition for the end of an SPS cycle is adjusted to the point that the number of first-type time units contained in the SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, and if an SPS cycle is only used to transmit uplink data of the first service, then the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission in an SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0177] S802b: The second communication device sends a second data block to the first communication device in the first SPS cycle according to the second information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second data block from the second communication device in the first SPS cycle.

[0178] For example, when the second information is implemented in the manner described in Method 2 above, after the second communication device sends the second information to the first communication device, it determines the first time unit (i.e., the start time unit) of the first SPS cycle based on the second information, and determines the target start time unit of the NPDSCH that carries the transmission of the second data block in the first SPS cycle in combination with the resource start position of the second data block. If the target start time unit is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the resource mapping of the NPDSCH starts from the target start time unit. When a time unit marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit is encountered, the resource mapping of the NPDSCH is stopped. After the fully reserved time unit and / or invalid time unit ends, the resource mapping of the NPDSCH is resumed until the number of the first type of time units contained in the first SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, and the first SPS cycle ends.

[0179] Accordingly, when the second information is implemented through method 2 described above, after receiving the second information and determining the first time unit of the first SPS period based on the second information, the first communication device begins receiving NPDSCH. During the NPDSCH reception process, the first communication device can directly skip time units marked as fully reserved time units and invalid time units, and only receive NPDSCH on each of the first type of time units included in the first SPS period. After the number of the first type of time units included in the first SPS period reaches a first threshold, the first SPS period ends. Then, the first communication device can integrate and decode the NPDSCH received on the first type of time units included in the first SPS period.

[0180] For example, in a voice service where the first service is a unidirectional centralized transmission, the first type of time unit includes time units for mapped data and time units for unmapped data within the time units used to carry NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH, with a first threshold of 12 as an example. (Reference) Figure 9 In (b), SPS cycle 1 starts from subframe 0 of system frame 1. The second communication device takes subframe 0 of system frame 1 as the target start time unit of NPDSCH (denoted as NPDSCH1) for transmitting the second data block 1 according to the second information. Since subframe 0 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the resource mapping of NPDSCH1, which requires 10 first-type time units, and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 1 are performed directly from subframe 0 of system frame 1. The implementation of resource mapping and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. After subframe 9 of system frame 1 ends, the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 1 is 10 (less than the first threshold). Subframe 9 of system frame 1 cannot be the last subframe of SPS cycle 1. Since neither subframe 0 nor subframe 1 of system frame 2 is marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, and after subframe 1 of system frame 2 ends, the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 1 is 12 (equal to the first threshold). Subframe 1 of system frame 2 is taken as the end time unit of SPS cycle 1. The total number of subframes actually included in SPS cycle 1 is 12.

[0181] Then, subframe 2 of system frame 2 is used as the starting time unit of SPS cycle 2. According to the second information, subframe 2 of system frame 2 is used as the target starting time unit of NPDSCH (denoted as NPDSCH2) for transmitting the second data block 2. Since subframe 2 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 is counted and the resource mapping of NPDSCH2, which requires 10 first-type time units, is performed starting from subframe 2 of system frame 2. Since subframe 4 of system frame 2 is an invalid subframe occupied by SIB, the resource mapping of NPDSCH2 is stopped on subframe 4 of system frame 2. The resource mapping of NPDSCH2 and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 are resumed after subframe 4 of system frame 2 ends. Similarly, since subframe 1 of system frame 3 is an invalid subframe occupied by SIB, the resource mapping of NPDSCH2 and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 are stopped on subframe 1 of system frame 3. After subframe 1 of system frame 3 ends, the resource mapping of NPDSCH2 and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 2 are resumed. The resource mapping of NPDSCH2 is completed on subframe 3 of system frame 3.

[0182] Since subframe 3 of system frame 3 is the 10th first-type time unit contained in SPS period 2, subframe 3 of system frame 3 cannot be used as the end time unit of SPS period 2. Subframes 4 and 5 of system frame 3 are not marked as fully reserved time units or invalid time units. After adding one to the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS period 2 in subframes 4 and 5 of system frame 3, the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS period 2 meets the first threshold. Therefore, subframe 5 of system frame 3 is used as the end time unit of SPS period 2. The actual total number of subframes contained in SPS period 2 is 14.

[0183] Similarly, the first communication device and the second communication device transmit different second data blocks of the first service one by one through different SPS cycles until the first communication device and the second communication device complete the interaction of all second data blocks of the first service, or the second communication device instructs the first communication device to activate SPS.

[0184] In other words, if the trigger condition for the end of an SPS cycle is adjusted to the point that the number of first-type time units contained in the SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, and if an SPS cycle is only used to transmit downlink data of the first service, then the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission in an SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0185] S802c: According to the second information, the second communication device sends a second data block to the first communication device in the first SPS cycle and receives a first data block from the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second data block from the second communication device in the first SPS cycle and sends the first data block to the second communication device.

[0186] For example, when the second information is implemented using the method described in 3 above, after the second communication device sends the second information to the first communication device, the second communication device determines the first time unit (i.e., the start time unit) of the first SPS cycle based on the second information, and determines the target start time unit of the NPDSCH carrying the transmission of the second data block in the first SPS cycle by combining the resource start position of the second data block. If the target start time unit is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the resource mapping of the NPDSCH starts from the target start time unit. When a time unit marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit is encountered, the resource mapping of the NPDSCH is stopped. After the fully reserved time unit and / or invalid time unit ends, the resource mapping of the NPDSCH is resumed. Furthermore, the second communication device also receives the NPUSCH carrying the first data block starting from the target start time unit of the first data block. When a time unit marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit is encountered, the fully reserved time unit or invalid time unit is skipped until the number of the first type of time units contained in the first SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, and the first SPS cycle ends. The second communication device can then integrate and decode the NPUSCH received during the first SPS cycle.

[0187] Accordingly, when the second information is implemented in the manner described in 3 above, the first communication device receives the second information, determines the first time unit (i.e., the start time unit) of the first SPS cycle based on the second information, and determines the target start time unit of the NPDSCH carrying the transmission of the second data block in the first SPS cycle in combination with the resource start position of the second data block. It then starts receiving the NPDSCH carrying the second data block from the target start time unit of the second data block. When it encounters a time unit marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, it skips the fully reserved time unit and the invalid time unit. Furthermore, the second communication device determines the target start time unit of the first data block in the first SPS cycle based on the resource start position of the first data block. If the target start time unit is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, NPDSCH resource mapping begins from that target start time unit. When a time unit marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit is encountered, NPDSCH resource mapping is suspended. After the fully reserved time unit and / or invalid time unit ends, NPDSCH resource mapping resumes until the number of first-type time units included in the first SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, at which point the first SPS cycle ends. The first communication device can then integrate and decode the NPDSCH received within the first SPS cycle.

[0188] It is not difficult to see that when the second information is implemented in the manner described above, the first communication device and the second communication device are equivalent to executing S802a once and S802b once respectively within one SPS cycle. The total number of the first type of time units included in the SPS cycle includes the total number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission and the total number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission.

[0189] For example, in a voice service where the first service is two-way real-time communication, the first type of time unit includes time units for mapped data and time units for unmapped data within the time units used to carry NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH, with a first threshold of 22 as an example. (Reference) Figure 9 In (c), SPS cycle 1 starts from subframe 0 of system frame 1. The second communication device takes subframe 0 of system frame 1 as the target start time unit of NPDSCH (denoted as NPDSCH1) for transmitting the second data block 1 according to the second information. Since subframe 0 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, the resource mapping of NPDSCH1, which requires 11 first-type time units, and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units included in SPS cycle 1 are performed directly from subframe 0 of system frame 1. The implementation of resource mapping and the statistics of the total number of first-type time units can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Then, starting from subframe 2 of system frame 2, the NPUSCH (denoted as NPUSCH1) of the first data block 1 transmitted within SPS cycle 1 is received. The reception of NPUSCH1, which requires 9 first-type time units, is completed on subframe 0 of system frame 3. After subframe 0 of system frame 3 ends, the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 1 is 21 (less than the first threshold). Subframe 0 of system frame 3 cannot be used as the last subframe of SPS cycle 1. Since subframe 1 of system frame 3 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, after subframe 1 of system frame 3 ends, the number of first-type time units contained in SPS cycle 1 is 22 (equal to the first threshold). Subframe 1 of system frame 3 is used as the end time unit of SPS cycle 1. The total number of time units actually contained in SPS cycle 1 is 22.

[0190] Then, subframe 2 of system frame 3 is used as the starting time unit of SPS period 2. The transmission of the second data block 2 begins from subframe 2 of system frame 3, requiring 11 Type I time units of NPDSCH (denoted as NPDSCH2) resource mapping. Since subframe 4 of system frame 3 and subframe 1 of system frame 4 are both invalid subframes occupied by SIBs, NPDSCH2 stops resource mapping on both subframe 4 and subframe 1 of system frame 3, and resumes resource mapping after the end of subframe 4 and subframe 1 of system frame 4, respectively, until the resource mapping of NPDSCH2 is completed on subframe 4 of system frame 4. Then, starting from subframe 6 of system frame 4, the transmission of the first data block 2 within SPS period 2 is received, requiring 9 Type I time units of NPUSCH (denoted as NPU). Since subframes 8 and 9 of system frame 4 are fully reserved subframes, subframes 8 and 9 of system frame 4 are skipped during NPUSCH2 reception until subframe 6 of system frame 5 is completed for NPUSCH2 reception. After subframe 6 of system frame 5 ends, the total number of first-type time units contained in SPS period 2 is 21 (less than the first threshold). Subframe 6 of system frame 5 cannot be used as the last subframe of SPS period 1. Since subframe 7 of system frame 5 is not marked as a fully reserved time unit or an invalid time unit, after subframe 7 of system frame 5 ends, the number of first-type time units contained in SPS period 2 is 22 (equal to the first threshold). Subframe 7 of system frame 5 is used as the end time unit of SPS period 2. The total number of time units actually contained in SPS period 2 is 26.

[0191] Furthermore, it's easy to observe that the first time unit of the NPUSCH1 mapping data in SPS cycle 1 (i.e., subframe 3 of system frame 2) is the 12th subframe after the first time unit in SPS cycle 1 (i.e., subframe 0 of system frame 1). Conversely, in SPS cycle 2, the first time unit of the NPUSCH2 mapping data (i.e., subframe 6 of system frame 4) is the 14th subframe after the first time unit in SPS cycle 1 (i.e., subframe 2 of system frame 3). This is because in SPS cycle 1, before the target start time unit of the NPUSCH1 mapping data determined by the second information, there are no time units marked as invalid or fully reserved. However, in SPS cycle 1, before the target start time unit of the NPUSCH2 mapping data determined by the second information, there are two invalid time units. Therefore, the actual start unit of the NPUSCH2 mapping data is also shifted backward by two time units.

[0192] In other words, if there are invalid time units and / or fully reserved time units in the SPS cycle, and the invalid time units and / or fully reserved time units are located before the target start unit of NPUSCH and / or NPUSCH mapping data, in the actual data transmission process, the target start unit indicated by the second information can be shifted backward by n time units according to the number n of invalid time units and / or fully reserved time units before starting the NPUSCH and / or NPUSCH mapping data, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0193] Similarly, the first communication device and the second communication device transmit different second data blocks of the first service one by one through different SPS cycles until the first communication device and the second communication device complete the interaction of all second data blocks of the first service, or the second communication device instructs the first communication device to activate SPS.

[0194] In other words, if the trigger condition for the end of an SPS cycle is adjusted to the point that the number of first-type time units contained in the SPS cycle reaches a first threshold, and if an SPS cycle is used to transmit uplink and downlink data for the first service, then the sum of the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission and the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission in an SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0195] It is worth mentioning that the above embodiment is based on the example of transmitting the second data block first and then the first data block in S802c. In the application process, the first data block can also be transmitted first and then the second data block. Within the same SPS cycle, the transmission order of the first data block and the second data block can be determined according to the resource start position of transmitting the first data block and the resource start position of transmitting the second data block.

[0196] In addition, S802a, S802b and S802c are three parallel transmission schemes that may be used for the transmission of the first service between the first communication device and the second communication device after SPS is activated. The first communication device and the second communication device may choose one of the above three transmission schemes to execute according to the implementation method of the second information.

[0197] In one possible implementation, prior to S801, the second communication device sends first information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first information from the second communication device. The first information indicates a first threshold.

[0198] For example, the first information includes a first threshold, or the first information includes the index of the first threshold in a threshold table.

[0199] For example, taking radio resource control (RRC) signaling as the first information, the first threshold can be directly indicated by the configuration period value (i.e., the total number of first type time units included) field in the RRC signaling that indicates the SPS period (semi persist sched interval). Alternatively, the first threshold can also be indirectly indicated by the field in the RRC signaling that indicates the index of the first threshold in the threshold table.

[0200] As one possible implementation, the first information can also specify the specific value of the first threshold when the SPS cycle is used to transmit uplink data (i.e., the SPS configuration parameters are valid for UL), the specific value of the first threshold when the SPS cycle is used to transmit downlink data (i.e., the SPS configuration parameters are valid for DL), and the specific value of the first threshold when the SPS cycle is used to transmit both uplink and downlink data (i.e., the SPS configuration parameters are valid for both DL and UL). By configuring the specific value of the first threshold for different scenarios, it is beneficial to increase the probability of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH achieving complete resource mapping within the SPS cycle, and also beneficial to increase the utilization rate of the first type of time unit within the SPS cycle, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0201] Based on the above scheme, after activating SPS, the first and second communication devices, during data transmission within the SPS cycle, count the total number of first-type time units contained in each SPS cycle. The total number of first-type time units reaching a first threshold is used as the trigger condition for the end of the SPS cycle. This significantly increases the probability of complete resource mapping of NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH carried on the time units contained in the SPS cycle, reduces the impact of invalid time units and fully reserved time units on the resource mapping of NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH within the SPS cycle, and thus reduces the probability of resource mapping confusion or conflict between different SPS cycles, as well as between uplink and downlink transmissions within the same SPS cycle.

[0202] In the above embodiments, by changing the trigger condition for the end of the SPS cycle to the total number of the first type of time units reaching a first threshold, the total number of time units actually included in the SPS cycle can be flexibly changed, increasing the probability of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH achieving complete resource mapping within the SPS cycle, thereby improving the data transmission quality of the SPS cycle. This application also provides another communication method. During the SPS cycle configuration process, a certain amount of redundancy is configured for the SPS cycle, and invalid time units and fully reserved time units are included in the statistical range of the absolute duration of the SPS cycle. The redundancy is used to reduce the impact of invalid time units and fully reserved time units on resource mapping within the SPS cycle, thereby improving the data transmission quality of the SPS cycle. The following describes another communication method provided by this application embodiment.

[0203] refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 The following is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication method may include the following steps:

[0204] S1001, the second communication device determines the third information. The third information indicates the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle, which is determined based on the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units.

[0205] For example, the second communication device is a network device, and the first communication device is a terminal.

[0206] For example, the third information includes the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle, or the third information includes the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle / the index of the first SPS cycle in the SPS cycle length table.

[0207] The meanings of the first type of time unit and the second type of time unit can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here. The total number of time units in the first SPS cycle is determined based on the number of the first type of time units and the number of the second type of time units. It can be understood that the total number of time units included in the first SPS cycle is determined based on the total number of time units for resource mapping that an SPS cycle needs to include, and the total number of time units used to carry various gaps or as fully reserved time units; or, it can also be understood that the time units configured for the first SPS cycle include time units used for resource mapping by NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH, and time units used to carry various gaps or as fully reserved time units.

[0208] As one possible implementation, the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units.

[0209] In other words, the time units in the first SPS cycle may include only time units for NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH resource mapping, time units for carrying various types of gaps, and time units as fully reserved time units; or, the time units in the first SPS cycle may include time units for NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH resource mapping, time units for carrying various types of gaps, time units as fully reserved time units, and reserved time units with the ability to carry NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH.

[0210] For example, taking the first SPS period as an SPS period used to carry NPUSCH, the total number of time units in the first SPS period is determined based on the number of time units used for NPUSCH resource mapping and the number of time units occupied by the uplink interval. If the second communication device determines that uplink data transmission requires 120 subframes (i.e., 120ms) within one SPS period, and that a UL gap occurs every 256ms in the uplink, then the first SPS period can be set to contain at least 160 subframes (i.e., a duration of at least 160ms), thereby generating third information indicating the total number of time units in the first SPS period.

[0211] The above example uses the total number of time units in the SPS cycle carrying NPUSCH as an example, which is determined by the number of time units mapped to NPUSCH resources and the number of time units occupied by the uplink interval. The total number of time units in the SPS cycle carrying NPUSCH can also be determined by the number of time units mapped to NPUSCH resources, the number of time units occupied by the uplink interval, and the number of time units occupied by system information. Alternatively, it can be determined by the number of time units mapped to NPUSCH resources, the number of time units occupied by the uplink interval, and the number of fully reserved time units, etc., which will not be listed one by one.

[0212] When an SPS cycle is used to carry NPDSCH, the total number of time units in the SPS cycle is determined in a similar way to the above scheme, the difference being that it is mainly determined by combining the number of time units mapped to NPDSCH resources. When an SPS cycle needs to carry both NPDSCH and NPUSCH, the total number of time units in an SPS cycle is determined by combining the number of time units mapped to NPDSCH resources, the number of time units occupied by various gaps, and the number of fully reserved time units. The determination method will not be repeated here, and you can refer to the above scheme.

[0213] Based on the above scheme, since an SPS cycle contains time units pre-configured for carrying various gaps and time units as fully reserved time units, the impact of various gaps and fully reserved time units on the resource mapping of NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH within the SPS cycle is reduced. The probability of NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH achieving complete resource mapping within the SPS cycle is significantly increased, thereby improving the quality of data transmission within the SPS cycle.

[0214] S1002, the second communication device sends third information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third information from the second communication device. For example, the second communication device sends the third information to the first communication device via RRC signaling.

[0215] In one possible implementation, after S1002, the first communication device and the second communication device perform data interaction for a first service during the first SPS cycle. For example, the first service may be a voice service, or it could be a BSR report.

[0216] The implementation method of the first communication device and the second communication device performing data interaction for the first service in the first SPS cycle is the same as in the aforementioned embodiments. Figure 8 The implementation shown is similar, and you can refer to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments. The difference is that in S1003, although the resource mapping of NPDSCH and / or NPUSCH is also suspended on invalid time units and fully reserved time units, and resumed after the invalid time units and fully reserved time units end, in S1003, the communication device directly counts all time units contained in an SPS cycle (i.e., counts the second type of time units but does not perform resource mapping on the second type of time units). When the total number of all time units contained in an SPS cycle reaches the second threshold, the SPS cycle ends.

[0217] For example, refer to Figure 11Taking the first SPS cycle as an example, where the first SPS cycle is used to carry NPUSCH and contains a total of 10 subframes, the first communication device sends an NPUSCH that requires 6 subframes to the second communication device in each SPS cycle after activating SPS. The target start time unit for NPUSCH resource mapping is the start time unit of the SPS cycle. The start time unit of SPS cycle 1 is subframe 0 in system frame 1. Since subframes 0-5 in system frame 1 are not marked as invalid time units or fully reserved time units, the first communication device directly completes the resource mapping of NPUSCH1 in subframes 0-5 of system frame 1 and sends it to the second communication device. SPS cycle 1 ends at subframe 9 in system frame 1.

[0218] Then, subframe 1 in system frame 2 is used as the starting time unit of SPS cycle 2. NPUSCH2 resource mapping starts from subframe 0 in system frame 2. Since subframes 4-6 in system frame 2 are invalid time units occupied by SIB, NPUSCH2 resource mapping is stopped at subframes 4-6 in system frame 2. NPUSCH2 resource mapping is resumed and completed at subframe 7 in system frame 2. SPS cycle 2 ends at subframe 9 in system frame 2.

[0219] Then, subframe 1 in system frame 3 is used as the starting time unit of SPS cycle 3. NPUSCH3 resource mapping begins from subframe 0 in system frame 3. Since subframe 2 in system frame 3 is a fully reserved time unit, NPUSCH3 resource mapping is stopped at subframe 2 in system frame 3. NPUSCH3 resource mapping is resumed at subframe 3 in system frame 3, and NPUSCH3 resource mapping is completed at subframe 6 in system frame 3. SPS cycle 3 ends at subframe 9 in system frame 3.

[0220] It is not hard to see that Figure 11 In the example, the total number of time units contained in each SPS cycle is the same, and NPUSCH is able to complete the full resource mapping in each SPS cycle.

[0221] Based on this scheme, in configuring the absolute duration of the SPS period (i.e., the total number of time units included), the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units that need to be included in an SPS period are configured together. On the one hand, this helps to reduce the impact of various gaps and fully reserved time units on the NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH resource mapping within the SPS period, reduce the probability of bit errors caused by the rate increase due to invalid time units and / or fully reserved time units, and improve the data transmission quality within the SPS period. On the other hand, it can directly support existing SPS mechanisms, reduce the amount of standard modifications required by applying the above scheme, and improve the adaptability of the above scheme.

[0222] The above embodiments all improve the data transmission quality of the SPS cycle by changing the configuration of the SPS cycle, thereby increasing the probability of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH achieving complete resource mapping within the SPS cycle. This application also provides another communication method. After activating SPS, the communication device determines whether to transmit data in the SPS cycle based on whether the total number of the first type of time units in the SPS cycle meets a second threshold. This avoids data transmission quality problems caused by transmitting data in SPS cycles with insufficient first type of time units. The following describes another communication method provided by this application.

[0223] refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 The following is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication method may include the following steps:

[0224] S1201, the first communication device determines a second value. The second value is the total number of the first type of time units in the first SPS cycle. The meaning of the first type of time unit can be found in the relevant descriptions in the preceding embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0225] For example, the first communication device may be a network device or a terminal.

[0226] In other words, the first communication device can determine the time units included in the first SPS period based on the configuration information of the SPS period, and then determine the number of time units marked as second type time units in the time units included in the first SPS period according to the system information and / or configuration information. The meaning of the second type time unit can be referred to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments. Then, the device can determine the number of time units used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS period (or the number of time units not marked as second type time units), and determine the second value based on the number.

[0227] For example, the number of time units used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS cycle can be used as the second value, or the total duration corresponding to the time units used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH in the first SPS cycle can be used as the second value.

[0228] S1202, The second communication device determines the second value.

[0229] For example, the second communication device can be a network device or a terminal. For instance, when uplink data transmission occurs between the first and second communication devices, the first communication device is a terminal and the second communication device is a network device; when downlink data transmission occurs between the first and second communication devices, the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal.

[0230] The second communication device determines the second value in a similar way to the first communication device, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, so they will not be repeated here.

[0231] Furthermore, S1201 and S1202 are only used to distinguish between the two steps and do not indicate the order of the two steps. That is to say, the first communication device and the second communication device can execute S1201 and S1202 simultaneously respectively: or, the first communication device executes S1201 first and the second communication device executes S1202 then; or, the second communication device executes S1202 first and the first communication device executes S1201, without restriction.

[0232] After determining the first value, the first and second communication devices compare the first value with a second threshold. If the first value is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is determined that the number of first-type time units in the first SPS cycle meets the requirement, and S1203a is executed; if the first value is less than the second threshold, it is determined that the number of first-type time units in the first SPS cycle does not meet the requirement, and S1203b is executed. S1203a and S1203b are explained below.

[0233] For example, the second threshold is determined based on the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within the SPS cycle and / or the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service.

[0234] As one possible implementation, the second threshold satisfies any of the following: the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; or, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle.

[0235] For example, when an SPS cycle is used only for transmitting uplink data of the first service, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; when an SPS cycle is used only for transmitting downlink data of the first service, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; when an SPS cycle is used for transmitting both downlink data and uplink data of the first service, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service and the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle.

[0236] Based on the above scheme, in the process of deciding whether to execute S1203a or S1203b based on the relationship between the second threshold and the first value, the first communication device and the second communication device are equivalent to determining whether the number of the first type of time units contained in the SPS cycle can meet the requirement of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH to achieve complete resource mapping in the SPS cycle, and thus decide whether to execute S1203a or S1203b. This significantly reduces the probability of transmitting the data of the first service in the SPS cycle that cannot meet the requirement of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH to achieve complete resource mapping, which is beneficial to improving the data transmission quality after SPS is activated.

[0237] S1203a: If the second value is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first communication device sends the data of the first service to the second communication device during the first SPS cycle. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the data of the first service from the first communication device during the first SPS cycle.

[0238] For example, the second communication device receiving data from the first service can be understood as the second communication device receiving NPUSCH or NPDSCH from the first communication device in the first SPS cycle and demodulating and decoding the data received in the first type of time unit; or, it can also be understood as the second communication device only receiving NPUSCH or NPDSCH from the first communication device in the first type of time unit of the first SPS cycle.

[0239] The method for implementing the data exchange of the first service between the first communication device and the second communication device is the same as in the aforementioned embodiments. Figure 10 The implementation of the method shown is similar, and you can refer to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments, so it will not be repeated here.

[0240] It is worth mentioning that when the first SPS cycle is used to transmit both NPDSCH and NPUSCH, both the first and second communication devices need to both send and receive data for the first service during the first SPS cycle. In this case, when transmitting NPDSCH, the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal; when transmitting NPUSCH, the first communication device is a terminal and the second communication device is a network device.

[0241] S1203b: If the second value is less than the second threshold, the first communication device does not transmit the data of the first service during the first SPS period. Correspondingly, the second communication device does not receive the data of the first service during the first SPS period.

[0242] In other words, if the number of first-type time units contained in the first SPS cycle does not meet the requirements, the first communication device and the second communication device will skip the first SPS cycle and not transmit data in the first SPS cycle during the transmission of data for the first service.

[0243] In one possible implementation, if the second value is less than a second threshold and the total number of first-type time units in the second SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first communication device sends the data of the first service to the second communication device within the second SPS cycle. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the data of the first service from the first communication device in the second SPS cycle. The second SPS cycle is the SPS cycle following the first SPS cycle.

[0244] In other words, if a data block of the first service (such as the first data block or the second data block in the aforementioned embodiment) fails to be transmitted in the current SPS cycle, the first communication device and the second communication device postpone the transmission of the data block to the next SPS cycle, and if the total number of the first type of time units contained in the next SPS cycle is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the aforementioned data block is transmitted in that SPS cycle.

[0245] For example, taking the first communication device as the terminal and the second communication device as the network equipment, the uplink data transmission of the first service requires 8 time units within one SPS cycle, with the second threshold being 8. (Reference) Figure 13The first communication device needs to send data block 1 and data block 2 to the second communication device. After activating SPS, SPS cycle 1 starts from subframe 0 of system frame 1, SPS cycle 2 starts from subframe 0 of system frame 2, and SPS cycle 3 starts from subframe 0 of system frame 3. After detecting that the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 1 is 10 (greater than the second threshold), the first communication device, based on the received configuration information, uses the starting time unit of SPS cycle 1 as the target starting time unit of the NPUSCH mapping resource, and sends the NPUSCH carrying data block 1 to the second communication device through subframes 0-7 of system frame 1, ending SPS cycle 1 on subframe 9 of system frame 1. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the NPUSCH carrying data block 1 in subframes 0-7 of system frame 1.

[0246] Then, SPS cycle 2 begins on subframe 0 of system frame 2. Since subframes 4-6 of system frame 2 are invalid subframes occupied by SIB, the first communication device, after detecting that the number of first type time units in SPS cycle 2 is 7 (less than the second threshold), does not transmit data block 2 on SPS cycle 2. After SPS cycle 2 ends, SPS cycle 3 begins on subframe 0 of system frame 3. Correspondingly, the second communication device does not receive NPUSCH on system frame 2, and after SPS cycle 2 ends, it begins SPS cycle 3 on subframe 0 of system frame 3.

[0247] Since subframe 3 of system frame 3 is a fully reserved subframe, the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 3 is 9. After detecting that the number of first-type time units in SPS cycle 3 is 9 (greater than the second threshold), the first communication device can perform resource mapping of the NPUSCH carrying data block 2 on subframe 0 of system frame 3, suspend the resource mapping of the NPUSCH carrying data block 2 on subframe 3 of system frame 3, and resume the resource mapping of the NPUSCH carrying data block 2 on subframe 4 of system frame 3, until the resource mapping of the NPUSCH carrying data block 2 is completed on subframe 8 of system frame 3. After subframe 9 of system frame 3 ends, SPS cycle 3 ends. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the NPUSCH carrying data block 2 on subframes 0-1 and 4-8 of system frame 3.

[0248] Based on the above scheme, after activating SPS, the first and second communication devices will determine whether to transmit the first service data in the SPS cycle based on whether the number of first type time units in the SPS cycle meets the second threshold. This significantly reduces the probability that the data of the first service will be transmitted in an SPS cycle in which the first type of time units does not meet the requirements, thereby increasing the probability that the NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH carrying the first service data will achieve complete resource mapping in the SPS cycle, which is beneficial to improving the quality of data transmission in the SPS cycle.

[0249] As one possible implementation, if the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal, before S1201, the first communication device sends fourth information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the fourth information from the first communication device. The fourth information indicates a second threshold.

[0250] For example, the implementation of the fourth information is similar to that of the second information in the aforementioned embodiments. That is, the fourth information is the DCI that activates SPS, and the second threshold is indirectly indicated by the resource configuration of uplink data transmission (such as the number of time units required for uplink data transmission and the resource start position of NPUSCH) and / or the resource configuration of downlink data transmission (such as the number of time units required for downlink data transmission and the resource start position of NPDSCH). For specific implementation methods, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0251] As another possible implementation, if the first communication device is a terminal and the second communication device is a network device, before S1201, the second communication device sends fourth information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the fourth information from the second communication device.

[0252] The meaning and implementation of the fourth information can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0253] The method provided in this application has been described above. In addition, this application also provides a communication device for implementing the functions described in the above method embodiments.

[0254] It is understood that, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware 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.

[0255] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0256] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of a communication device 140 is shown. The communication device 140 includes a processing module 1401 and a transceiver module 1402. The communication device 140 can be used to implement the functions of the aforementioned terminal or network equipment.

[0257] In some embodiments, the communication device 140 may further include a storage module. Figure 14 (Not shown in the image) is used to store program instructions and data.

[0258] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1402, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement sending and / or receiving functions. The transceiver module 1402 may consist of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a communication interface.

[0259] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1402 may include a receiving module and a sending module, respectively configured to perform receiving and sending steps performed by the terminal or network device in the above method embodiments, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein; the processing module 1401 may be configured to perform processing steps performed by the terminal or network device in the above method embodiments, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein.

[0260] As a first possible implementation, when the communication device 140 is used to implement the terminal function, the processing module 1402 determines a first time unit, which is the start time unit of a first semi-static scheduling (SPS) cycle; if the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the second time unit is used as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle, and the first-type time units are used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1401 is used to receive first information, which indicates a first threshold.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1402 is used to take the next time unit of the second time unit as the starting time unit of the second SPS cycle when the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold.

[0263] When the communication device 140 is used to implement the functions of a network device, the processing module 1402 determines a first time unit, which is the start time unit of a first semi-static scheduling (SPS) cycle; if the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the second time unit is used as the end time unit of the first SPS cycle, and the first-type time units are used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1401 is used to send first information, the first information indicating a first threshold.

[0265] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1402 is used to take the next time unit of the second time unit as the starting time unit of the second SPS cycle when the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than a first threshold.

[0266] As a second possible implementation, when the communication device 140 is used to implement the functions of a network device, the processing module 1402 is used to determine three pieces of information. The third piece of information indicates the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle. The total number of time units in the first SPS cycle is determined based on the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units. The first-type time units are used for NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH, and the second-type time units cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH. The transceiver module 1401 is used to send the third piece of information.

[0267] When the communication device 140 is used to implement the functions of a terminal, the transceiver module 1401 is used to receive third information, which indicates the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle. The total number of time units in the first SPS cycle is determined based on the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units. The first-type time units are used for NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH, and the second-type time units cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH. The processing module 1402 is used to determine the total number of time units in the first SPS cycle based on the third information.

[0268] As a third possible implementation, when the communication device 140 is used to implement the terminal function, the processing module 1402 is used to determine a second value, which is the total number of first type time units in the first SPS cycle. The first type of time units are used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH. The processing module 1402 is also used to send or receive data of the first service in the first SPS cycle through the transceiver module 1401 when the second value is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0269] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1402 is further configured to send or receive data of the first service within the second SPS period through the transceiver module 1401 when the second value is less than the second threshold and the total number of the first type of time units in the second SPS period is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0270] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1401 is used to receive fourth information, which indicates a second threshold.

[0271] When the communication device 140 is used to implement the functions of a network device, the processing module 1402 is used to determine a second value, which is the total number of first type time units in the first SPS cycle. The first type time units are used to carry NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH. The processing module 1402 is also used to receive or send data of the first service in the first SPS cycle through the transceiver module 1401 when the second value is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1402 is further configured to receive or send data of the first service within the second SPS period through the transceiver module 1401 when the second value is less than the second threshold and the total number of the first type of time units in the second SPS period is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0273] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1401 is used to send fourth information, which indicates a second threshold.

[0274] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0275] In this application, the communication device 140 can be presented in an integrated manner, divided into various functional modules. Here, "module" can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0276] In some embodiments, when Figure 14 When the communication device 140 is a chip or chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1402 can be implemented through the input / output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1401 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0277] Since the communication device 140 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0278] As a possible product form, the terminal or network device described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application.

[0279] As another possible product form, the terminal or network device described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, see [link to documentation]. Figure 15 , Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1500 includes a processor 1501 and a transceiver 1502. The communication device 1500 can be a terminal, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 1500 can be a network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 15 Only the main components of the communication device 1500 are shown. In addition to the processor 1501 and transceiver 1502, the communication device may further include a memory 1503 and input / output devices (not shown).

[0280] Optionally, the processor 1501 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs, thereby implementing the methods provided in the above-described method embodiments. The memory 1503 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1502 may include radio frequency (RF) circuitry and an antenna. The RF circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0281] Optionally, the processor 1501, transceiver 1502, and memory 1503 can be connected via a communication bus.

[0282] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1501 can read the software program in the memory 1503, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1501 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1501. The processor 1501 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0283] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0284] In some embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the above-described communication device 140 can be implemented in hardware using... Figure 15 The communication device shown is in the form of 1500.

[0285] As an example, Figure 14 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1401 can be achieved through... Figure 15 The processor 1501 in the communication device 1500 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1503 to implement the function. Figure 14 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1402 can be obtained through Figure 15 This is achieved through the transceiver 1502 in the communication device 1500 shown.

[0286] As another possible product form, the terminal or network device in this application can adopt... Figure 16 The shown composition structure, or including Figure 16 The components shown. Figure 16 The present application provides a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 1600, which may be a terminal or a chip or system-on-a-chip in a terminal; or, it may be a network device or a module, chip or system-on-a-chip in a network device.

[0287] like Figure 16 As shown, the communication device 1600 includes at least one processor 1601 and at least one communication interface. Figure 16(This is merely an example illustration, using a communication interface 1604 and a processor 1601 as examples. Optionally, the communication device 1600 may also include a communication bus 1602 and a memory 1603.)

[0288] Processor 1601 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a PLD, or any combination thereof. Processor 1601 can also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0289] The communication bus 1602 is used to connect different components in the communication device 1600, enabling communication between them. The communication bus 1602 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 16 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0290] Communication interface 1604 is used for communicating with other devices or communication networks. For example, communication interface 1604 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of communication. Optionally, communication interface 1604 can also be an input / output interface located within processor 1601, used to implement signal input and signal output for the processor.

[0291] The memory 1603 may be a device with storage function, used to store instructions and / or data. The instructions may be computer programs.

[0292] For example, the memory 1603 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and / or instructions; it may also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and / or instructions; it may also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0293] It should be noted that the memory 1603 can exist independently of the processor 1601, or it can be integrated with the processor 1601. The memory 1603 can be located inside or outside the communication device 1600, without limitation. The processor 1601 can be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1603 to implement the methods provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0294] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1600 may also include an output device 1605 and an input device 1606. The output device 1605 communicates with the processor 1601 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device 1605 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device 1606 communicates with the processor 1601 and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device 1606 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0295] In some embodiments, the hardware implementation will be apparent to those skilled in the art as described above. Figure 14 The communication device 140 shown can be adopted Figure 16 The communication device shown is in the form of 1600.

[0296] As an example, Figure 14 The function / implementation process of the processing module 1401 can be achieved through... Figure 16 The processor 1601 in the communication device 1600 shown calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 1603 to achieve this. Figure 14 The function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1402 can be obtained through Figure 16 This is achieved through the communication interface 1604 in the communication device 1600 shown.

[0297] It should be noted that, Figure 16 The structures shown do not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal or network device. For example, in other embodiments of this application, the terminal or network device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0298] In some embodiments, this application also provides a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments.

[0299] As one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory. This memory stores necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, which a processor can invoke to instruct the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the memory may not be present in the communication device.

[0300] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, used to receive computer execution instructions (which are stored in memory and may be read directly from memory or may be transmitted through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0301] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes a communication interface for communicating with modules outside the communication device.

[0302] It is understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0303] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above-described method embodiments.

[0304] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0305] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0306] It is understood that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described in this application can also 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 couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0307] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0308] 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.

[0309] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive (SSD)). In this embodiment, the computer may include the aforementioned apparatus.

[0310] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0311] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine the first time unit, which is the start time unit of the first semi-static scheduling (SPS) cycle; If the number of first-type time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the second time unit is used as the end time unit of the first SPS period. The first-type time units are used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first SPS cycle also includes at least one second type of time unit, which cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second type of time unit includes invalid time units and fully reserved time units. The invalid time unit is used to carry at least one of the following: uplink interval, uplink timing adjustment gap, downlink interval, narrowband physical random access channel NPRACH, primary synchronization signal NPSS, secondary synchronization signal NSSS, narrowband physical broadcast channel NPBCH, or system information block SIB.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first type of time unit is a time unit used to carry mapped data in the time unit of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH; or, the first type of time unit includes time units for carrying mapped data and time units for carrying unmapped data in the time unit of NPUSCH and / or NPDSCH.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving or sending first information, wherein the first information indicates the first threshold.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission within one SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold. The number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission within one SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold; or... The sum of the number of time units occupied by uplink data transmission in one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission in one SPS cycle is less than or equal to the first threshold.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: if the number of the first type of time units between the first time unit and the second time unit is equal to or greater than the first threshold, taking the next time unit of the second time unit as the starting time unit of the second SPS cycle.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The third information is determined, which indicates the total number of time units in the first SPS period. The total number of time units in the first SPS period is determined based on the number of first-type time units and the number of second-type time units. The first-type time units are used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH, while the second-type time units cannot be used to carry NPUSCH and NPDSCH. Send the third message.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The total number of time units in the first SPS cycle is equal to or greater than the sum of the number of the first type of time units and the number of the second type of time units.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The second type of time unit includes invalid time units and fully reserved time units. The invalid time unit is used to carry at least one of the following: uplink interval, uplink timing adjustment gap, downlink interval, narrowband physical random access channel NPRACH, primary synchronization signal NPSS, secondary synchronization signal NSSS, narrowband physical broadcast channel NPBCH, or system information block SIB.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine a second value, which is the total number of first-type time units in the first SPS period. The first-type time units are used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH. If the second value is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the data of the first service is transmitted within the first SPS period.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the second value is less than the second threshold and the total number of the first type of time units in the second SPS period is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the data of the first service is sent in the second SPS period, and the second SPS period is the next SPS period after the first SPS period.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes receiving or sending fourth information, the fourth information indicating the second threshold.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, The second threshold satisfies any one of the following: The second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by the uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; The second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; or, The second threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of time units occupied by the uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by the downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine a second value, which is the total number of first-type time units in the first SPS period. The first-type time is used to carry the narrowband physical uplink shared channel NPUSCH and / or the narrowband physical downlink shared channel NPDSCH. If the second value is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the data of the first service is received within the first SPS period.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving data of the first service in the second SPS period when the second value is less than the second threshold and the total number of the first type of time units in the second SPS period is greater than or equal to the second threshold, wherein the second SPS period is the next SPS period of the first SPS period.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes sending or receiving fourth information, the fourth information indicating the second threshold.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, The second threshold satisfies any one of the following: The second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by the uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; The second threshold is greater than or equal to the number of time units occupied by downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle; or, The second threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of time units occupied by the uplink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle and the number of time units occupied by the downlink data transmission of the first service within one SPS cycle.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8-10, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11-14, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 15-18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 8-10, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-14, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 15-18.

21. A chip or chip system, characterized in that, The chip or chip system includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 8-10 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 11-14 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 15-18 to be executed.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 8-10 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 11-14 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 15-18 to be performed.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, they cause the method of any one of claims 1-7 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 8-10 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 11-14 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 15-18 to be performed.

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