Communication methods, devices, communication system, communication device and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication methods, devices, a communication system, a communication device and a storage medium, belonging to the technical field of communications. A method comprises: a first device sending first information to a second device, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first time period, and, in a second time period within the first time period, the first device does not expect to receive a downlink signal from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter an uplink signal to the second device. The first device configures the first time period, and reports the first time period to the second device, such that an orderly charging process can be established for Internet of Things devices.

Description

A communication method and device, a communication system, a communication device, and a storage medium. Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device, a communication system, a communication equipment, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] NB-IoT is a low-power wide-area network technology with key features such as low cost, low power consumption, strong coverage, and massive connectivity. It is largely based on the non-backward-compatible E-UTRA standard, with a coverage target of 164dB MCL, significantly enhancing indoor coverage and supporting a large number of low-throughput, low-latency-sensitive devices. A-IoT is a new Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Compared to traditional IoT technologies, a significant feature is the massive number of A-IoT terminals that can be accessed in the network, enabling large-scale inventory and monitoring of objects. It also boasts a simple structure, low hardware and maintenance costs, low power consumption, and can be equipped with or without power supply components, allowing for extended periods without battery replacement.

[0003] Based on NB-IoT, a key characteristic of IoT devices is low power consumption, with the fundamental purpose of extending battery life. Based on A-IoT, environmental IoT devices can collect energy from the environment to recharge, theoretically enabling unlimited battery life. However, due to the low cost of IoT devices, charging and communication cannot occur simultaneously. If the charging process of IoT devices is not controlled by the network, network devices will struggle to coordinate and schedule IoT devices effectively, and the benefits of AI in the overall scheduling strategy will be limited.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure presents a communication method, device, system, and storage medium that can be used in the field of communication technology to establish an orderly charging process for IoT devices by reporting data from terminal devices.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a first device, comprising: sending first information to a second device, the first information indicating a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a second device, comprising: receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information indicating a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided, including a transceiver module for sending first information to a second device, the first information indicating a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signaling from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signaling to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a second device is provided, including a transceiver module for receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information indicating a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signaling from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signaling to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver; a memory; and a processor, which are respectively connected to the transceiver and the memory, and configured to control the transmission and reception of wireless signals of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, and to implement the methods described in any one of the first and second aspects.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the first aspects, and the second device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer storage medium is provided that stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method described in any one of the first and second aspects.

[0013] According to the communication method proposed in this disclosure, the silence time is determined by the terminal and reported to the network device to establish an orderly charging process for the Internet of Things device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1A shows the Topology 1 scenario supported by A-IoT devices;

[0016] Figure 1B shows the Topology 2 scenario supported by A-IoT devices;

[0017] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3A is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3B is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3C is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3D is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4A is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 4B is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 4C is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 4D is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of exiting the silent period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of exiting the silent period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 6C is a schematic diagram of exiting the silent period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6D is a schematic diagram of exiting the silent period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 6E is a schematic diagram of the activation silence cycle provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6F is a schematic diagram of exiting the silence period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 6G is a schematic diagram of exiting the silent period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6H is a schematic diagram of exiting the silent period according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0042] This disclosure provides a communication method and device, a communication system, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0043] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method performed by a first device, comprising: sending first information to a second device, the first information indicating a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0044] In the above embodiments, the first device sends a first message to the second device to indicate the first device's quiet time. The first device can choose to charge during the quiet time to establish an orderly charging process.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is a separately configured silent period, and the second time period has the same duration as the silent period.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the silence period; the end point of the silence period; the duration of the silence period; and the time offset between the start point of the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first device indicates a defined quiet period to the second device for the first device to select to charge.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is a silent period pattern.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the quiet period pattern; the end point of the quiet period pattern; the duration of the quiet period pattern; the time offset between the start point of the quiet period pattern and the receipt of the quiet period pattern trigger signaling; the number of time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; the duration of the time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; and a first bitmap, the first bitmap being used to indicate the time units of the first value and the time units of the second value in the quiet period pattern.

[0050] In the above embodiments, the first device indicates a quiescent period pattern it has determined to the second device, so that the first device can select to charge within the quiescent period pattern.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is a periodic cyclical silence period, which includes one or more listening opportunities, and the second time period does not include one or more listening opportunities.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the silence period; the end point of the silence period; the duration of the silence period; the time offset between the start point of the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling; the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the end point of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the duration of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the time offset between the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling; the time offset between the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the start point of the silence period; and the number of cycles of the silence period.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the first device indicates a determined silence period to the second device for the first device to select to charge.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second time period is used for the first device to charge.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following: sending second information to a second device, the second information indicating the clock capability of the second device; sending fourth information to the second device, the fourth information indicating whether the first device should exit the first time period or deactivate the first time period; sending sixth information to the second device, the sixth information assisting the second device in determining the first information; sending seventh information to the second device, the seventh information indicating that the first device should actively enter the first time period; sending eighth information to the second device, the eighth information informing the second device that the first device should exit the first time period in advance; receiving fifth information sent by the second device, the fifth information indicating whether to activate the first time period or enter the first time period; and receiving third information sent by the second device, the third information correcting the clock deviation of the first device.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: a first indication, which instructs the first device to immediately exit or deactivate the first time period when sending the fourth information; a second indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period of the next cycle after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends; a third indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period after the listening time when the fourth information is sent ends; a fourth indication, which instructs a first quantity N, in which the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after N times the duration of the first time period when sending the fourth information or when the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition; a fifth indication, which instructs a first duration, in which the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after a first duration when sending the fourth information or when the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition; and a sixth indication, which instructs a higher-level silence period, in which the first device automatically enters a higher-level silence period when sending the fourth information or when the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition, wherein the duration of the higher-level silence period is greater than the duration of the first time period.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a seventh indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the termination time point when sending the seventh information; an eighth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the end time point of the latest or most recent scheduling; and a ninth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the time point closest to the end of the transmission of the synchronization signal.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, at least one of the first information, the fourth information, and the fifth information is included in the first signaling, and the first signaling includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the first device instructs the second device to determine a quiet period / quiet period / quiet period pattern, which is used by the first device to select for charging, so as to establish an orderly charging process.

[0060] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a second device, comprising: receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is a separately configured silent period, and the second time period has the same duration as the silent period.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the silence period; the end point of the silence period; the duration of the silence period; and the time offset between the start point of the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the second device receives a quiet period determined by the first device to establish a charging process for the first device.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is a silent period pattern.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the quiet period pattern; the end point of the quiet period pattern; the duration of the quiet period pattern; the time offset between the start point of the quiet period pattern and the receipt of the quiet period pattern trigger signaling; the number of time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; the duration of the time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; and a first bitmap, the first bitmap being used to indicate the time units of the first value and the time units of the second value in the quiet period pattern.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the second device receives the silent period pattern determined by the first device, so that the first device can select to charge within the silent period pattern and establish an orderly charging process.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is a periodic cyclical silence period, which includes one or more listening opportunities, while the second time period does not include one or more listening opportunities.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the silence period; the end point of the silence period; the duration of the silence period; the time offset between the start point of the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling; the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the end point of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the duration of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the time offset between the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling; the time offset between the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the start point of the silence period; and the number of cycles of the silence period.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the second device receives a silence period determined by the first device for the first device to select for charging.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second time period is used for the first device to charge.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following: receiving second information sent by the first device, the second information indicating the clock capability of the first device; receiving fourth information sent by the first device, the fourth information indicating whether the first device should exit the first time period or deactivate the first time period; receiving sixth information sent by the first device, the sixth information assisting the second device in determining the first information; receiving seventh information sent by the first device, the seventh information indicating that the first device should actively enter the first time period; receiving eighth information sent by the first device, the eighth information informing the second device that the first device should exit the first time period in advance; sending fifth information to the first device, the fifth information indicating whether to activate the first time period or enter the first time period; and sending third information to the first device, the third information correcting the clock deviation of the first device.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: a first indication, which instructs the first device to immediately exit or deactivate the first time period when sending the fourth information; a second indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period of the next cycle after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends; a third indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period after the listening opportunity in which the fourth information is sent ends; a fourth indication, which instructs a first quantity N, in which the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after N times the duration of the first time period when sending the fourth information or when the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition; a fifth indication, which instructs a first duration, in which the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after a first duration when sending the fourth information or when the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition; and a sixth indication, which instructs a higher-level silence period, in which the first device automatically enters a higher-level silence period when sending the fourth information or when the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition, wherein the duration of the higher-level silence period is greater than the duration of the first time period.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a seventh indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the termination time point when sending the seventh information; an eighth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the end time point of the latest or most recent scheduling; and a ninth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the time point closest to the end of the transmission of the synchronization signal.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, at least one of the first information, the fourth information, and the fifth information is included in the first signaling, and the first signaling includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0075] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first device, including a transceiver module, for sending first information to a second device. The first information is used to indicate a first time period, during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0076] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second device, including a transceiver module, for receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information indicating a first time period, wherein the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0077] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor, respectively connected to the transceiver and the memory, configured to control the transmission and reception of wireless signals of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first and second aspects of this disclosure.

[0078] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, including: a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure; and the second device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0079] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first or second aspect of this disclosure.

[0080] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0081] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0082] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first and second aspects above.

[0083] It is understood that the aforementioned first device, second device, communication system, communication equipment, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip, or chip system are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0084] This disclosure provides a communication method and device, a communication system, a communication device, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, terms such as communication method and information processing method can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as network device, information processing apparatus, and communication apparatus, and terms such as information processing system and communication system.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the aforementioned," "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 or a plural expression.

[0089] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0091] The descriptions in this disclosure, such as "at least one of A, B, C..." or "A and / or B and / or C...", include the case where any one of A, B, C... exists alone, as well as the case where any combination of any of A, B, C... exists alone. Each case can exist alone. For example, "at least one of A, B, C" includes the cases of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B combination, A and C combination, B and C combination, and A and B and C combination. For example, A and / or B includes the cases of A alone, B alone, and A and B combination.

[0092] In some embodiments, the notation "in one case A, in another case B" or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: A is executed regardless of B, i.e., A is executed in some embodiments; B is executed regardless of A, i.e., B is executed in some embodiments; A and B are selectively executed, i.e., A and B are selected for execution in some embodiments; A and B are both executed, i.e., A and B are executed in some embodiments. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0093] 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.

[0094] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0095] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0097] 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”.

[0098] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0099] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0100] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0101] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0102] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0103] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0104] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0105] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0106] 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.

[0107] NB-IoT supports three operating modes: in-band, standalone, and guardband. Both uplink and downlink RF bandwidths are 180kHz. Downlink uses OFDMA technology with a 15kHz subcarrier spacing, while uplink uses SC-FDMA technology. It supports both single-tone and multi-tone transmission. Enhanced versions of NB-IoT support a wealth of features, including multi-carrier support, positioning, multicast, wake-up signals, and fast small data transmission, and can coexist with LTE and NR systems.

[0108] eMTC is an enhanced version of LTE-M (LTE-Machine-to-Machine), an IoT technology evolved from LTE. It is also a low-cost, low-power wide-area network technology. Compared to NB-IoT, eMTC has slightly weaker coverage, but it can support higher transmission rates, some mobility, and voice services. eMTC has 1.4MHz uplink and downlink RF bandwidth and can support a maximum peak rate of 1Mbps.

[0109] A-IoT devices can be categorized into Type 1, Type 2a, Type 2b, and Type 2c. Type 1 and 2a devices are passive, while Type 2b is an active device. Type 1 devices operate based on backscatter, exhibiting the lowest complexity and power consumption. Type 2a devices support energy storage and operate based on backscatter; their complexity and power consumption are higher than Type 1 devices, offering some signal amplification, but still at a relatively low level. Type 2b devices operate based on active transmission, possessing both signal amplification and the ability to actively transmit information. Furthermore, Type 2c devices possess both active information transmission and backscatter capabilities. These devices can harvest energy from the environment to power normal uplink and downlink transmissions. Environmental energy includes natural energy sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear power, as well as artificial energy sources such as electromagnetic waves emitted by artificial devices.

[0110] Currently, A-IoT devices support two basic topology scenarios. In Topology 1, as shown in Figure 1A, the A-IoT base station (or reader) and the A-IoT device are directly connected. In Topology 2, as shown in Figure 1B, the A-IoT device and the UE communicate with each other, with the UE acting as an intermediate node to send data to the network side.

[0111] A-IoT terminal devices that use backscattering for uplink transmission require a continuous wave (CW) energy source (CW node) to provide the electromagnetic waves for reflection. The CW is typically of constant amplitude. The CW node can be a standalone node or a base station / intermediate node (e.g., UE) communicating with the device. The frequency of the reflected electromagnetic wave can be exactly the same as the CW frequency or it can have some offset. The magnitude of the offset depends on the device's hardware characteristics. The offset might be a fixed value, or if the device hardware supports it, it might support multiple fixed values, or it might be a dynamically adjustable value.

[0112] Therefore, this disclosure proposes a communication method, device, system, and storage medium. The A-IoT terminal device determines the silence time information and reports it to the A-IoT network device. The A-IoT terminal device can choose to charge during the silence time to establish an orderly charging process. This enables the network device to coordinate and schedule IoT devices, leveraging AI to enhance the network scheduling strategy.

[0113] The method proposed in this disclosure is applicable to various communication systems, including but not limited to 4G, 5G, 5G-advance and subsequent communication technologies (such as 6G).

[0114] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1C, the communication system 100 may include a first device 101 and a second device 102.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be an IoT terminal device, such as an IoT device.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be an intermediate node or an auxiliary node device, and the type of the second device includes at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that sends first information to the second device. The name of the first information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "silent time parameter information".

[0118] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device for determining first information.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that indicates a first time period to the second device.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device for determining the timing of listening.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device for determining a silence period.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device for determining a quiet period.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device for determining a quiet period pattern.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that sends second information indicating the clock capability of the first device. The name of the second information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "clock capability information".

[0125] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that receives third information, which is used to correct the clock skew of the first device. The name of the third information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "clock skew correction information".

[0126] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that sends a fourth message, which indicates whether the first device should exit the first time period or deactivate the first time period. The name of the fourth message is not limited, and it may be, for example, "exit message" or "deactivation message".

[0127] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that is charged during a second time period.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that receives fifth information, which is used to indicate whether to activate a first time period or whether to enter a first time period. The name of the fifth information is not limited, and it may be, for example, "activation indication information," "entry indication information," etc.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that sends a sixth message, which assists the second device in determining the first message. The name of the sixth message is not limited; it may be, for example, "auxiliary information."

[0130] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that sends a seventh message, which is used to instruct the first device to actively enter a first time period. The name of the seventh message is not limited, and it may be, for example, "trigger message," "activation message," etc.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first device 101 may be a device that sends an eighth message, which is used to inform the second device that the first device is exiting the first time period in advance. The name of the eighth message is not limited, and it may be, for example, "exit notification message".

[0132] In some embodiments, the name of the first device 101 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device for determining a quiet period", "device for determining a quiet period pattern", "device for indicating quiet time", "device for charging", etc.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be an IoT network device.

[0134] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a base station, an intermediate node, an auxiliary node, etc.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives the first information.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives silence time information.

[0137] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives second information, which is used to indicate the clock capability of the first device.

[0138] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives fourth information, which is used to indicate whether the first device exits the first time period or deactivates the first time period.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that sends fifth information, which is used to indicate whether to activate the first time period or whether to enter the first time period.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives sixth information, which is used to assist the second device in determining the first information.

[0141] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives seventh information, which is used to instruct the first device to actively enter the first time period.

[0142] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that receives an eighth message, which is used to inform the second device that the first device has exited the first time period in advance.

[0143] In some embodiments, the second device 102 may be a device that sends third information, which is used to correct the clock deviation of the first device.

[0144] In some embodiments, the name of the second device 102 is not limited, and it may be, for example, "a device for receiving first information".

[0145] In some embodiments, the terminal may include at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0146] The network device in this application embodiment is an entity on the network side used to transmit or receive signals. For example, the network device can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in an NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device. The network device provided in this application embodiment can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU can also be called a control unit. Using a CU-DU structure, the protocol layer of the network device, such as a base station, can be separated. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0147] The terminal device in this application embodiment is a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can be a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0148] 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.

[0149] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1C, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1C are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1C, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1C. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. 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.

[0150] 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), 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 802.11 (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 user plane path establishment methods, and next-generation systems extended from them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0151] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A, this embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be executed by a communication system, such as the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1C. The communication system includes a first device and a second device. The interactive method may include the following steps:

[0152] Step 2101: The first device determines the first information.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first time period during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first time period is a separately configured quiet period, and the second time period has the same duration as the quiet period.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the quiet period; the end point of the quiet period; the duration of the quiet period; and the time offset between the start point of the quiet period and the receipt of the quiet period trigger signaling.

[0156] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the quiet period and the receiving of the quiet period trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the quiet period and the end of the receiving of the quiet period trigger signaling.

[0157] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the quiet period and the receipt of the quiet period trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the quiet period and the start of the receipt of the quiet period trigger signaling.

[0158] For example, the IoT terminal device determines a quiet period, and the relevant parameters of the quiet period include at least one of the following: a first time start point, which is the starting time point of the quiet period; a first time end point, which is the end time point of the quiet period; a first time length, which is the length of the quiet period; and a first time offset, which is the time offset between the starting time point of the quiet period and the receipt of the quiet period trigger signaling.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first device may be optionally charged during a second time period.

[0160] Step 2102: The first device sends the first information to the second device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first information may be included in a first signaling, which includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first device sends first information to the second device for reporting a first time period determined by the first device.

[0163] For example, the IoT terminal device reports quiet period-related parameters to the IoT network device via a first signaling message. The first signaling message includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first device reports the parameters related to the silent period to the second device by sending the first information. During the silent period, the first device does not perform listening and data transmission, but maintains the clock. When the silent period ends, it resumes listening and data transmission.

[0165] For example, before entering a quiet period, the IoT terminal device reports relevant information about the quiet period to the network device. During the quiet period, the IoT terminal device does not perform any listening or data transmission, but maintains its clock. When the quiet period ends, it resumes listening and data transmission.

[0166] Step 2103: The second device sends the fifth message to the first device.

[0167] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to indicate whether to activate the first time period or whether to enter the first time period.

[0168] For example, an IoT network device can activate a quiet period or indicate whether to enter a quiet period to an IoT terminal device via a second signaling.

[0169] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0170] In some embodiments, when the fifth information is used to activate the first time period, the first device receives the fifth information, that is, confirms the activation of the first time period.

[0171] For example, when the second signaling is used to activate the silent period, the IoT terminal device receives the second signaling, thus confirming the activation of the silent period.

[0172] In some embodiments, when the fifth information is used to indicate whether a first time period has been entered, the first device receives the fifth information, and the fifth information indicates entry, then the first device enters the first time period.

[0173] For example, when the second signaling is used to indicate whether to enter a silent period, if the IoT terminal device receives the second signaling and the second signaling indicates entry, then the IoT terminal device enters a silent period. The second signaling can be indicated by a bit field of one bit, where 0 represents not entering and 1 represents entering.

[0174] Step 2104: The first device sends the seventh message to the second device.

[0175] In some embodiments, the seventh information is used to instruct the first device to actively enter the first time period.

[0176] In some embodiments, the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a seventh indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the termination time point when sending the seventh information; an eighth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the end time point of the latest or most recent scheduling; and a ninth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the time point closest to the end of the transmission of the synchronization signal.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first device may actively send the seventh information or send the seventh information based on backscattering.

[0178] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be a signaling instruction to the first device to enter a first time period.

[0179] For example, the IoT terminal device sends a first trigger signaling to the network device. This first trigger signaling can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first trigger signaling includes at least a silence indication. This silence indication is carried by a 1-bit field. When this field is 1, it indicates that the terminal device immediately enters a silence period; when this field is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not enter a silence period. When the first trigger signaling indicates entry into a silence period, the IoT terminal device enters the silence period at one of the following times: the termination time of the first trigger signaling; the end time of the latest / last scheduling; or the end time of the nearest synchronization signal transmission.

[0180] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be an activation signaling instruction for the first device to activate a first time period.

[0181] For example, the IoT terminal device sends a first activation signaling message to the network device. The first activation signaling message can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first activation signaling message contains at least activation indication information. This activation indication information is carried by a 1-bit field; a value of 1 indicates proactive activation by the terminal device, a value of 0 indicates proactive activation, and a value of 0 indicates inactivity. When the first activation signaling message indicates activation, the IoT terminal device enters a silent period at the following points in time: the termination time of the first activation signaling message; the end time of the latest / last scheduling; and the end time of the nearest synchronization signal transmission.

[0182] Step 2105: The first device is activated for the first time period.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first device activates a first time period, i.e., enters a silent period, based on first information and / or seventh information.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first device starts timing after entering a first time period based on first information.

[0185] Step 2106: The first device is charged.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first device may choose to charge after entering the first time period.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first device does not expect to receive downlink signaling from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signaling to the second device during a second time period within a first time period. In other words, the first device chooses to charge during the second time period.

[0188] For example, IoT terminal devices can choose to recharge during a second time period outside of the quiet period, excluding the listening time. For instance, the IoT terminal device can switch its antenna to the power harvesting module during the second time period.

[0189] Step 2107: The first device exits the first time period.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first device exits the silent period at the end of the timeout based on the first information.

[0191] In some embodiments, if the energy of the first device meets the first condition after the timing ends, the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after N times the duration of the first time period.

[0192] For example, when an IoT terminal device exits its silent period, but its energy level is still below the first threshold, the IoT terminal device may default to extending the silent period by N times, where N is configured by the IoT network device, determined by a predefined protocol, or reported by the IoT terminal device.

[0193] In some embodiments, if the energy of the first device meets a first condition after the timing ends, the first device extends the silence period for a first duration and then exits the silence period.

[0194] For example, if an IoT terminal device exits the silent period after a certain time, but its energy is still below a first threshold, the IoT terminal device's behavior could be to extend the first duration before exiting the silent period. The first duration is configured by the IoT network device, or determined by a predefined protocol, or reported by the IoT terminal device.

[0195] In some embodiments, after the timing ends, if the energy of the first device meets the first condition, the first device automatically enters a higher-level silent period, the duration of which is longer than the duration of the first time period.

[0196] For example, when an IoT terminal device exits the silent period, but its energy is still below the first threshold, the IoT terminal device may automatically enter a higher-level silent period. The duration of the higher-level silent period is longer than that of the silent period, and the duration of multiple silent periods is predefined by the protocol.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first device may proactively exit the first time period in advance.

[0198] Step 2108: The first device sends the eighth message to the second device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the eighth information is used to inform the second device that the first device will exit the first time period in advance.

[0200] In some embodiments, when the first device prematurely exits the first time period, it sends an eighth message to the second device to inform the second device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the eighth information may be included in the fourth signaling.

[0202] For example, the IoT terminal device informs the IoT network device via the fourth signaling to prematurely exit the silent period. The fourth signaling is sent by the IoT terminal device via backscatter or by active transmission. The carrying resource for the fourth signaling is the first resource, which is configured by the IoT network device for the IoT terminal device.

[0203] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 2101 to 2108. For example, step 2101 may be tried as a standalone embodiment, step 2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps 2101+2102, 2101+2102+2103, 2101+2102+2104, 2101+2102+2103+2105, 2101+2102+2104+2105, 2101+2102+2103+2104+2105, 2101+2102+2103+2105+2106, 2101+2102+2103+2105+2106+2107, 2101+2102+2104+2105+2106, 2101+2102+2104 Steps 2105+2106+2107, 2101+2102+2103+2104+2105+2107, 2101+2102+2104+2105+2106+2107+2108, 2101+2102+2103+2104+2105+2107+2108, 2101+2102+2103+2104+2105+2106+2107, and 2101+2102+2103+2104+2105+2106+2107+2108 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0204] In some embodiments, steps 2104, 2106, and 2108 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0205] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0206] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2B, this embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be executed by a communication system, such as the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1. The communication system includes a first device and a second device. The interactive method may include the following steps:

[0207] Step 2201: The first device determines the first information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first time period during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first time period is a quiet period pattern.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the quiet period pattern; the end point of the quiet period pattern; the duration of the quiet period pattern; the time offset between the start point of the quiet period pattern and the receipt of the quiet period pattern trigger signaling; the number of time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; the duration of the time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; and a first bitmap, which is used to indicate the time units of the first value and the time units of the second value in the quiet period pattern.

[0211] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the quiet period pattern and the receiving of the quiet period pattern trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the quiet period pattern and the start of receiving the quiet period pattern trigger signaling.

[0212] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the quiet period pattern and the received quiet period pattern trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the quiet period pattern and the end of the received quiet period pattern trigger signaling.

[0213] For example, the IoT terminal device determines a quiet period pattern, and the relevant parameters of the quiet period pattern include at least one of the following: a first time start point, which is the starting time point of the quiet period pattern; a first time end point, which is the time end point of the quiet period pattern; a first time length, which is the time length of the quiet period pattern; a first time offset, which is the time offset between the starting time point of the quiet period pattern and the received quiet period pattern trigger signaling; a first number M, which is the number of time units indicated by the quiet period pattern; a first granularity m, which is the time length of the time unit indicated by the quiet period pattern; and a first bitmap, which is used to indicate the ON and OFF time units in the quiet period pattern.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first device may be optionally charged during a second time period.

[0215] Step 2202: The first device sends the first information to the second device.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first information may be included in a first signaling, which includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first device sends first information to the second device for reporting a first time period determined by the first device.

[0218] For example, the IoT terminal device reports the relevant parameters of the quiet period pattern to the IoT network device via the first signaling. The first signaling includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first device reports relevant parameters of the silent period pattern to the second device by sending first information. During the silent period pattern, the first device does not perform listening and data transmission, but maintains the clock. When the silent period ends, listening and data transmission are resumed.

[0220] For example, before entering the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device reports the relevant information of the silent period pattern to the network device. During the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device does not perform any listening or data transmission, but maintains the clock. When the silent period pattern ends, it resumes listening and data transmission.

[0221] Step 2203: The second device sends the fifth message to the first device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to indicate whether to activate the first time period or whether to enter the first time period.

[0223] For example, the IoT network device activates a quiet period pattern or indicates whether to enter a quiet period pattern to the IoT terminal device via a second signaling.

[0224] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0225] In some embodiments, when the fifth information is used to activate the first time period, the second device sends the fifth information, that is, confirms the activation of the first time period.

[0226] For example, when the second signaling is used to activate the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device receives the second signaling, thus confirming the activation of the silent period pattern.

[0227] In some embodiments, when the fifth information is used to indicate whether a first time period has been entered, the second device sends the fifth information, and the fifth information indicates entry, then the first device enters the first time period.

[0228] For example, when the second signaling is used to indicate whether to enter the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device receives the second signaling, and the second signaling indicates entry, then the IoT terminal device enters the silent period pattern, where the second signaling can be indicated by a bit field of one bit, where 0 represents not entering and 1 represents entering.

[0229] Step 2204: The first device sends the seventh message to the second device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the seventh information is used to instruct the first device to actively enter the first time period.

[0231] In some embodiments, the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a seventh indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the termination time point when sending the seventh information; an eighth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the end time point of the latest or most recent scheduling; and a ninth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the time point closest to the end of the transmission of the synchronization signal.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first device may actively send the seventh information or send the seventh information based on backscattering.

[0233] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be a signaling instruction to the first device to enter a first time period.

[0234] For example, the IoT terminal device sends a first trigger signaling to the network device. This first trigger signaling can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first trigger signaling includes at least a silence indication. This silence indication is carried by a 1-bit field. When this field is 1, it indicates that the terminal device immediately enters the silence period pattern; when this field is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not enter the silence period pattern. When the first trigger signaling indicates entry into the silence period pattern, the IoT terminal device enters the silence period pattern at one of the following time points: the termination time of the first trigger signaling; the end time of the latest / last scheduling; or the end time of the nearest synchronization signal transmission.

[0235] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be an activation signaling instruction for the first device to activate a first time period.

[0236] For example, the IoT terminal device sends a first activation signaling message to the network device. The first activation signaling message can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first activation signaling message contains at least activation indication information. This activation indication information is carried by a 1-bit field; a value of 1 indicates proactive activation by the terminal device, a value of 0 indicates proactive activation, and a value of 0 indicates inactivity. When the first activation signaling message indicates activation, the IoT terminal device enters a silent period pattern based on the following time points: the termination time of the first activation signaling message; the end time of the latest / last scheduling; and the end time of the nearest synchronization signal transmission.

[0237] Step 2205: The first device is activated for the first time period.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first device activates a first time period, i.e., enters a silent period pattern, based on the fifth and / or seventh information.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first device starts timing after entering a first time period based on the fifth information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first device may enter the first time period at the termination time point when the seventh information is sent, based on the seventh information.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first device may enter the first time period at the end time of the latest or most recent scheduling based on the seventh information.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first device may enter the first time period based on the seventh information at the time point closest to the end of the synchronization signal transmission.

[0243] Step 2206: The first device is charged.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first device may choose to charge after entering the first time period.

[0245] In some embodiments, the first device does not expect to receive downlink signaling from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signaling to the second device during a second time period within a first time period. In other words, the first device chooses to charge during the second time period.

[0246] For example, IoT terminal devices can choose to charge during the second time period within the quiet period pattern.

[0247] Step 2207: The first device sends the fourth information to the second device.

[0248] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first device exits the first time period or deactivates the first time period.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first device sends fourth information during the listening period. The fourth information may be included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0250] For example, when listening, the IoT terminal device sends a third signaling message, which is used to indicate whether the IoT terminal device should exit the silent period pattern or deactivate the silent period pattern.

[0251] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: a first indication, which instructs the first device to immediately exit or deactivate the first time period when sending the fourth information; a second indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period of the next cycle after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends; a third indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period after the listening time when the fourth information is sent ends; a fourth indication, which instructs the first device to exit or deactivate the first time period after a first quantity N, provided that the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after N times the duration of the first time period when sending the fourth information or after the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition; a fifth indication, which instructs the first device to exit or deactivate the first time period after a first duration, provided that the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after sending the fourth information or after the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition; and a sixth indication, which instructs a higher-level silence period, whereby the first device automatically enters a higher-level silence period after sending the fourth information or after the timer ends and the energy of the first device meets the first condition, wherein the duration of the higher-level silence period is greater than the duration of the first time period.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first condition may be that the energy of the first device is lower than a first threshold, where the first threshold is a preset energy value and its value is not limited.

[0253] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes fourth indication information, that is, when the energy of the first device meets the first condition when the first device sends the fourth information, the first device exits the first time period after N times the duration of the first time period. Here, N can be configured by the second device, predefined by the protocol, or reported by the first device.

[0254] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the fifth indication information, that is, when the energy of the first device meets the first condition when the first device sends the fourth information, the first device exits the first time period after a first duration. The first duration can be configured by the second device, predefined by the protocol, or reported by the first device.

[0255] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the sixth indication information, i.e., when the energy of the first device meets the first condition when the first device sends the fourth information, the first device automatically enters a higher-level silence period, the duration of which is longer than the duration of the silence period. The duration of the higher-level silence period can be predefined by the protocol.

[0256] Step 2208: The first device exits the first time period.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first device exits the silent period at the end of the timeout based on the first information.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first device exits the first time period based on the fourth information.

[0259] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the first indication information, that is, an indication to immediately exit or deactivate the first time period when sending the fourth information, the first device immediately exits the first time period when sending the fourth information.

[0260] For example, when the third signaling instructs the IoT terminal device to exit the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device's behavior can be to immediately exit the silent period pattern, that is, to immediately enter the normal communication range after the third signaling. As shown in the exit silent period diagram in Figure 6D, the IoT terminal device receives the silent period pattern instruction as 00001000, where 1 represents a listening time unit. In the listening unit, the IoT terminal device detects the exit silent period and immediately exits the silent period.

[0261] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the second indication information, it indicates that the first time period of the next cycle will end after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent.

[0262] For example, when the third signaling instructs the IoT terminal device to exit the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device's behavior can be to exit the silent period pattern after the current silent period pattern ends. As shown in Figure 6C, the IoT terminal device receives the silent period pattern instruction as 00001000, where 1 represents a listening time unit. In the listening unit, the IoT terminal device detects the exit from the silent period.

[0263] In some embodiments, when the fourth information includes the third indication information, it indicates that the first time period ends after the listening time when the fourth information is sent.

[0264] For example, when the third signaling instructs the IoT terminal device to exit the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device's behavior can be to exit the silent period pattern after the current listening time unit ends. As shown in the exit silent period diagram in Figure 6B, the silent period pattern indication sent by the IoT terminal device is 00001000, where 1 represents a listening time unit. In the listening unit, the IoT terminal device sends the third signaling and indicates to exit the silent period.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first device may extend the duration of the first time period by N times and then exit the first time period based on the fourth indication information, or when the energy of the first device meets the first condition at the end of the timing.

[0266] For example, when an IoT terminal device exits the silent period pattern at a certain time or receives a third signaling instruction to exit the silent period pattern, but the energy of the IoT terminal device is lower than a first threshold, the behavior of the IoT terminal device may be to extend the silent period by N times by default, where N is configured by the IoT network device or determined by a predefined protocol.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first device may exit the first time period after a first duration, based on the fifth indication information or when the energy of the first device meets the first condition at the end of the timing.

[0268] For example, when an IoT terminal device exits the silent period pattern at a set time or receives a third signaling instruction to exit the silent period pattern, but the energy of the IoT terminal device is lower than a first threshold, the behavior of the IoT terminal device may be to extend the first duration before exiting the silent period. The first duration is configured by the IoT network device or determined by a predefined protocol.

[0269] For example, as shown in Figure 6A, the exit from the silent period is triggered after the timer ends. When the energy of the IoT terminal device is still lower than the first threshold, the IoT terminal device exits the silent period after the first duration.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first device automatically enters a higher-level silent period based on the sixth indication information, or when the energy of the first device meets the first condition at the end of the timer, and the duration of the higher-level silent period is longer than the duration of the silent period.

[0271] For example, when an IoT terminal device exits its silent period after a certain time, but its energy level is still below a first threshold, the IoT terminal device's behavior includes at least one of the following: extending the silent period by a factor of N by default, where N is configured by the IoT network device, determined by a predefined protocol, or reported by the IoT terminal device; extending the silent period for a first duration before exiting, where the first duration is configured by the IoT network device, determined by a predefined protocol, or reported by the IoT terminal device; or automatically entering a higher-level silent period, where a higher-level silent period refers to a silent period with a longer duration, and the protocol predefines multiple silent period durations.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first device may proactively exit the first time period in advance.

[0273] Step 2209: The first device sends the eighth message to the second device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the eighth information is used to inform the second device that the first device will exit the first time period in advance.

[0275] In some embodiments, when the first device prematurely exits the first time period, it sends an eighth message to the second device to inform the second device.

[0276] In some embodiments, the eighth information may be included in the fourth signaling.

[0277] For example, the IoT terminal device informs the IoT network device via the fourth signaling that the IoT terminal device is exiting the silent period pattern early. The fourth signaling is sent by the IoT terminal device via backscatter or by active transmission. The carrying resource for the fourth signaling is the first resource, which is configured by the IoT network device for the IoT terminal device.

[0278] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 2201 to 2209. For example, step 2201 may be tried as a standalone embodiment, step 2202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto.Steps 2201+2202, 2201+2202+2203+2105, 2201+2202+2204+2205, 2201+2202+2203+2205+2206, 2201+2202+2204+2205+2206, 2201+2202+2203+2205+2208, 2201+2202+2203+2205+2208+2209, 2201+2202+2203+2205+2206+2208, 2201+2202+2203+2205+2206+2208+2209, 2201+2202 +2203+2205+2207+2208, Step 2201+2202+2203+2205+2207+2208+2209, Step 2201+2202+2203+2205+2206+2207+2208, Step 2201+2202+2203+2205+2206+2207+2208+2209, Step 2201+2202+2204+2205+2208, Step 2201+2202+2204+2205+2206+2208, Step 2201+2202+2204+2205 +2206+2208+2209, Step 2201+2202+2204+2205+2207+2108, Step 2201+2202+2204+2205+2207+2208+2209, Step 2201+2202+2204+2205+2206+2207+2208, Step 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2208, Step 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2208+2209, Step 2201+2202+2203 Steps 2204+2205+2206+2208, 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2206+2208+2209, 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2207+2208, 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2207+2208+2209, 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2206+2207+2208, and 2201+2202+2203+2204+2205+2206+2207+2208+2209 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0279] In some embodiments, steps 2204, 2206, and 2209 are optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0280] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0281] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2C, this embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be executed by a communication system, such as the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1. The communication system includes a first device and a second device. The interactive method may include the following steps:

[0282] Step 2301: The first device sends the sixth message to the second device.

[0283] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to assist the second device in determining the first information.

[0284] In some embodiments, the name of the sixth information is not limited, and may be, for example, “auxiliary information”.

[0285] For example, network devices determine the silent period configuration based on auxiliary information reported by IoT terminal devices.

[0286] Step 2302: The first device determines the first information.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a first time period during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first time period is a periodic, cyclical silence period, which includes one or more listening opportunities, while the second time period does not include one or more listening opportunities.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the start point of the silence period; the end point of the silence period; the duration of the silence period; the time offset between the start point of the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling; the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the end point of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the duration of the listening opportunity in the silence period; the time offset between the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling; the time offset between the start point of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the start point of the silence period; and the number of cycles of the silence period.

[0290] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the silence period and the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the silence period and the start of the receipt of the silence period trigger signaling.

[0291] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the silence period and the receiving of the silence period trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the silence period and the end of the receiving of the silence period trigger signaling.

[0292] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the start of receiving the silence period trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the start of receiving the silence period trigger signaling.

[0293] In some embodiments, the time offset between the start of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the receiving of the silence period trigger signaling can be the time offset between the start of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the end of the receiving of the silence period trigger signaling.

[0294] For example, the IoT terminal device determines a silence period, which includes one or more listening opportunities. The relevant parameters of the silence period include at least one of the following: a first time start point, which is the starting time of the silence period; a first time end point, which is the end time of the silence period; a first time length, which is the length of the silence period; a first time offset, which is the time offset between the starting time of the silence period and the received silence period trigger signaling; a second time start point, which is the starting time of the listening opportunity within the silence period; a second time end point, which is the end time of the listening opportunity within the silence period; a second time length, which is the length of the listening opportunity within the silence period; a third time offset, which is the time offset between the starting time of the listening opportunity within the silence period and the end time of the received silence period trigger signaling; and a second time offset, which is the time offset between the starting time of the listening opportunity within the silence period and the starting time of the silence period.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first device may choose to charge during a second time period within the first time period.

[0296] Step 2303: The first device sends the first information to the second device.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first device sends first information to the second device via a first signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0298] For example, the IoT terminal device reports the quiet period-related parameters to the IoT network device via the first signaling.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first device sends first information to the second device to report a first time period determined by the first device. During a second time period within the first time period, the first device does not perform listening and data transmission, but maintains a clock. When the first time period ends, listening and data transmission resume.

[0300] For example, before entering a silent period, the IoT terminal device reports the silent period information to the network device. During the silent period, except for listening opportunities, the IoT terminal device does not perform any listening or data transmission, while maintaining the clock. When the silent period ends, it resumes listening and data transmission.

[0301] Step 2304: The first device sends the second information to the second device.

[0302] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate the clock capability of the first device.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first device sends its clock capability to the second device to ensure that when the second device configures the listening timing, the first device can turn on the receiver before the signaling is sent.

[0304] Step 2305: The second device sends the fifth message to the first device.

[0305] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to instruct the first device to activate a first time period. The fifth information includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0306] For example, the IoT network device activates a silent period to the IoT terminal device via a second signaling. The second signaling includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0307] In some embodiments, the fifth piece of information may also be used to indicate whether the first time period has begun.

[0308] For example, the second signaling is a one-bit field used to indicate whether to enter a silent period, with 0 representing not entering and 1 representing entering.

[0309] Step 2306: The first device sends the seventh message to the second device.

[0310] In some embodiments, the seventh information is used to instruct the first device to actively enter the first time period.

[0311] In some embodiments, the seventh information includes at least one of the following: a seventh indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the termination time point when sending the seventh information; an eighth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the end time point of the latest or most recent scheduling; and a ninth indication information, which indicates that the first device enters the first time period at the time point closest to the end of the transmission of the synchronization signal.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first device may actively send the seventh information or send the seventh information based on backscattering.

[0313] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be a signaling instruction to the first device to enter a first time period.

[0314] For example, the IoT terminal device sends a first trigger signaling to the network device. This first trigger signaling can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first trigger signaling includes at least a silence indication. This silence indication is carried by a 1-bit field. When this field is 1, it indicates that the terminal device immediately enters a silence period; when this field is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not enter a silence period. When the first trigger signaling indicates entry into a silence period, the IoT terminal device enters the silence period at one of the following times: the termination time of the first trigger signaling; the end time of the latest / last scheduling; or the end time of the nearest synchronization signal transmission.

[0315] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be an activation signaling instruction for the first device to activate a first time period.

[0316] For example, the IoT terminal device sends a first activation signaling message to the network device. The first activation signaling message can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first activation signaling message contains at least activation indication information. This activation indication information is carried by a 1-bit field; a value of 1 indicates proactive activation by the terminal device, a value of 0 indicates proactive activation, and a value of 0 indicates inactivity. When the first activation signaling message indicates activation, the IoT terminal device enters a silent period at the following times: the termination time of the first activation signaling message; the end time of the latest / last scheduling; and the end time of the nearest synchronization signal transmission.

[0317] Step 2307: The first device is activated for the first time period.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first device activates a first time period based on the fifth information. In other words, the first device activates a silent period upon receiving the fifth information.

[0319] For example, the IoT terminal device receives a second signaling, which activates the silent period.

[0320] In some embodiments, the fifth piece of information may also be used to indicate whether the first time period has begun.

[0321] For example, if an IoT terminal device receives a second signaling instruction and the second signaling instruction indicates that it should enter a silent period, then the IoT terminal device should enter a silent period.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first time period is activated by the fifth information, and the start point of the silent period is confirmed based on the first time offset.

[0323] For example, as shown in Figure 6E, the silent period activation diagram shows that when the IoT terminal device receives the second signaling, it confirms the start point of the silent period based on the first time offset and the start point of the listening opportunity based on the second time offset. There is one listening opportunity in each period, and the configuration of the remaining silent periods is configured by the base station.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first device may enter a first time period based on the seventh information.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first device may enter the first time period at the termination time point when the seventh information is sent, based on the seventh information.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first device may enter the first time period at the end time of the latest or most recent scheduling based on the seventh information.

[0327] In some embodiments, the first device may enter the first time period based on the seventh information at the time point closest to the end of the synchronization signal transmission.

[0328] In some embodiments, the listening timing within the first time period is used for the first device to listen for indication information.

[0329] Step 2308: The second device sends third information to the first device.

[0330] In some embodiments, the third information is used to correct the clock skew of the first device.

[0331] In some embodiments, the third information may be sent by a first signal, which includes at least one of the following: a time-domain synchronization signal, a frequency-domain synchronization signal, a time-frequency-domain synchronization signal, and a fourth signaling carrying a preamble and / or a midamble and / or a postamble.

[0332] For example, the IoT network device sends a first signal for synchronizing IoT terminal devices at at least one listening moment during the listening cycle. The first signal is used to correct clock skew of the IoT terminal devices. Further, the first signal includes at least one of the following: a time-domain synchronization signal, a frequency-domain synchronization signal, a time-frequency-domain synchronization signal, and a fourth signaling carrying a preamble and / or a midamble and / or a postamble.

[0333] Step 2309: The first device is charged.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first device is charged during a second time period.

[0335] In some embodiments, the first device does not expect to receive downlink signaling from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signaling to the second device during a second time period within a first time period. In other words, the first device chooses to charge during the second time period.

[0336] For example, during a quiet period, excluding the listening opportunity, the IoT terminal device can choose to recharge. For instance, during this second time period, the IoT terminal device can switch its antenna to the power harvesting module.

[0337] Step 2310: The first device sends the fourth information to the second device.

[0338] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the first device exits the first time period or deactivates the first time period.

[0339] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following: a first indication, which instructs the first device to immediately exit or deactivate the first time period when sending the fourth information; a second indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period of the next cycle after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends; and a third indication, which instructs the first device to exit the first time period after the listening time when the fourth information is sent ends.

[0340] For example, when listening, the IoT terminal device sends a third signaling message. This third signaling message is used to indicate whether the IoT terminal device should exit the silent period or deactivate the silent period. When the third signaling message is used to deactivate the silent period, the IoT terminal device sends the third signaling message, and the network device determines that the IoT terminal device has deactivated the silent period. When the third signaling message is used to indicate whether to exit the silent period, the network device receives the third signaling message, and if the third signaling message indicates exit, then it determines that the IoT terminal device has exited the silent period.

[0341] Step 2311: The first device exits the first time period.

[0342] In some embodiments, the first device exits the first time period based on the fourth information.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first device, based on the first indication information, immediately exits or deactivates the first time period when sending the fourth information.

[0344] For example, as shown in Figure 6H, the exit from the silence period is triggered by a third signaling. The IoT terminal device exits the silence period immediately after sending the third signaling.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first device exits the first time period of the next cycle after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends, based on the second indication information.

[0346] For example, when the third signaling instructs the IoT terminal device to exit the silent period, the behavior of the IoT terminal device can be to exit the silent period after the current silent period ends.

[0347] For example, as shown in Figure 6F, the exit from the silent period is triggered by the third signaling. The IoT terminal device exits the silent period when the silent period in which the third signaling is sent ends.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first device exits the first time period after the listening time when the fourth information is sent ends, based on the third indication information.

[0349] For example, when a third signaling instruction instructs an IoT terminal device to exit a silent period, the IoT terminal device's behavior could be to exit the silent period after the current listening period ends.

[0350] For example, as shown in Figure 6G, the exit from the silence period is triggered by the third signaling. The IoT terminal device exits the silence period after the listening time when the third signaling is sent ends.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first device may exit the first time period early.

[0352] Step 2312: The first device sends the eighth message to the second device.

[0353] In some embodiments, the eighth information is used to inform the second device that the first device will exit the first time period in advance.

[0354] In some embodiments, when the first device prematurely exits the first time period, it sends an eighth message to the second device to inform the second device.

[0355] In some embodiments, the eighth information may be included in the fourth signaling.

[0356] For example, the IoT terminal device informs the IoT network device via the fourth signaling to prematurely exit the silent period. The fourth signaling is sent by the IoT terminal device via backscatter or by active transmission. The carrying resource for the fourth signaling is the first resource, which is configured by the IoT network device for the IoT terminal device.

[0357] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 2301 to 2312. For example, step 2301 may be tried as a standalone embodiment, step 2302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps 2301+2302, 2302+2303, 2302+2303+2305+2307+2311, 2302+2303+2305+2307+2309, 2302+2303+2305+2307+2309+2310+2311, 2302+2303+2305+2307+2309+2310+2311, 2302+2303+2306+2307+2311, 2302+2303+2306+2307+2309, 2302+2303+2306+23 07+2309+2310+2311, Step 2302+2303+2306+2307+2309+2310+2311, Step 2302+2303+2305+2307+2308+2309, Step 2302+2303+2305+2307+2308+2309+2310+2311, Step 2302+2303+2305+2307+2308+2309+2310+2311+2312, Step 2302+2303+2306+2307+2308+2309, Step 2302+2303+2306+ Steps 2307+2308+2309+2310+2311, 2302+2303+2306+2307+2308+2309+2310+2311+2312, 2302+2303+2305+2306+2307+2308+2309, 2302+2303+2305+2306+2307+2308+2309+2310+2311+2312, 2302+2303+230 Steps 4+2305+2307+2309, 2302+2303+2304+2305+2307+2309+2310+2311, 2302+2303+2304+2305+2307+2309+2310+2311+2312, 2302+2303+2304+2306+2307+2309, 2302+2303+2304+2306+2307+2309+2310+2311, 2302+2303+2304+2306+2307+2309+2310+2311+2312.Steps 2301+2302+2303+2304+2305+2306+2307+2309+2310+2311, 2301+2302+2303+2304+2305+2306+2307+2309+2310+2311+2312, and 2301+2302+2303+2304+2305+2306+2307+2308+2309+2310+2311+2312 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0358] In some embodiments, steps 2301, 2304, 2306, 2308, 2309, and 2312 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0359] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0360] Figure 3A is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. It includes:

[0361] Step 3101: Determine the first information.

[0362] The optional implementation of step 3101 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0363] Step 3102: Send the first information to the second device.

[0364] The optional implementation of step 3102 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0365] Step 3103: Receive the fifth message sent by the second device.

[0366] The optional implementation of step 3103 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0367] Step 3104: Send the seventh message to the second device.

[0368] The optional implementation of step 3104 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0369] Step 3105: Activate the first time period.

[0370] The optional implementation of step 3105 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0371] Step 3106: Charge the device.

[0372] The optional implementation of step 3106 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0373] Step 3107: Exit the first time period.

[0374] The optional implementation of step 3107 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2107 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0375] Step 3108: Send the eighth message to the second device.

[0376] The optional implementation of step 3108 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2108 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0377] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 3101 to 3108. For example, step 3101 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 3102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps 3101+3102, 3101+3102+3103, 3101+3102+3104, 3101+3102+3103+3105, 3101+3102+3104+3105, 3101+3102+3103+3104+3105, 3101+3102+3103+3105+3106, 3101+3102+3103+3105+3106+3107, 3101+3102+3104+3105+3106, 3101+3102+3104 Steps 3105+3106+3107, 3101+3102+3103+3104+3105+3107, 3101+3102+3104+3105+3106+3107+3108, 3101+3102+3103+3104+3105+3107+3108, 3101+3102+3103+3104+3105+3106+3107, and 3101+3102+3103+3104+3105+3106+3107+3108 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0378] Figure 3B is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. It includes:

[0379] Step 3201: Determine the first information.

[0380] The optional implementation of step 3201 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2201 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0381] Step 3202: Send the first information to the second device.

[0382] The optional implementation of step 3202 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2202 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0383] Step 3203: Receive the fifth message sent by the second device.

[0384] The optional implementation of step 3203 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2203 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] Step 3204: Send the seventh message to the second device.

[0386] The optional implementation of step 3204 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2204 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0387] Step 3205: Activate the first time period.

[0388] The optional implementation of step 3205 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2205 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0389] Step 3206: Charge the device.

[0390] The optional implementation of step 3206 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2206 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0391] Step 3207: Send the fourth message to the second device.

[0392] The optional implementation of step 3207 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2207 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0393] Step 3208: Exit the first time period.

[0394] The optional implementation of step 3208 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2208 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0395] Step 3209: Send the eighth message to the second device.

[0396] The optional implementation of step 3209 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2209 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0397] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 3201 to 3209. For example, step 3201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step 3202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto.Steps 3201+3202, 3201+3202+3203+3105, 3201+3202+3204+3205, 3201+3202+3203+3205+3206, 3201+3202+3204+3205+3206, 3201+3202+3203+3205+3108, 3201+3202+3203+3205+3208+3209, 3201+3202+3203+3205+3206+3208, 3201+3202+3203+3205+3206+3208+3209, 3201+3202 +3203+3205+3207+3208, Step 3201+3202+3203+3205+3207+3208+3209, Step 3201+3202+3203+3205+3206+3207+3208, Step 3201+3202+3203+3205+3206+3207+3208+3209, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205+3208, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205+3206+3208, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205 +3206+3208+3209, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205+3207+3208, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205+3207+3208+3209, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205+3206+3207+3208, Step 3201+3202+3204+3205+3206+3207+3208+3209, Step 3201+3202+3203+3204+3205+3208+3209, Step 3201+3202+3203 Steps +3204+3205+3206+3208, 3201+3202+3203+3204+3205+3206+3208+3209, 3201+3202+3203+3204+3205+3207+3208, 3201+3202+3203+3204+3205+3207+3208+3209 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0398] In some embodiments, steps 3204, 3206, and 3209 are optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0399] Figure 3C is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. It includes:

[0400] Step 3301: Send the sixth message to the second device.

[0401] The optional implementation of step 3301 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2301 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0402] Step 3302: Determine the first piece of information.

[0403] The optional implementation of step 3302 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2302 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0404] Step 3303: Send the first information to the second device.

[0405] The optional implementation of step 3303 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2303 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0406] Step 3304: Send the second information to the second device.

[0407] The optional implementation of step 3304 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2304 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0408] Step 3305: Receive the fifth message sent by the second device.

[0409] The optional implementation of step 3305 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2305 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0410] Step 3306: Send the seventh message to the second device.

[0411] The optional implementation of step 3306 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2306 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0412] Step 3307: Activate the first time period.

[0413] The optional implementation of step 3307 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2307 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0414] Step 3308: Receive the third information sent by the second device.

[0415] The optional implementation of step 3308 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2308 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0416] Step 3309: Charge the device.

[0417] The optional implementation of step 3309 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2309 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0418] Step 3310: Send the fourth message to the second device.

[0419] The optional implementation of step 3310 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2310 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0420] Step 3311: Exit the first time period.

[0421] The optional implementation of step 3311 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2311 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0422] Step 3312: Send the eighth message to the second device.

[0423] The optional implementation of step 3312 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2312 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0424] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 3301 to 3312. For example, steps 3301+3302, 3302+3303, 3302+3303+3305+3307+3311, 3302+3303+3305+3307+3309, 3302+3303+3305+3307+3309+3310+3311, 3302+3303+3305+3307+3309+3310+3311, 3302+3303+3306+3307+3311, 3302+3303+3306+3307+3309, 3302+3303+3306+3307+3309+33 10+3311, Step 3302+3303+3306+3307+3309+3310+3311, Step 3302+3303+3305+3307+3308+3309, Step 3302+3303+3305+3307+3308+3309+3310+3311, Step 3302+3303+3305+3307+3308+3309+3310+3311+3312, Step 3302+3303+3306+3307+3308+3309, Step 3302+3303+3306+3307+3308+3309+3310+3311 Steps 3302+3303+3306+3307+3308+3309+3310+3311+3312, Steps 3302+3303+3305+3306+3307+3308+3309, Steps 3302+3303+3305+3306+3307+3308+3309+3310+3311+3312, Steps 3302+3303+3304+3305+3307+3309, Steps 3302+3303+3304+3305 +3307+3309+3310+3311, Steps 3302+3303+3304+3305+3307+3309+3310+3311+3312, Steps 3302+3303+3304+3306+3307+3309, 3302+3303+3304+3306+3307+3309+3310+3311, Steps 3302+3303+3304+3306+3307+3309+3310+3311+3312, Steps 3301+3302+3303+3304+3305+3306+3307+3309+3310+3311.Steps 3301+3302+3303+3304+3305+3306+3307+3309+3310+3311+3312 and steps 3301+3302+3303+3304+3305+3306+3307+3308+3309+3310+3311+3312 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0425] In some embodiments, steps 3301, 3304, 3306, 3308, 3309, and 3312 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0426] Figure 3D is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a first device according to the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0427] Step 3401: Send the first information to the second device.

[0428] The first information is used to indicate a first time period, during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0429] The optional implementation of step 3401 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2102 in Figure 2A, step 2202 in Figure 2B, step 2303 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0430] Step 3401 can be combined with step 3101 in Figure 3A, step 3201 in Figure 3B, or step 3302 in Figure 3C.

[0431] Figure 4A is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. This disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0432] Step 4101: Receive the first information sent by the first device.

[0433] The optional implementation of step 4101 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2102 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0434] Step 4102: Send the fifth message to the first device.

[0435] The optional implementation of step 4102 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2103 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0436] Step 4103: Receive the seventh message sent by the first device.

[0437] The optional implementation of step 4103 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2104 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0438] Step 4104: Receive the eighth message sent by the first device.

[0439] The optional implementation of step 4104 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2108 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0440] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 4101 to 4104. For example, step 4101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step 4102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps 4101+4102, 4101+4102+4103, and 4101+4102+4103+4104 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0441] Figure 4B is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. This disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0442] Step 4201: Receive the first information sent by the first device.

[0443] The optional implementation of step 4201 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2202 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0444] Step 4202: Send the fifth message to the first device.

[0445] The optional implementation of step 4202 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2203 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0446] Step 4203: Receive the seventh message sent by the first device.

[0447] The optional implementation of step 4203 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2204 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0448] Step 4204: Receive the fourth message sent by the first device.

[0449] The optional implementation of step 4204 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2207 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0450] Step 4205: Receive the eighth message sent by the first device.

[0451] The optional implementation of step 4205 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2209 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0452] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 4201 to 4205. For example, step 4201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step 4202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps 4201+4202, 4201+4203, 4201+4202+4203, 4201+4202+4203+4204, 4201+4202+4205, 4201+4202+4204+4205, and 4201+4202+4203+4204+4205 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0453] Figure 4C is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. This disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0454] Step 4301: Send the sixth message to the first device.

[0455] The optional implementation of step 4301 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2301 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0456] Step 4302: Receive the first information sent by the first device.

[0457] The optional implementation of step 4302 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2303 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0458] Step 4303: Receive the second information sent by the first device.

[0459] The optional implementation of step 4303 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2304 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0460] Step 4304: Send the fifth message to the first device.

[0461] The optional implementation of step 4304 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2305 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0462] Step 4305: Receive the seventh message sent by the first device.

[0463] The optional implementation of step 4305 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2306 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0464] Step 4306: Send the third information to the first device.

[0465] The optional implementation of step 4306 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2308 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0466] Step 4307: Receive the fourth message sent by the first device.

[0467] The optional implementation of step 4307 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2310 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0468] Step 4308: Receive the eighth message sent by the first device.

[0469] The optional implementation of step 4308 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2312 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0470] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 4301 to 4308. For example, step 4301 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step 4302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps 4301+4302, 4302+4304, 4301+4302+4303+4304+4305+4306, 4302+4303+4304+4307, 4302+4304+4307, 4302+4304+4307+4308, 4302+4303+4304+4307, 4302+4303+4304+4307+4308, 4301+4302+4303+4304+4305+4306+4307, and 4301+4302+4303+4304+4305+4306+4307+4308 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0471] In some embodiments, steps 4301, 4303, 4305, 4306, 4307, and 4308 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0472] Figure 4D is a schematic flowchart of a communication method for a second device according to the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0473] Step 4401: Receive the first information sent by the first device.

[0474] The first information is used to indicate a first time period, during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0475] The optional implementation of step 4401 can be found in the optional implementation of step 2102 in Figure 2A, step 2202 in Figure 2B, step 2303 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0476] Step 4401 can be combined with step 4102 in Figure 4A, step 4202 in Figure 4B, and step 4301 in Figure 4C.

[0477] Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0478] Step 5101: The first device sends the first information to the second device.

[0479] The first information is used to indicate a first time period, during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0480] The optional implementations of step 5101 can be found in the optional implementations of step 2102 in Figure 2A, step 2202 in Figure 2B, step 2303 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0481] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0482] The following are specific solutions provided by embodiments of this disclosure: Embodiments of this disclosure establish an orderly charging process for IoT devices through the configuration of network devices, including the following methods:

[0483] 1. The device determines the silent period (quiet period) and reports the relevant information to the network device before entering the silent period. During the silent period, the device does not perform any listening or data transmission, but maintains its clock. When the silent period ends, listening and data transmission resume.

[0484] Furthermore, if the device energy is still below the first threshold after the quiet period ends, the device will extend the quiet period, for example, by N times the first time period, or by extension as defined (the protocol defines multiple levels).

[0485] Optionally, the device can be powered during the silent period.

[0486] 2. The device determines the quiet period pattern and reports the relevant information to the network device before entering the quiet period. During the second time period of the quiet period pattern, the device does not perform any listening or data transmission, but maintains its clock. When the quiet period pattern expires, listening and data transmission resume.

[0487] Furthermore, if the device energy is still below the first threshold after the quiet period ends, the device will extend the quiet period, for example, by N times the first time period, or by extension as defined (the protocol defines multiple levels).

[0488] Optionally, the device can be charged during the second time period of the silent pattern.

[0489] 3. The device determines the silence period, which includes at least one listening opportunity. During the silence period, except during the listening opportunity, the device is not required to listen for downlink signaling from the network device, nor is it required to send / backscatter uplink signals. Before entering the silence period, the device reports the relevant silence period information to the network device.

[0490] Furthermore, if the device energy is still below the first threshold after the quiet period ends, the device will extend the quiet period, for example, by N times the first time period, or by extension as defined (the protocol defines multiple levels).

[0491] Optionally, during the silent period, the device can be powered up except when listening.

[0492] Optionally, the listening timing is used to listen for the silence indication signaling. If the silence indication signaling does not indicate the end of the silence cycle, the device remains in a silent state.

[0493] Optionally, the listening timing is used to listen for synchronization signals to correct for device clock skew.

[0494] Example 1:

[0495] In a network, IoT network devices communicate with IoT terminal devices. IoT network devices include base stations, intermediate nodes, and auxiliary nodes, while terminal devices are typically intermediate / auxiliary node devices. The types of IoT terminal devices include at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c. The IoT terminal devices harvest energy from the environment to power their communication transmission. Environmental energy includes both natural and artificial energy.

[0496] IoT terminal devices may actively enter a dormant period in at least one of the following ways:

[0497] Method 1: The IoT terminal device sends a first trigger signaling message to the IoT network device. The first trigger signaling message can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or via backscattering. The first trigger signaling message includes at least silence indication information.

[0498] Optionally, the silence indication information is carried by a 1-bit field. When the field is 1, it means that the terminal device immediately enters the silence period; when the field is 0, it means that the terminal device does not enter the silence period. The reverse is also true.

[0499] Furthermore, when the first trigger signaling indicates the start of the silent period, the IoT terminal device enters the silent period at least at one of the following time points:

[0500] The termination time of the first triggering signal;

[0501] The end time of the latest / last scheduling;

[0502] The time point at which the nearest synchronization signal ends transmission.

[0503] Method 2: The IoT terminal device sends a first activation signaling message to the IoT network device. The first activation signaling message can be sent proactively by the IoT terminal device or sent via backscattering. The first deactivation signaling message contains at least activation indication information.

[0504] Optionally, the activation indication information is carried by a 1-bit field. When the field is 1, it means that the terminal device has actively activated the device; when the field is 0, it means that the terminal device has not deactivated the device. The reverse is also true.

[0505] Furthermore, when the first deactivation signaling indication is activated, the IoT terminal device enters a silent period at at least one of the following time points:

[0506] The termination time of the first activation signaling;

[0507] The end time of the latest / last scheduling;

[0508] The time point at which the nearest synchronization signal ends transmission.

[0509] Optionally, the optional implementation of Embodiment 1 can be found in the optional implementation of steps 2104 and 2105 in Figure 2A, steps 2204 and 2205 in Figure 2B, steps 2306 and 2307 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0510] Example 2:

[0511] In a network, IoT network devices communicate with IoT terminal devices. IoT network devices include base stations, intermediate nodes, and auxiliary nodes, while terminal devices are typically intermediate / auxiliary node devices. The types of IoT terminal devices include at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c. The IoT terminal devices harvest energy from the environment to power their communication transmission. Environmental energy includes both natural and artificial energy.

[0512] IoT terminal devices determine a quiet period and report the quiet period to IoT network devices. The relevant parameters for the quiet period include at least one of the following:

[0513] The first time starting point is the starting point of the silent period;

[0514] The first time endpoint is the end of the quiet period.

[0515] The first time length is the length of the silent period;

[0516] The first time offset is the time offset between the start time of the silent period and the end of the received silent period trigger signaling.

[0517] IoT terminal devices report quiet period-related parameters to IoT network devices via the first signaling. The first signaling includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0518] Optionally, the IoT terminal device can activate a silent period or indicate whether to enter a silent period via a second signaling signal. The second signaling signal includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling. When the second signaling signal is used to activate a silent period, the device receives the second signaling signal, thus confirming the activation of the silent period. When the second signaling signal is used to indicate whether to enter a silent period, the device receives the second signaling signal, and the second signaling signal indicates entry (e.g., a 1-bit bit field, where 0 represents not entering and 1 represents entering), then the device enters a silent period.

[0519] When an IoT terminal device exits its silent period after a certain time, but its energy level remains below a first threshold, the IoT terminal device's behavior includes at least one of the following: extending the silent period by a factor of N by default, where N is configured by the IoT network device, determined by a predefined protocol, or reported by the IoT terminal device; extending the silent period for a first duration before exiting, where the first duration is configured by the IoT network device, determined by a predefined protocol, or reported by the IoT terminal device; or automatically entering a higher-level silent period, where a higher-level silent period refers to a silent period with a longer duration, and the protocol predefines multiple silent period durations.

[0520] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6A, the silent period exit is triggered after the timer ends. When the energy of the IoT terminal device is still lower than the first threshold, the IoT terminal device exits the silent period after the first duration.

[0521] Optionally, alternative implementations of Embodiment 2 can be found in the alternative implementations of steps 2101-2108 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2A.

[0522] Example 3:

[0523] In a network, IoT network devices communicate with IoT terminal devices. IoT network devices include base stations, intermediate nodes, and auxiliary nodes, while terminal devices are typically intermediate / auxiliary node devices. The types of IoT terminal devices include at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c. The IoT terminal devices harvest energy from the environment to power their communication transmission. Environmental energy includes both natural and artificial energy.

[0524] IoT terminal devices report a quiet period pattern to IoT network devices, and the relevant parameters of the quiet period pattern include at least one of the following:

[0525] The first time starting point is the starting time point of the silent period pattern;

[0526] The first time endpoint is the time endpoint of the silent period pattern.

[0527] The first time length is the duration of the silent period pattern;

[0528] The first time offset is the time offset between the start time of the silent period pattern and the end of the received silent period trigger signaling.

[0529] The first number M is the number of time units in which the silent period pattern is indicated;

[0530] The first granularity m is the time length of the time unit in which the silent period pattern is indicated.

[0531] The first bitmap is used to indicate the ON and OFF time units in the silent period pattern.

[0532] IoT terminal devices report quiet period-related parameters to IoT network devices via the first signaling. The first signaling includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0533] IoT terminal devices activate a silent period or indicate whether to enter a silent period via a second signaling signal. This second signaling signal includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling. When the second signaling signal is used to activate a silent period, the device receives the signaling signal, thus activating the silent period. When the second signaling signal is used to indicate whether to enter a silent period, the device receives the signaling signal, and if the signaling signal indicates entry (e.g., a 1-bit field where 0 represents not entering and 1 represents entering), then the device enters a silent period.

[0534] Optionally, the listening timing is used for the IoT terminal device to send a third signaling message, which is used to indicate whether the IoT terminal device should exit the silent period or deactivate the silent period. The third signaling message includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling. When the third signaling message is used to deactivate the silent period, the device sends the third signaling message to deactivate the silent period. When the third signaling message is used to indicate whether to exit the silent period, the device sends the third signaling message, and the third signaling message indicates exit (for example, a 1-bit bit field, where 0 represents not exiting and 1 represents exiting), then the device enters the silent period.

[0535] When the third signaling instructs the IoT terminal device to exit the silent period pattern, the IoT terminal device's behavior includes at least one of the following: immediately exiting the silent period pattern, that is, immediately entering the normal communication range after the third signaling; exiting the silent period pattern after the current silent period ends; or exiting the silent period pattern after the current listening time unit ends.

[0536] Furthermore, when the IoT terminal device exits the silent period pattern at a set time or sends a third signaling instruction to exit the silent period pattern, but the energy of the IoT terminal device is still lower than the first threshold, the behavior of the IoT terminal device includes at least one of the following: by default extending the silent period pattern by N times, where N is configured by the IoT network device or determined by a predefined protocol; or exiting the silent period after extending the first duration, where the first duration is configured by the IoT network device or determined by a predefined protocol.

[0537] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6B, the silent period pattern indication sent by the IoT terminal device is 00001000, where 1 represents the listening time unit. In the listening unit, the IoT terminal device sends a third signaling and indicates the exit from the silent period.

[0538] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6C, the IoT terminal device receives a silent period pattern indication of 00001000, where 1 represents a listening time unit. In the listening unit, the IoT terminal device listens to the exit from the silent period.

[0539] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6D, the IoT terminal device receives a silent period pattern indication of 00001000, where 1 represents a listening time unit. In the listening unit, the IoT terminal device listens to the exit from the silent period.

[0540] Optionally, alternative implementations of Embodiment 3 can be found in the alternative implementations of steps 2201-2209 in Figure 2B, and other related parts of the embodiments involved in Figure 2B.

[0541] Example 4:

[0542] In a network, IoT network devices communicate with IoT terminal devices. IoT network devices include base stations, intermediate nodes, and auxiliary nodes, while terminal devices are typically intermediate / auxiliary node devices. The types of IoT terminal devices include at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c. The IoT terminal devices harvest energy from the environment to power their communication transmission. Environmental energy includes both natural and artificial energy.

[0543] IoT terminal devices report a silence period to IoT network devices, wherein the silence period includes one or more listening opportunities. The relevant parameters of the silence period include at least one of the following:

[0544] The first time starting point is the starting time point of the silent period;

[0545] The first time endpoint is the end of the silent period.

[0546] The first time length is the duration of the silent period;

[0547] The first time offset is the time offset between the start time of the silence period and the end of the received silence period trigger signaling.

[0548] The second time starting point is the starting point of the listening opportunity during the silence period;

[0549] The second time endpoint is the time endpoint of the listening opportunity during the silence period;

[0550] The second time length is the duration of the listening opportunity during the silence period;

[0551] The third time offset, the second time offset is the time offset between the start time of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the end of the receiving silence period trigger signaling;

[0552] The second time offset, and the third time offset is the time offset between the start time of the listening opportunity in the silence period and the start time of the silence period.

[0553] The IoT terminal device reports parameters related to the silent period to the IoT network device via a first signaling signal. The first signaling signal includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

[0554] The IoT terminal device activates a silent period or indicates whether to enter a silent period via a second signaling. The second signaling includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling. When the second signaling is used to activate a silent period, the device receives the second signaling, thus activating the silent period. When the second signaling is used to indicate whether to enter a silent period, the device receives the second signaling, and the second signaling indicates entry (e.g., a 1-bit field, where 0 represents not entering and 1 represents entering), then the device enters a silent period.

[0555] During the silent period, IoT terminal devices can choose to recharge during a second time period (which can be discontinuous) outside of the listening period. For example, the IoT terminal device can switch its antenna to the power harvesting module during the second time period.

[0556] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6E, the activation of the silence period is triggered by a second signaling. The start time of the silence period is determined based on the first time offset, and the start time of the listening opportunity is determined based on the second time offset. There is one listening opportunity per period. The configuration of other silence periods is configured by the base station.

[0557] Optionally, the listening timing is used for the IoT terminal device to send a third signaling message. This third signaling message indicates whether the IoT terminal device should exit or deactivate the silent period. The third signaling message includes, but is not limited to, dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling. When the third signaling message is used to deactivate the silent period, the device sends the third signaling message, and the network device determines that the device has deactivated the silent period. When the third signaling message is used to indicate whether to exit the silent period, the network device receives the third signaling message, and if the third signaling message indicates exit (e.g., a 1-bit bit field, where 0 represents not exiting and 1 represents exiting), then the device is determined to have entered the silent period.

[0558] When the third signaling instructs the IoT terminal device to exit the silence period, the IoT terminal device's behavior includes at least one of the following: immediately exiting the silence period, that is, immediately entering the normal communication range after the third signaling; exiting the silence period after the current silence period ends; or exiting the silence period after the current listening opportunity ends.

[0559] Optionally, the network device may send a first signal for synchronizing the IoT terminal device during at least one listening opportunity in the listening cycle. The first signal is used to correct the clock skew of the IoT terminal device. Further, the first signal includes at least one of the following: a time-domain synchronization signal, a frequency-domain synchronization signal, a time-frequency-domain synchronization signal, and a fourth signaling carrying a preamble and / or a midamble and / or a postamble.

[0560] Optionally, the IoT terminal device has the ability to report a clock to ensure that when the network device is configured to listen for signals, the IoT terminal device can turn on the receiver before the signaling is sent.

[0561] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6F, the exit from the silent period is triggered by a third signaling, and the IoT terminal device exits the silent period.

[0562] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6G, the exit from the silent period is triggered by a third signaling, and the IoT terminal device exits the silent period.

[0563] Based on the above, in one implementation, as shown in Figure 6H, the exit from the silent period is triggered by a third signaling, and the IoT terminal device exits the silent period.

[0564] Optionally, the network device determines the silent period configuration based on the auxiliary information reported by the device.

[0565] Optionally, alternative implementations of Embodiment 4 can be found in the alternative implementations of steps 2301-2312 in Figure 2C, and other related parts of the embodiments involved in Figure 2C.

[0566] Example 5:

[0567] In a network, IoT network devices communicate with IoT terminal devices. IoT network devices include base stations, intermediate nodes, and auxiliary nodes, while terminal devices are typically intermediate / auxiliary node devices. The types of IoT terminal devices include at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c. The IoT terminal devices harvest energy from the environment to power their communication transmission. Environmental energy includes both natural and artificial energy.

[0568] Based on embodiments one, two, three, and four, when an IoT terminal device prematurely exits its silent period, it actively notifies the network device. Further, the IoT terminal device notifies the IoT network device of its premature exit from the silent period via a fourth signaling message. This fourth signaling message is sent by the IoT terminal device via backscattering or by active transmission. The carrying resource for the fourth signaling message is the first resource. The first resource is configured by the IoT network device for the IoT terminal device.

[0569] Optionally, the optional implementation of Embodiment 5 can be found in step 2108 in Figure 2A, step 2209 in Figure 2B, and step 2312 in Figure 2C.

[0570] 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.

[0571] 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.

[0572] 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.

[0573] 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).

[0574] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7A, the first device 7100 includes a transceiver module 7101.

[0575] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send first information to the second device. The first information is used to indicate a first time period, during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0576] Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending or receiving performed by the first device 7100 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps 2102, 2103, 2104, 2108, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2207, 2209, 2301, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312, 3102, 3103, 3104, 3108, 3202, 3203, 3204, 3207, 3209, 3301, 3303, 3304, 3305, 3306, 3308, 3310, 3312, 5101, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0577] In some embodiments, the first device further includes a processing module. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other communication steps performed by the first device 7100 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps 2101, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2201, 2205, 2206, 2208, 2302, 2307, 2309, 2311, 3101, 3105, 3106, 3107, 3201, 3205, 3206, 3208, 3302, 3307, 3309, 3311, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0578] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7B, the second device 7200 may include a transceiver module 7201.

[0579] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by the first device. The first information is used to indicate a first time period, during which the first device does not expect to receive downlink signals from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter uplink signals to the second device during a second time period within the first time period.

[0580] Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second device 7200 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps 2102, 2103, 2104, 2108, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2207, 2209, 2301, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312, 4101, 4102, 4103, 4104, 4201, 4202, 4203, 4204, 4205, 4301, 4302, 4303, 4304, 4305, 4306, 4307, 4308, 5101, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0581] In some embodiments, the second device further includes a processing module, which is optionally used to perform other communication steps performed by the second device 7200 in any of the above methods.

[0582] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 8100 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 8100 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.

[0583] As shown in Figure 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 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. Optionally, the communication device 8100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 8101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0584] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8102. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8102, the transceivers 8102 perform communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 2102, 2103, 2104, 2108, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2207, 2209, 2301, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312, 3102, 3103, 3104, 3108, 3202, 3203, 3204, 3207, 3209, 3301, 3303, 3304, 3305, 3306, 3308, 3310, 3312, 4101, 4102, 4103). At least one of 4104, 4201, 4202, 4203, 4204, 4205, 4301, 4302, 4303, 4304, 4305, 4306, 4307, 4308, 5101, but not limited thereto, processor 8101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 2101, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2201, 2205, 2206, 2208, steps 2302, 2307, 2309, 2311, steps 3101, 3105, 3106, 3107, 3201, 3205, 3206, 3208, 3302, 3307, 3309, 3311, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0585] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8103 may be located outside the communication device 8100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuits 8104 are connected to the memories 8102, and the interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive data from the memories 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send data to the memories 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read data stored in the memories 8102 and send the data to the processor 8101.

[0586] In some embodiments, the processor 8101 may store a computer program 8105, which runs on the processor 8101 and enables the communication device 8000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The computer program 8105 may be embedded in the processor 8101, in which case the processor 8101 may be implemented in hardware.

[0587] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG8A. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be 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.

[0588] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 8200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 8200 shown in Figure 8B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0589] Chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201. Chip 8200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0590] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8203 may be located outside of chip 8200. Optionally, interface circuit 8202 is connected to memory 8203, and interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive data from memory 8203 or other devices, and interface circuit 8202 can be used to send data to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read data stored in memory 8203 and send the data to processor 8201.

[0591] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 2102, 2103, 2104, 2108, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2207, 2209, 2301, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2308, 2310, 2312, 3102, 3103, 3104, 3108, 3202, 3203, 3...). At least one of the following: 204, 3207, 3209, 3301, 3303, 3304, 3305, 3306, 3308, 3310, 3312, 4101, 4102, 4103, 4104, 4201, 4202, 4203, 4204, 4205, 4301, 4302, 4303, 4304, 4305, 4306, 4307, 4308, 5101, but not limited to these. The interface circuit 8202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method refers to, for example, the interface circuit 8202 performing data interaction between the processor 8201, the chip 8200, the memory 8203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 8201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 2101, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2201, 2205, 2206, 2208, 2302, 2307, 2309, 2311, 3101, 3105, 3106, 3107, 3201, 3205, 3206, 3208, 3302, 3307, 3309, 3311, but not limited thereto).

[0592] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0593] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device 8100, cause the communication device 8100 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.

[0594] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0595] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises: sending, to a second device, first information used for indicating a first time period in which the first device does not expect to receive a downlink signal from the second device and / or does not send or backscatter an uplink signal to the second device in a second time period within the first time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first time period is a separately configured silence period, and the second time period has the same length as the silence period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first information comprises at least one of: a start point of the silence period; an end point of the silence period; a length of the silence period; a time offset between the start point of the silence period and receiving silence period triggering signaling.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first time period is a silence pattern.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The first information comprises at least one of: a start point of the silence pattern; an end point of the silence pattern; a length of the silence pattern; a time offset between the start point of the silence pattern and receiving silence pattern triggering signaling; a number of time units for which the silence pattern is indicated; a time length of the time units for which the silence pattern is indicated; a first bitmap used for indicating time units of a first value and time units of a second value in the silence pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first time period is a periodically recurring silence cycle, and the silence cycle comprises one or more listening occasions, and the second time period does not comprise the one or more listening occasions.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first information comprises at least one of: a start point of the silence cycle; an end point of the silence cycle; a length of the silence cycle; a time offset between the start point of the silence cycle and receiving silence cycle triggering signaling; a start point of a listening occasion in the silence cycle; an end point of a listening occasion in the silence cycle; a length of a listening occasion in the silence cycle; a time offset between the start point of a listening occasion in the silence cycle and receiving silence cycle triggering signaling; a time offset between the start point of a listening occasion in the silence cycle and the start point of the silence cycle; a number of cycles, which is a number of cycles of the silence cycle.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The second time period is used for the first device to charge.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further comprises at least one of: sending, to the second device, second information used for indicating a clock capability of the first device; sending, to the second device, fourth information used for indicating whether the first device exits the first time period or deactivates the first time period; sending, to the second device, sixth information used for assisting the second device in determining the first information; sending, to the second device, seventh information used for indicating that the first device actively enters the first time period; sending, to the second device, eighth information used for informing the second device that the first device exits the first time period in advance. receiving, from the second device, fifth information used for indicating that the first time period is activated or whether the first time period is entered; receiving, from the second device, third information used for correcting a clock bias of the first device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The fourth information includes at least one of the following: First indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first device exits or deactivates the first time period immediately when the fourth information is sent; Second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate that the first device exits the first time period of the next cycle after the first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends; Third indication information, the third indication information is used to indicate that the first device exits the first time period after the listening occasion in which the fourth information is sent ends; Fourth indication information, the fourth indication information is used to indicate a first number N, and the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after a time length of N times the first time period elapses when the fourth information is sent or the timing ends, and the energy of the first device meets a first condition; Fifth indication information, the fifth indication information is used to indicate a first time length, and the first device exits or deactivates the first time period after the first time length elapses when the fourth information is sent or the timing ends, and the energy of the first device meets a first condition; Sixth indication information, the sixth indication information is used to indicate a higher-level silent period, and the first device automatically enters the higher-level silent period when the fourth information is sent or the timing ends, and the energy of the first device meets a first condition, and the time length of the higher-level silent period is greater than the time length of the first time period.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, The seventh information includes at least one of the following: Seventh indication information, the seventh indication information is used to indicate that the first device enters the first time period at a termination time point when the seventh information is sent; Eighth indication information, the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the first device enters the first time period at an end time point of the latest or most recent scheduling; Ninth indication information, the ninth indication information is used to indicate that the first device enters the first time period at a time point of ending sending of the closest synchronization signal.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, At least one of the first information, the fourth information, and the fifth information is included in first signaling, and the first signaling includes at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

13. A communication method, comprising: The method is performed by a second device, and the method includes: Receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, and the first device not expecting to receive a downlink signal from the second device and / or not sending or backscattering an uplink signal to the second device in a second time period within the first time period.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first time period is a separately configured silent period, and the second time period has the same time length as the silent period.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: A start point of the silent period; An end point of the silent period; A time length of the silent period; A time offset between the start point of the silent period and receiving a silent period trigger signaling.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first time period is a silent period pattern.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: A start point of the silent period pattern; An end point of the silent period pattern; A time length of the silent period pattern; a time offset between a start of the quiet period pattern and receiving the quiet period pattern triggering signaling; a number of time units in which the quiet period pattern is indicated; a time length of time units in which the quiet period pattern is indicated; a first bitmap, the first bitmap being used to indicate time units of a first value and time units of a second value in the quiet period pattern.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein, the first time period is a periodically recurring quiet period, the quiet period comprising one or more listening occasions, and the second time period does not comprise the one or more listening occasions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, the first information comprises at least one of: a start of the quiet period; an end of the quiet period; a time length of the quiet period; a time offset between a start of the quiet period and receiving the quiet period triggering signaling; a start of a listening occasion in the quiet period; an end of a listening occasion in the quiet period; a time length of a listening occasion in the quiet period; a time offset between a start of a listening occasion in the quiet period and receiving the quiet period triggering signaling; a time offset between a start of the listening occasion in the quiet period and a start of the quiet period; a number of cycles, the number of cycles being a number of recurring times of the quiet period.

20. The method of any one of claims 13-19, wherein, the second time period is used for the first device to perform energy charging.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized by, The method further comprises at least one of: receiving second information sent by the first device, the second information being used to indicate a clock capability of the first device; receiving fourth information sent by the first device, the fourth information being used to indicate whether the first device exits the first time period or deactivates the first time period; receiving sixth information sent by the first device, the sixth information being used to assist the second device to determine the first information; receiving seventh information sent by the first device, the seventh information being used to indicate that the first device actively enters the first time period; receiving eighth information sent by the first device, the eighth information being used to inform the second device that the first device exits the first time period in advance. sending fifth information to the first device, the fifth information being used to indicate to activate the first time period or whether to enter the first time period; sending third information to the first device, the third information being used to correct a clock deviation of the first device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The fourth information comprises at least one of: first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first device exits or deactivates the first time period immediately when sending the fourth information; second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first device exits the first time period of a next cycle after a first time period in which the fourth information is sent ends; third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first device exits the first time period after a listening occasion in which the fourth information is sent ends; a fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first number N, the first device exiting or deactivating the first time period after a time duration of N times of the first time period after the fourth information is sent or a time duration of the timer expires and energy of the first device meets a first condition; a fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate a first time duration, the first device exiting or deactivating the first time period after the first time duration after the fourth information is sent or a time duration of the timer expires and energy of the first device meets the first condition; a sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used to indicate a higher level of silence period, the first device automatically entering the higher level of silence period after the fourth information is sent or a time duration of the timer expires and energy of the first device meets the first condition, a time duration of the higher level of silence period being greater than a time duration of the first time period.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein, The seventh information includes at least one of the following: a seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used to indicate a termination time point of the first device entering the first time period after the seventh information is sent; an eighth indication information, the eighth indication information being used to indicate an ending time point of the first device entering the first time period after a latest or most recent scheduling; a ninth indication information, the ninth indication information being used to indicate a time point of the first device entering the first time period after an ending of a most adjacent synchronization signal.

24. The method of any one of claims 13-23, wherein, At least one of the first information, the fourth information, and the fifth information is included in first signaling, the first signaling including at least one of dynamic control signaling, semi-static control signaling, and data signaling.

25. A first device, comprising: comprising: a transceiver module, configured to send, to a second device, first information, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first device not expecting to receive a downlink signal from the second device and / or not sending or backscattering an uplink signal to the second device in a second time period within the first time period.

26. A second device, comprising: comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first device not expecting to receive a downlink signal from the second device and / or not sending or backscattering an uplink signal to the second device in a second time period within the first time period.

27. A communication system, comprising: a first device, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a second device, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

28. A communications device, comprising: comprising: a transceiver; a memory; a processor, connected with the transceiver and the memory respectively, configured to control wireless signal transceiving of the transceiver by executing computer executable instructions on the memory, and capable of implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

29. A computer storage medium, wherein, The computer storage medium stores computer executable instructions; the computer executable instructions are executed by the processor, and capable of implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24. The computer storage medium stores computer executable instructions; the computer executable instructions are executed by the processor, and capable of implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

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