Communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of communications, and relates to a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. The method comprises: a first network device sending first information to a second network device, wherein the first information is used for controlling the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, which first signal is used for causing the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device. By means of a first network device sending first information to a device that sends a first signal, the sending process of the first signal is controlled.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media and software products Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, and program products. Background Technology

[0002] A-IoT is a novel Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Compared to traditional IoT technologies, a significant characteristic is the massive number of A-IoT terminals that can be connected to the network. It also boasts a simple structure, low hardware and maintenance costs, low power consumption, and can operate for extended periods without battery replacement. A-IoT technology focuses on communication with passive devices, primarily for inventory management and information transmission, such as RFID information and data transmission methods. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product, which can be used in the field of communication technology.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, executed by a first network device, comprising: sending first information to a second network device, the first information being used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, executed by a second network device, comprising: receiving first information sent by a first network device, or determining the first information based on a predefined protocol; and sending a first signal to a terminal device based on the first information, wherein the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, executed by a terminal device, comprising: receiving a first signal sent by a second network device based on first information, wherein the first information is received by the second network device from a first network device or determined by the second network device based on a protocol predefined; and backscattering a second signal to a third network device.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, including a transceiver module for sending first information to a second network device, the first information being used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, and the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a second network device is provided, including a transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a first network device, or to determine the first information based on a predefined protocol; and to send a first signal to a terminal device based on the first information, wherein the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided, including a transceiver module, configured to receive a first signal sent by a second network device based on first information, wherein the first information is received by the second network device from a first network device or determined by the second network device based on a predefined protocol; and to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver; a memory; and a processor, respectively connected to the transceiver and the memory, configured to control the transmission and reception of wireless signals of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, and capable of implementing the methods described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the first aspects, the second network device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the second aspects, and the terminal device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the third aspects.

[0012] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer storage medium is provided that stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0013] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, when the program and at least one of the instructions are executed by a communication device, they implement the communication method described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0014] According to the communication method proposed in this disclosure, the process of sending a first signal is controlled by sending a first message. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of topology 1 provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of topology 2 provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2D is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 4C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, communication equipment, storage medium, and program product.

[0030] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a first network device, comprising: sending first information to a second network device, the first information being used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0031] In the above embodiments, the process of sending a first signal is controlled by the first information sent by the first network device.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, the first period being the period for transmitting the first signal; a start time point for transmitting the first signal; a time domain length for transmitting the first signal; a time domain pattern for transmitting the first signal; first indication information for instructing the second network device whether to transmit the first signal during a scheduled time period, the scheduled time period including at least one of the following: a first time period for the terminal device to receive the first signal, a second time period for the terminal device to transmit the second signal; a time interval between the start time point for transmitting the first signal and a reference time point, the reference time point being included in the second time period; and second indication information for instructing the second network device to transmit the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from the reference time point.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Unit (MAC) CE signaling; and Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) signaling.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving second information sent by a second network device or a third network device; and determining first information based on the second information.

[0035] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: a second period, which is the period during which the second network device or the third network device expects to transmit the first signal; a third period, which is the period during which the third network device receives the second signal; the start time point of the third network device receiving the second signal; the time domain length of the third network device receiving the second signal; and the time domain offset of the terminal device.

[0036] In the above embodiments, the first network device can determine the first information based on the information reported by the second network device or the third network device, so as to determine the time or period for the second network device to send the first signal, and further realize the control of the first signal transmission process.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a first signal to a terminal device based on first information.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the first network device can control the transmission of the first signal based on predefined protocols or information reported by the third network device.

[0039] In the above embodiments, the first network device sends first information to the second network device to control the second network device to send a first signal to the terminal device, thereby enabling the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device, thus realizing the control of the first signal transmission process.

[0040] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a second network device, comprising: receiving first information sent by a first network device, or determining the first information based on a predefined protocol; and sending a first signal to a terminal device based on the first information, wherein the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, the first period being the period for transmitting the first signal; a start time point for transmitting the first signal; a time-domain length for transmitting the first signal; a time-domain pattern for transmitting the first signal; first indication information for instructing the second network device whether to transmit the first signal during a scheduled time period, the scheduled time period including at least one of the following: a first time period for the terminal device to receive the first signal, a second time period for the terminal device to transmit the second signal; a time interval between the start time point for transmitting the first signal and a reference time point, the reference time point being included in the second time period; and second indication information for instructing the second network device to transmit the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from the reference time point.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Unit (MAC) CE signaling; Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) signaling.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending second information to a first network device, the second information being used by the first network device to determine the first information.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: a second period, which is the period during which the second network device or the third network device expects to transmit the first signal; a third period, which is the period during which the third network device receives the second signal; the start time point of the third network device receiving the second signal; the time domain length of the third network device receiving the second signal; and the time domain offset of the terminal device.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the purpose of the first network device controlling the first signal transmission process is achieved by sending the second information to the first network device.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending a first signal to a terminal device based on the first information includes any one of the following: continuously sending the first signal during a scheduling period; periodically sending the first signal during a scheduling period; sending the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, wherein the reference time point is included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0047] In the above embodiments, the second network device can determine the time to send the first signal to the terminal device based on the first information sent by the first network device, thereby realizing the control of the first signal transmission process by the first network device.

[0048] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a terminal device, comprising: receiving a first signal sent by a second network device based on first information, wherein the first information is received by the second network device from a first network device or determined by the second network device based on a predefined protocol; and backscattering a second signal to a third network device.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, the first period being the period for transmitting the first signal; a start time point for transmitting the first signal; a time domain length for transmitting the first signal; a time domain pattern for transmitting the first signal; first indication information for instructing the second network device whether to transmit the first signal during a scheduled time period, the scheduled time period including at least one of the following: a first time period for the terminal device to receive the first signal, a second time period for the terminal device to transmit the second signal; a time interval between the start time point for transmitting the first signal and a reference time point, the reference time point being included in the second time period; and second indication information for instructing the second network device to transmit the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from the reference time point.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, receiving a first signal sent by the second network device based on the first information includes any one of the following: receiving a first signal continuously sent by the second network device during a scheduling time period; receiving a first signal periodically sent by the second network device during a scheduling time period; receiving a first signal sent by the second network device at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, wherein the reference time point is included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0051] In the above embodiments, after receiving the first signal sent by the second network device based on the instruction of the first network device, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device, thereby realizing the control of the first network device over the transmission process of the first signal.

[0052] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first network device, including a transceiver module, for sending first information to a second network device, the first information being used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, and the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0053] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a second network device, including a transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a first network device, or determine the first information based on a predefined protocol; and based on the first information, send a first signal to a terminal device, wherein the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal device, including a transceiver module, configured to receive a first signal sent by a second network device based on first information, wherein the first information is received by the second network device from a first network device or determined by the second network device based on a predefined protocol; and to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including: a transceiver; a memory; and a processor, respectively connected to the transceiver and the memory, configured to control the transmission and reception of wireless signals of the transceiver by executing computer-executable instructions on the memory, so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first, second, and third aspects of this disclosure.

[0056] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, including: a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the first aspect of this disclosure; the second network device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the second aspect of this disclosure; and the terminal device is configured to implement the method described in any embodiment of the third aspect of this disclosure.

[0057] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first, second, and third aspects of this disclosure.

[0058] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0059] In one aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0060] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first, second, and third aspects above.

[0061] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0062] This disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, terms such as communication method and information processing method may be used interchangeably.

[0063] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0064] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0065] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular or a plural expression.

[0066] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0067] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0068] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0069] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0070] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0071] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0072] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0073] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0074] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “more than”, “more than or equal to”, “not less than”, “higher than”, “higher than or equal to”, “not lower than”, and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not more than”, “lower than”, “lower than or equal to”, “not higher than”, and “below”.

[0075] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0076] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0077] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0078] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0079] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0080] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0081] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0082] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0083] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0084] The method proposed in this disclosure is applicable to various communication systems, including but not limited to 4G, 5G, 5G-advance and subsequent communication technologies (such as 6G).

[0085] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a first network device 101, a second network device 102, and a terminal device 103.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may send first information.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may control the second network device to send a first signal.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may receive second information.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may determine the first information.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may send a first signal.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may be an intermediate node. An intermediate node includes at least one of a terminal, repeater, repeater, integrated access, and backhaul IAB node.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first network device 101 may be a base station, an auxiliary node, etc.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first network device may be an A-IoT network device, or it may be a 6G-IoT (6G Internet of Things, a further evolution of the Internet of Things based on the environment) network device.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first network device may be a gNB or a terminal.

[0096] In some embodiments, the name of the first network device 101 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device for sending first information", "device for controlling the transmission of a first signal", "device for determining first information", "device for receiving second information", "device for sending a first signal", etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may receive the first information.

[0098] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may determine the first information.

[0099] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may send a first signal.

[0100] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may send second information.

[0101] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may be a CW-node.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may be the first terminal device.

[0103] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may be a gNB or a UE.

[0104] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may send CW or R2D.

[0105] In some embodiments, the second network device 102 may be an intermediate node, an auxiliary node, or an A-IoT reader.

[0106] In some embodiments, the name of the second network device 102 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device for receiving first information", "device for sending first signal", "device for determining first information", "device for sending second information", etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0107] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 may receive a first signal. The first signal is a CW signal, and optionally, it may be an R2D signal.

[0108] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 may backscatter a second signal. The second signal is a signal backscattered from the first signal, for example, a signal backscattered from a CW signal.

[0109] In some embodiments, terminal device 103 may be an A-IoT terminal device.

[0110] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 may be of at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c.

[0111] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 may be an A-IoT device, an A-IoT tag, or a device, etc.

[0112] In some embodiments, the name of the terminal device 103 is not limited, and may be, for example, "device for receiving a first signal", "device for backscattering a second signal", etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0113] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes a third network device, which may be a gNB or a UE.

[0114] In some embodiments, the third network device may be a backscattered CW receiving device, that is, the third network device may receive backscattered CW or D2R from the terminal device.

[0115] In some embodiments, the third network device may be an intermediate node, an auxiliary node, an A-IoT reader, etc. in the A-IoT topology.

[0116] In some embodiments, the third network device may be the same device as the second network device, or it may be a different device.

[0117] In some embodiments, the terminal includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0118] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0119] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0120] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0121] In some embodiments, the core network equipment may be a single device, including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0122] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0123] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0124] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0125] IoT-related technologies include MTC (Machine Type Communications), NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT), and RedCap (Reduced Capability UE). MTC and NB-IoT significantly reduce the cost of IoT terminals by employing technologies such as low bandwidth, single antenna, reduced peak data rate, half-duplex operation, and reduced transmit power. eDRX (enhanced Discontinuous Reception) and PSM (Power Saving Mode) greatly reduce the power consumption of IoT terminals. Simultaneously, MTC and NB-IoT can support a large number of IoT terminals accessing the network, thus meeting the demand for massive connectivity. NB-IoT is a low-power wide-area network technology with key characteristics such as low cost, low power consumption, strong coverage, and massive connectivity. It is largely based on the non-backward-compatible E-UTRA, with a coverage target of MCL of 164dB, greatly enhancing indoor coverage and supporting a large number of low-throughput, low-latency-sensitive devices. NB-IoT supports three operating modes: in-band, standalone, and guardband. Both uplink and downlink RF bandwidths are 180kHz. Downlink uses OFDMA technology with a 15kHz subcarrier spacing, while uplink uses SC-FDMA technology. It supports both single-tone and multi-tone transmission. Enhanced versions of NB-IoT support a wealth of features, including multi-carrier support, positioning, multicast, wake-up signals, and fast small data transmission, and can coexist with LTE and NR systems.

[0126] eMTC is an enhanced version of LTE-M (LTE-Machine-to-Machine), an IoT technology evolved from LTE. It is also a low-cost, low-power wide-area network technology. Compared to NB-IoT, eMTC has slightly weaker coverage, targeting an MCL of 156dB, but it can support higher transmission rates, some mobility, and voice services. eMTC has 1.4MHz uplink and downlink RF bandwidth and can support a maximum peak rate of 1Mbps.

[0127] RedCap, short for Reduced Capability, is a new technology standard based on 5G NR. Simply put, RedCap is a lightweight version of 5G. The large-scale industrial wireless sensor network (IWSN) use cases described by 5G requirements include not only the very demanding URLLC services, but also relatively low-end applications requiring small device size, support for fully wireless transmission, and battery life of several years. These applications have higher requirements than LPWA (i.e., LTE-M / NB-IoT), but lower than URLCC and eMBB. Furthermore, smart city surveillance cameras and wearable device use cases such as smartwatches, electronic health-related devices, and medical monitoring equipment also have the characteristics of small device size, simplified functions, and the need to connect to the 5G radio access network and core network, urgently requiring the introduction of lower-cost, simplified 5G NR terminals. Therefore, 5G NR introduced the NR RedCap issue in Release 17, and all standardization is expected to be completed by mid-2022.

[0128] A-IoT is a novel Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Compared to traditional IoT technologies, a significant characteristic is the massive number of A-IoT terminals (A-IoT UEs, A-IoT devices, A-IoT Tags) in the network, enabling the inventory and monitoring of large-scale objects. A-IoT terminal devices can also be customized to meet different application needs, making A-IoT technology widely applicable and highly practical. Compared to NB-IoT terminals, A-IoT terminals have a simpler structure, lower hardware and maintenance costs, and the entire device may or may not include a power supply.

[0129] A-IoT devices can be categorized into Type 1, Type 2a, Type 2b, and Type 2c. Type 1 and 2a devices are passive, while Type 2b is an active device. Type 1 devices operate based on backscatter, exhibiting the lowest complexity and lowest power consumption. Type 2a devices support energy storage and operate based on backscatter; their complexity and power consumption are higher than Type 1 devices, offering some signal amplification while maintaining relatively low power consumption. Type 2b devices operate based on active transmission, possessing both signal amplification and active information transmission capabilities. Furthermore, Type 2c devices possess both active information transmission and backscatter capabilities. These devices can harvest energy from the environment to power normal uplink and downlink transmissions. Environmental energy includes natural energy such as solar, wind, and nuclear power, as well as artificial energy such as electromagnetic waves emitted by artificial devices.

[0130] Currently, two basic topology scenarios are supported. As shown in Figure 1B, Topology 1 involves a direct connection between the A-IoT base station (or reader) and the A-IoT terminal (A-IoT UE, A-IoT device, A-IoT Tag, device). As shown in Figure 1C, Topology 2 involves communication between the A-IoT device and the UE, with the UE acting as an intermediate node sending data to the network side.

[0131] For devices using backscattering for uplink transmission, a continuous wave (CW) energy source (CW node) is required to provide the electromagnetic waves for reflection during backscattering. The CW is typically of constant amplitude. The CW node can be a standalone node or a base station / intermediate node (e.g., a UE) communicating with the device. The frequency of the electromagnetic wave reflected by the device can be exactly the same as the CW frequency or have some offset. The magnitude of the offset depends on the device's hardware characteristics; the offset may be a fixed value, or if the device hardware supports it, it may support multiple fixed values, or it may be a dynamically adjustable value.

[0132] Information transmission in A-IoT technology can be referenced from RFID. Currently, RFID information and data include the following types:

[0133] Select: Includes Select and Challenge. The reader / writer can use the Select command to select one or more tags within its coverage area based on the data stored in the tags, and the Challenge command to query the encryption and authentication types of the tags. The reader / writer can then inventory or connect to the selected tags.

[0134] Inventory includes commands such as Query, QueryAdjus, QueryRep, ACK, and NAK. Readers can use these commands to identify tags. An inventory count begins with a Query command and ends with sending another Query command, or sending a Select or Challenge command. Sending a Query command requires association with one of four defined sessions (S0, S1, S2, and S3), and a single session can only support one inventory count. Multiple tags may respond during an inventory count. The reader will detect a single tag response and request the tag's EPC code.

[0135] Access includes commands such as Req_RN, Read, Write, Lock, Kill, Access, BlockWrite, BlockErase, BlockPermalock, Authenticate, ReadBuffer, SecureComm, AuthComm, KeyUpdate, Untraceable, FileOpen, FileList, FilePrivilege, FileSetup, and TagPrivilege. The reader / writer can perform operations on tags such as reading, writing, locking, and deactivating them. It can also perform security-related operations such as authentication, and file-related operations such as opening files stored in the tag. Access operations involve multiple commands, and a single reader / writer may only support access to one tag.

[0136] For devices 1 and 2a, backscattered CW is required to transmit D2R. For device 2b, CW may be used for functions such as synchronization. Therefore, CW transmission is crucial. CW can be controlled by the gNB or directly by the UE. Furthermore, depending on various topologies, communication between the device and the UE (as a reader) may or may not be transparent to the gNB. Transparency means the device controlling CW transmission is unaware of when to transmit D2R, while opacity means the device controlling CW transmission is aware of when to transmit D2R.

[0137] There are two methods for CW controlled transmission:

[0138] Case 1: D2R is transparent to gNB, CW-node is controlled by gNB, and UE acts as reader.

[0139] Because the gNB does not know when the reader will schedule D2R, it cannot perform accurate CW transmission.

[0140] 1) The reader assumes that CW (Content Message) is always being transmitted during A-IoT scheduling. For the gNB, it is necessary to schedule the CW-node to continuously transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling;

[0141] 2) The reader assumes that CW (Content Written) is always being transmitted during A-IoT scheduling. For the gNB, it needs to schedule the CW-node to periodically transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling. This periodicity information needs to be communicated by the gNB to the reader, or the reader can report the periodicity information to the gNB.

[0142] Case 2: D2R is not transparent to the gNB, the CW-node is controlled by the gNB, and the UE acts as the reader.

[0143] Because the gNB knows when the reader schedules D2R, it can perform accurate CW transmission. However, factors such as time offset, wake-up triggering, and charging need to be considered, requiring a "time interval" to be reserved. In addition, method 1 in Case 1 can also work, but it is more energy-intensive.

[0144] 1) For the gNB, it is necessary to schedule the CW-node to transmit CW during the R2D event in the A-IoT scheduling period. Considering device time offset, device wake-up, and device recharging, the gNB needs to control the CW-node to start transmitting CW before the first time offset of the R2D occasion (R2D period / time segment) and continue transmitting until the second time offset of the R2D occasion. The reader needs to assume that CW is being transmitted throughout the above time period.

[0145] 2) The reader assumes that CW is always being transmitted during A-IoT scheduling. For the gNB, the scheduling CW-node continuously transmits CW during A-IoT scheduling.

[0146] Case 3: D2R is transparent to gNB, CW-node is controlled by UE, and UE acts as reader.

[0147] Since the UE knows when the reader schedules D2R, it can accurately control CW transmission. However, factors such as timing offset, wake-up triggering, and charging need to be considered, requiring a "time interval" to be reserved. In addition, Method 1 in Case 1 can also work, but it is more energy-intensive.

[0148] 1) For the UE, it is necessary to schedule the CW-node to transmit CW during R2D during A-IoT scheduling. Considering factors such as device time offset, wake-up trigger, and charging, the UE needs to control the CW-node to start transmitting CW before the first time offset of the R2D occasion and continue transmitting until the second time offset of the R2D occasion.

[0149] 2) The reader assumes that CW is always being transmitted during A-IoT scheduling. For the UE, the scheduling CW-node continuously transmits CW during A-IoT scheduling.

[0150] The specific methods by which the gNB controls the CW-node are as follows:

[0151] 1) Configure time-domain resources, using a time-domain pattern, and configure it periodically;

[0152] 2) Activate / deactivate signaling.

[0153] The specific methods by which the UE controls the CW-node are as follows:

[0154] 1) Configure time-domain resources, using a time-domain pattern, and configure it periodically;

[0155] 2) Activate / deactivate signaling;

[0156] 3) The base station is required to configure time-domain resources, with one time-domain pattern, configured periodically;

[0157] 4) Require base station activation / deactivation signaling.

[0158] Therefore, this disclosure proposes a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product, which transmits first information to a second network device through a first network device to control the second network device to transmit a first signal.

[0159] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0160] In the embodiments of this disclosure, D2R is transparent to the control of the first network device, that is, the first network device is unaware of when to send D2R, in other words, the gNB is unaware of when the device sends D2R to the UE.

[0161] Step S2101: Send the second message.

[0162] Option 1: Step S2101a, the second network device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0163] In some embodiments, the second information includes a second period, which is the period during which the second network device expects to send the first signal.

[0164] For example, the first CW-node reports first period information to the first network device, which is used by the first network device to determine the CW period parameters based on the first period information.

[0165] Option 2: Step S2101b, the third network device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the third network device may be the same device as the second network device or it may be a different device, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0167] In some embodiments, the second information includes a third period, which is the period during which the third network device receives the second signal.

[0168] For example, the first terminal device reports first periodic information to the first network device, which is used by the first network device to determine the CW periodic parameters based on the first periodic information.

[0169] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0170] In some embodiments, "acquire," "get," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bidirectional transmission," and "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation. Protocols include, for example, at least one of the 3GPP protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, and audio and / or video protocols.

[0171] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0172] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0173] Step S2102: The first network device determines the first information.

[0174] Option 1:

[0175] In some embodiments, the first network device determines first information based on a predefined protocol. This first information instructs the second network device to continuously transmit a first signal.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; the start time point for transmitting the first signal; the time domain length of the first signal; and the time domain pattern of the first signal.

[0177] For example, according to the protocol predefined, if the first terminal device expects CW to always be transmitted during A-IoT scheduling, then the first network device, based on the protocol predefined, controls the first CW-node device to continuously transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling. The A-IoT scheduling period includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions; preferably, the A-IoT scheduling period includes both D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions.

[0178] Option 2:

[0179] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the first information based on the second information. The first information instructs the second network device to periodically transmit a first signal.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first network device controls the second network device to periodically send a first signal during A-IoT scheduling.

[0181] In some embodiments, the second information may be sent by a second network device or a third network device, wherein the second network device and the third network device may be the same device or different devices.

[0182] For example, a first network device controls a first CW-node device to periodically transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling, which includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions. Preferably, the A-IoT scheduling includes both D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions.

[0183] For example, the first network device determines the CW period parameters based on the first period information reported by the first terminal device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, wherein the first period is the period for transmitting the first signal; the start time point for transmitting the first signal; the time domain length of transmitting the first signal; and the time domain pattern of transmitting the first signal.

[0185] Option 3:

[0186] In some embodiments, the first network device determines first information based on a predefined protocol, wherein the first information is an instruction for the second network device to periodically send a first signal.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, wherein the first period is the period for transmitting the first signal; the start time point for transmitting the first signal; the time domain length of transmitting the first signal; and the time domain pattern of transmitting the first signal.

[0188] For example, according to the protocol predefined, the first terminal device expects to periodically transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling. The first network device determines the first information for periodically transmitting CW based on the protocol predefined.

[0189] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0190] Step S2103: The first network device sends the first information to the second network device.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first information is used to control the second network device to send a first signal to the terminal device, and the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first information is included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Element (MAC CE) signaling; and Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling.

[0193] Option 1:

[0194] In some embodiments, the first network device sends first information to the second network device, controlling the second network device to continuously send the first signal during A-IoT scheduling.

[0195] For example, a first network device sends a first signaling message to a first CW-node, controlling the first CW-node to continuously transmit CW during the A-IoT scheduling period. The A-IoT scheduling period includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions. Preferably, the A-IoT scheduling period includes both D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions.

[0196] For example, the first network device controls CW transmission through a first signaling, which may be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW start time parameters, CW time domain length parameters, and CW time domain pattern.

[0197] Option 2:

[0198] In some embodiments, the first network device sends first information to the second network device, controlling the second network device to periodically send the first signal during A-IoT scheduling.

[0199] For example, a first network device sends a first signaling message to a first CW-node, controlling the first CW-node to periodically transmit CW during the A-IoT scheduling period. The A-IoT scheduling period includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions. Preferably, the A-IoT scheduling period includes both D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions.

[0200] For example, the first network device controls CW transmission through a first signaling, which may be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameter, CW deactivation parameter, CW period parameter, CW start time parameter, CW time domain length parameter, and CW time domain pattern.

[0201] Step S2104: The second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device based on the first information, and the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter the second signal to the third network device.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first signal is CW, which can be used for at least one of the functions of IoT terminal devices, such as backscattering and synchronization.

[0204] In some embodiments, the second network device continuously transmits the first signal during a scheduled time period based on the instruction of the first network device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second network device periodically sends a first signal within a scheduled time period based on an instruction from the first network device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the scheduling period is the A-IoT scheduling period.

[0207] For example, the first CW-node continuously transmits CW or periodically transmits CW during A-IoT scheduling, as instructed by the first network device.

[0208] In step S2105, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0209] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a first signal continuously sent by the second network device during a scheduling period, and backscatters the second signal to the third network device or the second network device, wherein the second network device and the third network device may be the same device or different devices.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a first signal periodically sent by the second network device during a scheduling period, and backscatters the second signal to the third network device or the second network device, wherein the second network device and the third network device may be the same device or different devices.

[0211] In the above embodiments, the first network device sends first information to the second network device by sending periodic parameters to the first network device through the second network device or the third network device, thereby controlling the process of the second network device sending a first signal to the terminal device; or, the first network device may determine the first information based on a predefined protocol and send the first information to the second network device, thereby controlling the process of the second network device sending a first signal to the terminal device.

[0212] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2105. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2101+S2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2102+S2103, S2102+S2103+S2104, S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105, and S2101+S2102+S2103+S2104+S2105 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0213] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional, and this step may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0214] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0215] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0216] In the embodiments of this disclosure, D2R is not transparent to the control of the first network device; that is, the first network device knows when to send D2R and controls the first CW-node device to send CW. CW can be used for at least one of the functions of IoT terminal devices, such as backscattering and synchronization. The first network device can be a gNB or a UE.

[0217] Step S2201: The first network device sends first information to the second network device.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first network device determines first information based on a predefined protocol and sends the first information to the second network device.

[0219] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, which is the period for transmitting the first signal; a start time point for transmitting the first signal; a time-domain length for transmitting the first signal; a time-domain pattern for transmitting the first signal; first indication information for instructing the second network device whether to transmit the first signal during a scheduled time period, the scheduled time period including at least one of the following: a first time period for the terminal device to receive the first signal; a second time period for the terminal device to transmit the second signal; a time interval between the start time point for transmitting the first signal and a reference time point, the reference time point being included in the second time period; and second indication information for instructing the second network device to transmit the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from the reference time point.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first information may be parameters for activating the CW, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first information is included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Unit (MAC) CE signaling; and Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) signaling.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first network device knows when to send D2R, and therefore can accurately control the transmission of CW. The first network device needs to instruct the second network device to send the first signal within the scheduled time of D2R.

[0223] For example, since the gNB or UE (first terminal device) knows when the reader schedules D2R, accurate CW transmission can be performed. A "time interval" needs to be reserved to account for factors such as time offset, wake-up triggering, and charging.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first network device controls the second network device to send the first signal from a starting point. The starting point for sending the first signal can be a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, where the reference time point can be the time point of the D2R transmission occurrence. In other words, the interval between the starting point for sending the first signal and the reference time point is greater than or equal to this time interval.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first terminal device controls the second network device to send the first signal from a starting point. The starting point for sending the first signal can be a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, where the reference time point can be the time point of the D2R transmission occurrence. In other words, the time interval between the starting point for sending the first signal and the reference time point is greater than or equal to this time interval.

[0226] In some embodiments, the time interval corresponding to the occurrence of a D2R transmission can be predefined by the protocol.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first network device controls the second network device to send the endpoint of the first signal. The endpoint of sending the first signal can be a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, which can be a time point after the occurrence of the D2R transmission. In other words, the time interval between the endpoint of sending the first signal and the reference time point is greater than or equal to this time interval.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first terminal device controls the second network device to send the endpoint of the first signal. The endpoint of sending the first signal can be a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, which can be a time point after the occurrence of the D2R transmission. In other words, the time interval between the endpoint of sending the first signal and the reference time point is greater than or equal to this time interval.

[0229] In some embodiments, the reference time point may be a time point after the occurrence of the D2R transmission, such as a time point after the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occurrence, or a time point after the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occurrence.

[0230] In some embodiments, the time interval corresponding to the time point after the first time domain symbol is different from the time interval corresponding to the time point after the last time domain symbol, which can be predefined by the protocol.

[0231] In some embodiments, the time interval can be predefined by the protocol and defined by an absolute time unit or a relative time unit. The absolute time unit can be an hour, minute, second, millisecond, microsecond, etc., and the relative time unit can be a wireless frame, a wireless half-frame, a wireless subframe, a time slot, a mini-slot, or a time domain symbol. For example, a mini-slot can be 2, 4, or 7 symbols.

[0232] For example, the first network device controls the first CW-node device to transmit CW at a start time no later than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., a first time interval before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a second time interval before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The first and second time intervals are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute time units (e.g., hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds) or relative time units (e.g., radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, time domain symbols).

[0233] For example, the first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a start time no later than a first time interval before the occurrence of the D2R transmission via a first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0234] For example, the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to transmit CW at a start time no later than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., a first time interval before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a second time interval before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The first and second time intervals are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute time units (e.g., hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds) or relative time units (e.g., radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, time domain symbols).

[0235] For example, the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a start time no later than a first time interval before the occurrence of the D2R transmission via a first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0236] In some embodiments, the terms “frame”, “radio frame”, “subframe”, “slot”, “sub-slot”, “mini-slot”, “symbol”, “symbol”, and “transmission time interval (TTI)” can be used interchangeably.

[0237] In step S2202, the second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device.

[0238] Option 1:

[0239] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device based on the first information sent by the first network device. The first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device.

[0240] In some embodiments, the second network device may send a first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, the reference time point being included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0241] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from the reference time point, based on the second indication information sent by the first network device.

[0242] Option 2:

[0243] In some embodiments, the second network device determines first information based on a predefined protocol; based on the first information, it sends a first signal to the terminal device, the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device.

[0244] For example, the protocol is predefined so that the second network device expects a CW transmission occasion in D2R transmission.

[0245] In some embodiments, the second network device may send a first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, the reference time point being included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0246] In step S2203, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0247] In some embodiments, the terminal device backscatters a second signal to a third network device based on the received first signal.

[0248] In some embodiments, after receiving a first signal sent by a second network device based on an instruction from a first network device, the terminal device backscatters a second signal toward a third network device.

[0249] In some embodiments, after receiving a first signal sent by a second network device based on a predefined protocol, the terminal device backscatters a second signal to a third network device.

[0250] In the above embodiments, the first network device can determine the time point at which the second network device sends the first signal through protocol predefinition, or the second network device can determine the time point at which the first signal is sent based on protocol predefinition, thereby realizing control over the first signal sending process.

[0251] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2203. For example, step S2201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2201+S2202 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2202+S2203 and S2201+S2202+S2203 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0252] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional, and this step may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0253] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0254] Figure 2C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0255] In the embodiments of this disclosure, D2R is not transparent to the control of the first network device; that is, the first network device knows when to send D2R, and the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW. CW can be used for at least one of the functions of the IoT terminal device, such as backscattering and synchronization. The first terminal device and the device sending CW are different devices.

[0256] Step S2301: The third network device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0257] In some embodiments, a third network device sends second information to a first network device, the second information being used by the first network device to determine the first information.

[0258] In some embodiments, the third network device and the second network device may be the same device or different devices.

[0259] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: a third period, wherein the third period is the period during which the third network device receives the second signal; the start time point of the third network device receiving the second signal; the time domain length of the third network device receiving the second signal; and the time domain offset of the terminal device.

[0260] In some embodiments, the period at which the third network device receives the second signal can be a D2R period parameter, the start time point at which the third network device receives the second signal can be a D2R start time parameter, the time domain length at which the third network device receives the second signal can be a D2R time domain length parameter, and the time domain offset of the terminal device can be a device time domain offset.

[0261] In some embodiments, the third network device may report to the first network device the requirement that the start point of the control signal transmission be no later than the time interval before the reference time point, and / or report to the first network device the requirement that the end point of the control signal transmission be no earlier than the time interval after the reference time point.

[0262] For example, the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW starting point no later than the time interval before the D2R transmission occasion (e.g., a first time interval before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a second time interval before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The first time interval and the second time interval are predefined by the protocol. The first terminal device reports first information to the first network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: D2R period parameters; D2R start time parameters; D2R time domain length parameters; and device time domain offset.

[0263] For example, the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send the CW endpoint no earlier than the D2R transmission occasion (e.g., a third time interval after the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a fourth time interval after the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The third and fourth time intervals are predefined by the protocol. The first terminal device reports first information to the first network device, which includes at least one of the following: D2R period parameters, D2R start time parameters, D2R time domain length parameters, and device time domain offset.

[0264] Step S2302: The first network device determines the first information.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the first information based on the second information sent by the third network device.

[0266] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following: parameters for activating the transmission of the first signal; parameters for deactivating the transmission of the first signal; a first period, which is the period for transmitting the first signal; a start time point for transmitting the first signal; a time-domain length for transmitting the first signal; a time-domain pattern for transmitting the first signal; first indication information for instructing the second network device whether to transmit the first signal during a scheduled time period, the scheduled time period including at least one of the following: a first time period for the terminal device to receive the first signal; a second time period for the terminal device to transmit the second signal; a time interval between the start time point for transmitting the first signal and a reference time point, the reference time point being included in the second time period; and second indication information for instructing the second network device to transmit the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from the reference time point.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first network device knows when to send D2R, the third network device reports a request to the first network device, the first network device controls the second network device to send a first signal to the terminal device, the first network device and the second network device can communicate with each other, and the second network device can communicate with the terminal device.

[0268] For example, since the gNB or UE knows when the reader schedules D2R, accurate CW transmission can be performed. A "time interval" needs to be reserved to account for factors such as time offset, wake-up triggering, and charging.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first network device can determine the time point for sending the first signal based on the second information reported by the third network device, which can be a time interval with the start point no later than the occurrence of the D2R transmission and / or a time interval with the end point no earlier than the occurrence of the D2R transmission.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first network device determining the first information may be determining the start time of sending the first signal, that is, sending the first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, the reference time point being included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second time period is the time period during which the terminal device sends a D2R occasion, and the time interval can be the interval between the start and / or end point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0272] Step S2303: The first network device sends the first information to the second network device.

[0273] In some embodiments, a first network device sends first information to a second network device, the first information being used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, and the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first information is included in the first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Unit (MAC) CE signaling; and Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) signaling.

[0275] For example, the first network device receives first information reported by the first terminal device and controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a start time no earlier than the time interval following the D2R transmission occurrence via first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0276] For example, the first network device receives first information reported by the first terminal device and controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a time interval no later than the D2R transmission occurrence via first signaling. The first signaling may be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0277] Step S2304: The second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device.

[0278] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device based on the first information sent by the first network device.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second network device may send the first signal to the terminal device based on the first information at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point. The reference time point is included in a second time period, which is the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval is the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0280] In some embodiments, the second time period is the time period during which the terminal device sends a D2R occasion, and the time interval can be the interval between the start and / or end point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0281] For example, the start of the first CW-node transmitting CW is no later than the occasion of the D2R transmission (either a first time interval before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a second time interval before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The first and second time intervals are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute or relative time units. Absolute time units include, for example, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds; relative time units include, for example, radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and time domain symbols.

[0282] For example, the endpoint of the CW transmission from the first CW-node is no earlier than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., a third time interval after the first time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a fourth time interval after the last time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The third and fourth time intervals are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute or relative time units. Absolute time units include, for example, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds; relative time units include, for example, radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and time-domain symbols.

[0283] In step S2305, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0284] In some embodiments, after receiving the first signal, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0285] In the above embodiments, the third network device sends second information to the first network device so that the first network device can determine the first information and send the first information to the second network device, thereby achieving the purpose of controlling the second network device to send the first signal to the terminal device.

[0286] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2301 to S2305. For example, step S2301 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2301+S2302 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2301+S2302+S2303, S2301+S2302+S2303+S2304, and S2301+S2302+S2303+S2304+S2305 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0287] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0288] Figure 2D is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2D, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0289] In the embodiments of this disclosure, D2R is not transparent to the control of the first network device; that is, the first network device knows when to send D2R, and the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW. CW can be used for at least one of the functions of the IoT terminal device, such as backscattering and synchronization. The first terminal device and the device sending CW are different devices.

[0290] Step S2401: The third network device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0291] In some embodiments, the method by which the third network device sends the second information to the first network device is described in the optional implementation of step S2301 in FIG2C, and will not be repeated here.

[0292] Step S2402: The first network device determines the first information.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the first information based on the second information sent by the third network device.

[0294] In some embodiments, the method by which the first network device determines the first information can be referred to in the optional implementation of step S2302 in FIG2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0295] Step S2403: The first network device sends a first signal to the terminal device.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first network device transmits a first signal at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, the reference time point being included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device transmits the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of transmitting the first signal and the reference time point.

[0297] In some embodiments, the second time period is the time period during which the terminal device sends a D2R occasion, and the time interval can be the interval between the start and / or end point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

[0298] For example, the start of the CW transmission by the first network device is no later than the occasion of the D2R transmission (either a first time interval before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a second time interval before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The first and second time intervals are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute or relative time units. Absolute time units include, for example, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds; relative time units include, for example, radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and time domain symbols.

[0299] For example, the endpoint of the CW transmission sent by the first network device is no earlier than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., a third time interval after the first time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a fourth time interval after the last time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The third and fourth time intervals are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute or relative time units. Absolute time units include, for example, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds; relative time units include, for example, radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and time-domain symbols.

[0300] In step S2404, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0301] In some embodiments, after receiving the first signal, the terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0302] In the above embodiments, the third network device sends second information to the first network device so that the first network device can determine the time point for sending the first signal, thereby controlling the sending process of the first signal.

[0303] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2401 to S2404. For example, step S2401 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2402 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2401+S2402 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2401+S2402+S2403 and S2404 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0304] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0305] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0306] Step 3101: The first network device sends the first information to the second network device.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first information is used to control the second network device to send a first signal to the terminal device, and the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device.

[0308] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 3101 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2103 in Figure 2A, step S2201 in Figure 2B, and step S2303 in Figure 2C, as well as other alternative implementations involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be elaborated here.

[0309] Step 3102: The second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device.

[0310] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a first signal to the terminal device based on the first information, and the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter the second signal to the third network device.

[0311] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 3101 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2104 in Figure 2A, step S2202 in Figure 2B, step S2304 in Figure 2C, and step S2403 in Figure 2D, as well as other alternative implementations involved in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, which will not be elaborated here.

[0312] Step 3103: The terminal device backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0313] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a first signal sent by the second network device based on first information, wherein the first information is received by the second network device from the first network device or determined by the second network device based on a predefined protocol; and backscatters the second signal to the third network device.

[0314] Optionally, the alternative implementations of step 3101 can be found in the alternative implementations of step S2105 in Figure 2A, step S2203 in Figure 2B, step S2305 in Figure 2C, and step S2404 in Figure 2D, as well as other alternative implementations involved in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, which will not be elaborated here.

[0315] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0316] The following are specific solutions proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure:

[0317] In a network, IoT network devices communicate with IoT terminal devices. IoT network devices include base stations, intermediate nodes, and auxiliary nodes, while terminal devices are typically intermediate / auxiliary node devices. The types of IoT terminal devices include at least one of type 1, type 2a, type 2b, and type 2c. The IoT terminal device harvests energy from the environment to power its communication transmission. Environmental energy includes both natural and artificial energy. For example, the IoT terminal device can be a device, and the IoT network device can act as a reader.

[0318] Example 1:

[0319] The first network device and the first terminal device can communicate with each other. Optionally, the first network device and the IoT terminal device can communicate with each other. The first terminal device can act as an intermediate node, an auxiliary node, or directly establish communication with the IoT terminal device in the IoT network device. The first network device is preferably a base station device. The first terminal device is preferably a terminal device. The IoT terminal device includes at least one of device1, device2a, and device2b. Further, D2R is transparent to the control of the first network device, and the first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW. The CW can be used for at least one of the functions of the IoT terminal device, such as backscattering and synchronization.

[0320] Based on the above, the CW transmission method includes at least one of the following:

[0321] Method 1: A first network device controls a first CW-node device to continuously transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling. The A-IoT scheduling period includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions. Preferably, the A-IoT scheduling period includes both D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions.

[0322] Furthermore, the first network device controls CW transmission via a first signaling. The first signaling may be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, CW time domain length parameters, and CW time domain pattern.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first CW-node device may be a second network device.

[0324] Method 1-1:

[0325] The protocol predefines that the first terminal device expects CW transmissions to always occur during A-IoT scheduling. The A-IoT scheduling period includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions. Preferably, the A-IoT scheduling period includes both D2R and R2D transmission occasions.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first terminal device may be a terminal device, such as a UE or an A-IoT terminal device.

[0327] Alternatively, alternative implementations of method 1 can be found in Figure 2A.

[0328] Method 2:

[0329] The first network device controls the first CW-node device to periodically transmit CW during A-IoT scheduling. The A-IoT scheduling period includes at least one of D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions. Preferably, the A-IoT scheduling period includes both D2R transmission occasions and R2D transmission occasions.

[0330] Furthermore, the first network device controls CW transmission via a first signaling. The first signaling may be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0331] Optionally, the first terminal device reports the first period information to the first network device. The first network device determines the CW period parameters based on the first period information.

[0332] Method 2-1:

[0333] The protocol predefines that the first terminal device expects CW to always be sent during A-IoT scheduling.

[0334] Optionally, alternative implementations of method 2 can be found in the alternative implementations of the relevant steps in Figure 2A.

[0335] Example 2:

[0336] The first network device and the first terminal device can communicate with each other. Optionally, the first network device and the IoT terminal device can communicate with each other. The first terminal device can act as an intermediate node, an auxiliary node in the IoT network device, or directly establish communication with the IoT terminal device. The first network device is preferably a base station device. The first terminal device is preferably a terminal device. The IoT terminal device includes at least one of device1, device2a, and device2b. Further, D2R is not transparent to the control of the first network device. The first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW, and the CW can be used for at least one of the functions of the IoT terminal device, such as backscattering and synchronization.

[0337] Based on the above, the CW transmission method includes at least one of the following:

[0338] Method 1:

[0339] The first network device controls the first CW-node device to transmit CW at a start time no later than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., a first time interval before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or a second time interval before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). The first time interval and the second time interval are predefined by the protocol and are defined by absolute time units (e.g., hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds) or relative time units (e.g., radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-slots, time domain symbols).

[0340] Furthermore, the first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a starting point no later than a first time interval before the D2R transmission occurrence via a first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0341] Method 1-1:

[0342] The first network device controls the first CW-node device to transmit a CW at a second time interval no earlier than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., after the first time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or after the last time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). This second time interval is predefined by the protocol and is defined by absolute time units (e.g., hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds) or relative time units (e.g., radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, time-domain symbols).

[0343] Furthermore, the first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a start time no earlier than a second time interval following the occurrence of the D2R transmission via a first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0344] Method 1-2:

[0345] The protocol predefines that the first terminal device expects a D2R transmission occasion, and there will always be a CW transmission.

[0346] Optionally, alternative implementations of Embodiment 2 can be found in the alternative implementations of the embodiments shown in Figure 2B.

[0347] Example 3:

[0348] The first network device and the first terminal device can communicate with each other. Optionally, the first network device and the IoT terminal device can communicate with each other. The first terminal device can act as an intermediate node, an auxiliary node in the IoT network device, or directly establish communication with the IoT terminal device. The first network device is preferably a base station device. The first terminal device is preferably a terminal device. The IoT terminal device includes at least one of device1, device2a, and device2b. Further, D2R is not transparent to the control of the first network device. The first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW, and the CW can be used for at least one of the functions of the IoT terminal device, such as backscattering and synchronization.

[0349] Based on the above, the CW transmission method includes at least one of the following:

[0350] Method 1:

[0351] The first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to transmit CW at a start time no later than a first time interval preceding the D2R transmission occasion (e.g., before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). This first time interval is predefined by the protocol and is defined by an absolute time unit (e.g., hour, minute, second, millisecond, microsecond) or a relative time unit (e.g., radio frame, radio half-frame, radio subframe, time slot, mini-time slot, time domain symbol).

[0352] Furthermore, the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW starting no later than a first time interval before the D2R transmission occurrence via a first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0353] Method 1-1:

[0354] The first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to transmit a second time interval no earlier than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., after the first time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or after the last time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). This second time interval is predefined by the protocol and is defined by absolute time units (e.g., hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds) or relative time units (e.g., radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, time-domain symbols).

[0355] Furthermore, the first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to send CW starting no earlier than a second time interval after the D2R transmission occasion via a first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0356] Method 2:

[0357] The first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to transmit CW at a start time no later than a first time interval preceding the D2R transmission occasion (e.g., before the first time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or before the last time domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). This first time interval is predefined by the protocol and is defined by an absolute time unit (e.g., hour, minute, second, millisecond, microsecond) or a relative time unit (e.g., radio frame, radio half-frame, radio subframe, time slot, mini-time slot, time domain symbol).

[0358] Furthermore, the first terminal device reports first information to the first network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: D2R period parameters, D2R start time parameters, D2R time domain length parameters, and device time domain offset. The first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a start time no later than a first time interval before the D2R transmission occasion via first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0359] Method 2-1:

[0360] The first terminal device controls the first CW-node device to transmit a second time interval no earlier than the occasion of the D2R transmission (e.g., after the first time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion, or after the last time-domain symbol of the D2R transmission occasion). This second time interval is predefined by the protocol and is defined by absolute time units (e.g., hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds) or relative time units (e.g., radio frames, radio half-frames, radio subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, time-domain symbols).

[0361] Furthermore, the first terminal device reports first information to the first network device. The first information includes at least one of the following: D2R period parameters, D2R start time parameters, D2R time domain length parameters, and device time domain offset. The first network device controls the first CW-node device to send CW at a start time no earlier than a second time interval following the D2R transmission occasion via first signaling. The first signaling can be at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and DCI signaling. The first signaling includes at least one of the following: CW activation parameters, CW deactivation parameters, CW period parameters, CW start time parameters, and CW time domain length parameters.

[0362] Optionally, alternative implementations of Embodiment 3 can be found in the alternative implementations of the embodiments shown in Figures 2C and 2D.

[0363] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0364] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0365] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0366] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The first network device 4100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4A, the first network device 4100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 4101, a processing module 4102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send first information to a second network device, the first information is used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, and the first signal is used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network device 101 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2201, S2301, S2303, S2401, S2403, S3101, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the above processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2302, S2402, but not limited thereto) executed by the first network device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0367] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The second network device 4200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4B, the second network device 4200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 4201, a processing module 4202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by the first network device, or to determine the first information based on a predefined protocol; based on the first information, it sends a first signal to the terminal device, the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network device 102 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2201, S2202, S2303, S2304, S3101, S3102, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the above processing module is used to perform other steps executed by the second network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0368] Figure 4C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal device 4300 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4C, the terminal device 4300 may include at least one of a transceiver module 4301, a processing module 4302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive a first signal sent by a second network device based on first information, where the first information is received by the second network device from a first network device or determined by the second network device based on a predefined protocol. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2104, S2105, S2202, S2203, S2304, S2305, S2403, S2404, S3102, S3103, but not limited thereto) executed by the terminal device 103 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to execute other steps executed by the terminal device 103 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0369] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0370] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0371] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0372] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 5100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 5100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 5100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0373] As shown in Figure 5A, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 includes one or more processors 5101. The processor 5101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0374] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more transceivers 5102. When the communication device 5100 includes one or more transceivers 5102, the transceivers 5102 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2301, S2303, S2304, S2305, S2401, S2403, S2405, S3101, S3102, S3103, but not limited thereto), and the processor 5101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2302, S2402, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0375] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more memories 5103 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 5103 to cause the communication device 5100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 5103 may also be located outside the communication device 5100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 5100 may include one or more interface circuits 5104. Optionally, the interface circuit 5104 is connected to the memory 5102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 5102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 5102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 5102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5101.

[0376] The communication device 5100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 5100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 5100 may not be limited by FIG. 5A. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0377] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 5200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 5100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 5200 shown in Figure 5B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0378] Chip 5200 includes one or more processors 5201. Chip 5200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0379] In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more interface circuits 5202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more memories 5203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 5203 may be located outside of chip 5200. Optionally, the interface circuit 5202 is connected to the memories 5203, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memories 5203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memories 5203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5202 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memories 5203 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5201.

[0380] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 5202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2301, S2303, S2304, S2305, S2401, S2403, S2405, S3101, S3102, S3103, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 5202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 5202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 5201, chip 5200, memory 5203, or transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 5201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2302, S2402, but not limited thereto).

[0381] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0382] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0383] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0384] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a first network device, and the method includes: Send a first message to a second network device, the first message being used to control the second network device to send a first signal to a terminal device, the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to a third network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: Parameters used to activate the transmission of the first signal; The parameters used to deactivate the sending of the first signal; The first cycle is the cycle for sending the first signal; The start time point for sending the first signal; The time domain length of the first signal; The time-domain pattern of the first signal; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the second network device sends the first signal during a scheduling period, wherein the scheduling period includes at least one of the following: a first time period during which the terminal device receives the first signal, and a second time period during which the terminal device sends the second signal; The time interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and a reference time point, wherein the reference time point is included in the second time interval; The second instruction information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first signal at a time point at least the time interval away from the reference time point.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is included in a first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Unit (MAC) CE signaling; Downlink control indication (DCI) signaling.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information sent by the second network device or the third network device; Based on the second information, the first information is determined.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: The second cycle is the cycle during which the second network device or the third network device expects to send the first signal; The third cycle is the cycle during which the third network device receives the second signal; The starting time point at which the third network device receives the second signal; The time domain length of the second signal received by the third network device; The time domain offset of the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first information, the first signal is sent to the terminal device.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a second network device, and the method includes: Receive first information sent by the first network device, or determine the first information based on a predefined protocol; Based on the first information, a first signal is sent to the terminal device, the first signal being used to cause the terminal device to backscatter a second signal to the third network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: Parameters used to activate the transmission of the first signal; The parameters used to deactivate the sending of the first signal; The first cycle is the cycle for sending the first signal; The start time point for sending the first signal; The time domain length of the first signal; The time-domain pattern of the first signal; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the second network device sends the first signal during a scheduling period, wherein the scheduling period includes at least one of the following: a first time period during which the terminal device receives the first signal, and a second time period during which the terminal device sends the second signal; The time interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and a reference time point, wherein the reference time point is included in the second time interval; The second instruction information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first signal at a time point at least the time interval away from the reference time point.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first information is included in a first signaling, which includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; Media Access Control Unit (MAC) CE signaling; Downlink control indication (DCI) signaling.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the first network device, the second message being used by the first network device to determine the first message.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: The second cycle is the cycle during which the second network device or the third network device expects to send the first signal; The third cycle is the cycle during which the third network device receives the second signal; The starting time point at which the third network device receives the second signal; The time domain length of the second signal received by the third network device; The time domain offset of the terminal device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, Sending the first signal to the terminal device based on the first information includes any one of the following: The first signal is continuously sent during the scheduling period; The first signal is sent periodically during the scheduling period; The first signal is transmitted at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, the reference time point being included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device transmits the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of transmitting the first signal and the reference time point.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal device, and the method includes: Receive a first signal sent by a second network device based on first information, wherein the first information is received by the second network device from the first network device or determined by the second network device based on a predefined protocol; The second signal is backscattered towards the third network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: Parameters used to activate the transmission of the first signal; The parameters used to deactivate the sending of the first signal; The first cycle is the cycle for sending the first signal; The start time point for sending the first signal; The time domain length of the first signal; The time-domain pattern of the first signal; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the second network device sends the first signal during a scheduling period, wherein the scheduling period includes at least one of the following: a first time period during which the terminal device receives the first signal, and a second time period during which the terminal device sends the second signal; The time interval between the start time of sending the first signal and the reference time point, wherein the reference time point is included in the second time interval; The second instruction information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first signal at a time point at least the time interval away from the reference time point.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The first signal received by the second network device based on the first information includes any one of the following: Receive the first signal continuously transmitted by the second network device during the scheduling period; Receive the first signal periodically sent by the second network device during the scheduling period; The terminal receives a first signal sent by the second network device at a time point at least a time interval away from a reference time point, the reference time point being included in a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the terminal device sends the signal, and the time interval being the interval between the start time point of sending the first signal and the reference time point.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-6, 7-12, and 13-15.

17. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device, wherein the first network device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1-6, the second network device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 7-12, and the terminal device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 13-15.

18. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-6, 7-12, and 13-15.

19. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by a communication device, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-6, 7-12, and 13-15.

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