Random access method and apparatus, device, and storage medium

Abstract

A random access method and apparatus, a device, and a storage medium, relating to the technical field of communications. The method is executed by a first communication device. The method comprises: determining a random access mode on the basis of first information, wherein the first information is sent by a second communication device, or the first information is determined by the first communication device (1010). Provided is a method for determining a random access mode. A first communication device can determine the random access mode on the basis of first information from a second communication device, or can determine the random access mode on the basis of the first information determined by the first communication device, then access the second communication device by means of the determined random access mode, and communicate with the second communication device, thereby ensuring the rationality and reliability of access performed by an A-IoT device, and improving the communication quality.

Description

Random access methods, devices, equipment and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a random access method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the application of zero-power devices has become increasingly widespread. Zero-power IoT can also be called Ambient Power Enabled IoT, or simply Ambient IoT. Ambient IoT devices refer to IoT devices that use various environmental energy sources (such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, mechanical energy, etc.) to power themselves.

[0003] The access methods between A-IoT devices and base stations or intermediate nodes still need further discussion and research.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a random access method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. The technical solutions provided by this application are as follows:

[0006] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a random access method is provided, the method being executed by a first communication device, the method comprising:

[0007] The random access method is determined based on the first information, which is sent by the second communication device, or the first information is determined by the first communication device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a random access method is provided, the method being executed by a second communication device, the method comprising:

[0009] Send first information to the first communication device, the first information being used to indicate the random access method adopted by the first communication device;

[0010] or,

[0011] Based on the instruction from the first communication device, the random access method adopted by the first communication device is determined.

[0012] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a random access device is provided, the device comprising:

[0013] The processing module is used to determine a random access method based on first information, wherein the first information is sent by a second communication device, or the first information is determined by a first communication device.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a random access device is provided, the device comprising:

[0015] The sending module is used to send first information to the first communication device, wherein the first information is used to indicate the random access method adopted by the first communication device;

[0016] or,

[0017] The processing module is configured to determine the random access method adopted by the first communication device based on the indication of the first communication device.

[0018] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the above-described random access method.

[0019] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing a computer program for execution by a processor to implement the above-described random access method.

[0020] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a chip is provided, the chip including programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, which, when the chip is running, are used to implement the above-described random access method.

[0021] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and a processor reading from the computer-readable storage medium and executing the computer instructions to implement the above-described random access method.

[0022] The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment may have the following beneficial effects:

[0023] A method for determining a random access method is provided. A first communication device can determine the random access method based on first information from a second communication device, or it can determine the random access method based on its own determined first information. Then, it accesses the second communication device and communicates with the second communication device through the determined random access method, thereby ensuring the rationality and reliability of A-IoT device access and improving communication quality. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the basic structure of a zero-power communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the radio frequency energy harvesting principle provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the backscatter communication principle provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a resistive load modulation circuit structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of two A-IoT deployment scenarios provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a random access method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the working time provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of a first time-frequency resource and a second time-frequency resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 17 is a block diagram of a random access device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 18 is a block diagram of a random access device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0045] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, evolution of NR system, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), and Wireless Fidelity (WF). Fidelity (WiFi), 5th-Generation (5G) systems, B5G (Beyound 5G) systems, 6th-Generation (6G) systems, or other communication systems.

[0046] Traditional communication systems typically support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communication but also, for example, device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0047] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to carrier aggregation (CA) scenarios, dual connectivity (DC) scenarios, and standalone (SA) network deployment scenarios.

[0048] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to unlicensed spectrum, wherein unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as shared spectrum; or, the communication system in this application embodiment can also be applied to licensed spectrum, wherein licensed spectrum can also be considered as non-shared spectrum.

[0049] The embodiments of this application can be applied to both non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and terrestrial networks (TN). NTN typically uses satellite communication to provide communication services to terrestrial users. Currently, NTN systems include NR-NTN and IoT-NTN systems, and other NTN systems may be included in the future.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100 provided in one embodiment of this application. The network architecture 100 may include: a terminal device 10, an access network device 20, and a core network element 30.

[0051] Terminal device 10 can refer to UE (User Equipment), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. In some embodiments, terminal device 10 can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phone, WLL (Wireless Local Loop) station, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, terminal device in 5GS (5th Generation System), or terminal device in the future evolved PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), etc., and this application embodiment is not limited thereto. For ease of description, the devices mentioned above are collectively referred to as terminal devices. The number of terminal devices 10 is usually multiple, and one or more terminal devices 10 can be distributed within the cell managed by each access network device 20. Terminal equipment can also be simply referred to as terminal or UE, the meaning of which can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0052] Access network device 20 is a device deployed in an access network to provide wireless communication functionality to terminal device 10. Access network device 20 may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, etc. In systems employing different wireless access technologies, the name of the device with access network device functionality may differ; for example, in a 5G NR system, it is called gNodeB or gNB. As communication technologies evolve, the name "access network device" may change. For ease of description, in this embodiment, the aforementioned devices providing wireless communication functionality to terminal device 10 are collectively referred to as access network devices. In some embodiments, a communication relationship can be established between terminal device 10 and core network element 30 through access network device 20. For example, in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system, access network device 20 may be one or more eNodeBs in an EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) or EUTRAN; in a 5G NR system, access network device 20 may be one or more gNBs in a RAN (Radio Access Network). In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the term "network device" refers to access network device 20, such as a base station.

[0053] Core network element 30 is a network element deployed in the core network. Its main functions are to provide user connectivity, manage users, and bear services, serving as an interface to external networks. For example, core network elements in a 5G NR system may include AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) entities, UPF (User Plane Function) entities, and SMF (Session Management Function) entities.

[0054] In some embodiments, the access network device 20 and the core network element 30 communicate with each other via some air interface technology, such as the NG interface in a 5G NR system. The access network device 20 and the terminal device 10 communicate with each other via some air interface technology, such as the Uu interface.

[0055] The "5G NR system" in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a 5G system or an NR system, but those skilled in the art will understand its meaning. The technical solutions described in this application embodiment can be applied to LTE systems, 5G NR systems, and subsequent evolution systems of 5G NR systems (such as B5G (Beyound 5G) systems, 6G systems (6th Generation System), and other communication systems such as NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) systems. This application does not limit these applications.

[0056] In this embodiment, the network device can provide services to a cell. The terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) on the carrier used by the cell. The cell can be the cell corresponding to the network device (e.g., a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or to a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cell can include: metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage area and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0057] Before introducing the technical solution of this application, the relevant technologies involved in this application will be described first. The following relevant technologies are optional solutions and can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least some of the following contents.

[0058] 1. Principles of Zero-Power Communication Technology

[0059] In recent years, the application of zero-power devices has become increasingly widespread. Zero-power IoT, also known as Ambient Power Enabled IoT or simply Ambient IoT, is sometimes referred to as passive IoT in technical literature. Ambient IoT devices are IoT devices that use various forms of environmental energy (such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, mechanical energy, etc.) to power themselves. These devices may have no energy storage capacity or very limited energy storage capacity (such as using a capacitor with a capacitance of tens of microseconds). Compared to existing IoT devices, Ambient IoT devices offer numerous advantages, including no need for conventional batteries, no maintenance, small size, low complexity and low cost, and long lifespan.

[0060] Zero-power communication employs energy harvesting and backscatter communication technologies. A zero-power communication network consists of network devices and zero-power devices, as shown in Figure 2. The network devices send wireless power signals and downlink communication signals to the zero-power devices, and receive backscatter signals from the zero-power devices. A basic zero-power device includes an energy harvesting module, a backscatter communication module, and a low-power computing module. In addition, the zero-power device may also have a memory or sensor to store basic information (such as object identification) or acquire sensor data such as ambient temperature and humidity.

[0061] The key technologies for zero-power communication mainly include radio frequency energy harvesting and backscatter communication.

[0062] 1.1. Radio Frequency Power Harvesting

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the radio frequency energy harvesting module harvests electromagnetic wave energy from space based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, thereby obtaining the energy required to drive zero-power devices, such as driving low-power demodulation and modulation modules, sensors, and memory reading. Therefore, zero-power devices do not require traditional batteries.

[0064] 1.2. Backscattering Communication

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, the zero-power communication terminal receives wireless signals sent by the network, modulates the wireless signals, loads the information to be transmitted, and radiates the modulated signal from the antenna. This random access process is called backscatter communication. Backscatter and load modulation are inseparable. Load modulation adjusts and controls the circuit parameters of the zero-power device's oscillation circuit according to the data stream's rhythm, causing parameters such as the electronic tag's impedance to change accordingly, thus completing the modulation process. Load modulation technology mainly includes two methods: resistive load modulation and capacitive load modulation. In resistive load modulation, a resistor is connected in parallel with the load. This resistor is switched on or off based on the control of the binary data stream, as shown in Figure 5. The switching on and off of the resistor causes a change in the circuit voltage, thus realizing amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation, that is, signal modulation and transmission are achieved by adjusting the amplitude of the backscatter signal from the zero-power device. Similarly, in capacitive load modulation, the resonant frequency of the circuit can be changed by switching the capacitor on and off, realizing frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation, that is, signal modulation and transmission are achieved by adjusting the operating frequency of the backscattered signal of the zero-power device.

[0066] As can be seen, zero-power devices modulate the incoming signal using load modulation, thereby achieving backscatter communication. Therefore, zero-power devices have significant advantages:

[0067] (1) The terminal does not actively transmit signals, so it does not need complex radio frequency links, such as PA (Power Amplifier), radio frequency filters, etc.;

[0068] (2) The terminal does not need to actively generate high-frequency signals, therefore it does not need a high-frequency crystal oscillator;

[0069] (3) With the help of backscatter communication, the terminal signal transmission does not require the terminal's own energy to be consumed.

[0070] 1.3. Application Scenarios of Zero-Power Communication

[0071] Zero-power communication (ZHW) has significant advantages such as extremely low cost, zero power consumption, and small size, and can be widely used in various industries, such as logistics, smart warehousing, smart agriculture, energy and power, and industrial internet for vertical industries; it can also be used in personal applications such as smart wearables and smart homes.

[0072] 1.4. Classification of Zero-Power Devices

[0073] Based on the energy source and usage method of zero-power devices, zero-power devices can be classified into the following types:

[0074] (1) Passive zero-power devices

[0075] Zero-power devices do not require an internal battery. When a zero-power device approaches a network device (such as a reader in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system), it falls within the near-field range of the network device's antenna radiation. Therefore, the zero-power device's antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the device's low-power chip circuitry. This enables demodulation of the forward link signal (downlink, from the network device to the zero-power device) and modulation of the backward link signal (uplink, from the zero-power device to the network device). For backscatter links, the zero-power device uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0076] As can be seen, passive zero-power devices do not require built-in batteries to drive either the forward or reverse link, making them truly zero-power devices.

[0077] Passive zero-power devices do not require batteries, and their radio frequency and baseband circuits are very simple. For example, they do not require LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), PA, crystal oscillator, ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), etc. Therefore, they have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0078] (2) Semi-passive zero-power devices

[0079] Semi-passive zero-power devices do not have conventional batteries installed, but they can use RF (Radio Frequency) energy harvesting modules to harvest radio wave energy, or use solar, light, heat, or kinetic energy harvesting modules to harvest energy, storing the harvested energy in an energy storage unit (such as a capacitor). After obtaining energy, the energy storage unit can drive the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power device, enabling demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of backward link signals. For backscatter links, the zero-power device uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0080] As can be seen, semi-passive zero-power devices do not require built-in batteries to drive either the forward or reverse link. Although they use energy stored in capacitors during operation, the energy comes from the radio energy collected by the energy harvesting module, making them a true zero-power device.

[0081] Semi-passive zero-power devices inherit many advantages of passive zero-power devices, and therefore have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0082] (3) Active zero-power devices

[0083] In some scenarios, zero-power devices can also be active zero-power devices. These terminals can have a built-in battery (a conventional battery, such as a dry cell battery or a rechargeable lithium battery). The battery powers the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power device, enabling demodulation of the forward link signal and modulation of the backward link signal. However, for the backscatter link, the zero-power device uses backscattering to transmit the signal. Therefore, the zero power consumption of this type of terminal is mainly reflected in the fact that the signal transmission of the backward link does not require the terminal's own power, but instead uses backscattering. Although active zero-power devices use batteries, their power consumption is extremely low due to ultra-low power communication sampling technology, thus significantly improving battery life compared to existing technologies.

[0084] Active zero-power devices use a built-in battery to power the RFID chip, increasing the tag's read / write distance and improving communication reliability. Therefore, they are used in scenarios with relatively high requirements for communication distance and read latency.

[0085] Classification of zero-power devices based on transmitter type.

[0086] As is well known, the business types of zero-power IoT, along with other IoT business types, will primarily focus on upstream services. Therefore, based on the way zero-power terminals transmit data, they can be categorized as follows:

[0087] (1) Zero-power devices based on backscattering

[0088] These zero-power devices transmit uplink data using the backscattering method described above. These devices do not have an active transmitter for active transmission, but only a backscattering transmitter. Therefore, when this type of terminal transmits data, a network device needs to provide a carrier wave, and the terminal device uses this carrier wave for backscattering to achieve data transmission.

[0089] (2) Zero-power devices based on active transmitters

[0090] These zero-power devices use active transmitters with active transmission capabilities for uplink data transmission. Therefore, when sending data, these devices can transmit data using their own active transmitters without requiring a carrier wave from network equipment. Suitable active transmitters for zero-power devices include, for example, ultra-low-power ASK or ultra-low-power FSK transmitters. Based on current implementations, these transmitters can reduce overall power consumption to 400–600 µW when transmitting a 100 µW signal.

[0091] (3) A zero-power device that simultaneously possesses backscattering and an active transmitter.

[0092] These terminals can support both backscatter and active transmitters. The terminal can determine which uplink signal transmission method to use based on different conditions (such as battery level and available ambient energy) or the scheduling of network devices: whether to use backscatter or active transmitter for active transmission.

[0093] 2. Cellular Passive Internet of Things

[0094] Cellular IoT is booming, with 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standardizing IoT technologies such as NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things), MTC (Machine Type Communication), and RedCap (Reduced Capability). However, there are still many IoT communication needs in various scenarios that cannot be met using existing technologies, such as:

[0095] (1) Harsh communication environment

[0096] Some IoT scenarios may face extreme environments such as high temperatures, extremely low temperatures, high humidity, high pressure, high radiation, or high-speed movement. Examples include ultra-high-voltage substations, high-speed train track monitoring, environmental monitoring in frigid regions, and industrial production lines. In these scenarios, existing IoT terminals will be unable to function due to the limitations of conventional power supplies. Furthermore, extreme working environments are also detrimental to IoT maintenance, such as battery replacement.

[0097] (2) Requirements for extremely small terminal form factor

[0098] In certain IoT communication scenarios, such as food traceability, commodity distribution, and smart wearables, terminals require extremely small sizes for convenient use in these environments. For example, IoT terminals used for commodity management in the distribution process typically use electronic tags, embedded in very small packages. Furthermore, lightweight wearable devices can enhance the user experience while meeting user needs.

[0099] (3) Extremely low cost IoT communication requirements

[0100] Numerous IoT communication scenarios require IoT terminals to be sufficiently inexpensive to enhance their competitiveness compared to other alternative technologies. For example, in logistics or warehousing scenarios, to facilitate the management of large quantities of goods in circulation, IoT terminals can be attached to each item, enabling precise management of the entire logistics process and lifecycle through communication between the terminal and the logistics network. These scenarios necessitate that IoT terminals be priced competitively.

[0101] Therefore, in order to cover these unmet IoT communication needs, it is also necessary to develop ultra-low cost, extremely small size, battery-free or maintenance-free IoT in cellular networks, and zero-power IoT can meet this need.

[0102] Based on 3GPP's discussion of Ambient IoT application scenarios, Ambient IoT can be used in at least the following four types of scenarios:

[0103] (1) Object recognition, such as logistics, production line product management, and supply chain management;

[0104] (2) Environmental monitoring, such as monitoring of temperature, humidity and harmful gases in the working environment and natural environment;

[0105] (3) Positioning, such as indoor positioning, intelligent item finding, production line item positioning, etc.;

[0106] (4) Intelligent control, such as intelligent control of various electrical appliances in smart homes (turning on and off air conditioners, adjusting temperature), and intelligent control of various facilities in agricultural greenhouses (automatic irrigation, fertilization).

[0107] 3GPP has discussed and approved a research project on A-IoT, which must include at least two of the following A-IoT device types:

[0108] The first type of A-IoT device has a peak power consumption of ~1uW, has energy storage, an initial sampling frequency offset of 10X ppm, no uplink or downlink power amplifiers, and transmits uplink data by backscattering an external carrier. For example, X ranges from 4 to 5, i.e., [4, 5].

[0109] The second type of A-IoT device has a peak power consumption of less than several hundred uW, has energy storage, an initial sampling frequency offset of 10X ppm, and may be configured with uplink and / or downlink power amplifiers. Uplink transmission can be generated internally within the A-IoT device (i.e., active transmission) or transmitted via backscattering of an external carrier. For example, X ranges from 4 to 5, i.e., [4, 5].

[0110] A-IoT mainly considers the following two deployment scenarios / topologies, as shown in Figure 6:

[0111] (1) The base station directly communicates with the A-IoT device via two-way signaling and / or data. The base station sending the data to the A-IoT device and the base station receiving the data may be two different base stations.

[0112] (2) A-IoT devices communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node, which relays signaling and / or data between the BS and the A-IoT device. During the SID discussion phase, the intermediate node was ultimately determined to be the UE (User Equipment) under network control, and the intermediate node is located indoors.

[0113] Currently, A-IoT research projects primarily consider two types of services: Device-Terminated (DT) and Device-Originated-Device-Terminated Triggered (DO-DTT). DT mainly refers to A-IoT terminals performing specific actions via downlink commands, such as issuing a "turn on the air conditioner" command to an A-IoT device in a smart home scenario, which then performs the corresponding operation. DO-DTT mainly refers to A-IoT devices reporting information triggered by downlink commands. Typical scenarios include warehouse inventory checks or sensor sensing, such as triggering several zero-power tags to report their IDs or sensor data.

[0114] Considering the large number of A-IoT devices in the above scenarios, especially in DO-DTT services where all goods in the warehouse are labeled with zero-power tags, how to report information from these numerous zero-power tags while minimizing conflicts is a problem that needs to be solved. The Initial Access (RACH) mechanism in NR UU can serve as a basis, with both 2-step and 4-step RACH options being considered.

[0115] For example, Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the 4-step RACH and 2-step RACH in the existing NR UU. The main purpose of the initial access is to enable the base station to know the presence of the terminal, assign it an identifier such as C-RNTI (Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier), and perform uplink synchronization between the base station and the terminal.

[0116] In sub-Figure 1 of Figure 7, the base station first sends a downlink synchronization signal, such as an SSB (Synchronization Signal / PBCH Block). The terminal performs downlink synchronization by searching for the downlink synchronization signal and obtains some configuration information, such as resources for sending the preamble. Then, the terminal selects a preamble sequence and sends it to the base station; therefore, the preamble sequence can also be called message 1. Generally, different terminals choose different preamble sequences for initial access, but there are also cases where different terminals happen to choose the same preamble sequence, i.e., a conflict. This requires signaling interaction between messages 3 and 4 to resolve this conflict. Assume that terminal 1 and terminal 2 choose the same preamble_1 (represented by the shading in the figure). After receiving message 1, the base station will send back a RAR (Random Access Response), i.e., message 2. The RAR contains a timing advance for the terminal to perform subsequent uplink transmission, allocates a TC-RNTI (Temporary Cell RNTI) for the terminal, and instructs the terminal on resources for transmitting message 3. It should be noted that if terminal 1 and terminal 2 select the same preamble sequence (i.e., preamble_1), they will receive the same RAR message (RAR_1), corresponding to the same TC-RNTI. After that, both terminal 1 and terminal 2 will send message 3 on the same resource (Msg3_1) based on the RAR instruction, and carry their respective ID information in their respective message 3. If the base station successfully receives message 3 from either terminal 1 or terminal 2, for example, if it receives message 3 from terminal 1, it will truncate message 3 sent by terminal 1 to 48 bits and send it as message 4 (i.e., Msg4_1). After receiving message 4, terminal 1 will compare its own message 3 with the message 4 returned by the base station to confirm that they match. Then, the TC-RNTI previously obtained by terminal 1 in the RAR message (i.e., RAR_1) will be converted to C-RNTI for subsequent scheduling of terminal 1. Terminal 1 completes the random access process. However, if terminal 2 finds that the message 4 returned by the base station does not match its own message 3, it needs to re-enter the initial access process. If the base station successfully receives message 3 from both terminal 1 and terminal 2, in order to ensure the uniqueness of C-RNTI within the cell, it will only truncate message 3 of one of the terminals 1 and 2 to 48 bits for feedback. For example, it will only feed back the truncated information bits of message 3 from terminal 1, and terminal 2 will need to re-enter random access.Understandably, if there is no conflict, the terminal selects preamble and then goes through 4 steps of RACH to obtain a unique C-RNTI.

[0117] In sub-Figure 2 of Figure 7, the base station also first sends a downlink synchronization signal, such as an SSB. The terminal performs downlink synchronization by searching for the downlink synchronization signal and obtains some configuration information, such as the resources for sending the preamble. The difference from the 4-step RACH is that there is an association between the preamble resources and the Message 3 resources. This association is determined based on the configuration information carried by the downlink synchronization signal. Therefore, when the terminal randomly selects a preamble, it can directly obtain the transmission resource location of Message 3, and the terminal sends the preamble sequence and Message 3. The preamble sequence and Message 3 are collectively referred to as Message A. If terminals 1 and 2 happen to select the same preamble_1 when randomly selecting the preamble sequence, then terminals 1 and 2 will send message 3 on the same resource Msg_3 respectively. Message 3 contains the IDs of terminals 1 and 2 respectively. If the base station successfully receives message A from only terminal 1 or terminal 2, for example, if it receives message A from terminal 1, it will truncate message 3 sent by terminal 1 to 48 bits and send it as part of message B (i.e., MsgB_1). After receiving message B, terminal 1 compares its own message 3 with the message B returned by the base station to confirm a match. Terminal 1 then completes the random access process. Message B also carries information such as the C-RNTI allocated to terminal 1 and timing advance. If terminal 2 finds that the message B returned by the base station does not match its own message 3, it needs to re-enter the initial access process. If the base station successfully receives message A from both terminal 1 and terminal 2, to ensure the uniqueness of the C-RNTI within the cell, it will only truncate message 3 from one of terminal 1 and terminal 2 to 48 bits and send it as part of message B. For example, it may only return the truncated information bits of message 3 from terminal 1. Terminal 2 then needs to re-enter the random access process. Understandably, if there is no conflict, the terminal will also obtain unique C-RNTI and timing advance information after selecting preamble and going through 2 RACH steps.

[0118] In A-IoT systems, research has begun on 4-step and 2-step access methods.

[0119] For a 4-step RACH, a possible implementation is shown in Figure 8, sub-Figure 1. The Reader sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. Upon receiving the Query command, the Device sends a 16-bit random sequence RN16 to the Reader as a temporary identifier. After receiving RN16, the Reader sends a Response to the Device, which includes the same RN16. If the RN16 received by the Device matches the previously sent RN16, the Device sends an EPC (Electronic Product Code) to the Reader. Upon successfully receiving the EPC, the Reader sends a QueryRep, which indicates to the Device that the EPC has been successfully received. It is understood that in the above process, if the Device fails to receive a Response or QueryRep, or if the ID (Identity Document) carried in the Response or QueryRep does not match its own ID, the Device considers the access to have failed.

[0120] For a 2-step RACH, possible implementations are shown in Figure 8, sub-figures 2 and 3. For example, in Figure 8, sub-figure 2, the Reader sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. After receiving the Query command, the Device sends a 16-bit random sequence RN16 to the Reader as a temporary identifier. Since the resource associated with RN16 is linked to the resource of the EPC, the Device also sends the EPC associated with RN16. After successfully receiving RN16 and the EPC, the Reader sends a Queryrep, which can be used to indicate to the Device that the EPC has been successfully received. As another example, in Figure 8, sub-figure 3, the Reader sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. After receiving the Query command, the Device sends its corresponding EPC. After successfully receiving the EPC, the Reader sends a Queryrep, which can be used to indicate to the Device that the EPC has been successfully received. The difference between Figure 8, sub-figures 2 and 3 is whether or not the random sequence RN16 needs to be sent. Similarly, it can be understood that if the Device fails to receive the QueryRep or the identifier carried in the QueryRep does not match its own identifier, the Device considers the access to have failed.

[0121] Frame structure for R2D and D2R transmissions:

[0122] R2D transmission, or reader-to-device transmission, also known as A-IoT downlink transmission, is the transmission from the base station to the A-IoT device in A-IoT topology 1, and also the transmission from the intermediate node to the A-IoT device in A-IoT topology 2. D2R transmission, or device-to-reader transmission, can also be known as A-IoT uplink transmission, and is the transmission from the A-IoT device to the base station in A-IoT topology 1, and also the transmission from the A-IoT device to the intermediate node in A-IoT topology 2.

[0123] The frame structure design for R2D and D2R transmissions is shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 sub-figure 1 shows the frame structure for R2D transmission, and Figure 9 sub-figure 2 shows the frame structure for D2R transmission.

[0124] The common feature of these two structures is that a preamble is designed before both the PRDCH (Physical Reader To Device Channel) and PDRCH (Physical Device To Reader Channel). The preamble can be used for timing calibration, indicating the start of transmission, and also for indicating simple control information. The PRDCH can carry data from the reader to the device, as well as control information from the reader to the device, such as physical layer control information (e.g., ACI, A-IoT control information) and / or higher layer control information (e.g., MAC CE). Similarly, the PDRCH can carry data from the device to the reader, as well as control information from the device to the reader, such as physical layer control information (e.g., ACI, A-IoT control information) and / or higher layer control information (e.g., MAC CE).

[0125] However, while both 2-step and 4-step access mechanisms are considered in A-IoT systems, how the device and reader determine which access method to use requires further discussion and research. Furthermore, the existence of a fallback / switching mechanism from a 2-step to a 4-step access mechanism is also an issue that needs to be addressed.

[0126] Please refer to Figure 10, which shows a flowchart of a random access method provided in one embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method may include the following step 1010.

[0127] Step 1010: The first communication device determines the random access method based on the first information, which is sent by the second communication device or determined by the first communication device.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first communication device is an A-IoT device, and the second communication device is a network device or an intermediate node. For example, the first communication device is an A-IoT device, and the second communication device is a network device. For instance, as shown in Figure 11, the first communication device is a zero-power device, and the second communication device is a base station. For example, the first communication device is an A-IoT device, and the second communication device is an intermediate node. For instance, as shown in Figure 11, the first communication device is a zero-power device, and the second communication device is an intermediate node.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first information is sent by the second communication device, and the first communication device determines the random access method based on the first information after receiving it. In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate or determine the random access method. In some embodiments, the first information can implicitly or explicitly indicate the random access method. For example, the first information explicitly indicates the random access method, such as by including an indication field specifically for indicating the random access method. For example, the first information implicitly indicates the random access method, for example, the first information indicates A, and after receiving the first information, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism; the first information indicates B, and after receiving the first information, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. A and B can be content related to random access or content unrelated to random access. For example, if the first information is configuration information, A and B can be parameters included in the configuration information. The correspondence between A and B and the random access method can be pre-configured or pre-defined, or indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the first communication device itself. A and B are used as examples. A and B can represent interactive information between the first and second communication devices, such as events, parameters, configurations, and responses.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the first communication device. In some embodiments, the first information is information about the first communication device itself. For example, the first information may be information that affects or determines whether the first communication device has the ability to adopt a certain random access method. For instance, the first information may be the remaining battery power of the first communication device. If the remaining battery power is too low, the first communication device cannot support the information transmission and reception of the four-step access mechanism, then the first communication device will determine the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. For example, the first information may also be information related to random access. For instance, the first information may be the number of times the first communication device has failed to access the second communication device. If the number of access failures exceeds a threshold, then the communication quality between the first communication device and the second communication device is considered poor, and a four-step access mechanism is selected to improve the access success rate.

[0131] In some embodiments, the above method can be applied to R2D scenarios or D2R scenarios.

[0132] In some embodiments, step 1010 can be performed before the first communication device and the second communication device access each other, or it can be performed during the access process between the first communication device and the second communication device. For example, if step 1010 is performed before the first communication device and the second communication device access each other, the first communication device performs the access process according to the random access method determined by it based on the first information. Alternatively, if step 1010 is performed during the access process between the first communication device and the second communication device, the first communication device determines whether it needs to switch to a different random access method according to the random access method determined by it based on the first information. For instance, if the first communication device and the second communication device access each other using a two-step access mechanism, and the first communication device determines based on the first information that it needs to switch from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, then the first communication device will subsequently perform the access process with the second communication device using the four-step access mechanism.

[0133] In some embodiments, the random access method may include a four-step access mechanism and a two-step access mechanism. For the four-step and two-step access mechanisms, please refer to the description of the four-step RACH and two-step RACH in conjunction with Figure 8 in the above embodiments.

[0134] The technical solution provided in this application provides a method for determining a random access method. A first communication device can determine a random access method based on first information from a second communication device, or it can determine a random access method based on first information determined by itself. Then, it accesses the second communication device and communicates with the second communication device through the determined random access method, ensuring the rationality and reliability of A-IoT device access and improving communication quality.

[0135] Next, we will provide illustrative examples of two scenarios: one in which the first information is sent by the second communication device, and the other in which the first information is determined by the first communication device.

[0136] Option 1: The first information is sent by the second communication device. In some embodiments, the first information is sent by the second communication device, and the method further includes the following step 1020.

[0137] In step 1020, the first communication device receives first information, which indicates the random access method adopted by the first communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device sends the first information to the first communication device.

[0138] 1. The first information includes the preamble signal sent by the second communication device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first information includes a preamble signal transmitted by the second communication device. In some embodiments, the preamble signal is used at least by the first communication device to acquire clock information. In some embodiments, the preamble signal is used at least by the first communication device to perform timing acquisition on the second communication device. In some embodiments, the preamble signal is used at least by the first communication device to acquire the clock of the second communication device. In some embodiments, the preamble signal is used at least by the first communication device to acquire the symbol length of the first channel. In some embodiments, the first channel refers to a downlink channel between the second communication device and the first communication device. Exemplarily, the second communication device transmits information to the first communication device based on the first channel. In some embodiments, the first channel may be a control channel for transmitting signaling, or a shared channel for transmitting signaling and / or data. Exemplarily, the first channel is a PRDCH.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second communication device sends a preamble signal when sending information (including signaling and / or data) to the first communication device. In some embodiments, the preamble signal is used at least to calibrate the clocks of the first and / or second communication devices. In some embodiments, the first communication device determines the random access method based on the preamble signal.

[0141] In some embodiments, the preamble signal may be a sequence signal, such as a preamble sequence.

[0142] In some embodiments, the preamble signal may also be a reference signal, an OFDM symbol, etc., and this application does not limit it.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first information uses a fixed preamble signal to indicate the corresponding random access method. In some embodiments, the preamble signal and the random access method are in one-to-one correspondence.

[0144] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal is a first preamble signal, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism.

[0145] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal is a second preamble signal, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first preamble signal and the second preamble signal are different.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first preamble and the second preamble may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0148] In some embodiments, the correspondence between the first preamble signal and the second preamble signal and the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the implementation of the first communication device.

[0149] For example, the preamble signal is a preamble sequence. When the preamble signal is a first preamble sequence, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. When the preamble signal is a second preamble sequence, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence and the second preamble sequence are fixed preamble sequences.

[0150] By using two preamble signals to indicate the two-step access mechanism and the four-step access mechanism respectively, the first communication device can quickly and easily determine the random access method. The first communication device only needs to maintain the correspondence between the two preamble signals and the random access method, and can determine the random access method without obtaining more information.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first information uses a preamble signal to indicate the random access method. In some embodiments, the set of preamble signals corresponds one-to-one with the random access method.

[0152] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal belongs to the first preamble signal set, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism.

[0153] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal belongs to the second preamble signal set, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first preamble set and the second preamble set do not overlap. In some embodiments, the first preamble set includes at least one preamble signal, and the second preamble set includes at least one preamble signal. In some embodiments, the first preamble set and the second preamble set do not overlap because the first preamble set and the second preamble set do not contain the same preamble signal.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first preamble set and the second preamble set may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0156] In some embodiments, the correspondence between the first preamble set and the second preamble set and the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the implementation of the first communication device.

[0157] In some embodiments, preamble signals belonging to the same preamble signal set may or may not have the same characteristics. Taking a preamble sequence as an example, in some embodiments, preamble sequences belonging to the same preamble signal set have the same characteristics. For example, preamble sequences in a first preamble signal set all include a first pattern, and preamble sequences in a second preamble signal set all include a second pattern. In some embodiments, preamble sequences belonging to the same preamble signal set do not have the same characteristics. For example, a second communication device determines a plurality of random preamble sequences as a first preamble signal set, and a plurality of random preamble sequences that do not intersect with the first preamble signal set as a second preamble signal set.

[0158] Two sets of preamble signals are used to indicate the two-step and four-step access mechanisms, enabling the first communication device to quickly determine the corresponding random access method based on the preamble sequence. Furthermore, the diversity of preamble signals is increased; different preamble signals can have the same or different functions and can transmit the same or different control information, improving the information exchange efficiency between the first and second communication devices.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first information indicates the random access mode by including a specific pattern in the preamble. In some embodiments, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the pattern and the random access mode.

[0160] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal contains a first pattern, the random access method is determined to be a two-step access mechanism.

[0161] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal contains a second pattern, the random access method is determined to be a four-step access mechanism.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first pattern and the second pattern are different.

[0163] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned pattern refers to a pattern composed of high and low voltage levels of a certain length. In some embodiments, the length of the pattern may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the implementation of the first communication device. For example, the first pattern or the second pattern may be a continuous high voltage level, such as 111111; it may also be a continuous low voltage level, such as 000000; or it may be a continuous switching between high and low voltage levels, such as 101010, or 010101. Here, 1 represents a high voltage level and 0 represents a low voltage level.

[0164] In some embodiments, the preamble sequence includes a first pattern. This can be either the preamble sequence itself being the first pattern, or a specific position within the preamble sequence containing the first pattern. For example, the first n positions of the preamble sequence may be the first pattern, or the last n positions of the preamble sequence may be the first pattern, or the kth to k+nth positions of the preamble sequence may be the first pattern, or any position within the preamble sequence may constitute the first pattern. Here, n is the length of the first pattern, and k is a positive integer. In some embodiments, the position of the first pattern in the preamble sequence may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the implementation of the first communication device. It should be noted that the description of the first n positions in the above examples can be understood as the first n positions in the preamble sequence, or the first n levels, or the first n square waves, or the first n modulated waveforms; this application does not limit this. Correspondingly, the last n positions, the kth position, and the k+nth position can be understood in the same way as the first n positions. In some embodiments, the leading sequence includes a second pattern, which can be referred to in the above description of the leading sequence including a first pattern, and will not be repeated here.

[0165] By using two patterns to indicate the two-step access mechanism and the four-step access mechanism respectively, the first communication device can quickly and easily determine the random access method without maintaining a complete preamble signal locally. It only needs to maintain two patterns and determine the random access method based on whether there is a corresponding pattern in the preamble signal, thus reducing the storage capacity requirements of the first communication device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first information may also indicate a switch or rollback of the random access method.

[0167] In some embodiments, when the preamble is a third preamble, the random access method is determined to switch from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0168] In some embodiments, the third preamble signal is different from the first preamble signal and the second preamble signal. In some embodiments, the third preamble signal may also be the same as the first preamble signal or the second preamble signal. In some embodiments, the third preamble signal may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0169] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming that the second communication device only correctly receives RN16 but not the EPC, the second communication device determines that the channel quality is poor. Therefore, it sends a preamble + PRDCH to the first communication device. This preamble is the third preamble. The first communication device then switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and then, after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0170] In some embodiments, if the preamble signal belongs to a third preamble signal set, the random access method is determined to switch from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0171] In some embodiments, the third preamble set differs from the first preamble set and the second preamble set. In some embodiments, the third preamble set may also be the same as the first preamble set or the second preamble set. In some embodiments, the third preamble set may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0172] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming that the second communication device only correctly receives RN16 but not the EPC, the second communication device determines that the channel quality is poor. Therefore, it sends a preamble + PRDCH to the first communication device. This preamble belongs to the third preamble set. Then, the first communication device switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0173] In some embodiments, when the preamble contains a third pattern, the random access method is determined to switch from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0174] In some embodiments, the third pattern differs from the first and second patterns. In some embodiments, the third pattern may also be the same as the first or second pattern. In some embodiments, the third pattern may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device. For example, the third pattern may be a continuous high level, such as 111111; a continuous low level, such as 000000; or a continuous switching between high and low levels, such as 101010 or 010101. Here, 1 represents a high level and 0 represents a low level.

[0175] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming that the second communication device only correctly receives RN16 but not the EPC, the second communication device determines that the channel quality is poor. Therefore, it sends a preamble + PRDCH to the first communication device. This preamble contains a third pattern. The first communication device then switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and then, after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0176] Using the above method, the second communication device can indicate the random access method used by the first communication device through a preamble signal, or instruct the first communication device to switch the random access method, so that the first communication device can use a suitable random access method to access the second communication device, thereby improving communication quality.

[0177] 2. The first information includes control information sent by the second communication device.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first information includes control information carried in a first channel transmitted by the second communication device. In some embodiments, the first channel refers to a downlink channel through which the second communication device transmits information to the first communication device. For example, the first channel is a PRDCH.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first information indicates the random access method adopted by the first communication device through an indication field in the control information.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first information indicates the random access method adopted by the first communication device by the presence or absence of a specific indication field in the control information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the format of the control information may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by a second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device. For example, the standard predefines two control information formats, one including a first indication field and the other not including a first indication field.

[0182] In some embodiments, when the control information includes a first indication field, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism.

[0183] In some embodiments, if the control information does not include a first indication field, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0184] The format of the first indication field is not limited in this application. Exemplarily, the first indication field may occupy one bit or multiple bits. In some embodiments, the control information includes a first indication field to indicate whether it is a two-step access mechanism or a four-step access mechanism; this is not limited in this application. Exemplarily, when the control information includes a first indication field, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism; when the control information does not include a first indication field, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the correspondence between the control information including the first indication field and the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0185] Determining the random access method by checking whether the control information contains a first indication field requires pre-defining two formats of control information. Therefore, it is advisable to determine the random access method based on the value of the first indication field contained in the control information.

[0186] In some embodiments, when the first indication field included in the control information is a first value, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism.

[0187] In some embodiments, when the first indication field included in the control information is a second value, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first value and the second value are different.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first value and the second value can be numerical or string values, and this application does not limit this. Taking the first value and the second value as numerical values ​​as an example, for instance, if the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, and the first indication field in the control information is 1, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism. If the first indication field in the control information is 0, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism. For example, if the first value is 0 and the second value is 1, and the first indication field in the control information is 0, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism. If the first indication field in the control information is 1, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, when the first value and the second value are numerical, the first indication field can be one bit or multiple bits; the above is only an illustrative example using 1 and 0.

[0190] In some embodiments, control information may also instruct the first communication device to switch or revert to the random access mode.

[0191] In some embodiments, when the control information includes a second indication field, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0192] In some embodiments, control information may include the following formats:

[0193] It includes the first indicator field, but does not include the second indicator field;

[0194] It includes a second indicator field, but does not include the first indicator field;

[0195] It does not include the first indicator field and the second indicator field;

[0196] It includes a first indicator field and a second indicator field.

[0197] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming that the second communication device only correctly receives RN16 but not the EPC, the second communication device determines that the channel quality is poor, and therefore sends control information to the first communication device. This control information contains a second indication field. The first communication device then switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0198] In some embodiments, when the second indication field included in the control information is a third value, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0199] In some embodiments, the third value differs from the first and second values. In some embodiments, the third value may also be the same as the first or second value. For example, the third value may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the second indication field may be the same as the first indication field. For example, when the first indication field included in the control information is a third value, the first communication device determines that the random access mode is switching from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism. In this case, the third value differs from the first value. For example, the first value is 1, the second value is 0, and the third value may be 2, or the third value may be 0.

[0200] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming the second communication device only correctly receives RN16 but not the EPC, the second communication device determines that the channel quality is poor and therefore sends control information to the first communication device. This control information contains a second indication field, which is a third value. The first communication device then switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0201] In some embodiments, if the value of the second indication field included in the control information is flipped, the first communication device determines that the random access mode is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0202] In some embodiments, the value of the second indication field being flipped means that the value of the second indication field is different from the value of the second indication field contained in the previously received control information. For example, if the value of the second indication field contained in the previously received control information is 1, and the value of the second indication field contained in the current control information is 0, the first communication device determines whether to switch the random access mode from a two-step access mechanism or fall back to a four-step access mechanism.

[0203] In some embodiments, the control information may include both a first indication field and a second indication field. In some embodiments, if the value of the second indication field does not invert, the first communication device determines the random access method according to the value of the first indication field. If the value of the second indication field inverts, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0204] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming the second communication device only correctly receives RN16 but not the EPC, it determines the channel quality is poor and therefore sends control information to the first communication device. This control information includes a second indicator field. If the value of this second indicator field is flipped, the first communication device switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and then, after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device. For example, the value of the second indicator field in the control information previously received by the first communication device was 1, while the value of the second indicator field in the control information received this time is 0.

[0205] Using the above method, the second communication device can use control information to instruct the first communication device to use a random access method, or instruct the first communication device to switch to a different random access method, so that the first communication device can use a suitable random access method to access the second communication device, thereby improving communication quality.

[0206] 3. The first information includes the configuration information sent by the second communication device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first information includes configuration information carried in a first channel transmitted by the second communication device. In some embodiments, the first channel refers to a downlink channel through which the second communication device transmits information to the first communication device. Exemplarily, the first channel is a PRDCH. Exemplarily, the configuration information is RRC (Radio Resource Control) configuration information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first information indicates the random access method adopted by the first communication device through an indication field in the configuration information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first information indicates the random access method adopted by the first communication device by whether a specific indication field exists in the configuration information.

[0210] In some embodiments, the format of the configuration information may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device. For example, the second communication device configures two formats for the configuration information, one including a third indication field and the other not including a third indication field.

[0211] In some embodiments, when the configuration information includes a third indication field, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism.

[0212] In some embodiments, if the configuration information does not include a third indication field, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0213] The format of the third indication field is not limited in this application. Exemplarily, the third indication field may occupy one bit or multiple bits. In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a third indication field to indicate whether it is a two-step or four-step access mechanism; this application is not limited in this respect. Exemplarily, when the configuration information includes a third indication field, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism; when the configuration information does not include a third indication field, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the correspondence between the configuration information including the third indication field and the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0214] In some embodiments, the random access method can also be determined by the value of a third indicator field included in the configuration information.

[0215] In some embodiments, when the third indication field included in the configuration information is a first value, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism.

[0216] In some embodiments, when the third indication field included in the configuration information is a second value, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first value and the second value are different.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first and second values ​​can be numerical or string values, and this application does not limit this. Taking the first and second values ​​as numerical values ​​as an example, for instance, if the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, and the third indication field included in the configuration information is 1, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism. If the third indication field included in the configuration information is 0, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism. For example, if the first value is 0 and the second value is 1, and the third indication field included in the configuration information is 0, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism. If the third indication field included in the configuration information is 1, the first communication device determines that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, when the first and second values ​​are numerical, the third indication field can be one bit or multiple bits; the above is only an illustrative example using 1 and 0.

[0219] In some embodiments, the configuration information is applied to semi-statically configure the random access method adopted by the first communication device. Therefore, the configuration information is not suitable for dynamically instructing the first communication device to switch or roll back the random access method.

[0220] Using the above method, the second communication device can use configuration information to indicate the random access method adopted by the first communication device, so that the first communication device can use a suitable random access method to access the second communication device, thereby improving communication quality.

[0221] In some embodiments, the three schemes described above can be combined to obtain new schemes. Exemplarily, the random access mode is indicated by configuration information, and the switching of the random access mode is indicated by control information. Exemplarily, the random access mode is indicated by configuration information, and the switching of the random access mode is indicated by a preamble signal. Exemplarily, the random access mode is indicated by control information, and the switching of the random access mode is indicated by a preamble signal. Exemplarily, the random access mode is indicated by a preamble signal, and the switching of the random access mode is indicated by control information.

[0222] Option 2: The first piece of information is determined by the first communication device.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first communication device autonomously determines the random access method. In some embodiments, the second communication device determines the random access method based on the instructions of the first communication device or the time-frequency resources used by the first communication device.

[0224] 1. The first information includes the remaining energy of the first communication device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first communication device is a zero-power device. The remaining energy of the first communication device will affect its ability to send and receive information. Therefore, the remaining energy of the first communication device needs to be considered when determining the random access method. In some embodiments, the remaining energy may also be referred to as the remaining power.

[0226] In some embodiments, when the remaining energy is less than or equal to a first threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, when the remaining energy is greater than the first threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism.

[0227] In some embodiments, if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the remaining energy is less than the second threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the second threshold is greater than or equal to the first threshold. In some embodiments, when the first threshold and the second threshold are the same, the first communication device can determine the random access method based on the first threshold and the second threshold. In some embodiments, when the first threshold and the second threshold are the same, only one threshold can be configured. If the remaining energy is greater than the threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the remaining energy is less than the threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. Additionally, if the remaining energy is equal to the threshold, the first communication device can determine the random access method as either a four-step access mechanism or a two-step access mechanism.

[0229] In some embodiments, when the first threshold and the second threshold are different, the first communication device determines the random access method based on either the first threshold or the second threshold. For example, when determining the random access method based on the first threshold, if the remaining energy is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the remaining energy is greater than the first threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism. For example, when determining the random access method based on the second threshold, if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the remaining energy is less than the second threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the threshold used to determine the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold may be predefined or preconfigured, or may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0231] In some embodiments, if the remaining energy of the first communication device changes during random access, the first communication device may also switch the random access mode. For example, if the remaining energy decreases, the first communication device may switch the random access mode from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; if the remaining energy increases, the first communication device may switch the random access mode from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0232] In some embodiments, if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switching from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the remaining energy is less than the third threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switching from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism.

[0233] In some embodiments, if the remaining energy is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switching from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the remaining energy is greater than the fourth threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switching from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0234] In some embodiments, the third threshold and the fourth threshold may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the fourth threshold is less than or equal to the third threshold. In some embodiments, when the third threshold and the fourth threshold are the same, the first communication device may determine the random access method based on the third threshold and the fourth threshold. In some embodiments, when the third threshold is equal to the fourth threshold, only one threshold may be configured. If the remaining energy is greater than this threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; conversely, if the remaining energy is less than this threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, when the remaining energy is equal to this threshold, the first communication device may determine to switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, or it may determine to switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism.

[0235] In some embodiments, when the third threshold and the fourth threshold are different, the first communication device determines the random access method based on either the third or fourth threshold. For example, when determining the random access method based on the third threshold, if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to the third threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; conversely, if the remaining energy is less than the third threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism. Similarly, when determining the random access method based on the fourth threshold, if the remaining energy is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; conversely, if the remaining energy is greater than the fourth threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the threshold used to determine the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0236] In some embodiments, the third and fourth thresholds may be predefined or preconfigured, or may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0237] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming the second communication device does not correctly receive RN16 and EPC, it indicates access failure to the first communication device via QueryRep. Therefore, the first communication device determines that access has failed and needs to initiate access again. At this time, since the remaining energy of the first communication device is greater than or equal to the third threshold, that is, the remaining energy of the first communication device is sufficient to support the four-step access mechanism, the first communication device switches from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and then, after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends EPC to the second communication device.

[0238] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a four-step access mechanism to send RN16, receives the Response command from the second communication device, and then sends its EPC. Assuming the second communication device does not correctly receive the EPC, it indicates access failure to the first communication device via QueryRep. Therefore, the first communication device determines that access has failed and needs to initiate access again. At this time, since the remaining power / energy of the first communication device is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, that is, the remaining power / energy of the first communication device is insufficient to support the four-step access mechanism, the first communication device switches / falls back from the four-step access mechanism to using a two-step access mechanism, sending RN16 and the corresponding EPC to the second communication device.

[0239] Determining the random access method by using the remaining energy of the first communication device, and whether to switch the random access method, can ensure the normal operation of the access process between the first and second communication devices and guarantee communication quality.

[0240] 2. The first information includes the working cycle of the first communication device.

[0241] In some embodiments, the duty cycle of the first communication device includes a first duration and / or a second duration. In some embodiments, the first communication device transmits and / or receives data during the first duration. In some embodiments, the first communication device does not transmit and / or receive data during the second duration. In some embodiments, the first communication device sleeps or charges during the second duration. Exemplarily, the first duration is the active time, and the second duration is energy harvesting. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG15, the duty cycle includes the first duration and the second duration.

[0242] In some embodiments, if the first duration is too short, the four-step access mechanism may not be completed, and the second duration will then begin. Therefore, if the first duration is longer than a threshold, a four-step access mechanism can be used.

[0243] In some embodiments, if the first duration or percentage of the first duration in the work cycle is less than or equal to a fifth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the first duration in the work cycle is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the first duration in the work cycle accounts for a percentage of the fifth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the first duration in the work cycle or percentage of the first duration is greater than the fifth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism.

[0244] In some embodiments, if the first duration or percentage of the first duration in the work cycle is greater than or equal to a sixth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the first duration in the work cycle is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the first duration in the work cycle accounts for a percentage of the sixth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the first duration in the work cycle or percentage of the first duration is less than the sixth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism.

[0245] In some embodiments, the first communication device transmits and / or receives within a first duration, and the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be the same or different.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first duration percentage refers to the percentage of the first duration in the total working time.

[0247] In some embodiments, the sixth threshold is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold. In some embodiments, when the fifth and sixth thresholds are the same, the first communication device can determine the random access method based on the fifth and sixth thresholds. In some embodiments, when the fifth and sixth thresholds are the same, only one threshold can be configured. If the first duration or proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is greater than the threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism; conversely, if the first duration or proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is less than the threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. Additionally, if the first duration or proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is equal to the threshold, the first communication device can determine the random access method as either a four-step access mechanism or a two-step access mechanism.

[0248] In some embodiments, when the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold are different, the first communication device determines the random access method based on either the fifth or sixth threshold. For example, when determining the random access method based on the fifth threshold, if the first duration or percentage of the first duration in the work cycle is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the first duration or percentage of the first duration is greater than the fifth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism. Similarly, when determining the random access method based on the sixth threshold, if the first duration or percentage of the first duration in the work cycle is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the first duration or percentage of the first duration is less than the sixth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the threshold used to determine the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the implementation of the first communication device.

[0249] In some embodiments, the fifth and sixth thresholds may be predefined or preconfigured, or may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0250] In some embodiments, if the active duration of the first communication device changes during random access, the first communication device may also switch the random access method. For example, if the active duration is short, the first communication device may switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; if the active duration is long, the first communication device may switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the active duration refers to the remaining duration of the first duration within the work cycle. In some embodiments, the active duration percentage refers to the percentage of the remaining duration of the first duration within the work cycle.

[0251] In some embodiments, if the active duration or percentage of active duration in a work cycle is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0252] In some embodiments, if the active duration or percentage of active duration in a work cycle is less than or equal to an eighth threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism.

[0253] In some embodiments, the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the eighth threshold is less than or equal to the seventh threshold. In some embodiments, when the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold are the same, the first communication device determines the random access method based on the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold. In some embodiments, when the seventh threshold is equal to the eighth threshold, only one threshold may be configured. If the active duration or percentage of active duration in the work cycle is greater than this threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; conversely, if the active duration or percentage of active duration in the work cycle is less than this threshold, the first communication device determines that the random access method is switched from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, when the active duration or percentage of active duration in the work cycle is equal to this threshold, the first communication device may determine that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, or it may determine that the random access method is switched from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism.

[0254] In some embodiments, when the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold are different, the first communication device determines the random access method based on either the seventh or the eighth threshold. For example, when determining the random access method based on the seventh threshold, if the active duration or percentage of active duration in the work cycle is greater than or equal to the seventh threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; conversely, if the active duration or percentage of active duration is less than the seventh threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism. Similarly, when determining the random access method based on the eighth threshold, if the active duration or percentage of active duration in the work cycle is less than or equal to the eighth threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; conversely, if the active duration or percentage of active duration is greater than the eighth threshold, the first communication device determines to switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the threshold used to determine the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0255] In some embodiments, the seventh and eighth thresholds may be predefined or preconfigured, or may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0256] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming the second communication device does not correctly receive RN16 and EPC, it indicates access failure to the first communication device via QueryRep. Therefore, the first communication device determines that access has failed and needs to initiate access again. At this time, since the first communication device's active duration or active duration percentage is greater than or equal to the seventh threshold, that is, the first communication device's active duration or active duration percentage is sufficient to support the four-step access mechanism, the first communication device switches from the two-step access mechanism or falls back to using the four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and then, after receiving the second communication device's Response command, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0257] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a four-step access mechanism to send RN16, receives the Response command from the second communication device, and then sends its EPC. Assuming the second communication device does not correctly receive the EPC, it indicates access failure to the first communication device via QueryRep. Therefore, the first communication device determines that access has failed and needs to initiate access again. At this time, since the first communication device's active duration or active duration percentage is less than or equal to the eighth threshold, i.e., the first communication device's active duration or active duration percentage is insufficient to support the four-step access mechanism, the first communication device switches / rolls back from the four-step access mechanism to using a two-step access mechanism, sending RN16 and the corresponding EPC to the second communication device.

[0258] By determining the random access method and whether to switch the random access method based on the first duration of the first communication device, the normal operation of the access process between the first communication device and the second communication device can be guaranteed, thus ensuring communication quality.

[0259] 3. The first piece of information includes the number of transmission failures of the first communication device.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first communication device determines the access method to use based on the number of transmission failures. In some embodiments, the number of transmission failures refers to the number of times the first communication device has failed to access the network.

[0261] In some embodiments, a transmission failure may include at least one of the following:

[0262] An indication message was received from the second communication device, which indicated that the access had failed.

[0263] The identification information indicated by the second communication device does not match the identification information of the first communication device;

[0264] No response was received from the second communication device;

[0265] No response was received from the second communication device within the time window.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first communication device determines that the access has failed based on the indication of the second communication device. In some embodiments, the identification information of the first communication device is used to uniquely identify the first communication device, for example, it may be the ID of the first communication device. If the ID indicated by the second communication device does not match the ID of the first communication device, the first communication device determines that the access has failed. In some embodiments, if the first communication device sends its ID to the second communication device but does not receive a corresponding response, the first communication device determines that the access has failed. In some embodiments, if the time point at which the first communication device sends its ID to the second communication device is t, and the first communication device does not receive a corresponding response from the second communication device within the time window [t+a, t+b], the first communication device determines that the access has failed. In some embodiments, a and b may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device. In some embodiments, a corresponds to the minimum processing time of the second communication device, and b corresponds to the maximum processing time of the second communication device.

[0267] In some embodiments, if there are a large number of transmission failures, it indicates that the information transmission between the first communication device and the second communication device is not stable, and a more stable four-step transmission mechanism may be required for access.

[0268] In some embodiments, if the number of transmission failures is less than or equal to a ninth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the number of transmission failures is greater than the ninth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism.

[0269] In some embodiments, if the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to the tenth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, if the number of transmission failures is less than the tenth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method to be a two-step access mechanism.

[0270] In some embodiments, the ninth threshold and the tenth threshold may be the same or different.

[0271] In some embodiments, the tenth threshold is greater than or equal to the ninth threshold. In some embodiments, when the tenth threshold and the ninth threshold are the same, the first communication device determines the random access method based on the ninth threshold and the tenth threshold. In some embodiments, when the ninth threshold equals the tenth threshold, only one threshold can be configured. If the number of transmission failures is greater than this threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism; conversely, if the number of transmission failures is less than this threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, when the number of transmission failures equals this threshold, the first communication device can determine the random access method as either a four-step access mechanism or a two-step access mechanism.

[0272] In some embodiments, when the ninth threshold and the tenth threshold are different, the first communication device determines the random access method based on either the ninth or tenth threshold. For example, when determining the random access method based on the ninth threshold, if the number of transmission failures is less than or equal to the ninth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the number of transmission failures is greater than the ninth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism. Similarly, when determining the random access method based on the tenth threshold, if the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to the tenth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a four-step access mechanism; otherwise, if the number of transmission failures is less than the tenth threshold, the first communication device determines the random access method as a two-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the threshold used to determine the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0273] In some embodiments, the ninth and tenth thresholds may be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0274] In some embodiments, if the number of transmission failures of the first communication device changes during the random access process, the first communication device may also switch the random access method. For example, if the number of transmission failures is small, the first communication device may continue to use the two-step access mechanism; if the number of transmission failures increases, the first communication device may switch the random access method from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism.

[0275] In some embodiments, if the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to the eleventh threshold, the random access method is determined to switch from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0276] In some embodiments, the eleventh threshold may be predefined or preconfigured, may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0277] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the second communication device sends a Query command to trigger access or inventory. The first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism to send RN16 and the corresponding EPC. Assuming the second communication device does not correctly receive RN16 and EPC, it indicates access failure to the first communication device via QueryRep. Therefore, the first communication device determines that access has failed and needs to re-initiate access. At this time, since the number of transmission failures of the first communication device is greater than or equal to the eleventh threshold, the first communication device switches from the two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism, sends RN16 to the second communication device, and then, after receiving the Response command from the second communication device, sends the EPC to the second communication device.

[0278] Determining the random access method by counting the number of transmission failures of the first communication device, and whether to switch the random access method, can ensure the normal operation of the access process between the first and second communication devices and guarantee communication quality.

[0279] 4. The first communication device indicates the random access method to the second communication device.

[0280] In some embodiments, when the first information is determined by the first communication device, the random access method is indicated by the first communication device to the second communication device.

[0281] In some embodiments, the time-frequency resource indication used when the random access method initiates random access from the first communication device to the second communication device.

[0282] In some embodiments, when the first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism and a four-step access mechanism for access, the time and frequency resources used do not overlap. Therefore, the second communication device can determine the random access method based on the time and frequency resources used by the first communication device for access.

[0283] In some embodiments, when the time-frequency resource is a first time-frequency resource, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the time-frequency resource is a second time-frequency resource, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource do not overlap.

[0284] In some embodiments, the correspondence between the first time-frequency resource, the second time-frequency resource and the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, or may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0285] In some embodiments, when the time-frequency resources belong to a first resource set, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the time-frequency resources belong to a second resource set, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first resource set and the second resource set do not overlap.

[0286] In some embodiments, the correspondence between the first time-frequency resource set, the second time-frequency resource set and the random access method may be predefined or preconfigured, or may be indicated by the second communication device, or may be determined depending on the implementation of the first communication device.

[0287] In some embodiments, since the first communication device is often a tag, its clock frequency is unstable and may have a large SFO (Sampling Frequency Offset). Therefore, the actual time-frequency resources used may deviate significantly from the intended time-frequency resources in both the time and / or frequency domains. To prevent the first communication device from using four-step access resources (resources for the four-step access mechanism) due to clock offset when using a two-step access mechanism, and conversely, to prevent the first communication device from using two-step access resources (resources for the two-step access mechanism) due to clock offset when using a four-step access mechanism, a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band needs to be configured between the two-step access resources (resources for the two-step access mechanism) and the four-step access resources.

[0288] In some embodiments, there is a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band between the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource.

[0289] In some embodiments, there are time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard bands between the first resource set and the second resource set.

[0290] For example, as shown in Figure 16, the two-step and four-step access resources used by the first communication device are mutually orthogonal. For example, they can be FDM (sub-figure 1), TDM (sub-figure 2), or TDM+FDM (sub-figure 3). There is a guard band between the two-step and four-step access resources, which can be a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band.

[0291] In some embodiments, the second communication device determines the random access method used by the first communication device according to the instructions of the first communication device.

[0292] In some embodiments, the method further includes step 1030.

[0293] In step 1030, the first communication device sends second information to the second communication device, the second information indicating the random access method. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the second information.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0295] The preamble signal sent by the first communication device;

[0296] The control information sent by the first communication device.

[0297] Regarding how the second information indicates the random access method, please refer to the content in Scheme 1 of the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0298] In some embodiments, the second communication device determines whether the first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism or a four-step access mechanism based on a preamble signal sent by the first communication device. In some embodiments, during D2R transmission, the first communication device sends a preamble signal before sending the PDRCH; the preamble signal is used at least for clock calibration, or at least for acquiring clock information from the second communication device. In some embodiments, the preamble signal is used at least by the second communication device to acquire the symbol length of the second channel. In some embodiments, the second channel refers to the uplink channel between the first and second communication devices.

[0299] For example, when the preamble signal sent by the first communication device is the fourth preamble signal or belongs to the set of fourth preamble signals, the first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism; when the preamble signal sent by the first communication device is the fifth preamble signal or belongs to the set of fifth preamble signals, the first communication device uses a four-step access mechanism. That is, there is a correspondence between the preamble signal or preamble signal set and the two-step or four-step access mechanism, and this correspondence is configured or pre-configured by the network or predefined by the standard.

[0300] For example, when the preamble signal sent by the first communication device contains a fourth pattern, the first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism. When the preamble signal sent by the first communication device contains a fifth pattern, the first communication device uses a four-step access mechanism. This pattern consists of high and low levels of a specific length. For example, the fourth or fifth pattern may be a series of high levels (e.g., 111111), a series of low levels (e.g., 000000), a series of high-to-low level transitions (e.g., 101010), or a series of low-to-high level transitions (e.g., 010101), where 0 represents a low level and 1 represents a high level. The length of the fourth or fifth pattern is configured or pre-configured by the network or predefined by the standard. In some embodiments, the fourth and fifth patterns are different.

[0301] In some embodiments, the second communication device determines whether the first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism or a four-step access mechanism based on control information sent by the first communication device. In some embodiments, during D2R transmission, the control information is carried in a second channel. In some embodiments, the second channel is an uplink channel between the first and second communication devices. Exemplarily, the second channel is a PDRCH. Exemplarily, the control information can be control information transmitted at the physical layer or control information transmitted at the MAC (Media Access Control) layer.

[0302] For example, when the control information in the PDRCH sent by the first communication device includes a third indication field or the third indication field has a first value, the first communication device uses a two-step access mechanism. When the control information in the PDRCH sent by the first communication device does not include a third indication field or the third indication field has a second value, the first communication device uses a four-step access mechanism. For example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0.

[0303] By using time and frequency resources for access or by instructing the second communication device to use a random access method, the second communication device can determine the random access method used by the first communication device when the first communication device determines the random access method based on its own relevant information. This allows the second communication device to respond accordingly and ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices.

[0304] It should be noted that the thresholds mentioned in the above embodiments, and the relationship between the relevant information and the thresholds, specifically how the first communication device determines the random access method when the energy equals the threshold, can be predefined or preconfigured, indicated by the second communication device, or determined by the implementation of the first communication device. Taking the first threshold as an example, when the remaining energy equals the first threshold, the first communication device can determine the random access method as a two-step access mechanism or a four-step access mechanism. The division of the determination method for the case where the energy equals the threshold in the above embodiments is merely illustrative.

[0305] In the above method embodiments, the technical solution of this application has been described and explained only from the perspective of the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The steps performed by the first communication device described above can be implemented independently as a random access method on the first communication device side, and the steps performed by the second communication device described above can be implemented independently as a random access method on the second communication device side. Furthermore, the embodiments provided herein can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments, all of which are within the protection scope of this application.

[0306] The following are embodiments of the apparatus described in this application, which can be used to execute the embodiments of the method described in this application. For details not disclosed in the apparatus embodiments of this application, please refer to the embodiments of the method described in this application.

[0307] Please refer to Figure 17, which shows a block diagram of a random access device provided in one embodiment of this application. This device has the function of implementing the random access method on the first communication device side described above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device can be the first communication device described above, or it can be disposed within the first communication device. As shown in Figure 17, the device 1700 may include: a processing module 1710.

[0308] The processing module 1710 is used to determine a random access method based on first information, wherein the first information is sent by the second communication device, or the first information is determined by the first communication device.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first information includes a preamble signal sent by the second communication device, the preamble signal being used at least by the first communication device to acquire clock information.

[0310] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the preamble signal is a first preamble signal; and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the preamble signal is a second preamble signal; wherein the first preamble signal and the second preamble signal are different.

[0311] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the preamble signal belongs to a first preamble signal set; and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the preamble signal belongs to a second preamble signal set; wherein the first preamble signal set and the second preamble signal set do not overlap.

[0312] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the preamble signal contains a first pattern, and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the preamble signal contains a second pattern; wherein the first pattern and the second pattern are different.

[0313] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine, when the preamble signal is a third preamble signal, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the preamble signal belongs to a third preamble signal set, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the preamble signal contains a third pattern, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first information includes control information sent by the second communication device.

[0315] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the control information includes a first indication field, and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the control information does not include a first indication field.

[0316] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the first indication field included in the control information is a first value; and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the first indication field included in the control information is a second value; wherein the first value and the second value are different.

[0317] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is further configured to determine, when the control information includes a second indication field, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the second indication field included in the control information is a third value, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the value of the second indication field included in the control information is flipped, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first information includes configuration information sent by the second communication device.

[0319] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the configuration information includes a third indication field, and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the configuration information does not include a third indication field.

[0320] In some embodiments, the processing module 1710 is configured to determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the third indication field included in the configuration information is a first value; and to determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the third indication field included in the configuration information is a second value; wherein the first value and the second value are different.

[0321] In some embodiments, the first information includes the remaining energy of the first communication device; the processing module 1710 is configured to: determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the remaining energy is less than or equal to a first threshold; determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a second threshold; wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are the same or different.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first information includes the remaining energy of the first communication device; the processing module 1710 is configured to: determine, if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a third threshold, switch the random access mode from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or determine, if the remaining energy is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, switch the random access mode from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; wherein the third threshold and the fourth threshold are the same or different.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first information includes the working cycle of the first communication device; the processing module 1710 is configured to: determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the first duration or the proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is less than or equal to a fifth threshold; determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the first duration or the proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is greater than or equal to a sixth threshold; wherein the first communication device performs transmission and / or reception within the first duration, and the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold are the same or different.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first information includes the working cycle of the first communication device; the processing module 1710 is configured to: determine, if the active duration or active duration percentage in the working cycle is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold, switch the random access method from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or determine, if the active duration or active duration percentage in the working cycle is less than or equal to an eighth threshold, switch the random access method from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; wherein the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold are the same or different.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first information includes the number of transmission failures of the first communication device; the processing module 1710 is configured to: determine that the random access method is a two-step access mechanism when the number of transmission failures is less than or equal to a ninth threshold; determine that the random access method is a four-step access mechanism when the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to a tenth threshold; wherein the ninth threshold and the tenth threshold are the same or different.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first information includes the number of transmission failures of the first communication device; the processing module 1710 is configured to determine, if the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to an eleventh threshold, that the random access method is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism. In some embodiments, the number of transmission failures refers to the number of times the first communication device has failed to access the network.

[0327] In some embodiments, when the first information is determined by the first communication device, the random access method is indicated by the first communication device to the second communication device.

[0328] In some embodiments, the random access method uses a time-frequency resource indication when the first communication device initiates random access to the second communication device.

[0329] In some embodiments, when the time-frequency resource is a first time-frequency resource, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the time-frequency resource is a second time-frequency resource, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource do not overlap; or, when the time-frequency resource belongs to a first resource set, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the time-frequency resource belongs to a second resource set, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first resource set and the second resource set do not overlap.

[0330] In some embodiments, there is a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band between the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource; or, there is a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band between the first resource set and the second resource set.

[0331] In some embodiments, the device 1700 further includes a transmitting module (not shown).

[0332] The sending module is used to send second information to the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate the random access method.

[0333] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: a preamble signal sent by the first communication device; control information sent by the first communication device.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first communication device is an A-IoT device, and the second communication device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0335] The technical solution provided in this application provides a method for determining a random access method. A first communication device can determine the random access method based on first information from a second communication device, or it can determine the random access method based on its own determined first information. Then, it accesses the second communication device and communicates with the second communication device through the determined random access method, ensuring the rationality and reliability of A-IoT device access and improving communication quality.

[0336] Please refer to Figure 18, which shows a block diagram of a random access device provided in one embodiment of this application. This device has the function of implementing the random access method on the second communication device side described above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device can be the second communication device described above, or it can be disposed within the second communication device. As shown in Figure 18, the device 1800 may include: a transmitting module 1810 or a processing module 1820.

[0337] The sending module 1810 is used to send first information to the first communication device, the first information being used to indicate the random access method adopted by the first communication device.

[0338] The processing module 1820 is used to determine the random access method adopted by the first communication device based on the indication of the first communication device.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first information includes a preamble signal sent by the second communication device, the preamble signal being used at least by the first communication device to acquire clock information.

[0340] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal is a first preamble signal, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the preamble signal is a second preamble signal, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first preamble signal and the second preamble signal are different.

[0341] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal belongs to a first preamble signal set, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the preamble signal belongs to a second preamble signal set, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first preamble signal set and the second preamble signal set have no intersection.

[0342] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal includes a first pattern, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the preamble signal includes a second pattern, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first pattern and the second pattern are different.

[0343] In some embodiments, when the preamble signal is a third preamble signal, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the preamble signal belongs to a third preamble signal set, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the preamble signal contains a third pattern, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0344] In some embodiments, the first information includes control information sent by the second communication device.

[0345] In some embodiments, when the control information includes a first indication field, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the control information does not include a first indication field, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0346] In some embodiments, when the first indication field included in the control information is a first value, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the first indication field included in the control information is a second value, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first value and the second value are different.

[0347] In some embodiments, when the control information includes a second indication field, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the second indication field included in the control information is a third value, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, when the value of the second indication field included in the control information is flipped, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first information includes configuration information sent by the second communication device.

[0349] In some embodiments, when the configuration information includes a third indicator field, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the configuration information does not include a third indicator field, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism.

[0350] In some embodiments, when the third indication field included in the configuration information is a first value, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the third indication field included in the configuration information is a second value, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first value and the second value are different.

[0351] In some embodiments, the random access method is determined based on the remaining energy of the first communication device; if the remaining energy is less than or equal to a first threshold, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; and / or, if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first threshold and the second threshold are the same or different.

[0352] In some embodiments, the random access method is determined based on the remaining energy of the first communication device; if the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a third threshold, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; and / or, if the remaining energy is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, the random access method switches from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; wherein the third threshold and the fourth threshold are the same or different.

[0353] In some embodiments, the random access method is determined based on the working cycle of the first communication device; if the first duration or the proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is less than or equal to a fifth threshold, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; and / or, if the first duration or the proportion of the first duration in the working cycle is greater than or equal to a sixth threshold, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first communication device performs transmission and / or reception within the first duration, and the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold are the same or different.

[0354] In some embodiments, the random access method is determined based on the working cycle of the first communication device; if the active duration or active duration percentage in the working cycle is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; and / or, if the active duration or active duration percentage in the working cycle is less than or equal to an eighth threshold, the random access method switches from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; wherein the seventh threshold and the eighth threshold are the same or different.

[0355] In some embodiments, the random access method is determined based on the number of transmission failures of the first communication device; if the number of transmission failures is less than or equal to a ninth threshold, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; and / or, if the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to a tenth threshold, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the ninth threshold and the tenth threshold may be the same or different.

[0356] In some embodiments, the random access method is determined based on the number of transmission failures of the first communication device; if the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to the eleventh threshold, the random access method switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

[0357] In some embodiments, the number of transmission failures refers to the number of times the first communication device failed to access the network.

[0358] In some embodiments, the processing module 1820 is configured to determine the random access method adopted by the first communication device based on the time-frequency resources used by the first communication device when initiating random access to the second communication device.

[0359] In some embodiments, when the time-frequency resource is a first time-frequency resource, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the time-frequency resource is a second time-frequency resource, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource do not overlap; or, when the time-frequency resource belongs to a first resource set, the random access method is a two-step access mechanism; when the time-frequency resource belongs to a second resource set, the random access method is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first resource set and the second resource set do not overlap.

[0360] In some embodiments, there is a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band between the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource; or, there is a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band between the first resource set and the second resource set.

[0361] In some embodiments, the processing module 1820 is configured to determine the random access method adopted by the first communication device based on the second information sent by the first communication device.

[0362] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0363] The preamble signal sent by the first communication device;

[0364] The control information sent by the first communication device.

[0365] In some embodiments, the first communication device is an A-IoT device, and the second communication device is a network device or an intermediate node.

[0366] The technical solution provided in this application provides a method for determining a random access method. A first communication device can determine the random access method based on first information from a second communication device, or it can determine the random access method based on its own determined first information. Then, it accesses the second communication device and communicates with the second communication device through the determined random access method, ensuring the rationality and reliability of A-IoT device access and improving communication quality.

[0367] It should be noted that the above embodiments only illustrate the division of the above functional modules when implementing the device. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0368] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated upon here. For details not described in detail in the apparatus embodiments, please refer to the above method embodiments.

[0369] Please refer to Figure 19, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application. This communication device can be either the first or second communication device described above. The communication device 1900 may include at least one of a processor 1901, a transceiver 1902, and a memory 1903. The processor 1901 is used to implement various processing functions of the communication device 1900, such as generating information to be sent, processing received information, controlling transmission and / or reception, etc., such as implementing the functions of the processing module 1710 and / or processing module 1820 described above. The transceiver 1902 is used to implement transmission and / or reception functions, such as implementing the functions of the transmission module 1810 and / or the reception module described above.

[0370] The processor 1901 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1901 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0371] The transceiver 1902 may include a receiver and a transmitter, for example, the receiver and transmitter may be implemented as the same wireless communication component, which may include a wireless communication chip and a radio frequency antenna.

[0372] The memory 1903 can be connected to the processor 1901 and the transceiver 1902.

[0373] The memory 1903 can be used to store a computer program executed by the processor, and the processor 1901 is used to execute the computer program to implement the various steps in the above method embodiments.

[0374] In some embodiments, the communication device 1900 is the first communication device described in the above embodiments, and the processor 1901 is used to determine a random access method based on first information, wherein the first information is sent by the second communication device, or the first information is determined by the first communication device.

[0375] In some embodiments, the communication device 1900 is the second communication device as described in the above embodiment, and the transceiver 1902 is used to send first information to the first communication device, the first information being used to indicate the random access method adopted by the first communication device. Alternatively, the processor 1901 is used to determine the random access method adopted by the first communication device based on the indication from the first communication device.

[0376] For details not described in this embodiment, please refer to the embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0377] Furthermore, the memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, statically accessible memory, read-only memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory.

[0378] This application embodiment also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for execution by a processor to implement the random access method on the first communication device side or the random access method on the second communication device side. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may include ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), SSD (Solid State Drives), or optical disc, etc. The random access memory may include ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory) and DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0379] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it is used to implement the random access method on the first communication device side or the random access method on the second communication device side.

[0380] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the random access method on the first communication device side or the random access method on the second communication device side.

[0381] It should be understood that the term "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0382] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" may indicate that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or that there is an association between two things, or that there is a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0383] In some embodiments of this application, "predefined" can be achieved by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0384] In some embodiments of this application, the term "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as BLE protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, and related protocols applied in future communication systems. This application does not limit the scope of these protocols.

[0385] In this article, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0386] In this article, "greater than or equal to" can mean greater than or equal to, and "less than or equal to" can mean less than or equal to.

[0387] Furthermore, the step numbers described herein are merely illustrative of one possible execution order between steps. In some other embodiments, the steps may not be executed in the order of their numbers, such as two steps with different numbers being executed simultaneously, or two steps with different numbers being executed in the reverse order of the illustration. This application does not limit this.

[0388] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions described in the embodiments of this application in one or more of the above examples can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0389] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A random access method, characterized by, The method is performed by a first communication device, and the method comprises: determining a random access mode based on first information, wherein the first information is sent by a second communication device, or the first information is determined by the first communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises a preamble sent by the second communication device, and the preamble is used at least for the first communication device to obtain clock information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the preamble is a first preamble, determining that the random access mode is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the preamble is a second preamble, determining that the random access mode is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first preamble and the second preamble are different.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the preamble belongs to a first preamble set, determining that the random access mode is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the preamble belongs to a second preamble set, determining that the random access mode is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first preamble set and the second preamble set have no intersection.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the preamble contains a first pattern, determining that the random access mode is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the preamble contains a second pattern, determining that the random access mode is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first pattern and the second pattern are different.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the preamble is a third preamble, determining that the random access mode is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or in a case that the preamble belongs to a third preamble set, determining that the random access mode is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or in a case that the preamble contains a third pattern, determining that the random access mode is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises control information sent by the second communication device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the control information contains a first indication field, determining that the random access mode is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the control information does not contain the first indication field, determining that the random access mode is a four-step access mechanism.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the first indication field contained in the control information is a first value, determining that the random access mode is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the first indication field contained in the control information is a second value, determining that the random access mode is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first value and the second value are different.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, The determining of the random access mode based on the first information comprises: in a case that the control information contains a second indication field, determining that the random access mode is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or In a case where a third indication field included in the configuration information is a third value, it is determined that the random access manner is switched from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism; or In a case where a value of the third indication field included in the configuration information is flipped, it is determined that the random access manner is switched from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes configuration information sent by the second communication device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The determining the random access manner based on the first information comprises: In a case where a third indication field is included in the configuration information, it is determined that the random access manner is the two-step access mechanism; In a case where the third indication field is not included in the configuration information, it is determined that the random access manner is the four-step access mechanism.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The determining the random access manner based on the first information comprises: In a case where a third indication field included in the configuration information is a first value, it is determined that the random access manner is the two-step access mechanism; In a case where the third indication field included in the configuration information is a second value, it is determined that the random access manner is the four-step access mechanism; The first value and the second value are different.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes residual energy of the first communication device. The determining the random access manner based on the first information comprises at least one of: In a case where the residual energy is less than or equal to a first threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is the two-step access mechanism; In a case where the residual energy is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is the four-step access mechanism; The first threshold value and the second threshold value are the same or different.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes residual energy of the first communication device. The determining the random access manner based on the first information comprises at least one of: In a case where the residual energy is greater than or equal to a third threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is switched from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism; In a case where the residual energy is less than or equal to a fourth threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is switched from the four-step access mechanism to the two-step access mechanism; The third threshold value and the fourth threshold value are the same or different.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes an operating cycle of the first communication device. The determining the random access manner based on the first information comprises at least one of: In a case where a first time length or a first time length ratio in the operating cycle is less than or equal to a fifth threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is the two-step access mechanism; In a case where the first time length or the first time length ratio in the operating cycle is greater than or equal to a sixth threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is the four-step access mechanism; The first communication device performs transmission and / or reception in the first time length, and the fifth threshold value and the sixth threshold value are the same or different.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes an operating cycle of the first communication device. The determining the random access manner based on the first information comprises at least one of: In a case where an active time length or an active time length ratio in the operating cycle is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold value, it is determined that the random access manner is switched from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism; In a case where the active duration or the active duration ratio in the working cycle is less than or equal to an eighth threshold, it is determined that the random access mode is switched from the four-step access mechanism to the two-step access mechanism. The seventh threshold and the eighth threshold are the same or different.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes a number of transmission failures of the first communication device. The determination of the random access mode based on the first information includes at least one of the following: In a case where the number of transmission failures is less than or equal to a ninth threshold, it is determined that the random access mode is the two-step access mechanism. In a case where the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to a tenth threshold, it is determined that the random access mode is the four-step access mechanism. The ninth threshold and the tenth threshold are the same or different.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information includes a number of transmission failures of the first communication device. The determination of the random access mode based on the first information includes: In a case where the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to an eleventh threshold, it is determined that the random access mode is switched from the two-step access mechanism to the four-step access mechanism.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The number of transmission failures refers to the number of access failures of the first communication device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1, 14 to 20, characterized in that, In a case where the first information is determined by the first communication device, the random access mode is indicated by the first communication device to the second communication device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The random access mode is used when the first communication device initiates random access to the second communication device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, in a case where the time-frequency resource is a first time-frequency resource, the random access mode is the two-step access mechanism; and in a case where the time-frequency resource is a second time-frequency resource, the random access mode is the four-step access mechanism; wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource do not overlap. Alternatively, in a case where the time-frequency resource belongs to a first resource set, the random access mode is the two-step access mechanism; and in a case where the time-frequency resource belongs to a second resource set, the random access mode is the four-step access mechanism; wherein the first resource set and the second resource set do not overlap.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, a time domain and / or frequency domain guard band exists between the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource. Alternatively, a time domain and / or frequency domain guard band exists between the first resource set and the second resource set.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein, The method further includes: sending second information to the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate the random access mode.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The second information includes at least one of the following: a preamble signal sent by the first communication device; control information sent by the first communication device.

27. The method of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein, The first communication device is an environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and the second communication device is a network device or an intermediate node.

28. A random access method, comprising: The method is performed by a second communication device, and the method includes: sending first information to a first communication device, the first information being used to indicate a random access mode adopted by the first communication device; or based on an indication of the first communication device, determining a random access mode adopted by the first communication device. ​ 29. The method of claim 28, wherein, The first information comprises a preamble signal sent by the second communication device, and the preamble signal is used at least for the first communication device to acquire clock information. 30.The method of claim 29, wherein, in a case that the preamble signal is a first preamble signal, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the preamble signal is a second preamble signal, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first preamble signal and the second preamble signal are different. 31.The method of claim 29, wherein, in a case that the preamble signal belongs to a first preamble signal set, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the preamble signal belongs to a second preamble signal set, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first preamble signal set and the second preamble signal set have no intersection. 32.The method of claim 29, wherein, in a case that the preamble signal comprises a first pattern, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the preamble signal comprises a second pattern, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first pattern and the second pattern are different. 33.The method of claim 29, wherein, in a case that the preamble signal is a third preamble signal, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, in a case that the preamble signal belongs to a third preamble signal set, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, in a case that the preamble signal comprises a third pattern, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein, The first information comprises control information sent by the second communication device. 35.The method of claim 34, wherein, in a case that the control information comprises a first indication field, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the control information does not comprise a first indication field, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism. 36.The method of claim 34, wherein, in a case that a first indication field comprised in the control information is a first value, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case that the first indication field comprised in the control information is a second value, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first value and the second value are different. 37.The method of claim 34, wherein, in a case that the control information comprises a second indication field, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, in a case that a second indication field comprised in the control information is a third value, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; or, in a case that a value of the second indication field comprised in the control information flips, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein, The first information comprises configuration information sent by the second communication device.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein, in a case where the configuration information comprises a third indication field, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case where the configuration information does not comprise the third indication field, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein, in a case where the third indication field comprised in the configuration information is a first value, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; in a case where the third indication field comprised in the configuration information is a second value, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first value and the second value are different.

41. The method of claim 28, wherein, The random access manner is determined based on a remaining energy of the first communication device; in a case where the remaining energy is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; and / or, in a case where the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first threshold value and the second threshold value are the same or different.

42. The method of claim 28, wherein, The random access manner is determined based on a remaining energy of the first communication device; in a case where the remaining energy is greater than or equal to a third threshold value, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; and / or, in a case where the remaining energy is less than or equal to a fourth threshold value, the random access manner switches from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; wherein the third threshold value and the fourth threshold value are the same or different.

43. The method of claim 28, wherein, The random access manner is determined based on an operating cycle of the first communication device; in a case where a first time length or a first time length proportion in the operating cycle is less than or equal to a fifth threshold value, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; and / or, in a case where the first time length or the first time length proportion in the operating cycle is greater than or equal to a sixth threshold value, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first communication device transmits and / or receives in the first time length, and the fifth threshold value and the sixth threshold value are the same or different.

44. The method of claim 28, wherein, The random access manner is determined based on an operating cycle of the first communication device; in a case where an active time length or an active time length proportion in the operating cycle is greater than or equal to a seventh threshold value, the random access manner switches from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism; and / or, in a case where the active time length or the active time length proportion in the operating cycle is less than or equal to an eighth threshold value, the random access manner switches from a four-step access mechanism to a two-step access mechanism; wherein the seventh threshold value and the eighth threshold value are the same or different.

45. The method of claim 28, wherein, The random access manner is determined based on a number of transmission failures of the first communication device; in a case where the number of transmission failures is less than or equal to a ninth threshold value, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; and / or, in a case where the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to a tenth threshold value, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; The ninth threshold value and the tenth threshold value are the same or different.

46. The method of claim 28, wherein, The random access manner is determined based on a number of transmission failures of the first communication device. In a case where the number of transmission failures is greater than or equal to an eleventh threshold value, the random access manner is switched from a two-step access mechanism to a four-step access mechanism.

47. The method of claim 45 or 46, wherein, The number of transmission failures refers to a number of access failures of the first communication device.

48. The method of any one of claims 28, 41-47, wherein, The random access manner adopted by the first communication device is determined based on the indication of the first communication device. The random access manner adopted by the first communication device is determined according to a time-frequency resource used by the first communication device when initiating random access to the second communication device.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein, in a case where the time-frequency resource is a first time-frequency resource, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; and in a case where the time-frequency resource is a second time-frequency resource, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource do not overlap. Alternatively, in a case where the time-frequency resource belongs to a first resource set, the random access manner is a two-step access mechanism; and in a case where the time-frequency resource belongs to a second resource set, the random access manner is a four-step access mechanism; wherein the first resource set and the second resource set do not overlap.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein, a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band exists between the first time-frequency resource and the second time-frequency resource. Alternatively, a time-domain and / or frequency-domain guard band exists between the first resource set and the second resource set.

51. The method of any one of claims 28, 41-47, wherein, The random access manner adopted by the first communication device is determined based on the indication of the first communication device. The random access manner adopted by the first communication device is determined based on second information sent by the first communication device.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein, The second information includes at least one of: a preamble signal sent by the first communication device; and control information sent by the first communication device.

53. The method of any one of claims 28 to 52, wherein, The first communication device is an environmental Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and the second communication device is a network device or an intermediate node.

54. An apparatus for random access, the apparatus comprising: The apparatus includes: a processing module configured to determine a random access manner based on first information, the first information being sent by a second communication device or determined by a first communication device.

55. An apparatus for random access, the apparatus comprising: The apparatus includes: a sending module configured to send first information to a first communication device, the first information being used to indicate a random access manner adopted by the first communication device; or Alternatively, a processing module configured to determine a random access manner adopted by a first communication device based on an indication of the first communication device.

56. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 27 or the method of any one of claims 28 to 53.

57. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The storage medium stores a computer program for being executed by a processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 27, or to implement the method of any one of claims 28 to 53.

58. A chip, comprising: The chip comprises programmable logic circuitry and / or program instructions for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 27, or for implementing the method of any one of claims 28 to 53, when the chip is running.

59. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium, which are read and executed by a processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 27, or to implement the method of any one of claims 28 to 53.

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