Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus. A first apparatus receives first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, the first numerical range being associated with a first range of a first factor, and the second numerical range being associated with a second range of the first factor; on the basis of a range of the first factor corresponding to the first apparatus, the first apparatus uses the first numerical range or the second numerical range to determine a first initial value; and when the value of a first counter gradually decreases from the first initial value to 0, the first apparatus sends first random information. A different apparatus can determine a corresponding numerical range on the basis of a range of a first factor corresponding to the apparatus, so that different apparatuses can use different access conditions without the need to compete for access under a same condition, reducing an access conflict between devices, allowing a device that intends to access as soon as possible to access earlier, and improving the access success rate.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on April 2, 2024, with application number 202410397391.9 and application name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Currently, the Internet of Things (IoT) is attracting much attention. In IoT scenarios, by reducing device size and complexity, it is expected that the number of devices that can be accommodated in IoT scenarios will increase. IoT devices can include a variety of types, such as those that require batteries, those that do not, or those with limited energy storage, where the batteries do not need to be manually replaced or charged. IoT devices that do not require batteries or have limited energy storage are also called ambient IoT (AIoT) devices. AIoT devices can provide services and communications by harvesting energy from the environment.

[0005] AIoT devices access the network through a competition-based approach. If access fails, they attempt again in the next round. This competition model may cause some AIoT devices to take a long time to access the network. However, some AIoT devices prefer to access the network as quickly as possible, and the current competition mechanism cannot meet these needs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for enabling different devices to access based on different conditions, thereby reducing contention conflicts between devices and improving the access success rate of the devices.

[0007] In a first aspect, a first communication method is provided. The method is applied to a first device, that is, the method can be performed by the first device. The first device may be, for example, a standalone device, or a system-on-chip (SoC) or functional module included in another device, which is capable of implementing the functions of the first device. The other device may be, for example, a network device or a terminal device. The network device may include, for example, a reader / writer or interrogator, or may also include access network equipment and / or core network equipment; the terminal device may include, for example, a tag; and the access network device may be, for example, a base station. Optionally, the first device may be, for example, an AIoT device. The method includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, wherein the first numerical range is associated with a first range of a first factor, the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor, and the first and second numerical ranges are different; determining a first initial value using the first numerical range or the second numerical range based on the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, wherein the first initial value is greater than or equal to 0; and transmitting first random information when the value of a first counter decreases from the first initial value to 0.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range. Different numerical ranges may be used for different ranges of the first factor, and the first device also corresponds to the corresponding range of the first factor, so that the first device can determine which numerical range the first device should use. That is, different devices can determine the corresponding numerical range based on the range of the first factor corresponding to the device, which is equivalent to different devices being able to use different access conditions without having to compete for access under the same conditions. This reduces access conflicts between devices, allows devices that wish to access as quickly as possible to access as soon as possible, and improves the access success rate.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, and the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range; or, the first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection; or, the first numerical range and the second numerical range have a partial intersection. The relationship between the first numerical range and the second numerical range can have multiple relationships, which is relatively flexible.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, wherein the lower limit of the first numerical range is the same as the lower limit of the second numerical range, and the upper limit of the second numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the first numerical range; or, the upper limit of the first numerical range is the same as the upper limit of the second numerical range, and the lower limit of the second numerical range is less than the lower limit of the first numerical range. If the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, the position of the first numerical range in the second numerical range is not limited. For example, if the upper limit of the first numerical range is the same as the upper limit of the second numerical range, the time determined according to the second numerical range may be earlier than the time determined according to the first numerical range. For example, the second range of the first factor corresponds to a high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority. In this way, the high-priority device can be accessed as early as possible, so that the high-priority device can perform the service as soon as possible, and / or the power consumption of the high-priority device during the access process can be reduced.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range and the second numerical range do not intersect, wherein the upper limit of the first numerical range is less than the lower limit of the second numerical range; or the lower limit of the first numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the second numerical range. If the first numerical range and the second numerical range do not intersect, the positional relationship between the first numerical range and the second numerical range is not limited.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range and the second numerical range do not intersect, wherein the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range. For example, the second range of the first factor corresponds to a high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority. In this manner, high-priority devices have more optional time to access, thereby improving the access success rate of high-priority devices.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information is used to indicate the first numerical range and the second numerical range, including: the first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range; or the first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, the first scaling factor being used to determine the first numerical range, and the second scaling factor being used to determine the second numerical range. The first indication information may directly include the numerical range, or may also include other information used to determine the numerical range, such as a scaling factor, providing a flexible approach.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, wherein the first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, the first numerical range is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor; or, the first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes one or more second lists, each second list includes numerical ranges associated with different ranges of the first factor, the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range is included in one of the second lists, and different second lists are associated with different first factors. For example, the first list may include numerical ranges associated with different first factors, allowing different devices to select numerical ranges corresponding to different first factors, which is more flexible. Alternatively, the numerical ranges in the first list may all be associated with the same first factor, which can reduce the overhead of the first list.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, wherein the first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second scaling factor is associated with a second range of the first factor; or, the first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes one or more fourth lists, wherein each fourth list includes scaling factors associated with different ranges of the first factor, the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor are included in one of the fourth lists, and different fourth lists are associated with different first factors.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: determining a range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on a range of the second factor corresponding to the first device. The first device may directly determine the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, or the first device may be unable to directly determine the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device. In this case, the first device may determine the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device, and then determine the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on this range.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes receiving third information, the third information being used to determine a range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on a range of the second factor corresponding to the first device. The third information may be, for example, predefined by a protocol, or may be from the second device, or may be from a device other than the second device.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, before determining the first initial value, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information being used to determine the second initial value; setting the value of the second counter to the second initial value, the second initial value being greater than or equal to 0, the second counter being the first counter, or being a third counter different from the first counter. For example, the first device may first set the value of the second counter to the second initial value, and when the value of the second counter decreases to 0, the first device counts according to the first initial value. In this way, the first device can count or time according to the message from the second device. Even if the capability of the first device is low (for example, timing cannot be achieved), the solution of the embodiment of the present application can be implemented, thereby expanding the scope of application of the embodiment of the present application.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: if the second initial value is greater than 0, receiving a first message; decrementing the value of the second counter according to the first message until the value of the second counter reaches 0; and setting the value of the first counter to the first initial value. The first device can decrement the second counter according to the message from the second device, eliminating the need for the first device to perform its own counting or timing, thereby simplifying the implementation of the first device.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: if the second initial value is 0, setting the value of the first counter to the first initial value. If the second initial value is 0, the first device does not need to decrement the second counter.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information is included in a second message, wherein the second message is used to instruct a first type of device to access, or to instruct a first type of device to perform a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or, the second message is used to instruct the first device to perform access, or to indicate information used to determine a second initial value of the first counter; or, the second message is used to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to instruct a next device to access, or to indicate a next access timing, or to enable at least one device to acquire synchronization, or to perform access conflict resolution for at least one device. The second message can be implemented in various ways, without limitation.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: receiving a third message; if the third message includes the first random information, determining that access is successful; otherwise, determining that access is unsuccessful. The second device may send a third message. For example, if the second device receives certain random information, the third message may include the random information. If the third message includes the first random information sent by the first device, the first device confirms that access is successful; otherwise, the first device confirms that access is unsuccessful. If access fails, the first device may optionally continue access in the next access round.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the first factor includes one or more of the following: service type, power consumption, device type, or priority. Alternatively, the first factor may also include other items, such as energy saving requirements.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, and the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service and the second range is downlink service; or, the first factor is the power, the first range is a high power range, and the second range is a low power range; or, the first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, the first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

[0025] In an optional embodiment, the first device is an AIoT device, or may be another type of device.

[0026] In a second aspect, a second communication method is provided, which is applied to the second device side, that is, the method can be executed by the second device. The second device is, for example, an independent device, or a chip system or functional module included in other devices, and the chip system or functional module can realize the function of the second device. The other device is, for example, a network device or a terminal device. The network device includes, for example, a reader or an interrogator, etc., or may also include an access network device and / or a core network device. The method includes: sending a first indication message, the first indication message is used to indicate a first numerical range and a second numerical range, the first numerical range and the second numerical range are associated with different ranges of a first factor, the first numerical range and the second numerical range are different, and the first numerical range and the second numerical range are both used to determine the first initial value of the counter of the device to be accessed, the first initial value is greater than or equal to 0; detecting random information at at least one access moment.

[0027] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, and the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range; or, the first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection; or, the first numerical range and the second numerical range have a partial intersection.

[0028] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, wherein the lower limit of the first numerical range is the same as the lower limit of the second numerical range, and the upper limit of the second numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the first numerical range; or, the upper limit of the first numerical range is the same as the upper limit of the second numerical range, and the lower limit of the second numerical range is less than the lower limit of the first numerical range.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, wherein the upper limit of the first numerical range is less than the lower limit of the second numerical range; or, the lower limit of the first numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the second numerical range.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, wherein the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and a second numerical range, including: the first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range; or, the first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is used to determine the first numerical range, and the second scaling factor is used to determine the second numerical range.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, wherein the first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, the first numerical range is associated with the first range of the first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with the second range of the first factor; or, the first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes one or more second lists, wherein each second list includes a numerical range associated with a different range of the first factor, the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range is included in one of the second lists, and different second lists are associated with different first factors.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, wherein the first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second scaling factor is associated with a second range of the first factor; or, the first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes one or more fourth lists, wherein each fourth list includes scaling factors associated with different ranges of the first factor, the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor are included in one of the fourth lists, and different fourth lists are associated with different first factors.

[0034] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending third information, where the third information is used to determine a range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on a range of the second factor corresponding to the first device.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, before determining the first initial value, the method further includes: sending second information, the second information is used to determine a second initial value, the second initial value is used to set a second counter, the second counter is the first counter, or a third counter different from the first counter, and the second initial value is greater than or equal to 0.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information is included in a second message, wherein the second message is used to instruct a first type of device to access, or to instruct a first type of device to perform a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or, the second message is used to instruct the first device to perform access, or to indicate information used to determine a second initial value of the first counter; or, the second message is used to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to instruct the next device to access, or to indicate the next access timing, or to enable at least one device to obtain synchronization, or to resolve conflicts for access of at least one device.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: obtaining fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate a range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be connected, and / or indicate the number of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, sending the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information according to the fourth information; and / or determining the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range according to the fourth information.

[0039] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending a third message, where the third message includes the random information.

[0040] In an optional implementation, the first factor includes one or more of the following: service type, power level, device type, or priority.

[0041] In an optional embodiment, the first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, and the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service and the second range is downlink service; or, the first factor is the power, the first range is a high power range, and the second range is a low power range; or, the first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, the first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

[0042] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the second aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0043] In a third aspect, a third communication method is provided, which is applied to a first device, that is, the method can be executed by the first device. For an introduction to the first device, reference may be made to the first aspect. The method includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a device that cannot be accessed and / or a device that can be accessed; during a round of access, if the first device is a device that can be accessed as indicated by the second indication information, access is performed. Alternatively, the method includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a device that cannot be accessed and / or a device that can be accessed; during a round of access, if the first device is a device that cannot be accessed as indicated by the second indication information, access is performed in a round not associated with the second indication information. Alternatively, the method includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a device that cannot be accessed and / or a device that can be accessed; if, in the event of a round of access failure, the first device is a device that can be accessed as indicated by the second indication information, access is performed.

[0044] In the embodiments of the present application, access by devices of different priorities can be assigned to different access rounds. For example, in some access rounds, only high-priority devices are allowed access while low-priority devices are not. This reduces the impact of low-priority devices on high-priority devices, thereby reducing access conflicts between devices and improving the access success rate of priority devices. In other access rounds, low-priority devices can be allowed access, allowing them to also achieve access.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the second indication information is used to indicate devices that cannot access and / or devices that can access, including: the second indication information is used to indicate a first range and / or a second range of a first factor, wherein devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are devices that cannot access, and devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor are devices that can access. The second indication information may indicate a corresponding range of the first factor, and a device corresponding to a certain range of the first factor (e.g., the first device) may determine whether the device can access based on the second indication information.

[0046] In an optional implementation, the first factor includes one or more of the following: service type, power level, device type, or priority.

[0047] In an optional embodiment, the first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, and the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service and the second range is downlink service; or, the first factor is the power, the first range is a high power range, and the second range is a low power range; or, the first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, the first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

[0048] In an optional embodiment, the second indication information further indicates the access round or access period associated with the second indication information; or the access round associated with the second indication information is determined based on predefined information. The second indication information can be associated with all access rounds or with some access rounds. The access rounds associated with the second indication information can be predefined by the protocol or indicated by the second indication information, which is relatively flexible.

[0049] In an optional embodiment, the second indication information is included in a fifth message, wherein the fifth message is used to instruct a first type of device to access or to instruct a first type of device to execute a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or, the fifth message is used to instruct the first device to execute access or to indicate information used to determine an initial value of a first counter of the first device, the first counter being used for the first device to execute access with the second device. The fifth message can be implemented in various ways, without limitation.

[0050] In a fourth aspect, a fourth communication method is provided, which is applied to a second device, i.e., the method can be performed by the second device. For an introduction to the second device, refer to the second aspect. The method includes: sending second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a device that cannot be accessed and / or a device that can be accessed.

[0051] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: obtaining fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed, and / or to indicate the number of devices to be accessed in different ranges corresponding to the first factor; and sending the second indication information includes: sending the second indication information according to the fourth information.

[0052] In an optional embodiment, the second indication information is used to indicate devices that can perform access and / or devices that cannot perform access, including: the second indication information is used to indicate a first range and / or a second range of a first factor, wherein the devices in the first range corresponding to the first factor are devices that cannot perform access, and the devices in the second range corresponding to the first factor are devices that can perform access.

[0053] In an optional implementation, the first factor includes one or more of the following: service type, power level, device type, or priority.

[0054] In an optional embodiment, the first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, and the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service and the second range is downlink service; or, the first factor is the power, the first range is a high power range, and the second range is a low power range; or, the first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, the first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

[0055] In an optional implementation, the second indication information further indicates an access round associated with the second indication information; or, the access round associated with the second indication information is determined according to predefined information.

[0056] In an optional embodiment, the second indication information is included in a fifth message, wherein the fifth message is used to instruct a first type of device to access, or to instruct a first type of device to perform a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or, the fifth message is used to instruct the first device to perform access, or to indicate information used to determine an initial value of a first counter of the first device, and the first counter is used for the first device and the second device to perform access.

[0057] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the fourth aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the third aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0058] In a fifth aspect, a fifth communication method is provided, which is applied to the first device side, that is, the method can be executed by the first device. For the introduction of the first device, reference can be made to the first aspect. The method includes: obtaining first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates first time information and second time information, the first time information and the second time information are both used to indicate the latest time for sending random information in an access opportunity, the first time information and the second time information are associated with different ranges of the first factor, and the time indicated by the first time information is different from the time indicated by the second time information; sending first random information at a first access moment, wherein the first access moment is a moment after the first moment, the first moment is a moment associated with the value of a first counter being 0, and the first access moment is determined according to the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, and the first time information or the second time information, and the first counter is used to determine the sending time of the first random information.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate the first time information and / or the second time information, and different time information may be used for different ranges of the first factor, and the first device also corresponds to the corresponding range of the first factor, so that the first device can determine which time information the first device should use. That is, different devices can determine the corresponding time information according to the range of the first factor corresponding to the device, which is equivalent to different devices being able to use different access conditions without having to compete for access under the same conditions. For example, devices corresponding to different ranges of the first factor may have different times for sending random information due to the different time information used, thereby reducing access conflicts between devices, and since different time information is used respectively, the mutual influence of the two types of devices is reduced, so that devices that wish to access as soon as possible can access as early as possible, thereby improving the access success rate.

[0060] In an optional embodiment, the first access moment is determined based on the first time information or the second time information, including: the first time information or the second time information is used to determine one or more moments, and the first access moment is one of the one or more moments; or the first time information or the second time information is used to determine one or more durations, the one or more durations including a second duration, and the first access moment is the moment when the second duration arrives after the first moment. The first device can directly determine the first access moment based on the first indication information, or can determine the duration and then determine the first access moment based on the duration, which is a more flexible method.

[0061] In an optional implementation, the first factor includes one or more of the following: service type, power level, device type, or priority.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, the first time information is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second time information is associated with a second range of the first factor, wherein the first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, and the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service, and the second range is downlink service; or, the first factor is the power, the first range is a high power range, and the second range is a low power range; or, the first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, the first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information is included in a second message, wherein the second message is used to instruct a first type of device to access or instruct a first type of device to execute a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or, the second message is used to instruct the first device to execute access or to indicate information used to determine a second initial value of the first counter. The second message can be implemented in various ways, without limitation.

[0064] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving a third message; if the third message includes the first random information, determining that the access is successful; otherwise, determining that the access is failed.

[0065] In an optional embodiment, the first device is an AIoT device.

[0066] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the fifth aspect or some optional implementation methods, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0067] In a sixth aspect, a sixth communication method is provided, which is applied to the second device side, that is, the method can be executed by the second device. For the introduction of the second device, reference can be made to the second aspect. The method includes: sending first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates first time information and second time information, the first time information and the second time information are both used to indicate the latest time for sending random information in an access opportunity, the first time information and the second time information are associated with different ranges of the first factor, and the time indicated by the first time information and the time indicated by the second time information are different; detecting random information at at least one access moment.

[0068] In an optional implementation, the first factor includes one or more of the following: service type, power level, device type, or priority.

[0069] In an optional embodiment, the first time information is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second time information is associated with a second range of the first factor, wherein the first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, and the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service, and the second range is downlink service; or, the first factor is the power, the first range is a high power range, and the second range is a low power range; or, the first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, the first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

[0070] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: obtaining fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate a range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be connected, and / or indicate the number of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor.

[0071] In an optional implementation, sending the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information according to the fourth information; and / or determining the first time information and / or the second time information according to the fourth information.

[0072] In an optional embodiment, the first indication information is included in a second message, wherein the second message is used to instruct a first type of device to access, or to instruct a first type of device to perform a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or, the second message is used to instruct the first device to perform access, or to indicate information used to determine a second initial value of a first counter.

[0073] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending a third message, where the third message includes the random information.

[0074] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the sixth aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the fifth aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the first device described in any one of the first to sixth aspects. The communication device possesses the functions of the first device. The communication device may be, for example, a standalone device, or a functional module or chip system (or chip) included in another device, wherein the chip system or functional module is capable of implementing the functions of the first device. The other device may be, for example, a network device or a terminal device. Optionally, the network device may include, for example, an interrogator, a reader / writer, an access network device, or a core network device; the terminal device may include, for example, a tag. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit is capable of implementing both transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit implements the transmitting function, it may be referred to as a transmitting unit (sometimes also referred to as a transmitting module); when the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it may be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can realize the sending function and the receiving function; or the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0076] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, wherein the first numerical range is associated with a first range of a first factor, the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor, and the first numerical range and the second numerical range are different; the processing unit is used to determine a first initial value using the first numerical range or the second numerical range according to the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, and the first initial value is greater than or equal to 0; the transceiver unit (or, the sending unit) is used to send first random information when the value of the first counter decreases from the first initial value to 0.

[0077] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a device that cannot perform access and / or a device that can perform access; the processing unit is used to perform access during a round of access if the first device is a device that can perform access indicated by the second indication information.

[0078] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a device that cannot perform access and / or a device that can perform access; the processing unit is used to, during a round of access, if the first device is a device that cannot perform access as indicated by the second indication information, perform access in a round that is not associated with the second indication information.

[0079] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a device that cannot be accessed and / or a device that can be accessed; the processing unit is used to perform access if the first device is a device that can be accessed as indicated by the second indication information when one round of access fails.

[0080] In an optional embodiment, the processing unit is used to obtain first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates first time information and second time information, both of which are used to indicate the latest time for sending random information in an access opportunity, the first time information and the second time information are associated with different ranges of the first factor, and the time indicated by the first time information is different from the time indicated by the second time information; the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to send the first random information at a first access moment, wherein the first access moment is a moment after the first moment, the first moment is a moment associated with the value of the first counter being 0, and the first access moment is determined according to the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, and the first time information or the second time information, and the first counter is used to determine the sending time of the first random information.

[0081] In an optional embodiment, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the function of the first device described in any one of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0082] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the second device described in any one of the first to sixth aspects. The communication device has the functions of the second device. The communication device is, for example, an independent device, or a functional module or chip system (or chip) included in other devices. The chip system or functional module can realize the functions of the second device. The other device is, for example, a network device or a terminal device. Optionally, the network device includes, for example, an interrogator, a reader / writer, an access network device or a core network device; the terminal device includes, for example, a tag. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). For the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the introduction of the seventh aspect.

[0083] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the sending unit) is used to send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and a second numerical range, wherein the first numerical range is associated with a first range of a first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor, the first numerical range and the second numerical range are different, and the first numerical range and the second numerical range are both used to determine a first initial value of a counter of a device to be accessed, and the first initial value is greater than or equal to 0; the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to detect random information at at least one access moment.

[0084] In an optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a device that cannot be accessed and / or a device that can be accessed.

[0085] In an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit (or, the sending unit) is used to send first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates first time information and second time information, the first time information and the second time information are both used to indicate the latest time for sending random information in an access opportunity, the first time information and the second time information are associated with different ranges of the first factor, and the time indicated by the first time information and the time indicated by the second time information are different; the transceiver unit (or, the receiving unit) is used to detect random information at at least one access moment.

[0086] In an optional embodiment, the communication device also includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to couple with the storage unit and execute the program or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the function of the second device described in any one of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0087] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a first device. The first device is, for example, an independent device, or a chip or chip system used in other devices, such as network devices or terminal devices. The communication device includes a processor, which is configured to cause the communication device to execute the method executed by the first device in the above aspects. Optionally, the processor is coupled to a memory, and when the processor reads the computer program or instruction, the communication device executes the method executed by the first device in the above aspects. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and may be included in the communication device or may be provided outside the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes a communication interface, and the processor calls and runs the computer program or instruction from the communication interface.

[0088] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a second device. The second device is, for example, an independent device, or a chip or chip system used in other devices, such as network devices or terminal devices. The communication device includes a processor, which is configured to cause the communication device to execute the method executed by the second device in the above aspects. Optionally, the processor is coupled to a memory, and when the processor reads the computer program or instruction, the communication device executes the method executed by the second device in the above aspects. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and may be included in the communication device or may be provided outside the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes a communication interface, and the processor calls and runs the computer program or instruction from the communication interface.

[0089] In the eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first device and a second device. The first device is used to execute the method described in any one of the first to second aspects, and the second device is used to execute the method described in any one of the first to second aspects; or, the first device is used to execute the method described in any one of the third to fourth aspects, and the second device is used to execute the method described in any one of the third to fourth aspects; or, the first device is used to execute the method described in any one of the fifth to sixth aspects, and the second device is used to execute the method described in any one of the fifth to sixth aspects. For example, the first device can be implemented by the communication device described in the seventh or ninth aspect, and the second device can be implemented by the communication device described in the eighth or tenth aspect. Optionally, the communication system may also include other devices, such as devices of the first type, etc., which are not limited to this.

[0090] In the twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which is used to store computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the methods performed by the first device and / or the second device in the above aspects are implemented.

[0091] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which enables the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer.

[0092] In a fourteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to call and execute instructions from the interface so that the chip system implements the methods in the above aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the working mode of the reader and tag;

[0094] FIG2 is a flow chart of communication between an AIoT device and a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] 3 to 7 are schematic diagrams of several communication systems applicable to embodiments of the present application;

[0096] Figures 8 to 11 are flowcharts of several communication methods provided in embodiments of the present application;

[0097] 12A to 12D are schematic diagrams of the first numerical range and the second numerical range in embodiments of the present application;

[0098] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0101] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0102] In the embodiments of this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. In addition, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments introduced in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to define the order between steps. For example, S801 can occur before S802, or after S802, or at the same time as S802.

[0103] Below, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0104] (1) In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (such as a mobile phone), a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wireless device built into the above devices (such as a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.). The terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, such as but not limited to the following scenarios: perception scenarios, cellular communications, device-to-device communication (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen projection, file sharing, mobile phone to VR glasses video transmission) and other scenarios. When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, for example, a smart car (or intelligent car), a digital car, an unmanned car (or driverless car or pilotless car or automobile), a self-driving car (or autonomous car), a pure electric vehicle (or battery EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range-extended EV (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a new energy vehicle (new energy vehicle), or a roadside unit (RSU). The terminal device can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0105] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also include a terminal device in an IoT system, such as a tag in an IoT system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that interconnects humans and machines, and objects and things.

[0106] The terminal device may sometimes be referred to as UE, terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication device, or user equipment, etc.

[0107] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device for implementing the terminal device function may be a terminal device, or may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the terminal device as an example in which the device for implementing the terminal device function is a terminal device. In addition, for ease of description, the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application is described by taking a UE as an example.

[0108] (2) The network devices in the embodiments of the present application include, for example, access network devices and / or core network devices. The access network devices are devices with wireless transceiver functions, which are used to communicate with the terminal devices. The access network devices include but are not limited to base stations (base transceiver stations (BTS), node B, evolved node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or the next generation node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception points (TRP), base stations subsequently evolved by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small stations, relay stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks with the same access technology, or they can support networks with different access technologies. The base station can include one or more co-station or non-co-station transmission and reception points. The access network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network device may also be a server, etc. For example, the network device in the V2X technology may be a road side unit (RSU). The following describes the access network device using a base station as an example. The base station can communicate with the terminal device, or it can communicate with the terminal device through a relay station. The terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The core network device is used to implement functions such as mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the devices that implement core network functions in systems with different access technologies may be different, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. Taking the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) system as an example, the core network equipment includes, for example, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF) or user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0109] In the CU-DU architecture, the access network equipment may include one or more logical network elements such as a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0110] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open RAN (ORAN) system, CU may also be called an open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU may also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP may also be called an open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP may also be called an open CU-UP (open CU-CP, O-CU-UP), and RU may also be called an open RU (open RU, O-RU). For convenience of description, the embodiments of the present application are described by taking CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0111] Optionally, in various embodiments of the present application, if the network device is a distributed architecture, for example, the network device includes a CU and a DU, or includes a CU-CP, a CU-UP and a DU, then the network device sends information to the UE, specifically, the DU included in the network device sends information to the UE; the network device receives information from the UE, specifically, the DU included in the network device receives information from the UE.

[0112] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the network device may also include a network device in an IoT system, such as a reader or interrogator in the IoT system.

[0113] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device for implementing the network device function may be a network device, or may be a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the network device as an example of the device for implementing the network device function being a network device.

[0114] (3) Devices in the IoT system.

[0115] IoT may include a variety of devices, such as AIoT devices that do not require batteries or have limited energy storage. For example, AIoT devices may include two types, namely type 1 (or device 1) and type 2 (or device 2). Among them, type 1 AIoT devices have an output power consumption of about 1μW, a certain energy storage capacity, and no downlink and uplink signal amplification capabilities. Type 1 can only transmit information through backscatter of an externally provided carrier wave, and cannot generate signals by itself.

[0116] Type 2 AIoT devices have a peak power of no more than a few hundred μW, have energy storage capabilities, and are capable of amplifying downlink and / or uplink signals. Type 2 AIoT devices can generate signals themselves or reflect signals via an external carrier.

[0117] Alternatively, AIoT devices may also include other types of devices, for example, devices without energy storage capabilities, etc., without limitation. In the embodiments of the present application, "energy storage" may also be understood as capacity storage.

[0118] A tag may also be referred to as an electronic tag or a tag device. For example, a tag is implemented through an AIoT device, and the tag may also be referred to as an AIoT tag. In an embodiment of the present application, a tag may be used as a terminal device to communicate with a network device. Among them, "tag" is only an optional name, and the name may also change. For example, "AIoT tag" may also be changed to other names. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the name. For the convenience of description, the following text continues to use "tag" as an example.

[0119] In classification method 1, tags can be divided into three categories: passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags. Passive tags and semi-passive tags can use a reflection-based communication method, while active tags use an actively generated carrier communication method.

[0120] In classification method 2, tags can also be divided into three categories: device A, device B, and device C. Device A has no energy storage and cannot independently generate signals, but uses backscattering to transmit signals. Device B has energy storage but cannot independently generate signals, but uses backscattering to transmit signals. The energy stored in device B can amplify the reflected signal. Device C has energy storage, can independently generate signals, and has active RF components for transmission.

[0121] The AIoT tags in the embodiments of the present application can be classified according to classification method 1 or classification method 2, and the embodiments of the present application are applicable to AIoT tags of any category under classification method 1 or classification method 2. Alternatively, the AIoT tags in the embodiments of the present application are not classified according to these two classification methods, but are classified according to the classification method of the aforementioned AIoT devices, and the embodiments of the present application are applicable to AIoT tags of any category under this classification method. Alternatively, the AIoT tags in the embodiments of the present application may also have other classification methods or may not be classified, and there is no limitation on this.

[0122] The tag uses a low-precision, low-power medium-low frequency ring oscillator or a completely local oscillator to receive downlink signals. When the tag is working, the energy and / or carrier for communication comes from the reader, and communication is based on the reflected carrier. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the reader can send a carrier signal to the tag, and the tag receives the carrier signal through the antenna. The solid line in the figure is the carrier signal sent by the reader, and the dotted line represents the reflected signal transmitted by the tag based on the reflection of the carrier signal. The tag can adjust the information to be transmitted in the reflected signal. In the above manner, the tag uses a low-precision, low-power medium-low frequency ring oscillator or a completely local oscillator to receive downlink signals, which can further reduce the power consumption of the tag's downlink reception. Optionally, the carrier can also be understood as an excitation signal, and the carrier can be sent by a device other than the reader.

[0123] A tag is a miniature wireless transceiver, which mainly includes a built-in tag device antenna, a coupling element, and a chip. The tag chip has a storage space that can support the reader to read or write tag data. After the tag receives the radio frequency signal sent by the reader through the antenna, it can couple the radio frequency signal through the coupling element, and then provide energy to the tag chip within the coupling channel, and feed back the data stored in the chip to the reader through the antenna. A communication network based on cellular network infrastructure, including readers and tags, can be called a passive IOT network, or AIoT.

[0124] AIoT can be applied to passive or semi-passive IoT scenarios. For example, in logistics and warehousing scenarios, tags (such as AIoT tags) can be used to inventory and track goods, and the status of goods can be monitored during transportation. For example, in industrial manufacturing scenarios, tags can be used to monitor the environment and equipment status.

[0125] In AIoT, at least one of the following operations can be performed between a tag (such as an AIoT tag) and a reader: an inventory operation, a read operation, a write operation, a kill operation, or a lock operation.

[0126] An inventory operation, also known as a count operation, allows a tag's identity to be obtained. For example, a reader can obtain a tag's identity through commands such as query and acknowledgement (ACK). To facilitate tag inventory, tags can include four session identifiers, S0 to S3. Each session identifier corresponds to two inventory states, A and B, indicated by the sessInventoried flag. When a reader selects a tag, the select command sent to the tag may carry a session identifier, which the tag stores. When the reader performs an inventory operation on the tag, the query command sent to the tag will include the session identifier. The tag can then flip the inventory state corresponding to the session identifier from A to B. If the reader sends a query command to perform another inventory operation, the tag will not respond to the reader because its inventory state is B, thus preventing the same tag from being inventoried multiple times during a single inventory cycle.

[0127] The read operation can read the electronic product code (EPC) or tag identifier (TID) in the tag's storage area, or read the content stored in the tag's reserved area or the content stored in the user storage area.

[0128] Write operation can be used to write to the storage area of ​​the tag.

[0129] The kill operation can make the tag unable to work forever.

[0130] The lock operation can lock the information of the tag to prevent the tag from being read or written. Alternatively, the lock operation can also lock the storage area of ​​the tag to prohibit the storage area from being read or written.

[0131] The above are just examples. Other operations can be performed between the tag and the reader, which will not be explained one by one here.

[0132] In the AIoT, an AIoT device can first connect to a network device and then perform data transmission with the network device. This network device can be, for example, a reader or interrogator. Figure 2 illustrates a communication process between an AIoT device and a network device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 illustrates an example of a network device performing an inventory on an AIoT device.

[0133] S201: A network device sends message 1. Correspondingly, an AIoT device receives message 1.

[0134] Message 1 may indicate an inventory or check of AIoT devices. For example, a network device may send Message 1 to check the inventory of AIoT devices. Message 1 may be a select message or a paging message. Figure 2 illustrates Message 1 as a paging message.

[0135] S201 may be included in a first process, and the first process is, for example, a selection process or a paging process.

[0136] S202: The network device sends message 2. Correspondingly, the AIoT device receives message 2.

[0137] Message 2 may be used for one or more AIoT devices to send a random number (RN) based on message 2. Message 2 is also called a query message, and FIG2 takes message 2 as an example of a request message.

[0138] Message 2 may indicate a Q value, and the AIoT device that receives message 2 may determine an initial value of the counter based on the Q value.

[0139] S203: The AIoT device sends a random number, and the network device receives the random number accordingly.

[0140] The AIoT device can send the random number when the corresponding conditions are met, such as that the counter maintained by the AIoT device is 0. For example, after the AIoT device receives message 2, it can determine a value based on message 2, which can be used as the initial value of the counter. For example, the value is (0, 2 Q -1). When the counter decrements from this initial value to 0, the AIoT device can send a random number.

[0141] If the initial value is 0, the AIoT device can send the random number. Alternatively, if the initial value is not 0, the AIoT device can gradually decrement the counter. For example, the AIoT device can receive message 3 from the network device. Each time it receives message 3, the AIoT device can decrement the counter by 1 until the counter reaches 0. Message 3 is, for example, a repeat request (QueryRep) message.

[0142] Among them, during an inventory process (or in other business processes), one or more rounds of access processes may be experienced. For example, if all the AIoT devices to be inventoried cannot be accessed through one round of access process, the next round of access process can be carried out. In a round of access process, one or more time units may be included, each of which can also be understood as an access opportunity (or access opportunity, etc.). The time unit is also called a time slot, for example, or it can have other names. Among them, the "time slot" here and the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) time slot (slot) may not be the same concept, for example, the lengths of the two may be the same or different. In addition, the lengths of different time units included in an access process may be the same or different, for example, the length of the time unit may be controlled by the network device. In an access opportunity, there may be one or more AIoT devices that can send random numbers, for example, the counters of these AIoT devices are 0; and some AIoT devices may not be able to send random numbers, for example, the counters of these AIoT devices are not 0. The network device sends Message 3 only once per time unit; it also sends Message 2 only once per time unit, but Messages 2 and 3 do not occur within the same time unit. For example, during an access round, the network device sends Message 2 in the first time unit and Message 3 in all subsequent time units. For this, see Figure 2, which uses three time units as an example.

[0143] For an AIoT device, if the value of the counter of the AIoT device is 0 in the first time unit of a round of access process (that is, the initial value of the counter is 0), the AIoT device can send a random number in the first time unit without having to receive message 3 in subsequent time units. Alternatively, if the value of the counter of the AIoT device is not 0 in the first time unit, the AIoT device does not send a random number in the first time unit, but waits until the second time unit of the round of access process to receive message 3; in the second time unit, if the value of the counter of the AIoT device decreases to 0, the AIoT sends a random number in the second time unit, otherwise, the AIoT device will continue to receive message 3 in the third time unit of the round of access process, and so on.

[0144] Optionally, the method may further include the following S204 to S205.

[0145] S204: The network device sends a confirmation message. Correspondingly, the AIoT device receives the confirmation message, which may be, for example, an acknowledgment (ACK).

[0146] The confirmation message may include the random number received by the network device. For an AIoT device, if the received confirmation message includes the random number sent by the AIoT device, it means that the AIoT device has successfully connected to the network device or the random number has been sent successfully. If the confirmation message does not include the random number sent by the AIoT device, it means that the AIoT device has failed to connect to the network device or the random number has failed to be sent.

[0147] Among them, S202 to S204 may be included in the second process, which is, for example, called a random access process, or a process for AIoT devices to access the network, or a contention-based access process, or an AIoT contention-based access process, etc. Through the second process, the AIoT device can access the network device.

[0148] S205: The AIoT device sends an identifier of the AIoT device, and the network device receives the identifier of the AIoT device.

[0149] For example, if an AIoT device determines that the AIoT has successfully accessed the network device or that the random number has been successfully sent, the AIoT device can send the identifier of the AIoT device so that the network device obtains the identifier of the AIoT device. For example, the identifier of the AIoT device can include the EPC or TID of the AIoT device.

[0150] Among them, S202 to S205 may be included in the second process, which is, for example, called an inventory process, or a random access process, or a process for AIoT devices to access the network, or a contention-based access process, or an AIoT contention-based access process, etc. Through the second process, the network device can obtain the identifier of the AIoT device.

[0151] Optionally, the communication process may also include S206, where the AIoT device transmits data with the network device.

[0152] In S206, for example, the network device may send a downlink command (DL command), which may indicate a corresponding operation, such as a read operation or a write operation. For example, if the DL command is a read operation, the DL command may indicate the characteristics of the data to be read; for another example, if the DL command is a write operation, the DL command may include data to be written to the AIoT device. Optionally, the DL command may also include an identifier of the AIoT device, so that the AIoT device can clearly determine whether to execute the DL command.

[0153] After receiving the DL command, the AIoT device can perform the corresponding operation accordingly. For example, if the DL command is a read operation, the AIoT device can read data that meets the characteristics of the data indicated by the read operation from the storage area of ​​the AIoT device and send the data so that the network device receives the data. For another example, if the DL command is a write operation, the AIoT device can write the data carried by the DL command to the storage area of ​​the AIoT device.

[0154] Among them, S206 may be included in the third process, which is called, for example, an access process, a command process, a transmission process, or a data transmission process, etc. Through the third process, the network device can implement operations on the AIoT device.

[0155] As can be seen from Figure 2, the embodiment of the present application provides a method for AIoT devices to access the network, enabling AIoT devices to communicate with the network. In addition, according to the communication process described in Figure 2, AIoT devices perform access based on competition. If access fails, they will try to access again in the next round. This competition mode may cause some AIoT devices to take a long time to access. However, some AIoT devices hope to access as soon as possible, and the current competition mechanism cannot meet the needs of these AIoT devices.

[0156] In view of this, in an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, and different numerical ranges may be used for different ranges of the first factor. The first device also corresponds to the corresponding range of the first factor, so that the first device can determine which numerical range the first device should use. In other words, different devices can determine the corresponding numerical range based on the range of the first factor corresponding to the device, which is equivalent to different devices being able to use different access conditions without having to compete for access under the same conditions. This reduces access conflicts between devices, allows devices that wish to access as quickly as possible to access as early as possible, and improves the access success rate.

[0157] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the communication system includes a network device and an AIoT device. The AIoT device can be a standalone device, or it can be integrated with a terminal device, that is, the AIoT device is part of the terminal device. In this communication system, the network device can communicate with the AIoT device.

[0158] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication system includes a terminal device and an AIoT device. The AIoT device can be an independent device, or the AIoT device can be integrated with the terminal device. In this communication system, the terminal device can communicate with the AIoT device. Optionally, the terminal device is controlled by the network device, and the terminal device can also be referred to as an intermediate terminal device (intermediate UE).

[0159] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system includes a network device, a relay node and an AIoT device, wherein the relay node forwards information between the network device and the AIoT device. Figure 5 takes the terminal device as an example of a relay node. The relay node can also be other devices other than the terminal device, such as a network device. For example, the network device is located outdoors, and the terminal device and the AIoT device are located indoors, which is equivalent to the outdoor network device communicating with the indoor AIoT device through the indoor relay node. Optionally, the relay node can be called an intermediate terminal device (intermediate UE).

[0160] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, the communication system includes a network device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node and an AIoT device. The communication system may also include other devices, such as terminal devices. In this communication system, the IAB node can serve as a relay node between the network device and the AIoT device. The AIoT device transmits information to the IAB node, and the IAB node forwards the information to the network device through the Uu interface; alternatively, the network device transmits information to the IAB node, and the IAB node forwards the information to the AIoT device.

[0161] In an embodiment of the present application, the communication system including the network device, the terminal device and the AIoT device can also be a system with a separated architecture. As shown in Figure 7, in this communication system, the network device and the terminal device can communicate directly with each other. In addition, there can be an uplink connection between the AIoT device and the network device, and a downlink connection between the AIoT and the terminal device. The terminal device can transmit information to the AIoT device, and the AIoT device then forwards the information to the network device. Alternatively, there is a downlink connection between the AIoT device and the network device, and an uplink connection between the AIoT device and the terminal device. The network device can transmit information to the AIoT device, and the AIoT device then forwards the information to the terminal network device. Optionally, the energy required for the AIoT device to send information can be provided by an excitation signal, and the excitation signal can come from the network device, from the terminal device, or from other devices other than the network device and the terminal device.

[0162] The network architecture and the above communication process described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0163] The method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the various embodiments of the present application, the relevant concept of "access opportunity" can be introduced with reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 above. In the various embodiments of the present application, the random information may include access-related information, for example, the information is used for the AIoT device (such as the first device) to perform access. The access process is, for example, a random access process or an AIoT contention-based access process, and the random information may be information related to the access. The random information includes, for example, a random number, a random value, a preamble, a random identifier or one or more of the identifiers, or may also include other information. In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application, all steps represented by dotted lines are optional steps. The various embodiments of this document may be applied to the network architecture shown in any of the drawings in Figures 3 to 7. For example, the second device described in the various embodiments of this document may be a network device in any of Figures 3, 5, 6 or 7, and the first device described in the various embodiments of this document may be an AIoT device in any of Figures 3 to 7. Alternatively, the second device described in each embodiment of this document may be the terminal device in Figure 4, Figure 5 or Figure 7, and the first device described in each embodiment of this document may be the AIoT device in Figure 4, Figure 5 or Figure 7.

[0164] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. Please refer to FIG8 , which is a flowchart of the method.

[0165] S801. The first device determines first indication information.

[0166] The first device can determine the initial value of the first counter based on the first indication information, for example, referred to as the first initial value; or, the first device can send random information (for example, the first random information to be introduced later) based on the first indication information; or, the first device can determine the time for sending the random information based on the first indication information; or, in the embodiment of the present application, the time that can or is used to send random information can also be referred to as the access time, and the first device can determine the access time for sending random information based on the first indication information; or, the first device can determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range based on the first indication information.

[0167] Among them, the first numerical range can be used by the device to be connected to determine the initial value of the counter (for example, if the first numerical range is applicable to the first device, then for the first device, the first numerical range can be used to determine the first initial value of the first counter), and the second numerical range can also be used by the device to be connected to determine the initial value of the counter (for example, if the second numerical range is applicable to the first device, then for the first device, the second numerical range can be used to determine the first initial value of the first counter). The first numerical range and the second numerical range can be different numerical ranges. For example, the second numerical range can be applicable to the second range of the first factor, and the first numerical range can be applicable to the first range of the first factor, and the first factor will be introduced later.

[0168] The first numerical range and the second numerical range can have multiple implementation manners, or the first numerical range and the second numerical range can satisfy multiple different relationships, which are introduced by way of examples as follows.

[0169] Optionally, the first numerical range can be included in the second numerical range, and the second numerical range is greater than the first numerical range. In various embodiments of the present application, the numerical values included in the first numerical range are integers greater than or equal to 0, and the numerical values included in the second numerical range are integers greater than or equal to 0. For example, the lower limit of the first numerical range is the same as the lower limit of the second numerical range, and the upper limit of the second numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the first numerical range. For example, the first numerical range is (0, n), and the second numerical range is (0, Q), and reference can be made to FIG. 12A for this. Alternatively, the first numerical range can also be [0, n], and the second numerical range can be [0, Q], and reference can continue to be made to FIG. 12A. Alternatively, for the two endpoint values of "0" and "n", the first numerical range can include any one of them, or can include or not include these two endpoint values; for the two endpoint values of "0" and "Q", the second numerical range can include any one of them, or can include or not include these two endpoint values. Optionally, n is a positive integer greater than zero, n < Q, or n << Q (indicating that n is much smaller than Q). It can be seen that the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range. Optionally, in various embodiments of the present application, n (or other values) is much smaller than Q, and it can include n < Q / 2. For example, the second range of the first factor corresponds to a high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority. If n << Q, the numerical range corresponding to the high priority is larger, which can enable the device with a high priority to have more optional numerical values and can reduce the access conflict of the high-priority device.

[0170] For another example, the upper limit of the first numerical range is the same as the upper limit of the second numerical range, and the lower limit of the second numerical range is less than the upper limit of the first numerical range. For example, the first numerical range is (n, Q), and the second numerical range is (0, Q), for which reference can be made to FIG. 12B. Alternatively, the first numerical range can also be [n, Q], and the second numerical range can be [0, Q], and FIG. 12B can still be referred to. Alternatively, for the two endpoint values of "Q" and "n", the first numerical range can include either one of them, or can include or not include both of these endpoint values; for the two endpoint values of "0" and "Q", the second numerical range can include either one of them, or can include or not include both of these endpoint values. Optionally, n is a positive integer greater than zero, Q - n < Q, or Q - n << Q. It can be seen that the first numerical range is included within the second numerical range. Alternatively, there can be other ways for the first numerical range to be included within the second numerical range. For example, the values included in the first numerical range can also be non - continuous values within the second numerical range, then the first numerical range can include multiple non - continuous sub - ranges; or the first numerical range can also be located in the middle or other positions of the second numerical range, etc., and no restrictions are imposed on this. The time for sending random information can be determined based on both the first numerical range and the second numerical range. For example, if the first numerical range is (n, Q) and the second numerical range is (0, Q), then the time determined according to the second numerical range may be earlier than the time determined according to the first numerical range. For example, if the second range of the first factor corresponds to high priority and the first range of the first factor corresponds to low priority, then in this way, it can be ensured that high - priority devices can access earlier, enabling high - priority devices to execute services as soon as possible, and / or reducing the power consumption of high - priority devices during the access process.

[0171] The second range of the first factor, for example, corresponds to high priority, and the first range of the first factor, for example, corresponds to low priority. In the above - mentioned manner, when the first numerical range is included within the second numerical range, by making the second numerical range larger than the first numerical range (regardless of the position of the second numerical range), it is possible to enable high - priority devices to have a greater access possibility and increase the access success rate of high - priority devices.

[0172] Alternatively, optionally, the first numerical range and the second numerical range may have no intersection. For example, the first numerical range is (0, N), and the second numerical range is (N + 1, Q), for which reference may be made to FIG. 12C. Alternatively, the first numerical range may also be [0, N], and the second numerical range may be [N + 1, Q], and reference may continue to be made to FIG. 12C. Alternatively, for the two endpoint values of "0" and "N", the first numerical range may include either one of them, or may include or not include both of these endpoint values; for the two endpoint values of "N + 1" and "Q", the second numerical range may include either one of them, or may include or not include both of these endpoint values. For example, the first numerical range is (0, N], and the second numerical range is (N, Q] or [N + 1, Q), or the first numerical range is [0, N], and the second numerical range is (N, Q) or [N + 1, Q). In this case, the two numerical ranges have no intersection. Optionally, the second numerical range may be greater than the first numerical range. For example, N < Q - N, or N << Q - N. Optionally, N is a positive integer greater than zero. For example, if the second range of the first factor corresponds to a high priority and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority, when N < Q - N, or N << Q - N, the numerical range corresponding to the high priority is larger, which can enable the device with a high priority to have more optional numerical values and can reduce the access conflict of the device with a high priority.

[0173] For another example, the first numerical range is (M + 1, Q), and the second numerical range is (0, M). For this, reference can be made to FIG. 12D. Alternatively, the first numerical range can also be [M + 1, Q], and the second numerical range can be [0, M]. FIG. 12D can still be referred to. Alternatively, for the two end values of "M + 1" and "Q", the first numerical range can include either one of them, or can include or not include both of these end values; for the two end values of "0" and "M", the second numerical range can include either one of them, or can include or not include both of these end values. For example, the first numerical range is (M, Q] or [M + 1, Q], and the second numerical range is (0, M]. Alternatively, the first numerical range is (M, Q) or [M + 1, Q), and the second numerical range is [0, M]. In this case, the two numerical ranges also have no intersection. Optionally, the second numerical range can be greater than the first numerical range. For example, Q - M < M, or Q - M << M. Optionally, M is a positive integer greater than zero. The second range of the first factor, for example, corresponds to a high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority. The time for sending random information can be determined according to both the first numerical range and the second numerical range. For example, let the first numerical range be (M + 1, Q), and the second numerical range be (0, M). Then the time determined according to the second numerical range may be earlier than the time determined according to the first numerical range. For example, the second range of the first factor corresponds to a high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority. In this way, it is possible to enable the high-priority device to access earlier, enable the high-priority device to execute services as soon as possible, and / or reduce the power consumption of the high-priority device during the access process.

[0174] When the first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, making the second numerical range greater than the first numerical range can enable the high-priority device to have a greater access possibility and increase the access success rate of the high-priority device. In addition, making the first numerical range and the first numerical range have no intersection can reduce the influence of the low-priority device on the high-priority device, enable devices with different priorities to access at different times, and improve the access success rate of various devices.

[0175] Alternatively, optionally, the first numerical range and the second numerical range may also have a partial intersection. For example, the first numerical range may also be [0, N], and the second numerical range may be [N, Q]. For this, reference may be made to FIG. 12C. Alternatively, for the two endpoint values of "0" and "N", the first numerical range may include either one of them, or may include or not include both of these endpoint values; for the two endpoint values of "N" and "Q", the second numerical range may include either one of them, or may include or not include both of these endpoint values. In this case, the numerical value "N" is the intersection of the two numerical ranges. Optionally, the second numerical range may be greater than the first numerical range. For example, N < Q - N, or N << Q - N. Optionally, N is a positive integer greater than zero. For example, if the second range of the first factor corresponds to high priority and the first range of the first factor corresponds to low priority, if N < Q - N, or N << Q - N, then the numerical range corresponding to high priority is larger, which can enable the device with high priority to have more optional numerical values and reduce the access conflict of the device with high priority.

[0176] For another example, referring to FIG. 12D, the first numerical range can also be [M, Q], and the second numerical range can be [0, M]. Alternatively, for the two endpoint values "M" and "Q", the first numerical range can include either one of them, or can include or not include both endpoint values; for the two endpoint values "0" and "M", the second numerical range can include either one of them, or can include or not include both endpoint values. In this case, the numerical value "M" is the intersection of the two numerical ranges. Optionally, the second numerical range can be greater than the first numerical range. For example, Q - M < M, or Q - M << M. Optionally, M is a positive integer greater than zero. The second range of the first factor corresponds to, for example, high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to low priority. The time for sending random information can be determined based on both the first numerical range and the second numerical range. For example, let the first numerical range be (M, Q) and the second numerical range be (0, M). Then the time determined based on the second numerical range may be earlier than the time determined based on the first numerical range. For example, if the second range of the first factor corresponds to high priority and the first range of the first factor corresponds to low priority, in this way, high-priority devices can access earlier, enabling high-priority devices to execute services as soon as possible, and / or reducing the power consumption of high-priority devices during the access process. Among the various embodiments of the present application, reducing the power consumption of a device during the access process (or reducing the power consumption of the device) can be understood as, for example, that a device can access earlier, which can reduce the process of the device listening for downlink messages for access, or reduce the number or time of downlink messages listened by the device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the device. For example, if a high-priority device can access earlier, it can reduce the process of the high-priority device listening for downlink messages for access, or reduce the number or time of downlink messages listened by the high-priority device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the high-priority device.

[0177] When there is a partial intersection between the first numerical range and the second numerical range, making the second numerical range greater than the first numerical range can enable high-priority devices to have a greater access possibility and increase the access success rate of high-priority devices. Additionally, making the first numerical range and the first numerical range have only a partial intersection can reduce the impact of low-priority devices on high-priority devices, enabling devices with different priorities to access at different times and improving the access success rate of various devices.

[0178] As mentioned above, the first numerical range and the second numerical range can be associated with different ranges of the first factor. For example, the first numerical range is associated with the first range of the first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with the second range of the first factor. Alternatively, "first factor" can be replaced with "first parameter." The first numerical range can be associated with the first range of the first parameter, and the second numerical range can be associated with the second range of the first parameter. The first range and the second range can be different value ranges of the first parameter. This article describes the "first factor."

[0179] For example, the first factor may include one or more of service type, power consumption, device type, energy conservation requirements, or priority. For example, if the first factor includes service type, the first range may be downlink services and the second range may be uplink services, or vice versa. This is equivalent to considering services in different transmission directions as different types of services.

[0180] For another example, the first factor includes the service type, the first range may include device originated-device terminated triggered (DO-DTT) service and / or device terminated (DT) service, the second range may include device-originated autonomous (DOA) service, or the first range may include DOA service, and the second range may include DO-DTT service and / or DT service, which is equivalent to considering different services as different types of services.

[0181] For another example, the first factor includes the service type, the first range may include inventory, command, deactivation and other services, and the second range does not include the services included in the first range, such as inventory, command, deactivation and other services. For example, the second range includes services not included in the first range, such as other uplink services actively initiated by AIoT devices; or, the first range may not include inventory, command, deactivation and other services. For example, the first service includes other uplink services actively initiated by AIoT devices, and the second range includes services not included in the first range, such as inventory, command, deactivation and other services.

[0182] Since different ranges of the first factor are associated with different numerical ranges, the second device may optionally distinguish access corresponding to different services according to the current importance of different services, thereby ensuring the success probability of services with higher importance.

[0183] For another example, the first factor includes power, the first range may be a high power range, and the second range may be a low power range. The power as the first factor may be the power corresponding to the energy storage capacity of the device to be connected, such as the maximum power that the device to be connected can store. For a certain device to be connected, it may correspond to a high power range or a low power range. If the maximum power that can be stored is large, it may correspond to a high power range; if the maximum power that can be stored is small, it may correspond to a low power range. Alternatively, the power as the first factor may also be the remaining power of the device to be connected. For a certain device to be connected, if the remaining power is large, it may correspond to a high power range; if the remaining power is small, it may correspond to a low power range.

[0184] Since different ranges of the first factor are associated with different numerical ranges, the first device may optionally use different numerical ranges to perform access according to the power status of the device, thereby ensuring the success probability of access for low-power devices and reducing power consumption.

[0185] For another example, the first factor includes the type of device, such as the first range being low power consumption and the second range being high power consumption. This is equivalent to considering devices with different power consumption as different types of devices. For example, for AIoT devices, device1 can be a low power consumption type, while device2 can be a high power consumption type. Alternatively, if the first range is device1 and the second range is device2, if the type of the AIoT device is device1, then the AIoT device belongs to the first range, and if the type of the AIoT device is device2, then the AIoT device belongs to the second range.

[0186] Since different ranges of the first factor are associated with different numerical ranges, the first device can optionally use different numerical ranges to perform access according to the type of device. For example, if a high-power consumption device and a low-power consumption device are different types of devices, then the high-power consumption device and the low-power consumption device use different numerical ranges. In this embodiment of the present application, the success probability of access of the high-power consumption device can be ensured to reduce power consumption.

[0187] For another example, the first factor includes energy conservation requirements, such as the first range being no energy conservation requirements or low energy conservation requirements, and the second range being energy conservation requirements or high energy conservation requirements. For example, a high-power device or device1 or a low-power device may be a device with no energy conservation requirements or low energy conservation requirements; while a low-power device or device2 or a high-power device may be a device with energy conservation requirements or high energy conservation requirements.

[0188] Since different ranges of the first factor are associated with different numerical ranges, the first device can optionally use different numerical ranges to perform access according to the energy-saving requirements of the device, which can ensure the success probability of access of devices with energy-saving requirements or high energy-saving requirements to enhance the energy-saving effect.

[0189] For another example, the first factor includes priority, the first range can be low priority, and the second range can be high priority; or, the first range can be normal (or, ordinary) access or non-high priority, and the second range can be high priority; or, the first range can be low priority, and the second range can be normal (or, ordinary) access or non-low priority; or, the first range can be abnormal (or, abnormal) access or low priority, and the second range can be normal (or, ordinary) access or high priority. Optionally, a device to be connected corresponds to a high priority, which may be that the priority of the device itself is higher, regardless of the service performed by the device, for example, the device 2 is a high priority device, or a device of a high power consumption type is a high priority device; or, a device to be connected corresponds to a high priority, which may be that the priority of the service currently performed by the device is higher. For example, if a device to be connected meets one or more of the following conditions, the device corresponds to a high priority: the power of the device is in the low power range, the type of the device is a high power consumption type device, the type of the device is device2, or the service type of the device is the first type. For another example, if a device to be connected meets one or more of the following conditions, the device has a low priority: the power level of the device is in the high power range, the type of the device is a low power consumption type device, the type of the device is device1, or the service type of the device is the second type or not the first type. The first type may be, for example, a downlink service or an uplink service, or the first type may be a specific service, such as one or more of DO-DTT, DT, or DOA services, or one or more of inventory, command, or deactivation services.

[0190] Optionally, the second device may distinguish accesses corresponding to different devices based on priority, thereby ensuring access success rates for devices with higher priority. For example, if the first numerical range and the second numerical range do not overlap, the second device may distinguish different accesses using different numerical ranges, thereby ensuring access success rates for devices with higher priority.

[0191] In addition, the first factor may also include other features, which are not limited.

[0192] In various embodiments of the present application, distinguishing different devices (such as the first device) can also be understood as distinguishing different accesses, or distinguishing accesses of different devices. For example, in the foregoing, different first devices correspond to different ranges of the first factor, which can also be replaced by different accesses corresponding to different ranges of the first factor. For example, as described above, different ranges of the first factor can correspond to different business types, which are the types of business performed by the first device, which can be replaced by different ranges of the first factor corresponding to different business types, wherein the business type corresponding to each range of the first factor can correspond to an access; for another example, as described above, different ranges of the first factor can correspond to different power quantities, which are the power quantities of the first device, which can be replaced by different ranges of the first factor corresponding to different power quantities, wherein the power quantities corresponding to each range of the first factor can correspond to an access; for another example, as described above, different ranges of the first factor can correspond to different device types, which are the types of the first device, which can be replaced by different ranges of the first factor corresponding to different power quantities, wherein the power quantities corresponding to each range of the first factor can correspond to an access; for another example, as described above, different ranges of the first factor can correspond to different device types, which are the types of the first device, which can be replaced by For example, different ranges of the first factor correspond to different device types, where the device type corresponding to each range of the first factor can correspond to an access; for example, as described above, different ranges of the first factor can correspond to different energy-saving requirements, which are energy-saving requirements of the first device, which can be replaced by different ranges of the first factor corresponding to different energy-saving requirements, where the energy-saving requirements corresponding to each range of the first factor can correspond to an access; for example, as described above, different ranges of the first factor can correspond to different priorities, which are the priorities of the first device, which can be replaced by different ranges of the first factor corresponding to different priorities, where the priorities corresponding to each range of the first factor can correspond to an access. It can be understood that different ranges of the first factor can be associated with a device (e.g., the first device), so that the corresponding first device can use the corresponding numerical range; or, different ranges of the first factor can also be associated with an access, so that the corresponding access can use the corresponding numerical range, for example, the device participating in the corresponding access (e.g., the first device) can use the numerical range corresponding to the access. In the various embodiments of the present application, the description is based on the example of distinguishing different devices.

[0193] The first indication information indicates the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, and there may be multiple indication modes.

[0194] As an optional implementation in which the first indication information indicates the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, the first indication information may include the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range.

[0195] For example, the first indication information includes a first field, the first field corresponds to a first numerical range, and / or the first indication information includes a second field, the second field corresponds to a second numerical range. For example, the value of the first field and / or the second field is an integer greater than or equal to zero.

[0196] For another example, the first indication information includes a first list, and the first list may include a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range. Optionally, the first list may include one or more numerical ranges, of which M1 numerical ranges are associated with the first range of the first factor (or, M1 numerical ranges are used for the first range of the first factor), and the first numerical range is one of the M1 numerical ranges; of which M2 numerical ranges are associated with the second range of the first factor (or, M2 numerical ranges are used for the second range of the first factor), and the second numerical range is one of the M2 numerical ranges. Optionally, it can also be understood that the first list is associated with the first factor. Wherein, M1 and M2 are both positive integers.

[0197] Optionally, in some embodiments, in addition to the first range and the second range, the first factor may include more ranges, such as a third range. In this case, each range of the first factor may correspond to one or more of the one or more numerical ranges described above. It can be understood that the first factor may correspond to one or more ranges, and each range of the first factor has its own corresponding numerical range, thereby distinguishing different accesses.

[0198] For another example, the first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes one or more second lists, each of which may include numerical ranges associated with different ranges of the first factor, and one of the second lists includes a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range. The first factors associated with different second lists may be the same or different. For example, the first factor associated with the second list 1 is the business type, and the second list 1 may include a numerical range associated with the first range of the business type, and / or a numerical range associated with the second range of the business type; the first factor associated with the second list 2 is the power, and the second list 1 may include a numerical range associated with the first range of the power, and / or a numerical range associated with the second range of the power, and so on.

[0199] For the convenience of description, numerical ranges are expressed in brackets hereinafter, for example, (X, Y), where (X, Y) can be understood to mean including endpoint values ​​X and Y, or only including endpoint value X but not including Y, or only including endpoint value Y but not including X, or excluding endpoint value X and Y.

[0200] As described above, the first indication information may include the first numerical range, or the second numerical range, or the first numerical range and the second numerical range. The following describes how the first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range.

[0201] For example, the first numerical range is (0, n) and the second numerical range is (0, Q), or the first numerical range is (n, Q) and the second numerical range is (0, Q), and the first indication information may include Q and n, then the first indication information is considered to include the first numerical range and the second numerical range, that is, the first indication information includes Q, which can be understood as the maximum value (or upper limit) of the second numerical range is Q, or the second numerical range is (0, Q); the first indication information includes n, which can be understood as the maximum value of the first numerical range is n, or the first numerical range is (0, n). Alternatively, the first numerical range is (0, N) and the second numerical range is (N+1, Q), or the first numerical range is (0, N) and the second numerical range is (N, Q), and the first indication information may include Q and N, then the first indication information is considered to include the first numerical range and the second numerical range, that is, the first indication information includes N, which can be understood as the maximum value (or upper limit) of the first numerical range is N or the first numerical range is (0, N), and / or the minimum value (or lower limit) of the second numerical range is N or N+1; the first indication information includes Q, which can be understood as the maximum value of the second numerical range is Q. Alternatively, the first numerical range is (M+1, Q) and the second numerical range is (0, M), or the first numerical range is (M, Q) and the second numerical range is (0, M), and the first indication information may include Q and M, then the first indication information is considered to include the first numerical range and the second numerical range, that is, the first indication information includes M, which can be understood as the minimum value (or lower limit) of the first numerical range being N, and / or the maximum value of the second numerical range being M or M+1; the first indication information includes Q, which can be understood as the maximum value of the first numerical range being Q.

[0202] For another example, if the first numerical range is (0, N) and the second numerical range is (N+1, Q), or if the first numerical range is (0, N) and the second numerical range is (N, Q), and the first indication information includes N but not Q, then it is considered that the first indication information includes the first numerical range but not the second numerical range. In other words, the first indication information includes N but not Q, which can be understood as the maximum value (or upper limit) of the first numerical range being N or the first numerical range being (0, N), and / or the minimum value (or lower limit) of the second numerical range being N or N+1; since the first indication information does not include Q, the first indication information does not indicate the maximum value of the second numerical range, which is equivalent to the first indication information not including the second numerical range. In this case, the receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) can also determine the second numerical range in combination with other information. For example, if the protocol predefines Q, or if the second device also indicates Q through other indication information (e.g., third indication information), then the first device can determine the second numerical range by combining Q and N indicated by the first indication information. Alternatively, in this case, the first indication information may be considered to include two indication information, which respectively indicate N and Q. These two indication information may be included in one message or in different messages. In this case, the first indication information may be considered to include a first numerical range and a second numerical range.

[0203] For another example, if the first numerical range is (M+1, Q) and the second numerical range is (0, M), or if the first numerical range is (M, Q) and the second numerical range is (0, M), and the first indication information includes M but does not include Q, then it is considered that the first indication information includes the second numerical range but does not include the first numerical range. In other words, the first indication information includes M but does not include Q, which can be understood as the maximum value (or upper limit) of the second numerical range being M, and / or the minimum value (or lower limit) of the first numerical range being M or M+1; since the first indication information does not include Q, the first indication information does not indicate the maximum value of the first numerical range, which is equivalent to the first indication information not including the first numerical range. In this case, the receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) can also determine the first numerical range in combination with other information. For example, the protocol predefines Q, or the second device also indicates Q through other indication information (e.g., the third indication information), then the first device can determine the first numerical range in combination with Q and M indicated by the first indication information. Alternatively, in this case, it can also be considered that the first indication information includes two indication information, which respectively indicate M and Q. These two indication information can be included in one message or in different messages. In this case, it is considered that the first indication information includes a first numerical range and a second numerical range.

[0204] For another example, the first numerical range is (0, n) and the second numerical range is (0, Q). The first indication information may include n but not Q. In this case, the first indication information is considered to include the first numerical range but not the second numerical range. In other words, the first indication information includes n but not Q, which can be understood as the maximum value (or upper limit) of the first numerical range being n. Since the first indication information does not include Q, the first indication information does not indicate the maximum value of the second numerical range, which is equivalent to the first indication information not including the second numerical range. The receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) can also determine the second numerical range in combination with other information. For example, the protocol predefines Q, or the second device also indicates Q through other indication information (e.g., third indication information). In this case, the first indication information can also be considered to include two indication information, which indicate the values ​​of n and Q respectively. These two indication information can be included in one message or in different messages. In this case, the first indication information is considered to include the first numerical range and the second numerical range.

[0205] For another example, the first numerical range is (n, Q), and the second numerical range is (0, Q). The first indication information may include n but not Q. The receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) cannot determine the first numerical range or the second numerical range only through the first indication information. The receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) can also determine the first numerical range and the second numerical range in combination with other information. For example, the protocol predefines Q, or the second device also indicates Q through other indication information (e.g., the third indication information). The first device can determine the second numerical range based on Q, and can also determine the first numerical range based on Q and the first indication information. Alternatively, in this case, it can be considered that the first indication information includes two indication information, and the two indication information indicate n and Q respectively. The two indication information can be included in one message or included in different messages. In this case, it is considered that the first indication information includes the first numerical range and the second numerical range.

[0206] As mentioned above, the first indication information includes x, which can be understood as the first indication information including the value of x. For example, the first indication information includes N, which can be understood as the first indication information including the value of N; the first indication information includes n, which can be understood as the first indication information including the value of n; the first indication information includes M, which can be understood as the first indication information including the value of M; and the first indication information includes Q, which can be understood as the first indication information including the value of Q.

[0207] As another optional implementation in which the first indication information indicates the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, the first indication information may include a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, wherein the first scaling factor may be used to determine the first numerical range, and the second scaling factor may be used to determine the second numerical range. Optionally, the receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) may determine the first numerical range based on the first scaling factor and Q, and / or may determine the second numerical range based on the second scaling factor and Q.

[0208] For example, the first scaling factor can be a non-negative value less than or equal to 1. For example, if Q=10, Q is used to indicate the second numerical range, and the first scaling factor is 0.2, then the first numerical range can be (0, 10×0.2), that is, (0, 2), and the second numerical range can be (0, 10); or the first numerical range can be (2, 10), and the second numerical range can be (0, 10). For endpoint values, the corresponding numerical range may or may not be included. For this, please refer to the previous description and will not be elaborated on below.

[0209] For another example, the second scaling factor may be greater than or equal to 1. For example, if Q=10, Q is used to indicate the first numerical range, and the second scaling factor is 3, then the first numerical range may be (0, 10), and the second numerical range may be (0, 30), or the first numerical range may be (10, 30), and the second numerical range may be (0, 30).

[0210] For another example, the first scaling factor may be smaller than the second scaling factor, and both the first scaling factor and the second scaling factor are non-negative values ​​less than or equal to 1. For example, Q=10, where Q indicates a basic numerical range. The first numerical range and the second numerical range may be scaled based on Q. If the first scaling factor is 0.2 and the second scaling factor is 0.8, the first numerical range may be (0, 10×0.2), i.e., (0, 2), and the second numerical range may be (0, 10×0.8), i.e., (0, 8); or the first numerical range may be (0, 2), and the second numerical range may be (2, 8).

[0211] For another example, the first scaling factor may be smaller than the second scaling factor, and both the first scaling factor and the second scaling factor are non-negative values ​​greater than or equal to 1. For example, if Q=10, Q is used to indicate a basic numerical range, and the first numerical range and the second numerical range may be scaled based on Q. If the first scaling factor is 1 and the second scaling factor is 3, then the first numerical range may be (0, 10) and the second numerical range may be (0, 30), or the first numerical range may be (10, 30) and the second numerical range may be (0, 30).

[0212] Optionally, the first indication information includes a first field, the first field is a first scaling factor, the first scaling factor corresponds to a first numerical range, and / or the first indication information includes a second field, the second field is a second scaling factor, and the second scaling factor corresponds to a second numerical range.

[0213] Alternatively, the first indication information includes a third list, which may include the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor. Optionally, the third list may include one or more scaling factors, wherein K1 of the one or more scaling factors are associated with the first range of the first factor (or, K1 scaling factors are used for the first range of the first factor), wherein K1 numerical ranges corresponding to the K1 scaling factors are associated with the first range of the first factor, and the first scaling factor is one of the K1 scaling factors; and K2 of the one or more scaling factors are associated with the second range of the first factor (or, K2 scaling factors are used for the second range of the first factor), wherein K2 numerical ranges corresponding to the K2 scaling factors are associated with the second range of the first factor, and the second scaling factor is one of the K2 scaling factors. Optionally, it can also be understood that the third list is associated with the first factor. K1 and K2 are both positive integers. Optionally, in some embodiments, in addition to the first and second ranges, the first factor may include further ranges, such as a third range. In this case, each range of the first factor may correspond to one or more of the one or more scaling factors. It can be understood that the first factor may correspond to one or more ranges, and each range of the first factor has its own corresponding scaling factor, so that different accesses can be distinguished.

[0214] Alternatively, the first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes one or more fourth lists, wherein each fourth list may include scaling factors associated with different ranges of the first factor, and one of the fourth lists includes the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor. The first factors associated with different fourth lists may be the same or different. For example, the first factor associated with the fourth list 1 is the business type, and the fourth list 1 may include scaling factors associated with the first range of the business type, and / or scaling factors associated with the second range of the business type; the first factor associated with the fourth list 2 is the type of device, and the fourth list 1 may include scaling factors associated with the first range of the device type, and / or scaling factors associated with the second range of the device type, and so on.

[0215] Optionally, in some embodiments, if the first indication information indicates a scaling factor, the receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) can determine another scaling factor based on the scaling factor, thereby determining the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. For example, the calculation relationship between the two scaling factors can be predefined by a protocol, or indicated by the second device (e.g., indicated by the first indication information), and the first device can determine the other scaling factor based on the scaling factor. Alternatively, if the first indication information indicates a scaling factor, the receiving end of the first indication information (e.g., the first device) can also determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range based on the scaling factor without having to determine another scaling factor, as has been described above.

[0216] In addition, according to the above introduction, the receiving end of the first indication information (for example, the first device) may use Q in addition to the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor when determining the numerical range. Optionally, the first indication information may include the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor, as well as Q, and the first device may determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range based on the first indication information. Optionally, the third list may include a Q, and any scaling factor in the fourth list uses the Q; or, the third list may include corresponding Qs for different scaling factors, and the Qs corresponding to different scaling factors are the same or different; or, the third list may include a Q, and any fourth list in the third list uses the Q; or, each fourth list may include a Q, and the Qs included in different fourth lists are the same or different. Alternatively, the first indication information may include the first scaling factor and the second scaling factor, but not Q, and the first device may also obtain Q in combination with other information. For example, if the protocol predefines Q, or the second device also indicates Q through other indication information (such as third indication information), the first device can determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range by combining Q and the first indication information. For example, the first indication information indicates the second scaling factor F, and the third indication information indicates the value of Q, which is used to determine the first numerical range. The first device can determine the first numerical range to be (0, Q) based on the value of Q, and can also determine the second numerical range to be (0, Q×F) based on the values ​​of the second scaling factor F and Q. For another example, if the first indication information indicates the first scaling factor F, and the third indication information indicates the value of Q, which is used to determine the second numerical range, the first device can determine the second numerical range to be (0, Q) based on the value of Q, and can also determine the first numerical range to be (0, Q×F) based on the values ​​of the first scaling factor F and Q. For another example, the first indication information indicates the first scaling factor F1 and the second scaling factor F2, and the third indication information indicates the value of Q, which is used to determine a basic numerical range. The first device can determine the first numerical range as (0, Q×F1) based on the values ​​of the first scaling factor F1 and Q, and the first device can also determine the second numerical range as (0, Q×F2) based on the values ​​of the second scaling factor F2 and Q.

[0217] The content indicated by the first indication information is introduced above. The following describes the method in which the first device determines the first indication information.

[0218] Optionally, the first indication information may be information predefined by a protocol, and the first device can obtain the first indication information according to the information predefined by the protocol.

[0219] Alternatively, the first device may receive the first indication information, for example, the first indication information is included in the second message. The second message may come from the second device, or may come from another device other than the first device and the second device.

[0220] The second message, for example, indicates access to the first type of device, or indicates that the first type of device executes the first service, or is used to page the first type of device, etc. For example, the second message is a paging message or a select message, or it can also be other messages that can achieve similar functions. At this time, the first indication information can correspond to the first type of device, or to the current service (for example, the first service). All first type of devices or devices that execute the current service can use the first indication information. For example, the first indication information can be used regardless of whether one or multiple rounds of access procedures are performed. The first service is, for example, an inventory service, or it can be other services, such as a read service or a write service, etc. The first type of device is, for example, a specific type, such as a certain type of item, a certain type of electronic product, or a certain type of daily necessities, etc.

[0221] Alternatively, the second message may instruct at least one device to access, or instruct at least one device to perform random access, or indicate information for determining the second initial value of the first counter (see the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 ), or indicate information for determining the first initial value of the first counter (e.g., indicating a Q value used in combination with a scaling factor), or indicate information for determining the initial value of the first counter (e.g., a Q value that can be used by a device that does not adopt the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, or understood as a traditional Q value, which is the same for various devices), or be used for at least one device to acquire synchronization, or to resolve conflicts for access of at least one device, or to start the next round of access process, or instruct at least one device to perform contention-based access, or instruct at least one device to perform AIoT contention-based access, etc. Among them, the at least one device may include the first device. For example, the second message is a query message, or it may be other messages that can achieve similar functions. Optionally, the first indication information may correspond to the current round of access process (i.e., the round of access process in which the first device receives the first indication information), or to the current round of service process. For example, if the next round of access process is to be performed after the current round of access process ends, the second device may send the first indication information again. This approach can facilitate the update of the first indication information. For example, after a round of access process ends, some of the first type of devices may have already accessed the second device, and the number of devices to be accessed is reduced. The second device can evaluate the number of devices to be accessed, so that the content indicated by the first indication information can be updated during the next round of access. For example, after a round of access process ends, a large number of high-priority devices have accessed the second device, and the number of high-priority devices to be accessed is reduced. The second device can reduce the second numerical range indicated by the first indication information, which can not only enable high-priority devices to access, but also improve access efficiency.

[0222] Alternatively, the above-mentioned messages may be combined. For example, the second device may first indicate the fifth list through a paging message, a select message, or other broadcast messages other than the above-mentioned types of messages. The fifth list may include a correspondence between an index and a parameter, wherein one index may correspond to a set of parameters, wherein a set of parameters may indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, or indicate a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor. For example, the fifth list may include one or more correspondences, wherein one correspondence is a correspondence between an index and a set of parameters. For example, the fifth list may include a correspondence between a first index and a set of parameters A, a correspondence between a second index and a set of parameters B, a correspondence between an Mth index and a set of parameters M, and so on, where M is a positive integer. In addition, the second device may send a first indication message through a query message or other message with similar functions. The first indication message may indicate an index in the first list. Then, the first device may query the first list to determine the parameter indicated by the first indication message, thereby determining the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. For another example, the second device may first indicate the first numerical range through a paging message, a select message, or other broadcast messages other than the above types of messages, and then indicate the second numerical range through a query message or other messages with similar functions, so that the first device can determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range.

[0223] Alternatively, the protocol predefined method and the method indicated by the second device can also be combined. For example, the protocol can predefine the second numerical range, and the second device can then indicate the first numerical range through the first indication information, so that the first device can determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. For another example, the protocol can predefine the fifth list mentioned above, and the second device can then send the first indication information, which can indicate an index in the fifth list. The first device can then determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range based on the fifth list predefined by the protocol and the first indication information.

[0224] For example, if the first indication information comes from the second device, the second device may optionally send the first indication information based on the fourth information, or the second device may determine the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range based on the fourth information. For example, the fourth information may indicate the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be connected, and / or indicate the number of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor. For example, the second device may obtain the fourth information from a network device, such as a core network device, or may obtain the fourth information through other means.

[0225] For example, the fourth information may include information about at least one device to be accessed, where the information about one device to be accessed may include the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed (for example, indicating whether the device to be accessed is a low-power device or a high-power device, or indicating whether the device to be accessed is device1 or device2, etc.). The second device may determine based on the fourth information that the devices to be accessed include devices with different ranges corresponding to the first factor, and the second device may use the method of the embodiments of the present application to enable the device to be accessed to perform access.

[0226] For another example, the fourth information may include information about at least one device to be connected, and the information about one device to be connected may include the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be connected (for example, indicating whether the device to be connected is a low-power device or a high-power device, or indicating whether the device to be connected is device1 or device2, etc.). The second device can roughly determine the number of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor based on the fourth information, thereby determining the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. Alternatively, the fourth information includes the number of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor, for example, a specific number or range, then the second device can directly know the number or range of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor based on the fourth information, thereby determining the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. For example, if the number of devices to be connected corresponding to the second range of the first factor is large, the second device may set the second numerical range to be larger to accommodate the access of a larger number of devices and reduce access conflicts between devices.

[0227] S802: The first device determines a first initial value using a first numerical range or a second numerical range based on a range of a first factor corresponding to the first device. The first initial value is an initial value of a first counter maintained by the first device, and the first counter can be used by the first device to send random information.

[0228] The first numerical range and / or second numerical range indicated by the first indication information are associated with different ranges of the first factor. The first device can determine which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to, and thus the first device can determine whether to use the first numerical range or the second numerical range. For example, if the first device corresponds to the first range of the first factor, the first device can use the first numerical range to determine the first initial value; alternatively, if the first device corresponds to the second range of the first factor, the first device can use the second numerical range to determine the first initial value.

[0229] Optionally, the first device may directly determine which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to. For example, if the first factor is power, the first device may determine that the first device corresponds to the first range or the second range of the first factor based on the power of the first device (for example, the maximum storable power of the first device, or the remaining power of the first device). For another example, if the first factor is the type of device, the first device may determine that the first device corresponds to the first range or the second range of the first factor based on the type of the first device. For example, if the type of the first device is device1, the first device corresponds to the first range of the first factor, or if the type of the first device is device2, the first device corresponds to the second range of the first factor. For another example, if the first factor is the type of service, the first device may determine that the first device corresponds to the first range or the second range of the first factor based on the service performed by the first device.

[0230] Alternatively, the first device may first determine which range of the second factor the first device corresponds to, and then determine which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to based on the range of the second factor the first device corresponds to. For example, the first factor is priority, and the first device may not be able to directly determine the priority of the first device, but the first device may first determine which range of the second factor the first device corresponds to. The second factor may include one or more of the factors such as business type, device type, or power, and combined with the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device, it can be determined which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to. For example, the first factor is priority, and the second factor is power. If the first device corresponds to a first range of power (e.g., a high power range), then the first device corresponds to a first range of priority (e.g., a low priority range); or, if the first device corresponds to a second range of power (e.g., a low power range), then the first device corresponds to a second range of priority (e.g., a high priority range).

[0231] For another example, the first factor is priority and the second factor is the type of device. If the first device corresponds to a first range of device types (e.g., a low power consumption type), then the first device corresponds to a first range of priorities (e.g., a low priority range); or, if the first device corresponds to a second range of device types (e.g., a high power consumption type), then the first device corresponds to a second range of priorities (e.g., a high priority range).

[0232] For another example, the first factor is priority and the second factor is service type. If the first device corresponds to a first range of service types (e.g., uplink service), the first device corresponds to a first range of priorities (e.g., a low priority range); or, if the first device corresponds to a second range of service types (e.g., downlink type), the first device corresponds to a second range of priorities (e.g., a high priority range).

[0233] In particular, whether the first device directly determines the first factor, or determines the second factor first and then the first factor, the first device may perform the determination entirely on its own, or may determine the determination in conjunction with third information, where the third information is, for example, predefined by the protocol or comes from the second device. The third information may be used by the first device to determine the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, or used by the first device to determine the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device. In particular, if the third information is used by the first device to determine the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device, then since the first device determines the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device in order to determine the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, it can also be considered that the third information is used by the first device to determine the range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device.

[0234] For example, if the first factor is the power level, the first device may determine which power range the first device corresponds to based on the power level of the first device and third information, where the third information may include, for example, a power level threshold. For example, if the power level of the first device is greater than or equal to the power level threshold, the first device corresponds to the first power range, while if the power level of the first device is less than the power level threshold, the first device corresponds to the second power range.

[0235] If the first device determines the first initial value according to the first numerical range, for example, one approach includes determining the first initial value according to the upper limit and / or lower limit of the first numerical range.

[0236] For example, if the first numerical range is (0, n), the first initial value may be (0, 2 n Alternatively, the first numerical range is any value in (0, n).

[0237] For another example, if the first value range is (n, Q), the first initial value may be (2 n -1, 2 Q Alternatively, the first numerical range is any value in (n, Q).

[0238] For another example, if the first value range is (0, N), the first initial value may be (0, 2 N Alternatively, the first numerical range is any value in (0, N).

[0239] For another example, if the first value range is (M, Q), the first initial value may be (2 M -1, 2 Q Alternatively, the first numerical range is any value in (M, Q).

[0240] If the first device determines the first initial value according to the second numerical range, the determination method is similar and will not be described in detail.

[0241] S803: When the value of the first counter decreases from the first initial value to 0, the first device sends the first random information. Alternatively, when the value of the first counter is 0, the first device sends the first random information.

[0242] After the first device determines the first initial value, it can assign the first initial value to the first counter. If the first initial value is 0, the first device can send the first random information during the current access opportunity. Alternatively, if the first initial value is greater than 0, the first device can incrementally decrement the value of the first counter. For example, the first device can receive a fourth message from the second device. Each time the fourth message is received, the first device can decrement the value of the first counter by 1 until the value of the first counter reaches 0. The fourth message can be used, for example, to decrement the first counter, to indicate the next device to access, to indicate the next access opportunity, to synchronize at least one device, or to resolve access conflicts for at least one device. For example, the fourth message can be a QueryRep message. The QueryRep message transmission mechanism can be described above. That is, during an access round, the second device can send a QueryRep message during each access opportunity after the first access opportunity. For example, the second device can send a QueryRep message at the beginning of each access opportunity. Upon receiving a QueryRep message during an access opportunity, the first device can decrement the value of the first counter by 1. If the first device decrements the first counter a certain time so that the value of the first counter is 0, the first device will send random information within the access opportunity.

[0243] It is introduced in S801 that the first indication information can be included in the second message, and the second message has different implementation methods. If the second message indicates the access of the first type of device, or indicates the first type of device to perform the first service, or is used to page the first type of device, etc., for example, the second message is a paging message or a select message. Optionally, after S801, the embodiment of the present application may further include S804, for which reference may be made to Case 1 in Figure 8. S804 includes that the second device sends the first information, and correspondingly, the first device receives the first information. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, Case 1 may also not include S804, but the second message may also include the first information described in S804. In addition, optionally, in Case 1, the embodiment of the present application may further include the step of the second device sending a QueryRep message, which is not shown in the figure. Among them, the first information may indicate at least one device to access or perform contention-based access or perform AIoT contention-based access, or indicate at least one device to perform random access, or indicate information used to determine the first initial value of the first counter (for example, indicating the Q value used in combination with the scaling factor), or indicate information used to determine the initial value of the first counter (for example, the Q value that can be used by devices that do not adopt the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the Q value is the same for various devices), or used for at least one device to obtain synchronization, or to resolve conflicts for the access of at least one device, or to start the next round of access process, or to indicate at least one device to perform contention-based access, or to indicate at least one device to perform AIoT contention-based access, etc. For example, the first information is a query message, or the first information is included in the query message.

[0244] Alternatively, if the second message indicates access by at least one device, or indicates at least one device to perform random access, contention-based access, or AIoT contention-based access, or indicates information used to determine the initial value of a first counter, or is used for synchronization of at least one device, or performs conflict resolution for access by at least one device, or is used to initiate the next round of access, for example, the second message is a query message. The at least one device may include the first device. Optionally, before S801, this embodiment of the present application may further include S806. For this, reference may be made to Case 2 in FIG8 . In S806, the second device sends message A, and the first device receives message A. Message A may indicate access by a first type of device, or indicate execution of a first service by a first type of device, or be used to page a first type of device, for example, message A may be a paging message or a select message. For example, message A may be a broadcast message. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, this embodiment of the present application may not include S806, and the second message may also implement the functionality of the paging message or select message. In addition, in case 2, if S801 is the first device receiving the second message, optionally, S801 and S804 can be the same step, which is represented by S801 in Figure 8. For example, the second message includes not only the first indication information but also the first information.

[0245] Among them, in the various embodiments of the present application, for the sake of simplicity of description, a message used to instruct at least one device to access, or instruct at least one device to perform random access, or instruct at least one device to perform contention-based access, or instruct at least one device to perform AIoT contention-based access, or indicate information for determining the second initial value of a counter (e.g., a first counter), or indicate information for determining the first initial value of the first counter (e.g., indicating a Q value used in combination with a scaling factor), or indicate information for determining the initial value of the first counter (e.g., a Q value that can be used by a device that does not adopt the method provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the Q value is the same for various devices), or for at least one device to obtain synchronization, or to resolve conflicts in the access of at least one device, or to start the next round of access process, etc., is taken as an example of a query message, but the message can also be other messages that can achieve similar functions. That is, the query message in each embodiment of the present application can be replaced by a message for instructing at least one device to access, or instructing at least one device to perform random access, or instructing at least one device to perform contention-based access, or instructing at least one device to perform AIoT contention-based access, or indicating information for determining the initial value of the first counter, or for at least one device to obtain synchronization, or for conflict resolution of access of at least one device, or for starting the next round of access process, etc.

[0246] In the various embodiments of the present application, for the sake of simplicity of description, a message for indicating access of a first type of device, or indicating access of a first type of device to perform contention-based access, or indicating access of a first type of device to perform AIoT contention-based access, or indicating access of a first type of device to perform a first service, or for paging a first type of device, etc., is taken as an example of a paging message or a select message, but the message may also be other messages that can achieve similar functions. That is, the paging message or the select message in the various embodiments of the present application may be replaced by a message for indicating access of a first type of device, or indicating access of a first type of device to perform contention-based access, or indicating access of a first type of device to perform AIoT contention-based access, or indicating access of a first type of device to perform a first service, or for paging a first type of device, etc.

[0247] In the various embodiments of the present application, for ease of description, a QueryRep message is used as an example of a message used to decrement a counter (e.g., a first counter), decrement a counter (e.g., a first counter) by 1, indicate the next device access, indicate the next access timing, synchronize at least one device, or resolve access conflicts for at least one device. However, the message may also be another message capable of achieving similar functions. That is, the QueryRep message in the various embodiments of the present application may be replaced by a message used to decrement a counter (e.g., a first counter), decrement a counter (e.g., a first counter) by 1, indicate the next device access, indicate the next access timing, synchronize at least one device, or resolve access conflicts for at least one device.

[0248] The second device can detect random information at at least one access moment. Optionally, the at least one access moment can be determined based on the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. For example, the second device can determine a maximum numerical range based on the union of the first numerical range and the second numerical range. Based on the maximum numerical range, the maximum initial value and the minimum initial value of the counter can be determined. Based on the maximum initial value and the minimum initial value, a first time range can be determined. The first time range can include at least one access moment.

[0249] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application may further include S805, the second device sends a third message. Accordingly, the first device receives the third message. The third message is, for example, ACK. Optionally, the third message may be a message of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or may be a message of other protocol layers, such as a message of a radio resource control (RRC) layer. Optionally, the second device may send the third message at or after the completion of at least one access moment. The at least one access moment may be considered to include the latest time at which each device sends random information within the current access opportunity. For example, after the at least one access moment, each device no longer sends random information within the current access opportunity. If the second device sends the third message at this time, the probability of missing random information may be reduced.

[0250] The third message may include the random information received by the second device during this access opportunity. For example, if the second device received the first random information, the third message may include the first random information. For the first device, if the received third message includes the first random information, the first device may determine that the access was successful; if the received third message does not include the first random information, the first device may determine that the access failed. If the first device fails to access, the first device may optionally continue access at the next access opportunity or in the next access round, or may terminate the access.

[0251] If the third message includes the first random information, then optionally, after S805, the first device may also send the identifier of the first device to the second device. In addition, data transmission may also be performed between the first device and the second device, for example, refer to S205 to S206 in Figure 2, which will not be elaborated here.

[0252] Optionally, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be used for at least one round of access process. For example, it can be used for the first round of access process, or it can also be used for other rounds of access process after the first round of access process. For example, starting from the first round of access process, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application is used to distinguish different accesses in the first round of access process, which can improve the access success probability of devices with higher access requirements. After the first round of access process is completed, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be stopped. Or whether to continue to use the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application after the first round of access process is completed can be determined according to the result of the first round of access process. For example, if after the first round of access process, there are still many devices to be connected that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can continue to be used in the second round of access process; and if after the first round of access process, there are already many devices to be connected or many high-priority devices have completed access, then the second round of access process may not use the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, but use the traditional solution to perform access. For another example, in the first round of access process, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is not used, but the traditional solution is used to perform access, and various types of devices compete for access under the same conditions. After the first round of access process is completed, the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, etc., then starting from the second round of access process, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be adopted. Among them, how many rounds of access process the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in can be predefined by the protocol, for example, the number of rounds is fixed; or, how many rounds of access process the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in can also be determined by the second device. For example, after a round of access process is completed, if the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, it can continue to adopt the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next round of access process; and after a round of access process is completed, if the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have been connected, it can stop adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next round of access process. Optionally, the first indication information can indicate the number of rounds used by the first indication information, such as an index indicating the number of rounds used by the first indication information; or, if the first indication information is received in a certain round of access process, it is considered that the first indication information will be used in this round, that is, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is used.

[0253] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, and different numerical ranges may be used for different ranges of the first factor, and the first device also corresponds to the corresponding range of the first factor, so that the first device can determine which numerical range the first device should use. That is, different devices can determine the corresponding numerical range according to the range of the first factor corresponding to the device, which is equivalent to different devices being able to use different access conditions without having to compete for access under the same conditions. For example, devices corresponding to different ranges of the first factor will be assigned to different access opportunities with a greater probability to perform access due to the different numerical ranges used, thereby reducing access conflicts between devices, and since different numerical ranges are used, the mutual influence of the two types of devices is reduced, so that devices that wish to access as soon as possible can access as early as possible, thereby improving the access success rate.

[0254] An embodiment of the present application provides another communication method. Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0255] S901. The first device determines first indication information.

[0256] The first device may determine an initial value of the first counter based on the first indication information, for example, referred to as the first initial value; or, the first device may send random information (for example, the first random information to be described later) based on the first indication information; or, the first device may determine a time for sending the random information based on the first indication information; or, in the embodiment of the present application, a time capable of or used for sending random information may be referred to as an access moment, and the first device may determine an access moment for sending the random information based on the first indication information; or, the first device may determine a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range based on the first indication information. The first indication information may indicate the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range.

[0257] For more details about S901 , such as more introduction to the first indication information, please refer to S801 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 .

[0258] S902: The first device determines a first initial value using a first numerical range or a second numerical range based on a range of a first factor corresponding to the first device. The first initial value is an initial value of a first counter maintained by the first device, and the first counter can be used by the first device to send random information.

[0259] For more details about S902 , please refer to S802 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 .

[0260] S903: When the value of the first counter decreases from the first initial value to 0, the first device sends the first random information. Alternatively, when the value of the first counter is 0, the first device sends the first random information.

[0261] Optionally, before S903, or before the first device assigns the first counter a first initial value, the method may further include S904, where the second device sends first information, and the first device accordingly receives the first information. S904 may occur, for example, before S901, simultaneously with S901, or after S901. The first information may instruct at least one device to access or perform contention-based access or AIoT contention-based access, instruct at least one device to perform random access, be used for at least one device to acquire synchronization, perform conflict resolution for access of at least one device, initiate the next round of access procedures, or be used to determine a second initial value. For more information on the first information indication, please refer to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in FIG8. For example, the first information is a query message, or the first information is included in a query message. The second initial value may be used for the first counter or the second counter. Optionally, the second counter and the first counter may be the same counter, or different counters. If the second counter and the first counter are the same counter, the second counter described below may be replaced with the first counter.

[0262] The first device can determine the second initial value based on the first information, and the first device can assign the second initial value to the second counter. When the second counter is decremented from the second initial value to 0, the first device does not send random information, but can assign the first initial value to the first counter. Among them, if the second initial value is also the value assigned to the first counter, the first counter assigned to the first initial value can be called the updated first counter. When the value of the first counter is decremented from the first initial value to 0, the first device sends random information again. This is equivalent to the device to be accessed being able to wait for a period of time before sending random information when the second counter is decremented from the second initial value to 0, and the device to be accessed determines the waiting time based on the first numerical range or the second numerical range. The waiting time determined by different devices may be different, thereby reducing access conflicts between devices and improving the access success rate.

[0263] After the first device assigns the second initial value to the second counter, if the second initial value is 0, the first device may assign the first initial value to the first counter.

[0264] Alternatively, after the first device assigns the second initial value to the second counter, if the second initial value is not 0 (e.g., greater than 0), the first device may wait until the value of the second counter is decremented to 0 before assigning the first counter the first initial value. Optionally, if the second initial value is not 0, the first device may decrement the second counter sequentially until the value of the second counter is 0. The first device decrements the second counter, for example, by decrementing the second counter based on a first message from the second device. For example, the first device may receive a first message from the second device, and each time the first message is received, the first device may decrement the value of the second counter by 1 until the value of the second counter is 0. The first message may be used, for example, to decrement the second counter, or to decrement the value of the second counter by 1, or to indicate the next device to access, or to indicate the next access timing, or to synchronize at least one device, or to resolve conflicts for the access of at least one device. For example, the first message is a QueryRep message. The QueryRep message transmission mechanism can be found in the previous section. That is, during an access round, the second device can send a QueryRep message in each access opportunity, starting with the second access opportunity. For example, the second device can send a QueryRep message at the beginning of each access opportunity. Upon receiving a QueryRep message in an access opportunity, the first device can decrement the value of the second counter by 1.

[0265] Alternatively, if the first device assigns the second initial value to the second counter, the first device does not have to wait until the second counter is decremented to 0 before assigning a value to the first counter. For example, the first device can assign values ​​to the second counter and the first counter at the same time, for example, assigning the second initial value to the second counter and assigning the sum of the second initial value and the first initial value to the first counter. The first counter and the second counter can first be decremented according to the same rule. For example, the first device can receive a first message from the second device. Each time the first message is received, the first device can decrement the values ​​of the first counter and the second counter by 1 until the value of the second counter is 0 (at this time, the first counter has also been decremented by the second initial value, and the current value is the first initial value). After that, the first device decrements the first counter according to the message from the second device until the value of the first counter is 0.

[0266] Alternatively, if the second counter is different from the first counter, the first device may not have to wait until the second counter is decremented to 0 before assigning a value to the first counter. For example, the first device may assign a value to the first counter after obtaining the first indication information.

[0267] For the first counter (corresponding to the first initial value), if the first initial value is 0, the first device may send the first random information when the value of the first counter is the first initial value or after the value of the first counter is the first initial value.

[0268] Alternatively, if the first initial value is not 0 (for example, greater than 0), the first device may send the first random information when the value of the first counter is decremented to 0 or after the value of the first counter is decremented to 0. Optionally, if the first initial value is not 0, the first device may decrement the first counter one by one until the value of the first counter is 0. The way in which the first device decrements the first counter is, for example, decrementing the first counter according to the fourth message from the second device. The second device may send the fourth message once or multiple times within the current access opportunity. For this, please refer to S905. S905 takes the fourth message once as an example; each time the first device receives the fourth message, it subtracts 1 from the value of the first counter until the value of the first counter is 0. The implementation mechanism of the fourth message involved in S905 is introduced below.

[0269] Optionally, the second device may send the fourth message once or multiple times in each access opportunity of some or all access opportunities during an access round, where the number or quantity of fourth messages sent in different access opportunities may be the same or different. Optionally, the number of times the fourth message is sent in an access opportunity, the frequency of sending the fourth message in an access opportunity, or the length of the sub-time unit (or sub-access opportunity) used to send the fourth message in an access opportunity may be determined based on the number of devices to be accessed and / or the first indication information, or may also be determined based on other factors. For example, if the number of devices to be accessed is large, the fourth message may be sent more times; or, if any numerical range indicated by the first indication information is large, the fourth message may be sent more times. Optionally, the second device may be considered to send the fourth message once within a sub-time unit. That is, the time unit used to send the fourth message is a sub-time unit, and a time unit (or, an access opportunity) may include one or more sub-time units. Therefore, the second device may send the fourth message once or multiple times in a single access opportunity. Each time the receiving end of the fourth message (e.g., the first device) receives the fourth message, the value of the counter maintained by the receiving end (e.g., the first counter maintained by the first device) is decremented by 1 until the value of the counter reaches 0. For example, if a time unit is called a time slot, then a sub-time unit may also be called a sub-time slot, or may have other names, without limitation.

[0270] The fourth message can be used to decrement the value of the first counter, decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or indicate the next device to access. The fourth message can function similarly to a QueryRep message. However, unlike a QueryRep message, a QueryRep message and a Query message cannot be sent in the same access opportunity, while the fourth message and the Query message can be sent in the same access opportunity. Alternatively, the fourth message and the QueryRep message can also be sent in the same access opportunity. For example, during an access round, the second device may send the fourth message one or more times in each access opportunity included. Alternatively, the fourth message differs from the QueryRep message in that the QueryRep message is associated with a single access opportunity, while the fourth message is associated with a sub-access opportunity within a single access opportunity. For example, a single access opportunity may include one or more sub-access opportunities. Alternatively, the fourth message differs from the QueryRep message in that the QueryRep message is associated with a single time unit, while the fourth message is associated with a sub-time unit within a single time unit. Alternatively, the fourth message differs from the QueryRep message in that the QueryRep message is associated with a single time slot, while the fourth message is associated with a sub-time slot within a single time slot.

[0271] It is introduced in S901 that the first indication information can be included in the second message, and the second message has different implementation methods. If the second message indicates the access of the first type of device, or indicates the first type of device to perform the first service, or is used to page the first type of device, etc., for example, the second message is a paging message or a select message. Optionally, after S901, the embodiment of the present application may further include S904, for which reference may be made to Case 1 in Figure 9. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, Case 1 may not include S904, but the second message may further include the first information described in S904. In addition, optionally, Case 1 may further include the step of the second device sending a QueryRep message, which is not shown in the figure.

[0272] Alternatively, if the second message indicates access by at least one device, or indicates at least one device to perform random access, contention-based access, or AIoT contention-based access, or indicates information used to determine the second initial value of a second counter, or is used for synchronization of at least one device, or performs conflict resolution for access by at least one device, or is used to initiate the next round of access, for example, the second message is a query message. The at least one device may include the first device. Optionally, before S901, this embodiment of the present application may further include S906. For this, reference may be made to Case 2 in FIG. 9 . In S906, the second device sends message A, and the first device receives message A. Message A may indicate access by a first type of device, or instruct the first type of device to perform a first service, or be used to page the first type of device, for example, message A may be a paging message or a select message. For example, message A may be a broadcast message. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, this embodiment of the present application may not include S906, and the second message may also implement the functionality of the paging message or select message. In addition, in case 2, S901 and S906 may be the same step, which is represented by S901 in the figure. For example, the second message includes not only the first indication information but also the first information.

[0273] Alternatively, if the second message is used to decrement the first counter, or to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to indicate the access of the next device, or to indicate the next access timing, or to synchronize at least one device, or to resolve access conflicts for at least one device, for example, the second message is a QueryRep message. Optionally, before S901, this embodiment of the present application may further include S906 and / or S904. For this, reference may be made to Case 3 in FIG9 . For example, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are not combined but are two messages, then Case 3 may include S904 and S906. FIG9 uses this as an example. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, then Case 3 may include S904 but not S906. The message containing the first information in S904 may also function as a paging message or a select message. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, then Case 3 may include S906 but not S904. Message A in S904 may also include the first information.

[0274] The second device can detect random information at at least one access moment. Optionally, the at least one access moment can be determined based on the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range. For example, the second device can determine a maximum numerical range based on the union of the first numerical range and the second numerical range. Based on the maximum numerical range, the maximum initial value and the minimum initial value of the counter can be determined. Based on the maximum initial value and the minimum initial value, a first time range can be determined. The first time range can include at least one access moment.

[0275] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application may further include S907, the second device sends a third message. Accordingly, the first device receives the third message. The third message is, for example, ACK. Optionally, the third message may be a MAC CE, or may be a message of other protocol layers, such as an RRC message. Optionally, the second device may send the third message at or after the completion of at least one access moment. The at least one access moment may be considered to include the latest time at which each device sends random information within the current access opportunity. For example, after the at least one access moment, each device no longer sends random information within the current access opportunity. If the second device sends the third message at this time, the probability of missing random information can be reduced.

[0276] The third message may include the random information received by the second device during this access opportunity. For example, if the second device received the first random information, the third message may include the first random information. For the first device, if the received third message includes the first random information, the first device may determine that the access was successful; if the received third message does not include the first random information, the first device may determine that the access failed. If the first device fails to access, the first device may optionally continue access at the next access opportunity or in the next access round, or may terminate the access.

[0277] If the third message includes the first random information, then optionally, after S907, the first device may also send the identifier of the first device to the second device. In addition, data transmission may also be performed between the first device and the second device, for example, refer to S205 to S206 in FIG. 2 , which will not be elaborated herein.

[0278] Optionally, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be used for at least one round of access process. For example, it can be used for the first round of access process, or it can also be used for other rounds of access process after the first round of access process. For example, starting from the first round of access process, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application is used to distinguish different accesses in the first round of access process, which can improve the access success probability of devices with higher access requirements. After the first round of access process is completed, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be stopped. Or whether to continue to use the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application after the first round of access process is completed can be determined according to the result of the first round of access process. For example, if after the first round of access process, there are still many devices to be connected that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can continue to be used in the second round of access process; and if after the first round of access process, there are already many devices to be connected or many high-priority devices have completed access, then the second round of access process may not use the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, but use the traditional solution to perform access. For another example, in the first round of access process, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is not used, but the traditional solution is used to perform access, and various types of devices compete for access under the same conditions. After the first round of access process is completed, the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, etc., then starting from the second round of access process, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be adopted. How many rounds of access process the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in can be predefined by the protocol, for example, the number of rounds is fixed; or, how many rounds of access process the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in can also be determined by the second device. For example, after a round of access process is completed, if the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, it can continue to adopt the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next round of access process; and after a round of access process is completed, if the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have been connected, it can stop adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next round of access process. Optionally, the first indication information can indicate the number of rounds used by the first indication information, such as an index indicating the number of rounds used by the first indication information; or, if the first indication information is received in a certain round of access process, it is considered that the first indication information will be used in this round, that is, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is used.

[0279] In addition, a round of access includes one or more access opportunities, and the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in each access opportunity, or the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in some of the access opportunities. For example, before the access begins, if the second device determines that there are many devices to be accessed, or many high-priority devices to be accessed, it can continue to use the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the first access opportunity; after the first access opportunity is completed, if the second device determines that there are many devices to be accessed that have not been accessed, or many high-priority devices that have not been accessed, it can continue to use the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next access opportunity. If there are many devices to be accessed or high-priority devices that have already been accessed, then in the next access opportunity, it can stop using the solution of the embodiment of the present application and use the traditional solution to perform access. For another example, after an access opportunity is completed, if the second device determines that there are a large number of devices to be accessed that have not been accessed, or a large number of high-priority devices have not been accessed, it can continue to adopt the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next access opportunity; and after an access opportunity is completed, if the second device determines that a large number of devices to be accessed have been accessed, or a large number of high-priority devices have been accessed, it can stop adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next access opportunity.

[0280] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range. Different numerical ranges may be used for different ranges of the first factor, and the first device also corresponds to the corresponding range of the first factor, so that the first device can determine which numerical range the first device should use. That is, different devices can determine corresponding numerical ranges based on the range of the first factor corresponding to the device, which is equivalent to different devices being able to use different access conditions without having to compete for access under the same conditions. In an embodiment of the present application, the first numerical range can be used to determine a sub-time unit, and the second numerical range can be used to determine a sub-time unit. This is different from the embodiment shown in Figure 8, in which the first numerical range can be used to determine a time unit, and the second numerical range can be used to determine a time unit. For example, in an embodiment of the present application, devices corresponding to different ranges of the first factor, due to the different numerical ranges used, are more likely to be assigned to different times (e.g., different sub-time units) within the same access opportunity to perform access, thereby reducing access conflicts between devices. Moreover, since different numerical ranges are used, the mutual influence of the two types of devices is reduced, allowing devices that wish to access as quickly as possible to access as soon as possible, thereby improving the access success rate. Moreover, in the embodiment of the present application, the first device can decrement the counter or realize timing according to the message from the second device, so that even if the capability of the first device is weak (for example, some devices may not be able to realize the timing function), the first device can still execute the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, which is conducive to expanding the application scope of the embodiment of the present application.

[0281] An embodiment of the present application provides another communication method. Please refer to FIG10 , which is a flowchart of the method.

[0282] S1001. The first device determines first indication information.

[0283] The first device can determine the time for sending random information based on the first indication information. Alternatively, the embodiment of the present application may also refer to the time that can or is used to send random information as the access moment, and the first device can determine the access moment for sending random information based on the first indication information. Optionally, the first indication information may indicate the first time information and / or the second time information. The first time information may indicate the latest time for sending random information in an access opportunity, and the second time information may indicate the latest time for sending random information in an access opportunity, and the time indicated by the first time information is different from the time indicated by the second time information. The first time information and the second time information can be used for different devices. For example, the first time information can be associated with the first range of the first factor, and the second time information can be associated with the second range of the first factor. For an introduction to the first factor, please refer to the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0284] Optionally, the first time information may include (or indicate) one or more of the following: a first duration, a first step duration, or a first quantity. The first duration may be understood as the duration corresponding to the first time information.

[0285] The first step length can be understood as the time interval between two access moments within the duration corresponding to the first time information (e.g., the first duration). The first duration may include one or more access moments, and the first step length is, for example, the time interval between two temporally adjacent access moments within the first duration. Optionally, the time intervals between different adjacent access moments within the first duration may be the same, that is, the first duration may be equally divided into multiple time periods, each of which may be the length of the first step length.

[0286] The first quantity can be understood as the number of access moments included in the duration (for example, the first duration) corresponding to the first time information. Among them, any one or both of the two access moments, the start moment and the end moment of the first duration, can be regarded as included in the first duration, or can also be regarded as not included in the first duration. For example, if the start moment of the first duration is regarded as included in the first duration, and the end moment of the first duration is regarded as not included in the first duration, then the number of access moments included in the first duration indicated by the first quantity can be equal to the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided. In this case, the first quantity can be regarded as indicating the number of access moments included in the first duration, or the first quantity can be regarded as indicating the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided; for another example, if the end moment of the first duration is regarded as included in the first duration, and the start moment of the first duration is regarded as not included in the first duration, then the number of access moments included in the first duration indicated by the first quantity can be equal to the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided. The number of time periods into which a duration is divided. In this case, the first number can be considered to indicate the number of access moments included in the first duration, or the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided. For another example, if both the start time and the end time of the first duration are considered to be included in the first duration, the number of access moments included in the first duration indicated by the first number can be equal to the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided plus 1. For another example, if both the start time and the end time of the first duration are considered to be excluded from the first duration, the number of access moments included in the first duration indicated by the first number can be equal to the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided minus 1. Whether the number of access moments indicated by the first number includes the start time and / or the end time of the first duration can be predefined by a protocol, or by a default rule, or indicated by the second device, or preconfigured in the first device and the second device. Therefore, the first device can determine the number of access moments in the first duration based on the first number.

[0287] The second time information may include (or indicate) one or more of the following: a second duration, a second step, or a second quantity; wherein the second duration may be understood as the duration corresponding to the second time information (e.g., the second duration), the second step may be understood as the time interval between two access moments within the duration corresponding to the second time information (e.g., the second duration), and the second quantity may be understood as the number of access moments included in the duration corresponding to the second time information. For more information about the second time information, please refer to the above description of the first time information.

[0288] The first time information and the second time information may be implemented in a variety of ways, or the first time information and the second time information may satisfy a variety of different relationships, as described below with examples.

[0289] Optionally, the time indicated by the first time information may be included in the time indicated by the second time information, and the time range corresponding to the second time information is larger than the time range corresponding to the first time information. For example, the lower limit of the time indicated by the first time information is the same as the lower limit of the time indicated by the second time information, and the upper limit of the time indicated by the second time information is larger than the upper limit of the time indicated by the first time information. For example, the first duration is (0ms, 4ms) and the second duration is (0ms, 10ms), that is, the access time determined by the first device according to the second time information includes the time from 0ms to 10ms, and the access time determined by the first device according to the first time information includes the first 4ms corresponding to the second time information. For another example, the upper limit of the time indicated by the first time information is the same as the upper limit of the time indicated by the second time information, and the lower limit of the time indicated by the second time information is smaller than the lower limit of the time indicated by the first time information. For example, the first duration is (6, 10ms) and the second duration is (0ms, 10ms). That is, the access time determined by the first device based on the second time information includes the time from 0ms to 10ms, and the access time determined by the first device based on the first time information includes the last 4ms corresponding to the second time information. For other details about the time indicated by the first time information including the time indicated by the second time information, please refer to the embodiment shown in FIG8 where the first numerical range is included in the second numerical range.

[0290] Alternatively, optionally, the time indicated by the first time information and the time indicated by the second time information may have no intersection. For example, the time indicated by the first time information is in front, and the time indicated by the second time information is in the back. For example, the time range indicated by the first time information is (0 milliseconds, N milliseconds), and the time range indicated by the second time information is (N+1 milliseconds, X milliseconds). For another example, the time indicated by the second time information is in front, and the time indicated by the first time information is in the back. For example, the time range indicated by the second time information is (0 milliseconds, N milliseconds), and the time range indicated by the first time information is (N+1 milliseconds, X milliseconds). For other details about the non-intersection of the first time information and the second time information, reference may be made to the case where the first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection in the embodiment shown in FIG8 .

[0291] Alternatively, optionally, the time indicated by the first time information and the time indicated by the second time information may also partially overlap. For example, the time indicated by the first time information is in front, and the time indicated by the second time information is in the back. For example, the time range indicated by the first time information is (0 milliseconds, N milliseconds), and the time range indicated by the second time information is (N milliseconds, X milliseconds). For another example, the time indicated by the second time information is in front, and the time indicated by the first time information is in the back. For example, the time range indicated by the second time information is (0 milliseconds, N milliseconds), and the time range indicated by the first time information is (N milliseconds, X milliseconds). For other details about the partial intersection of the first time information and the second time information, reference may be made to the case where the first numerical range and the second numerical range have a partial intersection in the embodiment shown in FIG8 .

[0292] In an optional embodiment, the time indicated by the second time information may be longer than the time indicated by the first time information. For example, the first time information indicates a first duration, and the second time information indicates a second duration, and the second duration may be longer than the first duration. For example, the first duration is 4ms, and the second duration is 6ms. For example, the second range of the first factor corresponds to a high priority, and the first range of the first factor corresponds to a low priority. By making the second duration longer than the first duration, high-priority devices have a greater likelihood of access, thereby increasing the access success rate of high-priority devices.

[0293] Different devices can obtain the first indication information, and thus can determine the time for sending random information based on the first indication information. However, different devices may use different time information, and thus the access times determined by different devices may differ, thus reducing device access conflicts. Even if two devices are the same type, for example, both devices correspond to the first range of the first factor and can use the first time information, the times for sending random information determined by the two devices based on the first time information may differ, further reducing device access conflicts.

[0294] The first device determines the time for sending the random information according to the first time information or the second time information, which can be implemented in different ways. The following takes the first device determining the time for sending the random information according to the first time information as an example.

[0295] As an optional implementation manner for the first device to determine the time for sending the random information, the first device may determine time A based on the first time information. For example, time A is an access time, and the first access time may be determined based on time A. For example, the first time information may be used to determine one or more times, and time A belongs to the one or more times. The one or more times may be, for example, some or all of the access times included in the first duration.

[0296] In one example, the first device can determine some or all of the access moments within the time indicated by the first time information based on the first time information, and then select an access moment from the one or more access moments as moment A. One selection method is, for example, random selection, or random selection according to a uniform distribution, or the first device can also adopt other selection methods. For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first step duration, the first duration is 4 milliseconds (ms), and the first step duration is 1ms. The first device can determine that the access moments within the first duration include the 0th ms, the 1st ms, the 2nd ms, the 3rd ms, and the 4th ms. These access moments can be regarded as candidate access moments. The first device can randomly select one from the candidate access moments as moment A, for example, the first device selects the 2nd ms. Alternatively, the first device can randomly select a moment from 0ms to 4ms according to a uniform distribution as moment A.

[0297] In another example, although the first indication information can be used to determine one or more moments, the first device does not actually determine all of the one or more moments. Instead, it only determines moment A based on the first indication information. For example, the first device obtains a random number based on the first time information, and the random number indicates moment A. For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first step duration, where the first duration is 4ms and the first step duration is 1ms. The first device randomly determines the 4th ms based on the first duration and uses the 4th ms as moment A, without determining access moments such as the 0th ms, 1st ms, 2nd ms, and 3rd ms. Alternatively, the first device randomly selects a moment from 0ms to 4ms according to a uniform distribution based on the 4ms corresponding to the first duration, for example, 4ms as moment A.

[0298] In another example, the first device may determine a first random number based on the first time information, and the access moment corresponding to the first random number within the time indicated by the first time information is moment A. For example, the first random number may indicate the sequence number of moment A within the time indicated by the first time information. The first random number is represented as R, for example. Optionally, R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first number. Optionally, in various embodiments of the present application, the method of determining the first random number may include randomly selecting a random number that meets the value requirements of R as the first random number, or randomly selecting a number from the values ​​that meet the value requirements of R as the first random number, etc. The random selection may include randomly selecting from a range that meets the value requirements of R according to a uniform distribution.

[0299] For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first quantity, and the first device determines a first random number R. For example, the first device may determine the first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth access moment within the first duration as moment A. For example, the first duration is 4 ms, the first quantity is 4, and the first device determines the first random number R to be 3 based on the first time information, i.e., the third access moment within the first duration is moment A. The access moments within the first duration indicated by the first time information include 0 ms, 1 ms, 2 ms, and 3 ms, and the third access moment is 2 ms, i.e., moment A at this time is 2 ms.

[0300] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first step duration, and the first device may determine a first quantity based on the first duration and the first step duration, for example, the first quantity is the value of the first duration divided by the first step duration. Then, the first device may determine a first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth access moment within the first duration as moment A. For example, the first duration is 10ms, the first step duration is 2ms, the first device determines the first quantity to be 10÷2=5 based on the first duration and the first step duration, and the first device determines the first random number R to be 3 based on the first quantity, that is, the third access moment within the first duration is used as moment A, wherein the access moments within the first duration indicated by the first time information include 0ms, 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, and 8ms, and the third access moment is 4ms, that is, moment A is 4ms.

[0301] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first step length and a first quantity, and the first device determines a first random number R. For example, the first device determines the first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the access moment corresponding to the Rth first step length as moment A. For example, the first step length is 2 ms and the first quantity is 5. The first device determines the first random number R to be 3 based on the first quantity, i.e., the access moment corresponding to the third first step length is used as moment A. The access moment corresponding to the third first step length is (3-1)×2ms=4ms, i.e., moment A is the 4th ms.

[0302] In another example, the first device can determine some or all access times within the first duration and a first random number based on the first time information. The method for determining the first random number by the first device can be referenced above. The first random number is, for example, represented by R, where R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first number.

[0303] For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first quantity. The first device may determine some or all access moments within the first duration based on the first duration and the first quantity. In addition, the first device may also determine a first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth access moment within the first duration as moment A. For example, the first duration is 10 ms, the first quantity is 5, and the first device determines, based on the first duration and the first quantity, that the access moments within the first duration include the 0th ms, the 2nd ms, the 4th ms, the 6th ms, and the 8th ms. The first device determines, based on the first quantity, that the first random number R is 3. In this case, the third access moment within the first duration indicated by the first time information is moment A, that is, the 4th ms is moment A.

[0304] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first step duration. The first device may determine some or all access moments within the first duration based on the first duration and the first step duration. Furthermore, the first device may determine a first quantity based on the first duration and the first step duration. For example, the first quantity is the value of the first duration divided by the first step duration. The first device may then determine a first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth access moment within the first duration as moment A. For example, the first duration is 10 ms and the first step duration is 2 ms. The first device determines, based on the first duration and the first step duration, that the access moments within the first duration include the 0th ms, the 2nd ms, the 4th ms, the 6th ms, and the 8th ms. The first device further determines, based on the first duration and the first step duration, a first quantity of 10 ÷ 2 = 5. The first device determines, based on the first quantity, a first random number R of 3. That is, the third access moment within the first duration is used as moment A. The third access moment is the 4th ms, i.e., moment A is the 4th ms.

[0305] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first step length and a first quantity. The first device may determine some or all access moments within the first time length based on the first step length and the first quantity. The first device may also determine a first random number R. For example, the first device may determine the first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth access moment within the first time length as moment A. For example, the first step length is 2 ms, the first quantity is 5, and the first device determines, based on the first step length and the first quantity, that the access moments include the 0th ms, the 2nd ms, the 4th ms, the 6th ms, and the 8th ms. The first device determines, based on the first quantity, that the first random number R is 3, i.e., the third access moment is used as moment A, and the third access moment is the 4th ms, i.e., moment A is the 4th ms.

[0306] In the above example, the access time determined by the first device is an integer time, such as 0th ms, 1st ms, etc. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the first device to determine a decimal time, for example, the access time determined by the first device may be 0.5th ms, etc.

[0307] As another optional implementation method for the first device to determine the time for sending random information, the first device can determine a third duration based on the first time information, and the third duration can be used to determine the time for sending random information. For example, the third duration is the time interval between the first access moment and the first moment, or the first access moment is the moment when the third duration arrives after the first moment, or the first access moment is the moment when the end moment of the third duration arrives after the first moment. The first moment will be introduced later. For example, the first indication information can be used to determine one or more durations, and the third duration belongs to the one or more durations. The maximum duration of the one or more durations can be less than or equal to the first duration. Any one of the one or more durations can be an integer multiple of the first duration.

[0308] In one example, the first device can determine one or more durations based on the first time information, and then select a duration from the one or more durations as the third duration. One selection method is, for example, random selection, or random selection according to a uniform distribution, or the first device can also adopt other selection methods. For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first number (wherein the first number is equal to the number of time periods into which the first duration is divided), the first duration is 4ms, and the first number is 5. The first device can thereby determine several durations such as 0ms, 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, and 4ms, which can be regarded as candidate durations. The first device can randomly select one from the candidate durations as the third duration, for example, the first device selects 2ms as the third duration. Alternatively, the first device can randomly select a duration from 0ms to 4ms according to a uniform distribution as the third duration.

[0309] In another example, although the first time information can be used to determine one or more durations, the first device does not actually determine the one or more durations, but only determines the third duration based on the first time information. For example, the first device obtains a random number based on the first time information, and the random number indicates the third duration. For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first quantity, the first duration is 4ms, and the first quantity is 5. The first device randomly determines 2ms as the third duration based on the first duration, but does not determine durations such as 0ms, 1ms, 2ms, and 3ms. Alternatively, the first device randomly selects a duration from 0ms to 4ms according to a uniform distribution based on the 4ms corresponding to the first duration, for example, 4ms as the third duration.

[0310] In another example, the first device may determine a first random number based on the first time information, and the first random number may be used to determine the third duration. For details on how the first device determines the first random number, see the previous section. Optionally, the first random number may be less than or equal to the duration corresponding to the first time information.

[0311] For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first quantity, and the first device determines a first random number R. For example, the first device may determine the first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth duration within the first duration as the third duration. For example, the first duration is 4ms and the first quantity is 5. The first device determines the first random number R to be 3 based on the first time information, that is, the third duration within the first duration is the third duration. The durations within the first duration indicated by the first time information include 0ms, 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, and 4ms, and the third duration is 2ms, that is, the third duration at this time is 2ms.

[0312] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first quantity, and the first device determines a first random number R. For example, the first device may determine the first random number R based on the first quantity. The first device may also determine a first step duration based on the first duration and the first quantity. For example, the first step duration is the value of the first duration divided by the first quantity, where R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity. The first device may use (R-1)×the first step duration within the first duration as the third duration. Alternatively, R is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than the first quantity. The first device may use R×the first step duration within the first duration as the third duration. For example, if the first duration is 10ms and the first quantity is 5, the first device may determine the first step duration to be 10÷5=2ms based on the first duration and the first quantity. If R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity, the first device may determine the first random number R to be 3 based on the first quantity, i.e., the third duration is (3-1)×2=4ms. Among them, the one or more time lengths determined by the first device according to the first time length and the first quantity include (10÷5)×(1-1)=0ms, (10÷5)×(2-1)=2ms, (10÷5)×(3-1)=4ms, (10÷5)×(4-1)=6ms, and (10÷5)×(5-1)=8ms.

[0313] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first step duration. The first device may further determine a first quantity based on the first duration and the first step duration, for example, the first quantity being the first duration divided by the first step duration. The first device may determine a first random number R based on the first quantity, where R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity. The first device may use (R-1)×the first step duration within the first duration as the third duration; or, if R is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than the first quantity, the first device may use R×the first step duration within the first duration as the third duration. For example, if the first duration is 10ms and the first step duration is 2ms, the first device may determine the first quantity to be 10÷2=5 based on the first duration and the first step duration. If R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity, the first device may determine the first random number R to be 3 based on the first quantity, i.e., the third duration is (3-1)×2=4ms. Among them, the one or more time lengths determined by the first device based on the first time length and the first step length include 2×(1-1)=0ms, 2×(2-1)=2ms, 2×(3-1)=4ms, 2×(4-1)=6ms, and 2×(5-1)=8ms.

[0314] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first step length and a first quantity, and the first device determines a first random number R. For example, the first device determines the first random number R based on the first quantity. Where R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity, the first device may use the (R-1)th first step length as the third duration. Alternatively, where R is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than the first quantity, the first device may use R×the first step length within the first duration as the third duration. For example, the first step length is 2ms, the first quantity is 5, and R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity. The first device determines the first random number R to be 3 based on the first quantity, i.e., the third duration is (3-1)×2=4ms. The one or more durations determined by the first device based on the first step length and the first quantity include 2×(1-1)=0ms, 2×(2-1)=2ms, 2×(3-1)=4ms, 2×(4-1)=6ms, and 2×(5-1)=8ms.

[0315] In another example, the first device may determine one or more durations and a first random number based on the first time information. The manner in which the first device determines the first random number can be found in the preceding text. The first random number is represented, for example, by R, where R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first number; or R is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than the first number.

[0316] For example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first quantity. The first device can determine a first duration based on the first duration and the first quantity. For example, the first duration is the value of the first duration divided by the first quantity. The first device can also determine one or more durations. For example, the one or more durations include the first duration × (1-1) ms, the first duration × (2-1) ms, ..., the first duration × (first quantity - 1) ms. The first device can also determine a first random number R. For example, the first device determines the first random number R based on the first quantity. For example, R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity. The first device can use the Rth duration among the one or more durations as the third duration. For example, the first duration is 10ms and the first number is 5. The first device determines the first duration as 10÷5=2ms based on the first duration and the first number. The one or more durations determined by the first device include (10÷5)×(1-1)=0ms, (10÷5)×(2-1)=2ms, (10÷5)×(3-1)=4ms, (10÷5)×(4-1)=6ms, and (10÷5)×(5-1)=8ms. The first device determines the first random number R as 3 based on the first number. The first device may use the third duration as the third duration, i.e., the third duration is 4ms.

[0317] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates a first duration and a first step duration, and the first device may determine a first quantity based on the first duration and the first step duration, for example, the first quantity being the first duration divided by the first step duration. The first device may also determine one or more durations, for example, the one or more durations including first duration × (1-1) ms, first duration × (2-1) ms, ..., first duration × (first quantity - 1) ms. The first device may also determine a first random number R, for example, the first device determines the first random number R based on the first quantity, for example, R is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth duration of the one or more durations as the third duration. For example, the first duration is 10 ms and the first step is 2 ms. The first device determines the first quantity as 10 ÷ 2 = 5 based on the first duration and the first step duration. The one or more durations determined by the first device include 2 × (1-1) = 0 ms, 2 × (2-1) = 2 ms, 2 × (3-1) = 4 ms, 2 × (4-1) = 6 ms, and 2 × (5-1) = 8 ms. The first device determines that the first random number R is 3 according to the first quantity, and the first device uses the third duration as the third duration, that is, the third duration is 4ms.

[0318] Alternatively, for another example, the first time information indicates the first step length and the first quantity. The first device may determine one or more time lengths, for example, the one or more time lengths include the first step length × (1-1) ms, the first step length × (2-1) ms, ..., the first step length × (first quantity - 1) ms. The first device may also determine a first random number R. For example, the first device determines the first random number R based on the first quantity, where N is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to the first quantity. The first device may use the Rth time length of the one or more time lengths as the third time length. For example, if the first step length is 2 ms and the first quantity is 5, the first device may determine one or more time lengths including 2 × (1-1) = 0 ms, 2 × (2-1) = 2 ms, 2 × (3-1) = 4 ms, 2 × (4-1) = 6 ms, and 2 × (5-1) = 8 ms. The first device determines the first random number R to be 3 based on the first quantity, and the first device uses the third time length as the third time length, i.e., the third time length is 4 ms.

[0319] In the above examples, the durations determined by the first device are all integer durations, such as 0ms, 1ms, etc. In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the first device to being able to determine decimal durations. For example, the duration determined by the first device may be 0.5ms, etc.

[0320] If the first device determines the time for sending the random information based on the second time information, the determination method is similar and will not be described in detail.

[0321] As an optional implementation manner in which the first indication information indicates the first time information and / or the second time information, the first indication information may include the first time information and / or the second time information.

[0322] For example, the first indication information includes a first field, the first field corresponds to the first time information, and / or the first indication information includes a second field, the second field corresponds to the second time information. For example, the value of the first field and / or the second field is an integer greater than or equal to zero.

[0323] For another example, the first indication information includes a sixth list, which may include first time information and / or second time information. Optionally, the sixth list may include one or more time information. Among these one or more time information, C1 time information is associated with the first range of the first factor (or, C1 time information is used for the first range of the first factor), and the first time information is one of the C1 time information; among these one or more time information, C2 time information is associated with the second range of the first factor (or, C2 time information is used for the second range of the first factor), and the second time information is one of the C2 time information. Optionally, it can also be understood that the sixth list is associated with the first factor. Wherein, C1 and C2 are both positive integers. Optionally, in some embodiments, in addition to the first and second ranges, the first factor may include more ranges, such as a third range. In this case, each range of the first factor may correspond to one or more of the one or more time information. It can be understood that the first factor may correspond to one or more ranges, and each range of the first factor has its own corresponding time information, thereby distinguishing different accesses.

[0324] For another example, the first indication information includes a sixth list, the sixth list includes one or more seventh lists, each of which may include time information associated with different ranges of the first factor, and one of the seventh lists includes first time information and / or second time information. The first factors associated with different seventh lists may be the same or different. For example, the first factor associated with the seventh list 1 is the business type, and the seventh list 1 may include time information associated with the first range of the business type, and / or time information associated with the second range of the business type; the first factor associated with the seventh list 2 is the power quantity, and the seventh list 1 may include time information associated with the first range of the power quantity, and / or time information associated with the second range of the power quantity, and so on.

[0325] In the above example, the first indication information directly indicates specific time information, for example, directly indicating that the first time information is 4ms. Alternatively, the first indication information can also indicate time information indirectly. Optionally, the first indication information can indicate an index, where one index can correspond to one time information, so that the corresponding time information can be determined by different indexes; and the first indication information does not need to indicate specific time information, which can also reduce the overhead of the first indication information. For example, in the sixth list (or seventh list) above, specific time information may not be included, but an index of the time information may be included, which will not be described in detail.

[0326] The above describes the implementation method of the first indication information. The following describes the method in which the first device determines the first indication information.

[0327] Optionally, the first indication information may be information predefined by the protocol, and the first device can determine the first indication information according to the information predefined by the protocol.

[0328] Alternatively, the first device may receive the first indication information, for example, the first indication information is included in the second message. The second message may come from the second device, or may come from another device other than the first device and the second device.

[0329] The second message, for example, indicates access to the first type of device, or indicates that the first type of device executes the first service, or is used to page the first type of device, etc. For example, the second message is a paging message or a select message, or it can also be other messages that can achieve similar functions. At this time, the first indication information can correspond to the first type of device, or to the current service (for example, the first service). All first type of devices or devices that execute the current service can use the first indication information. For example, the first indication information can be used regardless of whether one or multiple rounds of access procedures are performed. The first service is, for example, an inventory service, or it can be other services, such as a read service or a write service, etc. The first type of device is, for example, a specific type, such as a certain type of item, a certain type of electronic product, a certain type of daily necessities, etc.

[0330] Alternatively, the second message may instruct at least one device to access, or instruct at least one device to perform random access, or indicate information used to determine the initial value of the first counter, or be used for at least one device to acquire synchronization, or perform access conflict resolution for at least one device, or be used to initiate the next round of access procedures, or instruct at least one device to perform contention-based access, or instruct at least one device to perform AIoT contention-based access, etc. The at least one device may include the first device. For example, the second message is a query message, or it may be another message that can achieve similar functions. In this case, the first indication information may correspond to the current round of access procedures (i.e., the round of access procedures in which the first device received the first indication information), or to the current round of service procedures. For example, if the next round of access procedures is to be performed after the current round of access procedures ends, the second device may send the first indication information again. This approach can facilitate the updating of the first indication information. For example, after a round of access procedures ends, some devices of the first type may have already accessed the second device, reducing the number of devices to be accessed. The second device can evaluate the number of devices to be accessed, so that the time indicated by the first indication information can be reduced (for example, the first duration and / or the second duration, etc.) in the next round of access process to reduce conflicts at a finer granularity and reduce access delay.

[0331] Alternatively, the second message can be used to decrement the first counter, or to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to indicate the next device to access, or to indicate the next access opportunity, or to synchronize at least one device, or to resolve access conflicts for at least one device. For example, the second message can be a QueryRep message, or it can be another message capable of performing similar functions. In this case, the first indication information can correspond to the current access opportunity (i.e., the access opportunity for which the first device received the first indication information). For example, if the current access opportunity ends and the next access opportunity begins, the second device can send the first indication information again. This approach can facilitate the updating of the first indication information. For example, after an access opportunity ends, some devices of the first type may have already accessed the second device, thus reducing the number of devices waiting to access. The second device can evaluate the number of devices waiting to access and, in the next access opportunity, reduce the time indicated by the first indication information (e.g., by reducing the first duration and / or the second duration) to reduce conflicts and access latency at a finer granularity.

[0332] Alternatively, the second message may also be other broadcast messages other than the above types of messages, such as a message dedicated to sending the first indication information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0333] Alternatively, the above-mentioned messages may also be combined. For example, the second device may first indicate the eighth list through a paging message, a select message or other broadcast messages other than the above-mentioned types of messages. The eighth list may include a correspondence between an index and time information, wherein one index may correspond to one time information. For example, the eighth list may include one or more correspondences, wherein one correspondence is a correspondence between an index and a time information. For example, the eighth list may include a correspondence between a first index and a time information A, a correspondence between a second index and a time information B, a correspondence between an Mth index and a time information M, and so on, where M is a positive integer. In addition, the second device may send the first indication information through a query message or a QueryRep message or other messages with similar functions. The first indication information may indicate an index or two indexes in the eighth list (corresponding to the first time information and / or the second time information); then the first device queries the eighth list to determine the time information indicated by the first indication information, thereby determining the time for sending random information. For another example, the second device may first indicate partial information for determining the time to send random information through a paging message, a select message, or other broadcast message other than the above types of messages, and then send the remaining information for determining the time to send random information through a query message, a QueryRep message, or other messages with similar functions, so that the first device can obtain information for determining the time to send random information. For example, the second device may first indicate the third duration through a paging message, and then indicate the scaling factor through a query message. The first device may determine the time for sending random information based on the paging message and the query message. The third duration is, for example, the duration corresponding to the second range of the first factor, and the third duration and the scaling factor can be used to determine the duration corresponding to the first range of the first factor. For example, if the third duration is 10ms and the scaling factor is 0.4, then the duration corresponding to the second range of the first factor is 10ms, and the duration corresponding to the first range of the first factor is, for example, 10×0.4=4ms.

[0334] Alternatively, the method predefined by the protocol and the method indicated by the second device can also be combined. For example, the protocol can predefine partial information for determining the time of sending random information, and the second device then sends the remaining information for determining the time of sending random information through the first indication information, so that the first device can obtain the information for determining the time of sending random information. For example, the protocol predefines a scaling factor, and the second device indicates a third duration through the first indication information. The first device can determine the first time information and / or the second time information based on the information predefined by the protocol and the first indication information, thereby determining the time for sending random information. For another example, the protocol can predefine the above-mentioned eighth list, and the second device then sends the first indication information. The first indication information can indicate one index or two indexes in the eighth list. The first device can determine the first time information and / or the second time information based on the eighth list predefined by the protocol and the first indication information, thereby determining the time for sending random information.

[0335] For example, if the first indication information comes from the second device, the second device may optionally send the first indication information based on the fourth information, or the second device may determine the first time information and / or the second time information based on the fourth information. For example, the fourth information may indicate the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be connected, and / or indicate the number of devices to be connected corresponding to different ranges of the first factor. For example, the second device may obtain the fourth information from a network device, such as a core network device, or may obtain the fourth information through other means.

[0336] For example, the fourth information may include information about at least one device to be accessed, where the information about one device to be accessed may include the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed (for example, indicating whether the device to be accessed is a low-power device or a high-power device, or indicating whether the device to be accessed is device1 or device2, etc.). The second device may determine based on the fourth information that the devices to be accessed include devices with different ranges corresponding to the first factor, and the second device may use the method of the embodiments of the present application to enable the device to be accessed to perform access.

[0337] For another example, the fourth information may include information about at least one device to be accessed, wherein the information about one device to be accessed may include the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed (for example, indicating whether the device to be accessed is a low-power device or a high-power device, or indicating whether the device to be accessed is device1 or device2, etc.). The second device can roughly determine the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor based on the fourth information, thereby determining the first time information and / or the second time information. Alternatively, the fourth information includes the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor, for example, a specific number or range, then the second device can directly know the number or range of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor based on the fourth information, thereby determining the first time information and / or the second time information. For example, if the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to the second range of the first factor is large, the second device may set the time indicated by the second time information to be larger to satisfy the access of a larger number of devices and reduce access conflicts between devices.

[0338] S1002: The first device sends first random information at a first access time. Correspondingly, the second device receives the first random information at the first access time.

[0339] The first access moment is a moment after the first moment, and the first access moment is determined by the first device according to the first time information or the second time information. For the method of determining the first access moment, please refer to the relevant introduction of S1001.

[0340] The first moment is a moment associated with the value of the first counter being 0. The first counter is a counter maintained by the first device and can be used to determine the sending time of the first random information. For example, the second device can send the first information, and correspondingly, the first device can receive the first information, as shown in S1003 in Figure 10. For example, the first information is a broadcast. The first information can be used to determine the initial value of the first counter. For example, the first information includes a Q value, and the Q value can be used to determine the initial value of the first counter. The initial value can be greater than or equal to 0. For example, one way for the first device to determine the initial value based on the Q value is that the initial value can be (0, 2 Q In various embodiments of the present application, the "Q value" may also have other names, such as the first value, etc., and there is no limitation on the name.

[0341] Optionally, the first moment may be the moment when the value of the first counter is 0, or the moment when the sixth message is received. The sixth message can be used to determine that the value of the first counter is 0, or the moment when the first device generates the first random information after the value of the first counter is 0. For example, after receiving the sixth message, the first device may set or decrement the value of the first counter. After setting or decrementing, the value of the first counter is 0. The sixth message, for example, instructs at least one device to perform access (e.g., contention-based access or AIoT contention-based access), or instructs at least one device to perform random access, or indicates information used to determine the initial value of the first counter, or is used for at least one device to obtain synchronization, or to resolve conflicts for the access of at least one device, or to start the next round of access procedures, for example, the sixth message is a query message; or the sixth message, for example, is used to decrement the first counter, or to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to instruct the next device to access, or to indicate the next access opportunity, or to obtain synchronization for at least one device, or to resolve conflicts for the access of at least one device, for example, the sixth message is a QueryRep message. The at least one device may include the first device.

[0342] For example, if the initial value is 0, and the first moment is when the value of the first counter is 0, then the moment when the value of the first counter reaches the initial value can be the first moment. Alternatively, if the initial value is 0, and the first moment is when the sixth message is received, then the first moment can be when the first device receives the first information, where the sixth message is, for example, a query message. Alternatively, if the initial value is 0, the first moment can also be when the first device generates the first random information based on the initial value of the first counter.

[0343] Alternatively, if the initial value is greater than 0, the first device may sequentially decrement the value of the first counter. For example, the first device may receive a fourth message from the second device. Each time the fourth message is received, the first device may decrement the value of the first counter by 1 until the value of the first counter reaches 0. The fourth message may be used, for example, to decrement the first counter, to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, to indicate the next device to access, to indicate the next access opportunity, to synchronize at least one device, or to resolve conflicts for access by at least one device. For example, the fourth message may be a QueryRep message. The QueryRep message transmission mechanism can be described above. That is, during an access round, the second device may send a QueryRep message in each access opportunity, starting with the second access opportunity. For example, the second device may send a QueryRep message at the beginning of each access opportunity. After receiving a QueryRep message in a particular access opportunity, the first device decrements the value of the first counter to 0. The first device then transmits random information in that access opportunity. In this case, the first moment can be the moment when the value of the first counter is 0, or it can be the moment when the first device receives the QueryRep message that makes the value of the first counter 0, or the first moment can also be the moment when the first device generates the first random information based on the value of the first counter being 0.

[0344] As described in S1001, the first device can determine time A or the second duration based on the first time information (or the second time information). If the first device determines time A, time A can be calculated from the first time. For example, if the first time is time T and time A determined by the first device is n, the first access time can be the nth time after time T.

[0345] For example, if the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 4ms, the protocol predefines the first step length or the second step length as 1ms, and the first device determines the moment A as the 1ms after the first time information or the second time information, then the first access moment may be the 1ms after the first moment.

[0346] For another example, if the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 4 ms, the first step length or the second step length is 2 ms, and the first device determines the moment A as the 2nd ms based on the first time information or the second time information, then the first access moment may be the 2nd ms after the first moment.

[0347] For another example, the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 10ms, the first number or the second number is 5 (the access time corresponding to the first number or the second number does not include the start time of the first duration or the second duration), and the first random number determined by the first device according to the first time information or the second time information is 2, then time A is Then the first access moment may be 4 ms after the first moment. Alternatively, the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 10 ms, the first number or the second number is 5 (the access moment corresponding to the first number or the second number does not include the end moment of the first duration or the second duration), and the first random number determined by the first device according to the first time information or the second time information is 3, then the moment A is Then the first access time may be 4 ms after the first time.

[0348] Alternatively, if the first device determines a second duration, the first access moment may be counted from the first moment until the end of the second duration. For example, if the first moment is time T and the duration determined by the first device is n, the first access moment may be the end time of duration n after time T. For example, the first access moment is time T+n.

[0349] For example, if the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 4ms, the protocol predefines the first step length or the second step length as 1ms, and the first device determines the second duration as 1ms based on the first time information or the second time information, then the first access moment may be an end moment 1ms after the first moment.

[0350] For another example, if the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 4 ms, the first step length or the second step length is 2 ms, and the first device determines the second duration as 2 ms based on the first time information or the second time information, then the first access moment may be an end moment 2 ms after the first moment.

[0351] For another example, the first time information or the second time information indicates that the first duration is 10ms, the first number or the second number is 5 (the access time corresponding to the first number or the second number does not include the start time of the first duration or the second duration), and the first random number determined by the first device according to the first time information or the second time information is 2, then the second duration is Then the first access moment can be the end moment of 4ms after the first moment. Alternatively, the first indication information indicates that the first duration is 10ms, the first number or the second number is 5 (the access moment corresponding to the first number or the second number does not include the end moment of the first duration or the second duration), and the first random number determined by the first device according to the first time information is 3, then the second duration is The first access moment may be an end moment 4 ms after the first moment.

[0352] It is introduced in S1001 that the first indication information can be included in the second message, and the second message has different implementation methods. If the second message indicates the access of the first type of device, or indicates the first type of device to perform the first service, or is used to page the first type of device, etc., for example, the second message is a paging message or a select message. Optionally, after S1001, the embodiment of the present application may further include S1003, for which reference may be made to Case 1 in Figure 10. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, Case 1 may also not include S1003, but the second message may further include the first information described in S1003. In addition, optionally, in Case 1, the embodiment of the present application may further include the step of the second device sending a QueryRep message, which is not shown in the figure.

[0353] Alternatively, if the second message indicates access by at least one device, or indicates at least one device to perform random access, contention-based access, or AIoT contention-based access, or indicates information used to determine the initial value of a first counter, or is used for synchronization of at least one device, or performs conflict resolution for access by at least one device, or is used to initiate the next round of access, for example, the second message is a query message. The at least one device may include the first device. Optionally, before S1001, this embodiment of the present application may further include S1004. For this, reference may be made to Case 2 in FIG. 10. In S1004, the second device sends message A, and the first device receives message A. Message A may indicate access by a first type of device, or instruct the first type of device to perform a first service, or be used to page the first type of device, for example, message A may be a paging message or a select message. For example, message A may be a broadcast message. Alternatively, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are combined into one message, this embodiment of the present application may not include S1004, and the second message may also implement the functionality of the paging message or select message. In addition, in case 2, S1001 and S1003 may be the same step, which is represented by S1001 in Figure 10. For example, the second message includes not only the first indication information but also the first information.

[0354] Alternatively, if the second message is used to decrement the first counter, or to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to indicate the access of the next device, or to indicate the next access timing, or to synchronize at least one device, or to resolve access conflicts for at least one device, for example, the second message is a QueryRep message. Optionally, before S1001, this embodiment of the present application may further include S1004 and / or S1003. For this, reference may be made to Case 3 in FIG. 10 . For example, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are not merged into one message but are two messages, then the embodiment of the present application may include S1003 and S1004, and case 3 in Figure 10 takes this as an example; or, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are merged into one message, then case 3 may include S1003 but not S1004, wherein the message in which the first information in S1003 is located can also implement the function of the paging message or the select message; or, if the query message and the paging message (or select message) are merged into one message, then case 3 may include S1004 but not S1003, wherein the message A in S1004 may also include the first information.

[0355] The second device may also determine the first access time based on the first time information and / or the second time information. For example, the second device may determine one or more time points or one or more durations based on the first time information; and / or the second device may determine one or more time points or one or more durations based on the second time information. Taking into account the first time information and the second time information, the second device may determine at least one time point or at least one duration, and this at least one time point or at least one duration may be determined based on the first time information and / or the second time information.

[0356] For each of the at least one moment determined by the second device, the second device can determine the access moment corresponding to each moment based on the time when the query message or QueryRep message was sent, or the second device can determine the access moment corresponding to each moment in the current access opportunity based on the time when the query message or QueryRep message was sent, thereby detecting random information at each determined access moment. For example, in the first access opportunity, the second device can determine the access moment corresponding to each moment based on the time when the query message was sent; in subsequent access opportunities, the second device can determine the access moment corresponding to each moment based on the time when the QueryRep message was sent. For example, if a moment determined by the second device is 2ms, the access moment corresponding to the moment can be the 2ms after the second device sends the query message or QueryRep message, or the access moment corresponding to the moment included in the current access opportunity can be the 2ms after the second device sends the query message or QueryRep message. For another example, if the multiple moments determined by the second device are 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, and 8ms, the access moments corresponding to these moments may be the 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, and 8ms after the second device sends a query message or a QueryRep message, respectively. Alternatively, the access moments corresponding to these moments included in the current access opportunity may be the 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, and 8ms after the second device sends a query message or a QueryRep message.

[0357] Alternatively, for each of the at least one duration determined by the second device, the second device may determine the access moment corresponding to each duration based on the time at which the query message or QueryRep message was sent, or the second device may determine the access moment corresponding to each duration within the current access opportunity based on the time at which the query message or QueryRep was sent, thereby detecting random information at each determined access moment. For example, in the first access opportunity, the second device may determine the access moment corresponding to each duration based on the time at which the query message was sent; in subsequent access opportunities, the second device may determine the access moment corresponding to each duration based on the time at which the QueryRep message was sent. For example, if a duration determined by the second device is 2ms, the access moment corresponding to the duration may be the end moment 2ms after the second device sends the query message or QueryRep message, or the access moment corresponding to the duration included in the current access opportunity may be the end moment 2ms after the second device sends the query message or QueryRep message. For another example, if the multiple time lengths determined by the second device are 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, and 8ms, the access moments corresponding to these time lengths may be the end time of 2ms, the end time of 4ms, the end time of 6ms, and the end time of 8ms after the second device sends a query message or a QueryRep message, or the access moments corresponding to these time lengths included in the current access opportunity may be the end time of 2ms, the end time of 4ms, the end time of 6ms, and the end time of 8ms after the second device sends a query message or a QueryRep message.

[0358] In the above introduction, it is taken as an example that the second device determines the access time according to the sending time of the query message or the QueryRep message. Alternatively, the second device may also determine the access time according to the first time, and the first time is, for example, the end time of the sending time + t. t may include processing time. For example, the processing time may include the time from the first device receiving the message from the second device to completing the processing of the counter (for example, the first counter) according to the message. Optionally, the message from the second device is, for example, a message that sets the value of the first counter to 0, which will be described later. Optionally, the processing time is determined by the second device based on historical information or experience information. The processing time is applicable not only to the second device, but also to other devices. In other words, the second device can take into account the processing time of the first device, so as to detect random information at a more reasonable time to reduce the power consumption of the second device.

[0359] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application may further include S1005, the second device sends a third message. Correspondingly, the first device receives the third message. The third message is, for example, ACK. Optionally, the third message may be a MAC CE, or may be a message of other protocol layers, such as an RRC message. For example, the third message may be a broadcast. Optionally, the second device may send the third message at or after the fourth time duration arrives after sending the query message or the QueryRep message. The fourth time duration indicates the latest time at which each device sends random information within the current access opportunity. For example, after the time indicated by the fourth time duration, each device no longer sends random information within the current access opportunity. The second device sends the third message at this time, which can reduce the probability of missing random information. The fourth time duration is, for example, determined based on at least one moment or at least one time duration.

[0360] The third message may include the random information received by the second device during this access opportunity. For example, if the second device received the first random information, the third message may include the first random information. For the first device, if the received third message includes the first random information, the first device may determine that the access was successful; if the received third message does not include the first random information, the first device may determine that the access failed. If the first device fails to access, the first device may optionally continue access at the next access opportunity or in the next access round, or may terminate the access.

[0361] If the third message includes the first random information, then optionally, after S1005, the first device may also send the identifier of the first device to the second device. In addition, data transmission may also be performed between the first device and the second device, for example, refer to S205 to S206 in FIG. 2 , which will not be elaborated herein.

[0362] Optionally, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be used for at least one round of access process. For example, it can be used for the first round of access process, or it can also be used for other rounds of access process after the first round of access process. For example, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application is used starting from the first round of access process, and different accesses are distinguished in the first round of access process to ensure the access success probability of devices with high access requirements. After the first round of access process is completed, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be stopped. Or whether to continue to use the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application after the first round of access process is completed can be determined according to the result of the first round of access process. For example, if there are still many devices to be connected that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can continue to be used in the second round of access process; and if there are already many devices to be connected or many high-priority devices have completed access through the first round of access process, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application can be not used in the second round of access process, but the traditional solution can be used to perform access. For another example, in the first round of access process, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is not used, but the traditional solution is used to perform access, and various types of devices compete for access under the same conditions. After the first round of access process is completed, the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, etc., then starting from the second round of access process, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be adopted. How many rounds of access process the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in can be predefined by the protocol, for example, the number of rounds is fixed; or, how many rounds of access process the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in can also be determined by the second device. For example, after a round of access process is completed, if the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have not been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have not been connected, it can continue to adopt the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next round of access process; and after a round of access process is completed, if the second device determines that there are many waiting-to-access devices that have been connected, or there are many high-priority devices that have been connected, it can stop adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next round of access process. Optionally, the first indication information can indicate the number of rounds used by the first indication information, such as an index indicating the number of rounds used by the first indication information; or, if the first indication information is received in a certain round of access process, it is considered that the first indication information will be used in this round, that is, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is used.

[0363] In addition, a round of access includes one or more access opportunities, and the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in each access opportunity, or the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be used in some of the access opportunities. For example, before the access begins, if the second device determines that there are many devices to be accessed, or many high-priority devices to be accessed, it can continue to use the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the first access opportunity; after the first access opportunity is completed, if the second device determines that there are many devices to be accessed that have not been accessed, or many high-priority devices that have not been accessed, it can continue to use the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next access opportunity. If there are many devices to be accessed or high-priority devices that have already been accessed, then in the next access opportunity, it can stop using the solution of the embodiment of the present application and use the traditional solution to perform access. For another example, after an access opportunity is completed, if the second device determines that there are a large number of devices to be accessed that have not been accessed, or a large number of high-priority devices have not been accessed, it can continue to adopt the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next access opportunity; and after an access opportunity is completed, if the second device determines that a large number of devices to be accessed have been accessed, or a large number of high-priority devices have been accessed, it can stop adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present application in the next access opportunity.

[0364] In an embodiment of the present application, the first indication information may indicate the first time information and / or the second time information, and different time information may be used for different ranges of the first factor, and the first device also corresponds to the corresponding range of the first factor, so that the first device can determine which time information the first device should use. That is, different devices can determine the corresponding time information according to the range of the first factor corresponding to the device, which is equivalent to different devices being able to use different access conditions without having to compete for access under the same conditions. For example, devices corresponding to different ranges of the first factor may have different times for sending random information due to the different time information used, thereby reducing access conflicts between devices, and since different time information is used respectively, the mutual influence of the two types of devices is reduced, so that devices that wish to access as soon as possible can access as early as possible, thereby improving the access success rate.

[0365] An embodiment of the present application provides another communication method. Please refer to Figure 11, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0366] S1101: The second device sends second indication information. Correspondingly, the first device receives the second indication information.

[0367] The second indication information may indicate a device that cannot perform access and / or a device that can perform access. For example, the second indication information may indicate a device that cannot perform access, but not a device that can perform access; for the receiving end of the second indication information, if the condition of the device that cannot perform access is met, then access cannot be performed in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information, and if the receiving end does not meet the condition of the device that cannot perform access, it indicates that the receiving end is a device that can perform access, and then the receiving end can perform access in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information. Alternatively, the second indication information may indicate a device that can perform access, but not a device that cannot perform access; for the receiving end of the second indication information, if the condition of the device that can perform access is met, then access can be performed in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information, and if the receiving end does not meet the condition of the device that can perform access, it indicates that the receiving end is a device that cannot perform access, and then the receiving end cannot perform access in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information. Alternatively, the second indication information may indicate a device that can perform access, and indicate a device that cannot perform access; for the receiving end of the second indication information, if the conditions of the device that can perform access are met, access can be performed in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information; if the conditions of the device that cannot perform access are met, indicating that the receiving end is a device that cannot perform access, the receiving end cannot perform access in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information.

[0368] The second indication information indicates a device that cannot be accessed. For example, one indication method is that the second indication information may indicate the first range of the first factor, which indicates that if a device to be accessed corresponds to the first range of the first factor, then the device is a device that cannot be accessed, and if a device to be accessed does not correspond to the first range of the first factor (for example, corresponds to the second range of the first factor), then the device is a device that can be accessed.

[0369] The second indication information indicates a device that can perform access. For example, one indication method is that the second indication information may indicate the second range of the first factor, which indicates that if a device to be accessed corresponds to the second range of the first factor, then the device is a device that can perform access, and if a device to be accessed does not correspond to the second range of the first factor (for example, corresponds to the first range of the first factor), then the device is a device that cannot perform access.

[0370] For the relevant content of the first factor, please refer to the introduction of the embodiment shown in FIG8 .

[0371] For example, the second indication information may include G1 bits, where G1 is a positive integer. These G1 bits may indicate devices that are not allowed to access. For example, these G1 bits indicate the first range of the first factor (e.g., indicating low priority, a high battery range, or device1, etc.). For example, if the value of these G1 bits is the first value, it indicates that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are not allowed to access. If the value of these G1 bits is the second value or is not the first value, it indicates that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are not restricted from accessing, or that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are allowed to access. For example, if G1 = 1, the first value is "1" and the second value is "0." Alternatively, if the second indication information includes these G1 bits, it indicates that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are not allowed to access. If the second indication information does not include these G1 bits, it indicates that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are not restricted from accessing, or that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor are allowed to access. The recipient of the second indication information (e.g., the first device) can determine which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to, thereby determining whether the first device is a device that is not allowed to access or a device that is allowed to access.

[0372] For another example, the second indication information may include G2 bits, where G2 is a positive integer. The G2 bits may indicate devices that can access. For example, the G2 bits indicate the second range of the first factor (e.g., indicating high priority, a low battery range, or device2, etc.). For example, if the value of the G2 bits is the third value, it indicates that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor can access. If the value of the G2 bits is the fourth value or is not the third value, it indicates that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor are not restricted from accessing, or that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor are not allowed to access. For example, if G1 = 1, the first value is "1" and the second value is "0." Alternatively, if the second indication information includes the G2 bits, it indicates that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor can access. If the second indication information does not include the G2 bits, it indicates that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor are not restricted from accessing, or that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor are not allowed to access. The recipient of the second indication information (e.g., the first device) can determine which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to, thereby determining whether the first device is a device that cannot access or a device that can access.

[0373] For another example, the second indication information may include G1 bits and G2 bits as described above, where the G1 bit indicates a device that cannot be accessed, and the G2 bit indicates a device that can be accessed.

[0374] For another example, the second indication information may include G3 bits, where G3 is a positive integer. The G3 bits may indicate devices that can access and devices that cannot access. For example, the G3 bits indicate the first range of the first factor (e.g., indicating low priority, or indicating a high battery range, or indicating device1, etc.) or the second range of the first factor (e.g., indicating high priority, or indicating a low battery range, or indicating device2, etc.). For example, if the value of the G3 bits is the first value, it indicates that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor can access, or that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor cannot access; if the value of the G3 bits is the second value or is not the first value, it indicates that devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor can access, or that devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor cannot access. For example, G3 = 1, the first value is "1", and the second value is "0". For the recipient of the second indication information (e.g., the first device), it can determine which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to, thereby determining whether the first device is a device that cannot access or a device that can access.

[0375] For another example, the second indication information may include G4 bits, where G4 is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, and each bit in the G4 bits may correspond to the first range of the first factor or the second range of the first factor. For example, the first bit in the G4 bits corresponds to the first range of the first factor, and the second bit in the G4 bits corresponds to the second range of the first factor. When the value of the first bit is a first value, it indicates that the devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor can access; when the value of the first bit is a second value, it indicates that the devices corresponding to the first range of the first factor cannot access; when the value of the second bit is a third value, it indicates that the devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor can access; when the value of the second bit is a fourth value, it indicates that the devices corresponding to the second range of the first factor cannot access. The first bit may include one or more bits, and the second bit may include one or more bits, and the number of the first and second bits may be the same or different. For example, the first bit may include one bit, the first value may be "1", and the second value may be "0"; for another example, the second bit may include one bit, the third value may be "1", and the fourth value may be "0". For the receiving end of the second indication information (eg, the first device), it can determine to which range of the first factor the first device corresponds, thereby determining whether the first device is an access-inaccessible device or an access-enabled device.

[0376] Regarding the manner in which the first device determines which range of the first factor the first device corresponds to, reference may be made to the relevant description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 .

[0377] Optionally, the second indication information is included in a fifth message. The fifth message comes from the second device, for example, or may come from another device other than the first device and the second device.

[0378] The fifth message, for example, instructs a first-type device to access, instructs a first-type device to execute a first service, or is used to page a first-type device. For example, the fifth message is a paging message or a select message, or it may be another message capable of performing similar functions. In this case, the second indication information may correspond to the first-type device, or to the current service (e.g., the first service). Any first-type device or device executing the current service may use the second indication information. For example, the second indication information may be used regardless of whether a single access round or multiple access rounds are being executed, or it may be understood that the second indication information may be associated with all access rounds or access cycles. Alternatively, although the second indication information is included in the fifth message, it may be associated with only some access rounds or access cycles, for example, the second indication information may be associated with the first n access rounds, where n is a positive integer. Optionally, in this case, the second indication information may also indicate the access round or access cycle to which the second indication information is associated. The first service may be, for example, an inventory service, or other services, such as a read service or a write service. For example, the first-type device may be of a specific type, such as a certain type of item, a certain type of electronic product, or a certain type of daily necessities.

[0379] Alternatively, the fifth message may instruct at least one device to access, or instruct at least one device to perform random access, or indicate information used to determine the initial value of the first counter, or be used for synchronization of at least one device, or perform access conflict resolution for at least one device, or be used to initiate the next round of access procedures, or instruct at least one device to perform contention-based access, or instruct at least one device to perform AIoT contention-based access, etc. The at least one device may include the first device. For example, the fifth message may be a query message, or it may be another message capable of performing similar functions. In this case, the second indication information may correspond to the current access round (i.e., the access round in which the first device received the second indication information) or the current service round. For example, if the next access round is to be performed after the current access round, the second device may send the second indication information again. This approach facilitates the second device's determination of whether to use the second indication information. For example, after a round of access procedures has concluded, some devices of the first type may have already accessed the second device, thus reducing the number of devices to be accessed. The second device can assess the number of devices to be accessed and determine whether to continue using the second indication information in the next access round to increase the access success rate for more devices.

[0380] Alternatively, the second message may also be other broadcast messages other than the above types of messages, such as a message dedicated to sending the second indication information, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0381] Optionally, the second device may send the second indication information based on the fourth information, or the second device may determine the access round associated with the second indication information based on the fourth information. For example, the fourth information may indicate the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed, and / or indicate the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor. For example, the second device may obtain the fourth information from a network device, such as a core network device, or may also obtain the fourth information in other ways. Among them, the second device determines the access round associated with the second indication information based on the fourth information, which may include determining the number of access rounds associated with the second indication information, and / or determining which access rounds the second indication information is specifically associated with.

[0382] For example, the fourth information may include information about at least one device to be accessed, where the information about one device to be accessed may include the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed (for example, indicating whether the device to be accessed is a low-power device or a high-power device, or indicating whether the device to be accessed is device1 or device2, etc.). The second device may determine based on the fourth information that the devices to be accessed include devices with different ranges corresponding to the first factor, and the second device may use the method of the embodiments of the present application to enable the device to be accessed to perform access.

[0383] For another example, the fourth information may include information about at least one device to be accessed, wherein the information about one device to be accessed may include the range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be accessed (for example, indicating whether the device to be accessed is a low-power device or a high-power device, or indicating whether the device to be accessed is device1 or device2, etc.). The second device can roughly determine the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor based on the fourth information, thereby determining the access round associated with the second indication information. Alternatively, the fourth information includes the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor, for example, a specific number or range, then the second device can directly know the number or range of devices to be accessed corresponding to different ranges of the first factor based on the fourth information, thereby determining the access round associated with the second indication information. For example, if the number of devices to be accessed corresponding to the second range of the first factor is large, the second device can associate more access rounds (which may include the first round of access process, or do not include the first round of access process) with the second indication information to meet the access of a larger number of devices and reduce access conflicts between devices.

[0384] S1102. During a round of access, if the first device is an access-enabled device as indicated by the second indication information, or the first device is not an access-incapable device as indicated by the second indication information, access is performed.

[0385] The second indication information may be associated with an access round or access cycle, and the access process described in S1102 is a round of access process associated with the second indication information. In this round of access process, if the first device determines that the first device is a device that can perform access according to the second indication information, or the first device determines that the first device is not a device that cannot perform access according to the second indication information, then access can be performed; and if the first device determines that the first device is a device that cannot perform access according to the second indication information, or the first device determines that the first device is not a device that can perform access according to the second indication information, then access may not be performed. Among them, for the device that cannot perform access indicated by the second indication information (or does not belong to the device that can perform access indicated by the second indication information), access cannot be performed in the access round or access cycle associated with the second indication information, but access can be performed in the access round or access cycle not associated with the second indication information. For example, if the second indication information is used for the first round of access process, or the second indication information is associated with the first round of access process, then for the device that cannot be accessed as indicated by the second indication information (or does not belong to the device that can be accessed as indicated by the second indication information), access cannot be performed in the first round of access process, but can still be performed in other rounds of access processes after the first round of access process, thereby improving the access success rate of various types of devices.

[0386] Take the example of the first device determining that the first device is a device that can perform access based on the second indication information. For example, the first device performs access in a certain round of access process. In this round of access process, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may be used (for example, this round of access process is associated with the second indication information), or the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may not be used (that is, this round of access process does not adopt the second indication information). In this round of access process, the first device may access successfully or fail. If the first device fails to access, it can continue to perform access according to the second indication information in the next round of access process. For example, the next round of access process can be associated with the second indication information. For example, the second indication information indicates a device that can perform access in the next round of access process. The first device determines that the first device is a device that can perform access based on the second indication information, then the first device can perform access in the next round of access process.

[0387] Take the example of a first device determining that the first device is a device that cannot perform access based on the second indication information. For example, the first device performs access in a certain round. During this round of access, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may be used (for example, the access process in this round is not associated with the second indication information), or the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may not be used (th...

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and / or a second numerical range, wherein the first numerical range is associated with a first range of a first factor, the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor, and the first numerical range and the second numerical range are different; determining a first initial value using the first numerical range or the second numerical range according to a range of the first factor corresponding to the first device, wherein the first initial value is greater than or equal to 0; When the value of the first counter decreases from the first initial value to 0, the first random information is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, and the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range; or, The first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection; or, The first numerical range and the second numerical range partially overlap.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, wherein, The lower limit of the first numerical range is the same as the lower limit of the second numerical range, and the upper limit of the second numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the first numerical range; or, The upper limit of the first numerical range is the same as the upper limit of the second numerical range, and the lower limit of the second numerical range is lower than the lower limit of the first numerical range.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, wherein, The upper limit of the first numerical range is less than the lower limit of the second numerical range; or, The lower limit of the first numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the second numerical range.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that The first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, wherein the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and a second numerical range, including: The first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range; or, The first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is used to determine the first numerical range, and the second scaling factor is used to determine the second numerical range.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, wherein: The first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, the first numerical range is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor; or The first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes one or more second lists, each second list includes a numerical range associated with a different range of the first factor, the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range is included in one of the second lists, and different second lists are associated with different first factors.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, wherein: The first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second scaling factor is associated with a second range of the first factor; or, The first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes one or more fourth lists, each fourth list includes scaling factors associated with different ranges of the first factor, the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor is included in one of the fourth lists, and different fourth lists are associated with different first factors.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The range of the first factor corresponding to the first device is determined according to the range of the second factor corresponding to the first device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: Third information is received, where the third information is used to determine a range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on a range of the second factor corresponding to the first device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that Before determining the first initial value, the method further includes: receiving second information, where the second information is used to determine a second initial value; The value of the second counter is set to the second initial value, where the second initial value is greater than or equal to 0, and the second counter is the first counter, or a third counter different from the first counter.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the second initial value is greater than 0, receiving the first message; Decrementing the value of the second counter according to the first message until the value of the second counter reaches 0; The value of the first counter is set to the first initial value.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the second initial value is 0, the value of the first counter is set to the first initial value.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The first indication information is included in the second message, wherein: The second message is used to instruct a first type of device to access, or to instruct a first type of device to perform a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or The second message is used to instruct the first device to perform access, or to indicate information used to determine a second initial value of the first counter; or, The second message is used to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to indicate the access of the next device, or to indicate the next access timing, or to enable at least one device to acquire synchronization, or to resolve conflicts for access of at least one device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a third message; If the third message includes the first random information, it is determined that the access is successful; otherwise, it is determined that the access fails.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The first factor includes one or more of the following: Business type; Battery capacity; the type of device; or, Priority.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service, the second range is downlink service; or, The first factor is the power level, the first range is a high power level range, and the second range is a low power level range; or, The first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, The first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The first device is an AIoT device.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and a second numerical range, wherein the first numerical range is associated with a first range of a first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor, the first numerical range and the second numerical range are different, and both the first numerical range and the second numerical range are used to determine a first initial value of a counter of a device to be connected, and the first initial value is greater than or equal to 0; Random information is detected at at least one access moment.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, and the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range; or, The first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection; or, The first numerical range and the second numerical range partially overlap.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first numerical range is included in the second numerical range, wherein, The lower limit of the first numerical range is the same as the lower limit of the second numerical range, and the upper limit of the second numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the first numerical range; or, The upper limit of the first numerical range is the same as the upper limit of the second numerical range, and the lower limit of the second numerical range is lower than the lower limit of the first numerical range.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, wherein, The upper limit of the first numerical range is less than the lower limit of the second numerical range; or, The lower limit of the first numerical range is greater than the upper limit of the second numerical range.

23. The method according to claim 20 or 22, characterized in that The first numerical range and the second numerical range have no intersection, wherein the second numerical range is larger than the first numerical range.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that: The first indication information is used to indicate a first numerical range and a second numerical range, including: The first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range; or, The first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is used to determine the first numerical range, and the second scaling factor is used to determine the second numerical range.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first indication information includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, wherein: The first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range, the first numerical range is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second numerical range is associated with a second range of the first factor; or The first indication information includes a first list, the first list includes one or more second lists, each second list includes a numerical range associated with a different range of the first factor, the first numerical range and / or the second numerical range is included in one of the second lists, and different second lists are associated with different first factors.

26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The first indication information includes a first scaling factor and / or a second scaling factor, wherein: The first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor, the first scaling factor is associated with a first range of the first factor, and the second scaling factor is associated with a second range of the first factor; or, The first indication information includes a third list, the third list includes one or more fourth lists, each fourth list includes scaling factors associated with different ranges of the first factor, the first scaling factor and / or the second scaling factor is included in one of the fourth lists, and different fourth lists are associated with different first factors.

27. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Third information is sent, where the third information is used to determine a range of the first factor corresponding to the first device based on a range of the second factor corresponding to the first device.

28. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that: Before determining the first initial value, the method further includes: Send second information, where the second information is used to determine a second initial value, where the second initial value is used to set a second counter, where the second counter is the first counter, or a third counter different from the first counter, and where the second initial value is greater than or equal to 0.

29. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 28, characterized in that The first indication information is included in the second message, wherein: The second message is used to instruct a first type of device to access, or to instruct a first type of device to perform a first service, wherein the first device is a device of the first type; or The second message is used to instruct the first device to perform access, or to indicate information used to determine a second initial value of the first counter; or, The second message is used to decrement the value of the first counter by 1, or to indicate the access of the next device, or to indicate the next access timing, or to enable at least one device to acquire synchronization, or to resolve conflicts for access of at least one device.

30. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 29, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Fourth information is obtained, where the fourth information is used to indicate a range of the first factor corresponding to the device to be connected, and / or to indicate a number of devices to be connected in different ranges corresponding to the first factor.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein Sending the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information according to the fourth information; and / or, The first numerical range and / or the second numerical range is determined according to the fourth information.

32. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 31, characterized in that The method further comprises: A third message is sent, where the third message includes the random information.

33. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 32, characterized in that: The first factor includes one or more of the following: Business type; Battery capacity; the type of device; or, Priority.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein The first factor is the service type, the first range is downlink service, the second range is uplink service, or the first range is uplink service, the second range is downlink service; or, The first factor is the power level, the first range is a high power level range, and the second range is a low power level range; or, The first factor is the type of device, the first range is a low power consumption type, and the second range is a high power consumption type; or, The first factor is the priority, the first range is a low priority, and the second range is a high priority.

35. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit, wherein the processing unit is coupled to the transceiver unit to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or execute the method according to any one of claims 19 to 34.

36. A communication device, characterized in that The communication device includes a processor, and the processor is configured to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 to 34.

37. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or enables the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 19 to 34.

38. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 to 34.

39. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes: A processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to call and run instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, or implements the method according to any one of claims 19 to 34.

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