Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method comprises: sending a first message, the first message being used for contention resolution or accessing a second apparatus; and upon receiving a second message and / or prior to receiving an access trigger message, not sending a message to the second apparatus, the second message being used for responding to the first message. By means of the method, unnecessary signaling transmissions are reduced, thereby saving signaling resources, and improving inventory efficiency.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411096429.5, filed on August 9, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", and Chinese Patent Application No. 202411598382.2, filed on November 8, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is a non-contact automatic identification technology. An RFID system generally includes a reader and a tag. The reader can read information from the tag or write information to be stored in the tag into the tag. The tag converts the wireless signal transmitted by the reader into energy to drive itself to work.

[0004] With the development of communication technology, in order to save the power consumption of terminal devices, it is proposed to introduce RFID technology in a mobile communication network system to implement a passive Internet of Things, i.e., a network device can function as a reader. For example, ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. An A-IoT system is composed of a reader (e.g., a base station) and passive or semi-passive or active A-IoT terminals. The A-IoT terminal is also referred to as a terminal device in a cellular network system, and can also be understood as an extremely low-power and extremely low-complexity Internet of Things terminal. The main services include inventory, positioning, sensing, command, etc. The typical application scenarios include logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, environmental monitoring, etc.

[0005] When completing the above services, the tag usually needs to perform data transmission with the reader after accessing the reader. However, in some scenarios, the reader needs to quickly count the number of tags, and therefore some data transmission between the tag and the reader is unnecessary. SUMMARY

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, which reduces unnecessary data transmission and improves inventory efficiency in the scenario of quickly inventorying Internet of Things devices.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first apparatus. In the present application, the "first apparatus" can refer to the first apparatus itself (for example, an electronic tag, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ambient internet of things (AIoT) device, etc.), a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first apparatus, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first apparatus.

[0008] The method comprises: sending a first message, the first message being used for contention resolution or access to a second apparatus; and not sending a message to the second apparatus after receiving a second message and / or before receiving an access trigger message, the second message being used for responding to the first message.

[0009] Based on the above scheme, in the scenario of quickly inventorying an internet of things device or a nearby point, the first apparatus skips subsequent data transmission after sending the first message, thereby saving signaling resources and improving inventory efficiency.

[0010] Optionally, the first message comprises identification information of the first apparatus, or the first message comprises first data, the first data being generated based on the identification information of the first apparatus, wherein the identification information of the first apparatus can be an identifier of the first apparatus, a mask, a temporary identifier, etc. Optionally, processing the identification information of the first apparatus comprises processing the identification information of the first apparatus by using a hash algorithm or other algorithm to generate a shorter sequence or string.

[0011] Optionally, the second message comprises identification information of the first apparatus, or the first message comprises second data, the second data being generated based on the identification information of the first apparatus, wherein the identification information of the first apparatus can be an identifier of the first apparatus, a mask, a temporary identifier, etc. Optionally, processing the identification information of the first apparatus comprises processing the identification information of the first apparatus by using a hash algorithm or other algorithm to generate a shorter sequence or string.

[0012] Based on the above scheme, the bit overhead of the first message or the second message is reduced, the burden on the first apparatus caused by long information transmission is avoided, signaling resources are saved, and inventory efficiency is improved.

[0013] In some implementations, the method further comprises: receiving first indication information; and the not sending a message to the second apparatus comprises not sending a message to the second apparatus based on the first indication information.

[0014] Based on the above scheme, the second device instructs the first device to skip unnecessary data transmission, thereby improving the inventory efficiency.

[0015] In some implementations, the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates success or failure of the access to the second device.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, the second message indicates whether the access is successful, and when the first device determines that the access is successful, the first device no longer sends a message to the second device, or when the first device determines that the access is successful, the first device no longer re-accesses.

[0017] In some implementations, the not sending the message to the second device includes not sending an identifier and / or data of the first device to the second device.

[0018] In some implementations, the second message is further used to trigger an access opportunity.

[0019] Based on the above scheme, other devices that have not successfully accessed receive the second message, and the other devices consider that an access opportunity is triggered, thereby completing the inventory more quickly.

[0020] In some implementations, the method further includes not sending a message to the second device before receiving the paging message.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, after the first device sends the first message, the first device considers that the inventory is completed, and the first device no longer sends a message to the second device until a next round of paging message is received.

[0022] Optionally, the paging message includes identifier information of the first device, or the paging message includes third data that is generated based on the identifier information of the first device, and the identifier information of the first device can be an identifier, a mask, a temporary identifier, or the like of the first device. Optionally, the processing of the identifier information of the first device includes processing the identifier information of the first device by using a hash algorithm or another algorithm to generate a shorter sequence or string.

[0023] Based on the above scheme, the bit overhead of the paging message is reduced, the burden on the first device caused by the transmission of a long message is avoided, signaling resources are saved, and the inventory efficiency is improved.

[0024] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a second device. The second device can refer to the second device itself (e.g., a base station, a terminal, a relay node, an IAB node, etc.), a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the second device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device. The method comprises: sending, by the second device, a first message to a first device, the first message indicating an access type, the access type belonging to one of at least two access types; and accessing, by the second device, the first device according to the access type.

[0025] The method comprises: receiving a first message from a first device, the first message being used for contention resolution or accessing a second device; and not receiving a message from the first device after sending a second message and / or before sending an access trigger message, the second message being used for responding to the first message.

[0026] In some implementations, the method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message.

[0027] In some implementations, the second message comprises second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether the first device successfully accesses the second device or not.

[0028] In some implementations, the method further comprises: determining the second indication information according to a signal strength of the first message.

[0029] In some implementations, when the signal strength of the first message is greater than a first threshold, the second indication information indicates that the first device successfully accesses the second device.

[0030] In some implementations, when the signal strength of the first message is less than the first threshold, the second indication information indicates that the first device fails to access the second device.

[0031] In some implementations, the second message is further used for triggering an access opportunity.

[0032] In some implementations, the not receiving the message from the first device comprises: not receiving an identifier and / or data of the first device from the first device.

[0033] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus is configured to perform the method in the first aspect and any of the implementation forms thereof. Specifically, the communication apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing a computer program. The processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program from the memory, so that the communication apparatus performs the method in the first aspect and any of the implementation forms thereof.

[0034] In an implementation form, the communication apparatus is the first apparatus. When the communication apparatus is the first apparatus, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver, or the input / output interface. The processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0035] In another implementation form, the communication apparatus can be a chip, chip system or circuit in a network device. In this case, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin or related circuit on the chip, chip system or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit or logic circuit, etc.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus is configured to perform the method in the second aspect and any of the implementation forms thereof. Specifically, the communication apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing a computer program. The processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program from the memory, so that the communication apparatus performs the method in the second aspect and any of the implementation forms thereof.

[0037] In an implementation form, the communication apparatus is the second apparatus. When the communication apparatus is the second apparatus, the transceiver unit can be a transceiver, or the input / output interface. The processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0038] In another implementation form, the communication apparatus can be a chip, chip system or circuit in a terminal device. In this case, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin or related circuit on the chip, chip system or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit or logic circuit, etc.

[0039] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided. The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program which, when executed, causes the method in any of the implementation forms of the first aspect and the second aspect to be performed.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is run, the method provided by any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect is executed.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions through the communication interface, and executes the method provided by any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0042] Optionally, as an implementation manner, the chip further includes a memory. The memory stores a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored on the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to execute the method provided by any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, a computer program is provided. When the computer program is run, the method provided by any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect is executed.

[0044] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer executes the communication method provided by any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect and the first aspect, or the second aspect and the second aspect.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes the communication device of the third aspect and the communication device of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another communication system suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an open radio access network (O-RAN) system suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another O-RAN system suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a random access procedure of a tag.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another communication apparatus 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0058] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a chip system 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0060] The technical solutions provided by the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as a 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, a satellite communication system, a future communication system, or a fusion system of multiple systems, etc. The technical solutions provided by the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and internet of things (IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0061] The technical solutions provided in the application can also be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system such as an inter-satellite communication and a satellite communication. As an example, the satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and a terminal device. The satellite base station provides a communication service for the terminal device. The satellite base station can also communicate with a base station. The satellite can act as a base station or a terminal device. The satellite can refer to a drone, a hot air balloon, a low-orbit satellite, a medium-orbit satellite, a high-orbit satellite, and the like. The satellite can also refer to a non-ground base station or a non-ground device.

[0062] A device in a communication system can send a signal to another device or receive a signal from another device. The signal can include information, signaling, or data, etc. The device can be replaced by an entity, a network entity, a communication device, a mobile device, a network element, a communication module, a node, a communication node, a communication apparatus, etc. The device is taken as an example for description in the disclosure. For example, the communication system can include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device can send a downlink signal to the terminal device, and / or the terminal device can send an uplink signal to the network device. It can be understood that the terminal device in the disclosure can be replaced by a first communication apparatus, and the network device can be replaced by a second communication apparatus, both of which perform the corresponding communication method in the disclosure. Alternatively, the corresponding communication method in the disclosure can be applied between network devices or between terminal devices, which is not limited herein.

[0063] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions for accessing the above-mentioned communication system. The terminal device can include various devices with wireless communication functions, which can be used to connect people, things, machines, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communication, D2D, V2X, peer to peer, M2M, MTC, IoT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city UAV, robot, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, etc. The terminal device can be a terminal in any of the above scenarios, such as an MTC terminal, an IoT terminal, etc. The terminal device can be a user equipment (UE) of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard, a terminal, a fixed device, a mobile station device or a mobile device, a subscriber unit, a handset, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wireless modem, a handset, a laptop computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a smart book, a vehicle, a satellite, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a target tracking device, an aircraft (such as a drone, a helicopter, a multi-helicopter, a quad-helicopter, or an airplane, etc.), a ship, a remote control device, a smart home device, an industrial device, a transport vehicle with wireless communication function, a communication module, a road side unit (RSU) with terminal function, or a device built in the above-mentioned device (such as a communication module, a modem or a chip in the above-mentioned device, etc.), or other processing devices connected to the wireless modem. For the convenience of description, the terminal device will be described as an example of a terminal or UE hereinafter.

[0064] It should be understood that in certain scenarios, the UE can also be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity that provides sidelink signals between UEs in V2X, D2D, or end-to-end scenarios, etc.

[0065] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device or used in matching with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. In the embodiments of the present application, only the device for implementing the function of the terminal device is taken as an example for description, and the scheme of the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0066] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be a device or module with corresponding communication function. The network device can be a device for communicating with a terminal device, and the network device can also be referred to as an access network device or a radio access network device, for example, the network device can be a base station. The network device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) for accessing a terminal device to a wireless network. The base station can broadly cover various names in the following or be replaced by the following names, such as: Node B (NodeB), evolved Node B (eNB), next generation Node B (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmission point, primary station, secondary station, motor slide retainer (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof. The base station can also refer to a communication module, modem or chip for being arranged in the foregoing device or apparatus. The base station can also be a mobile switching center and a device assuming a base station function in D2D, V2X, M2M communication, a device assuming a base station function in a future communication system, etc. The base station can support networks of the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

[0067] The base station can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or a drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, the helicopter or the drone can be configured to serve as a device communicating with another base station.

[0068] In some deployments, the network device mentioned by embodiments of the application can be a device including a CU, or a DU, or a device including a CU and a DU, or a control plane CU node (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and a user plane CU node (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and a DU node. For example, the network device can include a gNB-CU-CP, a gNB-CU-UP and a gNB-DU.

[0069] In some deployments, a plurality of RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, a DU, a CU-CP, a CU-UP, or an RU, etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a BBU. The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as an RRU, an AAU or an RRH.

[0070] In some deployments, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and other control functions of the access network device. The CU is connected to network nodes such as core networks through some interfaces, which can be E2 interfaces, etc. Optionally, the CU has part of the functions of the core network. The CU (such as the PDCP layer and higher layers) is connected to the DU (such as the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers) through some interfaces, which can be F1 interfaces, etc. In some examples, these interfaces (such as the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (such as interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). The F1 application protocol (F1AP) is an application protocol of the F1 interface, which defines the signaling procedures of the F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports the control plane (F1 control plane, F1-C), the user plane (F1 user plane, F1-U).

[0071] In some deployments, a CU can be split into a CU-CP and a CU-UP. The CU-CP is a logical node that carries the control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C) layer and RRC layer, and is used to implement the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element in the core network that is used to implement the control plane function. The network element in the core network that is used to implement the control plane function can be an access and mobility function network element. The CU-UP is a logical node that carries the user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U) layer and SDAP layer, and is used to implement the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element in the core network that is used to implement the user plane function. The network element in the core network that is used to implement the user plane function. The above configurations of the CU and the DU are merely examples, and the CU and the DU can have other functions according to needs. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layers. For example, partial functions of the RLC layer and functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to service types or other system requirements. For example, functions that need to meet a relatively short delay requirement in processing time are arranged in the DU, and functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0072] In some deployments, a DU is a logical node that carries an RLC layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a higher physical (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces, which can be a front-haul interface. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes part of the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, and other processing functions.

[0073] In some deployments, a RU is a logical node that hosts lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, a RU can be a TRP or a RRH or other similar functional entity. In some examples, a Low-PHY includes portions of PHY processing such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. A RU communicates with one or more UEs over a wireless link.

[0074] A DU and a RU can or can not be co-located. A DU and a RU exchange control plane and user plane information over a fronthaul link via a lower-layer split-control, user and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface. The LLS-CUS can include interfaces and interfaces that provide control plane and user plane, respectively. In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between a DU and a RU. A DU and a RU have an interface of a fronthaul link (e.g., referred to as a LLS-M interface) to exchange management information, and the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between a DU and a RU.

[0075] A DU and a RU can cooperate to collectively implement the functionality of a PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functionality that a DU and a RU have can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, a DU is configured to implement baseband functionality and a RU is configured to implement mid- RF functionality. As another example, a DU is configured to implement high-layer functionality in a PHY layer and a RU is configured to implement low-layer functionality in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functionality and RF functionality. The high-layer functionality in a PHY layer can include a portion of functionality of a PHY layer that is closer to a MAC layer, and the low-layer functionality in a PHY layer can include another portion of functionality of a PHY layer that is closer to a mid-RF side.

[0076] In one possible design, a processing unit in a BBU that implements baseband functionality is referred to as a base band high (BBH) unit, and a processing unit in a RRU / AAU / RRH that implements baseband functionality is referred to as a base band low (BBL) unit.

[0077] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture, in which the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). Any of the CUs (or CU-CPs, CU-UPs), DUs and RUs in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be a network device, or a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system or a chip or a circuit or a communication module (i.e., a communication module performing a communication function), which can be installed in the network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. In addition, program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions can also be configured in the device. In the embodiments of the present application, only the device for implementing the function of the network device is taken as an example for description, and the scheme of the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0079] The network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water; and can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the scenarios in which the network device and the terminal device are located. In addition, the terminal device and the network device can be hardware devices, or software functions running on special-purpose hardware, software functions running on general-purpose hardware, such as virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities including special-purpose or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. The specific forms of the terminal device and the network device are not limited in the present application.

[0080] First, a communication system suitable for the embodiments of the present application is briefly introduced as follows.

[0081] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a network device 110 and an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) terminal 120. The network device 110 and the A-IoT terminal 120 communicate with each other. The communication between the network device 110 and the A-IoT terminal 120 includes A-IoT data and / or signaling. That is, the network device 110 sends downlink data and / or signaling to the A-IoT terminal 120, and the A-IoT terminal 120 sends uplink data and / or signaling to the network device 110. It can also be understood that the network device 110 and the A-IoT terminal 120 transmit uplink and downlink data and / or signaling.

[0082] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 200 applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system includes a network device 210, an intermediate node 220, and an A-IoT terminal 230. The network device 210 and the A-IoT terminal 230 communicate with the intermediate node 220 respectively. For example, the network device 210 communicates with the intermediate node 220, and then the intermediate node 220 communicates with the A-IoT terminal 120. That is, the network device 210 and the intermediate node 220 transmit uplink and downlink data and / or signaling, and the intermediate node 220 and the A-IoT terminal 120 transmit uplink and downlink data and / or signaling. In embodiments of the present application, the intermediate node 220 can be a repeater, an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, a UE, etc.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 300 applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3(a) and (b), the communication system includes a network device 310, an auxiliary node 320, and an A-IoT terminal 330. In FIG. 3(a), the A-IoT terminal 330 sends data and / or signaling to the network device 310, the network device 310 sends data and / or signaling to the auxiliary node 320 through Uu, and then the A-IoT terminal 330 receives data and / or signaling from the auxiliary node 320. In FIG. 3(b), the A-IoT terminal 330 receives data and / or signaling sent by the network device 310, and sends data and / or signaling to the auxiliary node 320, and then the network device 310 receives data and / or signaling from the auxiliary node 320 through the Uu interface. In embodiments of the present application, the auxiliary node 320 can be a repeater, an IAB node, a UE, etc.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 400 applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication system includes a terminal device 410 and an A-IoT terminal 420. The terminal device 410 and the A-IoT terminal 420 perform bidirectional communication. The communication between the terminal device 410 and the A-IoT terminal 420 includes environmental IoT data and / or signaling. That is, the terminal device 410 transmits downlink data and / or signaling to the A-IoT terminal 420, and the A-IoT terminal 420 transmits uplink data and / or signaling to the terminal device 410. It can also be understood that the terminal device 410 and the A-IoT terminal 420 transmit uplink and downlink data and / or signaling.

[0085] FIGS. 1-4 are only schematic diagrams. The communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable can further include other devices, such as a core network device, a wireless relay device, and / or a wireless backhaul device, which are not shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0086] The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to an open-RAN (O-RAN) system architecture.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, the O-RAN system can include a core network (CN) device, an access network device (RAN), and a terminal device (UE). The access network device communicates with the core network device through a backhaul link and communicates with the terminal device through an air interface. For example, a BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network device through a backhaul link, and an RU in the access network device communicates with the terminal device through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a front-haul link. The BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU. The CU and the DU can communicate through at least one mid-haul link.

[0088] FIG. 5 is only a schematic diagram. The wireless communication system can further include other devices, which are not shown in FIG. 5.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an application framework involving RIC modules under the O-RAN architecture. As shown in FIG. 6, a communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). The RIC includes a near-real time RIC (near-RT RIC) and a non-real time RIC (Non-RT RIC). The non-real time RIC mainly processes non-real time information, such as data that is not sensitive to latency, which can be on the order of seconds. The real-time RIC mainly processes near-real time information, such as data that is relatively sensitive to latency, which is on the order of tens of milliseconds.

[0090] The near-real time RIC and the non-real time RIC can also be separately set as a network element. Alternatively, the near-real time RIC and the non-real time RIC can also be part of other devices, for example, the near-real time RIC is set in the RAN node (for example, in the CU or the DU), and the non-real time RIC is set in the OAM, the cloud server, the core network device, or other network devices.

[0091] In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, some related technologies involved in the technical solutions of the present application are introduced.

[0092] 1. Passive radio frequency identification (RFID):

[0093] An RFID system includes an interrogator and a tag, and the interrogator and the tag device perform non-contact data communication. The interrogator can read out the information in the tag device, or write the information required to be stored in the tag device into the tag device. The tag device has a simple function and needs to rely on the excitation of the interrogator to send information, that is, the tag device converts the wireless signal emitted by the interrogator into energy, and uses the energy to drive itself to work. If the RFID is applied to a mobile communication system, for example, applied to a 5G system, the base station can serve as an interrogator to realize the function of the interrogator.

[0094] The main application scenario of RFID is identity recognition, and it can also be used for data reading and writing. The tag has the following characteristics:

[0095] 1) The tag design is simple, for example, the application layer and air interface signaling are mixed together.

[0096] 2) The tag supports micro-watt (μW) or hundreds of micro-watt power consumption, and cannot support complex design and complex measurement.

[0097] 3) Multi-tag communication, using time-division multiplexing, multi-tag uses serial read. No support for frequency and code domain differentiation, and poor parallel performance.

[0098] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of RFID. As shown in FIG. 7, the working process of RFID is as follows.

[0099] S710, the reader sends a select signaling to the tag. Correspondingly, the tag receives the select signaling from the reader.

[0100] The select signaling is used to select one or a group of tags. Specifically, the reader sets the state of a certain session of the inventory flag of the tag that meets the selection condition and / or does not meet the selection condition through the select signaling.

[0101] For example, the inventory flag can have four independent sessions, namely session 0 (S0), session 1 (S1), session 2 (S2), and session 3 (S3), and the state of each session can be state A or state B. Specifically, the select signaling also carries the inventory session, action, and mask fields. The selected tag in the select signaling sets the session flag to A, that is, performs initial flag setting, assuming that the inventorySession selects the session S0, action = 0, and mask matches.

[0102] Each flag corresponds to a session, and the inventorySession specifies which session flag to set. The action specifies how to set, such as action = 1 or 0. If the tag receives the select signaling and the mask matches, the tag will set the session flag to A (action = 1) or B (action = 0). The mask is used to filter which tags are selected, such as tags that store a complete 96-bit identifier. The mask can indicate that the first 16 bits of the tag are 111…111. If the mask matches, the tag can further set the action, and further listen to the query (Query) command.

[0103] Optionally, the above-mentioned select signaling can also be a paging (Paging) signaling, which is used to page one or a group of tags.

[0104] S720, the reader sends a Query command to the tag. Correspondingly, the tag receives the Query command from the reader.

[0105] The Query command carries the value of the parameter Q, session, and inventory flag. Assuming that the session is S0 and the inventory flag is A, when the session of the tag matches the flag, a value between 0 and 2 Q -1 is randomly generated according to the parameter Q as the initial value of the counter. The tag determines whether to immediately feed back a random number (RN) to the reader according to the value of the counter. For example, when the counter = 0, the tag feeds back RN (for example, RN (16), which is a 16-bit random number) to the reader. When the counter is not 0, the tag does not feed back RN to the reader. The reader does not receive the RN fed back by the tag within a period of time, and then sends a QueryRep command to the tag.

[0106] Specifically, the subsequent steps include two cases: case 1 and case 2.

[0107] Case 1: Counter = 0, which specifically includes S721.

[0108] S721, the tag sends a random number to the reader. Correspondingly, the reader receives the random number from the tag.

[0109] The random number (RN) can be a 16-bit random number or an 8-bit random number, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0110] Case 2: Counter is an integer greater than or equal to 1, which specifically includes S722 and S723.

[0111] S722, the reader sends a QueryRep command to the tag. Correspondingly, the tag receives the QueryRep command from the reader.

[0112] The QueryRep command can not carry any content, that is, the value of the parameter Q, the session, and the inventory flag. The number of times of sending the QueryRep command is determined according to the value of the counter. Specifically, the tag receives the QueryRep command once, and the counter = counter-1. Until the value of the counter is 0, the tag sends RN to the reader.

[0113] More specifically, the tag can calculate the range of the time slots that can be selected according to the value of the random parameter Q as [0, 2 Q -1], and the tag can select a time slot in the range [0, 2Q -1] a value is randomly selected and assigned to counter. Each time the tag receives a QueryRep command, the counter is decremented by 1. When the counter reaches 0, S723 is executed.

[0114] For example, each QueryRep command corresponds to the beginning or end of an access slot. That is, each time the tag receives a QueryRep command, it means the end of the previous slot and the beginning of the next slot.

[0115] S723, the tag sends a random number to the reader. Correspondingly, the reader receives the random number from the tag.

[0116] In this case, when the counter reaches 0, the tag sends a random number in its randomly selected access slot.

[0117] S730, the reader sends an acknowledgment (ACK) message to the tag. Correspondingly, the tag receives the acknowledgment ACK message from the reader.

[0118] In this case, after receiving the RN sent by the tag, if there is no collision, i.e., the reader only receives the RN sent by one tag, the reader will feed back an ACK message. The ACK message includes the received RN, which is used to indicate that the tag competition resolution is successful.

[0119] S740, the tag sends uplink data to the reader.

[0120] In this case, the uplink data can be an electronic product code (EPC).

[0121] S750, the reader sends a QueryRep command to the tag again. Correspondingly, the tag receives the QueryRep command from the reader.

[0122] S760, the tag reverses the state of the inventory flag.

[0123] After the tag receives the QueryRep command, it means that the data transmission is successful, and the state of the inventory flag can be reversed. For example, the state of session 0 is set from state A to state B. The tag reverses the state of the inventory flag to prevent the tag that has been inventoried from being inventoried repeatedly, because the subsequent Query command carries a flag A, and the tag with a flag B will not respond to the received Query command.

[0124] The QueryRep command can be used to trigger the tags which have not successfully accessed the reader to access. Specifically, the count value of the counter of the tag corresponding to the count value of 0 is reduced by 1, and the S723 to S760 are repeatedly executed until the count value of the counter is 0, and all tags successfully access the reader.

[0125] 2, A-IoT:

[0126] The A-IoT device in the A-IoT technology includes a network device and a first type of terminal device, or in other words, the A-IoT communication system includes a network device and a first type of terminal device. The first type of terminal device can be a device with the function of an A-IoT terminal device. In this case, the reader and the A-IoT terminal device can both be implemented based on the infrastructure in the cellular network. In other words, the reader and the A-IoT terminal device can both be devices in the cellular network. For example, the function of the reader can be implemented by a network device, such as a base station. The A-IoT terminal device can be implemented by a terminal in the cellular network, such as an extremely low power consumption, extremely low complexity Internet of Things terminal, i.e., a first type of terminal. Non-contact data communication can be performed between the network device and the first type of terminal, so as to read information from the first type of terminal and / or write information to be stored into the first type of terminal. The A-IoT technology can be used to implement one or more of the following services: inventory, positioning, sensing, and command. Typical application scenarios of the A-IoT technology include logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, and environmental monitoring.

[0127] For example, the inventory service is to access the A-IoT terminal (or A-IoT terminal device) in the coverage range by using the reader (for example, a base station or a terminal device), and the device successfully accessed needs to send its unique identifier (the identifier can be recognized by the network, such as EPC in RFID) to the reader. The inventory service can also be referred to as a counting operation. The inventory service can obtain the identifier information of the tag. For example, the reader can use the Query, ACK, and other commands to obtain the identifier information of the tag. In order to facilitate the counting of the tag, the tag includes four session identifiers, and each session identifier corresponds to two inventory states: A and B. The inventory state is indicated by an inventory flag bit (sessInventoried flag). When the reader selects a tag, the selection command sent to the tag carries a session identifier, and the tag stores the session identifier. When the reader performs the inventory service on the tag, the query command sent to the tag includes the session identifier, and at this time the tag can flip the inventory state corresponding to the session identifier from A to B. If the reader sends the query command again to perform the inventory service, since the inventory state in the tag is B, the tag will not respond to the reader, thereby avoiding the same tag being counted multiple times in the same inventory cycle.

[0128] Positioning is to use some positioning signals to locate the position of the A-IoT terminal.

[0129] Sensing is that the A-IoT terminal reports sensing data, such as temperature data, to the base station.

[0130] The command can be some operation instruction, such as read, write, kill or lock, etc. Among them, the read service can read the EPC, tag identifier (TID), the content stored in the reserved area of the tag or the content stored in the user storage area in the memory of the tag. The write service can perform a write operation on the memory area of the tag, for example, the network device (for example, the base station) can send a downlink instruction and data to instruct the A-IoT terminal to write the data into its own memory area. The kill service can make the tag never work. The lock service can lock the information of the tag, which can prevent the read service or the write service on the tag. Alternatively, the lock service can also lock the storage area, which can prevent or not allow the read service or the write service on the storage area, for example, the network device can send a downlink instruction to instruct the A-IoT terminal to lock the address of the storage area, and the content of the storage area cannot be changed and / or read.

[0131] The terminal device in the A-IoT can be divided into three categories: device A, device B and device C.

[0132] 1) device A (similar to passive tag): no energy storage or some low-capacity energy storage, cannot independently generate independent signals, and uses backscatter transmission signals.

[0133] 2) device B (similar to semi-passive tag): has energy storage, for example, has capacitor energy storage, but cannot independently generate signals, and uses backscatter transmission signals. The stored energy can amplify the reflected signals. Alternatively, the device B stores energy through a battery.

[0134] 3) device C (similar to active tag): has energy storage, can independently generate signals, and has active radio frequency (RF) elements for transmission.

[0135] The 3GPP conference further defines the following three categories of A-IoT devices: device 1, device 2a and device 2b.

[0136] 1) device 1: peak power consumption is about 1 μW, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) reaches 10 X parts per million (ppm), and cannot amplify downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) signals. An external carrier signal is needed for backscatter communication to perform uplink transmission.

[0137] 2) device 2a: peak power consumption is less than or equal to a few hundred μW, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset reaches 10 X ppm, and can amplify DL and / or UL signals. An external carrier signal is needed for backscatter communication to perform uplink transmission.

[0138] 3) device 2b: peak power consumption is less than or equal to a few hundred μW, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset reaches 10 X ppm, and can amplify DL and / or UL signals. The device can perform uplink transmission without relying on an external carrier.

[0139] As described above, when the read-write device needs to quickly inventory the number of Internet of Things devices, some data transmission between the two is unnecessary, for example, the random number in step S721 or S723 can make the read-write device determine the number of tags, so the uplink data in step S740 is unnecessary.

[0140] Therefore, the present application provides a communication method, after the Internet of Things device accesses the read-write device, it no longer sends a message to the read-write device, thereby saving signaling resources and improving inventory efficiency.

[0141] Before introducing the scheme of the present application, the following points are explained.

[0142] (1) In the present application, "indication" can include direct indication, indirect indication, display indication, and implicit indication. When describing that certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0143] In the present application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or the index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be only indicated in part, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately into multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending time of the sub-information can be the same or different.

[0144] (2) In the present application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as that the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct sending through the air interface, or indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, which can include direct receiving from YY through the air interface, or indirect receiving from YY through the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as "output" of a chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices, or can be carried out within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, wire or interface.

[0145] (3) In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0146] (4) In the present application, "first" and "second" are only convenient for description, used for distinguishing objects, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that the objects thus described can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so as to describe schemes other than the embodiments of the present application.

[0147] (5) In the present application, "predefined" can mean standard protocol predefined, or can also mean pre-agreed or pre-negotiated between devices.

[0148] (6) In this application, the words "exemplary", "for example", and the like are used to mean example, illustration, or instance, and do not imply that the embodiment or implementation they describe is preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or implementations. In the description of embodiments of the application, "of", "corresponding", and "corresponding" are sometimes mixed, and it should be pointed out that when their differences are not emphasized, the meanings they express are consistent.

[0149] (7) In this application, "message", "signaling" and "information" can be used interchangeably.

[0150] The method provided by the embodiments of the application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments provided by the application can be applied to the communication system shown in the above figures, without limitation.

[0151] First, the execution subject in the embodiments of the application is described. As follows:

[0152] In the embodiments of the application, as an example, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a network device. Correspondingly, the communication link between the first device and the second device can be an uplink and downlink communication link. Wherein, the information (for example, the first indication information or the second indication information, etc.) received by the first device can be downlink (downlink, DL) information / signal / signaling / data, etc., and the information (for example, the first message or the third message described below, etc.) sent by the first device can be uplink (uplink, UL) information / signal / signaling / data, etc.

[0153] As another example, the first device and the second device can be different terminal devices. Correspondingly, the communication link between the first device and the second device can be a communication link between terminal devices, such as a sidelink.

[0154] As another example, the first device can be an A-IoT device (device can be an implementation example of a terminal device), and the second device can be a reader. Correspondingly, the communication link between the first device and the second device can include a device-to-reader (device to reader, DR or D2R) link, and a reader-to-device (reader to device, RD or R2D) link.

[0155] In the embodiments of the application, "uplink" can be replaced by "DR" or "D2R", and "downlink" can be replaced by "RD" or "R2D", such as "uplink signaling" can be replaced by "D2R signaling".

[0156] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 800 provided by an embodiment of the present application. For ease of description, FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates the interaction between a first device and a second device. The first device can be replaced by a terminal device or an A-IoT device or a component (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit or a communication module) of the A-IoT device, and the second device can be replaced by a component (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit or a communication module) of a network device, and the second device has the function of a reader / writer. In addition, the steps described below as executed by a single execution subject can also be divided into steps executed by multiple execution subjects, which can be logically and / or physically separated. The method 800 shown in FIG. 8 can include the following steps.

[0157] S801, the first device sends a first message to the second device, and correspondingly, the second device receives the first message from the first device, and the first message is used for contention resolution or access to the second device.

[0158] Optionally, the first message can also be referred to as message 1, message 1, msg 1, random access ID, random ID, etc.

[0159] Optionally, in the present application, the messages exchanged between the first device and the second device, such as the “first message” and the “second message”, “third message”, “paging message”, “access trigger message” and the like in the following description, can be carried in the MAC layer, such as MAC CE (Control Element), MAC SDU (service data unit) or MAC PDU (protocol data unit). Alternatively, it can also be carried in the AIOT access (access stratum, AS) layer.

[0160] In an implementation manner, the first message is used for contention resolution, or is used to distinguish different first devices in the random access / contention resolution process.

[0161] For example, the first message can include the random number in step S723, which is generated by the first device; or the first message can include the sequence generated by the first device; or the first message can include part or all of the identification information of the first device; or the first message includes first data, which is generated based on the identification information of the first device, for example, the identification information of the first device is processed to generate a shorter sequence or string, etc.

[0162] Optionally, the identification information of the first device can be an identifier of the first device, a mask, a temporary identifier, etc.

[0163] Optionally, the processing of the identification information of the first device comprises processing the identification information of the first device by using a hash algorithm or other algorithm.

[0164] In another implementation, the first message is used for accessing the second device. That is, the first message can not be used for contention resolution.

[0165] For example, in the scenario of quickly counting the number of the first devices, the first device only needs to send a simple message to the second device, which can not be used by the second device to distinguish different first devices, but only needs to enable the second device to receive and identify, so as to count the number of the first devices. Optionally, the first message can be a simple sequence, which can be predefined or indicated by the second device. For example, the first message can be an ACK message. Optionally, the messages sent by different first devices can be completely same.

[0166] It should be understood that the second device can determine the result of the first device accessing the second device based on the first message.

[0167] Optionally, the second device can send a second message to the first device, which is used for responding to the first message. Optionally, the second message comprises second indication information, which indicates whether the first device successfully accesses the second device or not.

[0168] Optionally, the second message can also be referred to as message 2, message2, msg2, ACK, Access ID response, or access response, contention resolution response / complete, or contention resolution identity (UE / device Contention Resolution Identity), etc.

[0169] It should be understood that the second message is associated with the first message. Optionally, the second message is also used to indicate whether the first device is successfully contention resolved, and optionally, the second message comprises a contention resolution identity associated with the first message; or, the second message comprises identification information generated based on the first message, for example, the identification information is generated based on the first data; or, the second message comprises an identifier of the first device; or, the second message comprises second data, which is generated based on the identification information of the first device, for example, the second device processes the identification information of the first device to generate a shorter sequence or string, etc.

[0170] Optionally, the identification information of the first device can be an identification of the first device, a mask, a temporary identification, etc.

[0171] Optionally, the processing of the identification information of the first device comprises processing the identification information of the first device by a hash algorithm or other algorithm.

[0172] For example, when the first device successfully accesses the second device, the second message comprises second indication information indicating that the first device successfully accesses the second device. For example, the second message can comprise an ACK message in step S730. Optionally, the second message further indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message.

[0173] For another example, when the first device fails to access the second device, the second message comprises second indication information indicating that the first device fails to access the second device. For example, the second message can comprise a NACK message. Optionally, the second device can also send a NACK message to the first device when the first device fails in conflict resolution or when the first device fails in data transmission with the second device. Optionally, the second message further indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message, i.e., the second message indicates that the first device does not re-access the second device. Optionally, in a proximity determination scenario, the second message further indicates that the current service type is a proximity determination service, so that the first device determines not to re-access the second device.

[0174] Optionally, the second message can comprise a bit, for example, when the value of the bit field is 0, the second message is a NACK message, and when the value of the bit field is 1, the second message is an ACK message.

[0175] Optionally, the second device can carry the second indication information in the next access trigger message, the second indication information indicating that the first device successfully accesses the second device or fails to access the second device. Alternatively, when the second indication information is not included in the next access trigger message, the first device can determine access success based on the access trigger message.

[0176] Optionally, the access trigger message comprises a Query message or a QueryRep message. The Query message can also be referred to as an access opportunity indication / trigger message, which is used to indicate / trigger at least one access opportunity, such as directly or indirectly indicating the total number of access opportunities, and can also be used to trigger the first access opportunity, or to trigger a new round of access, or to trigger the first device to re-access (re-access) after a failed access / data transmission. The QueryRep message can also be referred to as an access opportunity indication / trigger message, which is used to indicate / trigger the next access opportunity, and can also be understood as indicating / associating with the boundary (start or end) of an access opportunity. The above-mentioned access opportunity can also be described as an access occasion, an access time slot, etc., and each access opportunity can allow the first device to send an access (request), and / or contention resolution, and / or data transmission, etc.

[0177] S802, the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device, the second message being used to respond to the first message. Optionally, the second device does not receive a message from the first device after sending the second message and / or before sending the access trigger message.

[0178] Optionally, the first device not sending a message to the second device comprises: the first device not sending a third message to the second device.

[0179] The third message can also be referred to as message 3, message 3, msg 3, etc.

[0180] Optionally, the third message can be first service related data, such as sensor data, positioning data, etc.

[0181] For example, the third message can be the uplink data in step S740.

[0182] Optionally, the third message can be data of the first device, such as memory area data (e.g., device ID, EPC, tag ID, user data, encryption data, key, sensing data, written data, etc.), cache data (e.g., medium access control (MAC) cache data, radio link control (RLC) or radio resource control (RRC) or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) cache data, uplink data to be transmitted, feedback (or response) message to downlink data (or downlink signaling, downlink message, etc.), register or memory stored data, etc.), specific sequence (e.g., positioning sequence, scrambling sequence, etc.), request message (e.g., authentication request, registration request, authentication request, etc.), etc. Optionally, the third message can be encapsulated or carried in an RRC message, or a MAC message, or a NAS message, or an RLC, or an application layer message, or an A-IoT-NAS message, etc. The third message can be sent to an access network device or an entity capable of receiving an A-IoT uplink message, such as a reader entity, etc., or can be transparently transmitted by a base station to a core network device or a server, wherein the core network device can be an AMF, or an A-IoT management function (A-IoT MF) or TMF, a UPF, an application function (AF), etc. 5G, 5.5G or future communication system core network device, and the server can be an Internet of Things server, or a factory server, a user server, etc. Optionally, the third message can also be sent to the terminal device, or sent to the terminal device and forwarded to the access network device.

[0183] It should be understood that in the existing scheme, the first device sends the third message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device.

[0184] In the first implementation, after receiving the second message sent by the second device, the first device determines that the access to the second device has been successful, or determines that the first service has been completed, and no longer sends the third message to the second device, thereby saving signaling. Alternatively, after receiving the second message sent by the second device, the first device determines that the access to the second device has failed, and then the first device waits for the next round of access opportunity.

[0185] In the second implementation, the second device does not feed back the second message to the first device after receiving the first message. In this case, the first device determines that the access to the second device is successful when receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device, or determines that the first service is completed, and the first device does not send the third message to the second device before receiving the access trigger message. By this scheme, the third message and the second message do not need to be sent, and signaling is saved. It should be understood that the first device also does not send the third message to the second device after receiving the access trigger message, that is, if the first device does not receive the access trigger message sent by the second device, it can also determine that the access to the second device is successful, or can determine that the access to the second device is not successful, but no matter whether the first device determines that the access to the second device is successful or not, the first device does not receive the second message from the second device, and does not send the third message to the second device any more. In other words, the first device does not perform any action according to whether the second message is received after sending the first message.

[0186] Optionally, the first message comprises part or all of the identification information of the first device. Optionally, the identification information of the first device is used for the second device to distinguish different first devices in the random access / competition resolution process, and complete the successful access of the first device to the second device, so that the first device does not need to send the third message to the second device any more. Optionally, the identification information of the first device is used to complete the first service, for example, the identification information of the first device is used for the second device to inventory the first device.

[0187] Optionally, if the second device does not receive the first message from the first device, the second device can send indication information indicating that the access to the second device fails, or indication information indicating that the first device fails to send the first message, or indication information indicating that the first service is not completed; correspondingly, after receiving the foregoing indication information, the first device can re-initiate the access to the second device, or re-send the first message, or not initiate the re-access to the second device, or not re-send the first message. Optionally, after receiving the foregoing indication information, the first device waits for the indication of the subsequent action of the second device, for example, the indication of the re-access or the re-sending of the first message.

[0188] In the third implementation, the first device considers that the access to the second device is successful or determines that the first service is completed after sending the first message, and the first device does not send the third message to the second device before receiving the next round of paging message. Optionally, determining that the first service is completed comprises: determining that the first device successfully sends the first message, or determining that the second device successfully inventories the first device.

[0189] In other words, after sending the first message, the first device determines that the access to the second device is successful or the sending of the first message to the second device is successful, and no longer needs to determine the result of the access to the second device or the result of the sending of the first message to the second device by receiving the second message from the second device, that is, does not determine the result of the access to the second device or the result of the sending of the first message to the second device based on whether the second message is received. After sending the first message to the second device, the first device does not expect to receive the second message from the second device, and does not send a message to the second device.

[0190] Optionally, after sending the first message, the first device determines that the access to the second device is successful or the sending of the first message to the second device is successful, including: in a case that the first device does not receive the second message within a first time length after sending the first message, confirming that the access to the second device is successful or confirming that the sending of the first message is successful.

[0191] Optionally, the first message includes part or all of the identification information of the first device. Optionally, the identification information of the first device is used for the second device to distinguish different first devices in the random access / competition resolution process, to complete the successful access of the first device to the second device, so that the first device does not need to send a third message to the second device. Optionally, the identification information of the first device is used to complete the first service, for example, the identification information of the first device is used for the second device to inventory the first device.

[0192] It should be understood that in the above second and third implementation manners, after sending the first message to the second device, the first device does not expect to receive the second message from the second device, and does not send a message to the second device; or in other words, does not determine the result of the access to the second device or the result of the sending of the first message to the second device based on whether the second message is received. The difference lies in that in the second implementation manner, after sending the first message, the first device can determine the result of the access to the second device according to whether the access trigger message is received after sending the first message; in the third implementation manner, the first device directly determines that the access to the second device is successful after sending the first message, and does not determine the result of the access to the second device according to any message.

[0193] Optionally, after determining that the access to the second device is successful, the first device does not initiate re-access to the second device, or does not resend the first message.

[0194] The first service can be a service related to an application scenario, and the first service can be at least one of the following: inventory service, command service, positioning service, sensing service, proximity, read service, write service, inactivation service, lock service, or security service (such as authentication, authorization, registration, etc.), or can be a new service type defined in the future, and the specific naming is not limited. For example, the inventory service is that the reader accesses the terminals in the coverage, and the terminal that successfully accesses can send the unique identifier of the terminal to the reader. The positioning service can be to position the position of the terminal by using a positioning signal. The sensing service can be that the terminal reports sensing data, such as temperature data. The operation instruction service can be to execute an operation instruction flow, such as a write flow or a lock flow. The write flow can be that the reader sends an instruction and data, instructing the terminal to write the data into the memory of the terminal. The lock flow can be that the reader sends a downlink instruction, and the terminal locks the position of a specified address of the memory, and the content of the memory cannot be changed and / or read.

[0195] For example, the existing inventory service is that the reader accesses the terminals in the coverage, and the terminal that successfully accesses can send the unique identifier of the terminal to the reader. However, the scheme of the present application can be used for a scenario in which the number of terminals needs to be quickly counted, and only the reader needs to access the terminals in the coverage, without subsequent data exchange, that is, without the terminal that successfully accesses sending the unique identifier of the terminal to the reader.

[0196] In some cases, there are multiple first devices that simultaneously send the first message to the second device, and the second device has a certain capability of analyzing multiple first messages. That is, the second device has a probability of being able to determine how many first devices simultaneously request to access the second device.

[0197] In this case, the second device receives multiple first messages sent by multiple first devices, and the multiple first messages can be the same or different.

[0198] Optionally, when the second device successfully determines the number of the multiple first devices, the second device can send second indication information indicating that the access is successful to each of the multiple first devices, and the second indication information can be carried in a second message sent by the second device to each of the multiple first devices, or can be carried in a next access trigger message.

[0199] Optionally, when the second device does not successfully determine the number of the multiple first devices, the second device can send second indication information indicating that the access fails to each of the multiple first devices, and the second indication information can be carried in a second message sent by the second device to each of the multiple first devices, or can be carried in a next access trigger message.

[0200] As described above, when a certain first device (referred to as device #1) successfully accesses the second device, the second device can send a second message to the first device.

[0201] When the second device sends the second message to device #1, other first devices can also receive the second message. For the first devices that have not successfully accessed the second device in the current round (i.e., the first devices with counter greater than 0), when the second message is received, the counter value of the first devices can be reduced by 1.

[0202] Specifically, for the first devices that have not successfully accessed the second device in the current round, after receiving the second message (scrambled), if the parsing fails, the counter is reduced by 1.

[0203] Optionally, the scheme of the present application is also applicable to the scenario of proximity determination, that is, the second device exists within a certain distance of the first device.

[0204] It should be understood that the second device can determine the distance from the first device through the signal strength of the first message sent by the different first devices. Optionally, the signal strength can be determined by measuring the reference signal receiving power (RSRP), the reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or the signal interference noise ratio (SINR).

[0205] It should be understood that the second device can determine the distance from the first device according to the signal strength of the first message, and then determine the result of the first device accessing the second device corresponding to the first message, that is, the second device can determine the second indication information according to the signal strength of the first message.

[0206] Optionally, when the signal strength of the first message is greater than a first threshold, it indicates that the distance between the first device and the second device is relatively close, and then the second device sends the second indication information indicating that the first device successfully accesses the second device to the first device. The second indication information can be carried in the second message sent by the second device to each first device, or can be carried in the next access trigger message. It should be understood that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device.

[0207] Optionally, when the signal strength of the first message is less than the first threshold value, it indicates that the distance between the first device and the second device is far, and then the second device sends second indication information to the first device, which indicates that the first device fails to access the second device. The second indication information can be carried in the second message sent by the second device to each first device, or can be carried in the next access trigger message. Optionally, the second indication information further indicates that the first device no longer re-accesses the second device. It should be understood that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device.

[0208] Optionally, before step S801, the method 800 further comprises:

[0209] S803, the second device sends first indication information to the first device, based on which the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message.

[0210] Optionally, the first indication information can be carried in a paging message, an access trigger message or other R2D messages.

[0211] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message.

[0212] It should be understood that step S802 shows three implementation manners of "the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device".

[0213] Specifically, in the second implementation manner or the third implementation manner of "the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device", the first device does not determine the result of accessing the second device or the result of sending the first message to the second device based on whether the second message is received after sending the first message to the second device; or in other words, the second message from the second device is not expected to be received, and no message is sent to the second device.

[0214] Based on the second implementation or the third implementation of step S802, the first indication information indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message, which can include that the first indication information indicates that, in a case that the first device has sent the first message and has not received the second message after sending the first message, the first device confirms that the first device successfully accesses the second device or that the first device successfully sends the first message; or the first indication information indicates that the first device does not determine the result of accessing the second device or the result of sending the first message to the second device based on whether the second message is received. Optionally, the first indication information indicates that, in a case that the first device has sent the first message and has not received the second message after sending the first message, the first device confirms that the first device successfully accesses the second device or that the first device successfully sends the first message, which includes that, in a case that the first device has not received the second message within a first time period after sending the first message, the first device confirms that the first device successfully accesses the second device or that the first device successfully sends the first message.

[0215] Optionally, the first indication information is a Fast mode indication, based on which the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message.

[0216] Optionally, the first indication information can also be an indication of skipping the third message, based on which the first device does not send the third message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message. The skipping of the third message can be understood as skipping the third message or skipping the third message and messages after the third message, where “skipping” can be understood as not transmitting, or not initiating, or not triggering, or not generating.

[0217] Optionally, the first indication information can also be an indication of skipping uplink data transmission, based on which the first device does not send uplink data to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message.

[0218] It should be understood that the name of the first indication information is not limited in the present application, as long as the purpose of the indication is to make the first device skip data transmission with the second device after sending the first message.

[0219] Optionally, in a proximity determination scenario, the first indication information indicates that the first device does not re-access the second device after receiving second indication information indicating that the first device fails to access the second device.

[0220] Alternatively, in a proximity determination scenario, the first indication information can be an indication of the second service, by which the first device can determine the service type as the second service, and thus determine to skip the third message in the subsequent procedure. It should be appreciated that the second service can be an inventory service, or a proximity determination service.

[0221] Optionally, the paging message comprises a Paging message or a select message, which is used to page or select or trigger one or more devices.

[0222] Optionally, the Paging message can be used to instruct the first device to access the reader. For example, when the reader is a base station / access network device, the Paging message can be used to instruct the first device to access the network; when the reader is a terminal device, the Paging message can be used to instruct the first device to access the terminal, and optionally, the first device can access the network through the terminal.

[0223] Optionally, the Paging message can also be used to trigger / instruct the first device to send uplink data, or to trigger / instruct / request the first device to perform any of the following services or procedures: a paging service, an inventory service, a command service (such as read, write, deactivate, lock, etc.), a positioning service, a sensing service.

[0224] Optionally, the Paging message can also be referred to as an (initial) trigger message. The Paging message can be triggered by an A-IoT aware core network node (such as an AMF, or an ambient IoT management function (A-IoT MF), an ambient IoT function (AIoTF), etc.). For example, the A-IoT aware core network node sends a first service request message or a paging message to an A-IoT access network node, and the A-IoT access network node sends the Paging message according to the first service request message or the paging message. The first service can be a service related to an application scenario, and the first service can be at least one of the following: inventory service, command service, positioning service, sensing service, proximity, read service, write service, deactivation service, lock service, or security service (such as authentication, authorization, registration, etc.), or can also be a new service type defined in the future, and the specific naming is not limited. Illustratively, the inventory service is that a reader accesses terminals in a coverage range, and the terminals that successfully access can send a unique identifier of the terminal to the reader. The positioning service can be to use a positioning signal to position the position of a terminal. The sensing service can be that a terminal reports sensing data, such as temperature data, etc. The operation instruction service can be to execute an operation instruction process, such as a write process or a lock process. The write process can be that a reader sends an instruction and data, instructing a terminal to write the data into a memory of the terminal. The lock process can be that a reader sends a downlink instruction, and a terminal locks a position of a specified address of a memory area, and the content of the memory area cannot be changed and / or read.

[0225] Optionally, the Paging message can also be referred to as an inventory trigger / indication / request message, or a command trigger / indication / request message. For example, the inventory trigger / indication / request message is used to trigger / indicate / request the first device to perform inventory, and the command trigger / indication / request message is used to trigger / indicate / request the first device to perform command.

[0226] Optionally, the paging message can include identification information for selecting / filtering a communication device, such as a device ID, a mask, a group identifier, a temporary identifier, a permanent identifier (such as not lost due to power being lower than a threshold / running out), a temporary identifier (such as only maintained for a period of time, such as possibly lost due to power being lower than a threshold / running out), an access stratum (AS) ID, etc.

[0227] The method 800 shown in FIG. 8 is described below in combination with the method 900 shown in FIG. 9. It should be understood that the method 900 is a specific implementation of the method 800, and the terms or concepts in the method 900 can be described in combination with the method 800. In the method 900, the second device counts the number of the first devices, and there are N first devices including device 1. The interaction between the device 1 and the second device is taken as an example to describe the method of the present application.

[0228] S901, the second device sends first indication information to the device 1, and the first indication information indicates that the first device skips sending the third message.

[0229] In other words, the first indication information indicates that the device 1 does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving the access trigger message sent by the second device.

[0230] S902, the device 1 sends a first message to the second device.

[0231] It should be understood that the N first devices can send the first message to the second device in the same or different time slots.

[0232] For example, in time slot 1, only the device 1 sends the first message to the second device.

[0233] In one case, after the second device successfully accesses the device 1, the second device can send a second message to the device 1 to indicate that the access is successful, or the second device can not send the second message to the device 1, but sends an access trigger message to the device 1 to determine that the access is successful. Optionally, the second message or the access trigger message includes second indication information indicating that the access is successful. Optionally, the second message further indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message.

[0234] Alternatively, after the second device fails to access the device 1, the second device can send a second message to the device 1 to indicate that the access fails. Optionally, the second message or the access trigger message includes second indication information indicating that the access fails.

[0235] For another example, in time slot 1, the device 1, the device 2 and the device 3 in the N first devices all send the first message to the second device.

[0236] It should be understood that when multiple first devices simultaneously initiate access, the second device can not be able to successfully resolve all of them.

[0237] In one case, the second device succeeds in resolving all the devices, and the second device can send a second message to the first device, the second device and the third device to indicate that the access is successful, or the second device can not send the second message to the first device, the second device and the third device, but send an access trigger message to the first device, the second device and the third device to indicate that the access is successful. Optionally, the second message or the access trigger message includes second indication information indicating that the access is successful. Optionally, the second message further indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message.

[0238] Alternatively, the second device does not succeed in resolving all the devices, and the second device can send a second message to the first device, the second device and the third device to indicate that the access is unsuccessful. Optionally, the second message or the access trigger message includes second indication information indicating that the access is unsuccessful.

[0239] S903, the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving an access trigger message sent by the second device.

[0240] For example, the first device determines that the access is successful after receiving the second message, and does not send a message to the second device.

[0241] For another example, the second device does not send the second message, and the first device determines that the access is successful through the access trigger message, and does not send a message to the second device before receiving the access trigger message.

[0242] The method 800 shown in FIG. 8 is described below in combination with the method 1000 shown in FIG. 10. It should be understood that the method 1000 is a specific implementation of the method 800, and the terms or concepts in the method 1000 can be referred to the related description in the method 800. In the method 1000, the number of the first devices in the proximity of the second device is taken as an example, and there are P first devices in total. It is assumed that M first devices are far away from the second device and are not inventoried, and the remaining N first devices are close to the second device and are inventoried by the second device. The M first devices include the first device, and the interaction between the first device and the second device is taken as an example to illustrate the method of the present application.

[0243] S1001, the second device sends first indication information to the first device, and the first indication information indicates that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving a second message sent by the second device and / or before receiving an access trigger message sent by the second device.

[0244] Optionally, in the proximity determination scenario, the first indication information indicates that the first device does not re-access the second device after receiving second indication information indicating that the first device fails to access the second device.

[0245] Alternatively, in a proximity determination scenario, the first indication information can be an indication of the second service, by which the first device can determine the service type as the second service, and thus determine to skip the third message in the subsequent procedure. It should be understood that the second service can be an inventory service, or a proximity determination service.

[0246] S1002, the device 1 sends a first message to the second device.

[0247] It should be understood that if the signal strength of the first message sent by the device 1 is insufficient, i.e. lower than the first threshold, the second device determines that the device 1 fails to access the second device, and sends a second message to the device 1, the second message comprising second indication information indicating the access failure.

[0248] Optionally, the second message further indicates that the device 1 no longer re-accesses the second device. Alternatively, the second message further indicates that the current service type is a proximity determination service, so that the first device determines not to re-access the second device.

[0249] Alternatively, the second device sends an access trigger message to the first device, the access trigger message comprising second indication information indicating the access failure, the second indication information further indicating that the device 1 no longer re-accesses the second device. Alternatively, the access trigger message further indicates that the current service type is a proximity determination service, so that the first device determines not to re-access the second device.

[0250] S1003, the device 1 does not send a message to the second device after receiving the second message or before receiving the access trigger message.

[0251] It should be understood that after receiving the second message indicating the access failure, the device 1 no longer re-accesses the second device.

[0252] It should be understood that the inventory procedure of the N first devices described above can refer to the description of the method 900.

[0253] In the above method 800 to method 1000, in order to save signaling overhead and improve inventory efficiency, unnecessary data transmission is skipped. In addition, the present application also provides another method, which can also save signaling overhead and improve inventory efficiency.

[0254] It should be understood that in the procedure of RFID, the second device can send a paging message for paging / selecting / triggering one or more first devices, wherein the paged first device can send a first message to the second device when an access opportunity is triggered, and then the second device can send a response message of the first message, i.e. a second message, to the first device. The descriptions of the above first device, second device, first message and second message can refer to the method 800, which will not be described here.

[0255] Optionally, when the second device sends the paging message to the first device, the paging message can include the identification information of the first device that is paged / selected / triggered, which can be the identification of the first device, a mask, a temporary identification, etc.

[0256] The application can process the identification information of the first device in the paging message to generate a shorter sequence or string, etc., thereby saving the bit overhead in the paging message. Optionally, processing the identification information of the first device includes processing the identification information of the first device by a hash algorithm or other algorithm.

[0257] Optionally, the first message sent by the first device to the second device can also include the identification information of the first device, and the application can also process the identification information of the first device in the first message to generate a shorter sequence or string, etc., thereby saving the bit overhead in the paging message. Optionally, processing the identification information of the first device includes processing the identification information of the first device by a hash algorithm or other algorithm.

[0258] Optionally, the second message sent by the second device to the first device can also include the identification information of the first device, and the application can also process the identification information of the first device in the second message to generate a shorter sequence or string, etc., thereby saving the bit overhead in the paging message. Optionally, processing the identification information of the first device includes processing the identification information of the first device by a hash algorithm or other algorithm.

[0259] Through the above scheme, the bit overhead of the paging message, the first message or the second message is reduced, the burden of long information transmission on low-power devices is avoided, signaling resources are saved, and the inventory efficiency is improved.

[0260] It should be understood that the size of the serial number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the application.

[0261] It should also be understood that in each embodiment of the application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referred to if there is no special description and no logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0262] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the devices in the existing network architecture are mainly exemplified and described (such as A-IoT devices or core network elements), and it should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited by the embodiments of the application. For example, devices that can achieve the same function in the future are also applicable to the embodiments of the application.

[0263] It can be understood that, in each of the above method embodiments, the method and operation implemented by the device (such as the A-IoT device or the core network network element) can also be implemented by a component (such as a chip or a circuit).

[0264] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein 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. Those skilled in the art 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 application.

[0265] The communication apparatus provided by the present application is described in detail below in combination with FIG. 11 to FIG. 13. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the content not described in detail can be referred to the above method embodiments, and part of the content will not be described again for the sake of brevity.

[0266] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the transmitting end device or the receiving end device according to the above method examples, for example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical functional division. When actually implemented, there can be another division manner. The following will be described taking the division of each functional module according to each function as an example.

[0267] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1100 includes a transceiver module 1110 and a processing module 1120. The transceiver module 1110 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1120 is used for data processing, that is, the transceiver module 1110 is used to execute the operations related to receiving and sending, and the processing module 1120 is used to execute the operations other than receiving and sending. The transceiver module 1110 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0268] Optionally, the apparatus 1100 can also include a storage module 1130, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1120 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the apparatus implements the actions of the device in each of the above method embodiments.

[0269] In one design, the apparatus 1100 can correspond to the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0270] The apparatus 1100 can implement steps or procedures performed by the first device in the above method embodiments, where the transceiver module 1100 can be configured to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1100 can be configured to perform the processing-related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0271] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1110 is configured to transmit the first message, or to receive the second message or the access trigger message.

[0272] When the apparatus 1100 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 8, the transceiver module 1110 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving or transmitting information in the method, such as S801.

[0273] It is to be understood that the detailed procedures for the respective steps performed by each unit are described in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0274] In another design, the apparatus 1100 can correspond to the second device in the above method embodiments, or be a component (e.g., a chip) of the second device.

[0275] The apparatus 1100 can implement steps or procedures performed by the second device in the above method embodiments, where the transceiver module 1110 can be configured to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1120 can be configured to perform the processing-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0276] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1110 is configured to transmit the second message or the access trigger message, or to receive the first message.

[0277] When the apparatus 1100 is configured to perform the method in FIG. 8, the transceiver module 1110 can be configured to perform the steps of receiving or transmitting information in the method, such as S801. The processing module 1120 can be configured to perform the processing steps in the method.

[0278] It is to be understood that the detailed procedures for the respective steps performed by each unit are described in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0279] It should also be understood that the apparatus 1100 is embodied in the form of a functional block diagram. The term "module" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In one example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 1100 can be embodied in the first apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the first apparatus in the above-mentioned method embodiments. Alternatively, the apparatus 1100 can be embodied in the second apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the second apparatus in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein.

[0280] The apparatus 1100 of each of the above-mentioned schemes has a function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the device (e.g. the first apparatus or the second apparatus) in the above-mentioned methods. The function can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g. the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units such as the processing module can be replaced by a processor, which respectively performs the transceiving operations and related processing operations in each of the method embodiments.

[0281] In addition, the above-mentioned transceiver module 1110 can also be a transceiver circuit (e.g. can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing module 1120 can be a processing circuit.

[0282] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 1200 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The apparatus 1200 includes a processor 1210, which is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 1220, or read data / signaling stored in the memory 1220, to perform the methods in the above-mentioned method embodiments. Optionally, the processor 1210 is one or more.

[0283] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 12, the apparatus 1200 further includes a memory 1220, which is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 1220 can be integrated with the processor 1210, or can be separately arranged. Optionally, the memory 1220 is one or more.

[0284] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 12, the apparatus 1200 further includes a transceiver 1230 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 1210 is configured to control the transceiver 1230 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0285] As a scheme, the apparatus 1200 is configured to implement operations performed by a first device in the various method embodiments.

[0286] As another scheme, the apparatus 1200 is configured to implement operations performed by a second device in the various method embodiments.

[0287] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0288] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM). For example, the RAM can be used as an external cache. As an example but not limitation, the RAM includes the following various forms: static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0289] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0290] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0291] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1300 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The chip system 1300 (or also can be referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 1310 and an input / output interface 1320.

[0292] The logic circuit 1310 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 1300. The logic circuit 1310 can be coupled to a storage unit, and invoke instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 1300 can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 1320 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 1300, and output information processed by the chip system 1300, or input data or signaling information to be processed by the chip system 1300.

[0293] As an option, the chip system 1300 is configured to implement operations performed by the first device and the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0294] For example, the logic circuit 1310 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the first device and the second device in the above method embodiments; and the input / output interface 1320 is configured to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first device and the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0295] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions for implementing the method performed by the first core network element and the communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0296] For example, the computer program is executed by a computer, so that the computer can implement the method performed by the first device and the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0297] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which contains instructions, and the instructions are executed by a computer to implement the method performed by the first device and the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0298] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which includes the first device and the second device.

[0299] The explanations and beneficial effects of the related contents in any of the above devices can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0300] In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. The division of the units is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner for actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or in other forms.

[0301] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0302] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0304] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0305] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically independently, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0306] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts 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 plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium 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.

[0307] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first device, characterized in that, The method comprises: sending a first message, the first message comprising at least one of the following: identification information of the first device, or a random number; in a case where a second message is not received, confirming that the first device successfully accesses the second device, or confirming that the first device successfully sends the first message, wherein the second message is used to respond to the first message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that, in a case where the first device sends the first message and does not receive a second message after sending the first message, the first device confirms that the first device successfully accesses the second device, or confirms that the first device successfully sends the first message; or the first indication information indicates that the first device does not determine a result of accessing the second device or a result of sending the first message to the second device based on whether the second message is received.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The confirming that the first device successfully accesses the second device, or the confirming that the first device successfully sends the first message in a case where a second message is not received comprises: in a case where the second message is not received within a first time length after the first message is sent, confirming that the first device successfully accesses the second device, or confirming that the first device successfully sends the first message. 4.A communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first message from a first device, the first message comprising at least one of the following: identification information of the first device, or a random number; after receiving the first message, not sending a second message to the first device, the second message being used to respond to the first message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that, in a case where the first device sends the first message and does not receive a second message after sending the first message, the first device confirms that the first device successfully accesses the second device, or confirms that the first device successfully sends the first message; or the first indication information indicates that the first device does not determine a result of accessing the second device or a result of sending the first message to the second device based on whether the second message is received. 6.A communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising: The method comprises: sending a first message, the first message being used for contention resolution or accessing a second device; after receiving a second message and / or receiving an access trigger message, not sending a message to the second device, the second message being used to respond to the first message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information; The not sending a message to the second device comprises, based on the first indication information, not sending a message to the second device.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second message comprises second indication information, the second indication information indicating that accessing the second device is successful or fails.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The not sending a message to the second device comprises: not sending identification and / or data of the first device to the second device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, The second message is further used to trigger an access opportunity.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that, The method further comprises: before receiving a paging message, not sending a message to the second device. 12.A communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first message from a first device, the first message being for contention resolution or access to a second device; not receiving a message from the first device after sending a second message and / or before sending an access trigger message, the second message being in response to the first message.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being for indicating that the first device does not send a message to the second device after receiving a second message or before receiving an access trigger message.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second message comprises second indication information, the second indication information being for indicating success or failure of the first device accessing the second device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the second indication information according to a signal strength of the first message.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: when the signal strength of the first message is greater than a first threshold, the second indication information indicates success of the first device accessing the second device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further comprises: when the signal strength of the first message is less than the first threshold, the second indication information indicates failure of the first device accessing the second device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The second message is further for triggering an access opportunity.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, The not receiving a message from the first device comprises: not receiving an identity of the first device and / or data from the first device.

20. A communications device, characterized by The communication device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 6-11 or 12-19.

21. A communications device, characterized by The communication device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3 or 4-5.

22. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory being configured to store computer programs or instructions, and the at least one processor being configured to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, such that the method of any one of claims 1-3 is performed, or such that the method of any one of claims 4-5 is performed, or such that the method of any one of claims 6-11 is performed, or such that the method of any one of claims 12-19 is performed.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon computer programs or instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1-3 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 4-5 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 6-11 to be performed, or cause the method of any one of claims 12-19 to be performed.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product, when executed on a computer, causes the method of any one of claims 1-3 to be performed, or causes the method of any one of claims 4-5 to be performed, or causes the method of any one of claims 6-11 to be performed, or causes the method of any one of claims 12-19 to be performed.

25. A chip, characterized by The chip is installed in a communication device, the chip comprises a processor and a communication interface, the processor reads instructions through the communication interface and runs, so that the communication device executes the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, or so that the communication device executes the method as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 5, or so that the communication device executes the method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11, or so that the communication device executes the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19.

26. A communication system, characterized by It comprises a first device for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 and a second device for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 5.

27. A communication system, characterized by It comprises a first device for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 and a second device for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19.

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