Communication method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus, and a storage medium. According to the present disclosure, a network device and a terminal each determine a first slot structure by means of a first communication function, or, the network device sends first signaling to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the first slot structure via the first signaling. Different slot structures are used to carry out different communication actions, so that the terminal and the network device can perform corresponding communication actions according to the determined first slot structure, thereby completing the execution of corresponding services and allowing the employed slot structure to support a richer variety of service types in a communication system.

Description

Communication methods and devices, storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In the 5G New Radio (NR) system, Time Division Duplexing (TDD) technology can be used to achieve bidirectional data transmission under limited spectrum resources through time-division multiplexing.

[0003] In the TDD band, the configuration of the time slot structure is crucial. By configuring a reasonable time slot structure, the uplink and downlink data transmission periods can be effectively distinguished, avoiding collisions and interference in communication, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the frequency band and the quality of communication.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] To better support the richer service types in communication systems, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, applied to a terminal, the method comprising:

[0007] A first time slot structure is determined, and different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0009] The first time slot structure is determined by the first communication function; or, a first signaling is sent to the terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine the first time slot structure.

[0010] Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0012] The processing module is configured to determine a first time slot structure, with different time slot structures used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0014] The processing module is configured to determine the first time slot structure through a first communication function;

[0015] The transceiver module is configured to send a first signaling to the terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine a first time slot structure;

[0016] Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0018] One or more processors;

[0019] The terminal is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect above.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0021] One or more processors;

[0022] The network device is used to perform the communication method described in the second aspect above.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect above, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect above.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first or second aspect above.

[0025] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first time slot structure is determined by the network device and the terminal respectively through the first communication function, or by the network device sending the first signaling to the terminal so that the terminal can determine the first time slot structure through the first signaling. Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors, so that the terminal and the network device can perform the corresponding communication behaviors according to the determined first time slot structure, thereby completing the execution of the corresponding service, so that the time slot structure used can support richer service types in the communication system.

[0026] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 4A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 6A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 6B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 7A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 7B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0044] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0046] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of at least one associated listed item.

[0047] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used in this disclosure to describe various messages, these messages should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish messages of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first message may also be referred to as a second message, and similarly, a second message may also be referred to as a first message. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to determination."

[0048] This disclosure provides a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium.

[0049] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method applied to a terminal, the method comprising:

[0050] A first time slot structure is determined, and different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling.

[0051] In the above embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by the terminal through the first signaling sent by the first communication function or network device. Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors, so that the terminal can perform the corresponding communication behaviors according to the determined first time slot structure, thereby completing the execution of the corresponding service, so that the time slot structure used can support richer service types in the communication system.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time slot structures. The correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, or the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

[0053] In the above embodiments, by setting different communication functions to correspond to different time slot structures, different time slot structures can be defined for different communication functions. In addition, two possible implementation methods are provided for configuring the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal, so as to improve the flexibility of the configuration process of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, and the method further includes:

[0055] The system receives a second signaling message sent by the network device, the second signaling message being used to indicate the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the network device interacts with the terminal using second signaling, so that the network device can configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures on the terminal using the second signaling.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second signaling is any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0058] In the above embodiments, by providing the carrier used by the network device to configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure for the terminal, that is, by using the second signaling as the carrier of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure, the multiplexing of the second signaling is realized, thereby improving the utilization rate of the second signaling.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, the first signaling being used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range, the first time slot structure being a time slot structure applied within each time window of the first time range; or,

[0060] The first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, the first signaling indicating the communication function of the first time slot structure, the first time slot structure being a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

[0061] In the above embodiments, a possible first time slot structure determined by the terminal based on the received first signaling is provided to improve the flexibility of the first time slot structure determination process.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within the first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is configured by the network device.

[0063] In the above embodiments, by configuring different communication functions to correspond to different time windows within the first time range, and providing possible ways to configure the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range for the terminal, the flexibility of the configuration process of the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range can be improved.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first signaling indicates a communication function for determining the first time slot structure, wherein the first signaling is DCI or RRC signaling.

[0065] In the above embodiments, by providing a way for the network device to indicate the communication function to the terminal, that is, by using the first signaling to indicate the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure, the first signaling can be reused, thereby improving the signaling utilization rate of the first signaling.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, and the first time slot structure is a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

[0067] In the above embodiments, when the terminal determines the first time slot structure based on the first communication function, the determined first time slot structure is used as the time slot structure applied within the first time range, so that the terminal can perform corresponding operations within the first time range according to the determined first time slot structure, thereby ensuring the legality of the communication process within the first time range.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first communication function is a communication function implemented by the terminal.

[0069] In the above embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by the terminal based on the communication function implemented by the terminal, so as to ensure that the determined first time slot structure can meet the current communication requirements, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent communication processes.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions are expected to exhibit different communication behaviors, and the method further includes:

[0071] Based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure, the communication behavior of the terminal within the first time range is determined.

[0072] In the above embodiments, the terminal determines its communication behavior within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure, so that the terminal can perform subsequent communication processes according to the determined communication behavior, thereby ensuring the legality of the terminal's behavior.

[0073] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0074] The first time slot structure is determined by the first communication function; or, a first signaling is sent to the terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine the first time slot structure.

[0075] Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors.

[0076] In the above embodiments, the network device determines the first time slot structure through the first communication function, or the network device sends a first signaling to the terminal so that the terminal can determine the first time slot structure through the first signaling. Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors so that the terminal and the network device can perform corresponding communication behaviors according to the determined first time slot structure, thereby completing the execution of the corresponding service, so that the time slot structure used can support richer service types in the communication system.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time slot structures. The correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined by network devices and configured to the terminal. Alternatively, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined and configured to the terminal by a network device, and the method further includes:

[0079] A second signaling message is sent to the terminal, the second signaling message being used to indicate the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second signaling is any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, the first signaling being used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range, the first time slot structure being a time slot structure applied within each time window of the first time range; or,

[0082] The first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, the first signaling indicating the communication function of the first time slot structure, the first time slot structure being a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

[0083] In the above embodiments, when the network device instructs the terminal to provide a first signaling so that the terminal can determine the first time slot structure through the first signaling, a possible first time slot structure is provided to improve the flexibility of the first time slot structure determination process.

[0084] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within the first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is determined by the network device and configured to the terminal.

[0085] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first signaling indicates a communication function for determining the first time slot structure, and the first signaling is DCI or RRC signaling.

[0086] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, and the first time slot structure is a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first communication function is a communication function implemented by the network device.

[0088] In the above embodiments, the first time slot structure is determined by the network device according to the communication function implemented by the network device, so as to ensure that the determined first time slot structure can meet the current communication needs, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent communication processes.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions are expected to exhibit different communication behaviors, and the method further includes:

[0090] Based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure, the communication behavior of the network device within the first time range is determined.

[0091] In the above embodiments, the network device determines its communication behavior within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure, so that the network device can perform subsequent communication processes according to the determined communication behavior, thereby ensuring the legality of the network device's behavior.

[0092] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0093] The processing module is configured to determine a first time slot structure, with different time slot structures used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling.

[0094] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0095] The processing module is configured to determine the first time slot structure through a first communication function;

[0096] The transceiver module is configured to send a first signaling to the terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine a first time slot structure;

[0097] Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors.

[0098] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0099] One or more processors;

[0100] The terminal is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect and any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0101] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0102] One or more processors;

[0103] The network device is used to perform the communication method described in the second aspect and any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0104] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect and any embodiment thereof, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect and any embodiment thereof.

[0105] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect and any embodiment of the first aspect, the second aspect and any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0106] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect and any embodiment of the first aspect, the second aspect and any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0107] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect and any embodiment of the first aspect, the second aspect and any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0108] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the communication methods described in the first aspect and any embodiment thereof, the second aspect and any embodiment thereof.

[0109] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] This disclosure provides a communication method, apparatus, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" can be used interchangeably with "information processing method," "time slot definition method," and "function-based time slot definition method," and the terms "communication apparatus" can be used interchangeably with "information processing apparatus," "time slot definition apparatus," and "function-based time slot definition apparatus," and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" can be used interchangeably.

[0111] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0112] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0113] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0114] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0115] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0116] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0117] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0118] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0119] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0120] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0122] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0123] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0124] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network devices, core network devices, etc.

[0125] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," or "fixed station." In some embodiments, it may also be understood as "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," or "bandwidth part (BWP)."

[0126] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," etc.

[0127] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0128] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0129] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0130] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0131] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0132] In some embodiments, network device 102 includes at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0133] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0134] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0135] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0136] In some embodiments, the core network equipment can be a single device comprising multiple network elements, or it can be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the multiple network elements. Network elements can be virtual or physical. The core network includes, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0137] In some embodiments, the core network equipment may include a first network element, such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0138] In some embodiments, the first network element is used for user access management and mobility management, but is not limited thereto.

[0139] In some embodiments, the core network device may include a second network element, such as a Session Management Function (SMF).

[0140] In some embodiments, the second network element is used for session management of the control plane and user plane, but is not limited thereto.

[0141] In some embodiments, the core network device may include a third network element, such as a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0142] In some embodiments, the third network element is used for user plane data forwarding, traffic statistics, Quality of Service (QoS) management, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0143] In some embodiments, the core network device may include a fourth network element, such as a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0144] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is used to implement user control policy management, including but not limited to QoS control, service access control, etc.

[0145] In some embodiments, the core network equipment may include a fifth network element, such as a unified data management function (UDM).

[0146] In some embodiments, the fifth network element is used to implement user subscription data management, roaming control, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0147] In some embodiments, the core network device may include a sixth network element, such as an Authentication Server Function (AUSF).

[0148] In some embodiments, the sixth network element is used to implement user authentication, but is not limited thereto.

[0149] In some embodiments, each of the above network elements can be independent of the core network equipment.

[0150] In some embodiments, each of the above network elements may be part of the core network equipment.

[0151] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0152] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0153] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), 5G New Radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE u02.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0154] In some embodiments, in a 5G NR system, various time slot structures and indication methods are defined for the TDD band to indicate the time-domain resource allocation of the working frequency band within a certain time window through the time slot structure.

[0155] By providing multiple time slot structures and indication methods for the TDD band, the TDD band can provide strong support for various application scenarios in 5G systems, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC).

[0156] In some embodiments, from the perspective of transmission direction, any time slot can be composed of at least one of downlink (DL) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, uplink (UL) OFDM symbols, and flexible OFDM symbols.

[0157] Among them, DL OFDM symbols can only transmit downlink data, UL OFDM symbols can only transmit uplink data, and the transmission direction on Flexible OFDM symbols can depend on the configuration or scheduling of network devices (such as base stations).

[0158] In some embodiments, the definition and indication of time slots in a 5G NR system may be performed according to the following rules:

[0159] Rule 1: Transmissions can only be made in a specific direction on a given type of OFDM symbol;

[0160] Rule 2: The time slot format is applied to the carrier, that is, a carrier can only use one time slot format at any given time.

[0161] Rule 3: The time slot structure only considers the symbol type in the time domain, and does not consider the frequency domain resources and functions.

[0162] In some embodiments, network devices may indicate the TDD uplink / downlink configuration (UL DL configuration) currently used by the terminal in a semi-static or dynamic manner.

[0163] In some embodiments, network devices (such as base stations) can configure semi-static TDD UL DL configuration via System Information Block (SIB) and / or Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0164] For example, network devices can configure cell-level uplink and downlink structures through higher-layer signaling. During the network device configuration period, the network device can configure the position and number of downlink slots, downlink symbols, flexible slots, flexible symbols, uplink slots, and uplink symbols for the terminal.

[0165] In some embodiments, network devices can dynamically indicate the uplink and downlink structure of one or more slots through the subframe indication (SFI) carried by the DCI of format 2_0 (i.e., DCI format 2_0).

[0166] It should be noted that the relevant technologies need to consider the support for various native functions in the communication system. However, the current time slot definition does not take into account the support of different functions by the network side and the terminal side.

[0167] For example, for 6G systems, it is necessary to consider support for native functions such as native Artificial Intelligence (AI), native Network Energy Saving (NES), native Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), and native full-duplex. However, the current time slot definition does not take into account the support of the network side and the terminal side for the above-mentioned technologies for these different native functions.

[0168] In view of this, the present disclosure aims to provide a novel frame structure to better support richer service types and more complex functional divisions in communication systems.

[0169] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0170] Step S2101: The network device sends the first signaling to the terminal.

[0171] In some embodiments, different communication functions may correspond to different time slot structures.

[0172] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, or the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

[0173] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures according to service requirements and indicate the determined correspondence to the terminal. However, it is not limited to this; the network device may also determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on other information.

[0174] In some embodiments, the network device can send the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures to the terminal, and the terminal can receive the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures sent by the network device, so as to enable the network device to configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal.

[0175] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal via a second signaling. That is, the network device can send a second signaling to the terminal, which indicates the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures. The terminal can receive the second signaling sent by the network device to realize the reception of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second signaling may be Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), Downlink Control Information (DCI), etc., but is not limited to these.

[0177] In some embodiments, the names of signaling, etc., are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as "signaling", "information", "message", "signal", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0178] In some embodiments, the terms “downlink control information (DCI),” “downlink (DL) assignment,” “DL DCI,” “uplink (UL) grant,” and “UL DCI” can be used interchangeably.

[0179] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures can be agreed upon in the protocol. The terminal can obtain the correspondence agreed upon in the protocol to realize the acquisition of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0180] In some embodiments, the network device can obtain the correspondence agreed upon by the protocol and then configure the correspondence to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal can receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0181] In some embodiments, the network device can also configure predefined rules to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal can receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the predefined rules, thereby determining the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on the predefined rules, so as to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0182] In some embodiments, the network device may send a first signaling message to the terminal so that the terminal can determine the time slot structure within a first time range through the first signaling message.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first time range is divided into multiple time windows, with different time windows corresponding to different communication functions. The first time range can be a time range of a specific length.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first time range may be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0185] In some embodiments, the time windows within the first time range may also be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range, so as to enable the network device to configure the first time range and the plurality of time windows included in the first time range for the terminal.

[0187] In some embodiments, the name of the first time range is not limited, and may be, for example, "time range of a specific length" or "specified time range".

[0188] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0189] In some embodiments, the name of the time window obtained by dividing the first time range is not limited, and it may be, for example, a "sub-window".

[0190] In some embodiments, terms such as “time,” “moment,” “point in time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “time,” “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” and “window.”

[0191] In some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within a first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is configured by a network device.

[0192] For example, assuming the first time range has a duration of T, within time T, there are time windows corresponding to one or more communication functions. For instance, time window T1 within time T corresponds to AI-related functions, time window T2 within time T corresponds to ISAC-related functions, time window T3 within time T corresponds to energy-saving-related functions, and so on. Here, T can be configured by the network device through explicit signaling, and T1, T2, T3, etc., can also be configured by the network device through explicit signaling.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window, and the first time range may correspond to multiple communication functions.

[0194] For example, the first time range can correspond to various communication functions such as AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, and energy-saving functions.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first time range may be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0196] It should be noted that, in cases where the first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions, the first signaling can indicate the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure, so that the terminal device can determine the first time slot structure based on the communication function indicated by the first signaling.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first signaling may be DCI, or the first signaling may be RRC signaling, but is not limited thereto.

[0198] In some embodiments, the name of the first time slot structure is not limited, and may be, for example, "effective time slot structure", "applied time slot structure", "desired time slot structure", etc.

[0199] In step S2102, the terminal determines the first time slot structure through the first signaling.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first time range is divided into multiple time windows, and different time windows correspond to different communication functions. The first signaling is used to indicate the first time range and the multiple time windows included in the first time range. The terminal can determine the time slot structure applied in each time window of the first time range based on the first signaling and the correspondence between the communication function and the time windows in the first time range, as the first time slot structure.

[0201] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the communication function corresponding to each time window in the first time range based on the time window configured for it by the network device and the correspondence between the time window and the communication function. Based on the correspondence between the communication function and the time slot structure and the communication function corresponding to each time window in the first time range, the terminal can determine the time slot structure corresponding to each time window in the first time range, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window. The first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions. The first signaling indicates the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure. The terminal can determine the time slot structure applied in the first time range based on the communication function indicated by the first signaling, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0203] It should be noted that the expected communication behavior of the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions is different.

[0204] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine its communication behavior within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0205] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0206] In some embodiments, the terms "resource", "resource set", "resource group", "precoding", "precoder", "weight", "precoding weight", "quasi-co-location (QCL)", "transmission configuration indication (TCI) status", "spatial relation", "spatial domain filter", "transmission power", "phase rotation", "antenna port", "antenna port group", "layer", "the number of layers", "rank", "beam", "beam width", "beam angular degree", "antenna", "antenna element", and "panel" can be used interchangeably.

[0207] In some embodiments, the communication functions mentioned in the above embodiments may include AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, Internet of Things (IoT)-related functions, full-duplex-related functions, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0208] In some embodiments, the present disclosure does not limit the specific definition and configuration of the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions.

[0209] In some embodiments, the present disclosure does not limit the symbol type, slot type, etc. included in the slot structure.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terms “slot”, “sub-slot”, “mini-slot”, “symbol”, “symbol”, “transmission time interval (TTI)”, “frame”, “radio frame”, and “subframe” can be used interchangeably.

[0211] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0212] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0213] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0214] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0215] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2102. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S2101+S2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0216] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0217] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0218] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2A.

[0219] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0220] In step S2201, the terminal determines the first time slot structure through the first communication function.

[0221] In some embodiments, different communication functions may correspond to different time slot structures.

[0222] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, or the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

[0223] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures according to service requirements and indicate the determined correspondence to the terminal. However, it is not limited to this; the network device may also determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on other information.

[0224] In some embodiments, the network device can send the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures to the terminal, and the terminal can receive the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures sent by the network device, so as to enable the network device to configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal.

[0225] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal via a second signaling. That is, the network device can send a second signaling to the terminal, which indicates the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures. The terminal can receive the second signaling sent by the network device to realize the reception of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second signaling may be RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0227] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures can be agreed upon in the protocol. The terminal can obtain the correspondence agreed upon in the protocol to realize the acquisition of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0228] In some embodiments, the network device can obtain the correspondence agreed upon by the protocol and then configure the correspondence to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal can receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0229] In some embodiments, the network device can also configure predefined rules to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal can receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the predefined rules, thereby determining the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on the predefined rules, so as to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0230] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the time slot structure within a first time range through a first communication function.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window, and the first time range may correspond to multiple communication functions.

[0232] For example, the first time range can correspond to various communication functions such as AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, and energy-saving functions.

[0233] In some embodiments, the first time range may be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0234] It should be noted that, in cases where the first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions, the terminal can use one of the multiple communication functions as the first communication function, thereby determining the time slot structure applied in the first time range through the first communication function, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first communication function can be a currently running communication function. That is, the terminal can determine the time slot structure applied within a first time range based on the currently running communication function to achieve the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0236] In some embodiments, the currently running communication function may be a communication function implemented by the terminal.

[0237] In some embodiments, the name of the currently running communication function is not limited, and may be, for example, "currently active communication function", "communication function being implemented", etc.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first time range is determined by the terminal itself. For example, the terminal can determine the first time range according to its own implementation, and then determine the first time slot structure within the first time range based on the first communication function.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first communication function may be a currently running communication function. For example, the first communication function may be a communication function implemented by the terminal.

[0240] Taking the first communication function (i.e., the currently running communication function) implemented by the terminal as an example, for instance, if the terminal is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; for instance, if the terminal is currently performing an ISAC-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an ISAC-related time slot structure; for instance, if the terminal is currently performing an energy-saving-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an energy-saving-related time slot structure; for instance, if the terminal is currently performing an IoT-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an IoT-related time slot structure; for instance, if the terminal is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; for instance, if the terminal is currently performing a full-duplex-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is a full-duplex-related time slot structure, and so on.

[0241] It should be noted that the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions allow for different communication behaviors.

[0242] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine its communication behavior within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0243] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0244] In some embodiments, the communication functions mentioned in the above embodiments may include AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, Internet of Things (IoT)-related functions, full-duplex-related functions, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0245] In step S2202, the network device determines the first time slot structure through the first communication function.

[0246] In some embodiments, different communication functions may correspond to different time slot structures.

[0247] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, or the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

[0248] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures according to service requirements and indicate the determined correspondence to the terminal. However, it is not limited to this; the network device may also determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on other information.

[0249] In some embodiments, the network device can send the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures to the terminal, and the terminal can receive the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures sent by the network device, so as to enable the network device to configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal.

[0250] In some embodiments, the network device can configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for the terminal via a second signaling. That is, the network device can send a second signaling to the terminal, which indicates the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures. The terminal can receive the second signaling sent by the network device to realize the reception of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0251] In some embodiments, the second signaling may be RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0252] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures can be agreed upon in the protocol. The terminal can obtain the correspondence agreed upon in the protocol to realize the acquisition of the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0253] In some embodiments, the network device can obtain the correspondence agreed upon by the protocol and then configure the correspondence to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal can receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0254] In some embodiments, the network device can also configure predefined rules to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal can receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the predefined rules, thereby determining the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on the predefined rules, so as to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0255] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the time slot structure within a first time range through a first communication function.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window, and the first time range may correspond to multiple communication functions.

[0257] For example, the first time range can correspond to various communication functions such as AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, and energy-saving functions.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first time range may be determined by the network device and configured to the terminal.

[0259] It should be noted that, in cases where the first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions, the network device can use one of the multiple communication functions as the first communication function, thereby determining the time slot structure applied in the first time range through the first communication function, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first communication function can be a currently running communication function. That is, the network device can determine the time slot structure applied within a first time range based on the currently running communication function to achieve the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0261] In some embodiments, the currently running communication function can be a communication function implemented by a network device.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first time range is determined by the network device and the terminal respectively. For example, the network device and the terminal can determine the first time range based on the same rules. Then the network device can determine the first time slot structure within the first time range based on the first communication function.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first communication function may be a currently running communication function. For example, the first communication function may be a communication function implemented by a network device.

[0264] Taking the first communication function (i.e., the currently running communication function) implemented by the network device as an example, for instance, if the network device is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; for instance, if the network device is currently performing an ISAC-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an ISAC-related time slot structure; for instance, if the network device is currently performing an energy-saving-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an energy-saving-related time slot structure; for instance, if the network device is currently performing an IoT-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an IoT-related time slot structure; for instance, if the network device is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; for instance, if the network device is currently performing a full-duplex-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is a full-duplex-related time slot structure, and so on.

[0265] It should be noted that the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions allow for different communication behaviors.

[0266] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the communication behavior of the network device within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0267] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0268] In some embodiments, the communication functions mentioned in the above embodiments may include AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, Internet of Things (IoT)-related functions, full-duplex-related functions, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0269] It should be noted that terminals and network devices can have the same understanding of the predefined rules and protocol agreements to ensure consistency in processing between terminals and network devices.

[0270] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2202. For example, step S2201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S2201+S2202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0271] In some embodiments, steps S2201 and S2202 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0272] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0273] In some embodiments, step S2202 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0274] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2B.

[0275] According to the solutions provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, different time slot structures can be defined for different communication functions, and the corresponding time slot structure can be determined according to the current communication function. For example, the terminal can determine the effective time slot structure according to the indication information from the network side or predefined rules, and determine the relevant behaviors on time domain resources according to the definition of the time slot structure; the network side indicates / determines the effective time slot structure through explicit indication information or predefined rules, and determines the relevant behaviors on time domain resources according to the definition of the time slot structure.

[0276] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0277] Step S3101: The network device determines the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0278] The optional implementation of step S3101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] In some embodiments, different communication functions may correspond to different time slot structures.

[0280] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on service requirements, but is not limited thereto; the network device may also determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on other information.

[0281] Step S3102: The network device configures the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure for the terminal.

[0282] The optional implementations of step S3102 can be found in step S2101 and step S2102 in Figure 2A, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0283] In some embodiments, a terminal may receive information configured for it by a network device, namely the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0284] In some embodiments, the network device may send a second signaling message to the terminal, the second signaling message being used to indicate the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0285] In some embodiments, the terminal may receive a second signaling sent by the network device to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0286] In some embodiments, the second signaling may be RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0287] In step S3103, the network device sends the first signaling to the terminal.

[0288] The optional implementation of step S3103 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0289] In some embodiments, the network device may send a first signaling message to the terminal so that the terminal can determine the time slot structure within a first time range through the first signaling message.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first time range is divided into multiple time windows, with different time windows corresponding to different communication functions. The first time range can be a time range of a specific length.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first time range may be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0292] In some embodiments, the time windows within the first time range may also be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range, so as to enable the network device to configure the first time range and the plurality of time windows included in the first time range for the terminal.

[0294] In some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within a first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is configured by a network device.

[0295] For example, assuming the first time range has a duration of T, within time T, there are time windows corresponding to one or more communication functions. For instance, time window T1 within time T corresponds to AI-related functions, time window T2 within time T corresponds to ISAC-related functions, time window T3 within time T corresponds to energy-saving-related functions, and so on. Here, T can be configured by the network device through explicit signaling, and T1, T2, T3, etc., can also be configured by the network device through explicit signaling.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window, and the first time range may correspond to multiple communication functions.

[0297] For example, the first time range can correspond to various communication functions such as AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, and energy-saving functions.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first time range may be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0299] It should be noted that, in cases where the first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions, the first signaling can indicate the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure, so that the terminal device can determine the first time slot structure based on the communication function indicated by the first signaling.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first signaling may be DCI, or the first signaling may be RRC signaling, but is not limited thereto.

[0301] In step S3104, the terminal determines the first time slot structure based on the first signaling and the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0302] The optional implementation of step S3104 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first time range is divided into multiple time windows, and different time windows correspond to different communication functions. The first signaling is used to indicate the first time range and the multiple time windows included in the first time range. The terminal can determine the time slot structure applied in each time window of the first time range based on the first signaling and the correspondence between the communication function and the time windows in the first time range, as the first time slot structure.

[0304] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the communication function corresponding to each time window in the first time range based on the time window configured for it by the network device and the correspondence between the time window and the communication function. Based on the correspondence between the communication function and the time slot structure and the communication function corresponding to each time window in the first time range, the terminal can determine the time slot structure corresponding to each time window in the first time range, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window. The first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions. The first signaling indicates the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure. The terminal can determine the time slot structure applied in the first time range based on the communication function indicated by the first signaling, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0306] It should be noted that the expected communication behavior of the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions is different.

[0307] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine its communication behavior within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0308] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0309] It should be noted that the above embodiment is illustrated by taking the determination of the first time slot structure by the terminal based on the first signaling sent by the network device as an example. In more possible implementations, the network device does not need to send the first signaling to the terminal, and the terminal can determine the first time slot structure by itself based on the first communication function.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first time range is a complete, undivided time window, and the first time range may correspond to multiple communication functions.

[0311] For example, the first time range can correspond to various communication functions such as AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, and energy-saving functions.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first time range may be configured by the network device for the terminal.

[0313] It should be noted that, in cases where the first time range corresponds to multiple communication functions, the terminal can use one of the multiple communication functions as the first communication function, thereby determining the time slot structure applied in the first time range through the first communication function, so as to realize the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first communication function can be a currently running communication function. That is, the terminal can determine the time slot structure applied within a first time range based on the currently running communication function to achieve the determination of the first time slot structure.

[0315] In some embodiments, the currently running communication function may be a communication function implemented by the terminal.

[0316] It should be noted that the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions allow for different communication behaviors.

[0317] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine its communication behavior within a first time range based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0318] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0319] In some embodiments, the communication functions mentioned in the above embodiments may include AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, Internet of Things (IoT)-related functions, full-duplex-related functions, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0320] In some embodiments, the present disclosure does not limit the specific definition and configuration of the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions.

[0321] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3104. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102+S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103+S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3102+S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3102+S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3103+S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0322] In some embodiments, steps S3102 and S3103 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0323] In some embodiments, steps S3102, S3103, and S3104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0324] In some embodiments, steps S3101, S3102, and S3103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0325] According to the scheme provided in Figure 3A, the terminal can determine the time slot structure information for different functions based on the explicit instruction signaling from the network side.

[0326] In some embodiments, explicit indication signaling may be RRC signaling, MAC CE, indication information carried in DCI, etc., and this disclosure does not limit this to specific examples.

[0327] In some embodiments, the time slot structure corresponding to different functions is defined by at least one of the following methods:

[0328] (1) Within a specific time range, different sub-windows correspond to different functional domains.

[0329] For example, assuming a specific time window length of T, within time T, there are time zones corresponding to one or more functions. For instance, time T1 within time T corresponds to AI-related functions, time T2 corresponds to ISAC-related functions, time T3 corresponds to energy-saving-related functions, and so on.

[0330] Optionally, T is configured via explicit signaling from the base station. Furthermore, T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn are configured via signaling, and their correspondence with communication functions is configured via explicit signaling or determined through protocol predefinition.

[0331] (2) A specific time range corresponds to a time slot structure with different functions. The terminal determines the actual effective time slot structure based on the current communication function.

[0332] In some embodiments, the time slot structure corresponding to different functions is configured by explicit signaling or determined by protocol predefinition.

[0333] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the actual effective time slot structure in the following manner:

[0334] The corresponding time slot structure is determined based on the actual effective communication functions;

[0335] Alternatively, the corresponding time slot structure can be determined based on the indication information from the base station. The indication information from the base station could be, for example, the indication information carried in the scheduling DCI, or related information in the RRC signaling configuration.

[0336] In some embodiments, different communication functions determine different time slot structures and allow for different terminal behaviors.

[0337] For example, for the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions, ultra-long frames are allowed to complete the sensing.

[0338] For example, for frame structures corresponding to AI-related functions, cross-time slot transmission is allowed, and communication functions can be turned off during model calculations.

[0339] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions is bound to specific RS, SSB, data channel, and control channel structures to achieve maximum energy saving while maintaining basic communication functions.

[0340] For example, for the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions, the existence of empty frames is allowed, so as to better reuse resources with other functions.

[0341] In some embodiments, the above functions include, but are not limited to: AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, IoT-related functions, and full-duplex-related functions.

[0342] Correspondingly, the network side can explicitly indicate the time slot structure of different functions of the terminal through signaling.

[0343] In some embodiments, explicit indication signaling may be RRC signaling, MAC CE, indication information carried in DCI, etc., and this disclosure does not limit this to specific examples.

[0344] In some embodiments, the time slot structure corresponding to different functions is defined by at least one of the following methods:

[0345] (1) Within a specific time range, different sub-windows correspond to different functional domains.

[0346] For example, assuming a specific time window length of T, within time T, there are time zones corresponding to one or more functions. For instance, time T1 within time T corresponds to AI-related functions, time T2 corresponds to ISAC-related functions, time T3 corresponds to energy-saving-related functions, and so on.

[0347] Optionally, T is configured via explicit signaling from the base station. Furthermore, T1, T2, T3, ..., Tn are configured via signaling, and their correspondence with communication functions is configured via explicit signaling or determined through protocol predefinition.

[0348] (2) A specific time range corresponds to a time slot structure with different functions. The terminal determines the actual effective time slot structure based on the current communication function.

[0349] In some embodiments, the time slot structure corresponding to different functions is configured by explicit signaling or determined by protocol predefinition.

[0350] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the actual effective time slot structure in the following manner:

[0351] The corresponding time slot structure is determined based on the actual effective communication functions;

[0352] Alternatively, the corresponding time slot structure can be determined based on the indication information from the base station. The indication information from the base station could be, for example, the indication information carried in the scheduling DCI, or related information in the RRC signaling configuration.

[0353] In some embodiments, different communication functions determine different time slot structures and allow for different terminal behaviors.

[0354] For example, for the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions, ultra-long frames are allowed to complete the sensing.

[0355] For example, for frame structures corresponding to AI-related functions, cross-time slot transmission is allowed, and communication functions can be turned off during model calculations.

[0356] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions is bound to specific RS, SSB, data channel, and control channel structures to achieve maximum energy saving while maintaining basic communication functions.

[0357] For example, for the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions, the existence of empty frames is allowed, so as to better reuse resources with other functions.

[0358] In some embodiments, the above functions include, but are not limited to: AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, IoT-related functions, and full-duplex-related functions.

[0359] This disclosure does not limit the specific definition and configuration of time slot structures with different functions.

[0360] This disclosure does not impose any limitations on the symbol type, slot type, etc., included in a specific time slot structure.

[0361] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0362] Step S3201: The terminal determines the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on predefined rules.

[0363] The optional implementation of step S3201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0364] In some embodiments, different communication functions may correspond to different time slot structures.

[0365] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures can be agreed upon in the protocol. The terminal can obtain the correspondence agreed upon in the protocol to obtain the first indication information.

[0366] In some embodiments, the network device may obtain the correspondence agreed upon by the protocol and then configure the correspondence to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal may receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the first instruction information.

[0367] In some embodiments, the network device may also configure predefined rules to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal may receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the predefined rules, thereby determining the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on the predefined rules, so as to obtain the first indication information.

[0368] In step S3202, the terminal determines the first time slot structure based on the first communication function.

[0369] The optional implementation of step S3202 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first communication function can be the currently running communication function. That is, the terminal can determine the first time slot structure based on the currently running communication function.

[0371] In some embodiments, the currently running communication function may be the communication function currently implemented by the terminal, but is not limited thereto.

[0372] Taking the first communication function (i.e., the currently running communication function) as an example, if the terminal is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; if the terminal is currently performing an ISAC-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an ISAC-related time slot structure; if the terminal is currently performing an energy-saving-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an energy-saving-related time slot structure; if the terminal is currently performing an IoT-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an IoT-related time slot structure; if the terminal is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; if the terminal is currently performing a full-duplex-related operation, then the terminal can determine that the first time slot structure is a full-duplex-related time slot structure, and so on.

[0373] It should be noted that the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions allow for different communication behaviors.

[0374] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the permitted communication behavior of the terminal based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0375] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0376] In step S3203, the network device determines the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on predefined rules.

[0377] The optional implementation of step S3203 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0378] In some embodiments, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures can be agreed upon in the protocol. The network device can obtain the correspondence agreed upon in the protocol to obtain the first indication information.

[0379] In some embodiments, after obtaining the correspondence agreed upon in the protocol, the network device may also configure the correspondence to the terminal in the form of configuration information. The terminal may receive the configuration information configured by the network device to obtain the first instruction information.

[0380] In some embodiments, the network device can also determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures based on predefined rules in order to obtain the first indication information. In addition, the network device can also configure the predefined rules to the terminal so that the terminal can obtain the first indication information based on the predefined rules.

[0381] Step S3204: The network device determines the first time slot structure based on the first communication function.

[0382] The optional implementation of step S3204 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0383] In some embodiments, the first communication function can be a currently running communication function. That is, the network device can determine the first timeslot structure based on the currently running communication function.

[0384] In some embodiments, the currently running communication function may be the communication function currently implemented by the network device, but is not limited thereto.

[0385] Taking the first communication function (i.e., the currently running communication function) as an example, if the network device is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; if the network device is currently performing an ISAC-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an ISAC-related time slot structure; if the network device is currently performing an energy-saving-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an energy-saving-related time slot structure; if the network device is currently performing an IoT-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an IoT-related time slot structure; if the network device is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is an AI-related time slot structure; if the network device is currently performing a full-duplex-related operation, then the network device can determine that the first time slot structure is a full-duplex-related time slot structure, and so on.

[0386] It should be noted that the time slot structures corresponding to different communication functions allow for different communication behaviors.

[0387] In some embodiments, the network device may determine the permitted communication behavior of the network device based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure.

[0388] For example, the time slot structure corresponding to ISAC-related functions can allow for ultra-long frames to complete sensing; for example, the frame structure corresponding to AI-related functions can allow cross-time slot transmission and can also allow communication functions to be turned off during model calculation; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to energy-saving functions can be bound to specific RS, SSB structures, data channel structures, control channel structures, etc., to achieve maximum energy saving and maintain basic communication functions; for example, the time slot structure corresponding to IoT-related functions can allow the existence of empty frames, thereby ensuring better resource reuse with other functions, etc., but not limited to these.

[0389] It should be noted that terminals and network devices can have the same understanding of the predefined rules and protocol agreements to ensure consistency in processing between terminals and network devices.

[0390] In some embodiments, the communication functions mentioned in the above embodiments may include AI-related functions, ISAC-related functions, energy-saving functions, Internet of Things (IoT)-related functions, full-duplex-related functions, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0391] In some embodiments, the present disclosure does not limit the specific definition and configuration of the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions.

[0392] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3204. For example, step S3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3201+S3202 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S3201+S3203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S3201+S3204 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S3202+S... Step 3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3202+S3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3203+S3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3201+S3202+S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3201+S3202+S3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3202+S3203+S3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0393] In some embodiments, steps S3201 and S3203 may be executed in a different order or simultaneously, steps S3202 and S3204 may be executed in a different order or simultaneously, and steps S3202 and S3203 may be executed in a different order or simultaneously.

[0394] In some embodiments, steps S3201, S3202, and S3203 are optional and may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0395] In some embodiments, steps S3201, S3202, and S3204 are optional and may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0396] In some embodiments, steps S3201, S3203, and S3204 are optional and may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0397] In some embodiments, steps S3202, S3203, and S3204 are optional and may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0398] According to the scheme provided in Figure 3B, the terminal can determine the time slot structure information for different functions based on predefined rules.

[0399] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions. The time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions is determined by a protocol predefined method, or the time slots corresponding to different communication functions are determined based on the configuration information provided by the base station.

[0400] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the currently effective time slot structure based on the following currently effective communication functions or the communication functions being implemented by the base station:

[0401] For example, if the terminal is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the currently effective time slot structure is determined to be the AI-related time slot structure among the aforementioned time slot structures.

[0402] For example, if the terminal is currently performing an ISAC-related operation, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the timeslot structure related to ISAC among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0403] For example, if the terminal is currently performing energy-saving related operations, then the currently effective time slot structure is determined to be the energy-saving related time slot structure among the aforementioned time slot structures.

[0404] For example, if the terminal is currently performing an IoT-related operation, then the currently effective time slot structure is determined to be the IoT-related time slot structure among the aforementioned time slot structures.

[0405] For example, if the terminal is currently performing an AI-related operation, then the currently effective time slot structure is determined to be the AI-related time slot structure among the aforementioned time slot structures.

[0406] For example, if the terminal is currently performing a full-duplex related operation, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the timeslot structure related to full-duplex among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0407] Accordingly, the base station can determine the time slot structure information for different functions according to predefined rules.

[0408] In some embodiments, the base station determines the time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions. The time slot structure corresponding to different communication functions is determined by a protocol predefined method, or the time slots corresponding to different communication functions are determined according to the configuration information provided by the base station.

[0409] In some embodiments, the base station determines the currently active time slot structure based on the following currently active communication functions or the communication functions that the base station is implementing:

[0410] For example, if the base station is currently performing AI-related operations, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the AI-related timeslot structure among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0411] For example, if the base station is currently performing ISAC-related operations, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the timeslot structure related to ISAC among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0412] For example, if the base station is currently performing energy-saving related operations, then the currently effective time slot structure is determined to be the energy-saving related time slot structure among the aforementioned time slot structures.

[0413] For example, if the base station is currently performing IoT-related operations, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the IoT-related timeslot structure among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0414] For example, if the base station is currently performing AI-related operations, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the AI-related timeslot structure among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0415] For example, if the base station is currently performing a full-duplex related operation, then the currently effective timeslot structure is determined to be the timeslot structure related to full-duplex among the aforementioned timeslot structures.

[0416] This disclosure does not limit the specific definition and configuration of time slot structures with different functions.

[0417] This disclosure does not impose any limitations on the symbol type, slot type, etc., included in a specific time slot structure.

[0418] Figure 4A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0419] Step S4101: Obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0420] The optional implementation of step S4101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0421] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures sent by a network device, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures sent by other entities.

[0422] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures specified by the protocol.

[0423] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures from the upper layer(s).

[0424] In some embodiments, the terminal processes the data to obtain the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0425] In some embodiments, step S4101 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the correspondence between the communication function and the time slot structure, or the above function is defaulted or set to default.

[0426] Step S4102: Obtain the first signaling.

[0427] The optional implementation of step S4102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3103 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0428] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first signaling sent by a network device, but is not limited thereto; it may also receive a first signaling sent by another entity.

[0429] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first signaling as defined by the protocol.

[0430] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first signaling from the upper layer(s).

[0431] In some embodiments, the terminal processes the data to obtain the first signaling.

[0432] In some embodiments, step S4102 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first signaling, or the above function is default or default.

[0433] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range.

[0434] In some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within a first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is determined by a network device and configured to the terminal.

[0435] In some embodiments, the first signaling indicates the communication functions used to determine the first time slot structure.

[0436] Step S4103: Determine the first time slot structure based on the first signaling and the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0437] The optional implementation of step S4103 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3104 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0438] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4103. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101+S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101+S4103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4102+S4103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0439] In some embodiments, steps S4101 and S4102 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0440] In some embodiments, steps S4102 and S4103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0441] Figure 4B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0442] Step S4201: Determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0443] The optional implementation of step S4201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0444] Step S4202: Configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structure.

[0445] The optional implementation of step S4202 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0446] In some embodiments, the network device configures the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for terminals, but is not limited thereto; it can also configure the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures for other entities.

[0447] Step S4203: Send the first signaling.

[0448] The optional implementation of step S4203 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3103 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0449] In some embodiments, the network device may send the first signaling to the terminal, but is not limited thereto; it may also send the first signaling to other entities.

[0450] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range.

[0451] In some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within a first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is determined by a network device and configured to the terminal.

[0452] In some embodiments, the first signaling indicates the communication functions used to determine the first time slot structure.

[0453] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 to S4203. For example, step S4201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S4202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S4201+S4202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S4201+S4203 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S4202+S4203 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0454] In some embodiments, steps S4202 and S4203 may be performed in an alternate order or simultaneously.

[0455] In some embodiments, steps S4201 and S4203 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0456] In some embodiments, steps S4202 and S4203 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0457] In this embodiment of the disclosure, step S4202 can be combined with step S4101 of FIG4A, and step S4203 can be combined with step S4101 of FIG4A.

[0458] Figure 5A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0459] Step S5101: Based on predefined rules, determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0460] The optional implementation of step S5101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3201 in Figure 3B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0461] Step S5102: Determine the first time slot structure based on the first communication function.

[0462] The optional implementation of step S5102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3202 in Figure 3B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0463] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S5101 to S5102. For example, step S5101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S5102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S5101+S5102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0464] In some embodiments, step S5101 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0465] In some embodiments, step S5102 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0466] Figure 5B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0467] Step S5201: Based on predefined rules, determine the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

[0468] The optional implementation of step S5201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3203 in Figure 3B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0469] Step S5202: Determine the first time slot structure based on the first communication function.

[0470] The optional implementation of step S5202 can be found in the optional implementation of step S3204 in Figure 3B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0471] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S5201 to S5202. For example, step S5201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S5202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and step S5201+S5202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0472] In some embodiments, step S5201 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0473] In some embodiments, step S5202 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0474] Figure 6A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0475] Step S6101: Obtain the first signaling.

[0476] The optional implementation of step S6101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0477] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first signaling sent by a network device, but is not limited thereto; it may also receive a first signaling sent by another entity.

[0478] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first signaling as defined by the protocol.

[0479] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first signaling from the upper layer(s).

[0480] In some embodiments, the terminal processes the data to obtain the first signaling.

[0481] In some embodiments, step S6101 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first signaling, or the above function is a default or default setting.

[0482] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range.

[0483] In some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within a first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is determined by a network device and configured to the terminal.

[0484] In some embodiments, the first signaling indicates the communication functions used to determine the first time slot structure.

[0485] Step S6102: Determine the first time slot structure through the first signaling.

[0486] The optional implementation of step S6102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0487] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S6101 to S6102. For example, step S6101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S6102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S6101+S6102 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0488] In some embodiments, step S6101 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0489] In some embodiments, step S6102 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0490] Figure 6B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0491] Step S6201: Send the first signaling.

[0492] The optional implementation of step S6201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0493] In some embodiments, the network device sends the first signaling to the terminal, but it is not limited to this; it may also send the first signaling to other entities.

[0494] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used to indicate a first time range and a plurality of time windows included in the first time range.

[0495] In some embodiments, different communication functions correspond to different time windows within a first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is determined by a network device and configured to the terminal.

[0496] In some embodiments, the first signaling indicates the communication functions used to determine the first time slot structure.

[0497] In some embodiments, the first signaling is used by the terminal to determine the first time slot structure.

[0498] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least step S6201, and step S6201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0499] Figure 7A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0500] Step S7101: Determine the first time slot structure through the first communication function.

[0501] The optional implementation of step S7101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0502] In some embodiments, the first communication function is a communication function implemented by the terminal.

[0503] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least step S7101, and step S7102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0504] Figure 7B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0505] Step S7201: Determine the first time slot structure through the first communication function.

[0506] The optional implementation of step S7201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0507] In some embodiments, the first communication function is a communication function implemented by a network device.

[0508] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least step S7201, and step S7201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0509] In the embodiments disclosed herein, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations in other embodiments.

[0510] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0511] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0512] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0513] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8A, the terminal 8100 may include at least a processing module 8101. In some embodiments, the processing module 8101 is configured to determine a first time slot structure, where different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling. Optionally, the processing module 8101 is used to perform at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2201, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. In some embodiments, the terminal 8100 may also include a transceiver module. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, such as sending and / or receiving, which will not be elaborated here.

[0514] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8B, the network device 8200 may include at least one of a processing module 8201 and a transceiver module 8202. In some embodiments, the processing module 8201 is configured to determine a first timeslot structure through a first communication function; the transceiver module 8202 is configured to send a first signaling to a terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine the first timeslot structure; wherein different timeslot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors. Optionally, the processing module 8201 is used to perform at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S2202, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the transceiver module 8202 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0515] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0516] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0517] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 9100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0518] As shown in Figure 9A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 9100 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0519] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9102 may also be located outside the communication device 9100.

[0520] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the transceivers 9103 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2102, step S2201, step S2202, but not limited thereto).

[0521] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0522] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuit 9104 is connected to the memory 9102, and the interface circuit 9104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9104 can read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

[0523] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0524] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 9200 shown in Figure 9B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0525] Chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0526] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, the interface circuit 9202 is connected to memory 9203, and the interface circuit 9202 can be used to receive signals from memory 9203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 9202 can be used to send signals to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9202 can read instructions stored in memory 9203 and send the instructions to processor 9201.

[0527] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2102, step S2201, step S2202, but not limited thereto).

[0528] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0529] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside of chip 9200.

[0530] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 9100, cause the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0531] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0532] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0533] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0534] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal, the method includes: A first time slot structure is determined, and different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Different communication functions correspond to different time slot structures. The correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, or the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is configured by the network device for the terminal, and the method further includes: The system receives a second signaling message sent by the network device, the second signaling message being used to indicate the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second signaling is any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, which indicates a first time range and multiple time windows included within the first time range. The first time slot structure is a time slot structure applied within each time window of the first time range; or, The first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, the first signaling indicating the communication function of the first time slot structure, the first time slot structure being a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Different communication functions correspond to different time windows within the first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon by a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is configured by the network device.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first signaling indicates the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure, and the first signaling is DCI or RRC signaling.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first time slot structure is determined by the first communication function, and the first time slot structure is a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first communication function is a communication function implemented by the terminal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Different communication functions correspond to different time slot structures with different expected communication behaviors. The method further includes: Based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure, the communication behavior of the terminal within the first time range is determined.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: The first time slot structure is determined by the first communication function; or, a first signaling is sent to the terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine the first time slot structure. Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Different communication functions correspond to different time slot structures. The correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined by network devices and configured to the terminal. Alternatively, the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined based on predefined rules.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures is determined by network devices and configured to the terminal. The method further includes: A second signaling message is sent to the terminal, the second signaling message being used to indicate the correspondence between communication functions and time slot structures.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second signaling is any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, which indicates a first time range and multiple time windows included within the first time range. The first time slot structure is a time slot structure applied within each time window of the first time range; or, The first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling, the first signaling indicating the communication function of the first time slot structure, the first time slot structure being a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Different communication functions correspond to different time windows within the first time range. The correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is agreed upon through a protocol, or the correspondence between communication functions and time windows within the first time range is determined by the network device and configured to the terminal.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The first signaling indicates the communication function used to determine the first time slot structure, and the first signaling is DCI or RRC signaling.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, The first time slot structure is determined by the first communication function, and the first time slot structure is a time slot structure applied within a first time range.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that, The first communication function is a communication function implemented by the network device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that, Different communication functions correspond to different time slot structures with different expected communication behaviors. The method further includes: Based on the communication function corresponding to the first time slot structure, the communication behavior of the network device within the first time range is determined.

21. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The processing module is configured to determine a first time slot structure, with different time slot structures used to implement different communication behaviors; wherein, the first time slot structure is determined by a first communication function, or the first time slot structure is determined by a received first signaling.

22. A network device, characterized in that, include: The processing module is configured to determine the first time slot structure through a first communication function; The transceiver module is configured to send a first signaling to the terminal, the first signaling being used by the terminal to determine a first time slot structure; Different time slot structures are used to implement different communication behaviors.

23. A terminal, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1-10.

24. A network device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The network device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 11-20.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1-10, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 11-20.

26. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, it causes the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-10 or 11-20.

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