Signal sending and reception method, communication apparatus, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a signal sending and reception method, a communication apparatus, a storage medium, and a program product. The signal sending method comprises: sending a first signal, wherein the first signal indicates a time-domain unit value range; and sending a second signal, wherein the second signal triggers a second node to reduce a stored time-domain unit value.

Description

Signal sending and receiving method, communication device, storage medium, and program product

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411083473.2, filed on August 7, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a signal sending and receiving method, a communication device, a storage medium, and a program product. BACKGROUND

[0003] In passive internet of things (Passive IoT), a terminal device can not be configured with a battery, nor can it obtain power from a power grid in a wired manner, but can obtain required energy from the environment to support sensing, computing, and wireless transmission of the passive internet of things device, which has the significant advantages of zero power consumption, low cost, and easy deployment. Therefore, passive internet of things technology can be widely applied in the fields of intelligent warehousing, smart logistics, smart agriculture, industrial wireless sensor networks, intelligent transportation, and intelligent medical care.

[0004] In passive internet of things communication technology, a random access or inventory process of a terminal device can usually adopt a collision avoidance algorithm to avoid collision between signals sent by multiple terminal devices in time, for example, a slot-ALOHA algorithm, a Q-selection algorithm, and the like. SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a signal sending method applied to a first node. The signal sending method comprises:

[0006] sending a first signal, the first signal indicating a range of time domain unit values;

[0007] sending a second signal, the second signal triggering the second node to reduce a stored time domain unit value.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a signal receiving method applied to a second node. The signal receiving method comprises:

[0009] receiving a first signal and randomly selecting a time domain unit value in a range of time domain unit values indicated by the first signal;

[0010] receiving a second signal according to a first interval duration, the second signal triggering the second node to reduce a stored time domain unit value.

[0011] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus applied to a first node. The communication apparatus comprises a sending module, wherein:

[0012] The sending module is configured to send a first signal, the first signal indicating a range of time unit values.

[0013] The sending module is further configured to send a second signal, the second signal triggering the second node to decrease a stored time unit value.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides another communication apparatus applied to a second node. The communication apparatus comprises a receiving module, wherein:

[0015] The receiving module is configured to receive a first signal and randomly select a time unit value in a range of time unit values indicated by the first signal;

[0016] The receiving module is further configured to receive a second signal according to a first interval, the second signal triggering the second node to decrease a stored time unit value.

[0017] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus comprises a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, and the processor is configured to execute the instructions to enable the communication apparatus to implement the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0018] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0019] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product containing computer instructions is provided. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and constitute a part of the specification, and are used together with the embodiments of the present disclosure to explain the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a passive Internet of Things system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a signal receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4A is a flow diagram of another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 4B is a flow diagram of another signal receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram of transmission timing between a first signal and a second signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram of transmission timing between a first signal and a second signal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7A is a flow diagram of another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7B is a flow diagram of another signal receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8A is a flow diagram of another signal sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 8B is a flow diagram of another signal receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] So that those skilled in the art can better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense as "including, but not limited to." As used throughout the description and the claims, the term "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an exemplary embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment or example of the disclosure, but not necessarily all embodiments or examples. The appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0038] The terms "first", "second", and the like, do not denote any quantity or order but are used as labels for distinguishing between different elements. Thus, these terms are used interchangeably and are merely intended to distinguish a certain feature from another feature. In the description of the disclosure, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise specified.

[0039] In the embodiments of the disclosure, the words "exemplary" and "for example" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration, at 99 least. Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "for example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. The illustrative terminology is presented for clarity and explanation only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In the description of the disclosure, the terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, can be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, these terms can be used to describe a certain relationship or connection between two or more elements or components. For example, the term "coupled" can be used to indicate that two elements, components, or modules co-operate with each other, but they can or can not be in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The term "connected" can be used to indicate that two or more elements, components, or modules are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The term "coupled" can also mean that two or more elements, components, or modules are electrically or physically joined, whether directly or indirectly, for example, through one or more intervening elements, components, or modules.

[0040] In addition, the use of "based on" means open and inclusive, as the process, step, calculation, or other action based on one or more recited conditions or values can be based on additional conditions or values beyond those that are recited.

[0041] Currently, in a random access procedure based on a time slot-based ALOHA algorithm, a Q-selection algorithm or other possible anti-collision algorithms based on passive Internet of Things communication technology, a base station can indicate a time slot value range, a terminal device can randomly select a time slot value in the time slot value range, and store the time slot value. Further, the base station can traverse each time slot value by sending a time slot decrement command. The base station sends the time slot decrement command once, which is equivalent to the base station notifying the terminal device to reduce the stored time slot value by 1. When the time slot value stored by the terminal device is reduced to 0, the terminal device sends a response signal to the base station.

[0042] Before the stored time slot value is reduced to 0, the terminal device needs to keep the signal detection state all the time to receive each time slot decrement command. As such, it will cause a large energy consumption of the terminal device. Moreover, the larger the time slot value randomly selected by the terminal device, the longer the detection time and the more energy consumed. For a passive terminal device, continuous energy consumption will also cause the working time of the terminal device to be reduced in the case of no external energy absorption. Therefore, how to reduce the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access procedure is a technical problem to be solved.

[0043] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a signal sending method. A first node can send a signal indicating a time domain unit value range, and send a signal triggering the second node to reduce a stored time domain unit value (i.e., a time slot decrement command). Thus, the terminal device can receive the time slot decrement command based on a certain time interval, without receiving each time slot decrement command, to reduce the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access procedure.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a passive Internet of Things system provided by the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the passive Internet of Things system 100 can include a helper 101, a reader / writer 102, and a terminal device 103.

[0045] The helper 101 is an available environmental radio frequency source, for example, a broadcast television signal transmission tower, a mobile communication system base station, a node (Node) in a network, an intermediate user equipment (Intermediate UE), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point, etc. The present disclosure does not limit the form of the helper 101. In some embodiments, the helper 101 can send radio frequency energy to activate the terminal device 103.

[0046] The reader 102, which can also be referred to as a reader, can also be a base station (BS), a node, or an intermediate user equipment (Intermediate UE) in the network. The reader 102 can transmit a data signal and can also transmit radio frequency energy to activate the terminal device 103, and can be used to receive and analyze data transmitted by the terminal device 103.

[0047] The terminal device 103 can be used to identify and transmit data. For example, the terminal device 103 can be an ambient internet of things (Ambient IoT) device, a radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. When energy is needed, the terminal device 103 can receive a carrier wave for energy harvesting (CW for EH) signal transmitted by the reader 102 to obtain the energy required for receiving and transmitting signals.

[0048] In some embodiments, during the data transmission process of the terminal device 103 to the reader 102, the terminal device 103 can also be referred to as the sending end, and the reader 102 can be referred to as the receiving end.

[0049] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 can also be referred to as a terminal device, such as an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, etc. It can also be a passive internet of things terminal or a passive internet of things device.

[0050] The method provided by the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be an internet of things (IoT), a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT), a long term evolution (LTE), a 5th generation (5G) communication system, a hybrid architecture of LTE and 5G, a 6th generation (6G) communication system, or a new communication system in future communication development, etc. The communication system can also be a machine to machine (M2M) network, a machine type communication (MTC), a passive internet of things based network communication system, etc.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided by the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system 200 can include a first node 201 and a second node 202, and the first node 201 and the second node 202 are communicatively connected.

[0052] The first node 201 can be a network device. The network device can be any device with wireless transceiving function, for example, the network device can be an evolved node B (eNB), a generation node B (gNB), a transmission receive point (TRP), an intermediate user equipment (Intermediate UE), a transmission point (TP), and some other access node or base station. According to the size of the service coverage area provided, the base station can be further divided into a macro base station for providing a macro cell, a micro base station for providing a micro cell, and a femto base station for providing a femto cell. With the continuous evolution of wireless communication technology, future base stations can also be named in other ways.

[0053] The second node 202 can be a terminal device. For example, the second node 202 can be a handheld device (such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, etc.) with wireless communication function, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal in an internet of things (IoT) system, an Ambient IoT device, or a computing device, etc. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in a passive internet of things system.

[0054] It should be noted that FIG. 2 is only an exemplary framework diagram, and the number of devices or nodes included in FIG. 2, and the name of each device are not limited, and in addition to the functional nodes shown in FIG. 2, the communication system can also include other nodes or devices, such as core network devices.

[0055] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0056] Some embodiments provided by the present disclosure will be introduced below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification.

[0057] FIG. 3A shows a signal sending method provided by the present disclosure, applied to a first node, which can include S11-S12.

[0058] S11, sending a first signal, the first signal indicating a range of time domain unit values. The description of S11 can refer to the description of S101 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0059] S12, sending a second signal, the second signal triggering the second node to decrease the stored time domain unit value.

[0060] In some embodiments, the number of second signals can be multiple. In some embodiments, the first node can send M second signals, M being a positive integer.

[0061] In an example, N of the M second signals are periodically sent, N being an integer less than M and greater than 1. The description of this example can refer to the related description of S102 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0062] In another example, N of the M second signals include first information, the first information being used to indicate the number of time domain units. The description of this example can refer to the related description of S302 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0063] In yet another example, N of the M second signals include second information, the second information being used to indicate the time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal. The description of this example can refer to the related description of S502 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0064] Based on the above embodiments, the first node can periodically send the second signal (time domain unit decrement command) or send the second signal carrying the number of time domain units or the time domain unit value to indicate that the second node decreases the stored time domain unit value, so that the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without receiving each second signal, i.e., the terminal device does not need to keep the signal detection state all the time. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be reserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0065] FIG. 3B shows a signal receiving method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to the second node, and the method can include S21-S22.

[0066] S21, receiving a first signal, and randomly selecting a time domain unit value in the range of time domain unit values indicated by the first signal.

[0067] The description of S21 can refer to the description of S201 below, which will not be repeated here.

[0068] S22, receiving a second signal according to a first interval duration, the second signal triggering the second node to decrease the stored time domain unit value.

[0069] In an example, the second node can periodically receive the second signal, and a period can have a duration equal to the first interval duration. The description of this example can refer to the description of S202 below, and thus is not repeated here.

[0070] In another example, the second signal is received according to the first interval duration, and the second signal includes first information, which is used to indicate the number of time domain units. The description of this example can refer to the description of S402 below, and thus is not repeated here.

[0071] In yet another example, the second signal is received according to the first interval duration, and the second signal includes second information, which is used to indicate the value of the time domain unit corresponding to the second signal. The description of this example can refer to the description of S602 below, and thus is not repeated here.

[0072] Based on the above examples, the second node can periodically receive the second signal (time domain unit decrement command) or receive the second signal carrying the number of time domain units and the value of the time domain unit. Further, the stored value of the time domain unit is reduced based on the second signal. In this way, the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without always maintaining the signal detection state. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and further, more power can be reserved and the working time can be prolonged.

[0073] FIG. 4A illustrates another signal sending method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to the first node, and the method can include S101-S102.

[0074] S101, a first signal is sent, and the first signal indicates a time domain unit value range.

[0075] The time domain unit refers to a basic unit or structure for dividing time. The time domain unit can be a slot, a subframe, a slot group, or any other time period used for time management. The durations of different time domain units can be equal, or the durations of different time domain units can also be unequal. For example, a time domain unit can be a time slot in a slot-ALOHA or Q-selection algorithm. In some embodiments, one time domain unit value corresponds to one time domain unit, for example, the time domain unit value can be the index or serial number of the time domain unit.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first signal can also be referred to as an access instruction signal or a paging signal, and includes time domain unit value range indication information. The time domain unit value range indication information can be used to indicate the number of time domain units included in a time domain unit value range, for example, the time domain unit value range indication information indicates a value K, and the corresponding number of time domain unit values S can be 2 K, and the time domain unit value indicated by the first signal ranges from 0 to S-1. The time domain unit value range can also be used by the second node to randomly select a time domain unit value in the range and store it.

[0077] S102, M second signals are sent, and N second signals among the M second signals are sent periodically.

[0078] N is an integer less than M and greater than 1. M is an integer greater than 1. The second signal triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value.

[0079] In some embodiments, the time domain unit value stored by the second node can be a time domain unit value randomly selected by the second node in the time domain unit value range, or can also be a time domain unit value obtained by reducing the stored time domain unit value by the second node based on the last second signal.

[0080] In some embodiments, the start or end of a time domain unit can be determined according to the second signal. For example, one time domain unit value can correspond to one second signal. Each time the first node sends a second signal, the time domain unit value stored by the second node decreases (and in some cases also increases), so that each time the first node sends a second signal, a new time domain unit starts.

[0081] In some implementations, the first node can send the second signal corresponding to the time domain unit in the time domain unit. At this time, the first node can also receive the response signal sent by the second node to the second signal, which can be referred to as a third signal. The third signal can also include the temporary identification (ID) of the second node. For example, the temporary identification can include a random sequence with Y bits, and Y is a positive integer, for example, Y = 16.

[0082] Further, the first node receiving the third signal can also send the second node the confirmation information of the third signal. Then, the first node can also receive the fourth signal sent by the second node, and the fourth signal can include the fixed identification of the second node. The fixed identification can be the permanent ID of the second node, such as an electronic product code, a unique identification code, etc. That is, the four-step access process of the second node is completed within one time domain unit. Therefore, the first node can also send the next second signal to start the related process of the next time domain unit.

[0083] In some implementations, the first node can transmit the second signal corresponding to the time domain unit in the time domain unit. The first node can further receive a response signal, i.e., a third signal, to the second signal transmitted by the second node. The third signal can include a fixed identity of the second node, which can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node. That is, the two-step access procedure of the second node is completed in one time domain unit. The first node can further transmit a next second signal to start the related procedure in a next time domain unit.

[0084] In some implementations, the first node can transmit the second signal corresponding to the time domain unit in the time domain unit. At this time, the first node can not detect the third signal, e.g., there is no second node transmitting a signal to the first node in the time domain unit, or the second node fails to correctly decode the second signal, etc. At this time, the first node can directly transmit a next second signal to start the related procedure in a next time domain unit.

[0085] In some embodiments, a time interval between the transmission start time of each adjacent two of the N second signals in the M second signals is equal to the duration of one period.

[0086] For example, the N second signals in the M second signals are periodically transmitted based on a first period. The first period can be understood as an absolute duration, e.g., x milliseconds. After transmitting one first signal, the first period can include a fixed number of time domain units, and the durations of different time domain units can be unequal.

[0087] In one example, the duration of one period can be a predefined duration.

[0088] In some embodiments, the duration of one period can be indicated based on the first indication information. For example, the first indication information can indicate a duration index, which corresponds to a duration. In some examples, the first indication information can be carried in the above-mentioned first signal or second signal, i.e., can be transmitted to other nodes through the first signal or second signal.

[0089] In another example, the duration of one period can be determined based on the number of period time domain unit values and the time domain unit duration corresponding to the time domain unit value. For example, the duration of one period can be equal to the product of the number of period time domain unit values and the time domain unit duration corresponding to the time domain unit value.

[0090] The number of time-domain unit values in a period is the number of time-domain units included in a period. The number of time-domain unit values in a period can be predefined or indicated by the number of time-domain unit value indication information. The time-domain unit duration corresponding to the time-domain unit value can be predefined or indicated by the time-domain unit duration indication information. In some examples, the number of time-domain unit value indication information or the time-domain unit duration indication information can be carried in the first signal or the second signal, i.e., the number of time-domain unit value indication information or the time-domain unit duration indication information can be transmitted to other nodes by the first signal or the second signal.

[0091] In another example, the duration of a period can be determined according to the second node device type. For example, a second node device type can correspond to a period duration or a set of period durations. Thus, the period duration used when periodically transmitting can be determined based on the second node device type.

[0092] The second node device type includes at least one of the following device types: a device type with small energy storage and using backscatter signal transmission; a device type with relatively large energy storage, having a reflection amplifier, and using backscatter signal transmission; a device type with relatively large energy storage and capable of autonomously generating signals; and the like.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first node can also transmit period indication information, which is used to indicate the period of the detection window of the second node, and the detection window is used to receive the second signal. In some examples, the period indication information can be carried in the first signal or the second signal, i.e., the period indication information can be transmitted to other nodes by the first signal or the second signal.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first node can transmit P first signals in a period, P being a positive integer. A period includes P time-domain units, corresponding to P time-domain unit values, i.e., P is the number of time-domain units in a period.

[0095] The value of the number of time-domain units P in a period can be predefined or indicated by the time-domain unit number indication information. In some examples, the time-domain unit number indication information can be carried in the first signal or the second signal, i.e., the time-domain unit number indication information can be transmitted to other nodes by the first signal or the second signal.

[0096] In some embodiments, the value of the number of time-domain units P included in a period can be determined according to the second node device type. For example, a second node device type corresponds to a number of time-domain units or a set of numbers of time-domain units, and the first node can determine the P value corresponding to the device type based on the second node device type.

[0097] In some embodiments, the N second signals are the second signal with the sequence number nP in the M second signals, where n is a value in {1, 2, 3, …, N}, P is the number of time domain units in a period, and N is a value in

[0098] In some embodiments, the transmission start time of one second signal in the N second signals is determined based on the transmission start time of the first signal and the time length of a period. For example, the transmission start time of one second signal in the N second signals can be a + cT, where a is the transmission start time of the first signal, T is the time length of a period, and c is a value in {1, 2, 3, …, N}.

[0099] Alternatively, the transmission start time of one second signal is determined based on the transmission start time of the first signal, the time length of a period, and a preset time length. For example, the transmission start time of one second signal in the N second signals can be a + cT + d, where a is the transmission start time of the first signal, T is the time length of a period, c is a value in {1, 2, 3, …, N}, and d is equal to the preset time length.

[0100] In some embodiments, the interval length between the first signal and the first second signal in the N second signals is equal to the time length of a period.

[0101] For example, in the case that the N second signals in the M second signals are periodically transmitted based on a first period, the time interval between the transmission start time of the first signal and the transmission start time of the first second signal in the N second signals is equal to the first period. That is, the time interval between the transmission start time of the first signal and the transmission start time of the second signal with the sequence number P in the M second signals is equal to the first period.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows the transmission timing between a first signal and a second signal. The second signals with the sequence numbers P, 2P, 3P, …, etc. are transmitted based on a first period, each first period contains P time domain units, and the first signal corresponds to one time domain unit. Starting from the second signal with the sequence number P, the first node transmits P second signals in each first period.

[0103] In some embodiments, in the N second signals, each second signal triggers the second node to subtract P from the stored time domain unit value, where P is the number of time domain units in a period.

[0104] In addition, in the second signals other than the N second signals in the M second signals, each second signal triggers the second node to subtract 1 from the stored time domain unit value.

[0105] In some embodiments, the second node can decrease the stored time domain unit value by one each time the second signal is received, until the stored time domain unit value is 0. When the stored time domain unit value is decreased to 0, the second node sends a third signal, which is a response signal to the second signal. The third signal can include a temporary identifier or a fixed identifier of the second node, wherein the temporary identifier can include a random sequence with Y bits, Y being a positive integer, for example, Y = 16. The fixed identifier can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node.

[0106] In some embodiments, the third signal further includes power level indication information. The power level indication information indicates at least one of the following second node information: remaining power level, remaining working time length, and sleep time length.

[0107] In some embodiments, after sending the M second signals, the first node can further send a next first signal. The description of sending the next first signal can refer to the above description of sending the first signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0108] For example, the interval time length between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last second signal in the N second signals is equal to the time length of one period. As shown in FIG. 6, the second signals with serial numbers P, 2P, 3P, …, and the like are sent based on a first period, and after sending the second signal with serial number M, a next first signal can be further sent. Moreover, the interval time length between the next first signal and the second signal with serial number N*P is equal to the first period.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal provided in the present disclosure are frame structure signals, each frame structure signal including a preamble sequence and data information carried thereby, wherein the preamble sequence can be used for timing synchronization of the signal. In some embodiments, each frame structure signal further includes an end symbol, which can be used to determine the end of signal transmission.

[0110] Based on the above embodiments, the first node can periodically send the second signal (time domain unit decrease command) to instruct the second node to decrease the stored time domain unit value, so that the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without receiving each second signal, i.e., the terminal device does not need to keep the signal detection state all the time. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be preserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0111] FIG. 4B shows another signal receiving method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to the second node, and can include S201-S202.

[0112] S201, receiving a first signal and randomly selecting a time domain unit value in a time domain unit value range indicated by the first signal.

[0113] A time domain unit refers to a basic unit or structure for dividing time. The time domain unit can be a slot, a subframe, a slot group, or any other time period for time management. The lengths of different time domain units can be equal or unequal. For example, a time domain unit can be a time slot in a slot-ALOHA or Q-selection algorithm. In some embodiments, one time domain unit value corresponds to one time domain unit. For example, the time domain unit value can be the index or serial number of the time domain unit.

[0114] In some embodiments, the start or end of a time domain unit can be determined according to a second signal. For example, one time domain unit value can correspond to one second signal. Each time the first node transmits a second signal, the time domain unit value stored by the second node decreases (and in some cases, increases), so that each time the first node transmits a second signal, a new time domain unit starts.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first signal can also be referred to as an access instruction signal or a paging signal, and includes time domain unit value range indication information. The time domain unit value range indication information can be used to indicate the number of time domain units included in a time domain unit value range, for example, the time domain unit value range indication information indicates a value K, and the corresponding number of time domain unit values S can be 2 K , and the time domain unit value range indicated by the first signal is 0 to S-1.

[0116] In some embodiments, after the second node receives the first signal, it can randomly select a time domain unit value in the time domain unit value range indicated by the first signal and store it.

[0117] S202, periodically receiving a second signal, and the length of one period is equal to the length of the first interval.

[0118] The second signal triggers the second node to decrease the stored time domain unit value. The length of the first interval can be understood as an absolute length, for example, x milliseconds. After receiving a first signal, the first period can include a fixed number of time domain units, and the lengths of different time domain units can be unequal.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second node can first determine the length of the first interval. For example, the length of the first interval can be equal to the length of a period adopted by the periodically transmitted N second signals, for example, the length of the first interval is equal to the length of the first period.

[0120] In an example, the first interval duration can be a predefined duration. In some embodiments, the first interval duration can be indicated based on the first indication information. For example, the first indication information can indicate a duration index, which corresponds to a duration. In some examples, the first indication information can be carried in the first signal or the second signal, i.e., the second node can determine the first indication information according to the received first signal or second signal, and then determine the first interval duration indicated by the first indication information.

[0121] In another example, the first interval duration can be determined based on a periodic time domain unit value number and a time domain unit duration corresponding to a time domain unit value. For example, the first interval duration can be equal to the product of the periodic time domain unit value number and the time domain unit duration corresponding to the time domain unit value.

[0122] The periodic time domain unit value number can be predefined, or can be indicated by a periodic time domain unit value number indication information. The time domain unit duration corresponding to the time domain unit value can be predefined, or can be indicated by a time domain unit duration indication information. In some examples, the periodic time domain unit value number indication information or the time domain unit duration indication information can be carried in the first signal or the second signal, i.e., the second node can determine the periodic time domain unit value number indication information or the time domain unit duration indication information according to the received first signal or second signal, and then determine the first interval duration according to the periodic time domain unit value number indication information and the time domain unit duration indication information.

[0123] In yet another example, the first interval duration can be determined according to a second node device type. For example, a second node device type can correspond to a periodic duration or a set of periodic durations. Thus, the periodic duration used for periodic reception can be determined based on the second node device type.

[0124] The second node device type can include at least one of the following device types: a device type with small energy storage and using backscatter signal transmission; a device type with relatively large energy storage, a reflection amplifier, and using backscatter signal transmission; a device type with relatively large energy storage and capable of autonomously generating signals; and the like.

[0125] In some embodiments, the second node can further receive periodic indication information from the first node, and start the period of the detection window according to the periodic indication information, where the period is the first interval duration, and the detection window is used to receive the second signal. In some examples, the periodic indication information can be carried in the first signal or the second signal, i.e., the second node can determine the periodic indication information according to the received first signal or second signal, and then start the period of the detection window according to the periodic indication information.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first interval duration contains a predefined number of time domain units. In some embodiments, the first interval duration contains a number of time domain units indicated by first time domain unit number indication information, which is transmitted in the first signal, for example. In some embodiments, the first interval duration can contain a number of time domain units determined according to the type of the second node device. For example, one type of second node device corresponds to one number of time domain units or a group of numbers of time domain units.

[0127] In some embodiments, the periodic reception of the second signal by the second node can be implemented as follows: the second node can determine the period of the detection window according to the first interval duration, and the detection window is used to receive the second signal.

[0128] The duration of one period (i.e., the first interval duration) is equal to the sum of the duration of one detection window and the duration of one sleep window. During the detection window, the second node can detect signals, and during the light sleep period, the second node maintains the running of the clock and the memory without the need to detect and transmit signals, thereby saving energy and preserving power. The second node can also receive radio frequency carriers for charging.

[0129] For example, the second node can start the detection window once every first interval duration, and the time interval between the start times of two adjacent detection windows is equal to the first interval duration.

[0130] In some embodiments, the periodic reception of the second signal by the second node can be implemented as follows: the second node receives the second signal at a start time t+nT, where t is the first start time, t is earlier than or equal to the transmission start time of the first signal, T is the first interval duration, and n={1, 2, 3, …}. It can also be understood that the start time of the detection window of the second node is t+nT.

[0131] In some embodiments, the detection window satisfies any of the following conditions: the duration of the detection window is a preset duration; the duration of the detection window is determined based on periodic indication information from the second node; and the detection window is closed in the case that the second signal is received in the detection window.

[0132] The duration of the detection window can be greater than the duration of one second signal or one first signal. The periodic indication information can also be referred to as detection window length indication information.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second node can close the detection window in the case that the detection window is opened, the second node receives the second signal in the detection window, and the time domain unit value obtained by reducing the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the number of time domain units in a period. That is, the second node receives a second signal in a detection window, reduces the stored time domain unit value, and closes the detection window in the case that the result of the reduction is greater than or equal to the number of time domain units contained in a first period.

[0134] In some embodiments, the transmission start time of a second signal is determined based on the transmission start time of the first signal and the duration of a period. Alternatively, the transmission start time of a second signal is determined based on the transmission start time of the first signal, the duration of a period, and a preset duration.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second node can reduce the stored time domain unit value each time a second signal is received until the stored time domain unit value is 0. In the case that the stored time domain unit value is reduced to 0, the second node can send a third signal, which is a response signal to the second signal. The third signal can include a temporary identifier or a fixed identifier of the second node, wherein the temporary identifier can include a random sequence with Y bits, Y being a positive integer, for example, Y = 16. The fixed identifier can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node.

[0136] In some embodiments, the third signal further contains power level indication information. The power level indication information indicates at least one of the following second node information: remaining power, remaining working duration, and sleep duration.

[0137] In some embodiments, in the case that the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the number of time domain units in a period, a second signal is received periodically with the first interval duration as the period. After receiving a second signal according to the first interval duration, the second node can reduce the stored time domain unit value by P, P being the number of time domain units in a period (i.e., the first interval duration).

[0138] In some embodiments, the second node receives a second signal based on the first interval duration T in the case that the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the number P of time domain units contained in a period (first interval duration). That is, a second signal is received every T time, and the stored time domain unit value is reduced by P each time a second signal is received. The start time of the signal reception is t + nT, wherein t is the first start time, t is earlier than or equal to the transmission start time of the access instruction signal, T is the first interval duration, and n = {1, 2, 3, …}. The second node can close the signal detection after a predefined detection window duration or close the signal detection after detecting a second signal, thereby saving power consumption.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second node successively detects (receives) the second signals sent by the first node in the case that the stored time domain unit value is less than the number of time domain units contained in one period (the first interval duration), and the stored time domain unit value is reduced by 1 each time a second signal is received. At this time, the stored time domain unit value of the second node is h, h is less than P, and the stored time domain unit value is not enough to be reduced by P, so the second node cannot detect the second signal based on the first interval duration, and the second node needs to detect each second signal sent by the first node, and the stored time domain unit value is reduced by 1 each time a second signal is received. When the stored time domain unit value is reduced to 0, the third signal is sent.

[0140] In some embodiments, after receiving N second signals based on the first interval duration, the second node can also receive a new (next) first signal based on the first interval duration in the case that the stored time slot value of the second node is greater than or equal to P. The description of receiving the new first signal can refer to the description of receiving the first signal above, which will not be repeated here.

[0141] Based on the above embodiments, the second node can periodically receive the second signal, and then reduce the stored time domain unit value based on the second signal. In this way, the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without always keeping the signal detection state. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be preserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0142] FIG. 7A shows another signal sending method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to the first node, and the method can include S301-S302.

[0143] S301, a first signal is sent, and the first signal indicates a time domain unit value range.

[0144] The description of S301 can refer to the description of S101 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0145] S302, M second signals are sent, and N second signals of the M second signals include first information, and the first information is used to indicate the number of time domain units.

[0146] N is an integer less than M and greater than 1. M is an integer greater than 1. The second signal triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value.

[0147] In some embodiments, the stored time domain unit value of the second node can be a time domain unit value randomly selected by the second node within the time domain unit value range, or can also be a time domain unit value obtained by the second node by reducing the stored time domain unit value based on the last second signal.

[0148] In some embodiments, the start or end of a time domain unit can be determined according to the second signals. For example, one time domain unit value can correspond to one second signal. The first node transmits one second signal, and the time domain unit value stored by the second node is decremented (and in some cases, incremented), so that each time the first node transmits a second signal, a new time domain unit starts.

[0149] In some implementations, the first node can transmit a second signal corresponding to a time domain unit in the time domain unit. At this time, the first node can also receive a response signal sent by the second node to the second signal, which can be referred to as a third signal. The third signal can also include a temporary identification (ID) of the second node. For example, the temporary identification can include a random sequence with Y bits, where Y is a positive integer, for example, Y = 16.

[0150] Further, the first node receiving the third signal can also send the second node an acknowledgement of the third signal. Then, the first node can also receive a fourth signal sent by the second node, and the fourth signal can include a fixed identification of the second node. The fixed identification can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node. That is, the four-step access process of the second node is completed within one time domain unit. Thus, the first node can also send the next second signal to start the related process of the next time domain unit.

[0151] In some implementations, the first node can transmit a second signal corresponding to a time domain unit in the time domain unit. The first node can also receive a response signal sent by the second node to the second signal, i.e., a third signal. The third signal can include a fixed identification of the second node, where the fixed identification can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node. That is, the two-step access process of the second node is completed within one time domain unit. Thus, the first node can also send the next second signal to start the related process of the next time domain unit.

[0152] In some implementations, the first node can transmit a second signal corresponding to a time domain unit in the time domain unit. At this time, the first node can not detect a third signal, for example, there is no second node sending a signal to the first node within the time domain unit, or the second node fails to correctly decode the second signal. At this time, the first node can directly send the next second signal to start the related process of the next time domain unit.

[0153] In some embodiments, among the above-mentioned M second signals, N second signals contain first information, and the N second signals are sent at intervals among the M second signals.

[0154] The first information indicates a quantity of time domain units equal to a difference between a sequence number of the second signal in which the first information is located and a sequence number of a previous second signal containing the first information. For example, the first information can indicate a first quantity of time domain units, which is a difference between sequence numbers of two second signals that are most recently transmitted in N second signals, i.e., the first information can indicate a quantity of time domain units experienced between two second signals that are most recently transmitted in N second signals. In some embodiments, a first first information in N first information indicates a quantity of time domain units equal to a sequence number of a first second signal in N second signals. That is, in a case where the second node only receives one second signal containing the first information, the first information is equal to the sequence number of the second signal in which the first information is located.

[0155] In some embodiments, each of the N second signals contains one first information, i.e., N second signals contain N first information.

[0156] The n-th first information indicates a quantity of time domain units equal to I n -I n-1 I n is a sequence number of the second signal in which the n-th first information is located. In a case where 2≤n≤N, I n-1 is a sequence number of the second signal in which the (n-1)-th first information is located. In a case where n is equal to 1, I n-1 is equal to 0, i.e., the first first information indicates a quantity of time domain units equal to I1, and the n-th first information indicates a quantity of time domain units equal to I n -I n-1 , 2≤n≤N.

[0157] It should be noted that the sequence numbers of the M second signals are 1 to M in the order of transmission. Each second signal corresponds to a time domain unit value, and therefore I1may be a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal in which the first first information is located, I n is a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal in which the n-th first information is located, I n-1 is a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal in which the (n-1)-th first information is located, 2≤n≤N. Therefore, the quantity of time domain units indicated by one first information represents a quantity of time domain units experienced between a previous first information and the one first information, or a quantity of second signals transmitted by the first node between the previous first information and the one first information.

[0158] In some embodiments, each of the N second signals triggers the second node to subtract Q from the stored time domain unit value, Q being the quantity of time domain units indicated by the first information.

[0159] In addition, in the other second signals of the M second signals except for the N second signals, each second signal triggers the second node to decrease the stored time domain unit value by 1.

[0160] In some implementations, the N second signals of the M second signals can also be periodically transmitted, and the N second signals comprise the first information.

[0161] The description about the periodic transmission of the N second signals can refer to the related description in S102 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0162] In some implementations, the N second signals of the M second signals are non-periodically transmitted. That is, the time interval between every two adjacent second signals in the N second signals is variable.

[0163] In some embodiments, the time interval between one second signal and the next second signal in the N second signals is within a preset interval time range.

[0164] That is, the time interval between two adjacent second signals in the N second signals is within a preset interval time range. The time interval between two adjacent second signals can be any one of a time interval between transmission start times of two adjacent second signals, a time interval between transmission end times of two adjacent second signals, or a time interval between an end time of a first second signal and a start time of a second second signal.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first node can transmit first delay indication information. The first delay indication information is used to indicate a first interval time, and the first interval time is used to determine an opening time of a next detection window of the second node, and the detection window is used to receive the second signal. For example, the first interval time is equal to the time interval between two adjacent second signals in the N second signals. In some examples, the first delay indication information can be transmitted in the first signal or the second signal.

[0166] In some embodiments, after transmitting the M second signals, the first node can further transmit a next first signal. The description about transmitting the next first signal can refer to the related description about transmitting the first signal described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0167] In an example, in the case that the N second signals of the M second signals are also periodically transmitted, the time interval between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last second signal in the N second signals can be equal to the time interval of one period.

[0168] In another example, when N second signals in the M second signals are transmitted non-periodically, the time interval between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last second signal in the N second signals can be equal to the first interval time.

[0169] In yet another example, the time interval between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last second signal in the N second signals can be indicated by the first time delay indication information. For example, the first time delay indication information is transmitted in the access instruction signal or the second signal.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first node can further transmit detection time indication information. The detection time indication information indicates the time when the second node next receives a signal (e.g., receives the first signal or the second signal). The detection time indication information can be transmitted in the first signal and / or the second signal.

[0171] For example, the detection time indication information indicates a time interval D, and the second node starts to receive a signal after the signal in which the detection time indication information is located, with a time delay not greater than (less than or equal to) the time interval D. In some embodiments, the detection time indication information indicates the time when the second node next receives a signal, which can also be understood as the detection time indication information indicating the time when the second node next opens a detection window.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal are all frame structure signals, and one frame structure signal includes a preamble sequence and carried data information, and the preamble sequence can be used for timing synchronization of the signal. In some embodiments, one frame structure signal further includes an end symbol, and the end symbol can be used to determine the end of signal transmission.

[0173] Based on the above embodiments, the first node can transmit a second signal carrying the number of time domain units to indicate that the second node reduces the stored time domain unit value, so that the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without receiving each second signal, i.e., the terminal device does not need to always keep the signal detection state. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be reserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0174] FIG. 7B shows another signal receiving method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to the second node, and the method can include S401-S402.

[0175] S401, receiving a first signal, and randomly selecting a time domain unit value in the time domain unit value range indicated by the first signal.

[0176] The description of S401 can refer to the description of S201 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0177] S402, receiving the second signal according to the first interval duration, the second signal comprising the first information.

[0178] The first information is used to indicate the number of time domain units, and the second signal triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value.

[0179] The number of time domain units indicated by the first information is equal to the difference between the serial number of the second signal where the first information is located and the serial number of the previous second signal containing the first information. For example, the first information can indicate the number of time domain units, which is the difference between the serial numbers of the two most recently received second signals, that is, the first information can indicate the number of time domain units experienced between the two most recently received second signals. In some embodiments, in the case where the second node only receives one second signal containing the first information, the number of time domain units indicated by the first information is equal to the serial number of the second signal where the first information is located.

[0180] For example, after the first signal, the first information received by the second node indicates the number of time domain units equal to I1, the nth information indicates the number of time domain units equal to In. n -I n-1 where I1 is the serial number of the second signal where the first information received by the second node is located, In is the serial number of the second signal where the nth information received by the second node is located, In-1 is the serial number of the second signal where the (n-1)th information received by the second node is located, and n is greater than or equal to 2. n n-1 where I1 is the serial number of the second signal where the first information received by the second node is located, In is the serial number of the second signal where the nth information received by the second node is located, In-1 is the serial number of the second signal where the (n-1)th information received by the second node is located, and n is greater than or equal to 2.

[0181] For example, the process of receiving the second signal according to the first interval duration has at least the following implementation manners:

[0182] Implementation manner 1: the second node periodically receives the second signal, and the second signal comprises the first information. For example, the second node can periodically receive the second signal containing the first information with a period of the first interval duration.

[0183] In some embodiments, in the case where the stored time domain unit value of the second node is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the second signal containing the first information is periodically received based on the first interval duration.

[0184] In the case where the stored time domain interval value of the second node is less than the first threshold value, the second signals sent by the first node are sequentially detected (or received) one by one. Each time a second signal is received, the stored time domain unit value is reduced by 1.

[0185] The description of periodically receiving the second signal with the first interval duration can refer to the related description in S202 described above, which will not be repeated here. ​

[0186] In a case where the time domain unit value stored at the second node is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the second signal containing the first information is received according to a first interval duration.

[0187] Alternatively, in a case where the time domain unit value stored at the second node is less than the first threshold value, the second signal sent by the first node is detected (received) one by one in sequence.

[0188] The first threshold value can be a predefined value. In some embodiments, the first threshold value can be indicated based on first threshold value indication information, which is transmitted in the first signal or the second signal, for example. In some embodiments, the first information can take a value in a set of time domain unit quantities, and the first threshold value can be the maximum value in the set of time domain unit quantities.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first interval duration is any interval duration in a preset interval duration range. In some embodiments, the first interval duration is the minimum value in the preset interval duration range.

[0190] The first interval duration can be indicated by first time delay indication information, for example. The first time delay indication information is transmitted in the access instruction signal or the second signal, for example.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second node can receive the first time delay indication information sent by the first node.

[0192] In some embodiments, a detection window can be opened according to the first interval duration. The detection window is used to receive the second signal.

[0193] The first interval duration is equal to the sum of the duration of one detection window and the duration of one sleep window. During the detection window time, the second node can detect signals, and during the sleep window time, the second node maintains the running of the clock and the memory without the need to detect and send signals, thereby saving energy and reserving power. The second node can also receive a radio frequency carrier for charging.

[0194] In some embodiments, the opening time of the detection window is determined based on the first interval duration and the transmission time of the previous second signal containing the first information.

[0195] In some embodiments, the detection window satisfies any of the following: the duration of the detection window is a preset duration; the duration of the detection window is determined based on detection window length indication information from the second node; and in a case where the second signal is received in the detection window, the detection window is closed.

[0196] The detection window duration can be greater than the duration of one second signal or one first signal.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second node closes the detection window in the case that the detection window is open, a second signal is received in the detection window, the second signal comprises the first information, and the time domain unit value obtained by reducing the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the first threshold. That is, the second node receives a second signal in a detection window, and reduces the stored time domain unit value. In the case that the result of the reduction is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the second node closes the detection window.

[0198] In some embodiments, in the case that the stored time domain unit value of the second node is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the second node receives a second signal containing the first information based on the first interval duration, and reduces the stored time domain unit value. In the case that the result of the reduction is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the second node receives the next second signal containing the first information starting from the time b+R. Alternatively, the second node receives a first signal, determines a time domain unit value based on the first signal and stores it, and in the case that the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, receives the next first signal or second signal containing the time domain unit quantity indication information starting from the time b+R.

[0199] b is a second starting time, b is earlier than or equal to the transmission time of the access instruction signal, or b is earlier than or equal to the transmission time of the latest received first signal or second signal containing the time domain unit quantity indication information, and R is the first interval duration. That is, the starting time of the next detection window of the second node is b+R. The transmission time of the first signal can be the starting time or the ending time of the first signal, and the transmission time of the second signal can be the starting time or the ending time of the first signal or the second signal.

[0200] In some embodiments, the second node can reduce the stored time domain unit value each time a second signal is received, until the stored time domain unit value is 0. In the case that the stored time domain unit value is reduced to 0, the second node can send a third signal to the first node, the third signal being a response signal to the second signal. The third signal can comprise a temporary identifier or a fixed identifier of the second node, wherein the temporary identifier can comprise a random sequence with Y bits, Y being a positive integer, for example Y=16. The fixed identifier can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node.

[0201] In some embodiments, the third signal further contains power indication information. The power indication information indicates at least one of the following second node information: remaining power, remaining working duration, and sleep duration.

[0202] In some embodiments, when the time domain unit value stored at the second node is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the second node receives a second signal containing first information based on the first interval duration. After receiving one second signal according to the first interval duration, the second node can decrease the stored time domain unit value by Q, where Q is the number of time domain units indicated by the first information.

[0203] In some embodiments, when the time domain unit value stored at the second node is less than the first threshold, the second node successively detects the second signals sent by the first node one by one, and each time a second signal is received, the stored time domain unit value is decreased by 1.

[0204] In some embodiments, after receiving N second signals based on the first interval duration, when the time domain unit value stored at the second node is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a new (next) first signal can also be received based on the first interval duration. The description of receiving a new first signal can refer to the above description of receiving a first signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0205] Based on the above embodiments, the second node can only receive a second signal carrying the number of time domain units, and then decrease the stored time domain unit value based on the second signal. In this way, the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without always maintaining a signal detection state. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be preserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0206] FIG. 8A illustrates another signal sending method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to a first node, and the method can include S501-S502.

[0207] S501, a first signal is sent, and the first signal indicates a time domain unit value range.

[0208] The description of S501 can refer to the description of S101 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0209] S502, M second signals are sent, N of the M second signals include second information, and the second information is used to indicate the time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal.

[0210] N is an integer less than M and greater than 1. The second signal triggers the second node to decrease the stored time domain unit value.

[0211] In some embodiments, the time domain unit value stored at the second node can be a time domain unit value randomly selected by the second node within the time domain unit value range, or can also be a time domain unit value obtained by the second node by decreasing the stored time domain unit value based on the last second signal.

[0212] In some embodiments, the start or end of a time domain unit can be determined according to the second signals. For example, a time domain unit value can correspond to a second signal. The second node can decrease (and in some cases, increase) the time domain unit value stored by the second node each time the first node transmits a second signal. Thus, each time the first node transmits a second signal, a new time domain unit starts.

[0213] In some implementations, the first node can transmit a second signal corresponding to a time domain unit in the time domain unit. In this case, the first node can also receive a response signal from the second node to the second signal, which can be referred to as a third signal. The third signal can also include a temporary identification (ID) of the second node. For example, the temporary ID can include a random sequence with Y bits, where Y is a positive integer, such as Y = 16.

[0214] Further, the first node receiving the third signal can also transmit an acknowledgement of the third signal to the second node. Subsequently, the first node can also receive a fourth signal from the second node, which can include a fixed ID of the second node. The fixed ID can be a permanent ID of the second node, such as an electronic product code, a unique identification code, etc. Thus, the four-step access procedure of the second node can be completed in a time domain unit. The first node can then transmit a next second signal to start a related procedure in a next time domain unit.

[0215] In some implementations, the first node can transmit a second signal corresponding to a time domain unit in the time domain unit. The first node can also receive a response signal from the second node to the second signal, which can be referred to as a third signal. The third signal can include a fixed ID of the second node, which can be a permanent ID of the second node, such as an electronic product code, a unique identification code, etc. Thus, the two-step access procedure of the second node can be completed in a time domain unit. The first node can then transmit a next second signal to start a related procedure in a next time domain unit.

[0216] In some implementations, the first node can transmit a second signal corresponding to a time domain unit in the time domain unit. In this case, the first node can not detect a third signal, such as no signal from the second node to the first node in the time domain unit, or the second node fails to correctly decode the second signal, etc. In this case, the first node can directly transmit a next second signal to start a related procedure in a next time domain unit.

[0217] In some embodiments, among the M second signals, N second signals contain the second information, and the N second signals are transmitted at intervals among the M second signals. A second signal contains second information indicating a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal, and the time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal is equal to the serial number of the second signal.

[0218] For example, in the order of transmission of the second signals, the time domain unit values corresponding to the M second signals are 1 to M in sequence, and the serial numbers of the M second signals are 1 to M in sequence.

[0219] It should be noted that during the transmission of the M second signals, the first node transmits the second information once every J second signals, indicating the time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal carrying the second information. J is a variable value, and J is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Thus, the second node can receive the second signal carrying the time domain unit index indication information, and after receiving one second signal carrying the second information, the second node can determine the current time domain unit value, and then compare the stored time domain unit value with the current received time domain unit value to determine the subsequent sleep, signal receiving or signal transmitting operation.

[0220] In some embodiments, among the N second signals, each second signal triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by L, where L is equal to the time domain unit value indicated by the second information.

[0221] In an example, the second node reducing the stored time domain unit value by L triggered by each of the second signals includes: for a second node satisfying a first condition, each of the second signals triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by L, and the first condition includes that the difference between the time domain unit value stored by the second node and L is less than a first threshold value. That is, the second node reducing the stored time domain unit value by L is a node satisfying the first condition. The first threshold value can be a predefined value; or the first threshold value is indicated by first threshold indication information, which is transmitted in the access instruction signal or the second signal, for example.

[0222] In addition, among the M second signals other than the N second signals, each second signal triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by 1.

[0223] In some implementations, the N second signals among the M second signals can also be periodically transmitted, and the N second signals contain the second information.

[0224] The description of the periodic transmission of the N second signals can be referred to the related description in S102 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0225] In some implementations, N of the M second signals are transmitted aperiodically. That is, the time interval between each adjacent two of the N second signals is variable.

[0226] In some embodiments, the time interval between one of the N second signals and the next second signal is within a preset time interval range.

[0227] That is, the time interval between adjacent two of the N second signals is within a preset time interval range. The time interval between adjacent two of the N second signals can be any one of the time interval between the transmission start time of the adjacent two second signals, the time interval between the transmission end time of the adjacent two second signals, or the time interval between the end time of the former second signal and the start time of the latter second signal.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first node can transmit first time delay indication information. The first time delay indication information is used to indicate the first time interval, which is used to determine the start time of the next detection window of the second node, and the detection window is used to receive the second signal. Exemplarily, the first time interval is equal to the time interval between adjacent two of the N second signals. In some examples, the first time delay indication information can be transmitted in the first signal or the second signal.

[0229] In some embodiments, after transmitting the M second signals, the first node can further transmit the next first signal. The description about transmitting the next first signal can refer to the above description about transmitting the first signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0230] In one example, when the N of the M second signals are also periodically transmitted, the time interval between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last of the N second signals can be equal to the time interval of one period.

[0231] In another example, when the N of the M second signals are aperiodically transmitted, the time interval between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last of the N second signals can be equal to the first time interval.

[0232] In yet another example, the time interval between the transmission start time of the next first signal and the transmission start time of the last of the N second signals can be indicated by the first time delay indication information. For example, the first time delay indication information is transmitted in the access instruction signal or the second signal.

[0233] In some embodiments, the first node can further send detection time indication information.

[0234] The detection time indication information indicates a time at which the second node next receives a signal (e.g., receives the first signal or the second signal). The detection time indication information can be sent in the first signal and / or the second signal.

[0235] Exemplarily, the detection time indication information indicates a time duration D, and the second node starts to receive a signal after a signal in which the detection time indication information is located, with a time delay not greater than (less than or equal to) the time duration D. In some embodiments, the detection time indication information indicates a time at which the second node next receives a signal, which can also be understood as the detection time indication information indicating a time at which the second node next opens a detection window.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal are all frame structure signals, and one frame structure signal includes a preamble sequence and carried data information, and the preamble sequence can be used for timing synchronization of the signal. In some embodiments, one frame structure signal further includes an end symbol, and the end symbol can be used to determine the end of signal transmission.

[0237] Based on the above embodiments, the first node can periodically send the second signal carrying the time domain unit value to indicate that the second node reduces the stored time domain unit value, so that the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without receiving each second signal, i.e., the terminal device does not need to always keep the signal detection state. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be reserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0238] FIG. 8B shows another signal receiving method provided by the present disclosure, which is applied to the second node, and the method can include S601-S602.

[0239] S601, receiving a first signal and randomly selecting a time domain unit value in a range of time domain unit values indicated by the first signal.

[0240] The description of S601 can refer to the description of S201 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0241] S602, receiving a second signal according to a first interval time duration, and the second signal includes second information.

[0242] The second information is used to indicate a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal, and the second signal triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second node can decrease the stored time domain unit value by one each time the second signal is received, until the stored time domain unit value is 0. In the case that the stored time domain unit value is decreased to 0, the second node can send a third signal to the first node, the third signal being a response signal to the second signal. The third signal can include a temporary identifier or a fixed identifier of the second node, wherein the temporary identifier can include a random sequence with Y bits, Y being a positive integer, for example, Y = 16. The fixed identifier can be an electronic product code, a unique identification code, or a permanent ID of the second node.

[0244] In some embodiments, the third signal further includes power level indication information. The power level indication information indicates at least one of the following second node information: remaining power level, remaining working time length, and hibernation time length.

[0245] Exemplarily, the process of receiving the second signal according to the first interval time length has at least the following implementation manners:

[0246] Implementation manner 1: the second node periodically receives the second signal, and the second signal includes the second information. Exemplarily, the second node can periodically receive the second signal including the second information with a first interval time length as a period.

[0247] In some embodiments, in the case that the stored time domain unit value of the second node is greater than or equal to a second threshold value, the second signal including the second information is periodically received based on the first interval time length.

[0248] Exemplarily, the second node can compare the stored time domain unit value with the time domain unit value indicated by the received second information each time the second information is received. In the case that the difference between the stored time domain unit value and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is less than a first threshold value, the stored time domain unit value is decreased by L, L being the time domain unit value indicated by the second information. Or, in the case that the difference between the stored time domain unit value and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the stored time domain unit value remains unchanged.

[0249] For example, in the case that the difference between the stored time domain unit value of the second node and K n-1 , the second node receives the nth second signal of N second signals based on the first interval time length. If the difference between the stored time domain unit value and K n , the stored time domain unit value is decreased by K n . If the difference between the stored time domain unit value and K n , the stored time domain unit value remains unchanged, wherein K na time domain unit value indicated by the second information contained in the n th second signal of the N second signals, i.e., a time domain unit value corresponding to the n th second signal, n being greater than or equal to 1. When n is greater than or equal to 2, K n-1 a time domain unit value indicated by the second information contained in the n th second signal of the N second signals, i.e., a time domain unit value corresponding to the n th second signal, n being greater than or equal to 1. When n is greater than or equal to 2, K n-1 = 0.

[0250] In some embodiments, when the time domain interval value stored at the second node is less than the second threshold value, the second signals sent by the first node are detected (or received) one by one in sequence. Each time a second signal is received, the stored time domain unit value is reduced by 1.

[0251] In some embodiments, the time domain unit value corresponding to a second signal is equal to the sequence number of the second signal. For example, assuming that after sending the first signal, the first node sends M second signals, and in the order of sending, the time domain unit values corresponding to the M second signals can be 1 to M in sequence, and the sequence numbers of the M second signals are 1 to M in sequence.

[0252] The description of periodically receiving the second signal at the first interval duration can refer to the related description in S202 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0253] In some embodiments, when the time domain unit value stored at the second node is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the second signal containing the second information is received according to the first interval duration.

[0254] For example, each time the second node receives second information, it can compare the stored time domain unit value with the time domain unit value indicated by the received second information. When the difference between the stored time domain unit value and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is less than the first threshold value, the stored time domain unit value is reduced by L, L being the time domain unit value indicated by the second information; or when the difference between the stored time domain unit value and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the stored time domain unit value is kept unchanged.

[0255] Alternatively, when the time domain interval value stored at the second node is less than the second threshold value, the second signals sent by the first node are detected (or received) one by one in sequence. Each time a second signal is received, the stored time domain unit value is reduced by 1.

[0256] The second threshold value can be a predefined value. In some embodiments, the second threshold value can be indicated based on second threshold value indication information, which is transmitted in the first signal or the second signal, for example.

[0257] In some embodiments, the time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal is equal to the sequence number of the second signal. For example, assuming that the first node transmits M second signals after transmitting the first signal, the time domain unit values corresponding to the M second signals in the transmission order can be 1 to M, and the sequence numbers of the M second signals can be 1 to M.

[0258] In some embodiments, when the time domain unit value stored at the second node is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the second node receives the second signal containing the second information based on the first interval duration, and if the difference between the time slot value indicated by the stored time slot value and the time slot value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the second node receives the next second signal containing the second information starting at time b+R. Alternatively, the second node receives the first signal, determines a time domain unit value based on the first signal and stores it, and when the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the second node receives the next first signal or second signal containing the time domain unit quantity indication information starting at time b+R.

[0259] b is the second starting time, b is earlier than or equal to the first signal transmission time, or b is earlier than or equal to the transmission time of the latest received first signal or second signal containing time domain unit quantity indication information, and R is the first interval duration. That is, the starting time of the next detection window of the second node is b+R. The first signal transmission time can be the starting time or the ending time of the first signal, and the transmission time of the second signal can be the starting time or the ending time of the second signal.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first interval duration is any interval duration within a preset interval duration range. In some embodiments, the first interval duration is the minimum value within the preset interval duration range.

[0261] For example, the first interval duration can be indicated by the first time delay indication information. For example, the first time delay indication information is transmitted in the access instruction signal or the second signal.

[0262] In some embodiments, the second node can receive the first interval duration transmitted by the first node.

[0263] In some embodiments, a detection window can be opened according to the first interval duration. The detection window is used to receive the second signal.

[0264] The first interval duration is equal to the sum of the duration of a detection window and the duration of a sleep window. During the detection window, the second node can detect signals, and during the sleep window, the second node maintains the running of the clock and the memory without the need to detect and transmit signals, thereby saving energy and preserving power. The second node can also receive a radio frequency carrier for charging.

[0265] In some embodiments, the opening time of the detection window is determined based on the first interval duration and the transmission time of the previous second signal containing the first information.

[0266] In some embodiments, the detection window satisfies any one of the following: the duration of the detection window is a preset duration; the duration of the detection window is determined based on detection window length indication information from the second node; and the detection window is closed in the case that the second signal is received within the detection window.

[0267] The duration of the detection window can be greater than the duration of one second signal or one first signal.

[0268] In some embodiments, in the case that the detection window is opened, the second signal is received within the detection window, and the difference between the time domain unit value stored by the second signal and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the detection window is closed.

[0269] In some embodiments, after receiving N second signals based on the first interval duration, in the case that the time domain unit value stored by the second node is greater than or equal to the second threshold, a new (next) first signal can also be received based on the first interval duration. The description about receiving the new first signal can refer to the above description about receiving the first signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0270] Based on the above embodiments, the second node can only receive the second signal carrying the time domain unit value, and then reduce the stored time domain unit value based on the second signal. In this way, the terminal device can receive the second signal based on a certain time interval, without always maintaining the signal detection state. In this way, the energy consumption of the terminal device in the random access process can be reduced, and more power can be preserved, thereby prolonging the working time.

[0271] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the present disclosure from the perspective of the interaction between the communication nodes. It can be understood that each communication node contains the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function in order to achieve the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present disclosure can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0272] FIG. 9 shows a composition schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication apparatus 900 includes a sending module 901.

[0273] The sending module 901 is configured to send a first signal, where the first signal indicates a range of time domain unit values.

[0274] The sending module 901 is further configured to send a second signal, where the second signal triggers the second node to decrease a stored time domain unit value.

[0275] In some embodiments, the sending module 901 is configured to send M second signals, and N second signals of the M second signals are periodically sent, where N is an integer less than M and greater than 1.

[0276] In some embodiments, the sending module 901 is further configured to send a next first signal, and an interval between a transmission start time of the next first signal and a transmission start time of a last second signal of the N second signals is equal to a length of a period.

[0277] In some embodiments, the sending module 901 is further configured to send period indication information, where the period indication information is used to indicate a period of a detection window of the second node, and the detection window is used to receive the second signal.

[0278] In some embodiments, the sending module 901 is configured to send M second signals, and N second signals of the M second signals include first information or second information, where the first information is used to indicate a number of time domain units, the second information is used to indicate a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal, and N is an integer less than M and greater than 1.

[0279] The above description of the sending module 901, and the description of various technical features therein, and the description of beneficial effects, etc., can refer to the corresponding method embodiments described above, and will not be described here.

[0280] FIG. 10 shows a constituent schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 includes a receiving module 1001. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus 1000 can further include a processing module 1002.

[0281] The receiving module 1001 is configured to receive a first signal and randomly select a time domain unit value in a range of time domain unit values indicated by the first signal.

[0282] The receiving module 1001 is further configured to receive a second signal according to a first interval, where the second signal triggers the second node to decrease a stored time domain unit value.

[0283] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1001 is configured to periodically receive the second signal, and a length of a period is equal to the first interval.

[0284] In some embodiments, the processing module 1002 is configured to decrease the stored time domain unit value by P, where P is a number of time domain units of a period.

[0285] In some embodiments, the second signal comprises the first information or the second information, the first information is used to indicate the number of time domain units, and the second information is used to indicate the time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal.

[0286] In some embodiments, the processing module 1002 is configured to, after receiving one second signal according to the first interval duration, subtract Q from the stored time domain unit value, where Q is the number of time domain units indicated by the first information.

[0287] In some embodiments, the processing module 1002 is configured to, in the case that the second signal comprises the second information, subtract L from the stored time domain unit value in the case that the difference between the stored time domain unit value and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is less than the first threshold value, where L is the time domain unit value indicated by the second information; or keep the stored time domain unit value unchanged in the case that the difference between the stored time domain unit value and the time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0288] The above description of the receiving module 1001 and the processing module 1002, as well as the description of various technical features and beneficial effects, can refer to the corresponding method embodiments described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0289] It should be noted that the modules in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 can also be referred to as units, for example, the sending module can be referred to as a sending unit. In addition, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the name of each module can not be the name shown in the figure, for example, the receiving module can also be referred to as a communication module, and the sending module can also be referred to as a communication module.

[0290] Each unit or module in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, if implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, essentially or in other words, the part that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes a number of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The storage medium storing the computer software product includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0291] In the case of implementing the functions of the above-mentioned integrated modules in the form of hardware, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a structural diagram of a communication device, which can be the communication device 900 or the communication device 1000. As shown in FIG. 11, the communication device 1100 includes a memory 1101, a processor 1102, a communication interface 1103, and a bus 1104.

[0292] The memory 1101 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, can be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store dynamic information and instructions, can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0293] The processor 1102 can be a logic block, a module, and a circuit that implements or executes various exemplary methods described in conjunction with the content of the present disclosure. The processor 1102 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processor 1102 can also implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the content of the present disclosure. The processor 1102 can also be a combination that implements a computing function, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0294] The communication interface 1103 is used to connect with other devices through a communication network. The communication network can be an Ethernet, a wireless access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the like.

[0295] In some implementations, the memory 1101 can exist independently of the processor 1102, and the memory 1101 can be connected with the processor 1102 through the bus 1104, for storing instructions or program codes. When the processor 1102 invokes and executes the instructions or program codes stored in the memory 1101, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0296] In some implementations, the memory 1101 can also be integrated in the processor 1102.

[0297] The bus 1104 can be an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus 1104 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used to represent the bus 1104 in FIG. 11, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0298] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of functional modules is taken as an example, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device or apparatus is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0299] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be instructed by computer instructions to complete relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the device or apparatus in any of the preceding embodiments, for example, a hard disk or a memory of a computer device. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the device or apparatus, for example, a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, etc. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the device or apparatus. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the device or apparatus. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output. The computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0300] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product, which contains a computer program, and when the computer program product runs on a computer, it makes the computer execute any method provided in the above embodiments.

[0301] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, persons skilled in the art will understand that modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the disclosure. It is intended that the word "comprising" or "comprise" does not (wholly or in part) exclude any element or step. It is further intended that the word "a" or "an" does not (wholly or in part) exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0302] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with specific features thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure covers all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover any and all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. It is intended that the present disclosure cover any and all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0303] The above description is merely illustrative of the disclosure, and the scope of the disclosure should be determined not by the description contained herein but by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A signal sending method applied to a first node, wherein, The method comprises: sending a first signal, the first signal indicating a time domain unit value range; sending a second signal, the second signal triggering the second node to reduce a stored time domain unit value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The sending of the second signal comprises: sending M second signals, N of the M second signals being sent periodically, N being an integer less than M and greater than 1.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, A length of one period is a predefined length, or a length of one period is indicated by the first indication information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The N second signals are the second signal with the serial number nP in the M second signals; wherein, the value of n is {1, 2, 3, …, N}, P is the number of time domain units in a period, and the value of N is 5. The method of claim 2, wherein, A transmission start time of one of the N second signals is determined based on a transmission start time of the first signal and the length of one period; or the transmission start time of the one of the N second signals is determined based on the transmission start time of the first signal, the length of one period, and a preset length.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, An interval length between the first signal and a first one of the N second signals is equal to the length of one period.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein, Each of the N second signals triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by P, P being a number of time domain units of one period.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein, After the sending of the M second signals, the method further comprises: sending a next first signal, an interval length between a transmission start time of the next first signal and a transmission start time of a last one of the N second signals being equal to the length of one period.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending period indication information, the period indication information being used to indicate a period in which the second node opens a detection window, the detection window being used to receive the second signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The sending of the second signal comprises: sending M second signals, N of the M second signals comprising first information or second information, the first information being used to indicate a number of time domain units, the second information being used to indicate a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal, N being an integer less than M and greater than 1.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The number of time domain units indicated by the first information is equal to a difference between a sequence number of a second signal in which the first information is located and a sequence number of a previous second signal containing the first information.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, A first one of the N first information indicates a number of time domain units equal to a sequence number of a first one of the N second signals.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein, Each of the N second signals triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by Q, Q being the number of time domain units indicated by the first information; or each of the N second signals triggers the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by L, L being equal to the time domain unit value indicated by the second information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The triggering of the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by L by each of the second signals comprises: for a second node satisfying a first condition, each of the second signals triggering the second node to reduce the stored time domain unit value by L, the first condition comprising a difference between the stored time domain unit value of the second node and L being less than a first threshold.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein, An interval length between one of the N second signals and a next one of the N second signals is a first interval length, the first interval length being within a preset interval length range.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising: sending a first interval duration, the first interval duration indicating a duration of an interval in which the second node next opens a detection window for receiving the second signals.

17. The method of claim 2 or 10, wherein, each of the second signals other than the N second signals triggers the second node to decrease a stored time domain unit value by one.

18. A signal receiving method applied to a second node, wherein, The method comprises: receiving a first signal and randomly selecting a time domain unit value in a range of time domain unit values indicated by the first signal; receiving a second signal according to a first interval duration, the second signal triggering the second node to decrease a stored time domain unit value.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The receiving a second signal according to a first interval duration comprises: periodically receiving the second signal, a duration of one period being equal to the first interval duration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The receiving a second signal according to a first interval duration comprises: determining a period in which to open a detection window for receiving the second signals according to the first interval duration.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The duration of one period is equal to a sum of a duration of one detection window and a duration of one sleep window.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein, The detection window satisfies any one of the following: The duration of the detection window is a preset duration. The duration of the detection window is determined based on period indication information from the second node. In a case where the second signal is received in the detection window, the detection window is closed.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein, In a case where the detection window is open, the method further comprises: In a case where the second signal is received in the detection window and a time domain unit value obtained by decreasing the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to a number of time domain units in the one period, the detection window is closed.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein, A transmission start time of one of the second signals is determined based on a transmission start time of the first signal and a duration of one period; or a transmission start time of one of the second signals is determined based on a transmission start time of the first signal, the duration of one period, and a preset duration.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein, The periodically receiving the second signal comprises: In a case where the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the number of time domain units in the one period, the second signal is periodically received with the first interval duration as a period.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein, After receiving one of the second signals according to the first interval duration, the method further comprises: decreasing the stored time domain unit value by P, P being the number of time domain units in one period.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein, The second signal comprises first information or second information, the first information indicating the number of time domain units, and the second information indicating a time domain unit value corresponding to the second signal.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein, The first interval duration is any interval duration in a preset interval duration range.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein, The receiving a second signal according to a first interval duration comprises: opening a detection window according to the first interval duration, the detection window being for receiving the second signal.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, An opening time of the detection window is determined based on the first interval duration and a transmission time of a previous second signal containing the first information; or an opening time of the detection window is determined based on the first interval duration and a transmission time of the first signal.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein, In a case where the detection window is open, the method further comprises: close the detection window in a case that a second signal is received in the detection window, the second signal comprises the first information and a time domain unit value obtained by reducing the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to a first threshold; or close the detection window in a case that a second signal is received in the detection window, the second signal comprises the second information and a difference between the stored time domain unit value and a time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein, the receiving the second signal according to the first interval duration comprises: in a case that the stored time domain unit value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, receiving the second signal according to the first interval duration.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein, after receiving one second signal according to the first interval duration, reducing the stored time domain unit value by Q, Q being a time domain unit quantity indicated by the first information.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein, the receiving the second signal according to the first interval duration comprises: in a case that a difference between the stored time domain unit value and a time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the second threshold, receiving the second signal according to the first interval duration.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein, in a case that the second signal comprises the second information, the method further comprises: in a case that a difference between the stored time domain unit value and a time domain unit value indicated by the second information is less than the first threshold, reducing the stored time domain unit value by L, L being the time domain unit value indicated by the second information; in a case that a difference between the stored time domain unit value and a time domain unit value indicated by the second information is greater than or equal to the first threshold, keeping the stored time domain unit value unchanged.

36. A communications device comprising: a memory and a processor; wherein the memory and the processor are coupled; the memory is configured to store instructions executable by the processor; the processor executes the instructions to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

37. A computer readable storage medium, wherein, the computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions, when the computer instructions run on the processor, make the processor execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

38. A computer program product, wherein, the computer program product contains a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, make the computer execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

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