Wireless communication methods and devices

Abstract

Embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication method and device. The zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within a first time-domain resource. This allows the zero-power device to collect energy more efficiently within the first time-domain resource and, at the same time, avoid power consumption that would occur if the zero-power device were to constantly perform blind detection of signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource. The wireless communication method includes the following: The zero-power device acquires a first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to wireless communication methods and devices.

Background Art

[0002] A zero-power device has low complexity and cost, can achieve maintenance-free and battery-free operation, support energy harvesting, and can be deployed at low cost in a high-density and large-scale manner. However, at present, the energy harvesting performance of zero-power devices is poor, and how to improve the energy harvesting performance of zero-power devices is an issue to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In embodiments of the present application, a wireless communication method and device are provided. The zero-power device is in a communication dormant state within a first time domain resource. Thereby, the zero-power device can perform energy harvesting more efficiently within the first time domain resource, and at the same time, avoid the power consumption generated by always performing blind detection on signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time domain resource.

[0004] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided. The method includes the following. The zero-power device obtains a first time domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication dormant state within the first time domain resource.

[0005] In a second embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided, which includes the following: A communication device transmits first instruction information to a zero-power device. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the location of a first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, or periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource.

[0006] In a third embodiment, a zero-power device is provided, which is configured to perform the method of the first embodiment. Specifically, the zero-power device comprises a functional module configured to perform the method of the first embodiment.

[0007] In the fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is configured to perform the method of the second aspect. Specifically, the communication device comprises a functional module configured to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0008] In the fifth embodiment, a zero-power device is provided, comprising a processor and memory, the memory being configured to store computer programs, the processor being configured to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory, thereby causing the zero-power device to perform the method of the first embodiment.

[0009] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device comprises a processor and memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs. The processor is configured to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0010] In the seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided, which is configured to implement the method in the first or second aspect. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a processor, which is configured to call and execute a computer program from memory to cause a device equipped with the apparatus to execute the method in the first or second aspect.

[0011] In the eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program, which is configured to cause a computer to execute the method of the first or second aspect described above.

[0012] In the ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program instructions, which are configured to cause a computer to execute the method described in the first or second aspect.

[0013] In the tenth embodiment, a computer program is provided. When the computer program is executed on a computer, it is configured to cause the computer to perform the method described in the first or second embodiment.

[0014] With the above proposed technology, the zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource. This allows the zero-power device to collect energy more efficiently within the first time-domain resource, and at the same time, it can avoid power consumption that would otherwise occur if the zero-power device were to constantly perform blind detection of signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture applied to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state switching according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a periodic first time-domain resource according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing periodic first instruction information according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a zero-power device according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing another communication device according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The technical proposal of embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the drawings of embodiments of this application. Clearly, the embodiments described are only some, and not all, embodiments of this application. All other embodiments that a person skilled in the art can obtain without creative effort based on the embodiments of this application are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] The technical invention of the embodiment of this application can be applied to various types of communication systems. For example, global system for mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE-A (advanced long term evolution) system, new radio (NR) system, evolved new radio system, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless local area networks (WLAN), internet of things (IoT), wireless fidelity Examples include fidelity (Wi-Fi), 5th generation (5G) communication systems, 6th generation (6G) communication systems, or other communication systems.

[0018] Generally speaking, connections supported by conventional communication systems are easily realized but limited in number. However, with the development of communication technologies, mobile communication systems can not only support conventional communications but also support device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, sidelink (SL) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, etc. Embodiments of the present application can be applied to these communication systems.

[0019] In some embodiments, the communication system in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, can also be applied to a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, and furthermore, can be applied to a standalone (SA) networking scenario or a non-standalone (NSA) networking scenario.

[0020] In some embodiments, the communication system in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an unlicensed spectrum. It can be considered that the unlicensed spectrum is a shared spectrum. Or, the communication system in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a licensed spectrum. It can be considered that the licensed spectrum is a non-shared spectrum.

[0021] In some embodiments, the communication system in the embodiments of the present application may be applicable to FR1 (Frequency Range 1) (the corresponding frequency band is from 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz), may be applicable to FR2 (Frequency Range 2) (the corresponding frequency band is from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz), or may be applicable to a new frequency band, for example, a high-frequency band corresponding to a frequency band from 52.6 GHz to 71 GHz, or a frequency band from 71 GHz to 114.25 GHz.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, each embodiment is described by combining a network device and a terminal device. The terminal device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device, etc.

[0023] The terminal device may be a station (STA) in a 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 a wireless communication function, a computing device, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a next-generation communication system, for example, an NR network, or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) network.

[0024] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be deployed on land (handheld, wearable, in-vehicle, etc.), including indoors and outdoors; on water (e.g., on a ship); or in the air (e.g., on an airplane, balloon, satellite, etc.).

[0025] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transmission and reception capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in telemedicine, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, an in-vehicle communication device, a wireless communication chip / application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) / system-on-chip (SOC), etc.

[0026] As an example rather than an limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for wearable devices developed by intelligently designing everyday clothing such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes by applying wearable technology. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on a user's body or integrated into a user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but can also achieve powerful functionality through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, wearable smart devices include devices that have full functionality and a large size and can achieve all or part of their functionality without relying on a smartphone (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.), as well as devices that focus only on specific application functions and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones (e.g., any smart bracelet for vital sign monitoring, smart jewelry, etc.).

[0027] In the embodiments of this application, the network device can be used to communicate with a mobile device. The network device may be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, a base transceiver station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA, a node B (NB) in WCDMA, an evolutionary node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network device or gNB (generation node B) in an NR network, a transmission reception point (TRP), a network device in a future advanced PLMN network, or a network device in an NTN network, etc.

[0028] As examples rather than limitations, in embodiments of this application, the network device may have mobile characteristics; for example, the network device may be a mobile device. In some embodiments, the network device may be a satellite or balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. In some embodiments, the network device may be a base station located on land or on water.

[0029] In embodiments of this application, a network device provides services to a cell, and a terminal device communicates with the network device via transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources or spectral resources) used by the cell. The cell may be a cell corresponding to a network device (e.g., a base station), and the cell may belong to a macro base station or to a base station corresponding to a small cell. Small cells may include metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have a small coverage range and low transmission power, making them suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0030] Exemplary, a communication system 100 applied to an embodiment of this application is shown in Figure 1. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with terminal devices 120 (also called a communication terminal or terminal). The network device 110 provides communication coverage to a specific geographic area and can communicate with terminal devices within that coverage area.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates one network device and two terminal devices. In some embodiments, the communication system 100 may include a plurality of network devices and a number of other terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​each network device. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0032] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 may further include other network entities, such as a network controller or a mobile management entity. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0033] A device having communication functions in a network / system according to the embodiment of this application may be called a communication system. The communication system 100 shown in Figure 1 will be described as an example. The communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120, both having communication functions. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be the specific devices described above, and will not be repeated here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system 100, such as other network entities, including a network controller and a mobile management entity. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0034] In this specification, the terms "system" and "network" should be understood to be interchangeable. In this specification, the term "and / or" simply describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that there are three types of relationships. For example, A and / or B indicates three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Also in this specification, the symbol " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0035] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different subjects, not to describe a specific sequence. Furthermore, terms such as “includes,” “composes,” and any other variants are intended to cover, without excluding, other components.

[0036] It should be understood that the term "indicate" as used in the embodiments of this application may be direct, indirect, or indicate a related relationship. For example, A indicating B may mean that A directly indicates B (for example, that B can be obtained by A), that A indirectly indicates B (for example, that A indicates C and B can be obtained by C), or that there is a related relationship between A and B.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "corresponding" may mean that there is a direct or indirect corresponding relationship between the two, or that there is a related relationship between the two, or that there is a relationship such as instruction and instruction, setting and setting.

[0038] In embodiments of this application, “predefined” or “pre-configured” can be achieved by pre-storing corresponding codes or corresponding tables in a device (including, for example, terminal devices and network devices), or by other means that can be used to indicate relevant information, and the specific methods of such implementation are not limited in this application. For example, “predefined” may mean defined in a protocol.

[0039] In embodiments of this application, “protocol” may mean a standard protocol in the field of communications. For example, it may be an evolution of a conventional LTE protocol, NR protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, or other related communication system protocol. This application is not limited to the type of protocol.

[0040] As applications in the 5G industry increase, the types of connected devices and application scenarios are also expanding, leading to higher demands on the price and power consumption of communication terminals. Battery-free, low-cost passive IoT devices are becoming a key technology for cellular IoT, and as the types and number of devices connected to 5G networks increase, the Internet of Everything (IoE) will truly become a reality. Passive IoT devices can be based on existing zero-power devices such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, and can be further extended to be applied to cellular IoT.

[0041] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the classification of zero-power devices relating to this application will be explained.

[0042] Selectively, depending on the energy source and usage method of the zero-power device, zero-power devices can be classified into passive zero-power devices, semi-passive zero-power devices, and active zero-power devices.

[0043] 1) Passive Zero Power Device

[0044] Zero-power devices do not require a built-in battery. When a zero-power device approaches a network device (e.g., a reader / writer in an RFID system), the zero-power device is within the near-field formed by radiation from the network device's antenna. Therefore, the antenna of the zero-power device generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the low-power chip circuit of the zero-power device. This enables operations such as demodulation of forward link (downlink, the link from the network device to the zero-power device) signals and modulation of backlink (uplink, the link from the zero-power device to the network device) signals. For backscatter links, the zero-power device transmits signals using a backscatter realization method.

[0045] As can be seen from the above, whether it is a forward link or a reverse link, a passive zero-power device does not require a built-in battery to operate. A passive zero-power device is a true zero-power device.

[0046] Passive zero-power devices do not require batteries, and both their RF and baseband circuits are very simple. They do not require components such as low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), crystal oscillators, or analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), resulting in many advantages such as small size, light weight, low cost, and long lifespan.

[0047] 2) Semi-passive zero-power devices

[0048] While a semi-passive zero-power device itself does not have a conventional battery, it can collect radio wave energy using a radio frequency (RF) energy collection module, or energy using solar energy / photon energy / thermal energy / kinetic energy collection modules, and store the collected energy in an energy storage unit (e.g., a capacitor). After acquiring energy, the energy storage unit can power the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power device. This enables operations such as demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of backward link signals. For backscatter links, the zero-power device uses a backscattering realization method to transmit signals.

[0049] As can be seen from the above, neither forward-link nor reverse-link semi-passive zero-power devices require an internal battery to operate. During operation, energy stored in a capacitor is used, but this energy originates from radio wave energy collected by an energy collection module. Therefore, semi-passive zero-power devices are truly zero-power devices.

[0050] Semi-passive zero-power devices inherit many of the advantages of passive zero-power devices, and therefore offer numerous benefits such as being small, lightweight, low-cost, and having a long lifespan.

[0051] 3) Active Zero Power Devices

[0052] Zero-power devices used in some scenarios may be active zero-power devices. These types of terminals can incorporate batteries (such as dry cell batteries or rechargeable lithium batteries). The battery is used to power the zero-power device's low-power chip circuitry, enabling operations such as demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of backward link signals. However, for backscatter links, the zero-power device utilizes the backscattering method for signal transmission. Therefore, the zero-power aspect of this type of terminal is primarily reflected in the fact that it does not require power from the terminal itself for the transmission of reverse link signals, instead relying on the backscattering method. Although active zero-power devices use batteries, the adoption of ultra-low-power communication technology results in extremely low power consumption, significantly improving battery life compared to conventional technologies.

[0053] The built-in battery of an active zero-power device supplies power to the RFID chip, increasing the tag's read-write distance and improving communication reliability. Therefore, active zero-power devices are applied to scenarios where relatively high demands are required in terms of communication distance and read latency.

[0054] To better understand the embodiments of this application, an ambient power enable device according to this application will be described.

[0055] In NR and WiFi systems, battery-free and low-cost devices can support, for example, the low-cost, high-volume deployment and maintenance-free operation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Currently, standards are considering how to support Ambient Power (AMP) enabled IoT devices (also called Ambient IoT or AMP IoT devices) in NR and WiFi systems. The energy required for the operation of such devices is obtained from ambient energy collection, and the source of ambient energy may be radio signals, solar energy, thermal energy, etc. Such devices are similar to passive or semi-passive devices in zero-power communications.

[0056] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the problem that this application aims to solve will be explained.

[0057] In actual network deployments, a technical bottleneck faced by passive zero-power communication technology is the limited coverage distance of the forward link. This is primarily because the communication distance of the forward link is limited by the signal strength of the radio signal reaching the zero-power device. Based on existing realization processes, zero-power devices generally need to consume 10 microwatts (μW) of power to operate low-power circuits. This means that the power of the signal reaching the zero-power device must be at least -20 dBm. Due to radio regulatory requirements, the transmit power of network devices is generally not too high. For example, in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band where RFID operates, the maximum transmit power is 30 dBm. Therefore, considering radio propagation losses in space, the transmit distance of passive zero-power devices is generally in the range of 10 to tens of meters.

[0058] Semi-passive zero-power devices have the potential to significantly extend communication range. This is because semi-passive zero-power devices can collect radio waves using an RF energy collection module, continuously acquiring radio wave energy and storing it in an energy storage unit. Once the energy storage unit has acquired sufficient energy, it can activate low-power circuits to demodulate the signal in the forward link and prepare the signal in the reverse link. In this case, the semi-passive zero-power device is equivalent to an active terminal, and its downlink coverage depends on the receiving sensitivity of the downlink signal (usually much lower than the RF energy collection threshold). Based on the current process, the energy collection module can perform energy collection and input electrical energy into the energy storage unit if the strength of the received radio signal is above -30 dBm. Thus, the forward link coverage of the semi-passive zero-power device depends on the RF energy collection threshold (e.g., -30 dBm). Compared to passive zero-power devices, semi-passive zero-power devices reduce the intensity of the received radio signal from -20dBm to -30dBm, resulting in a link budget gain of 10dB and thus enabling a more than threefold improvement in downlink coverage.

[0059] However, while forward link coverage improves, semi-passive zero-power devices also face the problem of reduced charging efficiency. As the received signal strength decreases, the amount of energy that the energy collection module can collect and store decreases significantly. For example, if the received signal strength is -30 dBm, i.e., 1 microwatt, the amount of energy that can be collected and stored is significantly less than 1 microwatt (energy collection efficiency decreases significantly). On the other hand, as mentioned above, the low-power circuitry of a zero-power device may need to consume an average power of 10 μW. Therefore, semi-passive zero-power devices require relatively long periods of energy collection to support relatively short periods of communication. Zero-power devices cannot communicate with the network or other devices whether they are in a powerless state or in an energy collection state. Here, we assume that zero-power devices cannot perform energy collection and communication simultaneously. Therefore, zero-power devices must constantly perform blind detection for any signals that may be transmitted to them by network devices or other terminals communicating with them within a certain time window (which would result in wasted power), and thus cannot perform continuous energy collection during this period.

[0060] In light of the above issues, this application provides a zero-power communication solution. The zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within a first time-domain resource. This allows the zero-power device to collect energy more efficiently within the first time-domain resource, and at the same time, it can avoid power consumption caused by the zero-power device constantly performing blind detection of signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource.

[0061] To facilitate understanding of the technical proposal of the embodiments of this application, the technical proposal of this application will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The related technologies below can be optionally combined with the technical proposal of the embodiments of this application, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least a portion of the following:

[0062] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method 200 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless communication method 200 may include at least a part of the following:

[0063] S210: The zero-power device acquires a first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the said first time-domain resource.

[0064] Although Figure 2 shows the steps or operations of the wireless communication method 200, these steps or operations are merely illustrative, and other operations or variations of each operation in Figure 2 may be performed in the embodiments of this application.

[0065] In embodiments of this application, zero-power devices have a simple structure, low complexity, and low cost, and can support energy collection from ambient energy (e.g., light energy, thermal energy, radio frequency energy, mechanical energy, kinetic energy, etc.) to obtain the energy necessary for communication. Zero-power devices can support backscatter communication schemes. Some zero-power devices can also support active transmission communication schemes. From the perspective of energy collection, zero-power devices are also called energy harvesting devices. An energy supply device refers to a device that transmits an energy supply signal and may be the same device as the device that transmits the communication signal (e.g., base station, AP, STA, etc.), or it may be an independent energy supply device.

[0066] In embodiments of this application, the zero-power device may be called an ambient power-enabled IoT device or an ambient IoT device. Specifically, an ambient IoT device means an IoT device that utilizes various ambient energies such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. An ambient IoT device does not have energy storage capacity, or it may have very limited energy storage capacity (for example, a capacitor with a capacitance of several tens of microfarads (μF) may be used).

[0067] In embodiments of this application, the zero-power device can be applied to Wi-Fi and / or cellular networks.

[0068] To improve forward link coverage, the zero-power devices described in the embodiments of this application may be semi-passive zero-power devices.

[0069] The operation of a semi-passive zero-power device depends on energy collection. For example, a semi-passive zero-power device needs to consume a certain amount of energy when reading data, reporting data, or receiving data. However, a device communicating with the zero-power device or an energy supply device is unaware of the zero-power device's energy storage state and current communication state. In the embodiments of this application, the zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within a first time-domain resource. For a device communicating with the zero-power device or an energy supply device, the state of the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource is clear. Therefore, the zero-power device can collect energy more efficiently within the first time-domain resource and, at the same time, avoid power consumption that would occur if the zero-power device were to constantly perform blind detection of signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource.

[0070] In some embodiments, the zero-power device being in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource includes the zero-power device not expecting to receive communication signals within the first time-domain resource, and / or the zero-power device not transmitting communication signals within the first time-domain resource.

[0071] In embodiments of this application, the state in which a zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within a first time-domain resource may be referred to as the state in which the zero-power device is in a non-communication state within the first time-domain resource, or the state in which the zero-power device is in a non-receiving state within the first time-domain resource, or the state in which the zero-power device is in an energy-collecting state within the first time-domain resource, or the state in which the zero-power device is in a dormant state within the first time-domain resource. In this application, the operation of the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource is not restricted, but the only restriction that the zero-power device does not receive and demodulate signals may be imposed.

[0072] For zero-power devices that collect energy via radio frequency signals, the radio frequency signal received by the receiver of the zero-power device can generally only perform either information demodulation or energy collection. In other words, before receiving a radio frequency signal, the zero-power device needs to decide whether the processing of the radio frequency signal at the current time is information demodulation or energy collection. If the current energy storage state allows, the zero-power device may use the stored energy for information demodulation without performing energy collection, or it may continue energy collection. The processing of radio frequency signals by a zero-power device depends on whether the current state of the zero-power device is in an energy collection state or a communication state. These two states are usually temporally separated, i.e., executed at different times. There are also methods that perform energy collection and communication simultaneously. For example, the received power of the signal is divided into a portion used for information demodulation and a portion used for energy collection. Alternatively, radio frequency signals for energy collection and radio frequency signals for information demodulation are received separately through different antennas or spatial signals. However, these methods require a high level of receiver complexity and are not suitable for zero-power devices with very low complexity. Therefore, in the embodiments of this application, the zero-power device can switch between an energy collection state and a communication state by setting a first time-domain resource. As shown in Figure 3, the zero-power device switches between energy collection and information decoding at different timings based on the associated settings of the first time-domain resource.

[0073] During communication between a zero-power device and a peer device, the zero-power device needs to detect the peer device's channel at agreed-upon times in order to receive signals that the peer device may transmit to the zero-power device. For example, in a Wi-Fi system, the zero-power device needs to periodically receive beacon frames or detect signals transmitted to the zero-power device by the AP at the Target Wake Time (TWT). Also, in cellular systems such as 5G and future 6G systems, the zero-power device needs to detect physical layer control information, such as Downlink Control Information (DCI), based on a specific search space. In this process, if the zero-power device and the peer device do not need to communicate continuously, the zero-power device consumes power by receiving signals. Furthermore, because energy collection cannot be performed continuously during this process, it has a relatively significant negative impact on energy collection efficiency.

[0074] It is predictable whether a device communicating with a zero-power device needs to transmit signals to the zero-power device. In particular, in communication devices that support communication with both zero-power devices and conventional terminals, the air interface technology used for communication between the communication device and the conventional terminal differs from the air interface technology used for communication between the communication device and the zero-power device. During communication between the communication device and the conventional terminal, signals transmitted by the communication device cannot be demodulated by the zero-power device. In this case, the zero-power device can use these signals to collect energy. In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource may be set by the device communicating with the zero-power device or defined by a protocol. When the first time-domain resource is set by the device communicating with the zero-power device, the zero-power device and the communication device do not communicate within the first time-domain resource, and the zero-power device can collect energy within the first time-domain resource without needing to frequently detect communication signals.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is identified based on at least one of the following: the energy collection capacity of the zero-power device, the energy collection method of the zero-power device, the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device, or ambient energy information of the environment in which the zero-power device is located. Naturally, other factors may be considered when identifying the first time-domain resource, and are not limited to those factors in the embodiments of this application.

[0076] Specifically, for example, the energy collection capacity of a zero-power device can be expressed as the amount of energy collected per unit time. If the energy collection capacity of the zero-power device is relatively high, a relatively short first time-domain resource can be set or preset. If the energy collection capacity of the zero-power device is relatively low, a relatively long first time-domain resource can be set or preset.

[0077] Specifically, for example, if a zero-power device has multiple energy collection methods (e.g., it can simultaneously collect radio frequency energy, light energy, thermal energy, wind energy, etc.), a relatively short first time-domain resource can be set or preset. If a zero-power device has few energy collection methods (e.g., it can only collect radio frequency energy), a relatively long first time-domain resource can be set or preset.

[0078] Specifically, for example, if the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device is relatively low, a relatively short first time-domain resource can be set or preset. If the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device is relatively high, a relatively long first time-domain resource can be set or preset.

[0079] Specifically, for example, assuming that a zero-power device can collect light energy from its surrounding environment, if the light energy in the environment where the zero-power device is located is relatively high, a relatively short first time-domain resource can be set up or preset, and if the light energy in the environment where the zero-power device is located is relatively low, a relatively long first time-domain resource can be set up or preset.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, or the first time-domain resource is a non-periodic resource.

[0081] For example, the first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, and as shown in Figure 4, each period contains the first time-domain resource. Within the first time-domain resource, the zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state, and energy can be collected.

[0082] In some embodiments, if the first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, the periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource may be defined by a protocol, or the periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource may be set by a network.

[0083] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource includes at least one of the frequency domain resources for the zero-power device and the frequency domain resources for other devices.

[0084] Specifically, in this embodiment, the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource may include frequency domain resources corresponding to other devices (e.g., conventional terminals). This allows the zero-power device to collect energy using frequency domain resources corresponding to other devices (e.g., conventional terminals), thereby improving energy collection efficiency.

[0085] In some embodiments, the zero-power device performs energy collection within the first time-domain resource.

[0086] In some embodiments, the zero-power device collects energy within the first time-domain resource based on at least one of the following: the energy supply signal of the zero-power device, the communication signal of the zero-power device, or the communication signal of another device. Selectively, the zero-power device may also collect various ambient energies within the first time-domain resource, such as light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy.

[0087] Specifically, in this embodiment, since the zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource, the zero-power device can directly use all signals within the first time-domain resource as energy supply signals. This improves energy collection efficiency.

[0088] In some embodiments, the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the zero-power device differs from the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for other devices (e.g., conventional terminals), and / or the air interface technology used by the zero-power device differs from the air interface technology used by other devices (e.g., conventional terminals).

[0089] In some embodiments, in S210 above, the zero-power device receives first instruction information. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the location of the first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, or periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource.

[0090] Specifically, the zero-power device receives the first instruction information transmitted by the communication device. The communication device is one of the following: an access point (AP), a station (STA), a base station, a transmit / receive point (TRP), or a terminal device.

[0091] In other words, in this embodiment, the communication device can set a first time-domain resource in the zero-power device.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is cell-level instruction information. That is, the first instruction information is common within a cell, or in other words, the first instruction information is valid for all zero-power devices within the cell.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is instruction information with zero-power devices as the granularity. That is, the first instruction information is dedicated to zero-power devices, or in other words, the first instruction information is valid only for zero-power devices.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is instruction information with a granularity of zero-power device group. That is, the first instruction information is dedicated to zero-power device group, or in other words, the first instruction information is valid for all zero-power devices within the zero-power device group.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is carried by at least one of the following: a frame in the authentication and / or association process in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a beacon frame in a WLAN, a channel or signaling in a cellular network, or a signal specific to a zero-power device.

[0096] Specifically, for example, if a first time-domain resource is dynamically identified and indicated by a communication device, the first instruction information needs to be carried in a corresponding signal. For example, in a WiFi system, the first instruction information can be carried by a beacon frame, which indicates time-domain resources within one or more beacon intervals, and a zero-power terminal can collect energy within these time-domain resources. For example, in a cellular system, the first instruction information can be carried by a corresponding control channel.

[0097] Specifically, for example, the communication device transmits the first instruction information via the air interface technology employed for communication with the zero-power device.

[0098] Specifically, for example, the first instruction information may indicate a frequency domain resource corresponding to a first time domain resource, such as a channel in a WiFi system, or a frequency-domain bandwidth or bandwidth part (BWP) in a cellular system. Furthermore, the first instruction information may be a frequency domain resource used for communication with a zero-power device, or it may be a different frequency domain resource.

[0099] In some embodiments, the resource carrying the first instruction information may be a preset or pre-configured periodic resource. As shown in Figure 5, the zero-power device detects the first instruction information in the time-domain resource carrying the first instruction information and obtains the location of the first time-domain resource.

[0100] In some embodiments, in S210, the zero-power device acquires the first time-domain resource using information defined by the protocol.

[0101] In embodiments of this application, the energy of the zero-power device may be obtained from non-radio frequency energy such as solar energy, thermal energy, or mechanical energy. In this case, within a first time-domain resource, the zero-power device performs corresponding ambient energy collection. Non-radio frequency energy collection and communication can be performed simultaneously, but within the first time-domain resource, signal reception can be reduced to decrease power consumption.

[0102] Accordingly, in the embodiments of this application, the zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within a first time-domain resource. This allows the zero-power device to collect energy more efficiently within the first time-domain resource, and at the same time, it can avoid power consumption that would occur if the zero-power device were to constantly perform blind detection of signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource.

[0103] The embodiments of the zero-power device side of this application were described in detail above with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the communication device side of this application will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6. Note that the embodiments of the communication device side correspond to those of the zero-power device side, and similar descriptions can be found in the embodiments of the zero-power device side.

[0104] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method 300 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the wireless communication method 300 may include at least a part of the following:

[0105] S310: The communication device transmits first instruction information to the zero-power device. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the location of a first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, or periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource.

[0106] Although Figure 6 shows the steps or operations of the wireless communication method 300, these steps or operations are merely illustrative, and other operations or variations of each operation in Figure 6 may be performed in the embodiments of this application.

[0107] In some embodiments, the communication device is one of an access point (AP), a station (STA), a base station, a transmit / receive point (TRP), or a terminal device.

[0108] In some embodiments, the zero-power device being in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource includes the zero-power device not expecting to receive communication signals within the first time-domain resource, and / or the zero-power device not transmitting communication signals within the first time-domain resource.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is identified based on at least one of the following: the energy collection capability of the zero-power device, the energy collection method of the zero-power device, the energy storage capability of the zero-power device, or ambient energy information of the environment in which the zero-power device is located.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, or the first time-domain resource is a non-periodic resource.

[0111] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource includes at least one of the frequency domain resources for the zero-power device and the frequency domain resources for other devices.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is used for energy collection by the zero-power device.

[0113] In some embodiments, the zero-power device performs energy collection within the first time-domain resource based on at least one of the following: the energy supply signal of the zero-power device, the communication signal of the zero-power device, and the communication signal of another device.

[0114] In some embodiments, the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the zero-power device differs from the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the other device, and / or the air interface technology used by the zero-power device differs from the air interface technology used by the other device.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is instruction information with a cell granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device group granularity.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is carried by at least one of the following: frames in the authentication and / or association process in a wireless local area network (WLAN), beacon frames in a WLAN, channels or signaling in a cellular network, or signals specific to zero-power devices.

[0117] Accordingly, in the embodiments of this application, the zero-power device is in a communication-dormant state within a first time-domain resource. This allows the zero-power device to collect energy more efficiently within the first time-domain resource, and at the same time, it can avoid power consumption that would occur if the zero-power device were to constantly perform blind detection of signals that may be transmitted to the zero-power device by a device communicating with the zero-power device within the first time-domain resource.

[0118] The method embodiments of this application were described in detail above with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Hereinafter, the apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 11. Note that the apparatus embodiments correspond to the method embodiments, and similar descriptions can be found in the method embodiments.

[0119] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a zero-power device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the zero-power device 400 includes a communication unit 410. The communication unit 410 is configured to acquire a first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication-pause state within the first time-domain resource.

[0120] In some embodiments, the zero-power device being in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource includes the zero-power device not expecting to receive communication signals within the first time-domain resource, and / or the zero-power device not transmitting communication signals within the first time-domain resource.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is identified based on at least one of the following: the energy collection capability of the zero-power device, the energy collection method of the zero-power device, the energy storage capability of the zero-power device, or ambient energy information of the environment in which the zero-power device is located.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, or the first time-domain resource is a non-periodic resource.

[0123] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource includes at least one of the frequency domain resources for the zero-power device and the frequency domain resources for other devices.

[0124] In some embodiments, the zero-power device 400 further comprises a processing unit 420, which is configured to perform energy collection within the first time-domain resource.

[0125] In some embodiments, the zero-power device performs energy collection within the first time-domain resource based on at least one of the following: the energy supply signal of the zero-power device, the communication signal of the zero-power device, and the communication signal of another device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the zero-power device differs from the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the other device, and / or the air interface technology used by the zero-power device differs from the air interface technology used by the other device.

[0127] In some embodiments, the communication unit 410 is specifically configured to receive first instruction information. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the location of the first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, or periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is instruction information with a cell granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device group granularity.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is carried by at least one of the following: frames in the authentication and / or association process in a wireless local area network (WLAN), beacon frames in a WLAN, channels or signaling in a cellular network, or signals specific to zero-power devices.

[0130] In some embodiments, the communication unit 410 is specifically configured to acquire the first time-domain resource by information defined by the protocol.

[0131] In some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0132] Furthermore, the zero-power device 400 according to the embodiment of this application can correspond to the zero-power device in the method embodiment of this application. Also, the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the zero-power device 400 are for carrying out the corresponding process of the zero-power device in method 200 shown in Figure 2. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0133] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 500 includes a communication unit 510. The communication unit 510 is configured to transmit first instruction information to a zero-power device. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the location of a first time-domain resource, the length of a first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, and periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication-pause state within the first time-domain resource.

[0134] In some embodiments, the zero-power device being in a communication-dormant state within the first time-domain resource includes the zero-power device not expecting to receive communication signals within the first time-domain resource, and / or the zero-power device not transmitting communication signals within the first time-domain resource.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is identified based on at least one of the following: the energy collection capability of the zero-power device, the energy collection method of the zero-power device, the energy storage capability of the zero-power device, or ambient energy information of the environment in which the zero-power device is located.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, or the first time-domain resource is a non-periodic resource.

[0137] In some embodiments, the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource includes at least one of the frequency domain resources for the zero-power device and the frequency domain resources for other devices.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first time-domain resource is used for energy collection by the zero-power device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the zero-power device performs energy collection within the first time-domain resource based on at least one of the following: the energy supply signal of the zero-power device, the communication signal of the zero-power device, and the communication signal of another device.

[0140] In some embodiments, the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the zero-power device differs from the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the other device, and / or the air interface technology used by the zero-power device differs from the air interface technology used by the other device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is instruction information with a cell granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device group granularity.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first instruction information is carried by at least one of the following: frames in the authentication and / or association process in a wireless local area network (WLAN), beacon frames in a WLAN, channels or signaling in a cellular network, or signals specific to zero-power devices.

[0143] In some embodiments, the communication device is one of an access point (AP), a station (STA), a base station, a transmit / receive point (TRP), or a terminal device.

[0144] In some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0145] Furthermore, the communication device 500 according to the embodiment of this application can correspond to the communication device in the method embodiment of this application. Also, the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 500 are for carrying out the corresponding process of the communication device in method 300 shown in Figure 6. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0146] Figure 9 shows the structure of a communication device 600 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 shown in Figure 9 includes a processor 610. The processor 610 can realize the method according to the embodiment of this application by calling and executing a computer program from memory.

[0147] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 9, the communication device 600 may further include a memory 620. The processor 610 can implement the method in the embodiments of this application by calling and executing a computer program from the memory 620.

[0148] The memory 620 may be a standalone unit independent of the processor 610, or it may be integrated into the processor 610.

[0149] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 9, the communication device 600 may further include a transceiver 630. The processor 610 can control the transceiver 630 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 630 can transmit information or data to other devices, or receive information or data transmitted by other devices.

[0150] The transceiver 630 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 630 may further include an antenna. The number of antennas may be one or more.

[0151] In some embodiments, the processor 610 can implement the functions of a processing unit in a zero-power device. Alternatively, the processor 610 can implement the functions of a processing unit in a communication device. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0152] In some embodiments, the transceiver 630 can implement the functionality of a communication unit in a zero-power device. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0153] In some embodiments, the transceiver 630 can implement the functions of a communication unit in a communication device. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0154] In some embodiments, the communication device 600 may specifically be the communication device of the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 600 can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the communication device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0155] In some embodiments, the communication device 600 may specifically be a zero-power device of the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 600 can implement the corresponding process implemented by the zero-power device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0156] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 700 shown in Figure 10 includes a processor 710. The processor 710 can realize the method according to the embodiment of this application by calling and executing a computer program from memory.

[0157] In some embodiments, the apparatus 700 may further include a memory 720, as shown in Figure 10. The processor 710 can implement the method according to the embodiments of this application by calling and executing a computer program from the memory 720.

[0158] The memory 720 may be a standalone unit separate from the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0159] In some embodiments, the processor 710 can implement the functions of a processing unit in a zero-power device, or the processor 710 can implement the functions of a processing unit in a communication device. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0160] In some embodiments, the device 700 may further include an input interface 730. The processor 710 can control the input interface 730 to communicate with other devices or chips. Specifically, the input interface 730 can acquire information or data transmitted by other devices or chips. Selectively, the processor 710 may be located on or off the chip.

[0161] In some embodiments, the input interface 730 can implement the functionality of a communication unit in a zero-power device. Alternatively, the input interface 730 can implement the functionality of a communication unit in a communication device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the device 700 further includes an output interface 740. The processor 710 can control the output interface 740 to communicate with other devices or chips. Specifically, the output interface 740 can output information or data to other devices or chips. Selectively, the processor 710 may be located on or off the chip.

[0163] In some embodiments, the output interface 740 can implement the functionality of a communication unit in a zero-power device. Alternatively, the output interface 740 can implement the functionality of a communication unit in a communication device.

[0164] In some embodiments, the device can be applied to the communication device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the device can implement the corresponding processes realized by the communication device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0165] In some embodiments, the apparatus can be applied to the zero-power device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the apparatus can implement the corresponding processes realized by the zero-power device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0166] In some embodiments, the apparatus according to the embodiments of this application may be a chip, for example, a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system, or a system-on-chip (SOC).

[0167] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a communication system 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11, the communication system 800 comprises a zero-power device 810 and a communication device 820.

[0168] The zero-power device 810 can be configured to implement the corresponding function realized by the zero-power device in the above method. The communication device 820 can be configured to implement the corresponding function realized by the communication device in the above method. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0169] The processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiment may be completed by an integrated logic circuit in hardware form or by instructions in software form of the processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The processor may implement or execute the various methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any ordinary processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application may be executed and completed directly by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may reside in a mature storage medium in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium is located in memory. The processor reads the information from memory and, in conjunction with the processor hardware, completes the steps of the method described above.

[0170] To ensure understanding, the memory of the embodiments of this application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) that functions as an external high-speed cache. Examples of various RAMs available include, but are not limited to, static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DRRAM). The memory in the systems and methods described in this application may include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0171] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are illustrative but not limiting. For example, the memories of the embodiments of this application may include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synch-link dynamic random access memory (synch-link DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DRRAM). In other words, the memories of the embodiments of this application may include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0172] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer-readable storage medium used for storing computer programs.

[0173] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the communication device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0174] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the zero-power device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the zero-power device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0175] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product that includes computer program instructions.

[0176] In some embodiments, the computer program product can be applied to the communication device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the communication device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0177] In some embodiments, the computer program product can be applied to the zero-power device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the zero-power device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0178] Embodiments of this application further provide computer programs.

[0179] In some embodiments, the computer program can be applied to the communication device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is made to execute the corresponding process implemented by the communication device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0180] In some embodiments, the computer program can be applied to the zero-power device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is made to execute the corresponding process implemented by the zero-power device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0181] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in conjunction with the exemplary units and algorithmic operations described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed by hardware or software will depend on the specific application of the invention and design constraints. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0182] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of easy and concise explanation, the specific operating processes of the above systems, apparatuses, and units can be described by referring to the corresponding processes in the above-described method embodiments. This will not be repeated here.

[0183] In some embodiments of this application, the systems, devices, and methods disclosed should be understood to be implementable in other forms. For example, the embodiments of the devices described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of a unit is merely a division of a logic function, and in actual implementation, it may have a different division form. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some of their features may be ignored or not performed. Furthermore, the coupling, direct coupling, and communication connections between them shown or considered may also be indirect coupling or communication connections by several interfaces, devices, or units, and may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0184] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Components shown as units may or may not be physical units. That is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the technical proposal of this embodiment.

[0185] Furthermore, each functional unit according to each embodiment of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0186] The functions may be implemented as software function units and, when sold or used as independent products, stored on computer-readable storage media. For the purposes of this understanding, the essential parts of the proposed technology of this application, or parts that contribute to the prior art, or parts of such technology, may be expressed as a software product. This computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for causing a single computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or communication device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of this application. The storage medium includes various types of media capable of storing program code, such as universal serial bus (USB) flash disks, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0187] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present application, and the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that a person skilled in the art could easily conceive within the scope of the art disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, This includes the zero-power device acquiring a first time-domain resource, The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

2. The fact that the zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource means that The zero-power device does not expect to receive a communication signal within the first time-domain resource, and / or the zero-power device does not transmit a communication signal within the first time-domain resource, The method according to feature 1.

3. The first time-domain resource is, The energy collection capacity of the zero-power device, the energy collection method of the zero-power device, the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device, and ambient energy information of the environment in which the zero-power device is located are identified based on at least one of these. The method according to 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, or the first time-domain resource is a non-periodic resource. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described herein.

5. The frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource is: Including at least one of the following: frequency domain resources for the zero-power device, frequency domain resources for other devices, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The above method further, The zero-power device includes performing energy collection within the first time-domain resource, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the features described herein.

7. The zero-power device performs energy collection within the first time-domain resource based on at least one of the following: the energy supply signal of the zero-power device, the communication signal of the zero-power device, and the communication signal of another device. The method according to feature 6.

8. The signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the zero-power device differs from the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the other devices, and / or the air interface technology used by the zero-power device differs from the air interface technology used by the other devices. The method according to 5 or 7, characterized by the features described above.

9. The acquisition of the first time-domain resource by the zero-power device is The zero-power device receives first instruction information, The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the location of the first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, and periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the features described above.

10. The first instruction information is instruction information with a cell granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device group granularity. The method according to feature 9.

11. The first instruction information is carried by at least one of the following: frames in the authentication and / or association process in a wireless local area network (WLAN), beacon frames in a WLAN, channels or signaling in a cellular network, or signals dedicated to zero-power devices. The method according to 9 or 10, characterized by the features described herein.

12. The acquisition of the first time-domain resource by the zero-power device is The zero-power device includes acquiring the first time-domain resource by information defined by the protocol, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the features described above.

13. A wireless communication method, The communication device includes transmitting first instruction information to the zero-power device. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the position of the first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, and periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

14. The fact that the zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource means that The zero-power device does not expect to receive a communication signal within the first time-domain resource, and / or the zero-power device does not transmit a communication signal within the first time-domain resource, The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

15. The first time-domain resource is, The energy collection capacity of the zero-power device, the energy collection method of the zero-power device, the energy storage capacity of the zero-power device, and ambient energy information of the environment in which the zero-power device is located are identified based on at least one of these. The method according to feature 13 or 14.

16. The first time-domain resource is a periodic resource, or the first time-domain resource is a non-periodic resource. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by...

17. The frequency domain resource corresponding to the first time domain resource is: Including at least one of the following: frequency domain resources for the zero-power device, frequency domain resources for other devices, The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by...

18. The first time-domain resource is used for energy collection by the zero-power device. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized by the features described herein.

19. The zero-power device performs energy collection within the first time-domain resource based on at least one of the following: the energy supply signal of the zero-power device, the communication signal of the zero-power device, and the communication signal of another device. The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

20. The signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the zero-power device differs from the signal modulation / demodulation scheme for the other devices, and / or the air interface technology used by the zero-power device differs from the air interface technology used by the other devices. The method according to 17 or 19, characterized by the features described herein.

21. The first instruction information is instruction information with a cell granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device granularity, or the first instruction information is instruction information with a zero-power device group granularity. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, characterized by...

22. The first instruction information is carried by at least one of the following: frames in the authentication and / or association process in a wireless local area network (WLAN), beacon frames in a WLAN, channels or signaling in a cellular network, or signals dedicated to zero-power devices. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21, characterized by...

23. The aforementioned communication device is one of the following: an access point (AP), a station (STA), a base station, a transmit / receive point (TRP), or a terminal device. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized by...

24. A zero-power device equipped with a communication unit, The communication unit is configured to acquire a first time-domain resource, The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource. A zero-power device characterized by the following features.

25. A communication device equipped with a communication unit, The communication unit is configured to transmit first instruction information to the zero-power device. The first instruction information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the position of the first time-domain resource, the length of the first time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource corresponding to the first time-domain resource, and periodic information corresponding to the first time-domain resource. The zero-power device is in a communication pause state within the first time-domain resource. A communication device characterized by the following features.

26. A zero-power device comprising a processor and memory, The memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory, causing the zero-power device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A zero-power device characterized by the following features.

27. A communication device comprising a processor and memory, The memory is configured to store computer programs, and the processor is configured to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23. A communication device characterized by the following features.

28. A chip equipped with a processor, The processor is configured to call and execute a computer program from memory and cause the device equipped with the chip to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A chip characterized by the following features.

29. A chip equipped with a processor, The processor is configured to call and execute a computer program from memory, causing the device equipped with the chip to perform the method described in any one of claims 13 to 23. A chip characterized by the following features.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is realized. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the following features.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23 is realized. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the following features.

32. A computer program product that includes computer program instructions, When the computer program instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is realized. A computer program product characterized by the following features.

33. A computer program product that includes computer program instructions, When the computer program instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23 is realized. A computer program product characterized by the following features.

34. It is a computer program, When the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is realized. A computer program characterized by the following features.

35. It is a computer program, When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of claims 13 to 23 is realized. A computer program characterized by the following features.

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