Communication method and apparatus, and device, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure are a communication method and apparatus, and a device, a storage medium and a computer program product. The method comprises: receiving an indication message, wherein the indication message carries timing information; and starting a timer on the basis of the timing information, and starting monitoring when the timer expires.

Description

Communication methods, apparatus, devices, storage media and computer program products

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411501596.3, filed in China on October 25, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0004] Due to the ultra-low power consumption of Ambient Internet of Things (AIOT) tags, they cannot be equipped with batteries or other power supply modules. Typically, they use a dual-polarized antenna to obtain radio frequency (RF) power, which is then stored in a capacitor. As the tag uses the received RF signal to power the capacitor, the energy received gradually decreases with increasing distance from the continuous wave (CW) RF power source, making it take longer to reach the activation threshold. In related technologies, regardless of the distance, tags need to continuously monitor messages sent by the network after charging. Since this monitoring process continuously consumes power, the remaining power for data transmission decreases, resulting in insufficient power for baseband processing and data transmission, thus affecting the normal operation of the tag. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product that can prevent tags from being in a continuous listening state and ensure that tags have sufficient power for baseband processing and data transmission.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides a first communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0007] Receive an instruction message, the instruction message carrying timing information;

[0008] The timer is started according to the timing information, and a listener is started when the timer expires.

[0009] As an improvement to the above scheme, the indication message indicates the timing information using symbols.

[0010] As an improvement to the above scheme, the indication message includes a first symbol and a second symbol, which indicate the timing information.

[0011] As an improvement to the above scheme, the indication message is MAC CE.

[0012] As an improvement to the above solution, starting the timer based on the timing information includes:

[0013] The timing information is divided into at least two timing periods;

[0014] The timer is started according to the specified timing period.

[0015] As an improvement to the above solution, after starting the listening, the method further includes:

[0016] Receive instruction message;

[0017] The timer is restarted according to the timing information in the instruction message until a paging message is received.

[0018] As an improvement to the above solution, after starting the listening, the method further includes:

[0019] Receive paging messages;

[0020] The total number of time slots is generated based on the access parameters carried in the paging message, and then the system enters sleep mode.

[0021] The listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots;

[0022] Start listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages.

[0023] As an improvement to the above scheme, at least one of the time slot messages carries time slot indication information, which is used to characterize which time slot message the second device is currently sending.

[0024] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0025] After receiving the time slot message, obtain the time slot indication information in the time slot message;

[0026] When the time slot indication information is equal to the total number of time slots, passive random access is triggered.

[0027] As an improvement to the above scheme, determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots includes:

[0028] The starting point of the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, and the timing error;

[0029] The length of the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, the timing error, and the second time interval.

[0030] As an improvement to the above scheme, the first time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device does not respond after sending the time slot message; the second time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device responds after sending the time slot message.

[0031] As an improvement to the above scheme, after determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the method further includes:

[0032] Divide the window starting point into at least two sub-window starting points;

[0033] The corresponding listening sub-window is determined using the starting point of each sub-window and the window length;

[0034] The step of starting listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages includes:

[0035] Start listening in the first listening sub-window to receive time slot messages.

[0036] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0037] Upon receiving the time slot message, the time slot indication information carried in the time slot message is compared with the total number of time slots;

[0038] Update the window start point of at least one remaining listening child window based on the comparison results.

[0039] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a second communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising:

[0040] Send an instruction message to cause the first device to start a timer according to the timing information carried in the instruction message, and start listening when the timer expires.

[0041] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0042] A paging message is sent, the paging message carrying access parameters, the access parameters being used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device, the first device entering sleep mode, and determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window;

[0043] Send a time slot message.

[0044] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a third communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0045] Receive paging messages;

[0046] The total number of time slots is generated based on the access parameters carried in the paging message, and then the system enters sleep mode.

[0047] The listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots;

[0048] Start listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages.

[0049] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a fourth communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising:

[0050] A paging message is sent, the paging message carrying access parameters, the access parameters being used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device, the first device entering sleep mode, and determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window;

[0051] Send a time slot message.

[0052] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a first communication device applied to a first device, the device comprising:

[0053] An instruction message receiving module is used to receive instruction messages, which carry timing information;

[0054] The first monitoring module is used to start a timer according to the timing information and to start monitoring when the timer expires.

[0055] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a second communication device applied to a second device, the device comprising:

[0056] An instruction message sending module is used to send an instruction message so that the first device starts a timer according to the timing information carried in the instruction message, and starts listening when the timer expires.

[0057] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a third communication device applied to the first device, the device comprising:

[0058] The paging message receiving module is used to receive paging messages;

[0059] The total number of time slots generation module is used to generate the total number of time slots based on the access parameters carried in the paging message;

[0060] A hibernation module is used to enter hibernation mode after the total number of time slots is generated;

[0061] The listening window determination module is used to determine the listening window based on the total number of time slots;

[0062] The second listening module is used to start listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages.

[0063] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a fourth communication device applied to a second device, the device comprising:

[0064] A paging message sending module is used to send paging messages, which carry access parameters. The access parameters are used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device. The first device enters sleep mode and determines a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window.

[0065] The timeslot message sending module is used to send timeslot messages.

[0066] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a communication device, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0067] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein, when the computer program is executed, it controls the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located to perform the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0068] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0069] Compared to related technologies, the communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product provided in this disclosure, by instructing the first device to sleep and charge for a specified time using an instruction message, and then restarting listening when the timer expires, avoids the first device being in a continuous listening state before receiving a paging message, ensuring that the first device has sufficient power for baseband processing and data transmission. Furthermore, by calculating the listening window based on the access parameters in the paging message, and initiating listening within the listening window, the first device sleeps and charges during the waiting process. This ensures that the first device with a higher time slot value still has sufficient power to trigger the passive random access process, avoiding the first device being in a continuous listening state before triggering passive random access, and ensuring that the first device has sufficient power for baseband processing and data transmission. Attached Figure Description

[0070] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a first communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0071] Figure 2 is a first schematic diagram of information interaction between the first device and the second device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0072] Figure 3 is another flowchart of the first communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0073] Figure 4 is a second schematic diagram of information interaction between the first device and the second device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0074] Figure 5 is a third schematic diagram of information interaction between the first device and the second device provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0075] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the second communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0076] Figure 7 is a structural block diagram of a first type of communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0077] Figure 8 is a structural block diagram of a second type of communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0078] Figure 9 is a structural block diagram of a third type of communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0079] Figure 10 is a structural block diagram of a fourth communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0080] Figure 11 is a structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0082] Passive IoT technology boasts advantages such as ultra-low cost, ultra-low power consumption, and no battery power requirement, making it a promising candidate for digital information collection in industries like warehousing, logistics, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. It is a crucial component in building a full-scenario IoT ecosystem for 5G, providing billions of new connections for 5G networks. Currently, research on passive IoT technology focuses on two main categories of terminal devices: the first type has peak power consumption in the range of 1nW to 1μW, possesses some energy storage capacity, but lacks uplink and downlink signal amplification capabilities; uplink signal transmission requires a carrier wave provided by an external source. The second type has peak power consumption of several hundred μW, possesses energy storage capacity, and is capable of uplink / downlink signal amplification; uplink signal transmission also requires a carrier wave provided by an external source, and may also have independent signal generation capabilities. This disclosure provides a communication method that avoids tags being in a continuous listening state, ensuring that tags have sufficient power for baseband processing and data transmission.

[0083] The first device described in this disclosure is a device that serves as the communication counterpart of the second device, such as an electronic tag or a user equipment (UE). The user equipment includes, but is not limited to, handheld devices and vehicle-mounted devices.

[0084] The second device described in this disclosure is a terminal device or network device with read and write functions, such as an evolved node base station (eNB), a next-generation node base station (gNB), a transmission and receiving point (TRP), or other such devices.

[0085] For some first devices that store energy via radio frequency signals transmitted by a second device, when the first device is located at the cell edge, it typically requires a long time to complete charging. Furthermore, the power consumption during data transmission is significant, meaning a full charge may only support a very short data transmission period. For example, a 10uF capacitor receiving a signal level of -30dBm requires at least 50 seconds to charge, can support a 12.5s sleep state (running some basic clocks), a 1.25s low-power wake-up detection transmission time, and 250ms for 10uW data transmission.

[0086] To reduce unnecessary power consumption by the first and second devices, the second device typically only begins sending charging carriers a short period before inventory begins. The first device receives these carriers and begins charging. However, due to varying distances between the first and second devices, closer devices can complete charging in a shorter time and begin listening for paging messages from the second device; while farther-distance devices require longer charging times. To ensure that all first devices receive paging messages, the second device often accommodates the more distant devices, sending paging messages according to the estimated charging time for the farther-distance tag. This results in closer devices requiring longer signal detection times. If this exceeds the supported low-power wake-up detection transmission time (e.g., 1.25s), the battery of the closer-distance devices will be depleted before receiving the paging message.

[0087] To address the problem that the first device is in a continuous listening state before receiving a paging message, resulting in its battery being depleted before the message is received, this disclosure provides a first communication method applied to the first device. Referring to Figure 1, which is a flowchart of the first communication method provided in this disclosure, the method includes:

[0088] S11. Receive an instruction message, wherein the instruction message carries timing information;

[0089] S12. Start the timer according to the timing information, and start listening when the timer expires.

[0090] For example, referring to Figure 2, Figure 2 is a first schematic diagram of information interaction between a first device and a second device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The information interaction between the first device and the second device can be divided into a sleep charging stage and a listening and paging stage. In this case, the first device A is closer to the second device and can be charged quickly, while the first device B is farther away from the second device and requires a longer time to complete charging.

[0091] During the sleep charging phase, the second device sends a charging carrier to the first devices A and B. If the charging carrier is a radio frequency (RF) charging signal, the second device periodically sends an indication message to the first devices A and B. This indication message is a paging preamble message, which carries countdown information indicating the time interval until the next paging message arrives. Whenever a first device is fully charged, it will detect the paging preamble message, read the countdown information, start the timer, and turn off the transceiver channel. After the timer expires, it will start listening for paging messages. In Figure 2, K represents the number of paging preamble messages sent, set by the second device. After charging, both devices A and B activate their respective listening windows to begin listening. Because device A is closer to the second device, it charges faster and activates its listening window first. Since the indication message carries timing information, which indicates how long device A needs to continue charging, it learns that it needs to wait a while before charging. It then sets a timer based on this timing information. After the timer expires, device A wakes up to listen for paging messages and enters the paging listening phase. Similarly, device B, upon receiving the indication message, sets a timer based on the timing information. After the timer expires, device B wakes up to listen for paging messages.

[0092] Specifically, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the timing information is indicated in two ways: the first is indicated through the physical layer, and the second is indicated through a higher layer.

[0093] In a first embodiment, the indication message indicates the timing information via a symbol.

[0094] For example, the indication message includes a first symbol and a second symbol, which indicate the timing information. The remaining time is represented by the symbol length; for example, the first symbol length represents the first 4 bits, and the second symbol represents the last 4 bits; or, the value represented by the first symbol is multiplied by a fixed value, and then added to the value represented by the second symbol to form the timing time T.

[0095] In the second embodiment, the indication message is a Media Access Control Element (MAC CE).

[0096] For example, in a MAC CE, the timer duration is indicated by n bits. This can represent, for instance, the smallest unit of time that is 2^n times the original value.

[0097] It is worth noting that the timing information can be obtained directly from the aforementioned indication message, or it can be obtained by calculating the aforementioned indication message. When the timer expires, the system listens for messages sent by the second device. If an indication message is received, the tag repeats the above process until the first device receives a paging message. If a paging message is received, the system enters the time slot listening process. In addition, because the timing clock of the first device is unstable and may have deviations, directly setting the timer based on the indication message sent by the second device may cause the first device to miss the paging message (the first device is still in sleep mode when the second device sends the paging message). Therefore, the timing units in the timing information can be divided into several timing periods with finer granularity.

[0098] Specifically, starting the timer based on the timing information includes: dividing the timing information into at least two timing periods; and starting the timer according to the timing periods. Then, after starting the listening, the method further includes: receiving an indication message; and restarting the timer according to the timing information in the indication message until a paging message is received.

[0099] For example, suppose the timing information received by the first device from the second device is 50 timing units. To avoid the first device missing the paging message due to unstable clock, which might cause the first device to miss the paging message if the timing is directly set to 50 timing units, these 50 timing units can be divided into several timing periods. The first device can divide the received timing information by N, that is, divide it into N timing periods. Assuming N=2, the first device starts listening after timing 25 timing units. Since the second device sends indication messages periodically, the first device will receive the indication message from the second device again (and the timing information carried in this indication message is different from the timing information in the previously received indication message, carrying shorter timing information). Since the first device's timing is inaccurate, the timing information carried in the currently received indication message may be 30 timing units (less than 50 timing units). The first device then divides this timing information by M again. Assuming M=2, the first device times 15 timing units. After waking up, the above process is repeated until the first device hears the paging message.

[0100] It should be noted that the process of dividing the timing information can be set as needed. For example, the larger the timing unit set in the timing information, the fewer the timing periods will be divided; or, the smaller the timing unit set in the timing information, the more timing periods will be divided; or, the size of the timing unit of the timing information is not considered and a fixed value is directly used for division, all of which are within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0101] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first device is instructed to sleep charging time by an instruction message. When the timer expires, the first device restarts listening, which can avoid the first device being in a continuous listening state before receiving a paging message, and ensure that the first device has enough power for baseband processing and data transmission.

[0102] Furthermore, in related technologies, after a tag receives a paging message within its listening window, it obtains the access parameter Q from the paging message. Each tag generates a waiting time parameter q (the total number of time slots), where q is a random number between 0 and 2^Q. The tag will initiate random access when the corresponding q-th time slot arrives. Existing slot-aloha technology describes this as follows: After generating a random number, all tags need to receive periodically sent query (rep) signals from the network side. Each time a query rep signal is received, the tag decrements q by one. When q reaches 0, the tag initiates random access. Existing slot-aloha technology has the following drawbacks: It affects tag coverage. Tags need to continuously listen for query rep commands before q reaches 0. Taking Q=16 as an example, the maximum value of q is 65536. This may cause tags generating larger q values ​​to run out of power before the access time slot arrives, or to have insufficient remaining power to send all uplink information. For long-distance tags, the recharging time may even exceed 50 seconds, thus leading to coverage contraction and a large number of tag access failures.

[0103] To address the issue that the first device is in a continuous listening state before triggering the passive random access process, causing its battery to run out before the process is triggered, this disclosure further improves the listening process of related technologies. Referring to Figure 3, which is another flowchart of the first communication method provided in this disclosure, after step S12 is executed, the method further includes:

[0104] S13, Receive paging message;

[0105] S14. Generate the total number of time slots based on the access parameters carried in the paging message, and enter sleep mode;

[0106] S15. Determine the listening window based on the total number of time slots;

[0107] S16. Start listening in the listening window to receive time slot messages.

[0108] It should be noted that at least one of the time slot messages carries time slot indication information, which is used to indicate which time slot message the second device is currently sending. In this embodiment of the disclosure, time slot messages are used as the boundaries of each time slot. Each time slot message contains a time slot indication information to indicate which time slot message the second device is currently sending. This time slot indication information can be sent in every time slot message or once every 10 time slot messages. The shorter the interval, the lower the power consumption of the first device. The specific method for setting the time slot indication information can be set as needed, and this disclosure does not specifically limit it.

[0109] For example, referring to Figure 4, which is a second schematic diagram of information interaction between a first device and a second device according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the information interaction between the first device and the second device can be divided into a listening paging phase, a sleep charging phase, a listening response time slot phase, and a random access response phase. After receiving a paging message, the first device generates a total number of time slots q based on the access parameter Q carried in the paging message, and then enters sleep mode. The first device determines a listening window based on the total number of time slots q, and starts listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages. Since it is in sleep mode before the listening window is started, the first device does not need to continuously listen to time slot messages. And since the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots q, the determination process of the listening window is reliable, ensuring that the first device can receive response time slots within the listening window, and ensuring that the first device spends more time in sleep mode while waiting for response time slots, and can continuously charge to replenish the power consumed by listening to paging messages, ensuring that the stored power is sufficient for data transmission and reception during random access, thereby achieving coverage enhancement.

[0110] Specifically, the method further includes: after receiving the time slot message, obtaining time slot indication information in the time slot message; when the time slot indication information is equal to the total number of time slots, triggering passive random access.

[0111] For example, after the first device starts listening in the listening window, it can receive time slot messages sent by the second device. Since the time slot messages carry time slot indication information, the first device can know the order of the time slot messages currently sent by the second device, and thus know how many more time slot messages it needs to wait before receiving a response time slot. Understandably, since some time slot messages do not carry time slot indication information, when the first device receives a time slot message without time slot indication information, it needs to continue listening for time slot messages until it receives a time slot message carrying time slot indication information. Therefore, the shorter the interval of the time slot indication information setting, the faster the first device can know how much longer it needs to wait before receiving a response time slot, without having to continue listening for other time slot messages, and the lower the power consumption of the first device.

[0112] For example, when the first device receives a time slot indication information in a time slot message that is equal to the total number of time slots, it indicates that this time slot message is a response time slot, and the first device can trigger passive random access. The process of the random access response phase can be referred to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a third schematic diagram of the information interaction between the first device and the second device provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. When the time slot indication information in the time slot message received by the first device is equal to the total number of time slots, the counter of the first device changes to zero and enters the Reply state. After entering the Reply state, the first device first sends a message (MSG)1 to the second device. MSG1 carries a 16-bit random number (RN16). Then the first device listens for MSG2 sent by the second device. If it receives MSG2 from the second device carrying an ACK knowledge character (ACK) + RN16, the first device moves to the Acknowledged state and returns MSG3 carrying the first device ID to the second device. Then it continues to listen for MSG4 returned by the second device carrying ACK. The random access process is thus completed, and the next process, the sleep charging phase, is entered. The above steps S11 to S16 are repeated.

[0113] Specifically, determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots includes: determining the window start point of the listening window based on the total number of time slots, a first time interval, and a timing error; and determining the window length of the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, the timing error, and a second time interval. The first time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message after sending a time slot message and the first device does not respond; the second time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message after sending a time slot message and the first device responds.

[0114] For example, the first time interval T blankSlot and the second time interval T replySlot The configuration can be pre-configured in the first device, or it can be configured in real-time through the second device. That is, the second device needs to send configuration information to the first device, informing it of the detailed configuration of the first and second time intervals. Ideally, if the first device does not respond in each time slot, the second device will... blankSlot The next time slot message is sent after a certain time; that is, this time slot is a blank slot. If the first device responds, the second device will send a message after T. replySlot The next time slot message is sent after the specified time. This embodiment also needs to consider the timing error T of the first device. offsetThe timing error can be pre-configured in the first device. The waiting time and monitoring time required by the first device are calculated using the above parameters.

[0115] Specifically, assuming that all time slots are empty before the tag's response time slot arrives, the shortest sleep time can be obtained, which is the window start point. The window start point T of the monitoring window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, and the timing error. windowStart It satisfies the following formula: T windowStart =T blankSlot ×qT offset (1).

[0116] Specifically, assuming that all time slots before the tag's response time slot arrives are non-empty, the end point of the window can be obtained. Subtracting this from the start point gives the window length. The determination of the listening window length based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, the timing error, and the second time interval satisfies the following formula: T windowLength =T replySlot ×q+2×T offset -T blankSlot ×q (2).

[0117] Furthermore, after the first device generates a total of q time slots, if it directly times q time units, the timing error of the first device may lead to a large deviation in the final wake-up time. Therefore, the tag sleep time can be divided into several sub-cycles. After determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the method further includes:

[0118] Divide the window starting point into at least two sub-window starting points;

[0119] The corresponding listening sub-window is determined using the starting point of each sub-window and the window length;

[0120] Then, in step S16, listening is initiated within the listening window to receive time-slot messages, including:

[0121] Start listening in the first listening sub-window to receive time slot messages.

[0122] For example, assuming the window start point is divided into three sub-window start points: T1, T2, and T3, there will be three corresponding listening sub-windows. After the first device's sleep time reaches T1, the first device starts listening. Since the first device wakes up early at this time, it can continue to receive the time slot messages sent by the second device and will not miss the response time slot during the sleep period.

[0123] Specifically, the method further includes:

[0124] Upon receiving the time slot message, the time slot indication information carried in the time slot message is compared with the total number of time slots;

[0125] Update the window start point of at least one remaining listening child window based on the comparison results.

[0126] For example, after receiving a timeslot message, the first device compares the timeslot indication information of the timeslot message with the total number of timeslots q. If they are equal, it means that the response timeslot has been received and the random access response phase can begin. If they are not equal, such as if the response timeslot is less than q, it means that there is still some distance to go before the response timeslot can be received. In this case, T2 and T3 can be updated, and the device can start listening again based on the updated timing parameters. At this time, the first device can directly enter sleep mode and then adjust T2 and T3, i.e., adjust the corresponding listening sub-window. If the timeslot indication information carried in the currently received timeslot message is significantly different from the total number of timeslots q, it means that the first device will have a long time before receiving the response timeslot. In this case, the first device can delay T2 and then immediately enter sleep mode, i.e., sleep for a relatively long period of time before waking up. The specific adjustment value of T2 that needs to be delayed can be set according to empirical values, and this disclosure does not make a specific limitation on this. It should be noted that, since it involves updating multiple remaining listening sub-windows, one implementation is to update only the window starting point of one of the remaining listening sub-windows (e.g., only update the closest T2), and then update T3 the next time it wakes up; another implementation is for the first device to update all subsequent timing cycles, that is, to regenerate the subsequent sleep timing cycles.

[0127] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first device calculates the listening window based on the access parameters in the paging message, and starts listening within the listening window. This allows the device to hibernate and recharge during the waiting process, ensuring that the first device with a higher time slot value still has enough power to trigger the passive random access process. This avoids the first device being in a continuous listening state before triggering the passive random access, and ensures that the first device has enough power for baseband processing and data transmission.

[0128] Compared with related technologies, the communication method disclosed in this disclosure has the following technical advantages:

[0129] 1) Improved coverage. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, by designing indication messages and time slot messages, tags that wake up early and tags that have not yet reached their response time slot can continue to sleep and charge, ensuring that the tags have sufficient power for baseband processing and data transmission.

[0130] 2) Avoid missing tags. In related technologies, the generated random number q of the tag is relatively large, which requires listening to more time slot boundary query reps. This leads to the tag running out of power before the q time slot arrives, resulting in some tags being missed. In this implementation, the network side indicates the time slot message and the tag calculates the access window. During the waiting process, the tag sleeps and recharges, ensuring that even tags with high q values ​​and lower rankings still have enough power to access the network. This avoids tags that are far away running out of power due to listening to paging and time slot boundaries, thus preventing them from receiving paging messages.

[0131] 3) Avoiding data transmission interruptions. In related technologies, the listening time of mid-range tags falls between that of long-range and short-range tags. A full charge is sufficient to receive paging messages, but insufficient power may cause data transmission failure during uplink data transmission, requiring the network side to re-encode the tag. In this embodiment, the tag sleeps and charges while waiting for paging and access time slots, ensuring that the mid-range tag still has sufficient power for communication within the paging window and random access response window, thus ensuring uninterrupted data transmission.

[0132] Referring to Figure 6, which is a flowchart of a second communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, applied to a second device, the method includes:

[0133] S21. Send an instruction message to cause the first device to start a timer according to the timing information carried in the instruction message, and start listening when the timer expires;

[0134] S22. Send a paging message, the paging message carrying access parameters, the access parameters being used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device, the first device entering sleep mode, and determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window;

[0135] S23. Send a time slot message.

[0136] It is worth noting that the working process of the second communication method described in this embodiment can refer to the working process of the second device in the first communication method described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0137] Furthermore, this disclosure also provides a third communication method applied to a first device, the communication method comprising: receiving a paging message; generating a total number of time slots based on access parameters carried in the paging message, and entering sleep mode; determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots; and starting listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages.

[0138] Specifically, at least one of the time slot messages carries time slot indication information, which is used to characterize which time slot message the second device is currently sending.

[0139] Specifically, the method further includes: after receiving the time slot message, obtaining time slot indication information in the time slot message; when the time slot indication information is equal to the total number of time slots, triggering passive random access.

[0140] Specifically, determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots includes: determining the starting point of the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, and the timing error; and determining the length of the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, the timing error, and the second time interval.

[0141] Specifically, the first time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device does not respond after sending the time slot message; the second time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device responds after sending the time slot message.

[0142] Specifically, after determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the method further includes: dividing the window starting point into at least two sub-window starting points; determining the corresponding listening sub-window using each sub-window starting point and the window length; then, starting listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages includes: starting listening within the first listening sub-window to receive time slot messages.

[0143] Specifically, the method further includes: after receiving the time slot message, comparing the time slot indication information carried in the time slot message with the total number of time slots; and updating the window start point of at least one remaining listening sub-window according to the comparison result.

[0144] It is worth noting that the working process of the third communication method described in this embodiment can refer to the working process of the first device in the first communication method described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0145] Furthermore, this disclosure also provides a fourth communication method applied to a second device, the communication method comprising: sending a paging message, the paging message carrying access parameters, the access parameters being used to indicate the first device to generate a total number of time slots, the first device entering sleep mode, and determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window; and sending a time slot message.

[0146] It is worth noting that the working process of the fourth communication method described in this embodiment can refer to the working process of the second device in the first communication method described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0147] Referring to Figure 7, which is a structural block diagram of a first communication device 100 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, the communication device 100 is applied to a first device and includes:

[0148] Indication message receiving module 11 is used to receive indication messages, wherein the indication messages carry timing information;

[0149] The first monitoring module 12 is used to start a timer according to the timing information, and to start monitoring when the timer expires;

[0150] Paging message receiving module 13 is used to receive paging messages;

[0151] The total number of time slots generation module 14 is used to generate the total number of time slots based on the access parameters carried in the paging message;

[0152] The hibernation module 15 is used to enter hibernation after the total number of time slots is generated;

[0153] The monitoring window determination module 16 is used to determine the monitoring window based on the total number of time slots;

[0154] The second listening module 17 is used to start listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages.

[0155] It is worth noting that the working process of the first communication device 100 described in this embodiment can be referred to the working process of the first device in the first communication method described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0156] Referring to Figure 8, which is a structural block diagram of a second communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, the communication device 200 is applied to a second device and includes:

[0157] Indication message sending module 21 is used to send an indication message so that the first device starts a timer according to the timing information carried in the indication message, and starts listening when the timer expires;

[0158] The paging message sending module 22 is used to send a paging message, which carries access parameters. The access parameters are used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device. The first device enters sleep mode and determines a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window.

[0159] The timeslot message sending module 23 is used to send timeslot messages.

[0160] It is worth noting that the operation process of the second communication device 200 described in this embodiment can refer to the operation process of the second device in the first communication method described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0161] Referring to Figure 9, which is a structural block diagram of a third communication device 300 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, the communication device 300 is applied to a first device and includes:

[0162] Paging message receiving module 31 is used to receive paging messages;

[0163] The total number of time slots generation module 32 is used to generate the total number of time slots based on the access parameters carried in the paging message;

[0164] The hibernation module 33 is used to enter hibernation after the total number of time slots is generated;

[0165] The listening window determination module 34 is used to determine the listening window based on the total number of time slots;

[0166] The second listening module 35 is used to start listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages.

[0167] It is worth noting that the working process of the third communication device 300 described in this embodiment can refer to the working process of the first device in the first communication method described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0168] Referring to Figure 10, which is a structural block diagram of a fourth communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, the communication device 400 is applied to a second device and includes:

[0169] The paging message sending module 41 is used to send a paging message, which carries access parameters. The access parameters are used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device. The first device enters sleep mode and determines a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window.

[0170] The timeslot message sending module 42 is used to send timeslot messages.

[0171] It is worth noting that the operation process of the fourth communication device 400 described in this embodiment can refer to the operation process of the second device in the first communication method described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] Referring to Figure 11, which is a structural block diagram of a communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, the communication device 500 includes a processor 51, a memory 52, and a computer program stored in the memory 52 and executable on the processor 51. When the processor 51 executes the computer program, it implements the steps in the various communication method embodiments described above, such as steps S11-S16 and S21-S23.

[0173] For example, the computer program may be divided into one or more modules / units, which are stored in the memory 52 and executed by the processor 51 to complete the present disclosure. The one or more modules / units may be a series of computer program instruction segments capable of performing a specific function, which describe the execution process of the computer program in the communication device 500.

[0174] The communication device 500 may include, but is not limited to, a processor 51 and a memory 52. ​​Those skilled in the art will understand that the schematic diagram is merely an example of the communication device 500 and does not constitute a limitation on the communication device 500. It may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine certain components, or different components. For example, the communication device 500 may also include input / output devices, network access devices, buses, etc.

[0175] The processor 51 can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processor 51 is the control center of the communication device 500, connecting all parts of the communication device 500 via various interfaces and lines.

[0176] The memory 52 can be used to store the computer programs and / or modules. The processor 51 implements various functions of the communication device 500 by running or executing the computer programs and / or modules stored in the memory 52 and calling the data stored in the memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system, at least one application program required for a function (such as sound playback function, image playback function, etc.), etc.; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the mobile phone (such as audio data, phonebook, etc.). In addition, the memory 52 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as hard disk, memory, plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0177] If the modules / units integrated in the communication device 500 are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can also be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed by the processor 51, it can implement the steps of the various method embodiments described above. The computer program includes computer program code, which can be in the form of source code, object code, executable files, or certain intermediate forms. The computer-readable medium can include: any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program code, a recording medium, a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a computer memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an electrical carrier signal, a telecommunication signal, and a software distribution medium, etc.

[0178] Furthermore, this disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0179] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of this disclosure. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this disclosure, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising: Receive an instruction message, the instruction message carrying timing information; The timer is started according to the timing information, and a listener is started when the timer expires.

2. The communication method as described in claim 1, wherein, The indication message indicates the timing information using symbols.

3. The communication method as described in claim 2, wherein, The indication message includes a first symbol and a second symbol, which indicate the timing information.

4. The communication method as described in claim 1, wherein, The indication message is the Media Access Control Unit (MAC CE).

5. The communication method as described in claim 1, wherein, The step of starting the timer according to the timing information includes: The timing information is divided into at least two timing periods; The timer is started according to the specified timing period.

6. The communication method as described in claim 1 or 5, wherein, After starting the listening, the method further includes: Receive instruction message; The timer is restarted according to the timing information in the instruction message until a paging message is received.

7. The communication method as described in claim 1, wherein, After starting the listening, the method further includes: Receive paging messages; The total number of time slots is generated based on the access parameters carried in the paging message, and then the system enters sleep mode. The listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots; Start listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages.

8. The communication method as described in claim 7, wherein, At least one of the time slot messages carries time slot indication information, which is used to characterize which time slot message the second device is currently sending.

9. The communication method as described in claim 8, further comprising: After receiving the time slot message, obtain the time slot indication information in the time slot message; When the time slot indication information is equal to the total number of time slots, passive random access is triggered.

10. The communication method as described in claim 7, wherein, The step of determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots includes: The starting point of the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, and the timing error; The length of the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, the timing error, and the second time interval.

11. The communication method as described in claim 10, wherein, The first time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device does not respond after sending the time slot message; the second time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device responds after sending the time slot message.

12. The communication method as described in claim 10, wherein, After determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the method further includes: Divide the window starting point into at least two sub-window starting points; The corresponding listening sub-window is determined using the starting point of each sub-window and the window length; The step of starting listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages includes: Start listening in the first listening sub-window to receive time slot messages.

13. The communication method of claim 12, further comprising: Upon receiving the time slot message, the time slot indication information carried in the time slot message is compared with the total number of time slots; Update the window start point of at least one remaining listening child window based on the comparison results.

14. A communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising: Send an instruction message to cause the first device to start a timer according to the timing information carried in the instruction message, and start listening when the timer expires.

15. The communication method of claim 14, further comprising: A paging message is sent, the paging message carrying access parameters, the access parameters being used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device, the first device entering sleep mode, and determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window; Send a time slot message.

16. A communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising: Receive paging messages; The total number of time slots is generated based on the access parameters carried in the paging message, and then the system enters sleep mode. The listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots; Start listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages.

17. The communication method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the time slot messages carries time slot indication information, the time slot indication information being used to characterize which time slot message the second device is currently sending.

18. The communication method of claim 17, further comprising: After receiving the time slot message, obtain the time slot indication information in the time slot message; When the time slot indication information is equal to the total number of time slots, passive random access is triggered.

19. The communication method as described in claim 16, wherein, The step of determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots includes: The starting point of the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, and the timing error; The length of the listening window is determined based on the total number of time slots, the first time interval, the timing error, and the second time interval.

20. The communication method as described in claim 19, wherein, The first time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device does not respond after sending the time slot message; the second time interval is the interval during which the second device waits to send the next time slot message when the first device responds after sending the time slot message.

21. The communication method as described in claim 19, wherein, After determining the listening window based on the total number of time slots, the method further includes: Divide the window starting point into at least two sub-window starting points; The corresponding listening sub-window is determined using the starting point of each sub-window and the window length; The step of starting listening within the listening window to receive time-slot messages includes: Start listening in the first listening sub-window to receive time slot messages.

22. The communication method of claim 21, further comprising: Upon receiving the time slot message, the time slot indication information carried in the time slot message is compared with the total number of time slots; Update the window start point of at least one remaining listening child window based on the comparison results.

23. A communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising: A paging message is sent, the paging message carrying access parameters, the access parameters being used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device, the first device entering sleep mode, and determining a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window; Send a time slot message.

24. A communication device applied to a first device, the device comprising: An instruction message receiving module is used to receive instruction messages, which carry timing information; The first monitoring module is used to start a timer according to the timing information and to start monitoring when the timer expires.

25. A communication device applied to a second device, the device comprising: An instruction message sending module is used to send an instruction message so that the first device starts a timer according to the timing information carried in the instruction message, and starts listening when the timer expires.

26. A communication device applied to a first device, the device comprising: The paging message receiving module is used to receive paging messages; The total number of time slots generation module is used to generate the total number of time slots based on the access parameters carried in the paging message; A hibernation module is used to enter hibernation mode after the total number of time slots is generated; The listening window determination module is used to determine the listening window based on the total number of time slots; The second listening module is used to start listening within the listening window to receive time slot messages.

27. A communication device applied to a second device, the device comprising: A paging message sending module is used to send paging messages, which carry access parameters. The access parameters are used to indicate the total number of time slots generated by the first device. The first device enters sleep mode and determines a listening window based on the total number of time slots, so as to start listening within the listening window. The timeslot message sending module is used to send timeslot messages.

28. A communication device comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23.

29. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein, When the computer program is executed, it controls the device containing the computer-readable storage medium to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

30. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

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