Communication method, terminal, and network-side device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method, a terminal, and a network-side device. The communication method in embodiments of the present application comprises: a terminal sends, to a network-side device, an activation signal or a deactivation signal, the activation signal being used to request or notify the network-side device to activate a flexible resource for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal being used to request or notify the network-side device to deactivate the flexible resource. By means of sending the activation or deactivation signal to the network-side device, the terminal can trigger activation or deactivation of the flexible resource, such that the flexible resource is activated only when needed and is not activated (i.e., deactivated) when not needed, and consequently, signal detection does not need to be performed on the flexible resource when the flexible resource is not activated, thereby helping to reduce the complexity and power consumption of signal detection. Meanwhile, the flexible resource can also be used to schedule other uplink or downlink transmissions, thereby helping to increase the resource utilization rate.

Description

Communication method, terminal and network side equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 22, 2023, with application number 202311567147.4 and titled “Communication Method, Terminal and Network Side Equipment,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to a communication method, a terminal, and a network-side device. Background Art

[0004] In wireless communication systems, flexible resources can be configured. These resources can be activated for signal transmission when needed and deactivated when not needed. When deactivated, devices do not need to perform signal detection on these flexible resources. When configuring flexible resources, how to further control the complexity and power consumption of signal detection is an urgent issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a terminal, and a network-side device, which are conducive to reducing the complexity and power consumption of signal detection.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is executed by a terminal, and the method includes:

[0007] The terminal sends an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the network side device; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0008] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a network-side device, and the method includes:

[0009] The network side device receives an activation signal or a deactivation signal from the terminal; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0010] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, including:

[0011] A sending module is used to send an activation signal or a deactivation signal to a network side device; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including:

[0013] A receiving module is used to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal from a terminal; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, a terminal is provided, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented.

[0015] In the sixth aspect, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is used to determine an activation signal or a deactivation signal, and the communication interface is used to send an activation signal or a deactivation signal to a network side device; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0016] In the seventh aspect, a network side device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0017] In an eighth aspect, a network-side device is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal from a terminal; the activation signal is configured to request or notify the network-side device to activate flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is configured to request or notify the network-side device to deactivate the flexible resources. The processor is configured to process the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

[0018] In the ninth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0019] In the tenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network side device, wherein the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the network side device can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0020] In the eleventh aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0021] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, wherein the computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium, and the program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the communication method according to the first aspect, or the steps of the communication method according to the second aspect.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal triggers the activation or deactivation of flexible resources by sending an activation or deactivation signal to the network-side device, so that the flexible resources are activated only when they are needed and are not activated (i.e., deactivated) when they are not needed. Therefore, when the flexible resources are inactive, there is no need to perform signal detection on the flexible resources, which can help reduce the complexity and power consumption of signal detection. At the same time, flexible resources can also be used to schedule other uplink or downlink transmissions, which can help improve resource utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application may be applied;

[0024] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the mapping from SSB to RO;

[0025] FIG3 is another schematic diagram of the mapping of SSB to RO;

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the mapping of SSB to RO groups;

[0027] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "or" in this application represents at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three options, namely, Option 1: including A but not including B; Option 2: including B but not including A; Option 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0036] The term "indication" in this application can be either a direct indication (or explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or implicit indication). A direct indication can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc. in the instruction sent; an indirect indication can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc. based on the judgment result.

[0037] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the technology described can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for illustrative purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) systems. th Generation, 6G) communication system.

[0038] FIG1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, an aircraft, a vehicle user equipment (VUE), a shipboard device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (a household appliance with wireless communication capabilities, such as a refrigerator, television, washing machine, or furniture), a game console, a personal computer (PC), a teller machine, or a self-service machine, or other terminal-side device. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle-mounted device can also be called a vehicle-mounted terminal, a vehicle-mounted controller, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip or a vehicle-mounted unit, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The network side device 12 may include an access network device or a core network device, wherein the access network device may also be called a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) device, a radio access network function or a radio access network unit. The access network device may include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, etc.Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B (home evolved Node B), Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or other appropriate terms in the field. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical vocabulary. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the base station in the NR system is used as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0039] First, the SSB to RO mapping rules involved in this application are introduced.

[0040] The 5G synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) includes the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and demodulation reference signal (DMRS). Through the cell search process, the wireless device (terminal) obtains the synchronization signal and broadcast signal / channel provided by the base station cell and performs time-frequency domain synchronization with the base station, and obtains the location of the time-frequency resources of the cell deployed by the base station in the frequency and time domains, as well as the physical cell ID.

[0041] The terminal further receives the System Information Block (SIB) 1 by receiving the SSB. SIB1 contains various parameters for initial access. The configuration parameters of the PRACH resources and the mapping rules of the SSB to the RO are configured in the System Information Block (SIB) 1. In the NR system, the cell can configure multiple FDM ROs at a time domain position for transmitting PRACH. At a time, the number of ROs that can perform FDM can be: {1, 2, 4, 8}, which is configured and determined by the high-level parameter msg1-FDM.

[0042] The random access preamble can only be transmitted on the time domain resources configured by the parameter PRACHConfigurationIndex and the frequency domain resources configured by the parameter msg1-FDM. RA ∈{0,1,…,M-1}, where M is equal to the higher-layer parameter msg1-FDM. During initial access, PRACH frequency-domain resources are numbered in ascending order, starting with the lowest-frequency RO resource within the initial active uplink bandwidth part. Otherwise, PRACH frequency-domain resources are numbered in ascending order, starting with the lowest-frequency RO resource within the active uplink bandwidth part. For example, in Figure 2, the number of FDM ROs at a given moment is 8 (msg1-FDM=8), and the RO resources are numbered from low to high frequency, RO#0 to RO#7.

[0043] In the NR system, there is an association between the RO and the actual transmitted SSB. ROs are associated with SSBs in the frequency domain (from low frequency to high frequency) and then in the time domain. An SSB may be associated with multiple consecutive ROs, or multiple SSBs may be associated with a single RO (in this case, different SSBs correspond to different preambles). This is configured by the network using the parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB.

[0044] ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB CHOICE{

[0045] oneEighth

[0046] ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0047] oneFourth

[0048] ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0049] oneHalf

[0050] ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0051] one

[0052] ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0053] two ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32},

[0054] four INTEGER(1..16),

[0055] eight INTEGER(1..8),

[0056] sixteen INTEGER(1..4),

[0057] } OPTIONAL,--Need

[0058] For example, oneEighth means that one SSB is associated with eight consecutive ROs, eight means that eight SSBs are associated with one RO, and {n4, n8, n12, ...} represents the number of preambles associated with each SSB on an RO. For example, the value n4 means that the number of preambles associated with each SSB on an RO is 4, and n8 means that the number of preambles associated with each SSB on an RO is 4.

[0059] After all SSBs have completed one round of association with the RO, an SSB-RO mapping cycle is formed. An SSB-RO association period may include one or more SSB-RO mapping cycles. An SSB-RO association pattern period may include one or more SSB-RO association periods. The SSB-RO mapping is repeated based on the association pattern period, and the maximum association pattern period is 160ms.

[0060] Typically, a base station can use different beams to transmit different SSBs, with the number of SSBs configured using the ssb-PositionsInBurst parameter. For example, for FR2, the maximum number of SSBs is 64. Based on the strength of the received downlink SSB beam, the terminal selects the RO / RO and preamble combination associated with the SSB with the best signal to send Msg1. The network then determines the SSB selected by the terminal based on the RO / RO and preamble combination of the received preamble and sends Msg2 on the downlink beam corresponding to the SSB, ensuring downlink signal reception quality.

[0061] Taking Figure 2 as an example, the number of FDM ROs at a given moment is 8, and the number of SSBs actually transmitted is 4, namely SSB#0, SSB#1, SSB#2, and SSB#3. Each SSB is associated with two ROs. If the terminal determines to send PRACH / Mg1 on the RO corresponding to SSB#0, the UE selects an RO between RO#0 and RO#1 to send the PRACH.

[0062] Taking Figure 3 as an example, the number of FDM ROs at a given moment is 2, and the number of SSBs actually transmitted is 8, namely SSB#0, SSB#1, ..., SSB#7, with one RO associated with every two SSBs. Each square in Figure 3 corresponds to a RO, not an SSB. The SSB labeled in the square refers to which SSB(s) the RO is associated with. When multiple SSBs share a RO, the preamble sets associated with the multiple SSBs are different, i.e., the same preamble cannot belong to the preamble sets associated with different SSBs at the same time. Taking RO#0 in Figure 3 as an example, RO#0 has a total of 60 preambles, of which preambles with indexes 0 to 29 are associated with SSB#0, and preambles with indexes 30 to 59 are associated with SSB#1.

[0063] Before transmitting a PRACH, the terminal first selects a received beam (SSB) with a RSRP above a threshold based on the RSRP of the SSB. If multiple SSBs have RSRPs above the threshold, the terminal selects any SSB with RSRP above the threshold. If no SSB has RSRP above the threshold, the terminal selects an SSB based on implementation.

[0064] Based on the configuration of the network, the terminal can obtain the correspondence between SSB and RO. After selecting the SSB, the RO corresponding to the selected SSB is used as the RO for sending PRACH / Preamble / Msg1. If the selected SSB is associated with multiple ROs, the terminal can select one of the ROs to send PRACH / Preamble / Msg1. For example: in the example shown in Figure 2, assuming that the terminal selects SSB#1, the terminal can select one from RO#2 and RO#3 to send PRACH / Msg1; in the example shown in Figure 3, if the terminal selects SSB#1, the terminal can select the available RO closest to the current time among the ROs (RO#0 or 4) associated with SSB#1 to send PRACH / Msg1. In the selected RO, the terminal selects a preamble from the preamble set associated with the selected SSB to send PRACH. As shown in Figure 3, one RO is associated with two SSBs. In the available preamble set associated with the SSB in one RO, the preamble will be divided into two subsets, each corresponding to one SSB. The terminal will select a preamble sequence in the preamble subset corresponding to the selected SSB for PRACH / Mg1 transmission.

[0065] Secondly, the RO set determination process when PRACH is repeatedly transmitted is described. PRACH repeated transmission is introduced in Rel-18 to enhance uplink coverage. For PRACH repeated transmission, the terminal needs to repeatedly send the Preamble on multiple ROs at different positions in the time domain associated with the same SSB, and the number of repetitions can be {2, 4, 8}. After the terminal determines the number of PRACH repetitions, it needs to determine the RO set. The number of valid ROs in the RO set is equal to the number of PRACH repetitions. Assuming that the number of PRACH repetitions is N1, the RO group (group) determination rule is: first determine the starting RO of the RO group, and then determine the remaining N1-1 ROs of the RO group. The remaining N1-1 ROs of each RO group are ROs that are associated with the same SSB, the same frequency position, and the same associated Preamble set as the starting RO. For example, in Figure 4, assuming that the number of PRACH repetitions is 2, for SSB#0, the RO group can be determined as follows: the first RO group (1 st RO group), the second RO group (2 st RO group), the third RO group (3 st RO group) and the 4th RO group (4 st RO group).

[0066] In a wireless communication system, flexible resources can be configured, which are activated when needed for signal transmission and deactivated when not needed. In the case of deactivation, the device does not need to perform signal detection on the flexible resource, which can help reduce the complexity and power consumption of signal detection. For example, flexible PRACH resources can be configured. For flexible PRACH resources, they are activated when needed, so that when they are not activated, the network does not need to perform PRACH signal detection on the flexible PRACH resources. When configuring flexible resources, how to further control the complexity and power consumption of signal detection needs to be solved urgently.

[0067] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, terminal, and network-side device, wherein the terminal sends an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the network-side device. The activation signal is used to request or notify the network-side device to activate flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network-side device to deactivate flexible resources. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can enable the terminal to trigger the activation or deactivation of flexible resources, so that when the flexible resources are inactivated, there is no need to perform signal detection on the flexible resources, which can help reduce the complexity and power consumption of signal detection. At the same time, flexible resources can also be used to schedule other signal transmissions, which can help improve resource utilization.

[0068] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below through some embodiments and their application scenarios in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0069] FIG5 shows an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG5 , the communication method includes at least the following steps 510:

[0070] At 510, the terminal sends an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the network device. The activation signal is used to request or notify the network device to activate flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network device to deactivate flexible resources. Correspondingly, the network device may receive the activation signal or deactivation signal from the terminal.

[0071] Exemplarily, the flexible resources described in the embodiments of the present application may be activated or deactivated resources, including at least one of flexible time-frequency resources, DMSR resources, or sequences. As an example, the flexible resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of a flexible PRACH transmission occasion (flexible PRACH transmission occasion, flexible RO), a flexible PUSCH transmission occasion (flexible PUSCH transmission occasion), a flexible paging occasion (flexible paging occasion), a flexible PDSCH transmission occasion (flexible PDSCH transmission occasion), a flexible PDCCH transmission occasion (flexible PDCCH transmission occasion), and a flexible MsgA PUSCH transmission occasion (flexible MsgA PUSCH transmission occasion).

[0072] Exemplarily, activating a flexible resource may refer to allowing a signal to be sent (or received) on the corresponding flexible resource; and deactivating a flexible resource may refer to not allowing a signal to be sent (or received) on the corresponding flexible resource.

[0073] When the flexible resources include a flexible RO, activating the flexible RO may refer to activating some preambles on the flexible RO, or activating all preambles, which is not limited in this application. For example, activating the flexible RO means allowing the terminal to send signals (such as PRACH, MsgA, preamble, etc.) on the corresponding flexible RO, or allowing the network-side device to detect signals (such as PRACH, MsgA, preamble, etc.) on the corresponding flexible RO. Deactivating the flexible RO means not allowing the terminal to send signals (such as PRACH, MsgA, preamble, etc.) on the corresponding flexible RO, or not allowing the network-side device to detect signals (such as PRACH, MsgA, preamble, etc.) on the corresponding flexible RO.

[0074] It should be noted that the activation described in the embodiments of the present application can mean (notification) activation of flexible resources or request for activation of flexible resources, and can sometimes be simply referred to as activation; the deactivation described in the embodiments of the present application can mean (notification) deactivation of flexible resources or request for deactivation of flexible resources, and can sometimes be simply referred to as deactivation. Accordingly, the activation signal described in the embodiments of the present application can be a signal for (notification) activation of flexible resources or a signal for requesting activation of flexible resources; the deactivation signal can be a signal for (notification) deactivation of flexible resources or a signal for requesting deactivation of flexible resources.

[0075] Exemplarily, in an embodiment of the present application, the signals transmitted on the flexible resources include but are not limited to at least one of PRACH, message A (MsgA), MsgA uplink physical shared channel (Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH), paging message, PDSCH, PDCCH, etc.

[0076] It should be noted that when an activation signal is used to request a network-side device to activate flexible resources used for signal transmission, the activation signal may also be referred to as an activation request signal; and when a deactivation signal is used to request a network-side device to deactivate flexible resources used for signal transmission, the deactivation signal may also be referred to as a deactivation request signal. It is understood that when an activation signal is used to request a network-side device to activate flexible resources used for signal transmission, flexible resource activation must be performed with the permission of the network-side device; and when a deactivation signal is used to request a network-side device to deactivate flexible resources used for signal transmission, flexible resource deactivation must be performed with the permission of the network-side device.

[0077] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal can trigger the activation or deactivation of flexible resources by sending an activation or deactivation signal to the network-side device, so that the flexible resources are activated only when they are needed and are not activated (i.e., deactivated) when they are not needed. Therefore, when the flexible resources are inactive, there is no need to perform signal detection on the flexible resources, which can help reduce the complexity and power consumption of signal detection. At the same time, flexible resources can also be used to schedule other uplink or downlink transmissions, which can help improve resource utilization.

[0078] For example, when a flexible RO is inactive, the network does not need to perform PRACH detection on it, which can help reduce the complexity of PRACH detection and network power consumption. In addition, the flexible RO can also be used to schedule other uplink transmissions when inactive, which can help improve resource utilization.

[0079] In some embodiments, the activation signal or activation signal resource may be associated with a reference signal. Exemplarily, the reference signal includes but is not limited to SSB, Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), Message A (MsgA), MsgA PUSCH, PRACH, configured grant (CG) PUSCH, etc. Exemplarily, the association of the reference signal to the activation signal or activation signal resource includes but is not limited to the association of SSB to the activation signal or activation signal resource, the association of CSI-RS to the activation signal or activation signal resource, the association of TRS to the activation signal or activation signal resource, the association of PRACH resource to the activation signal or activation signal resource, the association of MsgA resource to the activation signal or activation signal resource, the association of PRACH resource to the activation signal or activation signal resource, the association of MsgA PUSCH resource to the activation signal or activation signal resource, and the association of CG PUSCH to the activation signal or activation signal resource.

[0080] The SSB described in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as any module that includes at least one of a synchronization signal, a broadcast signal, a PBCH, and other system message downlink broadcast signals.

[0081] In some embodiments, in order to improve the reliability of the activation signal or deactivation signal, a retransmission mechanism of the activation signal or deactivation signal can be introduced. That is, in the embodiments of the present application, the activation signal or deactivation signal supports retransmission.

[0082] Optionally, when the number of signal transmission failures on the flexible resource exceeds or is not less than a first preset number, the terminal retransmits the activation signal.

[0083] For example, when the flexible resource is a flexible RO, if the number of PRACH transmission failures on the flexible RO exceeds or is not less than a first preset number, the reason for the transmission failure may be that the flexible RO has not been successfully activated. In this case, the terminal can resend an activation signal to the network device to activate the flexible RO. Optionally, the first preset number may be configured by the network device or specified in the protocol, and is not limited in this application.

[0084] Optionally, when the terminal receives a response message to the signal transmitted on the flexible resource, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal.

[0085] For example, when the terminal receives a random access response (RAR) message corresponding to the PRACH on the flexible RO, the terminal can determine that the PRACH has been sent successfully. At this time, the terminal can re-send a deactivation signal to the network side device to deactivate the flexible RO.

[0086] In some embodiments, the terminal retransmits the activation signal within a first time window or when a first timer has not timed out. Specifically, a time window for sending the activation signal (i.e., the first time window) can be introduced, or a timer (i.e., the first timer) can be introduced. Within the first time window or when the first timer has not timed out, the terminal can retransmit the activation signal. When outside the first time window or when the first timer has timed out, the terminal can stop transmitting the activation signal.

[0087] Optionally, when the terminal receives a response message to the signal transmitted on the flexible resource, and the number of times the terminal receives the response message exceeds a second preset number, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal.

[0088] For example, when a terminal receives a RAR message corresponding to a PRACH on a flexible RO, and the number of times the RAR message has been received exceeds a second preset number, the terminal can determine that the PRACH has been successfully transmitted. At this point, the terminal can resend a deactivation signal to the network device to deactivate the flexible RO. Optionally, the second preset number may be configured by the network device or specified by the protocol, and is not limited in this application.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal within the second time window or when the second timer has not timed out. Specifically, a time window for sending the deactivation signal (i.e., the second time window) or a timer (i.e., the second timer) can be introduced. Within the second time window or when the second timer has not timed out, the terminal can retransmit the deactivation signal. When outside the second time window or when the second timer has timed out, the terminal can stop transmitting the deactivation signal.

[0090] In some embodiments, a maximum number of retransmissions of the activation signal or the deactivation signal (ie, a maximum number of repeated transmissions) may be introduced. When the activation signal or the deactivation signal reaches the maximum number of retransmissions, it is determined that the signal transmission has failed.

[0091] Optionally, the activation signal and the deactivation signal may correspond to the same maximum number of retransmissions, or may correspond to different maximum number of retransmissions, which is not limited in this application. Optionally, the maximum number of retransmissions may be configured by the network side device or specified by the protocol, which is not limited in this application.

[0092] Exemplarily, when an activation signal for requesting or notifying activation of the flexible RO reaches a maximum number of retransmissions, or a deactivation signal for requesting or notifying deactivation of the flexible RO reaches a maximum number of retransmissions, it can be determined (eg, declared) that random access has failed.

[0093] Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can help improve the reliability of activation signal or deactivation signal transmission by supporting the retransmission of activation signals or deactivation signals, setting the maximum number of retransmissions, setting a sending time window or timer, etc.

[0094] In some embodiments, referring to FIG6 , the communication method 500 may further include step 520:

[0095] 520. The network device sends a feedback signal of the activation signal or deactivation signal to the terminal. In response, the terminal receives the feedback signal from the network device. The feedback signal can be used to provide feedback on the reception status or response of the network device to the activation signal or deactivation signal.

[0096] In some embodiments, the feedback signal is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0097] Whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully;

[0098] Whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation;

[0099] The time when the network-side device activates or deactivates flexible resources.

[0100] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application sends a feedback signal of an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the terminal through the network side device, so that the terminal can determine whether the activation signal or the deactivation signal is successfully received by the network side device, or the terminal can determine whether the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation, or the time when the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation, which is conducive to further improving the reliability of the transmission of the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

[0101] In some embodiments, the feedback signal may include at least one of a specific reference signal, a response message, and physical layer signaling.

[0102] As an implementable manner, step 520 may be specifically implemented as follows: the network-side device sends a specific reference signal as a feedback signal to the terminal, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the specific reference signal from the network-side device.

[0103] Exemplarily, the specific reference signal may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a specific SSB, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), etc. Optionally, the reference signal may include a reference signal of one cell or reference signals of multiple cells. The cells may be of the same frequency carrier or different frequency carriers, and may be within a frequency band or in different frequency bands, without limitation.

[0104] Optionally, the specific reference signal may include first indication information for indicating whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully, or indicating whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation, or indicating the time when the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation. By including the first indication information in the specific reference signal, the network-side device can explicitly indicate to the terminal whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is successfully received, or explicitly indicate whether to perform activation or deactivation of the flexible resource, or explicitly indicate the time when to perform flexible resource activation or deactivation.

[0105] Exemplarily, a specific bit, such as an intra-freq reselction indication bit, can be used in a master information block (MIB) of a specific SSB as the first indication information to indicate whether the activation signal or deactivation signal corresponding to the flexible RO is received successfully, or to indicate whether the network side device performs activation or deactivation of the flexible RO, or to indicate the time when the network side device performs activation or deactivation of the flexible RO.

[0106] Optionally, the specific reference signal may include an on-demand reference signal; the on-demand reference signal is used to indicate successful reception of the activation signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to indicate the time when the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation.

[0107] Exemplarily, the feedback signal of the activation signal or deactivation signal of the flexible RO is the corresponding on-demand SSB. Specifically, when the flexible RO is activated, the corresponding on-demand SSB is also activated. The terminal can determine whether the activation signal is received, or whether the network-side device executes the activation of the flexible RO, or the time when the network-side device executes the activation of the flexible RO based on whether the on-demand SSB is received. For example, after sending the activation signal, the terminal can determine that the activation signal is received based on the receipt of the on-demand SSB, or determine that the network-side device executes the activation of the flexible RO based on the receipt of the on-demand SSB, or determine the time when the network side executes the activation of the flexible RO based on the received on-demand SSB (the time can be carried in the on-demand SSB).

[0108] Therefore, by including an on-demand reference signal in a specific reference signal, which is activated when the flexible resource is activated, the network side device can indicate to the terminal whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is successfully received, or whether to perform activation or deactivation of the flexible resource, or the time to perform activation or deactivation of the flexible resource.

[0109] Optionally, when the terminal device does not receive the specific reference signal, the terminal determines that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or determines that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

[0110] Exemplarily, when a flexible RO is deactivated, the corresponding on-demand SSB is also deactivated. The terminal can determine, based on the failure to receive the on-demand SSB, that the deactivation signal has been received by the network-side device, or that the network-side device has deactivated the flexible RO. For example, after the terminal determines, based on the receipt of the on-demand SSB, that the network-side device has activated the flexible RO, it sends a deactivation signal to the network-side device. In this case, based on the failure to receive the on-demand SSB, the terminal can determine, based on the failure to receive the on-demand SSB, that the deactivation signal has been received, or that the network-side device has deactivated the flexible RO.

[0111] Therefore, by including an on-demand reference signal in a specific reference signal, which is deactivated when the flexible resource is deactivated, the network side device can implicitly indicate to the terminal that a deactivation signal has been successfully received, or implicitly indicate to perform activation or deactivation of the flexible resource.

[0112] As another possible implementation, step 520 may be specifically implemented as follows: the network-side device sends a response message to the terminal as a feedback signal, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the response message from the network-side device.

[0113] Optionally, the response message may include second indication information for indicating whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully, or indicating whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation, or indicating the time when the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation. By including the second indication information in the response message, the network-side device can explicitly indicate to the terminal whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is successfully received, or explicitly indicate whether to perform activation or deactivation of the flexible resource, or explicitly indicate the time when to perform flexible resource activation or deactivation.

[0114] In some embodiments, when the terminal identifies the response message based on a preset first Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), the terminal determines that the activation signal is successfully received, or determines that the network-side device performs flexible resource activation. In some embodiments, when the terminal identifies the response message based on a preset second RNTI, the terminal determines that the deactivation signal is successfully received, or determines that the network-side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

[0115] As an example, the first RNTI or the second RNTI can reuse the RNTI in the related technology, such as the P-RNTI for detecting paging messages, or the RA-RNTI for detecting RAR responses, etc., which is not limited in this application. As another example, the first RNTI is configured as an RNTI specifically for detecting a response message of an activation signal, and the second RNTI is configured as an RNTI specifically for detecting a response message of a deactivation signal, which is not limited in this application.

[0116] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application uses the corresponding RNTI to identify the response message, so that the response message indicates whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is successfully received, or indicates the execution of flexible resource activation or deactivation.

[0117] In some embodiments, step 520 may be specifically implemented as follows: the network-side device sends physical layer signaling to the terminal as a feedback signal, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the physical layer signaling from the network-side device.

[0118] Exemplarily, physical layer signaling may include but is not limited to PDCCH order, DCI, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0119] Optionally, the terminal may receive a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command from a network-side device, where the first PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of flexible resources to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network-side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to instruct the network-side device to perform the time for flexible resource activation. Therefore, by sending the first PDCCH command to the terminal, the network-side device may explicitly indicate to the terminal the successful reception of the activation signal, the execution of flexible resource activation, or the time for performing flexible resource activation.

[0120] For example, after receiving an activation signal for activating a flexible RO, the network device may instruct, through a first PDCCH order, to use resources on the corresponding flexible RO for PRACH transmission, or instruct the network device to perform flexible RO resource activation. Optionally, the first PDCCH order may indicate the time at which the network device performs flexible RO activation.

[0121] Optionally, the terminal may receive a second PDCCH command from the network-side device, where the second PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of normal resources to transmit a signal, or to instruct the network-side device to perform flexible resource deactivation, or to instruct the network-side device to perform the time for deactivating flexible resources. Therefore, by sending the second PDCCH command to the terminal, the network-side device can explicitly indicate to the terminal that a deactivation signal has been successfully received, or that flexible resource deactivation has been performed, or the time for performing flexible resource deactivation.

[0122] For example, after receiving a deactivation signal for deactivating a flexible RO, the network device can use the second PDCCH order to indicate that resources on a corresponding normal RO are used for PRACH transmission, or instruct the network device to deactivate the flexible RO resources. Optionally, the second PDCCH order can be used to indicate the time when the network device deactivates the flexible RO.

[0123] In some embodiments, common resources may also become static resources, such as static RO, which is not limited in this application.

[0124] Optionally, the terminal may receive a third PDCCH command from the network side device, where the third PDCCH command includes a first preamble identifier ID; the first preamble ID is used to indicate successful reception of the activation signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation.

[0125] Optionally, the terminal may receive a fourth PDCCH command from the network side device, where the fourth PDCCH command includes a second preamble ID, and the second preamble ID is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation.

[0126] Exemplarily, the network side device may use a special PDCCH command, such as configuring the preamble ID in the PDCCH command to a special value, to notify the terminal network whether it has received the corresponding activation signal or deactivation signal, or to notify the terminal network whether to perform activation or deactivation of the flexible signal. For example, the network side device may configure the preamble ID in the third PDCCH command to a first value (i.e., corresponding to the first preamble ID) to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation. For another example, the network side device may configure the preamble ID in the fourth PDCCH command to a second value (i.e., corresponding to the second preamble ID) to indicate that the deactivation signal is successfully received, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation.

[0127] Therefore, by sending a special PDCCH command to the terminal, such as configuring the preamble ID in the PDCCH naming to a special value, the network side device can explicitly indicate to the terminal whether the activation signal is successfully received or whether to perform flexible resource activation.

[0128] Optionally, the terminal may receive a first common PDCCH from a network side device; the first common PDCCH is in a first DCI format, and is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or that the network side device performs flexible resource activation. Optionally, the terminal may receive a second common PDCCH from a network side device; the second common PDCCH is in a second DCI format, and is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is successfully received, or that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation. Exemplarily, the common PDCCH may include a common PDCCH specifically used to feedback whether an activation signal or a deactivation signal is successfully received, or a common PDCCH used for paging, or other common PDCCHs, which are not limited in this application.

[0129] Therefore, the network sends a common PDCCH command to the terminal, implicitly indicating to the terminal whether the activation signal is successfully received or whether to perform activation of flexible resources through a specific DCI format.

[0130] In some embodiments, step 520 may be specifically implemented as follows: the terminal receives the feedback signal within the third time window.

[0131] Optionally, at least one of the starting position and length of the third time window may be configured by a network-side device or specified by a protocol, and this application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0132] Optionally, the third time window of the feedback signal corresponding to the activation signal, or the third time window of the feedback signal corresponding to the deactivation signal can be configured separately, or the same time window can be configured, which is not limited in this application.

[0133] Optionally, the starting position of the third time window includes the time of the first downlink signal received after sending the activation signal or the deactivation signal. Optionally, the length of the third time window is N times the length of the random access response RAR window, where N is a positive integer, where N is configured by the network side device or specified by the protocol.

[0134] In some embodiments, if the terminal does not receive the feedback signal within the third time window, the terminal retransmits the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

[0135] As a possible implementation, the terminal may retransmit the activation signal or deactivation signal at a first time after the third time window ends. Optionally, the first time may be configured by a network device or specified by a protocol, which is not limited in this application.

[0136] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can help improve the reliability of the activation signal or deactivation signal transmission by setting a receiving window for the feedback signal of the activation signal or deactivation signal.

[0137] In some embodiments, for the case where flexible resources and ordinary resources are independently configured, or flexible resources and ordinary resources are configured by a common resource, but the flexible resources and ordinary resources are FDM or have a large time domain interval, when the flexible resources are activated, it is necessary to consider in which cases to choose to transmit signals on the flexible resources, or in which cases to choose to transmit signals on the ordinary resources, so as to ensure that the terminal selects the appropriate RO, reduce conflicts with other terminals on PRACH resources, and increase the probability of successful reception of PRACH.

[0138] In some embodiments, when a terminal determines that a flexible resource has been activated, the terminal uses the flexible resource to send a signal to a network-side device. Alternatively, when the flexible resource is not successfully activated or deactivated, the terminal may use a normal resource to send a signal to the network-side device. For example, when a terminal determines that a flexible RO has been activated or is in effect, the terminal may prioritize the activated flexible RO for PRACH transmission. When the terminal determines that the flexible RO has not been successfully activated or deactivated, the terminal may select a normal RO for PRACH transmission.

[0139] In some embodiments, the terminal uses flexible resources to send the signal to the network device within a preset time range. The preset time range may be configured by the network device or specified by a protocol, and this application does not limit this. Optionally, if the preset time range is exceeded, the terminal may use normal resources to send the signal to the network device.

[0140] For example, when the terminal determines that the flexible RO has been activated or is in effect, the terminal preferentially selects the flexible RO to send PRACH within a preset time range. Exemplarily, the preset time range may include at least one resource configuration period (such as a PRACH resource configuration period). For example, when the terminal determines that the flexible RO has been activated or is in effect, the terminal preferentially selects the flexible RO to send PRACH within a PRACH resource configuration period.

[0141] In some embodiments, when a terminal does not receive a response message for a signal transmitted on the flexible resource, the terminal uses the first nearest available resource to transmit the signal in the next time period. For example, when a flexible RO is selected for PRACH transmission and the terminal does not successfully receive an RAR, upon entering the next time period, the terminal preferentially selects the first nearest available RO within the period for PRACH resource transmission. The available RO may be a flexible RO or a normal RO, which is not limited in this application.

[0142] In some embodiments, when the terminal transmits the above signal for the first time, it uses flexible resources to send the signal to the network side device.

[0143] Optionally, the initial transmission includes at least one of the following:

[0144] Initial transmission without power ramping;

[0145] Initial transmission including repeated transmissions;

[0146] Initial transmissions not including repeated transmissions.

[0147] The initial transmission without power ramping refers to the initial transmission using the initial power.

[0148] During a single signal transmission, multiple repetitions (repetitions) can be performed to ensure successful reception by the peer. An initial transmission that includes repetitions means that the initial transmission includes all repetitions from the first signal transmission. An initial transmission that excludes repetitions means that the initial transmission includes only the first signal transmission from the first signal transmission.

[0149] Optionally, when the initial signal transmission process only performs one signal transmission, that is, the initial signal transmission does not perform multiple repeated signal transmissions, the initial transmission refers to the first data transmission process including the one signal transmission.

[0150] In some embodiments, when a first measurement metric of a reference signal corresponding to a flexible resource satisfies a first preset condition, the terminal uses the flexible resource to transmit a signal to the network device. In other words, whether the terminal prioritizes the flexible resource for signal transmission depends on the measurement metric of the reference signal associated with the flexible resource.

[0151] Exemplarily, the reference signal corresponding to (associated with) the flexible resource may include but is not limited to at least one of SSB, Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), and Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0152] Optionally, the first preset condition may include at least one of the following:

[0153] The first measurement metric is greater than or not less than the second measurement metric of the reference signal corresponding to the normal time-frequency resource;

[0154] The first measurement metric is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

[0155] Exemplarily, the first measurement metric or the second measurement metric may include RSRP, or reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), etc., without limitation. For example, when the RSRP measured by the reference signal SSB associated with the flexible RO is greater than or not less than the RSRP measured by the reference signal SSB associated with the normal RO, the flexible RO is selected for PRACH transmission. Conversely, when the RSRP measured by the reference signal SSB associated with the flexible RO is less than the RSRP measured by the reference signal SSB associated with the normal RO, the normal RO may be selected for PRACH transmission.

[0156] For another example, when the RSRP of the reference signal SSB in a certain direction associated with the flexible RO, such as a specific SSB index (index), is greater than or not less than the RSRP of the same SSB index associated with the normal RO, the flexible RO is selected for PRACH transmission. Conversely, when the RSRP of the reference signal SSB in a certain direction associated with the flexible RO, such as a specific SSB index (index), is less than the RSRP of the same SSB index associated with the normal RO, the normal RO may be selected for PRACH transmission.

[0157] For another example, when the RARP measured by the reference signal SSB associated with the flexible RO is greater than or not less than a preset threshold, the flexible RO is selected for PRACH transmission. Conversely, when the RARP measured by the reference signal SSB associated with the flexible RO is less than the preset threshold, the normal RO can be selected for PRACH transmission.

[0158] For another example, when the reference signal SSB associated with a certain direction of the flexible RO, such as the RARP of a specific SSB index, is greater than or not less than a preset threshold, the flexible RO is selected for PRACH transmission. Conversely, when the reference signal SSB associated with a certain direction of the flexible RO, such as the RARP of a specific SSB index, is less than a preset threshold, the normal RO can be selected for PRACH transmission.

[0159] In some embodiments, when the second preset condition is met, the terminal switches from the flexible resource to the common resource to transmit a signal to the network side device. In other words, the terminal supports switching from the flexible resource to the common resource for signal transmission.

[0160] Optionally, the second preset condition includes at least one of the following:

[0161] The number of times the terminal fails to transmit a signal on the flexible resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold;

[0162] The measurement metrics of the reference signals corresponding to the flexible resources do not meet the preset requirements;

[0163] The number of repetitions of the terminal sending the signal on the flexible resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold;

[0164] The number of retransmissions of the activation signal is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

[0165] For example, when the flexible resource is a flexible RO, if the number of transmission failures of the terminal on the flexible RO is greater than or not less than a preset value, such as a certain number of times, the terminal switches from the flexible RO to the normal RO for PRACH transmission. For another example, when the terminal measures the reference signal associated with the flexible RO, such as the signal strength (such as RSRP) or quality (such as RSRQ) of the SSB, or its function fails to meet certain requirements, the terminal switches from the flexible RO to the normal RO for PRACH transmission. For another example, after the terminal has attempted the maximum or a certain number of PRACH repetitions on the flexible RO, it switches from the flexible RO to the normal RO for PRACH transmission. For another example, when the number of activation signal retransmissions of the terminal on the flexible RO exceeds or is not less than a certain number of times, the terminal switches from the flexible RO to the normal RO for PRACH transmission.

[0166] In some embodiments, when the third preset condition is met, the terminal can switch from common resources to flexible resources to send a signal to the network side device. In other words, the terminal also supports switching from common resources to flexible resources for signal transmission.

[0167] Optionally, the third preset condition includes at least one of the following:

[0168] The number of failures of the terminal to transmit signals on common resources is greater than or not less than a preset threshold;

[0169] The measurement metrics of the reference signals corresponding to the common resources do not meet the preset requirements;

[0170] The number of times the terminal repeats sending a signal on a common resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

[0171] For example, when the normal resource is a normal RO, if the number of transmission failures of the terminal on the normal RO is greater than or not less than a preset value, such as a certain number of times, the terminal switches from the normal RO to the flexible RO for PRACH transmission. For another example, when the terminal measures a reference signal associated with the normal RO, such as the signal strength (such as RSRP) or quality (such as RSRQ) of the SSB, or its function fails to meet certain requirements, the terminal switches from the normal RO to the flexible RO for PRACH transmission. For another example, after the terminal has attempted the maximum or a certain number of PRACH repetitions on the normal RO, it switches from the normal RO to the flexible RO for PRACH transmission.

[0172] That is to say, the terminal supports switching from a flexible RO to a normal RO, and also supports switching from a normal RO to a flexible RO. For example, when the number of failures of the terminal in transmitting (PRACH) on the first RO is greater than or not less than a certain number, the terminal switches to the second RO. For another example, when the terminal measures the reference signal associated with the first RO, and the measured signal strength or instruction or its function fails to meet certain requirements, it switches to the second RO for PRACH transmission. For another example, after the terminal has attempted the maximum or a certain number of PRACH repetitions on the first RO, it can switch to the second RO for PRACH transmission. Among them, the first RO is a flexible RO and the second RO is a normal RO; or the first RO is a normal RO and the second RO is a flexible RO.

[0173] Optionally, when the terminal has been trying PRACH transmission on the first type of resource (such as RO), if the above-mentioned second preset condition or the third preset condition is met, the terminal may be allowed to switch to the second type of resource (such as RO) to continue trying PRACH transmission. That is, the terminal is not allowed to switch back to the resource type previously tried for signal transmission. For example, when the terminal has been trying PRACH transmission on the flexible RO, if the above-mentioned second preset condition is met, the terminal may be allowed to switch to the normal RO to continue PRACH transmission. If the terminal continues to try PRACH transmission on the normal RO and meets the above-mentioned third preset condition, because the terminal has previously tried PRACH transmission on the flexible RO and has not succeeded, the terminal is not allowed to switch to the flexible RO for PRACH transmission. By configuring the terminal not to be allowed to switch to the resource type previously tried, it can be helpful to avoid the terminal switching back to the resource that was previously tried and could not perform signal transmission, thereby helping to improve the reliability of signal transmission.

[0174] Therefore, by choosing to transmit signals on flexible resources or ordinary resources when appropriate, the terminal can ensure that it selects appropriate resources for signal transmission, reduce resource conflicts between the terminal and other terminals, and increase the probability of successful signal reception.

[0175] In some embodiments, the flexible resource is used when at least one of the following occurs:

[0176] After the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0177] After the first time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0178] Before the second time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0179] After the network side device receives the feedback signal of the activation signal;

[0180] After a third time interval after the time at which the network side device receives the feedback signal of the activation signal;

[0181] Before the terminal sends a deactivation signal;

[0182] Before a fourth time interval after the terminal sends the deactivation signal;

[0183] Before the time when the network-side device receives the feedback signal of the deactivation signal;

[0184] The network side device sends the deactivation signal and before the fifth time interval after the reception time of the feedback signal.

[0185] Optionally, the first time interval may be configured by the network or specified by a protocol. Optionally, the first time interval may be based on an uplink signal processing time.

[0186] Optionally, the second time interval may be specified by a network configuration or protocol. When the flexible resource is used before the second time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal, the activated flexible resource is automatically deactivated after the second time interval of the activation moment.

[0187] Optionally, the third time interval may be configured by a network or specified by a protocol. Optionally, the third time interval may be determined based on at least one of an uplink signal processing time and a downlink signal receiving and processing time.

[0188] Optionally, the fourth time interval may be configured by the network or specified by a protocol. Optionally, the fourth time interval may be determined according to the uplink signal processing time.

[0189] Optionally, the fifth time interval may be configured by a network or specified by a protocol. Optionally, the fifth time interval may be determined based on at least one of an uplink signal processing time and a downlink signal reception and processing time.

[0190] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can ensure that the terminal and the network side device reach a consensus on the effective time of the flexible resources by determining the time when the flexible resources are used, avoiding the terminal blindly sending signals on the flexible resources or the network side device blindly receiving signals on the flexible resources, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0191] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a communication device. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the communication method executed by the communication device as an example.

[0192] FIG7 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 700 can execute the steps executed by the terminal in the communication method 500. As shown in FIG7 , the communication device 700 includes a sending module 710.

[0193] The sending module 710 is used to send an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the network side device; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0194] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0195] When the number of signal transmission failures on the flexible resource exceeds or is not less than a first preset number, retransmitting the activation signal;

[0196] When the terminal receives a response message to the signal transmitted on the flexible resource, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal;

[0197] When the terminal receives a response message to the signal transmitted on the flexible resource, and the number of times the terminal receives the response message exceeds a second preset number, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal.

[0198] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 further includes a determining module configured to:

[0199] When the activation signal or the deactivation signal reaches a maximum number of retransmissions, it is determined that the signal transmission has failed.

[0200] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is specifically configured to:

[0201] The activation signal is retransmitted within the first time window or when the first timer does not time out.

[0202] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is specifically configured to:

[0203] The deactivation signal is retransmitted within the second time window or when the second timer does not time out.

[0204] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 further includes a receiving module configured to:

[0205] A feedback signal of the activation signal or the deactivation signal is received.

[0206] In some embodiments, the feedback signal is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0207] whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully;

[0208] Whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation;

[0209] The time when the network-side device activates or deactivates flexible resources.

[0210] In some embodiments, the receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0211] The terminal receives a specific reference signal from the network side device;

[0212] The terminal receives a response message from the network side device;

[0213] The terminal receives physical layer signaling from the network side device.

[0214] In some embodiments, the specific reference signal includes an on-demand reference signal; the on-demand reference signal is used to indicate that the activation signal is received successfully, or to indicate that the network side device performs flexible resource activation, or to indicate the time when the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation.

[0215] In some embodiments, the determination module is further configured to:

[0216] When the terminal does not receive the specific reference signal, it is determined that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or it is determined that a network-side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

[0217] In some embodiments, the determination module is further configured to:

[0218] When the terminal identifies the response message according to the preset first RNTI, it determines that the activation signal is received successfully, or determines that the network side device performs activation of the flexible resource;

[0219] When the terminal identifies the response message according to the preset second RNTI, it determines that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or determines that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

[0220] In some embodiments, the receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0221] receiving a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command from the network side device, where the first PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of the flexible resource to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation time;

[0222] A second PDCCH command is received from the network side device, where the second PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of normal resources to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation, or to instruct the network side device when to perform flexible resource deactivation.

[0223] In some embodiments, the receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0224] receiving a third PDCCH command from the network side device, where the third PDCCH command includes a first preamble ID; the first preamble ID is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation;

[0225] A fourth PDCCH command is received from the network side device, where the fourth PDCCH command includes a second preamble code identifier ID, where the second preamble code ID is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation.

[0226] In some embodiments, the receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0227] receiving a first public PDCCH from the network side device; the first public PDCCH is in a first DCI format and is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received or that the network side device performs flexible resource activation;

[0228] A second public PDCCH is received from the network side device; the second public PDCCH is in a second DCI format, and is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

[0229] In some embodiments, the receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0230] The feedback signal is received within a third time window.

[0231] In some embodiments, the starting position of the third time window includes the time of receiving the first downlink signal after sending the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

[0232] In some embodiments, the length of the third time window is N times the length of the random access response RAR window, where N is a positive integer, and N is configured by a network-side device or specified by a protocol.

[0233] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0234] If the terminal does not receive the feedback signal within the third time window, the terminal retransmits the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

[0235] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0236] The terminal retransmits the activation signal or the deactivation signal at a first time after the end of the third time window.

[0237] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0238] When the terminal determines that the flexible resource has been activated, the terminal uses the flexible resource to send the signal to the network side device.

[0239] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0240] The signal is sent to the network-side device using the flexible resource within a preset time range.

[0241] In some embodiments, the preset time range includes at least one resource configuration period.

[0242] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0243] When the terminal does not receive a response message to the signal, the terminal transmits the signal using the first nearest available resource in a next time period.

[0244] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0245] When the terminal transmits the signal for the first time, the terminal uses the flexible resource to send the signal to the network side device.

[0246] In some embodiments, the initial transmission includes at least one of the following:

[0247] Initial transmission without power ramping;

[0248] Initial transmission including repeated transmissions;

[0249] Initial transmissions not including repeated transmissions.

[0250] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0251] When a first measurement metric of a reference signal corresponding to the flexible resource meets a first preset condition, the flexible resource is used to send the signal to the network-side device.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first preset condition includes at least one of the following:

[0253] The first measurement metric is greater than or not less than a second measurement metric of a reference signal corresponding to a common time-frequency resource;

[0254] The first measurement metric is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

[0255] In some embodiments, the sending module 710 is further configured to:

[0256] When a second preset condition is met, the flexible resource is switched to the common resource to send the signal to the network side device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the second preset condition includes at least one of the following:

[0258] The number of failures of the terminal to transmit the signal on the flexible resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold;

[0259] The measurement metric of the reference signal corresponding to the flexible resource fails to meet the preset requirement;

[0260] The number of repetitions of the terminal sending a signal on the flexible resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold;

[0261] The number of retransmissions of the activation signal is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

[0262] In some embodiments, the timing when the flexible resource is used includes at least one of the following:

[0263] After the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0264] After a first time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0265] Before a second time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0266] After the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the activation signal;

[0267] After a third time interval after the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the activation signal;

[0268] Before the terminal sends the deactivation signal;

[0269] Before a fourth time interval after the terminal sends the deactivation signal;

[0270] Before the time when the network side device receives the feedback signal of sending the deactivation signal;

[0271] Before the fifth time interval after the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the deactivation signal.

[0272] In some embodiments, the flexible resources include at least one of a flexible PRACH transmission opportunity, a flexible PUSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible paging opportunity, a flexible PDSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible PDCCH transmission opportunity, and a flexible MsgA PUSCH transmission opportunity.

[0273] The communication device 700 in the embodiment of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a terminal or other device other than a terminal. For example, the terminal can include but is not limited to the types of terminal 11 listed above, and other devices can be servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0274] The communication device 700 provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement the various processes implemented by the terminal in the method embodiments of Figures 5 to 6 and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described here.

[0275] FIG8 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 can execute the steps performed by the network-side device in the communication method 500. As shown in FIG8 , the communication device 800 includes a receiving module 810.

[0276] The receiving module 810 is used to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal from the terminal; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0277] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 further includes a sending module configured to:

[0278] Sending a feedback signal of the activation signal or the deactivation signal to the terminal.

[0279] In some embodiments, the feedback signal is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0280] whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully;

[0281] Whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation;

[0282] The time when the network-side device activates or deactivates flexible resources.

[0283] In some embodiments, the sending module is specifically used for one or more of the following:

[0284] sending a specific reference signal to the terminal;

[0285] Sending a response message to the terminal;

[0286] Sending physical layer signaling to the terminal.

[0287] In some embodiments, the specific reference signal includes an on-demand reference signal; the on-demand reference signal is used to indicate that the activation signal is received successfully, or to indicate that the network side device performs flexible resource activation, or to indicate the time when the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation.

[0288] In some embodiments, the sending module is specifically used for one or more of the following:

[0289] The network side device sends a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command to the terminal, where the first PDCCH command is used to instruct the flexible resource to be used to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation time;

[0290] The network side device sends a second PDCCH command to the terminal, where the second PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of normal resources to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation, or to instruct the network side device when to perform flexible resource deactivation.

[0291] In some embodiments, the sending module is specifically used for one or more of the following:

[0292] The network-side device sends a third PDCCH command to the terminal, where the third PDCCH command includes a first preamble ID; the first preamble ID is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or to instruct the network-side device to perform flexible resource activation;

[0293] The network side device sends a fourth PDCCH command to the terminal, where the fourth PDCCH command includes a second preamble code identifier ID, where the second preamble code ID is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation.

[0294] In some embodiments, the sending module is specifically used for one or more of the following:

[0295] The network side device sends a first public PDCCH; the first public PDCCH is in a first DCI format, and is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or that the network side device performs flexible resource activation;

[0296] The network side device sends a second public PDCCH; the second public PDCCH is in a second DCI format, and is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

[0297] In some embodiments, the timing when the flexible resource is used includes at least one of the following:

[0298] After the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0299] After a first time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0300] Before a second time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal;

[0301] After the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the activation signal;

[0302] After a third time interval after the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the activation signal;

[0303] Before the terminal sends the deactivation signal;

[0304] Before a fourth time interval after the terminal sends the deactivation signal;

[0305] Before the time when the network side device receives the feedback signal of sending the deactivation signal;

[0306] Before the fifth time interval after the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the deactivation signal.

[0307] In some embodiments, the flexible resources include at least one of a flexible PRACH transmission opportunity, a flexible PUSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible paging opportunity, a flexible PDSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible PDCCH transmission opportunity, and a flexible MsgA PUSCH transmission opportunity.

[0308] The communication device in the embodiments of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a network-side device, or it can be a device other than a network-side device. For example, the network-side device can include, but is not limited to, the types of network-side devices 12 listed above. Other devices can include servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., and are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0309] The communication device 800 provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented by the network-side device in the method embodiments of Figures 5 to 6 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0310] As shown in Figure 9, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 900, including a processor 901 and a memory 902. The memory 902 stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor 901. For example, when the communication device 900 is a terminal, the program or instruction is executed by the processor m01 to implement the various steps performed by the terminal in the above-mentioned communication method 500 embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 900 is a network-side device, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 901 to implement the various steps performed by the network-side device in the above-mentioned communication method 500 embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0311] The present application also provides a terminal comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps performed by the terminal in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the aforementioned terminal-side method embodiment, and the various implementation processes and implementation methods of the terminal in the aforementioned method embodiment are applicable to this terminal embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. Specifically, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of the present application.

[0312] The terminal 1000 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 1001, a network module 1002, an audio output unit 1003, an input unit 1004, a sensor 1005, a display unit 1006, a user input unit 1007, an interface unit 1008, a memory 1009 and at least some of the components of the processor 1010.

[0313] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal 1000 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) to power various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor 1010 via a power management system, thereby enabling the power management system to manage charging, discharging, and power consumption. The terminal structure shown in FIG10 does not limit the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or may combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be described in detail here.

[0314] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the input unit 1004 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 10041 and a microphone 10042, and the graphics processor 10041 processes the image data of a static picture or video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 1006 may include a display panel 10061, and the display panel 10061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1007 includes a touch panel 10071 and at least one of other input devices 10072. The touch panel 10071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 10071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 10072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and an operating stick, which will not be repeated here.

[0315] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving downlink data from a network-side device, the RF unit 1001 may transmit the data to the processor 1010 for processing. Furthermore, the RF unit 1001 may send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the RF unit 1001 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like.

[0316] Memory 1009 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. Memory 1009 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store an operating system, applications or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.). Furthermore, memory x09 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), a synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct memory bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 1009 in the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0317] Processor 1010 may include one or more processing units. Optionally, processor 1010 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. The application processor primarily handles operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, while the modem processor primarily processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into processor 1010.

[0318] Among them, the radio frequency unit 1001 is used to send an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the network side device; the activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

[0319] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal can trigger the activation or deactivation of flexible resources by sending an activation or deactivation signal to the network-side device, so that the flexible resources are activated only when they are needed and are not activated (i.e., deactivated) when they are not needed. Therefore, when the flexible resources are inactive, there is no need to perform signal detection on the flexible resources, which can help reduce the complexity and power consumption of signal detection. At the same time, flexible resources can also be used to schedule other uplink or downlink transmissions, which can help improve resource utilization.

[0320] It can be understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0321] The present application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps performed by the network-side device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the aforementioned network-side device method embodiment, and the various implementation processes and implementation methods performed by the network-side device in the aforementioned method embodiment are applicable to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0322] Specifically, embodiments of the present application also provide a network-side device. As shown in Figure 11, the network-side device 1100 includes an antenna 111, a radio frequency device 112, a baseband device 113, a processor 114, and a memory 115. Antenna 111 is connected to radio frequency device 112. In the uplink direction, radio frequency device 112 receives information via antenna 111 and sends the received information to baseband device 113 for processing. In the downlink direction, baseband device 113 processes the information to be transmitted and sends it to radio frequency device 112. Radio frequency device 112 processes the received information and then sends it through antenna 111.

[0323] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiment may be implemented in the baseband device 113 , which includes a baseband processor.

[0324] The baseband device 113 may include, for example, at least one baseband board, on which multiple chips are arranged, as shown in Figure 11, one of the chips is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 115 through a bus interface to call the program in the memory 115 to execute the network device operations shown in the above method embodiment.

[0325] The network side device may further include a network interface 116, which is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0326] Specifically, the network side device 1100 of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 115 and executable on the processor 114. The processor 114 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 115 to execute the method of executing each module shown in Figure XXX and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0327] An embodiment of the present application also provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the various processes executed by the terminal of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment or the various processes executed by the network side device are implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0328] The processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment, or the processor in the network-side device. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0329] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes executed by the terminal of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment, or the various processes executed by the network, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0330] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0331] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes executed by the terminal of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment, or the various processes executed by the network, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0332] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a terminal and a network side device, wherein the terminal can be used to execute the steps executed by the terminal in the communication method described above, and the network side device can be used to execute the steps executed by the network side device in the communication method described above.

[0333] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0334] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general-purpose hardware platform, or of course, by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0335] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms of implementation methods without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims. These implementation methods are all within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, wherein: include: The terminal sends an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the network side device; The activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes one or more of the following: When the number of signal transmission failures on the flexible resource exceeds or is not less than a first preset number, the terminal retransmits the activation signal; When the terminal receives a response message to the signal transmitted on the flexible resource, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal; When the terminal receives a response message to the signal transmitted on the flexible resource, and the number of times the response message is received exceeds a second preset number, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Also includes: When the activation signal or the deactivation signal reaches a maximum number of retransmissions, it is determined that the signal transmission has failed.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The terminal retransmitting the activation signal includes: Within the first time window or when the first timer does not time out, the terminal retransmits the activation signal.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The terminal retransmitting the deactivation signal includes: Within the second time window or when the second timer does not time out, the terminal retransmits the deactivation signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Also includes: The terminal receives a feedback signal of the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The feedback signal is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully; Whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation; The time when the network-side device activates or deactivates flexible resources.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The terminal receives a feedback signal of the activation signal or the deactivation signal, including one or more of the following: The terminal receives a specific reference signal from the network side device; The terminal receives a response message from the network side device; The terminal receives physical layer signaling from the network side device.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The specific reference signal includes an on-demand reference signal; the on-demand reference signal is used to indicate that the activation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to indicate the time when the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: Also includes: When the terminal does not receive the specific reference signal, the terminal determines that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or determines that a network-side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein: Also includes one or more of the following: When the terminal identifies the response message according to the preset first RNTI, the terminal determines that the activation signal is received successfully, or determines that the network side device performs activation of the flexible resource activation; When the terminal identifies the response message according to the preset second RNTI, the terminal determines that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or determines that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The terminal receives physical layer signaling from the network side device, including one or more of the following: The terminal receives a first physical downlink control channel PDCCH command from the network side device, where the first PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of the flexible resource to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation time; The terminal receives a second PDCCH command from the network side device, where the second PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of common resources to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation, or to instruct the network side device when to perform flexible resource deactivation.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The terminal receives physical layer signaling from the network side device, including one or more of the following: The terminal receives a third PDCCH command from the network side device, where the third PDCCH command includes a first preamble code identifier ID; the first preamble code ID is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation; The terminal receives a fourth PDCCH command from the network side device, where the fourth PDCCH command includes a second preamble code identifier ID, where the second preamble code ID is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The terminal receives physical layer signaling from the network side device, including: The terminal receives a first public PDCCH from the network side device; the first public PDCCH is in a first DCI format, and is used to indicate that the activation signal is received successfully, or that the network side device performs flexible resource activation; The terminal receives a second public PDCCH from the network side device; the second public PDCCH is in a second DCI format, and is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

15. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein: The terminal receives a feedback signal from the network side device, including: The terminal receives the feedback signal within a third time window.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The starting position of the third time window includes the time of receiving the first downlink signal after sending the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The length of the third time window is N times the length of the random access response RAR window, where N is a positive integer, and N is configured by the network side device or specified by the protocol.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein: Also includes: If the terminal does not receive the feedback signal within the third time window, the terminal retransmits the activation signal or the deactivation signal.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The terminal retransmitting the activation signal or the deactivation signal includes: The terminal retransmits the activation signal or the deactivation signal at a first time after the end of the third time window.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: Also includes: When the terminal determines that the flexible resource has been activated, the terminal uses the flexible resource to send the signal to the network side device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: Also includes: The terminal uses the flexible resource to send the signal to the network side device within a preset time range.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The preset time range includes at least one resource configuration cycle.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein: Also includes: When the terminal does not receive a response message to the signal, the terminal transmits the signal using the first nearest available resource in a next time period.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: Also includes: When the terminal transmits the signal for the first time, the terminal uses the flexible resource to send the signal to the network side device.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The initial transmission includes at least one of the following: Initial transmission without power ramping; including initial transmissions of repeated transmissions; Initial transmissions of repeated transmissions are not included.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: Also includes: When the first measurement metric of the reference signal corresponding to the flexible resource meets a first preset condition, the terminal sends the signal to the network side device using the flexible resource.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The first preset condition includes at least one of the following: The first measurement metric is greater than or not less than a second measurement metric of a reference signal corresponding to a common time-frequency resource; The first measurement metric is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

28. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein: Also includes: When a second preset condition is met, the terminal switches from the flexible resource to the common resource to send the signal to the network side device.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: The second preset condition includes at least one of the following: The number of failures of the terminal to transmit the signal on the flexible resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold; The measurement metric of the reference signal corresponding to the flexible resource does not meet the preset requirement; The number of repetitions of the terminal sending a signal on the flexible resource is greater than or not less than a preset threshold; The number of retransmissions of the activation signal is greater than or not less than a preset threshold.

30. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 29, wherein: The timing when the flexible resource is used includes at least one of the following: After the terminal sends the activation signal; After a first time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal; Before a second time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal; After the reception time of the feedback signal of the activation signal sent by the network side device; After a third time interval after the time when the feedback signal of the activation signal is sent by the network side device; Before the terminal sends the deactivation signal; Before a fourth time interval after the terminal sends the deactivation signal; Before the time when the network side device receives the feedback signal of sending the deactivation signal; Before the fifth time interval after the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the deactivation signal.

31. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein: The flexible resources include at least one of a flexible PRACH transmission opportunity, a flexible PUSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible paging opportunity, a flexible PDSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible PDCCH transmission opportunity, and a flexible MsgA PUSCH transmission opportunity.

32. A communication method, wherein: include: The network side device receives an activation signal or a deactivation signal from the terminal; The activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein: Also includes: The network side device sends a feedback signal of the activation signal or the deactivation signal to the terminal.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein: The feedback signal is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the activation signal or deactivation signal is received successfully; Whether the network-side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation; The time when the network-side device activates or deactivates flexible resources.

35. The method according to claim 33 or 34, wherein: The feedback signal of sending the activation signal or the deactivation signal by the network side device to the terminal includes one or more of the following: The network side device sends a specific reference signal to the terminal; The network side device sends a response message to the terminal; The network side device sends physical layer signaling to the terminal.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein: The specific reference signal includes an on-demand reference signal; the on-demand reference signal is used to indicate that the activation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to indicate the time when the network side device performs flexible resource activation or deactivation.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein: The network side device sends physical layer signaling to the terminal, including one or more of the following: The network side device sends a first physical downlink control channel PDCCH command to the terminal, where the first PDCCH command is used to instruct the use of the flexible resource to transmit the signal, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation time; The network side device sends a second PDCCH command to the terminal, where the second PDCCH command is used to indicate The signal is transmitted using common resources, or the network side device is instructed to perform flexible resource deactivation, or the network side device is instructed to perform the flexible resource deactivation time.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein: The network side device sends physical layer signaling to the terminal, including one or more of the following: The network side device sends a third PDCCH command to the terminal, where the third PDCCH command includes a first preamble code identifier ID; the first preamble code ID is used to indicate that the activation signal is successfully received, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource activation; The network side device sends a fourth PDCCH command to the terminal, where the fourth PDCCH command includes a second preamble code identifier ID, where the second preamble code ID is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or to instruct the network side device to perform flexible resource deactivation.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein: The network side device sends physical layer signaling to the terminal, including one or more of the following: The network side device sends a first public PDCCH; the first public PDCCH is in a first DCI format, and is used to indicate that the activation signal is received successfully, or that the network side device performs flexible resource activation; The network side device sends a second public PDCCH; the second public PDCCH is in a second DCI format, and is used to indicate that the deactivation signal is received successfully, or that the network side device performs flexible resource deactivation.

40. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 39, wherein: The timing when the flexible resource is used includes at least one of the following: After the terminal sends the activation signal; After a first time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal; Before a second time interval after the terminal sends the activation signal; After the reception time of the feedback signal of the activation signal sent by the network side device; After a third time interval after the time when the feedback signal of the activation signal is sent by the network side device; Before the terminal sends the deactivation signal; Before a fourth time interval after the terminal sends the deactivation signal; Before the time when the network side device receives the feedback signal of sending the deactivation signal; Before the fifth time interval after the time when the network side device sends the feedback signal of the deactivation signal.

41. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 40, wherein: The flexible resources include at least one of a flexible PRACH transmission opportunity, a flexible PUSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible paging opportunity, a flexible PDSCH transmission opportunity, a flexible PDCCH transmission opportunity, and a flexible MsgA PUSCH transmission opportunity.

42. A communication device, wherein: include: A sending module, used to send an activation signal or a deactivation signal to a network side device; The activation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to activate the flexible resources used for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

43. A communication device, characterized in that: include: The receiving module is used to receive an activation signal or a deactivation signal from the terminal; the activation signal is used to send a The side device requests or notifies activation of flexible resources for signal transmission, and the deactivation signal is used to request or notify the network side device to deactivate the flexible resources.

44. A terminal, characterized in that: It includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 31 are implemented.

45. A network side device, characterized in that: It comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 32 to 42 are implemented.

46. ​​A readable storage medium, characterized in that The readable storage medium stores a program or instruction, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-31, or implements the steps of the communication method as described in any one of claims 32 to 42.

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