Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The communication method comprises: a first network device sends first indication information to a terminal device, wherein the first indication information indicates whether the terminal device enters a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the capability of accessing a second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; then, the first network device enters a sleep state. The method is conducive to avoiding interruption of continuity experience of a terminal device.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411198367.9, filed on August 28, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] To meet the ever-increasing demand for data traffic, wireless networks are being rapidly deployed. As networks grow larger, the energy consumption of network equipment continues to rise, significantly increasing electricity costs. Therefore, reducing the energy consumption of network equipment is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0004] Within the coverage area of ​​a network device, when the demand for services is low or the number of connected terminal devices is small, the network device can be put into a sleep state to save energy. However, this method may interrupt the continuous experience of terminal devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that helps to avoid interrupting the continuous experience of terminal devices.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a network-side device, which may be a network device, or a processor, module, chip, chip system, or functional module implementing the method. Taking the method being executed by a first network device as an example, the method includes: sending first indication information to a terminal device, the first indication information indicating whether the terminal device enters a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device having the ability to access a second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; and entering a sleep state.

[0007] Based on the method described in the first aspect, before the first network device enters a sleep state, the terminal device can be instructed to activate the first coverage enhancement mode through the first indication information to improve the coverage performance of the terminal device, thereby avoiding interruption of the continuous experience of the terminal device.

[0008] In one possible implementation, sending first instruction information to the terminal device is specifically implemented by sending the first instruction information to the terminal device through a second network device.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the terminal device; the second indication information indicates a first condition, which is a condition for entering a first coverage enhancement mode; wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the terminal device receives the first indication information; or, the measurement value obtained by the terminal device from measuring the synchronization signal block (SSB) from the second network device is less than a first threshold; or, the distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than a second threshold. Based on this implementation, the first condition can enable the terminal device to further determine whether it is at the cell edge. Terminal devices located at the cell edge enter the first coverage enhancement mode, which helps to avoid interrupting the continuous experience of terminal devices located at the cell edge. Terminal devices located at the cell center can access the second network device without entering the first coverage enhancement mode, which helps to save energy.

[0010] In one possible implementation, when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has the capability to repeatedly transmit the physical random access channel (PRACH) and / or repeatedly transmit the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). This implementation improves the uplink coverage performance of the terminal device.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PRACH is sent, and / or, the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a third indication message to a second network device, the third indication message instructing the second network device to enter a second coverage enhancement mode, wherein the second network device, when entering the second coverage enhancement mode, has the ability to increase its coverage range. Based on this implementation, the downlink coverage performance of the second network device is improved, and coverage holes are avoided due to the first network device entering a dormant state.

[0013] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal-side device. The terminal-side device can be a terminal device, or a processor, module, chip, chip system, or functional module implementing the method. Taking the method executed by a terminal device as an example, the method includes: entering a first coverage enhancement mode when a first condition is met, wherein the terminal device has the ability to access a second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the terminal device receives first indication information, the first indication information indicating whether the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the ability to access the second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; or, the measurement value obtained by the terminal device from measuring the SSB from the second network device is less than a first threshold; or, the distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than a second threshold.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the second aspect can be found in the description of the first aspect.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information indicating the first condition.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the terminal device has the ability to repeatedly send PRACH and / or repeatedly send PUSCH when entering the first coverage enhancement mode.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the number of times PRACH is repeatedly sent, and / or, the first indication information is further used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a random access response from a second network device; if the random access response is located on a first time domain resource, repeatedly sending the PUSCH to the second network device; if the random access response is located on a second time domain resource, not repeatedly sending the PUSCH to the second network device.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first time-domain resource includes multiple third time-domain resources. Each of the multiple third time-domain resources is used to indicate the number of times the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH. The number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent corresponds to different third time-domain resources. If the random access response is located on the first time-domain resource, PUSCH is repeatedly sent to the second network device. Specifically, if the random access response is located on the fourth time-domain resource, PUSCH is repeatedly sent to the second network device based on the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent corresponding to the fourth time-domain resource. The fourth time-domain resource is one of the multiple third time-domain resources.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the number of times the PUSCH is repeatedly transmitted is M, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the difference between the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission and the power of the ith PUSCH transmission in the M repeated transmissions is a first value, which is greater than 0; where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M-1.

[0021] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a network-side device, which may be a network device, or a processor, module, chip, chip system, or functional module implementing the method. Taking the method being executed by a second network device as an example, the method includes: receiving first indication information from a first network device, the first indication information indicating whether a terminal device has entered a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device having the ability to access the second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; and sending the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the third aspect can be found in the description of the first aspect.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information indicating a first condition, the first condition being a condition for entering a first coverage enhancement mode; wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0024] The terminal device receives a first instruction; or, the terminal device measures the SSB from the second network device and the measured value is less than a first threshold; or, the distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than a second threshold.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the terminal device has the ability to repeatedly send PRACH and / or repeatedly send PUSCH when entering the first coverage enhancement mode.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to indicate the number of times PRACH is repeatedly sent, and / or, the first indication information is further used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a random access response to the terminal device on a first time domain resource or a second time domain resource, wherein the first time domain resource is used to indicate that the PUSCH is repeatedly sent to the terminal device, and the second time domain resource is used to indicate that the terminal device does not send the PUSCH in a repeated sending manner.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first time-domain resource includes multiple third time-domain resources, each of which is used to indicate the number of times the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH, and the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent corresponds to different third time-domain resources.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving third indication information from a first network device, the third indication information instructing a second network device to enter a second coverage enhancement mode, wherein the second network device has the ability to increase coverage when entering the second coverage enhancement mode.

[0030] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus for performing a method in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects. The apparatus includes modules for performing the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects.

[0031] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus including a processing circuit for executing a method in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects. The processing circuit executes a program, and when the program is executed, the method shown in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects is executed.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the device also includes a memory for storing the program.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned device.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned device.

[0035] Furthermore, the processing circuitry and memory can be integrated into a single device; that is, the processing circuitry and memory can be combined together. For example, the device can be a chip.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the above-described apparatus further includes a transceiver circuit for receiving information (or input information) or sending information (or output information).

[0037] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus comprising a processing circuit and a transceiver circuit. The processing circuit may be a logic circuit, and the transceiver circuit may be an interface circuit. The logic circuit and the interface are coupled. The interface circuit is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute a method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to third aspects.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system including means for performing the method described in the first aspect, means for performing the method described in the second aspect, and means for performing the method described in the third aspect.

[0039] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method shown in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects to be executed.

[0040] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the method shown in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects to be executed. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of random access response time window division provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first time-domain resource partitioning provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a second coverage enhancement mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0052] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0053] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists and only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0054] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0055] The following describes the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0056] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, satellite communication systems, future communication systems, or integrated systems of multiple systems. The technical solutions provided in this 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 systems or other communication systems.

[0057] The method provided in this application can be applied between two entities in a communication system, such as one entity sending information to or receiving information sent by the other entity. In a wireless communication system, communication devices are included, and these devices can communicate wirelessly using air interface resources. Air interface resources may include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources; this application does not limit this. For example, the aforementioned two entities may include a network device and a terminal device, or may include a chip that can be placed in a network device and a chip that can be placed in a terminal device, etc. Of course, as standards advance, other types of entities may emerge subsequently; this application does not limit this.

[0058] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device, such as terminal device 1 to terminal device 4 in Figure 1. The terminal device and the network device can communicate via an air interface Uu link or via an NTN link, etc. For example, terminal device 3 and terminal device 4 can communicate via a D2D sidelink or other similar means. The form of the terminal device shown in Figure 1 is only an example. In a specific implementation, the terminal device may also include in-vehicle equipment or in-vehicle terminals in a vehicle network. This application embodiment does not limit the specific form of the terminal device when applied to a vehicle network or the Internet.

[0059] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the scenarios of this communication system may include at least one of scenario (a), scenario (b), scenario (c), or scenario (d). Scenario (a) is a point-to-point single connection between a network device and a terminal device; scenario (b) is a multi-hop single connection between a network device and a terminal device; scenario (c) is a point-to-point dual connectivity (DC) between a network device and a terminal device; and scenario (d) is a multi-hop dual connection between a network device and a terminal device.

[0060] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a network device and multiple terminal devices, and Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates single-connection and dual-connection. In specific implementations, the communication system may also include a greater number of network devices, and the coverage area of ​​each network device may include a greater or lesser number of terminal devices; this application embodiment does not limit this. The architectures shown in Figures 1 and 2 are merely examples and do not impose limitations on the network architecture applicable to this application. Any network architecture usable in this application is one where any network-side device in a cellular network communicates with or senses other devices.

[0061] The following provides a detailed description of terminal equipment and network equipment.

[0062] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can communicate with access network equipment (or access devices, or network devices as described below) in a radio access network (RAN). Terminal devices can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or it can be deployed on water, including ships; or it can be deployed in the air, such as on airplanes, balloons, or satellites. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, sensor, terminal in the Internet of Things (IoT), terminal in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), drone, or any form of terminal device in a 5G network or future network; this application does not limit this. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0063] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. For ease of description, when examples are mentioned below, the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment are described using the UE as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device.

[0064] A network device can be a device deployed in a wireless access network to provide wireless communication services to terminal devices. This network device can also be called an access network device, access equipment, or RAN device, etc. For example, a network device can be a next-generation node B (gNB), a next-generation evolved node B (ng-eNB), or a network device in future communications. A network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to the base stations mentioned above (including base stations deployed on satellites). This network device can also be a device with base station functionality in future communication systems. As an example, this network device can be an access node, wireless relay node, or wireless backhaul node in a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. As another example, this network device can be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. As yet another example, this network device can be a wearable device or vehicle-mounted device capable of providing wireless communication services. As yet another example, this network device can also be a small cell, a transmission reception point (TRP) (or a transmit-receive node), etc. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with network equipment functions may vary, and these will not be listed one by one in the embodiments of this application.

[0065] Network devices can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to be used as a device to communicate with another network device.

[0066] In some network device deployments, the network device may include a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). For example, some protocol layer functions of the network device may be centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions may be distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. In other network device deployments, the CU may be divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In still other network device deployments, the network device may also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture. When the network device is an ORAN architecture, it may be a functional entity or module within the ORAN. For example, the network device may be one or more of a CU, DU, or RU. In an ORAN system, the CU may also be called an open (O)-CU, the DU may also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be called an O-CU-CP, and the CU-UP may also be called an O-CU-UP, etc. The network device deployment methods listed here are merely examples. As standard technologies evolve, network devices may have other deployment forms, and this application does not limit these.

[0067] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the access network's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as an indoor baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0068] RAN nodes can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces. Different fronthaul interfaces correspond to DUs and RUs with different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is another type of interface, relative to CPRI, some downlink and / or uplink baseband functions, such as, for downlink, precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix addition (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU; for uplink, digital beamforming, or one or more of fast Fourier transform (FFT) / cyclic prefix removal (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU. In one possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the segmentation between DU and RU differs, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, F.

[0069] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, layer mapping is used as the dividing line. The DU is configured to implement one or more functions preceding layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping itself), while other functions following layer mapping (e.g., resource element (RE) mapping, digital beamforming, or one or more of IFFT / CP addition) are implemented in the RU. For uplink transmission, de-RE mapping is used as the dividing line. The DU is configured to implement one or more functions preceding de-mapping (i.e., decoding, rate matching de-matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, and de-RE mapping itself), while other functions following de-mapping (e.g., digital BF or FFT / CP removal) are implemented in the RU. It is understood that descriptions of the functions of the DU and RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can be found in the eCPRI protocol and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0070] In one possible design, the processing unit in the BBU used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0071] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0072] Network devices and / or terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located. Furthermore, terminal devices and network devices can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware or general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal devices and network devices.

[0073] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. For ease of description, when specific examples are mentioned below, the technical solution provided in this application embodiment will be described using a base station as an example.

[0074] To meet the ever-increasing demand for data traffic, wireless networks are being rapidly deployed. As networks grow larger, the energy consumption of network equipment continues to rise, significantly increasing electricity costs. Therefore, reducing the energy consumption of network equipment is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0075] Within the coverage area of ​​a network device, when the demand for services is low or the number of connected terminal devices is small, the network device can be put into a sleep state to save energy. However, this method may interrupt the continuous experience of terminal devices.

[0076] To avoid interrupting the continuous user experience of terminal devices, this application proposes a communication method, as shown in FIG3. This communication method includes steps 301 to 302. The method shown in FIG3 is applied between a terminal-side device and a network-side device. The terminal-side device can be a terminal device or a chip, and the network-side device can be a network device or a chip. FIG3 illustrates this using an example where the terminal-side device is a terminal device and the network-side device is a first network device. The terminal device can be the terminal device in the communication system shown in FIG1 or FIG2, and the first network device can be the network device in the communication system shown in FIG1 or FIG2. Wherein:

[0077] 301. The first network device sends a first indication message, and the corresponding terminal device receives the first indication message. The first indication message indicates whether the terminal device should enter the first coverage enhancement mode. When the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has the ability to access the second network device.

[0078] In this embodiment, the first network device can indicate whether the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode through first indication information. Optionally, the first indication information can be carried in a system information block 1 (SIB1) message. The first coverage enhancement mode can also be referred to as the first coverage enhancement state. When the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has better coverage performance than when it does not enter the first coverage enhancement mode, and can access network devices at greater distances. For example, the first network device and the second network device are adjacent, that is, the second network device is an adjacent network device of the first network device. The distance between the terminal device and the first network device is less than the distance between the terminal device and the second network device. When the terminal device does not enter the first coverage enhancement mode, it only has the ability to access the first network device and does not have the ability to access the second network device. However, when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has better coverage performance, and correspondingly, the terminal device has the ability to access the second network device.

[0079] Optionally, embodiments of this application can be applied to user-centric and no-cell (UCNC) scenarios. UCNC refers to a user-centric network that provides user-centric wireless communication services, weakens cell boundaries, and makes terminal devices unaware of cell edges, thereby enabling terminal devices to obtain a high-speed and low-latency experience. It is understood that in a UCNC scenario, multiple network devices can be simultaneously activated to provide services to terminal devices, and these multiple network devices use the same cell identifier. In conjunction with the scheme described in the embodiments of this application, the first network device and the second network device can use the same cell identifier to send synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and SIB1, meaning that the cell coverage area corresponding to the first network device and the cell coverage area corresponding to the second network device are the same cell. Further optionally, the first network device and the second network device can also provide coordinated communication services to the terminal device, such as uplink coordinated communication or downlink coordinated communication. For example, in uplink coordinated communication, the terminal device can send the same data to the first network device and the second network device, and there can be a merging gain after the data exchange between the first network device and the second network device. For example, in downlink coordinated communication, the first network device can send two streams of data to the terminal device, the second network device can send another two streams of data to the terminal device, and the terminal device actually receives four streams of data, etc.

[0080] In some possible implementations, when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it transmits the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and / or the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) at higher power, enabling it to access network devices at greater distances. Further, it can be understood that the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to increase the power of transmitting the PRACH and / or PUSCH.

[0081] For example, taking PRACH as an example, when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it increases the PRACH transmission power. This can be understood as follows: when the terminal device is not in the first coverage enhancement mode, it transmits PRACH using the first power; when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it can transmit PRACH using the second power, where the first power is less than the second power. Similarly, for PUSCH, the power at which the terminal device transmits PUSCH when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode is greater than the power at which it transmits PUSCH when it is not in the first coverage enhancement mode.

[0082] In some possible implementations, the terminal device repeatedly transmits PRACH and / or PUSCH when entering the first coverage enhancement mode. It can be further understood that the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to repeatedly transmit PRACH and / or PUSCH.

[0083] For example, taking PRACH as an example, when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it repeatedly sends PRACH. This can be understood as the terminal device not sending PRACH in the repeated sending mode when it is not in the first coverage enhancement mode; and the terminal device can send PRACH in the repeated sending mode when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode.

[0084] When a terminal device does not use the repetitive sending method to send PRACH, it can be understood as the terminal device sending PRACH only once within a certain period of time. This "not using the repetitive sending method" can also be described as sending PRACH in a non-repetitive manner, or sending PRACH in a regular or normal manner. When a terminal device uses the repetitive sending method to send PRACH, it can be understood as the terminal device sending PRACH multiple times within a certain period of time, and the content of these multiple PRACH transmissions is identical. The "certain period of time" mentioned above can refer to the time period corresponding to a single random access procedure initiated by the terminal device. For example, in a random access procedure, if the terminal device does not use the repetitive sending method to send PRACH, it will only send PRACH once, meaning the number of times the terminal device sends PRACH is equal to 1; if the terminal device uses the repetitive sending method to send PRACH, it will send at least two PRACH transmissions, and the content of these two PRACH transmissions is identical, meaning the number of times the terminal device sends PRACH is greater than or equal to 2.

[0085] Similarly, for PUSCH, if the terminal device does not use repeated transmission to send PUSCH, it can be understood as the terminal device sending PUSCH only once within a certain period of time. Sending PUSCH without repeating can also be described as sending PUSCH in a non-repeating manner, or sending PUSCH in a regular or normal manner. If the terminal device uses repeated transmission to send PUSCH, it can be understood as the terminal device sending PUSCH multiple times within a certain period of time, and the content of these multiple PUSCH transmissions is the same. Here, the certain period of time described above can refer to the time period corresponding to a single random access procedure initiated by the terminal device. For example, in a random access procedure, if the terminal device does not use repeated transmission to send PUSCH, it will only send PUSCH once, that is, the number of times the terminal device sends PUSCH is equal to 1. If the terminal device uses repeated transmission to send PUSCH, it will send PUSCH at least twice, and the content of these two PUSCH transmissions is the same, that is, the number of times the terminal device sends PUSCH is greater than or equal to 2.

[0086] Optionally, when the terminal device adopts the 4-step random access channel (4-step RACH) method, repeatedly sending PRACH can be understood as repeatedly sending random access message 1 (Msg1), and repeatedly sending PUSCH can be understood as repeatedly sending random access message 3 (Msg3). Here, Msg1 represents the first interaction message in the 4-step random access process. Msg1 is sent by the terminal device to the network device, and its content is a random access preamble used to initiate the random access request. Msg1 is transmitted on PRACH. Msg3 represents the third interaction message in the 4-step random access process. Msg3 is sent by the terminal device to the network device, and it includes a radio resource control connection request (RRC Connection Request) message used to initiate a connection establishment request to the network device.

[0087] Optionally, when the terminal device adopts a two-step random access channel (2-step RACH) method, repeatedly sending PRACH can be understood as repeatedly sending the preamble portion of message A (MsgA) for random access, and repeatedly sending PUSCH can be understood as repeatedly sending the data portion of MsgA. MsgA represents the first interactive message of the two-step random access, which is sent by the terminal device to the network device. The MsgA message includes the MsgA preamble portion and the MsgA data portion; the preamble portion is transmitted on PRACH, and the data portion is transmitted on PUSCH.

[0088] In some possible implementations, the size of the first indication information is 1 bit. The first network device can use this 1-bit information to indicate whether the terminal device should enter the first coverage enhancement mode. For example, when the value of the first indication information is a first value, it indicates that the terminal device should enter the first coverage enhancement mode; when the value of the first indication information is a second value, it indicates that the terminal device should not enter the first coverage enhancement mode. Specifically, when the first value is 1, the second value is 0, or vice versa.

[0089] Optionally, when the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it repeatedly transmits PRACH and / or PUSCH. When the first indication information takes a first value, it instructs the terminal device to transmit PRACH and / or PUSCH using a repeated transmission method. When the first indication information takes a second value, it instructs the terminal device not to transmit PRACH and / or PUSCH using a repeated transmission method. Wherein, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0090] The above example uses a first indication information size of 1 bit. Of course, the size of the first indication information can also be multiple bits, such as 2 bits. The 2-bit information is used to indicate whether the terminal device should repeatedly send PUSCH or PRACH. For example, when the first indication information is 00, it indicates that the terminal device should not send PUSCH in the manner of repeatedly sending PUSCH; when the first indication information is 01, it indicates that the terminal device should send PUSCH in the manner of repeatedly sending PUSCH; when the first indication information is 10, it indicates that the terminal device should not send PRACH in the manner of repeatedly sending PRACH; when the first indication information is 11, it indicates that the terminal device should send PRACH in the manner of repeatedly sending PRACH.

[0091] In some possible implementations, the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PRACH is sent, and / or, the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is sent. Optionally, when the number of times PRACH or PUSCH is sent is 1, it can be understood as sending PRACH or PUSCH without repeating the sending method. For example, assuming the size of the first indication information is 2 bits, the first indication information is used to indicate the number of times PRACH is sent. When the first indication information is 00, it indicates that the terminal device sends PRACH 1 time, that is, it does not send PRACH without repeating the sending method; when the first indication information is 01, it indicates that the terminal device sends PRACH 2 times; when the first indication information is 10, it indicates that the terminal device sends PRACH 3 times; when the first indication information is 11, it indicates that the terminal device repeatedly sends PRACH 4 times.

[0092] In some possible implementations, the first network device can directly send the first indication information to the terminal device. For example, the first network device can send the first indication information to the terminal device through a directly connected interface (such as an air interface). Alternatively, the first network device can also send the first indication information to the terminal device indirectly. For instance, the first network device can send the first indication information to the terminal device through a second network device. For example, the first network device can send the first indication information to the second network device, and the second network device, after receiving the first indication information, forwards it to the terminal device. As another example, the first network device can send a fourth indication information to the second network device, which instructs the second network device to send the first indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the second network device, after receiving the fourth indication information, sends the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0093] In some possible implementations, the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode when a first condition is met. This first condition is understood to be the condition for entering the coverage enhancement mode. The first condition includes one or more of the following:

[0094] Condition 1: The terminal device receives the first instruction information.

[0095] Condition 2: The measurement value obtained by the terminal device from the SSB of the second network device is less than the first threshold.

[0096] Condition 3: The distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than the second threshold.

[0097] The first condition can include any one or a combination of the above conditions. It can be understood that condition 1 refers to the condition where the terminal device receives an indication of whether to enter the first coverage enhancement mode. Optionally, condition 1 can further refer to the terminal device receiving first indication information, and this first indication information instructs the terminal device to enter the first coverage enhancement mode. Conditions 2 and 3 can be understood as conditions for the terminal device to autonomously determine whether it is at the edge of the cell coverage area of ​​the second network device. For example, condition 2 involves the terminal device measuring the SSB of the second network device and determining whether it is at the cell edge based on the measurement value. If the measurement value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, it indicates that the terminal device is at the cell center; if the measurement value is less than the first threshold, it indicates that the terminal device is at the cell edge. For example, condition 3 determines whether it is at the cell edge based on the distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the network device. If the distance is less than or equal to a second threshold, it indicates that the terminal device is at the cell center; if the distance is greater than the second threshold, it indicates that the terminal device is at the cell edge. The terminal device can determine its own location and the location of the second network device using radio frequency maps (RFMap), global positioning systems (GPS), or positioning algorithms. Of course, the first condition may also include other conditions. For example, it may also include the condition that the terminal device determines itself to be at the edge of the cell through other means. The first condition in this application embodiment is not limited.

[0098] When the first condition includes multiple conditions mentioned above, satisfying the first condition can be understood as satisfying at least one of the multiple conditions included in the first condition. For example, assuming the first condition includes the three conditions mentioned above, satisfying the first condition can be understood as satisfying at least one of conditions 1, 2, and 3.

[0099] Alternatively, when the first condition includes multiple conditions mentioned above, satisfying the first condition can be understood as satisfying all the conditions included in the first condition. For example, if the first condition includes the three conditions mentioned above, satisfying the first condition can be understood as satisfying each of conditions 1, 2, and 3.

[0100] Alternatively, when the first condition includes multiple conditions mentioned above, the conditions in the first condition can be divided into mandatory conditions and optional conditions. In this case, satisfying the first condition can be understood as satisfying all the mandatory conditions in the first condition and satisfying at least one of the optional conditions in the first condition. For example, suppose the first condition includes the above three conditions, condition 1 is a mandatory condition in the first condition, and conditions 2 and 3 are optional conditions in the first condition. Satisfying the first condition can be understood as satisfying condition 1 and satisfying at least one of conditions 2 and 3.

[0101] Optionally, the first condition may be preset or configured by the first or second network device. For example, the first or second network device may send second indication information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the second indication information, which is used to indicate the first condition. Alternatively, the first condition may be pre-agreed upon by the first or second network device and the first terminal through information exchange.

[0102] Optionally, the first indication information can also indicate the first condition. In this case, the first condition may include the aforementioned condition 2 and / or condition 3. It is understood that after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can further determine whether the first condition is met, i.e., whether it is located at the edge of the cell coverage area corresponding to the second network device. If the first condition is met, the terminal device can consider itself to be at the edge of the cell coverage area corresponding to the second network device and enter the first coverage enhancement mode to improve coverage performance, thus avoiding uninterrupted user experience. If the first condition is not met, the terminal device can consider itself to be at the center of the cell coverage area corresponding to the second network device, and can access the second network device without entering the first coverage enhancement mode, thus saving energy.

[0103] In some possible implementations, the second network device can instruct the terminal device whether to repeatedly send the PUSCH by sending a random access response on different time-domain resources. The terminal device can determine whether to repeatedly send the PUSCH based on the location of the time-domain resource where the random access response is located. In the four-step random access process, the random access response is the second interactive message, also known as random access message 2 (Msg2). The random access response is sent by the network device to the terminal device and may include one or more of the following: time alignment (TA), uplink grant (UL grant), temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI), power control, or resource indication sent by the terminal device as Msg3. The random access response may also include other information, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0104] For example, the second network device can send a random access response (RAR) to the terminal device on either a first time domain resource or a second time domain resource. The first time domain resource instructs the terminal device to retransmit the PUSCH, while the second time domain resource instructs the terminal device not to retransmit the PUSCH. Correspondingly, if the random access response received by the terminal device is on the first time domain resource, it retransmits the PUSCH to the second network device; if the random access response received by the terminal device is on the second time domain resource, it does not retransmit the PUSCH to the second network device.

[0105] Optionally, the method for dividing the first time domain resources and the second time domain resources can be seen in the following example:

[0106] Example 1: As shown in Figure 4, the random access response window (RA-responseWindow) is divided into two parts. The random access response window is the time window used to send the random access response. The first part of the random access response window is divided into the first time domain resource, and the parts before and after the random access response window are divided into the second time domain resource. That is, the first time domain resource is located before the second time domain resource. Alternatively, the first part of the random access response window can be divided into the second time domain resource, and the parts before and after the random access response window can be divided into the first time domain resource.

[0107] Example 2: Odd-numbered slots within the random access response time window can be assigned to the first time-domain resource, and even-numbered slots within the random access response time window can be assigned to the second time-domain resource; alternatively, odd-numbered slots within the random access response time window can be assigned to the second time-domain resource, and even-numbered slots within the random access response time window can be assigned to the first time-domain resource. Here, odd-numbered slots refer to slots with odd slot numbers, and even-numbered slots refer to slots with even slot numbers.

[0108] It should be understood that the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource can be divided in other ways, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0109] Optionally, the second network device can further divide the first time-domain resource, and the different time-domain resources obtained from the division indicate the number of times the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH. For example, the first time-domain resource includes multiple third time-domain resources, each of which is used to indicate the number of times the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH. Different third time-domain resources correspond to different numbers of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent. Specifically, when the second network device sends a random access response on a fourth time-domain resource, which is one of the multiple third time-domain resources, and the random access response received by the terminal device is located on the fourth time-domain resource, the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH to the second network device based on the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent corresponding to the fourth time-domain resource.

[0110] For example, as shown in Figure 5, the first time-domain resource is divided into four third time-domain resources: third time-domain resource 1, third time-domain resource 2, third time-domain resource 3, and third time-domain resource 4. Third time-domain resource 1 corresponds to PUSCH being sent twice, third time-domain resource 2 corresponds to PUSCH being sent three times, third time-domain resource 3 corresponds to PUSCH being sent four times, and third time-domain resource 4 corresponds to PUSCH being sent five times. It can be understood that if the second network device sends a random access response on third time-domain resource 1, and the corresponding random access response received by the terminal device is located on third time-domain resource 1, then the terminal device will send PUSCH to the second network device twice.

[0111] It should also be noted that in this implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to resend PUSCH by the time domain resource location where the random access response is located. Therefore, the first indication information received by the terminal device only needs to indicate whether to resend PRACH, and does not need to indicate whether to resend PUSCH.

[0112] In some possible implementations, when the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH, it can adjust the transmission power of each PUSCH to gradually increase the transmission power and thus meet the actual scenario requirements.

[0113] For example, the number of times the PUSCH is repeatedly sent is M, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The difference between the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH sent and the power of the i-th PUSCH sent in the M repeated PUSCHs is a first value, which is greater than 0; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M-1.

[0114] The first value can be a fixed value. For example, the first value is 2dB, which means that the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission is the power of the ith PUSCH transmission plus 2dB. Assuming M is 3, in the 3 repeated PUSCH transmissions, the power of the first PUSCH transmission is P dB, the power of the second PUSCH transmission is P+2dB, and the power of the third PUSCH transmission is P+3dB.

[0115] Alternatively, the first value is related to i. The larger the value of i, the larger the corresponding first value; the smaller the value of i, the smaller the corresponding first value. That is, the first value increases as the value of i increases, and decreases as the value of i decreases. In this case, the first value can be understood as the increase in the power of the PUSCH transmission. That is, the increase in the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission is greater than the increase in the power of the ith PUSCH transmission. Here, the increase in the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission can be understood as the difference between the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission and the power of the ith PUSCH transmission, and the increase in the power of the ith PUSCH transmission can be understood as the difference between the power of the ith PUSCH transmission and the power of the (i-1)th PUSCH transmission. Taking the first value as i+1dB as an example, that is, the power increase of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission is i+1dB. Assuming M is 4, in the 4 repeated PUSCH transmissions, the power of the first PUSCH transmission is P, the power of the second PUSCH transmission is P+2dB, the power of the third PUSCH transmission is P+5dB, and the power of the fourth PUSCH transmission is P+9dB.

[0116] It should also be noted that when the terminal device repeatedly transmits PUSCH, in addition to adjusting the power of each PUSCH transmission based on the first value described above, it can also adjust the power of each PUSCH transmission based on the second value described below. For example, the number of times the PUSCH is repeatedly transmitted is M, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The ratio of the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission to the power of the ith PUSCH transmission in the M repeated transmissions is the second value, which is greater than 1; i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M-1. The second value can be a fixed value; for example, if the second value is 2, and M is 3, in the 3 repeated PUSCH transmissions, the power of the first PUSCH transmission is PdB, the power of the second PUSCH transmission is P×2dB, and the power of the third PUSCH transmission is P×4dB.

[0117] Alternatively, the second value is related to i; the larger the value of i, the larger the second value, and the smaller the value of i, the smaller the second value. Or, the second value is related to i; the larger the value of i, the larger the corresponding second value, and the smaller the value of i, the smaller the corresponding second value. Taking i+1 as an example, the ratio of the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission to the power of the ith PUSCH transmission is i+1. Assuming M is 4, in the 4 repeated PUSCH transmissions, the power of the first PUSCH transmission is P, the power of the second PUSCH transmission is P×2dB, the power of the third PUSCH transmission is P×6dB, and the power of the fourth PUSCH transmission is P×24dB.

[0118] It should be understood that the above description refers to repeatedly sending PUSCH. When the terminal device repeatedly sends PRACH, it can also use the same method to adjust the transmission power of each PRACH, which will not be elaborated here.

[0119] 302. The first network device enters sleep mode.

[0120] In this embodiment, the hibernation state can also be referred to as hibernation mode, sleep state, power-saving state, or power-saving mode. The first network device in hibernation mode will no longer transmit data with the terminal, thereby saving power. Optionally, the first network device can enter a complete hibernation state. In a complete hibernation state, the first network device can shut down all communication modules, or disable all functions, or power off. The state of the first network device before entering hibernation mode is called the wake-up state, which can also be referred to as wake-up mode, active state, active mode, normal state, or normal mode. The first network device in the wake-up state can transmit data with the terminal device.

[0121] Based on the method described in the embodiments of this application, before the first network device enters a dormant state, the terminal device can be instructed to activate the first coverage enhancement mode through the first indication information, thereby improving the coverage performance of the terminal device at the cell edge and thus avoiding interruption of the continuous experience of the terminal device.

[0122] In some possible implementations, after the first network device enters a dormant state, there may be coverage holes in the cell coverage area of ​​the first network device. Coverage holes refer to areas not covered by network devices, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, before step 302, the first network device can instruct neighboring network devices to enter the second coverage enhancement mode through the inter-site interaction Xn interface or X2 interface, such as the second and third network devices in Figure 6. After entering the second coverage enhancement mode, the cell coverage area can be increased, thereby covering the coverage holes caused by the first network device entering a dormant state.

[0123] For example, the first network device can send a third indication message to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the third indication message from the first network device, which indicates whether the second network device should enter a second coverage enhancement mode. The second coverage enhancement mode can also be referred to as a second coverage enhancement state. When the second network device enters the second coverage enhancement mode, it has better coverage performance compared to when it is not in the first coverage enhancement mode. This allows for a larger cell coverage area, enabling terminal devices at greater distances to access the second network device. In essence, the second network device has the ability to increase cell coverage after entering the second coverage enhancement mode; that is, the cell coverage area when the second network device enters the second coverage enhancement mode is greater than the cell coverage area when it is not in the second coverage enhancement mode. Optionally, the third indication message can also be used to indicate entering a sleep state of the first network device.

[0124] Optionally, when the second network device enters the second coverage enhancement mode, it can increase the cell coverage by employing one or more methods such as reducing the SSB period, increasing the SSB transmit power, or repeatedly transmitting the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). For example, the SSB period when the second network device enters the second coverage enhancement mode is shorter than the SSB period when it is not in the second coverage enhancement mode; or, the SSB transmit power when the second network device enters the second coverage enhancement mode is greater than the SSB transmit power when it is not in the second coverage enhancement mode; or, the second network device transmits the PDSCH repeatedly when it enters the second coverage enhancement mode, but does not transmit the PDSCH repeatedly when it is not in the second coverage enhancement mode. It should also be noted that the second network device can also use other methods to increase the cell coverage when entering the second coverage enhancement mode, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0125] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0126] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The device of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 to 9.

[0127] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the device includes a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702. The transceiver module 702 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 701 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 702 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0128] In this embodiment, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments described above. In this case, the terminal device can be the terminal device itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the terminal device. The transceiver module 702 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the terminal device in the method embodiments described above, and the processing module 701 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device in the method embodiments described above.

[0129] In some embodiments, the processing module 701 is configured to enter a first coverage enhancement mode when a first condition is met, wherein the terminal device has the ability to access the second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: the terminal device receives first indication information, the first indication information indicating whether the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the ability to access the second network device when entering the first coverage enhancement mode; or, the measurement value obtained by the terminal device from measuring the SSB of the second network device is less than a first threshold; or, the distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than a second threshold.

[0130] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 701 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0131] The specific descriptions of the send / receive module and the processing module are for illustrative purposes only. For the specific functions or execution steps of the send / receive module and the processing module, please refer to the above method implementation examples, which will not be detailed here.

[0132] Reusing Figure 7, in this embodiment of the application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first network device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the first network device can be the first network device itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the first network device. The transceiver module 702 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the first network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 701 is used to perform processing-related operations of the first network device in the above method embodiment.

[0133] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 702 can be used to send a first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information indicating whether the terminal device enters a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the ability to access a second network device when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode. The processing module 701 can be used to enter a sleep state.

[0134] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 701 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0135] Reusing Figure 7, in this embodiment of the application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second network device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the second network device can be the second network device itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the second network device. The transceiver module 702 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the second network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 701 is used to perform processing-related operations of the second network device in the above method embodiment.

[0136] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 702 can be used to receive first indication information from a first network device, the first indication information indicating whether the terminal device enters a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the ability to access a second network device when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode; the transceiver module 702 can also be used to send the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0137] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 701 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0138] The specific descriptions of the send / receive module and the processing module are for illustrative purposes only. For the specific functions or execution steps of the send / receive module and the processing module, please refer to the above method implementation examples, which will not be detailed here.

[0139] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG. 7 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0140] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG7, the processing module 701 can be one or more processing circuits, and the transceiver module 702 can be a transceiver circuit. Alternatively, the transceiver module 702 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitting circuit, and the receiving module can be a receiving circuit, which are integrated into a single device, such as a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the processing circuit and the transceiver circuit can be coupled, etc. The connection method between the processing circuit and the transceiver circuit is not limited in the embodiments of this application. During the execution of the above method, the process of transmitting information in the above method can be the process of the processing circuit outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processing circuit outputs the above information to the transceiver circuit so that the transceiver circuit can transmit (or output). After the above information is output by the processing circuit, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver circuit. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of the processing circuit receiving the input above information. When the processing circuit receives the input information, the transceiver circuit receives the above information and inputs it into the processing circuit. Furthermore, after the transceiver circuit receives the aforementioned information, the information may need to undergo further processing before being input into the processing circuit.

[0141] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the apparatus 80 includes one or more processing circuits 820 and transceiver circuits 810.

[0142] In some embodiments of this application, the apparatus can be used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the terminal device described above. For example, the processing circuit 820 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown in FIG. 7, and the transceiver circuit 810 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 702 shown in FIG. 7. For a detailed description of the processing circuit 820 and the transceiver circuit 810, please refer to FIG. 7 or the method embodiments shown above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0143] In other embodiments of this application, the apparatus is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the first network device described above. For example, the processing circuit 820 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown in FIG. 7, and the transceiver circuit 810 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 702 shown in FIG. 7. Detailed descriptions of the processing circuit 820 and the transceiver circuit 810 can be found in FIG. 7 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0144] In other embodiments of this application, the apparatus is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the second network device described above. For example, the processing circuit 820 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown in FIG. 7, and the transceiver circuit 810 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 702 shown in FIG. 7. Detailed descriptions of the processing circuit 820 and the transceiver circuit 810 can be found in FIG. 7 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0145] For example, the processing circuitry may be one or more processors, or all or part of the circuitry within one or more processors. The transceiver circuitry may be a transceiver, an input / output circuit, or an interface circuit, etc.

[0146] For example, in various implementations of the apparatus shown in FIG8, the transceiver circuitry may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver circuitry is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0147] Optionally, device 80 may further include one or more memories 830 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 830 is coupled to the processing circuitry 820. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processing circuitry 820 may operate in conjunction with the memory 830. The processing circuitry 820 may execute the program instructions stored in the memory 830. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processing circuitry.

[0148] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver circuit 810, processing circuit 820, and memory 830. In this application embodiment, the memory 830, processing circuit 820, and transceiver circuit 810 are connected by a bus 840 in Figure 8. The bus is represented by a thick line in Figure 8. The connection methods between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 8, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0149] In the embodiments of this application, the processing circuit may be a general-purpose processing circuit, a digital signal processing circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processing circuit may be a microprocessor circuit or any conventional processing circuit, etc. The steps of the methods in conjunction with the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as the execution of the hardware processing circuit, or the execution of the steps by combining hardware and software modules in the processing circuit, etc.

[0150] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0151] For example, the processing circuit 820 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. The memory 830 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver circuit 810 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touch screens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0152] When the device is powered on, the processing circuit 820 can read the software program in the memory 830, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processing circuit 820 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processing circuit 820. The processing circuit 820 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0153] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be set up independently of the processing circuit that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the device.

[0154] The apparatus shown in this application embodiment may have more components than those in Figure 8, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods performed by the processing circuit and transceiver circuit shown above are merely examples, and the specific steps performed by the processing circuit and transceiver circuit can be referred to the methods described above.

[0155] In another possible implementation, in the device shown in Figure 7, the processing module 701 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 702 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 702 can also be a sending module and a receiving module, where the sending module can be an output interface and the receiving module can be an input interface, and the sending module and receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0156] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the device includes a logic circuit 901 and an interface circuit 902. That is, the processing module 701 can be implemented using the logic circuit 901, and the transceiver module 702 can be implemented using the interface circuit 902. The logic circuit 901 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface circuit 902 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 9 illustrates the device using a chip as an example, where the chip includes the logic circuit 901 and the interface circuit 902.

[0157] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 901 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown in FIG. 7, and the interface circuit 902 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 702 shown in FIG. 7. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 901 and the interface circuit 902, please refer to FIG. 7 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0158] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0159] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device, a first network device, and a second network device. The terminal device, the first network device, and the second network device can be used to execute the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0160] In addition, this application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various devices in the method provided in this application.

[0161] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by the various devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0162] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0163] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or modules, or they may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connection.

[0164] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0165] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0166] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0167] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first indication message to the terminal device, the first indication message indicating whether the terminal device enters a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the ability to access a second network device when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode; Entering a dormant state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sending the first instruction information to the terminal device includes: The second network device sends a first instruction message to the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second indication message to the terminal device; the second indication message indicates a first condition, which is a condition for entering the first coverage enhancement mode; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The terminal device receives the first indication information; or... The measured value obtained by the terminal device from the synchronization signal block (SSB) from the second network device is less than the first threshold; or... The distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than the second threshold.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, When the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has the ability to repeatedly transmit the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and / or repeatedly transmit the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PRACH is repeatedly sent, and / or the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third instruction message is sent to the second network device, the third instruction message instructing the second network device to enter the second coverage enhancement mode, when the second network device enters the second coverage enhancement mode, it has the ability to increase the coverage range.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: When the first condition is met, the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode and has the ability to access the second network device when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode. The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The terminal device receives a first indication message, which indicates whether the terminal device should enter a first coverage enhancement mode. Entering the first coverage enhancement mode enables the terminal device to access a second network device; or... The terminal device measures a synchronization signal block (SSB) from the second network device, and the measured value is less than a first threshold; or... The distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than the second threshold.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second instruction message, which indicates the first condition.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, When the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has the ability to repeatedly transmit the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and / or repeatedly transmit the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PRACH is repeatedly sent, and / or the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a random access response from the second network device; If the random access response is located on the first time domain resource, then PUSCH is repeatedly sent to the second network device; If the random access response is located on the second time domain resource, then the PUSCH is not sent to the second network device in a repeated transmission manner.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first time-domain resource includes a plurality of third time-domain resources. Each of the plurality of third time-domain resources is used to indicate the number of times the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH. Different third time-domain resources correspond to different numbers of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent. If the random access response is located on a first time-domain resource, then repeatedly sending PUSCH to the second network device includes: If the random access response is located on a fourth time domain resource, then the PUSCH is repeatedly sent to the second network device based on the number of times the PUSCH is repeatedly sent corresponding to the fourth time domain resource, wherein the fourth time domain resource is one of the plurality of third time domain resources.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent is M, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; The difference between the power of the (i+1)th PUSCH transmission and the power of the ith PUSCH transmission in the M repeated PUSCH transmissions is a first value, which is greater than 0. Where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M-1.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The terminal device receives a first indication information from a first network device, the first indication information indicating whether the terminal device enters a first coverage enhancement mode, and the terminal device has the ability to access a second network device when it enters the first coverage enhancement mode. The first instruction information is sent to the terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second indication message to the terminal device, the second indication message indicating a first condition, the first condition being the condition for entering the first coverage enhancement mode; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The terminal device receives the first indication information; or... The measured value obtained by the terminal device from the synchronization signal block (SSB) from the second network device is less than the first threshold; or... The distance between the location of the terminal device and the location of the second network device is greater than the second threshold.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, When the terminal device enters the first coverage enhancement mode, it has the ability to repeatedly transmit the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and / or repeatedly transmit the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PRACH is repeatedly sent, and / or the first indication information is also used to indicate the number of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: A random access response is sent to the terminal device on a first time domain resource or a second time domain resource. The first time domain resource is used to indicate that the PUSCH is repeatedly sent to the terminal device, and the second time domain resource is used to indicate that the terminal device does not send the PUSCH in a repeated sending manner.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first time-domain resource includes a plurality of third time-domain resources, each of the plurality of third time-domain resources being used to indicate the number of times the terminal device repeatedly sends PUSCH, and different third time-domain resources correspond to different numbers of times PUSCH is repeatedly sent.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device receives a third indication message from the first network device, the third indication message instructing the second network device to enter a second coverage enhancement mode, and the second network device has the ability to increase coverage when it enters the second coverage enhancement mode.

21. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a module or unit for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or the apparatus includes a module or unit for performing the method of any one of claims 7 to 13, or the apparatus includes a module or unit for performing the method of any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes at least one processor configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

23. The communication device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The communication device further includes a memory storing a computer program or executable instructions that, when executed, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to be executed, or cause the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13 to be executed, or cause the method according to any one of claims 14 to 20 to be executed.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a device, perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first device, a second device, and a third device. The first device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the second device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 13, and the third device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

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