Communication method, terminal, network device, communication system, and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The communication method is applied to a first-type terminal, and comprises: receiving first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following: a first cell, which is used for indicating to the first-type terminal a first resource used for two-step random access, and a second cell, which is used for indicating to the first-type terminal a second resource used for four-step random access; and the first-type terminal supports a first bandwidth. By means of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a reduced-capability terminal can rationally select resources during random access.

Description

Communication method, terminal, network device, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] During the evolution of the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards, capability-constrained terminals were introduced. These terminals have limited time-frequency resources that can be scheduled. Therefore, during the random access process for capability-constrained terminals, it is necessary to rationally select resources.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium, so as to enable a capability-limited terminal to reasonably select resources during a random access process.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is applied to a first type terminal. The communication method includes: receiving first information sent by a network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element for indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type terminal; a second information element for indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type terminal. The first type terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0006] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is applied to a network device. The communication method includes: sending first information to a first type of terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element for indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type of terminal; a second information element for indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type of terminal. The first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0007] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided. The terminal is a first type terminal. The terminal includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element for indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type terminal; a second information element for indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type terminal. The first type terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a first type of terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element for indicating to the first type of terminal a first resource for two-step random access; and a second information element for indicating to the first type of terminal a second resource for four-step random access. The first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the terminal, the terminal implements the communication method described in the first aspect.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the network device, the network device implements the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a terminal and a network device. The terminal is configured to execute the communication method described in the first aspect. The network device is configured to execute the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0013] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to execute the communication method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the communication method according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0015] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a chip or chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0016] Through the embodiments of the present disclosure, a capability-limited terminal can reasonably select resources during a random access process.

[0017] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and do not constitute limitations on the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG2A is an exemplary interaction diagram of an embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG2B is an exemplary interaction diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG2C is an exemplary interaction diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG2D is an exemplary interaction diagram of yet another embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG3A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG3B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG3C is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG3D is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG4A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG4B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG4C is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG4D is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG5 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG6A is an exemplary structural diagram of a terminal provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG6B is an exemplary structural diagram of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG7A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG7B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0038] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is applied to a first type of terminal. The communication method includes receiving first information sent by a network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type of terminal; a second information element indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type of terminal. The first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0039] In the above embodiment, for the first type of terminal supporting the first bandwidth, the first resource for two-step random access or the first resource and the second resource for four-step random access can be configured. In this way, the first type of terminal can reasonably select resources for random access.

[0040] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first type of terminal may be a capability-limited terminal.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the first type of terminal may be a capability-limited terminal. Thus, by indicating the first resource and / or the second resource to the capability-limited terminal, the capability-limited terminal can reasonably select resources in random access.

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource may be located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain; or, the first resource may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0043] In the above embodiment, if the first resource is within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, the resources used for two-step random access will not exceed the first bandwidth, and the first type terminal can perform two-step random access on the first resource. If the first resource is outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, the resources used for two-step random access may exceed the first bandwidth, and the first type terminal will not perform two-step random access on the first resource.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource and the second resource may be located in a first initial BWP, which is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to the first type of terminal.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element; the above method may also include: when the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, performing two-step random access on the first resource.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain. In this case, the resources used for two-step random access do not exceed the first bandwidth, so the first type of terminal can perform two-step random access on the first resource.

[0047] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include only the first information element; the above method may also include: when the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, performing at least one of the following: performing cell reselection; determining to perform cell reselection; determining to prohibit access.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, and the first information does not indicate the second resource. In this case, the resources used for two-step random access do not exceed the first bandwidth. Therefore, the first type terminal may not perform random access and may instead perform other processing. For example, the first type terminal may perform cell reselection to perform random access to another cell.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element; the above method may also include: performing four-step random access on the second resource when the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the first resource is located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain. In this case, the resources used for the two-step random access may exceed the first bandwidth, and the first type terminal may select the second resource to perform the four-step random access.

[0051] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is applied to a network device. The communication method includes: sending first information to a first type of terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type of terminal; and a second information element indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type of terminal. The first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0052] With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first type of terminal may be a capability-limited terminal.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource may be located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain; or, the first resource may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource and the second resource may be located in a first initial BWP, which is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to the first type of terminal.

[0055] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal. The terminal is a first type terminal. The terminal includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type terminal; a second information element indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type terminal. The first type terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0056] With reference to some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first type of terminal may be a capability-limited terminal.

[0057] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource may be located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain; or, the first resource may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0058] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource and the second resource may be located in a first initial BWP, where the first initial BWP is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to the first type of terminal.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element; the transceiver module may be configured to: perform two-step random access on the first resource when the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include only the first information element; and the terminal may further include a processing module. The processing module may be configured to, when the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, perform at least one of the following: perform cell reselection; determine to perform cell reselection; or determine to prohibit access.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element; the transceiver module may be configured to: perform four-step random access on the second resource when the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device. The network device includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a first type of terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element indicating a first resource for two-step random access to the first type of terminal; and a second information element indicating a second resource for four-step random access to the first type of terminal. The first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

[0063] With reference to some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first type of terminal may be a capability-limited terminal.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource may be located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain; or, the first resource may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first resource and the second resource may be located in a first initial BWP, where the first initial BWP is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to the first type of terminal.

[0066] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal. The terminal includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the terminal, the terminal implements the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect and possible implementations thereof.

[0067] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device. The network device includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the network device, enable the network device to implement the communication method as described in any one of the second aspect and possible implementations thereof.

[0068] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system. The communication system includes a terminal and a network device. The terminal is configured to perform the communication method described in any one of the first aspect and possible implementations thereof. The network device is configured to perform the communication method described in any one of the second aspect and possible implementations thereof.

[0069] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute the communication method described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0070] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0071] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer executes the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0072] In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0073] It is understandable that the aforementioned network devices, terminals, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, and chip systems are all used to execute the communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0074] The present disclosure provides a communication method, terminal, network device, communication system, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information processing method, and information transmission method are interchangeable; the terms network element, network device, network function, and network entity are interchangeable; and the terms communication system and information processing system are interchangeable.

[0075] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0077] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English are used in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more than two.

[0080] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one", "one or more", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0081] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0082] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0083] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for example, if the description object is "information", then the "second information" and the "first information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0084] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0085] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0086] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0087] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.). For example, a network device may include at least one access network device. For another example, a network device may include at least one core network device. For another example, a network device may include at least one access network device and at least one core network device.

[0089] In some embodiments, the core network device may include at least one network element. Then, the network device including the core network device means that the network device may include at least one network element.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0092] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0094] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0095] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0096] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0097] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 110 and a network device 120 .

[0098] In some embodiments, the terminal 110 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may be a capability-constrained terminal. A capability-constrained terminal may have access to limited time-frequency resources.

[0100] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0101] In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a satellite base station, a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0102] In some embodiments, the terminal and the core network device may interact through the access network device. In some embodiments, the terminal and the core network device may interact directly. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0103] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0104] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0105] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0106] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0107] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 1, or may include other entities outside of Figure 1. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0108] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, the fourth generation mobile communication system (4 th generation mobile communication system, 4G), fifth generation mobile communication system (5 thgeneration mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), systems using other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extended from them. In addition, multiple systems can also be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G).

[0109] During the evolution of the 3GPP standard, capability-constrained terminals were proposed. Capability-constrained terminals can also be called Redcap (reduced capability) terminals or NR-lite terminals. Capability-constrained terminals generally have the following characteristics: (1) lower cost and complexity; (2) a certain degree of coverage enhancement; and (3) lower power. Unlike eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband) terminals, capability-constrained terminals are used in specific scenarios. For example, capability-constrained terminals can be used to implement industrial sensors, wearable devices, etc.

[0110] In some embodiments, in evolved versions such as R17, the time-frequency domain resources scheduled for capability-constrained terminals are limited. Therefore, capability-constrained terminals can be identified during the random access process (i.e., the terminal is indicated as a capability-constrained terminal in advance) to facilitate reasonable resource scheduling.

[0111] In some embodiments, early identification of the terminal can be achieved through RACH partition (random access channel partition). In this case, the random access resources can be divided according to the feature combination that needs to be supported. A portion of the resources in the random access resources RACH-ConfigCommon used by the four-step random access channel (4-step RACH) and the random access resources MsgA-ConfigCommon used by the two-step random access channel (2-step RACH) are respectively divided for specific feature combinations. The resource can be FeatureCombinationPreamblesList (feature combination preamble list). In other words, the divided time-frequency resources can be considered to be configured for the feature combination, and RACH-ConfigCommon and MsgA-ConfigCommon define common RACH (common RACH) resources outside the feature combination. When the terminal performs random access, it first selects a suitable random access resource in the FeatureCombinationPreamblesList. If it fails, the common RACH resource can be selected.

[0112] In some embodiments, when selecting random access resources, if two-step random access fails, a fallback to four-step random access can be used to ensure random access. In some cases, the following provision can be made: For a Redcap-specific initial uplink BWP, if MsgA-ConfigCommon is configured in that BWP, RACH-ConfigCommon is always configured. In this way, if a Redcap terminal chooses to perform random access in the Redcap-specific initial uplink BWP, four-step random access resources are required. If two-step random access fails, a fallback to four-step random access can be used to find fallback resources in that BWP.

[0113] In some cases, the evolution of the 3GPP standard may further restrict the transmission bandwidth of capability-limited terminals, especially the uplink transmission bandwidth. For example, the uplink transmission bandwidth of capability-limited terminals may be less than or equal to 5 MHz. In actual applications, for the random access resources of two-step random access, the frequency domain range of the uplink transmission (for example, MsgA-PUSCH, i.e., PUSCH in the MsgA message) configured by nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO in the MsgA-PUSCH-Config information element in the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element (IE) may exceed the uplink transmission bandwidth supported by the capability-limited terminal. The capability-limited terminal cannot successfully send MsgA-PUSCH during the two-step random access process, and the base station cannot successfully decode it. If the capability-limited terminal works in the initial uplink BWP, after falling back from two-step random access to four-step random access, it may not find fallback resources in the initial uplink BWP. Therefore, during the random access process, it is necessary to reasonably select resources for the capability-limited terminal.

[0114] FIG2A is an exemplary interaction diagram of an embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes steps S2110 to S2130.

[0115] In step S2110 , the network device 120 sends first information to the terminal 110 .

[0116] Here, the terminal 110 may receive first information from the network device 120 .

[0117] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may be a first type terminal. For example, a first type terminal is a capability-limited terminal. In one example, the capability-limited terminal may be a Redcap terminal. In one example, the capability-limited terminal may be an eRedcap (enhanced Redcap) terminal.

[0118] In some embodiments, a first-type terminal may have a first bandwidth. In other words, the first-type terminal may have a first bandwidth support capability. This first bandwidth support capability may indicate that the first-type terminal supports the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the transmission bandwidth of the first-type terminal. It is understood that compared to Redcap terminals, eRedcap terminals may have a narrower bandwidth. In one example, the first bandwidth may be 5 MHz. In another example, the first bandwidth may be less than 5 MHz. Of course, the embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit the type and characteristics of the first-type terminal.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate the time-frequency resources used for random access. In one example, the first information may be used to indicate the uplink time-frequency resources used for random access. For example, the first information may be used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the first PRACH (physical random access channel) and / or PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) in random access. In one example, the time-frequency resources indicated by the first information may be the time-frequency resources for the terminal 110 to send the PRACH during the random access process. In one example, the time-frequency resources indicated by the first information may be the time-frequency resources for the terminal 110 to send the PUSCH during the random access process.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element. The first information element is used to indicate a first resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access. In one example, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be an uplink resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first resource may be located within a first initial BWP. The first initial BWP is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to terminals of the first type. Specifically, the second initial BWP may be an initial BWP dedicated to terminals of the first type. The first initial BWP may be a public initial BWP. In other words, the first initial BWP is not limited to terminals of a specific type. In one example, the first initial BWP may correspond to a BWP-UplinkCommon information element. Specifically, the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element within the BWP-UplinkCommon information element may be configured within the first initial BWP. In one example, the second initial BWP may correspond to a FeatureCombination information element.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent via broadcast. In this case, network device 120 may send the first information to terminal 110 via broadcast. In some embodiments, the first information may be included in a system information block (SIB). In one example, the first information may be included in SIB1.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first information element may be a MsgA-ConfigCommon information element. The MsgA-ConfigCommon information element may include the resource configuration of the PRACH and / or the resource configuration of the PUSCH for two-step random access. In this case, the first resource may be the resource corresponding to the resource configuration of the PRACH and / or PUSCH of the MsgA.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first information element may include the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field for Group A in the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element. Specifically, the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element may include the MsgA-PUSCH-Config information element, and the MsgA-PUSCH-Config information element may include the MsgA-PUSCH-ResourceGroupA information element. The MsgA-PUSCH-ResourceGroupA information element is used to indicate the resource configuration within the first initial BWP. The nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field in the MsgA-PUSCH-ResourceGroupA information element is used to indicate the number of PRBs (physical resource blocks) per PUSCH opportunity.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first resource may be located in the frequency domain within the first bandwidth of terminal 110. In other words, the first resource may be within the bandwidth support capability of terminal 110. For example, the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be within the first bandwidth of terminal 110. Specifically, the lowest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field is higher than or equal to the lowest frequency of the first bandwidth, and the highest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field is lower than or equal to the highest frequency of the first bandwidth.

[0126] In step S2120 , the terminal 110 determines to perform two-step random access.

[0127] Here, the terminal 110 may determine to perform two-step random access according to the first information.

[0128] Specifically, after acquiring the first information, the terminal 110 may determine that the first resource indicated by the first information element in the first information is located in the frequency domain within the first bandwidth of the terminal 110. In this case, the terminal 110 may determine to perform two-step random access.

[0129] In step S2130 , the terminal 110 performs a two-step random access with the network device 120 .

[0130] Here, the terminal 110 may perform two-step random access with the network device 120 on the first resource.

[0131] Specifically, terminal 110 may send MsgA to network device 120 on the first resource. MsgA may include PRACH and / or PUSCH. Afterwards, terminal 110 may obtain MsgB from network device 120. MsgB is a response message to MsgA.

[0132] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2110 to S2130. For example, S2110 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2110 and S2130 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2110, S2120, and S2130 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0133] In some embodiments, steps S2120 and S2130 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0134] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2A .

[0135] FIG2B is an exemplary interaction diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2B , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes steps S2210 to S2230.

[0136] In step S2210 , the network device 120 sends first information to the terminal 110 .

[0137] Here, the terminal 110 may receive first information from the network device 120 .

[0138] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may be a first type terminal. The first type terminal may be, for example, a capability-limited terminal. In one example, the capability-limited terminal may be a Redcap terminal. In another example, the capability-limited terminal may be an eRedcap terminal.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element. The first information element is used to indicate a first resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access. In one example, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be an uplink resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access. The second information element is used to indicate a second resource used by the first type terminal for four-step random access. In one example, the second resource indicated by the second information element may be an uplink resource used by the first type terminal for four-step random access.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first resource may be located within a first initial BWP. In one example, the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element in the BWP-UplinkCommon information element may be configured within the first initial BWP.

[0141] In some embodiments, the second resource may be located within the first initial BWP. In one example, the RACH-ConfigCommon information element in the BWP-UplinkCommon information element may be configured within the first initial BWP.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent via broadcast. In this case, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 via broadcast. In some embodiments, the first information may be included in a SIB. In one example, the first information may be included in SIB1.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first information element may be a MsgA-ConfigCommon information element.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first resource may be located in the frequency domain within the first bandwidth of terminal 110. In other words, the first resource may be within the bandwidth support capability of terminal 110. For example, the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be within the first bandwidth of terminal 110. Specifically, the lowest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field is higher than or equal to the lowest frequency of the first bandwidth, and the highest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field is lower than or equal to the highest frequency of the first bandwidth.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second information element may be a RACH-ConfigCommon information element.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second resource may be located within the first bandwidth of terminal 110 in the frequency domain.

[0147] It is understandable that in this embodiment, even if the first resource used for two-step random access is located within the first bandwidth, the first information may also indicate the second resource. In other words, regardless of whether the first resource indicated by the first information element is located within the first bandwidth, the first information may include the second information element.

[0148] In step S2220 , the terminal 110 determines to perform two-step random access.

[0149] Here, the terminal 110 may determine to perform two-step random access according to the first information.

[0150] Specifically, after acquiring the first information, the terminal 110 may determine that the first resource indicated by the first information element in the first information is located in the frequency domain within the first bandwidth of the terminal 110. In this case, the terminal 110 may determine to perform two-step random access.

[0151] It is understandable that, although the first information includes the first information element and the second information element, because the first resource indicated by the first information element meets the first bandwidth requirement of the terminal 110, the terminal 110 may preferentially choose to perform two-step random access.

[0152] In step S2230 , the terminal 110 performs a two-step random access with the network device 120 .

[0153] Here, the terminal 110 may perform two-step random access with the network device 120 on the first resource.

[0154] Specifically, terminal 110 may send MsgA to network device 120 on the first resource. MsgA may include PRACH and / or PUSCH. Afterwards, terminal 110 may obtain MsgB from network device 120. MsgB is a response message to MsgA.

[0155] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2210 to S2230. For example, S2210 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, a combination of steps S2210 and S2230 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of steps S2210, S2220, and S2230 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0156] In some embodiments, steps S2220 and S2230 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0157] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2B .

[0158] FIG2C is an exemplary interaction diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2C , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes steps S2310 to S2330.

[0159] In step S2310 , the network device 120 sends first information to the terminal 110 .

[0160] Here, the terminal 110 may receive first information from the network device 120 .

[0161] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may be a first type terminal. The first type terminal may be, for example, a capability-limited terminal. In one example, the capability-limited terminal may be a Redcap terminal. In another example, the capability-limited terminal may be an eRedcap terminal.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element. The first information element is used to indicate a first resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access. In one example, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be an uplink resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access. The second information element is used to indicate a second resource used by the first type terminal for four-step random access. In one example, the second resource indicated by the second information element may be an uplink resource used by the first type terminal for four-step random access.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first resource may be located within a first initial BWP. In one example, the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element in the BWP-UplinkCommon information element may be configured within the first initial BWP.

[0164] In some embodiments, the second resource may be located within the first initial BWP. In one example, the RACH-ConfigCommon information element in the BWP-UplinkCommon information element may be configured within the first initial BWP.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent via broadcast. In this case, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 via broadcast. In some embodiments, the first information may be included in a SIB. In one example, the first information may be included in SIB1.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first information element may be a MsgA-ConfigCommon information element.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first resource may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of terminal 110 in the frequency domain. In other words, the first resource may be located outside the bandwidth support capability of terminal 110. For example, the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may exceed the first bandwidth of terminal 110. For example, the lowest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be lower than the lowest frequency of the first bandwidth. For example, the highest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be higher than the highest frequency of the first bandwidth. For example, the lowest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be higher than the highest frequency of the first bandwidth.

[0168] In some embodiments, the second information element may be a RACH-ConfigCommon information element.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second resource may be located within the first bandwidth of terminal 110 in the frequency domain.

[0170] It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, if the first resource of the two-step random access is at least partially outside the first bandwidth, the first information may also indicate the second resource. In other words, if the first resource indicated by the first information element exceeds the first bandwidth, the first information may include the second information element. On the other hand, if the first resource of the two-step random access is within the first bandwidth, the first information may not indicate the second resource. This can be considered the situation shown in Figure 2A and will not be further described here.

[0171] In step S2320 , the terminal 110 determines to perform four-step random access.

[0172] Here, the terminal 110 may determine to perform four-step random access according to the first information.

[0173] Specifically, after obtaining the first information, terminal 110 may determine that the first resource indicated by the first information element in the first information is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of terminal 110 in the frequency domain. In this case, terminal 110 may determine to perform four-step random access. This means falling back from two-step random access to four-step random access.

[0174] It can be understood that, when the first resource indicated by the first information element does not meet the first bandwidth requirement of the terminal 110, the terminal 110 may choose to perform four-step random access.

[0175] In step S2330 , the terminal 110 performs a four-step random access with the network device 120 .

[0176] Here, the terminal 110 may perform four-step random access with the network device 120 on the second resource.

[0177] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2310 to S2330. For example, S2310 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2310 and S2330 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2310, S2320, and S2330 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0178] In some embodiments, steps S2320 and S2330 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0179] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2C .

[0180] FIG2D is an exemplary interaction diagram of another embodiment of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2D , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes steps S2410 and S2420.

[0181] In step S2410 , the network device 120 sends first information to the terminal 110 .

[0182] Here, the terminal 110 may receive first information from the network device 120 .

[0183] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may be a first type terminal. The first type terminal may be, for example, a capability-limited terminal. In one example, the capability-limited terminal may be a Redcap terminal. In another example, the capability-limited terminal may be an eRedcap terminal.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element. The first information element is used to indicate a first resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access. In one example, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be an uplink resource used by the first type terminal for two-step random access.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first resource may be located within a first initial BWP. In one example, the MsgA-ConfigCommon information element in the BWP-UplinkCommon information element may be configured within the first initial BWP.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent via broadcast. In this case, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 via broadcast. In some embodiments, the first information may be included in a SIB. In one example, the first information may be included in SIB1.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first information element may be a MsgA-ConfigCommon information element.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first resource may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of terminal 110 in the frequency domain. In other words, the first resource may be located outside the bandwidth support capability of terminal 110. For example, the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may exceed the first bandwidth of terminal 110. For example, the lowest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be lower than the lowest frequency of the first bandwidth. For example, the highest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be higher than the highest frequency of the first bandwidth. For example, the lowest frequency of the bandwidth corresponding to the nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO field may be higher than the highest frequency of the first bandwidth.

[0189] It can be understood that, in this embodiment, the first resource of the two-step random access indicated by the first information element is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth, and the first information does not include the second information element.

[0190] In step S2420 , terminal 110 performs a first processing action.

[0191] Here, the terminal 110 may determine to execute the first processing action according to the first information.

[0192] Specifically, after acquiring the first information, terminal 110 may determine that the first resource indicated by the first information element in the first information is at least partially located in the frequency domain outside the first bandwidth of terminal 110. In this case, terminal 110 may perform a first processing action.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first processing action may be that terminal 110 may continue to perform cell reselection. In one example, terminal 110 may continue to perform measurements and evaluations related to cell reselection. In this way, terminal 110 may not return to the second initial BWP for random access.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first processing action may be that terminal 110 may determine to perform cell reselection. For example, terminal 110 may determine, based on terminal implementation, to continue measurements and evaluations related to cell reselection. It is understood that in some cases, terminal 110 may determine not to continue cell reselection.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first processing action may be: terminal 110 may determine to prohibit access. In this case, terminal 110 may determine whether intra-frequency cell reselection is permitted or prohibited (i.e., not permitted) according to the protocol. In one example, if intra-frequency cell reselection is permitted, terminal 110 may continue with intra-frequency cell reselection.

[0196] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S2410 and step S2420. For example, step S2410 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2410 and S2420 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0197] In some embodiments, step S2420 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0198] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2D .

[0199] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0200] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0201] In some embodiments, the terms "DCI", "DL assignment", "DL DCI", "UL grant", "UL DCI" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0202] In some embodiments, terms such as "PDSCH" and "DL data" may be used interchangeably, and terms such as "PUSCH" and "UL data" may be used interchangeably.

[0203] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0204] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0205] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0206] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "some", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "some A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, some A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0207] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0208] FIG3A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by terminal 110. The communication method includes steps S3110 to S3130.

[0209] In step S3110, first information is obtained.

[0210] Optional implementations of step S3110 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2110 in Figure 2A, step S2210 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0211] In some embodiments, the terminal 110 may receive the first information sent by the network device 120 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be located within the first bandwidth of the terminal 110 .

[0215] In step S3120, it is determined to perform two-step random access.

[0216] Optional implementations of step S3120 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2120 in Figure 2A, step S2220 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0217] In some embodiments, the two-step random access may be determined based on the first information.

[0218] In step S3130, two-step random access is performed.

[0219] Optional implementations of step S3130 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2130 in Figure 2A, step S2230 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may interact with network device 120 to implement two-step random access.

[0221] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3110 to S3130. For example, S3110 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3110 and S3130 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3110, S3120, and S3130 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0222] In some embodiments, steps S3120 and S3130 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0223] FIG3B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by terminal 110. The communication method includes steps S3210 to S3230.

[0224] In step S3210, first information is obtained.

[0225] Optional implementations of step S3210 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2310 in FIG2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2C , which will not be described in detail here.

[0226] In some embodiments, the terminal 110 may receive the first information sent by the network device 120 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of the terminal 110 .

[0229] In step S3220, it is determined to perform four-step random access.

[0230] Optional implementations of step S3220 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2320 in FIG2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2C , which will not be described in detail here.

[0231] In some embodiments, the four-step random access may be determined based on the first information.

[0232] In step S3230, four-step random access is performed.

[0233] Optional implementations of step S3230 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2330 in FIG2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2C , which will not be described in detail here.

[0234] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may interact with network device 120 to implement four-step random access.

[0235] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3210 to S3230. For example, S3210 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3210 and S3230 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3210, S3220, and S3230 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0236] In some embodiments, steps S3220 and S3230 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0237] FIG3C is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by terminal 110. The communication method includes steps S3310 to S3330.

[0238] In step S3310, first information is obtained.

[0239] Optional implementations of step S3310 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2110 in Figure 2A, step S2210 in Figure 2B, step S2310 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] In some embodiments, the terminal 110 may receive the first information sent by the network device 120 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and / or a second information element.

[0242] In step S3320, it is determined to perform random access.

[0243] Optional implementations of step S3320 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2120 in Figure 2A, step S2220 in Figure 2B, step S2320 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] In some embodiments, random access may be determined based on the first information.

[0245] In some embodiments, the random access may be a two-step random access.

[0246] In some embodiments, the random access may be a four-step random access.

[0247] In step S3330, random access is performed.

[0248] Optional implementations of step S3330 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2130 in Figure 2A, step S2230 in Figure 2B, step S2330 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0249] In some embodiments, terminal 110 may interact with network device 120 to implement random access.

[0250] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3310 to S3330. For example, S3310 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3310 and S3330 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3310, S3320, and S3330 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0251] In some embodiments, steps S3320 and S3330 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0252] FIG3D is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3D , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by terminal 110. The communication method includes steps S3410 and S3420.

[0253] In step S3410, first information is obtained.

[0254] The optional implementation of step S3410 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2410 in Figure 2D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0255] In some embodiments, the terminal 110 may receive the first information sent by the network device 120 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of the terminal 110 .

[0258] In step S3420, a first processing action is performed.

[0259] The optional implementation of step S3420 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2420 in Figure 2D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S3410 and step S3420. For example, step S3410 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3410 and S3420 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0261] In some embodiments, step S3420 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0262] FIG4A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by network device 120. The communication method includes steps S4110 and S4120.

[0263] In step S4110, the first information is sent.

[0264] Optional implementations of step S4110 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2110 in Figure 2A, step S2210 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0265] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the first information to other entities.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be located within the first bandwidth of the terminal 110 .

[0269] In step S4120, two-step random access is performed.

[0270] Optional implementations of step S4120 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2130 in Figure 2A, step S2230 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0271] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may interact with the terminal 110 to implement two-step random access.

[0272] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S4110 and step S4120. For example, step S4110 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4110 and S4120 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0273] In some embodiments, step S4120 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0274] FIG4B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by network device 120. The communication method includes steps S4210 and S4220.

[0275] In step S4210, the first information is sent.

[0276] The optional implementation of step S4210 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2310 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the first information to other entities.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and a second information element.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of the terminal 110 .

[0280] In step S4220, four-step random access is performed.

[0281] The optional implementation of step S4220 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2330 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may interact with the terminal 110 to implement four-step random access.

[0283] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S4210 and step S4220. For example, step S4210 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4210 and S4220 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0284] In some embodiments, step S4220 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0285] FIG4C is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4C , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by network device 120. The communication method includes steps S4310 and S4320.

[0286] In step S4310, the first information is sent.

[0287] Optional implementations of step S4310 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2110 in Figure 2A, step S2210 in Figure 2B, step S2310 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0288] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the first information to other entities.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element and / or a second information element.

[0290] In step S4320, random access is performed.

[0291] Optional implementations of step S4320 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2130 in Figure 2A, step S2230 in Figure 2B, step S2330 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may interact with the terminal 110 to implement random access.

[0293] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S4310 and step S4320. For example, step S4310 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4310 and S4320 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0294] In some embodiments, step S4320 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0295] FIG4D is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4D , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by network device 120. The communication method includes step S4410.

[0296] In step S4410, the first information is sent.

[0297] Optional implementations of step S4410 can refer to the optional implementations of step S2410 in FIG2D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in FIG2D , which will not be described in detail here.

[0298] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may send the first information to the terminal 110 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the first information to other entities.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first information may include a first information element.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first resource indicated by the first information element may be at least partially located outside the first bandwidth of the terminal 110 .

[0301] FIG5 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes step S510.

[0302] In step S510 , the network device 120 sends first information to the terminal 110 .

[0303] Optional implementations of step S510 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2110 in Figure 2A, step S2210 in Figure 2B, step S2310 in Figure 2C, step S2410 in Figure 2D, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, which will not be repeated here.

[0304] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may include the method described in the aforementioned embodiments of the communication system side, network device side, terminal side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0305] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplarily described through specific implementation methods.

[0306] In some embodiments, a specific type of terminal (i.e., a first type of terminal) selects resources during the random access process. In one example, the first type of terminal may be a terminal with limited bandwidth capabilities. In one example, the first type of terminal does not transmit uplink data (PUSCH) exceeding a specific bandwidth threshold (i.e., a first bandwidth). This bandwidth threshold may be, for example, 5 MHz. In one example, the first type of terminal may be an eRedcap terminal in Release 18.

[0307] In some scenarios, according to protocol agreements, for the first initial BWP, to support random access by terminals of the first type, if only transmission resources for the two-step random access channel (i.e., first resources) are configured, the transmission resources for the configured two-step random access channel must meet the bandwidth requirements of terminals of the first type. This ensures that the terminals can find random access resources for access.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first initial BWP may be an existing (legacy) initial BWP for terminals other than Redcap (e.g., eMBB). The first initial BWP may be distinguished from the second initial BWP. The second initial BWP may be an initial BWP dedicated to Redcap terminals.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first type terminal may select the first initial BWP if the second initial BWP is not configured.

[0310] In some embodiments, resources used by the first type of terminal for transmission of uplink data (PUSCH) do not exceed a specific bandwidth threshold (eg, 5 MHz) in the frequency domain.

[0311] In some embodiments, the transmission resources configured for the two-step random access channel can meet the bandwidth requirements of the first type of terminals. That is, the resources used by the first type of terminals for uplink data (PUSCH) transmission do not exceed a specific bandwidth threshold (e.g., 5 MHz) in the frequency domain.

[0312] In some embodiments, in the transmission resources configured for the two-step random access channel, the bandwidth range (e.g., nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO) in the resource configuration of the MsgA-PUSCH corresponding to group A can meet the bandwidth requirements of the first type of terminal. In other words, the bandwidth range does not exceed a specific bandwidth threshold (e.g., 5 MHz).

[0313] In some scenarios, according to the protocol, for the first initial BWP, transmission resources for a two-step random access channel are configured to support random access by a first type of terminal. In this case, if the transmission resources for the two-step random access channel do not meet the bandwidth requirements of the first type of terminal, the network (i.e., the network device) can configure transmission resources for a four-step random access channel (i.e., the second resource) on the first initial BWP. Alternatively, if transmission resources for a two-step random access channel are configured, the network can configure transmission resources for a four-step random access channel on the first initial BWP. In this way, it can be ensured that the terminal can find random access resources for access.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first initial BWP may be a legacy initial BWP. The first initial BWP may be distinguishable from the second initial BWP. The second initial BWP may be an initial BWP dedicated to a Redcap terminal.

[0315] In some embodiments, the first type terminal may select the first initial BWP if the second initial BWP is not configured.

[0316] In some embodiments, resources used by the first type of terminal for transmission of uplink data (PUSCH) do not exceed a specific bandwidth threshold (eg, 5 MHz) in the frequency domain.

[0317] In some embodiments, the transmission resources configured for the two-step random access channel can meet the bandwidth requirements of the first type of terminals. That is, the resources used by the first type of terminals for uplink data (PUSCH) transmission do not exceed a specific bandwidth threshold (e.g., 5 MHz) in the frequency domain.

[0318] In some embodiments, within the transmission resources configured for the two-step random access channel, the bandwidth range (e.g., nrofPRBs-PerMsgA-PO) in the resource configuration for the MsgA-PUSCH corresponding to group A may not meet the bandwidth requirements of the first type of terminal. In other words, the bandwidth range exceeds a specific bandwidth threshold (e.g., 5 MHz). In this case, the network may configure transmission resources for the four-step random access channel on the first initial BWP.

[0319] In some scenarios, according to protocol specifications, only transmission resources for the two-step random access channel are configured for the first initial BWP to support random access by a first type of terminal. These resources do not meet the bandwidth requirements of the first type of terminal. Understandably, no transmission resources for the four-step random access channel are configured in this scenario. In this case, the terminal cannot find resources to initiate random access. The following describes the terminal's behavior in this situation.

[0320] In some embodiments, the terminal may (or should) continue to perform measurements and evaluations related to cell reselection.

[0321] In some embodiments, the terminal may decide whether to continue measurements and evaluations related to cell reselection based on terminal implementation.

[0322] In some embodiments, the terminal may consider the cell to be prohibited and allow or disallow intra-frequency cell reselection according to protocol agreement.

[0323] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0324] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication device for implementing any of the above methods. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide another communication device, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the network device in any of the above methods. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide another communication device, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods.

[0325] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above devices is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above devices, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0326] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by a dedicated integrated circuit or a programmable logic device, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0327] Figure 6A is an exemplary structural diagram of a terminal provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, terminal 110 may include a transceiver module 6101 and a processing module 6102. In some embodiments, transceiver module 6101 is configured to receive first information. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element for indicating a first resource for two-step random access to a first type terminal; and a second information element for indicating a second resource for four-step random access to a first type terminal. The first type terminal supports a first bandwidth. Optionally, transceiver module 6101 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2110, S2130, S2210, S2230, S2310, S2330, S2410, S3110, S3130, S3210, S3230, S3310, S3330, S3410, and S510) performed by terminal 110 in any of the above methods, which are not further described here. Optionally, the processing module 6102 can be configured to perform at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S2120, S2220, S2320, S2340, S3120, S3220, S3320, S3420) other than the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal 110 in any of the above methods, which are not repeated here.

[0328] Figure 6B is an exemplary structural diagram of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, the network device 120 may include a transceiver module 6201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is configured to send first information to a first type of terminal. The first information includes at least one of the following: a first information element for indicating to the first type of terminal a first resource for two-step random access; and a second information element for indicating to the first type of terminal a second resource for four-step random access. The first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth. Optionally, the transceiver module 6201 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2110, S2130, S2210, S2230, S2310, S2330, S2410, S4110, S4120, S4210, S4220, S4310, S4320, S4410, and S510) performed by the network device 120 in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0329] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module. The transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0330] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0331] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 7100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), or a terminal (e.g., a user device, etc.), or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0332] As shown in Figure 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 7100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 7101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0333] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7102. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7102, the transceiver 7102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2110, S2130, S2210, S2230, S2310, S2330, and S2410, but not limited thereto) of transmitting and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2120, S2220, S2320, and S2340, but not limited thereto). In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be replaced with each other, terms such as transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit can be replaced with each other, and terms such as receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit can be replaced with each other.

[0334] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 7103 may be located outside the communication device 7100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuits 7104 are connected to the memories 7103 and may be configured to receive data from the memories 7103 or other devices, or to send data to the memories 7103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 7104 may read data stored in the memories 7103 and send the data to the processor 7101.

[0335] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0336] FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 shown in FIG7B , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0337] The chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201. The chip 7200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0338] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Alternatively, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 7203 may be located external to chip 7200. Optionally, interface circuit 7202 is connected to memory 7203 and may be used to receive data from memory 7203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 7202 may read data stored in memory 7203 and send the data to processor 7201.

[0339] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps of sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2110, S2130, S2210, S2230, S2310, S2330, and S2410, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 7202 performing the communication steps of sending and / or receiving in the above method, for example, means that the interface circuit 7202 performs data exchange between the processor 7201, the chip 7200, the memory 7203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2120, S2220, S2320, and S2340, but not limited thereto).

[0340] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0341] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 7100, the communication device 7100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0342] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 7100, enables the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0343] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0344] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow from the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0345] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to a first type of terminal, the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a network device, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following: a first cell, used to indicate, to the first type of terminal, a first resource for two-step random access; a second cell, used to indicate, to the first type of terminal, a second resource for four-step random access; wherein the first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the first type of terminal is a terminal with limited capabilities.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain; or the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the first resource and the second resource are located within a first initial BWP, and the first initial BWP is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to the first type of terminal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the first information comprises the first cell; and wherein the method further comprises: performing the two-step random access on the first resource when the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the first information only comprises the first cell; and wherein the method further comprises: when the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain, performing at least one of the following: performing cell reselection; determining to perform cell reselection; determining to prohibit access.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the first information comprises the first cell and the second cell; and wherein the method further comprises: performing the four-step random access on the second resource when the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

8. A communication method, applied to a network device, the method comprises: sending first information to a first type of terminal, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following: a first cell, used to indicate, to the first type of terminal, a first resource for two-step random access; a second cell, used to indicate, to the first type of terminal, a second resource for four-step random access; wherein the first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the first type of terminal is a terminal with limited capabilities.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, the first resource is located within the first bandwidth in the frequency domain; or the first resource is at least partially located outside the first bandwidth in the frequency domain.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, the first resource and the second resource are located within a first initial BWP, and the first initial BWP is different from a second initial BWP dedicated to the first type of terminal.

12. A terminal, the terminal is a first type of terminal, the terminal comprises: A transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a network device, where the first information includes at least one of the following: A first cell, used to indicate, to the first type of terminal, a first resource for two-step random access; A second cell, used to indicate, to the first type of terminal, a second resource for four-step random access; Wherein, the first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

13. A network device, Comprising: A transceiver module, configured to send first information to a first type of terminal, where the first information includes at least one of the following: A first cell, used to send, to the first type of terminal, a first resource for two-step random access; A second cell, used to send, to the first type of terminal, a second resource for four-step random access; Wherein, the first type of terminal supports a first bandwidth.

14. A terminal, Comprising: One or more processors; A memory storing instructions; Wherein, when the instructions are executed by the terminal, the terminal implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

15. A network device, Comprising: One or more processors; A memory storing instructions; Wherein, when the instructions are executed by the network device, the network device implements the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

16. A communication system, comprising a terminal and a network device, Wherein, The terminal is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the network device is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

17. A storage medium, the storage medium stores instructions, Wherein, When the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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