Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus. The method comprises: transmitting first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the maximum duration and / or the minimum duration of a first time period, the first time period is a time period between the transmission of a first message by a first apparatus and the reception of a second message from a second apparatus, and the second message is used as a response to the first message; and communicating with a third apparatus within a second time period, wherein the second time period falls within the first time period, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the transmission of the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the reception of the second message. The embodiments of the present application can reduce the interference from other communications to A-IoT communication, thereby ensuring the communication quality of the A-IoT communication.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411999146.1, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 31, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", and to Chinese Patent Application No. 202511714022.9, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on November 20, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology is a technology that can maintain the normal operation of devices by harvesting energy from the environment. It is also an important technology in the Internet of Things (IoT) with energy conservation, carbon reduction, and low power consumption as its main development directions. A-IoT, or A-IoT-based communication systems, includes readers and A-IoT devices. Readers and A-IoT devices can communicate non-contactly, allowing the reader to read information from the A-IoT device and / or write information to it, thereby enabling multiple services such as inventory management, positioning, sensing, and command processing. Both readers and A-IoT devices can be implemented based on cellular network infrastructure; that is, both readers and A-IoT devices can be devices within the cellular network. For example, the functionality of a reader can be implemented by network equipment (such as a base station) or by user equipment (UE) within the cellular network, while the functionality of an A-IoT device can be implemented by the UE.

[0004] However, in communication systems based on A-IoT technology, communication between the reader and the A-IoT device is easily interfered with by other communication devices, causing the reader to be unable to receive messages sent by the A-IoT device in a timely manner or to send messages to the A-IoT device in a timely manner. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus that can reduce interference from other communications to A-IoT communication and ensure the communication quality of A-IoT communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0007] Send first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period;

[0008] Communication with a third device occurs during a second time period, wherein the second time period is part of the first time period;

[0009] The first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of sending the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of receiving the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0010] Alternatively, the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of sending the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0011] In the above method, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can communicate with the third device (such as a network device or UE) during the second time period by sending first indication information to the second device (such as an A-IoT device) to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period. The second time period is the period during which the first device and the second device do not transmit messages, which helps to reduce the interference of communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication) on the communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication), thereby ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0012] In one alternative implementation, after the second time period ends, a second message is sent to the second device or received from the second device.

[0013] In another alternative implementation, the first device communicates with the second device through a first air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device through a second air interface, wherein the first air interface and the second air interface are different.

[0014] In another alternative implementation, the first message is a message sent by the first device to the second device, and the second message is a message sent by the second device to the first device in response to the first message;

[0015] Alternatively, the first message is a message sent by the second device to the first device, and the second message is a message sent by the first device to the second device in response to the first message.

[0016] In another alternative implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period, including:

[0017] The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum duration of the first time period by means of a first time offset. The first time offset is the time difference between the first duration and the maximum duration of the first time period. The first duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0018] And / or, the first indication information is used to indicate the minimum length of the first time period by means of a second time offset, the second time offset being the time difference between the second duration and the minimum length of the first time period, the second duration being less than the minimum length of the first time period.

[0019] In the above method, the first device can extend the first duration (which may be a preset value) to the maximum duration of the first time period through the first instruction information, and / or extend the second duration (which may be a preset value) to the minimum duration of the first time period, thereby flexibly adjusting the maximum duration and / or minimum duration of the first time period, and thus ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0020] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0021] Send a second indication message, wherein the second indication message is used to indicate a third duration by a third time offset, the third time offset being the time difference between the third duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, and the third duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period;

[0022] And / or, the second indication information is used to indicate a fourth duration by means of a fourth time offset, the fourth time offset being the time difference between the fourth duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, the fourth duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0023] In the above method, the first device can shorten the maximum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information to (or adjust to) the third duration, and / or shorten the minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information to (or adjust to) the fourth duration, thereby flexibly adjusting the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period, and thus ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0024] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0025] Send a third instruction message to a third device, wherein the third instruction message is used to request communication with the first device.

[0026] In the above method, for scenarios where the third device (such as a network device) will not by default use the communication resources used for communication between the first device (such as a reader / writer) and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) (such as A-IoT communication) for communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication), the first device can send a third instruction message to the third device during the communication with the second device so as to actively switch to communication with the third device. This allows for flexible use of communication resources according to actual needs, thereby improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0027] In another alternative implementation, the third instruction information includes the first data from the first message.

[0028] In the above method, the first data in the first message for communication between the first device and the second device can serve as an indication message requesting the first device to communicate with the third device. This is beneficial for the first device to flexibly utilize communication resources according to actual needs, thereby improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0029] In another alternative implementation, communication with the third device occurs during the second time period, including during the second time period:

[0030] The first data is sent from the third device to the fourth device, wherein the first data is contained in the first message;

[0031] The second data is received from the fourth device via the third device, wherein the second data is contained in the second message.

[0032] In the above method, the first device can send first data to the fourth device (such as a CN device) by communicating with the third device, thereby receiving second data from the fourth device for A-IoT communication, thus ensuring that A-IoT communication proceeds normally.

[0033] In yet another alternative implementation, before receiving the second data from the fourth device via the third device, the method further includes:

[0034] Receive one or more of the following from the third and / or fifth devices: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data.

[0035] In the above method, when the first device communicates with the third device, the first device can receive downlink control / scheduling information sent by the third device and / or the fifth device within the time that the fourth device processes the first data of A-IoT communication, thereby further improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0036] Optionally, the first device is a UE, the third device is a base station corresponding to the service area where the UE is located, and the fifth device is a base station corresponding to a neighboring cell of the service area where the UE is located.

[0037] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0038] Upon receiving the second data, communication with the third device is suspended or paused.

[0039] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0040] Receive a fourth instruction message from the third device, wherein the fourth instruction message is used to suspend or pause communication with the third device.

[0041] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second device, the method comprising:

[0042] Receive first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of a first time period, the first time period is the time period between the first device sending a first message and receiving a second message from the second device, or the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving a first message from the second device and sending a second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message;

[0043] Send a second message to the first device according to the first instruction information, or receive a second message from the first device.

[0044] In one optional implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period, including:

[0045] The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum duration of the first time period by means of a first time offset. The first time offset is the time difference between the first duration and the maximum duration of the first time period. The first duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0046] And / or, the first indication information is used to indicate the minimum length of the first time period by means of a second time offset, the second time offset being the time difference between the second duration and the minimum length of the first time period, the second duration being less than the minimum length of the first time period.

[0047] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0048] Receive second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate a third duration by means of a third time offset, the third time offset being the time difference between the third duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, and the third duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period;

[0049] And / or, the second indication information is used to indicate a fourth duration by means of a fourth time offset, the fourth time offset being the time difference between the fourth duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, the fourth duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0050] The beneficial effects of the methods provided by the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect can be referred to the methods provided by the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0051] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a third device, the method comprising:

[0052] Receive third instruction information, wherein the third instruction information is used to request communication with the first device;

[0053] During the second time period, communication is conducted with the first device, wherein the second time period is part of the first time period;

[0054] The first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device sending the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device receiving the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0055] Alternatively, the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device sending the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0056] In one alternative implementation, communication with the first device occurs during a second time period, including during the second time period:

[0057] Send first data from the first device to the fourth device, wherein the first data is contained in the first message;

[0058] Send second data from the fourth device to the first device, wherein the second data is contained in the second message.

[0059] In another alternative implementation, the method further includes, before sending the second data from the fourth device to the first device:

[0060] Send one or more of the following to the first device: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data.

[0061] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0062] Send a fourth instruction message, wherein the fourth instruction message is used to suspend or halt communication with the first device.

[0063] The beneficial effects of the methods provided in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect can be referred to the methods provided in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0064] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0065] Communicate with the second device;

[0066] Send a third instruction message to a third device, wherein the third instruction message is used to request communication with the first device;

[0067] Communicate with a third device.

[0068] In the above method, for scenarios where the third device (such as a network device) will not by default use the communication resources used for communication between the first device (such as a reader / writer) and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) (such as A-IoT communication) for communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication), the first device can send a third instruction message to the third device during the communication with the second device so as to actively switch to communication with the third device. This allows for flexible use of communication resources according to actual needs, thereby improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0069] In one alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0070] After the second time period, communication is established with the second device, wherein the second time period is the time period during which communication is established with the third device.

[0071] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0072] The first device communicates with the second device through the first air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device through the second air interface. The first air interface and the second air interface are different.

[0073] In another alternative implementation, communication with the second device includes:

[0074] Send a first message to the second device, or receive a first message from the second device.

[0075] In another alternative implementation, communication with the second device occurs after the second time period, including:

[0076] After the second time period, a second message is sent to the second device or received from the second device, wherein the second message is used in response to the first message.

[0077] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a third device, the method comprising:

[0078] Receive third instruction information, wherein the third instruction information is used to request communication with the first device;

[0079] Communicate with the first device.

[0080] In the above method, for scenarios where the third device (such as a network device) will not by default use the communication resources used for communication between the first device (such as a reader / writer) and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) (such as A-IoT communication) for communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication), the third device can receive the third instruction information sent by the first device so that the first device can actively switch to communicating with the first device. The third device can flexibly use the communication resources according to actual needs, thereby improving the utilization of communication resources.

[0081] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0082] Send a fifth instruction message, wherein the fifth instruction message is used to indicate a request to communicate with the first device within a fifth time period;

[0083] Receive first resource configuration information, wherein the first resource configuration information is used to indicate the communication resources required for the first device and the second device to communicate, and the time period for the first device and the second device to communicate does not overlap with the fifth time period.

[0084] In the above method, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can send fifth indication information (indicating a fifth time period for communication with the third device) to the third device (such as a network device or a UE) and receive first resource configuration information from the third device. Since the time period for communication between the first device and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) in the communication resources indicated by the first resource configuration information does not overlap with the fifth time period, when the first device subsequently communicates with the second device according to the first resource configuration information, it will not transmit messages to the second device within the fifth time period. This avoids communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication) interfering with communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication), thereby ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0085] In one alternative implementation, the first device communicates with the second device through a first air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device through a second air interface, wherein the first air interface and the second air interface are different.

[0086] In another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0087] The device communicates with the second device based on the first resource configuration information.

[0088] In another alternative implementation, communication with the second device based on the first resource configuration information includes:

[0089] Transmit the first message to the second device;

[0090] After the fifth time period ends, a second message is transmitted to the second device, wherein the second message is used in response to the first message.

[0091] In one alternative implementation, the fifth time period is determined by one or more of the following:

[0092] The service cycle when the first device communicates with the second device;

[0093] The measurement cycle and / or data transmission cycle when the first device communicates with the third device;

[0094] The maximum duration of the time between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the maximum duration of the time between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message;

[0095] The minimum length of the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the minimum length of the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message;

[0096] The duration for the first device to send a first message to the second device, the duration for the second device to send a first message to the first device, the duration for the first device to send a second message to the second device, or the duration for the second device to send a second message to the first device.

[0097] Seventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a third device, the method comprising:

[0098] Receive a fifth instruction message, wherein the fifth instruction message is used to indicate a request to communicate with the first device within a fifth time period;

[0099] Send first resource configuration information, wherein the first resource configuration information is used to indicate the communication resources required for the first device and the second device to communicate, and the time period for the first device and the second device to communicate does not overlap with the fifth time period.

[0100] In the above method, the third device (such as a network device or a UE) can receive a fifth indication information (used to indicate a fifth time period for communication with the first device) from the first device (such as a reader / writer) and send first resource configuration information to the third device. Since the time period for communication between the first device and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) in the communication resources indicated by the first resource configuration information does not overlap with the fifth time period, when the first device subsequently communicates with the second device according to the first resource configuration information, it will not transmit messages to the second device within the fifth time period. This avoids communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication) interfering with communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication), thereby ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0101] In one alternative implementation, the first device communicates with the second device through a first air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device through a second air interface, wherein the first air interface and the second air interface are different.

[0102] In another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0103] During the fifth time period, communication was established with the first device.

[0104] In another alternative implementation, the fifth time period is determined by one or more of the following:

[0105] The service cycle when the first device communicates with the second device;

[0106] The measurement cycle and / or data transmission cycle when the first device communicates with the third device;

[0107] The maximum duration of the time between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the maximum duration of the time between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message;

[0108] The minimum length of the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the minimum length of the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message;

[0109] The duration for the first device to send a first message to the second device, the duration for the second device to send a first message to the first device, the duration for the first device to send a second message to the second device, or the duration for the second device to send a second message to the first device.

[0110] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0111] Receive second resource configuration information from a third device, wherein the second resource configuration information is used to indicate communication resources for communication between the first device and the second device, and the communication resources include a seventh time period;

[0112] While the first device is disconnected from the third device, it communicates with the second device during the seventh time period.

[0113] In the above method, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can communicate with the second device within the seventh time period based on the communication resources configured by the third device. Furthermore, the communication connection status between the first device and the third device does not affect the first device's subsequent use of communication resources; that is, the first device can still communicate with the second device (such as an A-IoT device) within the seventh time period. Therefore, in the above method, the communication between the first device and the second device will not be interrupted by the disconnection of the communication connection between the first device and the third device, which helps to ensure the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in the communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication).

[0114] In one alternative implementation, the first device is in a state of disconnected communication with the third device in the event of a handover operation or detection of a radio link failure (RLF).

[0115] In another alternative implementation, communication with the second device during the seventh time period includes:

[0116] If the current time is within the seventh time period, communicate with the second device.

[0117] In the above method, the first device can communicate with the second device within the seventh time period by determining that the current time is within the seventh time period.

[0118] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0119] If the current time is not within the seventh time period, communication with the second device is suspended or interrupted.

[0120] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0121] The first timer is started at the beginning of the seventh time period, wherein the current time is within the seventh time period if the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period.

[0122] In the above method, the first device can determine that it is currently within the seventh time period by determining that the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period, thereby enabling communication with the second device during the seventh time period. That is, the first device can control whether to communicate with the second device using the first timer, thus enabling communication between the first device and the second device during the seventh time period. Even if the first device subsequently loses communication with the third device, because the first timer can be active during the seventh time period, the first device can continue to communicate with the second device until the end of the seventh time period, thereby ensuring the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in communication (such as A-IoT communication) between the first and second devices.

[0123] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0124] If the duration of the first timer exceeds the duration of the seventh time period, the first timer is stopped, provided that the current time is not within the seventh time period when the first timer is stopped.

[0125] In another alternative implementation, the second resource configuration information includes the fifth duration, and the duration of the seventh time period is the fifth duration;

[0126] The start time of the seventh time period is the end time of receiving the second resource configuration information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the second resource configuration information.

[0127] In another alternative implementation, the second resource configuration information further includes a sixth duration, which indicates N seventh time periods during which communication with the second device takes place, including:

[0128] Communication with the second device occurs within N seventh time periods, where the duration of each seventh time period is the fifth duration, and the time interval between the start time of the i-th seventh time period and the start time of the (i+1)-th seventh time period is the sixth duration. N is a positive integer, and i takes the values ​​1, 2, ..., N.

[0129] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0130] Receive a seventh instruction message from a third device, the seventh instruction message being used to indicate the activation of communication resources;

[0131] The start time of the seventh time period is the end time of receiving the seventh instruction information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the seventh instruction information.

[0132] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0133] The eighth instruction information is received from the third device, wherein the eighth instruction information is used to indicate the release of communication resources; the end time of the seventh time period is the end time of receiving the eighth instruction information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the eighth instruction information.

[0134] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first device, the method comprising:

[0135] Receive second resource configuration information from a third device, wherein the second resource configuration information is used to indicate communication resources for communication between the first device and the second device, and the communication resources include a seventh time period;

[0136] If the first device disconnects from the third device at the first moment, it communicates with the second device during the eighth time period, where the first moment is a moment within the seventh time period and the beginning of the eighth time period is the first moment.

[0137] In the above method, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can communicate with the second device during the seventh time period based on the communication resources configured by the third device. Furthermore, starting from a certain point within the seventh time period, after the first device disconnects from the third device, it can continue communicating with the second device during the eighth time period. Since the start of the eighth time period coincides with the start of the disconnection between the first and third devices during the seventh time period, the communication between the first and second devices will not be interrupted by the disconnection, which helps ensure the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in the communication between the first and second devices (such as A-IoT communication).

[0138] In one alternative implementation, the first device is in a state of disconnected communication with the third device in the event of a handover operation or detection of a radio link failure (RLF).

[0139] In yet another alternative implementation, communicating with the second device during the eighth time period includes:

[0140] If the current time is within the eighth time period, communicate with the second device.

[0141] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0142] If the current time is not within the eighth time period, communication with the second device is suspended or interrupted.

[0143] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0144] If the first device does not disconnect from the third device, it will communicate with the second device during the seventh time period.

[0145] In another alternative implementation, communication with the second device during the seventh time period includes:

[0146] If the current time is within the seventh time period, communicate with the second device.

[0147] In the above method, the first device can communicate with the second device within the seventh time period by determining that the current time is within the seventh time period.

[0148] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0149] If the current time is not within the seventh time period, communication with the second device is suspended or interrupted.

[0150] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0151] The first timer is started at the beginning of the seventh time period, wherein the current time is within the seventh time period if the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period.

[0152] In another alternative implementation, the duration of the eighth time segment is equal to the duration of the seventh time segment. This method also includes:

[0153] The first timer is restarted at the beginning of the eighth time period. If the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the eighth time period, the current time is within the eighth time period.

[0154] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0155] At the beginning of the eighth time period, the first timer is stopped and the second timer is started. If the duration of the second timer is less than or equal to the duration of the eighth time period, the current time is within the eighth time period.

[0156] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0157] If the duration of the first timer exceeds the duration of the seventh time period, the first timer is stopped, provided that the current time is not within the seventh time period when the first timer is stopped.

[0158] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0159] If the duration of the second timer exceeds the duration of the eighth time period, stop the second timer. In the case of stopping the second timer, the current time is not within the eighth time period.

[0160] In another alternative implementation, the second resource configuration information includes the fifth duration, and the duration of the seventh time period is the fifth duration;

[0161] The start time of the seventh time period is the end time of receiving the second resource configuration information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the second resource configuration information.

[0162] In another alternative implementation, the second resource configuration information further includes a sixth duration, which indicates N seventh time periods during which communication with the second device takes place, including:

[0163] Communication with the second device occurs within N seventh time periods, where the duration of each seventh time period is the fifth duration, and the time interval between the start time of the i-th seventh time period and the start time of the (i+1)-th seventh time period is the sixth duration. N is a positive integer, and i takes the values ​​1, 2, ..., N.

[0164] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0165] Receive a seventh instruction message from a third device, the seventh instruction message being used to indicate the activation of communication resources;

[0166] The start time of the seventh time period is the end time of receiving the seventh instruction information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the seventh instruction information.

[0167] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0168] The eighth instruction information is received from the third device, wherein the eighth instruction information is used to indicate the release of communication resources; the end time of the seventh time period is the end time of receiving the eighth instruction information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the eighth instruction information.

[0169] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a first device, wherein:

[0170] The communication device includes a module for performing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0171] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect;

[0172] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0173] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the eighth aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0174] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0175] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a second device, wherein:

[0176] The communication device includes a module for performing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0177] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a third device, wherein:

[0178] The communication device includes a module for performing the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0179] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0180] Alternatively, the communication device may include a module for performing the method described in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0181] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface being coupled; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, wherein:

[0182] This logic circuit is used to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0183] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0184] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0185] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect;

[0186] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect;

[0187] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof;

[0188] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect;

[0189] Alternatively, the logic circuit can be used to perform the method described in the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect;

[0190] Alternatively, the logic circuit may be used to perform the method described in the ninth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0191] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a first device, a second device, and a third device, wherein:

[0192] The first device is used to perform the method executed by the first device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; the second device is used to perform the method executed by the second device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect; and the third device is used to perform the method executed by the third device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0193] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, the communication system comprising a first device and a third device, wherein:

[0194] The first device is used to perform the method performed by the first device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and the third device is used to perform the method performed by the third device in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect;

[0195] Alternatively, the first device may be used to perform the method performed by the first device in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, and the third device may be used to perform the method performed by the third device in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect.

[0196] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein:

[0197] When the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect;

[0198] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect;

[0199] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect;

[0200] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is able to implement the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect;

[0201] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is able to implement the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect;

[0202] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect;

[0203] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is able to implement the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect;

[0204] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it is able to implement the method of the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect;

[0205] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed, it may be able to implement the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect.

[0206] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program, wherein:

[0207] When the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect;

[0208] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it can implement the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect;

[0209] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect;

[0210] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect;

[0211] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect;

[0212] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect;

[0213] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect;

[0214] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it is capable of implementing the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect;

[0215] Alternatively, when the computer code / computer program is executed, it can implement the ninth aspect or any possible implementation of the ninth aspect.

[0216] The beneficial effects of the systems and apparatus provided by any possible implementation of aspects ten to seventeen of this application can be referred to the beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided by aspects one to nine and any possible implementation of aspects one to nine, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0217] The accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0218] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an A-IoT architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0219] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an O-RAN system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0220] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another O-RAN system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0221] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0222] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of another A-IoT architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0223] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of communication timing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0224] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0225] Figure 5A is another communication timing diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0226] Figure 5B is another communication timing diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0227] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0228] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0229] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0230] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0231] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0232] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0233] Figure 12A is another communication timing diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0234] Figure 12B is another communication timing diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0235] Figure 12C is another communication timing diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0236] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0237] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0238] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0239] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0240] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. Unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be one or multiple. Furthermore, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish between network elements and similar items with essentially the same function. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0241] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in the embodiments described in this application mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0242] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary," "for example," etc., are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner.

[0243] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "information," "signal," "message," "channel," and "singaling" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing their distinction, their intended meanings are consistent. Similarly, "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing their distinction, their intended meanings are consistent. Furthermore, the " / " mentioned in this application can be used to indicate an "or" relationship.

[0244] The following detailed embodiments further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the following are merely specific embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made based on the technical solutions of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

[0245] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0246] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined the Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. A-IoT technology is a technology that can maintain the normal operation of devices by harvesting energy from the environment, and it is also an important technology in the Internet of Things with energy conservation, carbon reduction, and low power consumption as its main development directions. A-IoT, or A-IoT-based communication systems, includes readers and A-IoT devices (simply referred to as devices).

[0247] In A-IoT, readers and A-IoT devices can communicate without contact, allowing the reader to read information from the A-IoT device and / or write information to the A-IoT device. This enables multiple functions such as inventory management, positioning, sensing, and command, and is widely used in scenarios such as logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, and environmental monitoring.

[0248] For example, during "inventory" operations, the reader can connect to A-IoT devices within its coverage area. Successfully connected A-IoT devices need to send their identity information (such as an identifier) ​​to the reader. During "location" operations, the reader can locate the A-IoT devices based on location signals. During "sensing" operations, A-IoT devices can report sensor data to the reader, such as temperature data. During "command" tasks, commands can be operation commands, such as read, write, lock, and deactivate commands. For example, the reader can send a write command and related data (which can also be included in the command) to the A-IoT device to instruct it to write data into its memory. The reader can also send a lock command and related data (which can also be included in the command) to the A-IoT device to instruct it to lock the memory at a specified address, making the contents of that memory area unchangeable and / or unreadable.

[0249] Both readers and A-IoT devices can be implemented based on cellular network infrastructure; that is, both readers and A-IoT devices can be devices within cellular networks. For example, the functionality of a reader can be implemented by network equipment (such as a base station) or by a terminal (user equipment, UE), while the functionality of an A-IoT device can be implemented by a UE with extremely low power consumption and low complexity (also known as a Type I UE). A-IoT technology can be understood as an extension of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology within 3GPP. However, although A-IoT and RFID technologies share some principles, such as similar inventory management processes, 3GPP introduces more value-added scenarios.

[0250] The system architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and business scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0251] Please refer to Figure 1A, which is a schematic diagram of an A-IoT architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0252] As shown in the architecture (1) in Figure 1A, the reader / writer is a network device, and the A-IoT device communicates directly and bidirectionally with the network device. In this architecture (also known as the topology), A-IoT devices and network devices transmit A-IoT data and / or signaling. Optionally, the network device can also transmit A-IoT data and / or signaling to a core network (CN) device (not shown in the figure).

[0253] As shown in the architecture (2) of Figure 1A, the reader / writer is an intermediate node, which can be a repeater, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or a UE, etc., capable of implementing A-IoT. The intermediate node communicates bidirectionally with the A-IoT device and can also communicate bidirectionally with the network device through the Uu interface. In this architecture, the intermediate node transmits A-IoT data and / or signaling between the network device and the A-IoT device. Optionally, the network device can transmit the A-IoT data and / or signaling sent by the intermediate node to the CN device (not shown in the figure).

[0254] Alternatively, as shown in architecture (3-1) of Figure 1A, the A-IoT device sends data and / or signaling to the network device and receives data and / or signaling from the auxiliary node; or as shown in architecture (3-2) of Figure 1A, the A-IoT device receives data and / or signaling from the network device and sends data and / or signaling to the auxiliary node. It is understood that the auxiliary node can specifically be a repeater, an IAB node, or a UE, etc., capable of implementing A-IoT. In architectures (3-1) and (3-2), the reader / writer consists of the network device and the auxiliary node. In addition to communicating with the A-IoT device, the network device and the auxiliary node can also communicate with each other through the Uu interface to complete the transmission of A-IoT data and / or signaling. Optionally, the network device can also transmit A-IoT data and / or signaling to the core network (CN) device (not shown in the figure).

[0255] Alternatively, as shown in the architecture (4) of Figure 1A, the reader / writer is the UE, and the A-IoT device communicates bidirectionally with the UE. In this architecture, A-IoT data and / or signaling are transmitted between the A-IoT device and the UE. Optionally, the UE can transmit data and / or signaling for other services with network devices (not shown in the figure).

[0256] The terminal UE involved in the embodiments of this application can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. A terminal is an entity on the user side used to receive or transmit signals, used to send uplink signals to network devices or receive downlink signals from network devices; its main functions include collecting data (in some terminals), receiving control information and downlink data from network devices, and transmitting electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network devices. A terminal can communicate with one or more core networks through network devices. Terminals include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, or vehicle-mounted devices. A terminal can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile device. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communication, D2D, V2X, point-to-point (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and monitoring (tracting), autonomous delivery and mobility, etc.Examples of terminals include: 3GPP standard user equipment, fixed equipment, mobile equipment, handheld devices, wearable devices, cellular phones, smartphones, session initiated protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal computers, smart books, vehicles, satellites, global positioning system (GPS) devices, tracting devices, drones, helicopters, aircraft, ships, remote control devices, smart home devices, industrial equipment, personal communication service (PCS) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless network cameras, tablets, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smartwatches, VR devices, AR devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, and smart city applications. Wireless terminals in various scenarios include smart gas pumps, terminals on high-speed trains, and wireless terminals in smart homes, such as smart speakers, smart coffee machines, and smart printers. Terminals can be wireless devices in these scenarios or devices used to install on wireless devices, such as communication modules, modems, or chips in the aforementioned devices. Terminals can also be terminals in future wireless communication systems. Terminals can be used in dedicated network equipment or general-purpose equipment. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0257] The A-IoT devices involved in this application embodiment can be understood as a type of terminal, also known as A-IoT terminals, such as a type of extremely low-power, extremely low-complexity IoT terminal (also known as a first-type terminal). A-IoT devices can be divided into three categories: named Device A, Device B, and Device C respectively, wherein:

[0258] Device A (similar to a passive A-IoT device): It has no energy storage, no independent signal generation or amplification, i.e., backscatter transmission.

[0259] Device B (similar to a semi-passive A-IoT device): It has energy storage but no independent signal generation, i.e., it transmits via backscatter. The stored energy can be used to amplify the reflected signal.

[0260] Device C (similar to an active A-IoT device): It has energy storage and independent signal generation, that is, it uses active radio frequency components for transmission.

[0261] In this application, the communication device used to implement terminal functions can be a terminal, a terminal having some of the functions described above, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the functions described above, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the communication device is described using a terminal or UE as an example.

[0262] The network devices involved in the embodiments of this application can be access network devices used to receive uplink signals from terminals or send downlink signals to terminals. Access network devices can also be referred to as access network nodes, base stations (BS), radio access network (RAN) nodes, RAN devices or network elements, access points (APs), small towers, etc. Base stations can broadly encompass various names listed below, or be interchangeable with them, such as: RAN node, NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), access network equipment in an open radio access network (O-RAN), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master eNB (MeNB), secondary eNB (SeNB), multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, radio node, access point AP, transmission node, transceiver node, building baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), centralized unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), and radio unit (CU). Units (RU), centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) nodes, centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) nodes, positioning nodes, etc. Base stations can be macro base stations, micro base stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. Network equipment can also refer to communication modules, modems, or chips installed within the aforementioned equipment or devices. Network equipment can also be mobile switching centers and equipment that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, as well as network-side equipment in future communication systems. Network equipment can support networks using the same or different access technologies.The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device.

[0263] Referring to Figure 1B, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an O-RAN system provided in an embodiment of this application, as shown in Figure 1B, the RAN device communicates with the CN device through a backhaul link and with the UE through an air interface. Specifically, the BBU in the RAN communicates with the CN device through the backhaul link, and the RU in the access network device communicates with at least one UE through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate through at least one midhaul link.

[0264] In some examples, the CU is a logical node carrying the radio resource control (RRC) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as F1 interfaces. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., F1 interfaces) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0265] In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP (control unit-control plane) and CU-UP (control unit-user plane). CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. AMF network elements are responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal location updates, terminal registration with the network, and terminal handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (user plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the UPF (user plane function) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in the terminal. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0266] In some examples, a DU is a logical node carrying the radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which can be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0267] In some examples, the RU is a logical node that carries both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP Transport Receiver Point (TRP), a Remote Radio Header (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0268] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a lower-layer split-control, user, and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface through a fronthaul link. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces, respectively providing the control plane (C-plane) and user plane (U-plane). In some examples, the control plane (C-plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0269] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0270] The aforementioned O-RAN aims to achieve an intelligent and open access network. A key feature of the O-RAN architecture is the separation of hardware and software, enabling the virtualization of network functions and the standardization of hardware. Furthermore, O-RAN incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).

[0271] Referring to Figure 1C, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another O-RAN system provided in an embodiment of this application, as shown in Figure 1C, in the ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0272] The network elements of the ORAN system in Figure 1C are described below:

[0273] Service Management and Orchestration Framework (SMO): Its function is similar to that of a network management system.

[0274] Non-real-time (Non-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC): Used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions. It enables AI / machine learning (ML) workflows, including model training and updates, and guides applications / functions within the near-real-time (Near-RT) RAN intelligent controller based on policies. The Non-RT RIC resides within the Service Management and Orchestration Framework (SMO) module.

[0275] Near Real-Time RIC: Used to achieve near real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, it enables near real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources.

[0276] Near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can be configured as separate network elements. Alternatively, near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can be part of other devices. For example, near real-time RICs can be set in RAN nodes (e.g., CU, DU), while non-real-time RICs can be set in OAM, cloud servers, core network devices, or other network devices.

[0277] O-RAN central unit (O-CU): Used to implement the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, and other control functions in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.

[0278] O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane (O-CU-CP): Similar to the CU-CP in the NR system, it is used to implement the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer. It is part of the O-CU.

[0279] O-RAN Central Unit User Plane (O-CU-UP): Similar to the CU-UP in the NR system, it is used to implement the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer. It is part of the O-CU.

[0280] O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU): Based on low-layer function partitioning, it is used to implement the RLC layer, MAC layer, and higher physical layer (Higher PHY) in the 3GPP standard. The higher physical layer functions include one or more of the following: feedforward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, or modulation / demodulation.

[0281] The O-RAN radio unit (O-RU) is based on low-layer function partitioning and is used to implement lower physical layer (PHY) functions and radio frequency (RF) functions in the 3GPP standard. These PHY functions include one or more of the following: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) / Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT), digital beamforming, or extraction and filtering of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). It is similar to the Transmitter Receiver (TRP) or Remote Radio Header (RRH) in 3GPP, but includes PHY functions such as FFT / iFFT or PRACH extraction.

[0282] In a communication system, network elements are connected via interfaces (e.g., next-generation (NG) interfaces, Xn interfaces) or air interfaces. These network element nodes, such as core network equipment, RAN nodes, UEs, or one or more OAM devices, contain one or more AI modules. A RAN node can be a single RAN node or can comprise multiple RAN nodes, for example, including CUs and DUs. A CU and / or DU can also contain one or more AI modules. A CU can also be split into CU-CPs and CU-UPs. One or more AI models are configured within a CU-CP and / or CU-UP.

[0283] AI modules are used to implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. Depending on the parameter configuration, the AI ​​module can implement different functions. The AI ​​module model can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (e.g., at least one of the following: number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation function, or biases in the activation function), input parameters (e.g., the type and / or dimension of the input parameters), or output parameters (e.g., the type and / or dimension of the output parameters). The biases in the activation function can also be referred to as the neural network biases.

[0284] An AI module can have one or more models. A model can infer an output, which includes one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models can be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they can be deployed on the same node or device.

[0285] In this application, the communication device used to implement the above-mentioned network access functions can be an access network device, a network device with some access network functions, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of access network functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or hardware circuit plus software module. This device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device. In the method of this application, the example of an access network device being used as the communication device to implement the access network device functions is described.

[0286] The core network equipment involved in the embodiments of this application refers to the equipment in the CN that provides service support for the terminal. Currently, some examples of core network equipment include: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entities, Session Management Function (SMF) entities, User Plane Function (UPF) entities, etc., which will not be listed here. The AMF entity is responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity is responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be called network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0287] It should be understood that the number and type of each device in the communication system shown in Figures 1A to 1C are only for illustration and this application is not limited to them. In actual applications, the communication system may include more terminals, more access network devices, and other network elements, such as network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions.

[0288] The following section describes the communication process between the reader and A-IoT devices in A-IoT.

[0289] For example, please refer to Figure 2, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0290] Step S201: The reader sends an A-IoT paging message to the A-IoT device.

[0291] This A-IoT paging message, also known as the (initial) trigger message, is used to indicate that an A-IoT device is connected. It can be understood that the reader can send A-IoT paging messages to A-IoT devices within communication range.

[0292] Optionally, the A-IoT paging message includes an identifier used to identify or associate one or more A-IoT devices. Upon receiving the paging message and determining that it contains its own identifier, the A-IoT device considers itself to have obtained an access occasion. For example, the identifier can be a device identity (device ID) for one or more A-IoT devices, or a group identifier mapped to a device group containing multiple A-IoT devices.

[0293] Optionally, the A-IoT paging message does not include any identifier of the A-IoT device, and any A-IoT device that receives the paging message will consider itself to have obtained an access opportunity.

[0294] Optionally, the A-IoT paging message can also be used to instruct the device to determine, based on the information, the resources (such as time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources) required for subsequent communication with the reader. For example, the paging message may include time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources.

[0295] Optionally, this A-IoT paging message can be understood as not supporting traditional paging messages, traditional paging timing, and traditional discontinuous reception (DRX) from the new radio (NR). It can be assumed that A-IoT devices can receive A-IoT paging messages as long as they have sufficient power.

[0296] Optionally, the reader can determine the A-IoT paging message based on service request messages sent to it by other devices. These other devices can be RAN or CN devices. The service request is used to request the reader to communicate with the A-IoT device in an A-IoT manner. For example, the service request message may include the number of accessible A-IoT devices and / or identification information (such as identifiers). Optionally, the service request message may also instruct the reader to communicate with the A-IoT device to implement the A-IoT service. For example, the service request message may include the type of A-IoT service (such as inventory, positioning, sensing, and command). For example, the service request message may include information indicating whether the A-IoT device needs to continue communicating with the reader after sending identification information. This information is related to the type of A-IoT service. For example, for an "inventory" service, the A-IoT device does not need to continue exchanging data with the reader after sending identification information; for a "command" service, the A-IoT device needs to continue exchanging data with the reader to complete the corresponding command. Optionally, this service request message can also be called an "A-IoT service request message".

[0297] Step S202: A-IoT devices are randomly connected to the reader / writer.

[0298] A-IoT devices respond to A-IoT paging messages to enable random access to readers.

[0299] In one alternative implementation, an A-IoT device that determines it has obtained an access opportunity first determines whether the random access is a contention-free access or a contention-based access.

[0300] Scenario 1: The A-IoT device confirms that the random access type is contention-free access.

[0301] The A-IoT device first determines the timing / resources required to send subsequent messages to the reader based on the A-IoT paging message, and then performs step S203 to access the reader based on the indicated timing / resources.

[0302] Scenario 2: The A-IoT device confirms that the random access type is contention access.

[0303] The A-IoT device selects (e.g., randomly selects) the timing / resources for sending messages to the reader, and sends the first uplink message (hereinafter referred to as "A-IoT Msg1") to the A-IoT device based on the selected timing / resources.

[0304] Optionally, A-IoT Msg1 includes a random identity (random ID) generated by the A-IoT device, but does not include upper-layer data. Upper-layer data can be a device identity (ID) and / or any other upper-layer data (if any). This application embodiment does not limit how the A-IoT device generates the random ID or the size of the random ID. For example, the A-IoT device can generate a random ID based on the device ID, or it can generate a random ID randomly. For example, the size of the random ID can be a 16-bit random number or a 32-bit random number. Subsequently, if the A-IoT device receives a response message for A-IoT Msg1 sent by the reader, i.e., the first downlink message (hereinafter referred to as "A-IoT Msg2" for ease of description), and the random ID contained in A-IoT Msg2 is the same as the random ID contained in A-IoT Msg1, then the contention resolution is successful, i.e., access is successful (successful access can also be understood as successful data transmission or successful service).

[0305] It is understandable that, given that the size / range of the random ID is sufficient, the probability that A-IoT devices that choose the same access time / resources will send the same random ID in A-IoT Msg1 is extremely low. The random ID is sufficient to resolve contention, meaning that A-IoT Msg2 can be used to resolve contention.

[0306] Optionally, A-IoT Msg1 includes upper-layer data, which may be a device ID and / or other upper-layer data (if any). In this case, this embodiment does not limit whether A-IoT Msg1 includes a random ID. The reader may respond or not after successfully receiving A-IoT Msg1. If the reader does not send A-IoT Msg2 in response to A-IoT Msg1, and the A-IoT device does not receive a message indicating failure, reconnection, or retransmission, it confirms successful contention resolution, i.e., successful access. If the reader sends A-IoT Msg2 in response to A-IoT Msg1, and the received A-IoT Msg2 contains one or more of the following: device ID, other upper-layer data (if present in A-IoT Msg1), an acknowledgment character (ACK), and a random ID (if present in A-IoT Msg1), the A-IoT device determines successful contention resolution. Optionally, ACK can be information generated based on some or all of the information in A-IoT Msg1. For example, ACK can be data obtained by performing a hash function on A-IoT Msg1.

[0307] Step S203: The A-IoT device sends a second uplink message to the reader.

[0308] The second uplink message includes upper-layer data, which may be the device ID and / or other upper-layer data (if any). The second uplink message may also be referred to as "A-IoT Msg3".

[0309] As shown in step S202, if the A-IoT device confirms that the random access type is contention-free access, it sends upper-layer data to the reader / writer based on the indicated timing / resources to access the reader / writer. If the A-IoT device confirms that the random access type is contention-based access and A-IoT Msg1 does not contain upper-layer data, it sends upper-layer data to the reader / writer after confirming that the contention has been successfully resolved. If the A-IoT device confirms that the random access type is contention-based access and A-IoT Msg1 contains upper-layer data, it does not need to send upper-layer data to the reader / writer by executing step S203.

[0310] Based on the above explanation of the "inventory" business, it can be understood that steps S201 and S202 (i.e., the access process of A-IoT devices) can realize the inventory business.

[0311] In an alternative implementation, other services (such as positioning, sensing, and commands) can be achieved through multiple message transmissions between the reader and the A-IoT device. For example, to implement the "command" service, steps S204 and S205 can be executed.

[0312] Step S204 (optional): The reader sends a second downlink message to the A-IoT device.

[0313] The second downlink message includes commands such as read, write, lock, or deactivate, along with related data (which may also be included in the command).

[0314] Step S205 (optional): The A-IoT device sends a third uplink message to the reader.

[0315] After receiving the second downlink message, the A-IoT device executes the corresponding response operation. For example, if the second downlink message includes a write command and related data, the A-IoT device will write the data to its own storage area (memory).

[0316] After the A-IoT device completes its corresponding response operation, it sends a third uplink message to the reader. The third uplink message is the A-IoT device's response to the second downlink message. Optionally, the third uplink message can be used to reflect the execution status of the command. For example, the third uplink message can reflect whether the write command was executed successfully or failed. As another example, the third uplink message can include data read by executing a read command.

[0317] In an optional implementation, for other services (such as positioning, sensing, and commands), the reader can add the information contained in the second downlink message to the paging message in step S201. Then, the second uplink message obtained through steps S202 and S203 can contain the information contained in the third uplink message.

[0318] As can be seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the reader and the A-IoT device can communicate with each other to realize one or more services.

[0319] As shown in Figures 1A and 2, in a cellular network, New Radio (NR) communication (or air interface communication, Uu interface communication, etc.) and A-IoT communication may coexist. Based on the architecture shown in Figure 1A, as shown in Figure 3A, when the reader / writer is UE 301, UE 301 can perform A-IoT communication with A-IoT device 302 and NR communication with network device 303. In Figure 3A, solid arrows indicate A-IoT communication, and dashed arrows indicate NR communication.

[0320] The communication process of A-IoT communication can be referred to in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. It is understood that during A-IoT communication, after one device, UE 301 or A-IoT device 302, sends a message to the other device, the other device sometimes needs to respond with a message. For example, if UE 301 sends a paging message to A-IoT device 302, the A-IoT terminal needs to respond with A-IoT Msg1. As another example, if A-IoT device 302 sends A-IoT Msg1 to UE 301, UE 301 needs to respond with A-IoT Msg2. For ease of description, in this embodiment, the message sent by the reader to the A-IoT device (which can be simply referred to as the device) is called an R2D (reader-to-device) message; similarly, the message sent by the A-IoT device to the reader is called a D2R (device-to-reader) message.

[0321] Typically, as shown in Figure 3B, after receiving a D2R message, UE 301 (reader / writer) needs to respond with an R2D message within a preset duration T_D2R(max). Similarly, after receiving a D2R message, A-IoT device 302 needs to respond with a D2R message within a preset duration T_R2D(max); otherwise, A-IoT communication will be affected. It can be understood that the preset duration T_D2R(max) is the maximum duration for responding to a D2R message, and the preset duration T_R2D(max) is the maximum duration for responding to an R2D message. It should be noted that the duration corresponding to the gray-filled boxes in Figure 3B is the transmission duration of the D2R message, and the duration corresponding to the white-filled boxes is the transmission duration of the D2R message.

[0322] Optionally, after receiving a D2R message, UE 301 (reader / writer) will not send an R2D message within a preset duration T_D2R(min) (not shown in Figure 3B). Similarly, after receiving a D2R message, A-IoT device 302 needs to refrain from sending a D2R message within a preset duration T_R2D(min) (not shown in Figure 3B). It can be understood that the preset duration T_D2R(min) is the minimum duration for responding to a D2R message, and the preset duration T_R2D(min) is the minimum duration for responding to an R2D message. The preset duration can also be called the default duration, which is a duration that can be set in advance.

[0323] However, if the UE 301 switches to NR communication during A-IoT communication, it may affect the communication timing of A-IoT and interfere with A-IoT communication.

[0324] For example, as shown in (1) of Figure 3B, after UE 301 sends an R2D message, it needs to switch to NR communication. For instance, during the period when discontinuous reception DRX is enabled, UE 301 may receive downlink control signals carried on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) sent by the network device (depending on whether the network device will schedule the UE; if it will, it will send the signal), or receive downlink signals (such as synchronization signals and PBCH blocks (SSBs)) sent by the network device and perform one or more measurements on the downlink signals. The duration corresponding to the black diagonally filled box in Figure 3B is the duration of NR communication.

[0325] Typically, the transmission duration of R2D or D2R messages in A-IoT communication is on the order of hundreds of microseconds (µs) to milliseconds (ms), with a preset duration T_R2D(max) on the order of tens of microseconds. NR communication duration is on the order of milliseconds to tens or hundreds of milliseconds, meaning that NR communication duration may span the transmission of multiple R2D and D2R messages. Therefore, after UE 301 switches to NR communication, while receiving and / or measuring the downlink (DL) signal sent by network device 303, it will also receive D2R messages sent by A-IoT device 302 within the preset duration T_R2D(max). Since the transmit power of A-IoT device 302 is much lower than that of network device 302, the D2R message is very likely to be overwhelmed by the DL signal, leading to D2R signal reception failure.

[0326] For example, as shown in Figure 3B(2), after receiving the D2R message, UE 301 needs to switch to NR communication. Since the duration of NR communication is approximately in the range of milliseconds to tens or hundreds of milliseconds, and the preset duration T_D2R(max) is approximately in the range of hundreds of microseconds to milliseconds, UE 301 will find it difficult to send the R2D message to A-IoT device 302 within the preset duration T_D2R(max) while receiving and / or measuring the DL signal sent by network device 303. Furthermore, when the R2D message and the DL signal occupy the same frequency domain resources, the R2D message may also be overwhelmed by the DL signal, causing the R2D message to fail to be sent.

[0327] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and related apparatus that can reduce interference from other communications to A-IoT communication and ensure the communication quality of A-IoT communication.

[0328] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0329] Step S401: The first device sends a first instruction message to the second device.

[0330] The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period. The first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message.

[0331] It is understandable that sending / receiving the first message and sending / receiving the second message require a certain amount of communication time.

[0332] Optionally, when the first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, the first time period can be specifically defined as:

[0333] a. The start time of the first time period can be the end time when the first device sends the first message, and the end time of the first time period can be the start time when the first device receives the second message.

[0334] In other words, the first time period may not include the communication time when the first device sends the first message and the communication time when the first device receives the second message.

[0335] b. The start time of the first time period may be the end time when the first device sends the first message, and the end time of the first time period may be the end time when the first device receives the second message.

[0336] In other words, the first time period may include the communication time when the first device receives the second message, but does not include the communication time when the first device sends the first message.

[0337] c. The start time of the first time period may be the start time when the first device sends the first message, and the end time of the first time period may be the start time when the first device receives the second message.

[0338] In other words, the first time period may include the communication time when the first device sends the first message, but does not include the communication time when the first device receives the second message.

[0339] d. The start time of the first time period may be the start time when the first device sends the first message, and the end time of the first time period may be the end time when the first device receives the second message.

[0340] In other words, the first time period can include the communication time when the first device sends the first message and the communication time when the first device receives the second message.

[0341] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "the end time of the first device sending the first message" can be understood as the end time of the second device receiving the first message, or as the time when the second device receives the first message and completes decoding the first message; "the start time of the first device sending the first message" can be understood as the start time of the second device receiving the first message; "the end time of the first device receiving the second message" can be understood as the end time of the second device sending the second message, or as the time when the first device receives the second message and completes decoding the second message; "the start time of the first device receiving the second message" can be understood as the start time of the second device sending the second message.

[0342] Similarly, optionally, when the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message, the first time period can also be defined in four ways, that is, the first device can be replaced by the second device, and the second device can be replaced by the first device in the above four definitions of the first time period.

[0343] The specific definition of the first time period in this application embodiment is not strictly limited. Regardless of the definition method, the first time period includes at least one time period during which no message transmission occurs between the first device and the second device.

[0344] Optionally, the first message / second message is a message associated with the first device / second device, such as matching the identification information carried (e.g., access stratum identifier (AS ID), contention resolution identifier, process number, packet number, radio network temporary identity (RNTI), random number, etc.), or successfully descrambling / decoding / de-cyclic redundancy code (CRC) / CRC mask. That is to say, the two messages transmitted between the first device and the second device within the first time period are not necessarily the first message and the second message; only the message associated with the first device / second device is the first message / second message.

[0345] Optionally, the first message can be a message sent from the first device to the second device, and the second message can be a message sent from the second device to the first device. Alternatively, the first message can be a message sent from the second device to the first device, and the second message can be a message sent from the first device to the second device. Alternatively, the second message can be a message associated with or corresponding to the first message, or the second message can be a response message, feedback message, or corresponding message to the first message.

[0346] In this embodiment, the first device and the second device can communicate via a first air interface. Specifically, the first air interface can be an A-IoT air interface or an A-IoT Uu air interface, which can be understood as an air interface different from the Uu air interface in NR communication. Optionally, the messages transmitted through the first air interface may include A-IoT random access related messages (e.g., A-IoT Msg 1, A-IoT Msg 2, A-IoT Msg 3, and A-IoT upper-layer data in the embodiment shown in Figure 2). Optionally, the transmission (physical) channel corresponding to the first air interface may include one or more of the following: a physical reader-to-device channel (PRDCH) for transmitting R2D messages, and a physical device-to-reader channel (PDRCH) for transmitting D2R messages.

[0347] The first device and the second device communicate through a first air interface to transmit data and / or execute a first service. The first service may be an A-IoT-related service (which may be referred to as an A-IoT service), such as inventory, positioning, sensing, or command services, or a process related to A-IoT services. It should be noted that, for ease of description, the communication conducted through the first air interface in this application embodiment will be referred to as A-IoT communication. That is to say, the first device and the second device can perform A-IoT communication. It is understood that in this application embodiment, the first device may be a reader / writer in A-IoT, specifically, it may be a UE, or it may be a network device. The second device may be an A-IoT device in A-IoT. Then, referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, it can be seen that, optionally, the first message is an R2D message, and the second message may be a D2R message. For example, the first message may be A-IoT Msg2 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 (used to indicate contention resolution / successful access), and the second message may be A-IoT Msg3 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 (which may include device ID and / or other upper-layer data). Optionally, the first message may be a D2R message, and the second message may be an R2D message. For example, the first message can be A-IoT Msg1 (for contention for access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the second message can be A-IoT Msg2 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0348] This application does not limit the specific indication method for the first indication information indicating the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period. The indication method can be a direct indication method or an indirect indication method.

[0349] For example, the first indication information can indicate a specific value for the maximum or minimum duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds, 100 microseconds, etc.). For example, the first indication information can indicate the maximum or minimum duration by indicating a relative duration, such as how many frames (multiples of frame duration), how many time slots (multiples of time slot duration), how many downlink messages are received for a duration (multiples of downlink message duration), or an integer multiple of the first period (the first period can be a duration pre-acquired by the first or second device, or a duration specified by the protocol, such as a sleep period or a listening period, etc.), or it can indicate the duration of how many R2D messages and / or how many DR2 messages the maximum or minimum duration is. For example, the first indication information can indicate the maximum or minimum duration by indicating an index, where each index can correspond to a different value and / or time unit. This correspondence can be specified in the protocol. For example, the protocol can specify that index=00 represents a maximum or minimum duration of 30 milliseconds, index=01 represents a maximum or minimum duration of 20 milliseconds, and index=01 represents a maximum or minimum duration of 10 milliseconds. This correspondence can also be related to the current transmission parameters. For example, the corresponding transmission parameters are different under different coverage or transmission rates, and the corresponding duration can also be different.

[0350] For example, the first indication information can indicate the maximum or minimum duration of the first time period through a time offset. Specifically, the first indication information may include a first time offset, which is the time difference between the first duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, where the first duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period. It can be understood that the first duration can be extended (or adjusted) to the maximum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information through the first time offset; that is, the first time offset is a time offset relative to the first duration. Optionally, the first duration can be a preset maximum duration of the time period between the first device sending an R2D message to the second device and receiving a D2R message from the second device, such as the preset duration T_R2D(max) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B. Optionally, the first duration can be a preset maximum duration of the time period between the first device receiving a D2R message from the second device and sending an R2D message, such as the preset duration T_D2R(max) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B. Optionally, the first duration may be the maximum duration of the time between the first device sending an R2D message to the second device and receiving a D2R message from the second device before the second device receives / responds to the first indication information, or when the second device receives / responds to the first indication information, or the maximum duration of the time between the first device receiving a D2R message from the second device and sending an R2D message.

[0351] Specifically, the first indication information may include a second time offset, which is the time difference between the second duration and the minimum duration of the first time period, where the second duration is less than the minimum duration of the first time period. It can be understood that the second duration can be extended (or adjusted) to the minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information using the second time offset; that is, the second time offset is a time offset relative to the second duration. Optionally, the second duration is the minimum duration of the time period between the first device sending an R2D message to the second device and receiving a D2R message from the second device, such as the preset duration T_R2D(min) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B. Optionally, the first duration can be the minimum duration of the time period between the first device receiving a D2R message from the second device and sending an R2D message, such as the preset duration T_D2R(min) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B. Optionally, the second duration can be the minimum time interval between the first device sending an R2D message to the second device and receiving a D2R message from the second device before or when the second device receives / responds to the first indication information, or the minimum time interval between the first device receiving a D2R message from the second device and sending an R2D message. It is understood that the second duration can be the preset duration T_D2R(min) or the preset duration T_R2D(min) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B.

[0352] Optionally, the method by which the time offset (such as the first time offset and the second time offset) is indicated in the first indication information can refer to the method by which the first indication information indicates the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period. For example, the time offset can be indicated by a specific value (absolute duration), a relative duration, or an index, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the time offset (such as the first time offset and the second time offset) in the first indication information can also be represented by indicating how many times the time offset is equal to the first duration / second duration. For example, the first indication information can indicate that the first time offset is X times the first duration, where X is a value greater than 0. For example, the first indication information can indicate that the second time offset is Y times the second duration, where Y is a value greater than 0.

[0353] Optionally, when the first indication information indicates a time offset (such as a first time offset and a second time offset), an auxiliary information or field can be used to indicate whether the time offset is used to extend (or adjust) the first duration or the second duration. For example, when the first indication information indicates a first time offset, it can indicate the first time offset and field 1. Field 1 can indicate that the first time offset is used to extend the first duration, that is, it indicates that the first duration is added to the first time offset to obtain the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0354] It should be noted that the unit of time information in the first indication information can be minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc., or it can be a frame, superframe, subframe, time slot (number), etc. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0355] In one optional implementation, when the first device sends the first instruction information to the second device, the first instruction information may be carried in the first message, sent together with the first message, or sent separately from the first message. For example, the first device may include the first instruction information in the first message and send it to the second device. For example, the first device may send the first instruction information and the first message to the second device simultaneously. For example, the first device may first send the first instruction information to the second device, and then transmit the first message with the second device. For example, the first device may first transmit the first message with the second device, and then send the first instruction information to the second device.

[0356] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "the first device and the second device transmit the first message / second message" can be understood as the first device sending the first message / second message to the second device, or it can be understood as the second device sending the first message / second message to the first device.

[0357] In one alternative implementation, when the first device is about to communicate with the third device, it may send a first instruction message to the second device. For example, the first device may predict the time period or start time of communication with the third device, specifically by using AI technology based on historical communication data, and send the first instruction message to the second device before that time period or start time.

[0358] In this embodiment, the first device and the third device can communicate via a second air interface. Specifically, the second air interface can be the Uu air interface in NR communication. Optionally, the messages transmitted via the second air interface may include RRC messages (such as RRC reconfiguration messages, UE Assistance Information (UAI), uplink data (such as non-access stratum (NAS) messages, application layer data, etc.)). Optionally, the transmission (physical) channel corresponding to the second air interface may include one or more of the following: a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for downlink data transmission, a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for downlink control information transmission, a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) for broadcasting system information required for UE access to the network, a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) for uplink data transmission (by the UE), a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) for transmitting uplink control information, and a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) used by the UE to request connection establishment. Optionally, the downlink control information includes one or more of the following: scheduling decisions required to receive downlink data (PDSCH), and scheduling authorization allowing the UE to transmit uplink data (PUSCH). Optionally, the uplink control information may include one or more of the following: hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback acknowledgment (indicating whether the downlink transmission was successful), scheduling request (requesting time-frequency resources from the network for uplink transmission), and downlink channel state information for link adaptation.

[0359] The first device and the third device communicate via a second air interface, enabling the third device to schedule and transmit data to the first device (either uplink or downlink). The scheduling transmission from the third device to the first device can include the third device scheduling the first device to send uplink data. The downlink transmission from the third device to the first device includes the third device sending downlink information to the first device, such as scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data, or one or more of these. Alternatively, the communication between the first and third devices via the second air interface can execute a second service, which can be distinguished from the first service by the type of data transmitted or service identifiers. Specifically, the second service can be NR, 5G, 5.5G, or 6G services, or Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 4G services, or services other than A-IoT services. Assuming that NR services include A-IoT services, the second service here refers to NR services other than A-IoT services. LTE services are similar and will not be described further. It should be noted that, for ease of description, the communication via the second air interface will be referred to as NR communication in the following embodiments of this application. It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the third device can be a device that performs NR communication with the first device, specifically, it can be a network device or a UE. In an optional implementation, the first device can also stop transmitting carrier waves for A-IoT communication to the second device while communicating with the third device.

[0360] In an optional implementation, before the first device and the second device transmit the first message, the third device may send a third message to the first device. The third message is used to request the first device and the second device to conduct A-IoT communication. Optionally, the third message may also be used to instruct the first device and the second device to conduct A-IoT communication to implement a first service. It is understood that the third message may be the service request message mentioned in step S201 of the embodiment shown in FIG2 (also referred to as the A-IoT service request message).

[0361] In this embodiment of the application, the explanation of the third message can be found in the description of the corresponding part in step S201 of the embodiment shown in FIG2. It will not be repeated here.

[0362] The third device sending a third message to the first device can be understood in the following two ways:

[0363] Scenario 1: The third message is a message forwarded by a third device.

[0364] Specifically, the third message is a message forwarded by the fourth device through the third device (i.e., the third device only acts as a relay node). The fourth device can be a device that can manage the first and second devices, such as a CN device.

[0365] Optionally, if the third device acts only as a relay node, after receiving the third message, the first device may send a resource request to the third device to request the communication resources (time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources) required for A-IoT communication between the first device and the second device. In response to the resource request, the third device sends first resource configuration information to the first device. This first resource configuration information includes the communication resources required for A-IoT communication; for example, the communication resources may indicate that the first device can perform A-IoT communication using a certain frequency band during a certain time period.

[0366] Scenario 2: The third message is a message sent by the third device triggered by the fourth device.

[0367] Specifically, the fourth device sends a third message to the third device, which triggers the third device to then send a third message to the first device. Optionally, the third device can read the third message and proactively send first resource configuration information to the first device. After obtaining the first resource configuration information, the first device can conduct A-IoT communication with the second device according to the first resource configuration.

[0368] Furthermore, after receiving the first indication information from the first device, the second device will transmit a first message and a second message to the first device according to the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information. In an optional embodiment, the first indication message can directly indicate the duration of the first time period, and the second device can determine the sleep duration based on the duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information. The sleep duration can be equal to or less than the duration of the time period. The second device can remain in a sleep state during the sleep duration, ceasing message transmission with the first device.

[0369] Step S402: The first device communicates with the third device during the second time period.

[0370] After the first device sends a first instruction message to the second device, it communicates with the third device during a second time period. The second time period is part of the first time period.

[0371] Optionally, when the first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device sending the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device receiving the second message.

[0372] Optionally, when the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device sending the second message.

[0373] It is understood that the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period indicated in the first instruction information is greater than the duration of the second time period. After the second time period ends, the first device sends a second message to the second device or receives a second message from the second device.

[0374] In one optional implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum duration of the first time period, and this maximum duration is greater than the duration of the second time period. This implementation is illustrated below with reference to the communication time diagram shown in Figure 5A. As shown in Figure 5A, based on the first indication information, after the second device sends the first message 501 to the first device, it needs to specify the maximum duration T of the first time period. max If the first device receives the second message 502 from the first device within a certain time period, the A-IoT communication between the first and second devices is considered a failure. After receiving the first message 501, the first device can perform NR communication with the third device within a second time period, where the maximum duration of this first time period is T. max If the duration of the second time period is greater than T2, the first device can operate for the maximum duration T after the second time period ends. max The second message 502 is sent to the second device within the first time period. Optionally, in this embodiment, the first indication information is further used to indicate the minimum length of the first time period, which is longer than the length of the second time period. Optionally, the minimum length of the first time period in this embodiment can be a preset length, such as the preset length T_D2R(min) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B.

[0375] In one alternative implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the minimum duration of the first time period, and the minimum duration is greater than the duration of the second time period. This implementation is illustrated below with reference to the communication time diagram shown in Figure 5B.

[0376] As shown in Figure 5B, after the first device sends the first message 501 to the second device based on the first instruction information, it needs to wait for the maximum duration T of the first time period. max If the first device receives the second message 502 from the second device within a certain timeframe, the A-IoT communication between the first and second devices is considered a failure. Since the second device may not be able to predict when the first device will end its NR communication with the third device, the first device can [do so] within the duration T2 of the second time period (i.e., the minimum duration T of the first time period). min (Inside), it communicates with the third device via NR. Then, the second device can then communicate with the third device within a minimum duration T. min Then and at the maximum duration T max The system sends a second message 502 to the first device. Optionally, the first indication information may also be used to indicate the maximum duration T of the first time period.max Optionally, the maximum duration T of the first time period in this embodiment is... max It can be a pre-set duration, for example, the maximum duration T of the first time period. max It can be the preset duration T_R2D(max) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B.

[0377] Referring to Figures 3B, 5A, and 5B, the maximum duration of the first time period indicated in the first indication information can be greater than the preset duration T_R2D(max) or preset duration T_D2R(max) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B. Similarly, the minimum duration of the first time period indicated in the first indication information can be greater than the preset duration T_R2D(min) or preset duration T_D2R(min) mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B.

[0378] In one optional implementation, the maximum and / or minimum duration of the time interval between the first device and the second device transmitting the first message and the second message, and then performing another round of message transmission, can be the preset duration mentioned in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B. In this embodiment, "the first device and the second device performing one round of message transmission" means that the first device and the second device perform two message transmissions, such as the transmission of the first message and the second message constituting one round of message transmission. That is to say, the first indication information can only refer to the one round of message transmission performed between the first device and the second device.

[0379] In one optional implementation, after the first device and the second device have transmitted the first message and the second message, the maximum and / or minimum duration of the time interval between subsequent rounds of message transmission still follows the maximum and / or minimum duration indicated in the first indication information. That is, the first indication information can be for multiple rounds of message transmission between the first device and the second device. Therefore, in each round of message transmission between the first device and the second device, both the first device and the third device can perform NR communication during the interval between two message transmissions.

[0380] For example, when the second time period of NR communication is greater than or less than the duration of the time window, the first and second devices can be considered to be transmitting messages within the measurement interval of the NR communication. Optionally, the time window can be understood as the time period during which the first device measures the signal sent by the third device. Within the time window, the starting position for initiating measurement / listening to measurement (synchronization / reference) signals can be determined based on the measurement offset (or MeasOffset). Optionally, the measurement offset can be an offset relative to the starting position of the system frame number (SFN) / synchronization signal / reference signal. Optionally, the duration of the time window can be determined based on the measurement gap (or MeasGap) or the measurement periodicity.

[0381] Optionally, the first device may send second indication information to the second device, the second indication information indicating a third duration and / or a fourth duration. The third duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period indicated in the first indication information. After receiving the second indication information, the second device determines that the maximum duration of the first time period is now the third duration, not the maximum duration indicated in the first indication information. The fourth duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period indicated in the first indication information. After receiving the second indication information, the second device determines that the minimum duration of the first time period is now the fourth duration, not the minimum duration indicated in the first indication information.

[0382] The way the second indication information indicates the third and / or fourth duration can refer to the way the first indication information indicates the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period as described in step S401. For example, the third and / or fourth duration can be indicated by specific values ​​(absolute duration), relative duration, or index.

[0383] For example, the second indication information may include a third time offset. This third time offset is the time difference between the third duration and the maximum duration of the first time period. It can be understood that the maximum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information can be shortened to (or adjusted to) the third duration using the third time offset; that is, the third time offset is a time offset relative to the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0384] For example, the second indication information may include a fourth time offset. This fourth time offset is the time difference between the fourth duration and the minimum duration of the first time period. It can be understood that the minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first indication information can be shortened to (or adjusted to) the fourth duration using the fourth time offset; that is, the fourth time offset is a time offset relative to the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0385] Optionally, the third duration can be the first duration, and the fourth duration can be the second duration. For an explanation of the first duration and the second duration, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401, which will not be repeated here.

[0386] Optionally, the method by which the time offset (such as the first time offset and the second time offset) is indicated in the second indication information can refer to the method described in step S401 where the first indication information indicates the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period. For example, the time offset can be indicated by a specific value (absolute duration), a relative duration, or an index, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the time offset (such as the third time offset and the fourth time offset) in the first indication information can also be represented by how many times the indicated time offset is equal to the maximum duration of the first time period / the minimum duration of the first time period. For example, the first indication information can indicate that the third time offset is M times the maximum duration of the first time period, where M is a value greater than 0. For example, the first indication information can indicate that the second time offset is N times the maximum duration of the first time period, where N is a value greater than 0.

[0387] Optionally, when the second indication information indicates a time offset (such as a second time offset and a third time offset), an auxiliary information or field can be used to indicate that the time offset is used to shorten (or adjust) the maximum or minimum duration of the first time period. For example, when the second indication information indicates a third time offset, it can indicate the third time offset and field 0. Field 0 can indicate that the third time offset is used to shorten the maximum duration of the first time period, that is, it indicates that the third duration is obtained by subtracting the first time offset from the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0388] It should be noted that the unit of time information in the second indication information can be minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc., or it can be a frame, superframe, subframe, time slot (number), etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0389] In an optional implementation, the first indication information can also be used to instruct the receiving (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) of the second message from the first device to stop (or pause, or suspend) within a first time period, or to instruct the sending of the second message to the first device to stop (or pause, or suspend) within a first time period. That is, after receiving the first indication information, the second device can stop (or pause, or suspend) receiving (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) the second message from the first device within the first time period, or it can stop (or pause, or suspend) sending the second message to the first device within the first time period. Optionally, after receiving the first indication information, the second device can suspend communication with the first device, for example, by saving some temporarily stored information (such as transmission parameters, AS ID, etc.).

[0390] For example, if the second device sends a first message to the first device and receives a first indication message from the first device, it will stop receiving the second message. For example, the first message may be A-IoT Msg1 (for contention-based access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the second message may be A-IoT Msg2 (for indicating contention resolution / successful access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Optionally, when the first device sends the first indication message to the second device, the first indication message may be sent before receiving the first message, simultaneously with receiving the first message, or after receiving the first message.

[0391] For example, upon receiving the first message and the first indication information sent by the first device, the second device stops sending the second message to the first device. For instance, the first message could be A-IoT Msg2 (used to indicate contention resolution / successful access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the second message could be A-IoT Msg3 (which may include the device ID and / or other upper-layer data) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Optionally, when the first device sends the first indication information to the second device, the first indication information can be carried in the first message, sent together with the first message, or sent separately from the first message.

[0392] Optionally, the first indication information can also be used to instruct the resumption (or continuation) of receiving (or monitoring, or decoding, or parsing) the second message from the first device at the end of the first time period, or to instruct the resumption (or continuation) of sending the second message to the first device within the first time period. That is to say, the second device can also, based on the first indication information, resume (or continue) receiving (or monitoring, or decoding, or parsing) the second message from the first device at the end of the first time period, or to instruct the resumption (or continuation) of sending the second message to the first device within the first time period.

[0393] For example, after the second device stops receiving the second message during the first time period, it can resume receiving the second message sent by the first device at the end of the first time period, or resume sending the second message to the first device.

[0394] Optionally, the first device may also send a sixth indication message to the second device at the end of the first time period. The sixth indication message is used to instruct the resumption (or continuation) of the transmission (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) of the second message with the first device. That is to say, the second device may also resume (or continue) the transmission (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) of the second message with the first device based on the sixth indication message at the end of the first time period.

[0395] For example, after the second device stops receiving the second message during the first time period, it can receive the sixth instruction information at the end of the first time period, thereby resuming receiving the second message sent by the first device at the end of the first time period, or resuming sending the second message to the first device.

[0396] As can be seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can communicate with the third device (such as a network device or UE) during the second time period by sending first indication information to the second device (such as an A-IoT device) to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period. The second time period is the time period during which the first device and the second device do not transmit messages. This helps to reduce the interference of communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication) on the communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication), thereby ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0397] The embodiments shown in Figure 4 above may involve various information interactions between multiple devices. To facilitate understanding, the embodiments shown in Figure 4 will be further explained below in conjunction with specific application scenarios.

[0398] Scenario: The first device is a UE, the second device is an A-IoT device, the third device is a base station, and the fourth device is a CN device.

[0399] For example, please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0400] For clarity, please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on the architecture shown in Figure 1A, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0401] Step S601 (optional): The base station sends a third message to the UE.

[0402] For an explanation of the third message, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0403] Step S602 (optional): The base station sends the first resource configuration information to the UE.

[0404] For an explanation of the first resource configuration information, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0405] Step S603: The UE transmits the first message to the A-IoT device.

[0406] Optionally, the UE sends a first message to the A-IoT device; alternatively, the UE receives a first message from the A-IoT device. For an explanation of the first message, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0407] Step S604: The UE sends the first indication information to the A-IoT device.

[0408] For an explanation of the first instruction information, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in FIG4, which will not be repeated here.

[0409] Step S605: The UE communicates with the base station during the second time period.

[0410] Specifically, the UE communicates with the base station through the second air interface during the second time period. For an explanation of the second time period and the second air interface, please refer to the descriptions of the corresponding parts in steps S401 and S402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4; they will not be repeated here.

[0411] Step S606: The UE transmits a second message to the A-IoT device.

[0412] Optionally, if the UE sends a first message to the A-IoT device in step S603, then the UE receives a second message from the A-IoT device in step S606; alternatively, if the UE receives a first message from the A-IoT device in step S603, then the UE sends a second message to the A-IoT device in step S606. For an explanation of the second message, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0413] Step S607 (optional): The UE sends a second indication message to the A-IoT device.

[0414] For an explanation of the second instruction information, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in FIG4, which will not be repeated here.

[0415] It should be noted that the operations, technical terms, and technical logic involved in steps S601 to S607 can be referred to the relevant descriptions of steps S401 to S402 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here. This application embodiment does not limit the order of steps S603 and S604. Steps S601, S602, and S607 can be optional steps, and this application does not limit them. The beneficial effects of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 can be referred to the beneficial effects of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0416] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application embodiment. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0417] Step S701: The first device sends a first instruction message to the second device.

[0418] The first instruction information is used to instruct the cessation (or suspension, or suspend) of receiving (or monitoring, or decoding, or parsing) the second message from the first device, or to instruct the cessation (or suspension, or suspend) of sending the second message to the first device.

[0419] After receiving the first instruction information, the second device stops (or pauses, or suspends) receiving (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) the second message from the first device, or stops (or pauses, or suspends) sending the second message to the first device. Optionally, after receiving the first instruction information, the second device may suspend communication with the first device, for example, by saving some temporarily stored information (such as transmission parameters, AS ID, etc.). For ease of understanding, the following description uses the example of "the first instruction information is used to instruct the cessation of receiving the second message from the first device, or to instruct the cessation (or pause, or suspend) of sending the second message to the first device".

[0420] In one optional implementation, the second device stops receiving the second message after sending a first message to the first device and receiving a first indication message from the first device. For example, the first message may be A-IoT Msg1 (for contention-based access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the second message may be A-IoT Msg2 (for indicating contention resolution / successful access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Optionally, when the first device sends the first indication message to the second device, the first indication message may be sent before receiving the first message, simultaneously with receiving the first message, or after receiving the first message.

[0421] In one optional implementation, the second device stops sending the second message to the first device after receiving the first message and the first indication information sent by the first device. For example, the first message may be A-IoT Msg2 (used to indicate contention resolution / successful access) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the second message may be A-IoT Msg3 (which may include the device ID and / or other upper-layer data) in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Optionally, when the first device sends the first indication information to the second device, the first indication information may be carried in the first message, sent together with the first message, or sent separately from the first message.

[0422] For further explanation of the first device, the second device, the third device, the first message, the second message, and the third message, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in FIG4, which will not be repeated here.

[0423] In one alternative implementation, the first device may send a first instruction message to the second device when it is about to communicate with the third device.

[0424] In one alternative implementation, before the first device and the second device transmit the first message, the third device may send a third message to the first device.

[0425] For an explanation of the two optional methods mentioned above, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0426] Step S702: The first device communicates with the third device during the second time period.

[0427] After the first device sends the first instruction information to the second device, it communicates with the third device during the second time period.

[0428] For an explanation of the communication characteristics between the first device and the third device (i.e., communication via the second air interface), please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0429] Step S703: The first device sends the sixth instruction information to the second device.

[0430] When the first device terminates communication with the third device, it sends a sixth instruction message to the second device. The sixth instruction message is used to instruct the resumption (or continuation) of the transmission (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) of the second message with the first device.

[0431] After receiving the sixth instruction information, the second device resumes (or continues) the transmission (or monitoring, decoding, or parsing) of the second message with the first device.

[0432] As can be seen, the embodiment shown in Figure 7 uses the first instruction information and the sixth instruction information to jointly determine (or adjust) the first time period (i.e., the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message), so that the first device can communicate with the second device within the second time period (which belongs to the first time period), reducing the interference of communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication) on the communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication), thereby ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0433] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0434] Step S801 (optional): The first device communicates with the second device.

[0435] In one alternative implementation, the first device and the second device communicate via a first air interface for A-IoT. For example, the first device may send a first message to the second device, and the second device may send a second message to the first device. Alternatively, the first device may receive a first message from the second device, and the first device may send a second message to the second device.

[0436] In this embodiment, before the first device and the second device conduct A-IoT communication, after the third device sends the first resource configuration information to the first device (i.e., after the third device configures the communication resources for A-IoT communication between the first device and the second device), it by default will not schedule the communication resources for communication with the first device through the second air interface (which may be specified by the protocol). For explanations of the first device, second device, third device, first air interface, second air interface, and first resource configuration information, please refer to the explanations of the corresponding parts in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0437] Step S802: The first device sends a third instruction message to the third device.

[0438] The third instruction information can include the following definitions:

[0439] a. The third instruction information is used to request the third device to communicate with the first device through the second air interface.

[0440] b. The third instruction information is used to activate the third device to communicate with the first device through the second air interface.

[0441] c. The third instruction information includes condition information that triggers the third device to communicate with the first device through the second air interface. When the condition information is met, the third device and the first device communicate through the second air interface.

[0442] For an explanation of the second air interface, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0443] The third indication information can be carried in the uplink RRC message (sent by the UE to the network device) or in the MAC control element (CE). Specifically, it can be carried in at least one of the following messages: UE Assistance Information, UE Capability Information, UL Information Transfer, RRC Reconfiguration Complete, RRC Setup Request, RRC Setup Complete, RRC Reestablishment Request, RRC Reestablishment Complete, RRC Resume Request, and RRC Resume Complete.

[0444] It is understood that the first device does not communicate with the third device through the second air interface before step S802. This embodiment does not strictly limit the state of the first device before step S802. Optionally, the first device may communicate with the second device in A-IoT mode before sending the third instruction information to the third device (see step S801). Optionally, the first device may also be in a sleep state.

[0445] Step S803: The first device communicates with the third device.

[0446] When the third instruction message is used to request the third device to communicate with the first device through the second air interface, the third device may send a response message to the first device in response to the third instruction message. After receiving the response message, the first device establishes a communication connection with the third device.

[0447] When the third instruction information is used to activate the third device to communicate with the first device through the second air interface, the third device may establish a communication connection with the first device by default after receiving the third instruction information.

[0448] In cases where the third instruction information includes conditional information that triggers communication between the third device and the first device via the second air interface:

[0449] In one optional implementation, the conditional information in the third indication information is time information. During the second time period indicated by the time information, the third device communicates with the first device through the second air interface. This time information can be one or more of the start and end times of the second time period. Optionally, if the third indication information indicates the second time period, the first device can stop communicating with the third device at the end of the second time period. Optionally, if the third indication information indicates the start time of the second time period, the first device can send a fourth indication information to the second device just before stopping communication with the third device on the second air interface. This fourth indication information is used to pause and / or suspend communication with the third device on the second air interface. This fourth indication information indicates the end time of the second time period.

[0450] In one optional implementation, the condition information in the third indication information is the uplink data received by the third device from the first device. Upon receiving the uplink data from the first device, such as the first data, subsequent data transmission can be triggered, for example, the transmission of second data. The second data may come from a fourth device (such as a CN device) and is used in response to the first data or triggered by the first data (e.g., the fourth device sends the second data after receiving the first data, and the third device sends the second data to the first device). Optionally, the first device may send a fourth indication information to the second device after receiving the second data. This fourth indication information is used to pause and / or suspend communication with the third device. Optionally, the first device may also, by default, pause and / or suspend communication with the third device on the second air interface after receiving the second data.

[0451] In one optional implementation, after the first device and the third device terminate communication on the second air interface, the first device can continue A-IoT communication with the second device. For example, before the first device and the third device communicate via the second air interface, the first device can receive a first message from the second device. Then, after the first device and the third device terminate communication on the second air interface, the first device can send a second message to the second device. Optionally, between transmitting the first message and the second message, the first device and the second device can also obtain scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, or downlink control information (DCI) sent by the third device to the first device. Optionally, the first message includes first data, and the second message includes second data. For further explanations regarding the first message and the second message, please refer to the explanations of the corresponding parts in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0452] Optionally, the embodiments shown in Figure 8 and Figure 4 can be used in combination. The first device can send first indication information to the second device to further avoid interference of NR communication with A-IoT communication.

[0453] Therefore, in scenarios where a third device (such as a network device) will not by default use the communication resources used for communication between the first device (such as a reader / writer) and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) (such as A-IoT communication) for communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication), the first device in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 can send a third instruction message to the third device during communication with the second device, so as to actively switch to communication with the third device. This allows for flexible use of communication resources according to actual needs, thereby improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0454] When the embodiments shown in Figure 4 and Figure 8 are used in combination, various information interactions between multiple devices are involved. To facilitate understanding, the following section will further explain the combined use of the embodiments shown in Figure 4 and Figure 8 in conjunction with specific application scenarios.

[0455] Scenario: The first device is a UE, the second device is an A-IoT device, the third device is a base station, and the fourth device is a CN device.

[0456] For example, please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0457] Step S901 (optional): The base station sends a third message to the UE.

[0458] For an explanation of the third message, please refer to the explanation of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0459] In an optional implementation, the UE can determine the type of the first service based on the associated information of the first service in the third message (such as the type of the first service or information used to indicate whether the A-IoT device needs to continue communicating with the UE after sending identification information to the UE), and then determine whether the UE needs to communicate with the base station during the A-IoT communication with the A-IoT device. This is beneficial for determining whether to execute steps S904 to S908 in step S903.

[0460] For example, if the first service is "inventory", the UE collects the identification information of the A-IoT device (such as the identifier device ID) and then reports the identification information to the base station and / or CN device after a period of time, and there is no other data transmission between the UE and the base station and / or CN device.

[0461] For example, if the first service is a "command," the A-IoT device may transmit data other than the device ID to the UE and / or CN device. For instance, for a write command, after sending the device ID to the UE, the A-IoT device waits to receive the data to be written from the UE. At this time, the UE needs to send the device ID to the CN core network via the base station. The core network needs to determine the A-IoT device information based on the device ID, then send the data to be written to the UE via the base station, and finally, the UE sends the data to be written to the A-IoT device.

[0462] Step S902: The base station sends the first resource configuration information to the UE.

[0463] For an explanation of the first resource configuration information, please refer to the explanation of the corresponding part in the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0464] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the base station, by default, will not reuse the communication resources in the first resource configuration information used for A-IoT communication between the UE and the A-IoT device for communication between the reader and the base station on the second air interface. For an explanation of the second air interface, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0465] Step S903: Send the first message to the UE.

[0466] The A-IoT device sends a first message to the UE based on the first resource configuration information.

[0467] In one optional implementation, the first message includes first data (also referred to as A-IoT UL data). The first data is data that needs to be sent from the base station to the CN device when executing a first service (such as an A-IoT service) or an A-IoT related process (such as read command, write command, sensing, registration, security verification, authentication, etc.). For example, the first data might be the device ID that needs to be sent from the base station to the CN device when executing a "write command". After receiving the first message, the UE can execute steps S904 to S908.

[0468] Understandably, in one optional implementation, the first message does not contain the first data. Therefore, after receiving the first message, the UE continues A-IoT communication, i.e., sends the second message to A-IoT. Step S907 is then executed.

[0469] Step S904: The UE sends third indication information to the base station.

[0470] In one optional implementation, the third indication information includes the first data from the first message, which can serve as conditional information to trigger communication between the UE and the base station via the second air interface. Upon receiving the first data, the base station confirms that it can communicate with the UE via the second air interface and sends the first data to the CN device.

[0471] In one optional implementation, the third indication information does not include the first data. In this case, the UE can send the first data to the base station after the base station receives the third indication information.

[0472] The explanation of the third instruction information and the first data can also be understood in conjunction with the description of the corresponding part of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0473] Step S905 (optional): The UE sends the first indication information to the A-IoT device.

[0474] Optionally, considering that the long communication time of NR communication may interfere with the communication timing of A-IoT, the UE sends a first indication message to the A-IoT device after receiving the first data in the first message. For an explanation of the first indication message and the technical logic of step S905, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0475] Step S906: The UE communicates with the base station.

[0476] Specifically, the UE and the base station communicate through a second air interface.

[0477] In one optional implementation, the third indication information does not include the first data, and communication between the UE and the base station includes the following steps:

[0478] Step S9061: The base station sends the first data to the CN device.

[0479] It is understandable that the UE sends the first data to the base station, and the base station then sends the first data to the CN device.

[0480] Step S9062: The CN device obtains the second data based on the first data.

[0481] The second data refers to the data that the UE needs to receive from the CN device via the base station when performing the first service (such as A-IoT service) or related processes (such as read command, write command, sensing, registration, security verification, authentication, etc.). (It can also be called A-IoT DL data). For example, for a write command, the second data is the data that needs to be written. The second data can be data that responds to the first data, or it can be data that is triggered by the first data.

[0482] Step S9063: The CN device sends the second data to the UE through the base station.

[0483] It is understandable that the CN device sends the second data to the base station, and the base station then sends the second data back to the CN device.

[0484] Optionally, step S9064 can also be performed after step S9061.

[0485] Step S9064 (optional): The base station sends downlink control / scheduling information to the UE.

[0486] The downlink control / scheduling information can be one or more of the following: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, or downlink control information (DCI).

[0487] In an optional implementation, the third indication information includes information that indicates the base station may send downlink control / scheduling information to the UE after receiving the first data sent by the UE. For example, the third indication information includes the information monitor PDCCH. Optionally, as described in step S604, if the third indication information includes the first data, then the information monitor PDCCH may also be included in the first data. After receiving the first data containing the information monitor PDCCH, the base station will trigger the sending of downlink control / scheduling information to the UE.

[0488] In an optional implementation, when the CN device sends a third message to the UE through the base station, the base station can read the association information of the first service in the third message. By default, after receiving the first data sent by the UE, it can send downlink control / scheduling information to the UE. It is understood that the first data may also include information indicating that the base station is prohibited from sending downlink control / scheduling information to the UE, such as the information "absent monitor PDCCH". After receiving the first data containing the information "absent monitor PDCCH", the base station will not execute step S9064.

[0489] Optionally, the base station in step S9064 can be a base station corresponding to the service area where the UE is located, or a base station corresponding to a neighboring cell of the service area where the UE is located.

[0490] The embodiments of this application do not strictly limit the order of steps S9062 and S9064 (optional), or the order of steps S9063 and S9064 (optional); Figure 7 is for illustration only. Optionally, the base station can take advantage of the time when the CN device obtains the second data based on the first data in step S9062 to synchronously send downlink control / scheduling information to the UE, thereby saving communication time. Optionally, the base station can include the downlink control / scheduling information in the second data and send it to the UE.

[0491] In one alternative implementation, the base station may send a fourth indication message to the UE after sending the second data. This fourth indication message is used to suspend and / or hang NR communication with the base station.

[0492] In an alternative implementation, the UE may also, by default, pause and / or suspend communication with the base station on the second air interface after receiving the second data.

[0493] In one alternative implementation, the second data updates / indicates the communication resources of the A-IoT communication along the way.

[0494] The explanation of the second data and the technical logic of step S906 can also be understood in conjunction with the description of step S803 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0495] Step S907: The UE sends a second message to the A-IoT device.

[0496] After receiving the second data sent by the base station, the UE transmits a second message to the A-IoT device. The second message includes the second data.

[0497] Step S908 (optional): The A-IoT device sends a second indication message to the UE.

[0498] If step S905 exists, then step S908 may also exist. After transmitting the second message, the A-IoT device can send second indication information to the UE. For an explanation of the second indication information, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0499] Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, for scenarios where the base station (third device) by default does not reuse the communication resources used for A-IoT communication between the UE (first device) and the A-IoT device (second device) for communication between the UE and the base station (such as NR communication), the UE can send a third indication message to the base station between transmitting the first and second messages with the A-IoT device to actively switch to communication with the base station. This allows for flexible use of communication resources according to actual needs, thereby improving the utilization rate of communication resources. Furthermore, the UE can also send a first indication message to the A-IoT device between transmitting the first and second messages to avoid communication between the UE and the base station interfering with A-IoT communication, ensuring the communication quality of A-IoT communication. In addition, by communicating with the base station, the UE can not only receive second data from the CN device for executing A-IoT services or related processes, but also receive downlink control / scheduling information sent by the base station during the time the CN device processes the first data for executing A-IoT services or related processes, further improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0500] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0501] Step S1001: The first device sends the fifth instruction information to the third device.

[0502] The fifth indication information is used to request communication with the third device through the second air interface during a fifth time period. Optionally, the fifth indication information is used to indicate one or more time periods for communication through the first air interface, that is, the fifth time period can be determined based on one or more time periods for communication by the first device through the first air interface. Optionally, the fifth time period can be the second time period described in the foregoing method embodiments. For an explanation of the first air interface and the second air interface, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in FIG4, which will not be repeated here.

[0503] Optionally, the fifth time period may include one or more sixth time periods for the first device to receive at least one of the following information / signals: measurement signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, etc.), downlink scheduling information (e.g., PDCCH, DCI, etc.), and downlink data. The aforementioned information / signals may or may not originate from the third device. For example, the measurement signals may be synchronization signals and / or reference signals from neighboring cells of the first device; that is, the first device may receive synchronization signals and / or reference signals from neighboring cells during the sixth time period to measure the signal quality from the neighboring cells.

[0504] Optionally, the fifth time period can be determined by the first and third devices based on interactive information, such as information sent from the third device to the first device, and / or request information sent from the first device to the third device. This interactive information can be configured / instructed by the third device sending RRC messages (such as RRCReconfiguration, RRCReconfigurationComplete, RRCResume), MAC messages, etc., to the first device (or the first device sending RRC messages to the third device).

[0505] Optionally, the fifth time period may include an SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) window. For example, for inter-frequency measurements in connected mode and measurements in idle mode, the third device may configure an SMTC window for the first device at a frequency point. The configuration parameters of an SMTC window may include one or more of the following:

[0506] a.periodicityAndOffset: Represents the SMTC period (periodicity, which characterizes the repetition period of the measurement action) and the SMTC offset (Offset, which characterizes the starting subframe of the measurement action within the period).

[0507] b. duration: Indicates the duration of SMTC (characterizing the duration the measurement action should continue after the measurement action begins).

[0508] For example, the fifth time period could include the duration of SMTC configured by the third device.

[0509] Optionally, the fifth time period may also include a measurement gap (or MeasGap) to measure the duration of neighboring cell frequencies or other neighboring cell radio access technologies (RATs). For an explanation of the MeasGap, please refer to the description of the corresponding portion in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0510] Optionally, the fifth time period may also include the time during which DRX is enabled (ON or onDuration). During DRX onDuration, PDCCH can be monitored. For example, the first device can monitor paging occasions (PO) in each DRX onDuration. PO is a set of PDCCH monitoring occasions, which can consist of multiple time slots (e.g., subframes or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols). The first device can receive paging messages and / or DCI (or downlink scheduling information) in these time slots. Optionally, the fifth time period may also be a time period for communication with the third device, predicted by the first device based on historical communication data (e.g., predicted by AI).

[0511] Optionally, the fifth time period can be confirmed / predicted by one or more of the following information:

[0512] a. Service cycle when the first device and the second device communicate through the first air interface.

[0513] Optionally, the service cycle can be understood as the time interval between two communications on the first air interface. A single communication on the first air interface is used to execute one or more first services. Optionally, the fifth time period belongs to this interval, and its duration is shorter than the duration of this interval.

[0514] b. The measurement cycle and / or data transmission cycle when the first device communicates with the third device.

[0515] Optionally, the measurement period is the measurement time interval during which the first device measures the signal sent by the third device when communicating through the second air interface, and the data transmission period is the time interval during which the first device and the third device transmit data during DRX activation. Optionally, the fifth time interval belongs to the measurement time interval and / or the data transmission period, and its duration is less than the duration of the measurement time interval and / or the data transmission period.

[0516] c. The maximum duration of the time interval between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the maximum duration of the time interval between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message;

[0517] Optionally, the maximum duration can be the preset duration T_D2R(max) or the preset duration T_R2D(max) in the embodiment shown in Figure 3B.

[0518] Optionally, the fifth time period belongs to the time period of the maximum duration, and the duration of the fifth time period is less than the maximum duration.

[0519] d. The minimum length of the time interval between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, or the minimum length of the time interval between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message.

[0520] Optionally, the minimum duration can be a preset duration T_D2R(min) or a preset duration T_R2D(min) as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3B.

[0521] Optionally, the fifth time period belongs to the time period of the minimum duration, and the duration of the fifth time period is less than the minimum duration.

[0522] e. The duration for which the first device sends a first message to the second device, the duration for which the second device sends a first message to the first device, the duration for which the first device sends a second message to the second device, or the duration for which the second device sends a second message to the first device.

[0523] Optionally, sending / receiving the first message / second message can be understood as the duration of a single communication on the first air interface. Optionally, the fifth time period and / or the sixth time period can be time periods outside the time period of a single communication.

[0524] This application does not limit the specific indication method for the fifth indication information to indicate the fifth time period and / or the sixth time period. The indication method can be a direct indication method or an indirect indication method.

[0525] Optionally, the fifth instruction information may include one or more of the following:

[0526] f. The start and / or end times of the fifth and / or sixth time periods.

[0527] Optionally, the start time and / or end time can be specific times or an offset value.

[0528] For example, the start time and / or end time can be a time position relative to the system frame number SFN, such as SFN=10 indicating that the start time or end time is from the 11th SFN.

[0529] g. Duration of the fifth and / or sixth time period.

[0530] Optionally, the way in which the fifth indication information indicates the duration of the fifth time period and / or the sixth time period can refer to the way in which the first indication information indicates the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period as described in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. For example, the duration of the fifth time period and / or the sixth time period can be indicated by specific values ​​(absolute duration), relative duration, or index, which will not be elaborated here.

[0531] h. The number of fifth and / or sixth time periods.

[0532] Optionally, the fifth indication information may indicate one or more fifth time periods and / or a sixth time period.

[0533] I. The relationship between the fifth and / or sixth time periods and the DRX cycle.

[0534] Optionally, the fifth indication information may indicate which DRX periodicity / cycle the first device and the third device are communicating through the second air interface during the fifth time period and / or the sixth time period.

[0535] J. The relationship between the fifth and / or sixth time periods and the measurement cycle (or time window).

[0536] Optionally, the fifth indication information may indicate which measurement cycle (or measurement window) the first device and the third device are communicating through the second air interface during the fifth time period and / or the sixth time period.

[0537] Optionally, the aforementioned DRX period and measurement period (or time window) can be indicated by the third device to the first device, or by the first device to the third device, or can be pre-set by the first and third devices (as specified in the protocol). For an explanation of the measurement period (or time window), please refer to the explanation of the corresponding part in step S402 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here. For an explanation of the first device, second device, and third device, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here. The unit of time information in the fifth indication information can be minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc., or it can be a frame, superframe, subframe, time slot (number), etc., which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0538] Step S1002: The third device sends the first resource configuration information to the first device.

[0539] The third device obtains first resource configuration information based on the fifth time period in the fifth indication information. This first resource configuration information includes the communication resources required for communication on the first air interface. The communication resources can indicate the time period during which the first device and the second device communicate via the first air interface. Optionally, the communication resources can also indicate that the first device can perform A-IoT communication using a certain frequency band during this time period. The time period during which the first device and the second device communicate via the first air interface does not overlap with the fifth time period.

[0540] Furthermore, the first device communicates with the second device through the first air interface based on the first resource configuration information.

[0541] In one optional implementation, the first resource configuration information indicates two time periods, such as a third time period and a fourth time period, for the first device and the second device to communicate via the first air interface. The fifth time period is the time period between the third time period and the fourth time period. As shown in Figure 10, after the first device communicates with the second device via the first air interface during the third time period, it can perform NR communication with the third device during the fifth time period, and then communicate with the second device via the first air interface again during the fourth time period.

[0542] Optionally, the communication on the first air interface during the third time period and the communication on the first air interface during the fourth time period can be a single communication in two communications on the first air interface, respectively.

[0543] Optionally, the communication on the first air interface during the third time period and the communication on the first air interface during the fourth time period can belong to the same communication on the first air interface, and are used to transmit different messages in a single communication on the first air interface. For example, the first device can transmit a first message to the second device during the third time period, and the first device can transmit a second message in response to the first message to the second device during the fourth time period.

[0544] Therefore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can send a fifth indication message (indicating a fifth time period for communication with the third device) to the third device (such as a network device or a UE) and receive first resource configuration information from the third device. Since the time period for communication between the first device and the second device (such as an A-IoT device) in the communication resources indicated by the first resource configuration information does not overlap with the fifth time period, when the first device subsequently communicates with the second device according to the first resource configuration information, it will not transmit messages to the second device within the fifth time period. This avoids communication between the first device and the third device (such as NR communication) interfering with communication between the first device and the second device (such as A-IoT communication), thereby ensuring the communication quality between the first device and the second device.

[0545] In A-IoT-based communication systems, the communication resources (time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources) used for A-IoT communication between the reader and A-IoT devices can be configured by other communication devices (such as network devices). However, when the reader disconnects from other communication devices, these configured communication resources become unavailable, affecting the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in A-IoT communication. Therefore, this application provides a communication method that can guarantee the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in A-IoT communication.

[0546] Please refer to Figure 11, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be implemented based on any of the architectures shown in Figures 1A to 1C, or on other architectures. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0547] Step S1101: The third device sends the second resource configuration information to the first device.

[0548] The second resource configuration information is used to indicate the communication resources for communication between the first device and the second device, and these communication resources include a seventh time period. Optionally, the communication resources may also include frequency domain resources for communication between the first device and the second device. It is understood that the seventh time period is a time domain resource for communication between the first device and the second device. In this embodiment, "communication resources" can be understood as "wireless resources" and "time domain and / or frequency domain resources," which will not be elaborated further hereafter.

[0549] Optionally, the first device and the third device can communicate via the second air interface (also known as NR communication), and the first device and the second device can communicate via the first air interface (also known as A-IoT communication). For an explanation of the first air interface, the second air interface, the first device, the second device, and the first device, please refer to the explanation in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0550] Optionally, after receiving the second resource configuration information, the first device may determine the seventh time period.

[0551] The following examples illustrate how the second resource configuration information indicates the seventh time period, categorized by scenario.

[0552] Scenario a: The second resource allocation information includes the fifth duration.

[0553] The fifth duration is the duration of the seventh time period.

[0554] Optionally, after receiving the second resource configuration information, the first device can determine the seventh time period based on the duration of the seventh time period (i.e., the fifth duration) and the start time of the seventh time period.

[0555] The start time of the seventh time period can be later than the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information, or the start time of the seventh time period can be the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information. In this embodiment, "the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information" can be understood as the end time of the third device sending the second configuration resource information, or it can be understood as the time when the first device receives the second configuration resource information and completes decoding the second configuration resource information.

[0556] Optionally, the second resource configuration information may also include the start time of the seventh time period. The first device can determine the start time of the seventh time period based on the second resource configuration information.

[0557] Optionally, the time interval between the start time of the seventh time period and the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information is a first preset duration, which can be a default setting. The first device can determine the start time of the seventh time period based on the end time of receiving the second configuration resource information and the first preset duration. It is understood that the first preset duration can be zero, and the start time of the seventh time period can be the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information.

[0558] Optionally, the third device may also send a seventh indication message to the first device. This seventh indication message may be used to indicate the activation of communication resources indicated by the second resource configuration information. Alternatively, the seventh indication message may be used to indicate the activation of communication resources between the first and second devices. Alternatively, the seventh indication message may be used to indicate the activation of communication resources on the A-IoT air interface; or, the seventh indication message may be used to indicate the activation of communication resources on the first air interface.

[0559] In this application embodiment, "activating communication resources" can be understood as the allocated communication resources becoming effective, such as the communication resources allocated by the second configuration information becoming effective, or the allocated communication resources becoming usable, such as the communication resources allocated by the second configuration information. Further explanation of "activating communication resources" will not be repeated hereafter.

[0560] The start time of the seventh time period can be the end time of receiving the seventh indication information, or the start time of the seventh time period can be later than the end time of receiving the seventh indication information. In the embodiments of this application, "the end time of the first device receiving the seventh indication information" can be understood as the end time of the third device sending the seventh indication information, or it can be understood as the time when the first device receives the seventh indication information and completes the decoding of the seventh indication information.

[0561] The seventh instruction information may be information included in the second configuration resource information, information that is independent of the second configuration resource information but is sent in a message together with the second configuration resource information, or information that is independent of the second configuration resource information but is sent after the second configuration resource information.

[0562] Optionally, if the seventh indication information is included in the second configuration resource information, or if the seventh indication information is independent of the second configuration resource information but is sent in a message together with the second configuration resource information, the end time of the first device receiving the seventh indication information is the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information.

[0563] Alternatively, the seventh indication information is sent independently of the second configuration resource information and after the second configuration resource information. The time interval between the start time of the seventh time period and the end time of the first device receiving the seventh indication information is a second preset duration, which can be a default setting. The first device can determine the start time of the seventh time period based on the end time of receiving the seventh indication information and the second preset duration. It is understood that the second preset duration can be zero, and the start time of the seventh time period can be the end time of the first device receiving the seventh indication information.

[0564] For ease of understanding, let's take the start time of the seventh time period as the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information as an example to explain the seventh time period in scenario a. For example, as shown in Figure 12A, after the third device sends the second configuration resource information 121 to the first device, the first device can take the end time of receiving the second configuration resource information (i.e., t1) as the start time of the seventh time period, and can determine the end time (i.e., t2) of the seventh time period based on the duration T3 (i.e., the fifth duration) of the seventh time period and the start time (i.e., t1) of the seventh time period, thereby determining the seventh time period.

[0565] Scenario b: The second resource allocation information includes the fifth duration and the sixth duration.

[0566] The communication resources indicated by the second resource configuration information include N seventh time periods. The fifth duration is the length of each of the N seventh time periods. The time interval between the start time of the i-th seventh time period and the start time of the (i+1)-th seventh time period is the sixth duration. N is a positive integer, and i takes the values ​​1, 2, ..., N. That is, the second configuration information can indicate the seventh time periods periodically. On the timeline, the time interval between any two adjacent seventh time periods in the N seventh time periods is the sixth duration.

[0567] The start time of the first seventh time period among the N seventh time periods can be later than the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information, or the start time of the first seventh time period can be the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information. All of the other seventh time periods among the N seventh time periods (excluding the first seventh time period) can be later than the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information.

[0568] Optionally, after receiving the second resource configuration information, the first device can determine the first seventh time period based on the duration of the first seventh time period (i.e., the fifth duration) and the start time of the first seventh time period. For an explanation of the start time of the first seventh time period, please refer to the explanation of the start time of the seventh time period in scenario a; it will not be repeated here.

[0569] Furthermore, since the interval between the start time of the (i+1)th seventh time period and the start time of the ith seventh time period is the sixth duration, the first device can determine the start time of the (i+1)th seventh time period based on the start time of the ith seventh time period and the sixth duration. Next, the first device can determine the end time of the (i+1)th seventh time period based on its start time and duration (i.e., the fifth duration), thus sequentially determining N seventh time periods.

[0570] For ease of understanding, let's take N=3 as an example, where the start time of the first seventh time period is the end time of the first device receiving the second configuration resource information, and explain the seventh time period in case b.

[0571] For example, as shown in FIG12B, after the third device sends the second configuration resource information 121 to the first device, the first device can use the end time (i.e., t1) of receiving the second configuration resource information as the start time of the first seventh time period, and determine the end time (i.e., t2) of the first seventh time period based on the duration T3 (i.e., the fifth duration) of the first seventh time period and the start time (i.e., t1), thereby determining the first seventh time period. Next, the first device can determine the start time (i.e., t3) of the second seventh time period based on the start time (i.e., t1) and the sixth duration T4. Then, the first device can determine the end time (i.e., t4) of the second seventh time period based on the start time (i.e., t3) and the duration T3 (i.e., the fifth duration) of the second seventh time period. And so on, the first device can determine the start time (i.e., t5) and end time (i.e., t6) of the third seventh time period.

[0572] Scenario c: The second resource configuration information includes the seventh instruction information.

[0573] The seventh indication information is used to indicate the communication resource activated by the second resource configuration information. The start time of the seventh time period can be the end time of receiving the seventh indication information, or the start time of the seventh time period can be later than the end time of receiving the seventh indication information. It is understood that the seventh indication information can be the seventh indication information included in the second resource configuration information as described in scenario a. The end time of receiving the seventh indication information is the end time of receiving the second resource configuration information.

[0574] For an explanation of the seventh indication information, please refer to the corresponding explanation in scenario a. Optionally, the first device can determine the start time of the seventh time period based on the seventh indication information; for the specific principle, please refer to the corresponding explanation in scenario a.

[0575] Optionally, the first device can determine the seventh time period based on the start time of the seventh time period and the third preset duration. The third preset duration is the length of the seventh time period, which can be a default setting. Further optionally, the third preset duration can be the fifth duration in case a.

[0576] Alternatively, after determining the start time of the seventh time period, the first device can consider all times after the start time of the seventh time period as times within the seventh time period, that is, the seventh time period can be considered as having no end time.

[0577] Optionally, the third device may send an eighth indication message to the first device, the eighth indication message being used to indicate the release of communication resources indicated by the second resource configuration information. Alternatively, the eighth indication message may be used to release communication resources on the A-IoT air interface. Alternatively, the eighth indication message may be used to release communication resources on the first air interface.

[0578] In this application's embodiments, "release" can be referred to as "deactivation," "pause," "stop use," or "unusable." In this application's embodiments, "releasing communication resources" can be understood as the allocated communication resources being invalid / unavailable, such as the communication resources allocated by the second resource configuration information being invalid / unavailable; or, it can be understood as the allocated communication resources being unusable / stopped from use, such as the communication resources allocated by the second configuration information being unusable / stopped from use. Further explanations regarding "release" and "releasing communication resources" will not be repeated hereafter.

[0579] The end time of the seventh time period can be the end time of receiving the eighth indication information, or the start time of the seventh time period is later than the end time of receiving the eighth indication information. In the embodiments of this application, "the end time of the first device receiving the eighth indication information" can be understood as the end time of the third device sending the eighth indication information, or it can be understood as the time when the first device receives the eighth indication information and completes decoding the seventh indication information.

[0580] The first device can determine the end time of the seventh time period based on the end time of receiving the eighth instruction information, thereby determining the seventh time period based on the start and end times of the eighth time period. Optionally, the time interval between the end time of the seventh time period and the end time of the first device receiving the eighth instruction information is a fourth preset duration, which can be a default setting. The first device can determine the end time of the seventh time period based on the end time of receiving the eighth instruction information and the fourth preset duration. It is understood that the fourth preset duration can be zero, and the end time of the seventh time period can be the end time of the first device receiving the eighth instruction information.

[0581] For ease of understanding, let's take the example where the start time of the seventh time period is the end time of the first device receiving the seventh instruction information, and the start time of the seventh time period is the end time of the first device receiving the eighth instruction information, to explain the seventh time period in case c.

[0582] For example, as shown in FIG12C, after the third device sends the seventh instruction information 122 to the first device, the first device can use the end time (i.e., t7) of receiving the seventh instruction information 122 as the start time of the seventh time period. Furthermore, after the third device sends the eighth instruction information 123 to the first device, the first device can use the end time (i.e., t8) of receiving the eighth instruction information 123 as the end time of the seventh time period, thereby determining the seventh time period based on the start time (i.e., t7) and end time (i.e., t8) of the seventh time period.

[0583] It should be noted that the units of the time information (such as duration, time period) mentioned above can be minutes, seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc., or frames, superframes, subframes, time slots (number), etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit them.

[0584] Step S1102: When the first device is in a state of disconnection from the third device, the first device communicates with the second device during the seventh time period.

[0585] After receiving the second resource configuration information, the first device can communicate with the second device during the seventh time period.

[0586] Optionally, during the seventh time period, the first device may communicate with the second device via A-IoT to transmit data and / or perform a first service. Further, the first device may transmit a first message and / or a second message to the second device. For explanations of the first service, the first message, and the second message, please refer to the description of the corresponding part in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0587] Specifically, if the current time is within the seventh time period, the first device can communicate with the second device. Conversely, if the current time is not within the seventh time period, the first device stops communicating with the second device. In the embodiments of this application, "stop communicating with..." can be understood as "pause communicating with...", or "suspend communicating with...", or "release communicating with...", or "end communicating with...", which will not be elaborated further.

[0588] Optionally, the first device may start the first timer at the beginning of the seventh time period.

[0589] Optionally, if the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period, the first device can determine that the current time is within the seventh time period, thereby communicating with the second device. The timer mentioned in this embodiment can be a device or functional module in the first device that controls the communication process. Further, if the duration of the first timer is greater than the duration of the seventh time period, the first device can stop the first timer. In the case of stopping the first timer, the first device can determine that the current time is not within the seventh time period, thereby stopping communication with the second device.

[0590] For an explanation of the start time, end time, and duration of the seventh time period, please refer to the explanations of cases a to c in step S401, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that, for the N seventh time periods in case b, the first device can start the first timer at the start time of each seventh time period, and stop the first timer if the duration of the first timer is greater than the duration of the seventh time period.

[0591] Understandably, during the seventh time period, the first timer is in the started state, and the communication resources allocated by the third device through the second resource allocation information are in the active state, allowing the first device to communicate with the second device. Outside the seventh time period, the first timer is in the stopped state (or timeout state), the communication resources are in the released state, and the first device stops communicating with the second device.

[0592] In other words, after receiving the second resource configuration information, the first device can control whether to communicate with the second device through the first timer.

[0593] Furthermore, even when the first device is disconnected from the third device, it can still communicate with the second device during the seventh time period. Conversely, even when the first device is connected to the third device, it can still communicate with the second device during the seventh time period. In other words, the connection status (disconnected or connected) between the first and third devices does not affect the activation status of the communication resources allocated by the third device through the second resource allocation information, thus not affecting the first device's communication with the second device during the seventh time period.

[0594] It is understandable that, starting from a certain point within the seventh time period, the first device loses its communication connection with the third device. The first timer can remain running during the seventh time period, allowing the first device to continue communicating with the second device until the end of the seventh time period. Therefore, the communication between the first and second devices will not be interrupted by the disconnection of the communication connection between the first and third devices.

[0595] In other words, when the first device and the third device are disconnected, if the first timer is in the start state (i.e., the current time is in the seventh time period), the first device can communicate with the second device; if the first timer is in the stop state (i.e., the current time is in the seventh time period), the first device can stop communicating with the second device.

[0596] Optionally, when a preset condition is met, the first device is disconnected from the third device. The preset condition includes one of the following conditions a to e:

[0597] Condition a: The first device performs a switching operation.

[0598] In an optional implementation, the handover operation may be that the first device receives a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message (i.e., RRCReconfiguration) sent by the third device. This RRC reconfiguration message is used to indicate a switch to the second air interface. For an explanation of the second air interface, please refer to the explanation in step S401 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4; it will not be repeated here.

[0599] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message may include at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0600] The identifier of the target cell (i.e., at least the target cell ID);

[0601] Temporary identifier for the cell's wireless network (i.e., the new C-RNTI);

[0602] The target gNB security algorithm identifiers for the selected security algorithms.

[0603] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message may include at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0604] Dedicated random access channel (RACH) resources;

[0605] Common RACH resources;

[0606] System information of the target cell;

[0607] The association information between RACH resources and SSB(s);

[0608] The association between RACH resources and UE-specific CSI-RS configuration(s).

[0609] Optionally, the RRC reconfiguration message may include third resource configuration information for instructing the first device and the second device to communicate. The communication resources indicated in the third resource configuration information are different from the communication resources indicated in the second resource configuration information.

[0610] In one alternative implementation, the switching operation may be that the first device receives third resource configuration information from the fifth device.

[0611] In one alternative implementation, the handover operation may be that the first device sends an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message (i.e., RRCReconfigurationComplete) to the fifth device, which indicates that the handover is complete.

[0612] In this embodiment, the fifth device and the first device can communicate via a second air interface. Optionally, the first device is a UE, the third device is a base station corresponding to the service area where the UE is located, and the fifth device is a base station corresponding to a neighboring cell of the service area where the UE is located.

[0613] Condition b: The first device detects a radio link failure (RLF).

[0614] In one alternative implementation, the first device can detect an RLF when an RLF triggering condition is met. The RLF triggering condition includes at least one of the following:

[0615] Timer T310 timed out;

[0616] The media access control layer (MAC) of the first device (such as the UE) indicates a random access problem, and timers T300, T301, T304, T311 and T319 are not running;

[0617] The radio link control layer (RLC) of the first device (such as the UE) reaches the maximum number of retransmissions.

[0618] For timer T300, optionally, the first device may start timer T310 after sending a Radio Resource Control Connection Establishment Request (RRCSetupRequest). Alternatively, the first device may stop timer T310 after receiving an RRC Setup / Reject message (i.e., RRCSetup or RRCReject), a cell reselection message, or a termination message for upper-layer protocol connection establishment.

[0619] Regarding timer T304, optionally, the first device can start timer T304 after receiving an RRC reconfiguration message containing reset and synchronization information (i.e., reconfigurationWithSync); alternatively, the first device can stop timer T304 when random access on the corresponding special cell (SpCell) is successfully completed. Further optionally, when the special cell is in a secondary cell group (SCG), the first device can stop timer T304 when the secondary cell group is released.

[0620] Optionally, for timer T310, the first device may start timer T310 when a physical layer problem of SpCell is detected (e.g., when consecutive out-of-synchronization indications are received from the lower layer N310), or when an RRC reconfiguration message containing reset and synchronization information (i.e., reconfigurationWithSync) is received for the cell group, or when a mobility message (i.e., MobilityFromNRCommand) triggered by a new radio network (NR) is received, or when a connection reconstruction process is initiated; alternatively, if the timing process of timer T310 remains valid on the SCG after the SCG is released, the first device may stop timer T310.

[0621] For timer T311, optionally, the first device may start timer T311 when initiating the RRC connection re-establishment process; alternatively, the first device may stop timer T311 when selecting a suitable NR cell or a cell using another radio access technology (RAT).

[0622] For timer T319, optionally, the first device may start timer T319 when transmitting an RRC connection recovery request message (such as RRCResumeRequest or RRCResumeRequest1); alternatively, the first device may stop timer T319 when receiving an RRC recovery message (i.e., RRCResume), or an RRC setup message (i.e., RRCSetup), or an RRC release message (i.e., RRCRelease), or an RRC rejection message (i.e., RRCReject), or a cell reselection. Further optionally, the RRC release message or RRC rejection message may contain information (such as the suspendConfig field) for controlling the state transition of the first device.

[0623] Condition c: The first device initiates the connection re-establishment process.

[0624] Condition d: The first device performs a link recovery operation.

[0625] Condition e: The first device detects an asynchronous indication.

[0626] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first device (e.g., a reader / writer) can communicate with the second device within the seventh time period based on the communication resources configured by the third device. Furthermore, the communication connection status between the first and third devices does not affect the first device's subsequent use of communication resources; that is, the first device can still communicate with the second device (e.g., an A-IoT device) within the seventh time period. Thus, in this embodiment, the communication between the first and second devices will not be interrupted by the disconnection of the communication connection between the first and third devices, which helps ensure the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in the communication between the first and second devices (e.g., A-IoT communication).

[0627] In an alternative implementation, step S1102 can be replaced by the following step:

[0628] Steps: If the first device disconnects from the third device at the first moment, the first device will communicate with the second device during the eighth time period.

[0629] The first moment refers to a moment within the seventh time period. That is, at some point within the seventh time period, the first device disconnects from the third device. The start time of the eighth time period can be the moment when the first device disconnects from the third device (i.e., the first moment).

[0630] Optionally, the duration of the eighth time period is the same as the seventh time period. This seventh time period can be equal to the duration of the seventh time period, or it can be the fifth preset time period (i.e., the default set time period), or it can be the time period indicated by the third resource configuration information sent to the first device when the third device disconnects from the first device. This embodiment of the application does not strictly limit this. For example, the third resource configuration information can be information from a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message.

[0631] Specifically, when the first device is disconnected from the third device, if the current time is within the eighth time period, the first device can communicate with the second device. Conversely, if the current time is not within the eighth time period, the first device will stop communicating with the second device.

[0632] Optionally, during the seventh time period, if the first device disconnects from the third device at the first instant, the first device can restart the first timer at the first instant, meaning the first timer can restart counting from the first instant. If the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period, the first device and the second device can still communicate; if the duration of the first timer is greater than the duration of the seventh time period, the first device stops the first timer, thereby stopping communication with the second device. For an explanation of the principle behind the first device controlling the communication process with the second device through the first timer, please refer to the corresponding explanation above, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that in this optional embodiment, the duration of the eighth time period is equal to the duration of the seventh time period.

[0633] Alternatively, during the seventh time period, if the first device disconnects from the third device at the first moment, the first device can stop the first timer and start the second timer. If the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the eighth time period, the first device and the second device can still communicate; if the duration of the first timer is greater than the duration of the eighth time period, the first device stops the second timer, thereby stopping communication with the second device. Further optionally, the second timer can be timer T300, timer T301, timer T304, timer T311, or timer T319. For an explanation of the above timers, please refer to the corresponding explanation in step S1102 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0634] It is understood that in this optional implementation, the duration of the eighth time period can be the fifth preset duration (i.e., the default duration), or it can be the duration indicated by the XXth indication information sent to the first device when the third device disconnects from the first device.

[0635] It is understandable that, starting from a certain point within the seventh time period, the first device loses its communication connection with the third device. The second timer can then be started during the eighth time period, allowing the first device to continue communicating with the second device until the eighth time period ends. Since the start of the eighth time period coincides with the start of the disconnection between the first and third devices, the communication between the first and second devices will not be interrupted by this disconnection.

[0636] In other words, when the first device and the third device are disconnected, if the second timer is in the start state (i.e., the current time is in the eighth time period), the first device can communicate with the second device; if the second timer is in the stop state (i.e., the current time is not in the eighth time period), the first device can stop communicating with the second device.

[0637] For an explanation of "being in a state of disconnected communication", please refer to the corresponding explanation in step S1102, which will not be repeated here.

[0638] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first device (such as a reader / writer) can communicate with the second device during the seventh time period based on the communication resources configured by the third device. Furthermore, after the first device disconnects from the third device at a certain point during the seventh time period, it can continue communicating with the second device during the eighth time period. Since the start time of the eighth time period coincides with the start time of the disconnection between the first and third devices during the seventh time period, in this embodiment, the communication between the first and second devices will not be interrupted by the disconnection of the communication connection between the first and third devices. This is beneficial for ensuring the continuity of data transmission and / or service continuity in the communication between the first and second devices (such as A-IoT communication).

[0639] It should be noted that the methods provided in the embodiments of this application described above are based on examples of execution by a first device, a second device, and a third device. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the steps executed by the first device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the first device. The steps executed by the second device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the second device. The steps executed by the third device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the third device.

[0640] The following describes the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0641] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 140 includes a processing module 1401 and a transceiver module 1402. The transceiver module 1402 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1401 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 1402 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0642] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first device, second device, or third device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1402 is used to perform transceiver-related operations performed by the first device, second device, or third device in the above method embodiments. For example, the transmitting end can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The processing module 1401 is used to perform processing-related operations performed by the first device, second device, or third device in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1401 can perform corresponding operations by calling a computer program or by performing corresponding operations through corresponding hardware circuits. The transceiver module 1402 can perform transceiver operations independently or under the control of the processing module 1401.

[0643] For example, the communication device 140 shown in FIG13 can be the first device or a component in the first device in the method embodiment above. The transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can perform the following operations:

[0644] The transceiver module 1402 is used to send first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of a first time period;

[0645] The transceiver module 1402 is used to communicate with the third device during a second time period, wherein the second time period is part of the first time period;

[0646] The first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of sending the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of receiving the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0647] Alternatively, the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of sending the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0648] In one alternative implementation, after the second time period ends, the transceiver module 1402 is used to send a second message to the second device or receive a second message from the second device.

[0649] In another alternative implementation, the first device communicates with the second device through a first air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device through a second air interface, wherein the first air interface and the second air interface are different.

[0650] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0651] Send a second indication message, wherein the second indication message is used to indicate a third duration by means of a third time offset, the third time offset being the time difference between the third duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, and the third duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period;

[0652] And / or, the second indication information is used to indicate a fourth duration by means of a fourth time offset, the fourth time offset being the time difference between the fourth duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, the fourth duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0653] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0654] Send a third instruction message to a third device, wherein the third instruction message is used to request communication with the first device.

[0655] In another alternative implementation, regarding communication with the third device during the second time period, the transceiver module 1402 is specifically used during the second time period:

[0656] The first data is sent from the third device to the fourth device, wherein the first data is contained in the first message;

[0657] The second data is received from the fourth device via the third device, wherein the second data is contained in the second message.

[0658] In another alternative implementation, before receiving the second data from the fourth device via the third device, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to:

[0659] Receive one or more of the following from the third and / or fifth devices: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data.

[0660] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0661] Upon receiving the second data, communication with the third device is suspended or paused.

[0662] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0663] Receive a fourth instruction message from the third device, wherein the fourth instruction message is used to suspend or pause communication with the third device.

[0664] Reusing Figure 13, by way of example, the communication device 140 shown in Figure 13 can be the first device or a component in the first device in the method embodiment described above. The transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can perform the following operations:

[0665] The transceiver module 1402 is used to receive second resource configuration information from the third device, wherein the second resource configuration information is used to indicate the communication resources for communication between the communication device 140 and the second device, and the communication resources include a seventh time period.

[0666] The transceiver module 1402 is configured to communicate with the second device during a seventh time period when the communication device 140 is in a state of disconnection from the third device. In an alternative implementation, the communication device 140 is in a state of disconnection from the third device when a handover operation is performed or a radio link failure (RLF) is detected.

[0667] In another alternative implementation, regarding communication with the second device during the seventh time period, the transceiver module 1402 is specifically used to: communicate with the second device if the current time is within the seventh time period.

[0668] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0669] If the current time is not within the seventh time period, communication with the second device is suspended or interrupted.

[0670] In yet another alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0671] Processing module 1401 is used to start a first timer at the beginning of the seventh time period, wherein the current time is within the seventh time period if the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period.

[0672] In yet another alternative implementation, the processing module 1401 is also used for:

[0673] If the duration of the first timer exceeds the duration of the seventh time period, the first timer is stopped, provided that the current time is not within the seventh time period when the first timer is stopped.

[0674] Reusing Figure 13, by way of example, the communication device 140 shown in Figure 13 can be the second device or a component in the second device in the method embodiment described above. The transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can perform the following operations:

[0675] The transceiver module 1402 is used to receive first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of a first time period, the first time period is the time period between the first device sending a first message and receiving a second message from the second device, or the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving a first message from the second device and sending a second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0676] The transceiver module 1402 is used to send the second message to the first device according to the first instruction information, or to receive the second message from the first device.

[0677] In one alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to:

[0678] Receive second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate a third duration by means of a third time offset, the third time offset being the time difference between the third duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, and the third duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period;

[0679] And / or, the second indication information is used to indicate a fourth duration by means of a fourth time offset, the fourth time offset being the time difference between the fourth duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, the fourth duration being less than the maximum duration of the first time period.

[0680] Reusing Figure 13, by way of example, the communication device 140 shown in Figure 13 can be the third device or a component in the third device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 1402 in the communication device 140 can perform the following operations:

[0681] The transceiver module 1402 is used to receive third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used to request communication with the first device;

[0682] The transceiver module 1402 is used to communicate with the first device during a second time period, wherein the second time period is part of the first time period;

[0683] The first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device sending the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device receiving the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0684] Alternatively, the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message. The start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device sending the second message. The second message is used to respond to the first message.

[0685] In one alternative implementation, regarding communication with the first device during the second time period, the transceiver module 1402 is specifically used for:

[0686] Send first data from the first device to the fourth device, wherein the first data is contained in the first message;

[0687] Send second data from the fourth device to the first device, wherein the second data is contained in the second message.

[0688] In another alternative implementation, before sending the second data from the fourth device to the first device, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to:

[0689] Send one or more of the following to the first device: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data.

[0690] In yet another alternative implementation, the transceiver module 1402 is also used for:

[0691] Send a fourth instruction message, wherein the fourth instruction message is used to suspend or halt communication with the first device.

[0692] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module 1402 shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module 1402, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be detailed here. The explanations of the technical terms (such as first indication information, second indication information, third indication information, fourth indication information, etc.) involved in the above embodiments can also be referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be detailed here.

[0693] The communication device according to the embodiments of this application has been described above. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. Any product possessing the functions of the communication device shown in FIG13 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0694] The following description is merely an example and does not limit the product form of the communication device in the embodiments of this application to this.

[0695] In one possible implementation, in the communication device 140 shown in FIG13, the processing module 1401 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1402 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1402 may also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the aforementioned information, the information may need to undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0696] As shown in Figure 14, the communication device 150 includes one or more processors 1502 and transceivers 1501. Exemplarily, the transceiver 1501 is used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in Figure 13, and the processor 1502 is used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in Figure 13. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1502 and transceiver 1501 can be found in Figure 13 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0697] The descriptions of the relevant steps and information in the above embodiments can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments above, and will not be detailed here.

[0698] In various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 14, the transceiver may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0699] Optionally, the communication device 150 may further include one or more memories 1503 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1503 is coupled to the processor 1502. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1502 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1503. The processor 1502 can execute program instructions stored in the memory 1503. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0700] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1501, processor 1502, and memory 1503. In Figure 14, the memory 1503, processor 1502, and transceiver 1501 are connected via a bus 1504, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be classified as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 14, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0701] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0702] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0703] Processor 1502 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. Memory 1503 is primarily used for storing software programs and data. Transceiver 1501 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0704] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1502 can read the software program in the memory 1503, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1502 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1502. The processor 1502 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0705] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0706] The communication device shown in this application embodiment may also have more components than those in Figure 14, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above.

[0707] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG13, the processing module 1401 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1402 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1402 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface. As shown in FIG15, the communication device 160 shown in FIG15 includes a logic circuit 1601 and an interface 1602. That is, the above-mentioned processing module 1401 can be implemented with logic circuit 1601, and the transceiver module 1402 can be implemented with interface 1602. Among them, the logic circuit 1601 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1602 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, FIG15 illustrates the above-mentioned communication device as a chip, which includes logic circuit 1601 and interface 1602.

[0708] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1601 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in FIG. 13, and the interface 1602 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in FIG. 13. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1601 and the interface 1602, please refer to FIG. 14 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0709] The above description of the communication device is only an example. For a detailed description of the communication device shown in Figure 15, please refer to the above method embodiments or Figure 13 or Figure 14. It will not be described in detail here.

[0710] The communication device shown in the embodiments of this application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in hardware form, or it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in software form, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0711] The descriptions of relevant steps and information in the above embodiments can be found in the method embodiments described above, and will not be detailed here. For the specific implementation methods of the embodiments shown in Figure 15, please also refer to the above embodiments, which will not be detailed here.

[0712] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a first device, a second device, and a third device. The first device, the second device, and the third device interact with each other. The first device is used to perform all or part of the operations of the first device in any of the foregoing method embodiments, and the second device is used to perform all or part of the operations of the second device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0713] In addition, this application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various computing resource management devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0714] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various computing resource management devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0715] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0716] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices, or units, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0717] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0718] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0719] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part requiring creative effort, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0720] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application is for distinguishing multiple objects, and is not for limiting the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects, such as first device and first message.

[0721] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first device, the method includes: Send first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of a first time period; Communication with a third device occurs during a second time period, wherein the second time period is part of the first time period; Wherein, the first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of sending the first message, the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of receiving the second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message; Alternatively, the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of sending the second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: After the second time period ends, send a second message to the second device or receive a second message from the second device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first device communicates with the second device through a first air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device through a second air interface. The first air interface and the second air interface are different.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The first message is a message sent by the first device to the second device, and the second message is a message sent by the second device to the first device in response to the first message; Alternatively, the first message may be a message sent by the second device to the first device, and the second message may be a message sent by the first device to the second device in response to the first message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period, including: The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum duration of the first time period by means of a first time offset, wherein the first time offset is the time difference between the fifth duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, and the fifth duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period; And / or, the first indication information is used to indicate the minimum length of the first time period by a second time offset, the second time offset being the time difference between a sixth duration and the minimum length of the first time period, the sixth duration being less than the minimum length of the first time period.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third instruction message to the third device, wherein the third instruction message is used to request communication with the first device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third indication information includes the first data in the first message.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The communication with the third device during the second time period includes the following: The third device sends first data to the fourth device, wherein the first data is included in the first message; The third device receives second data from the fourth device, wherein the second data is contained in the second message.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Before receiving the second data from the fourth device via the third device, the method further includes: Receive one or more of the following from the third and / or fifth devices: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Upon receiving the second data, communication with the third device is suspended or paused.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a fourth instruction message from the third device, wherein the fourth instruction message is used to suspend or pause communication with the third device.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second device, the method includes: Receive first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of a first time period, the first time period is the time period between the first device sending a first message and receiving a second message from the second device, or the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving a first message from the second device and sending a second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message; The second message is sent to the first device according to the first instruction information, or the second message is received from the first device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum and / or minimum duration of the first time period, including: The first indication information is used to indicate the maximum duration of the first time period by means of a first time offset, wherein the first time offset is the time difference between the fifth duration and the maximum duration of the first time period, and the fifth duration is less than the maximum duration of the first time period; And / or, the first indication information is used to indicate the minimum length of the first time period by a second time offset, the second time offset being the time difference between a sixth duration and the minimum length of the first time period, the sixth duration being less than the minimum length of the first time period.

14. The method according to any one of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The step of sending the second message to the first device according to the first indication information, or receiving the second message from the first device, includes: According to the first instruction information, stop sending the second message to the first device or stop receiving the second message from the first device during the first time period.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The step of transmitting the second message to the first device according to the first indication information includes: According to the first instruction information, at the end of the first time period, the sending of the second message to the first device is resumed, or the receiving of the second message from the first device is resumed.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a third device, the method includes: Receive a third instruction message, wherein the third instruction message is used to request communication with the first device; Communicating with the first device during a second time period, wherein the second time period is part of the first time period; Wherein, the first time period is the time period between the first device sending the first message and receiving the second message from the second device, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device sending the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device receiving the second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message; Alternatively, the first time period is the time period between the first device receiving the first message from the second device and sending the second message, the start time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first device receiving the first message, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first device sending the second message, and the second message is used to respond to the first message.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The communication with the first device during the second time period includes the following: Send first data from the first device to the fourth device, wherein the first data is contained in the first message; Send second data from the fourth device to the first device, wherein the second data is contained in the second message.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, Before sending the second data from the fourth device to the first device, the method further includes: Send one or more of the following to the first device: scheduling information, synchronization information, reference information, downlink control information (DCI), and downlink data.

19. The method according to any one of claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a fourth instruction message, wherein the fourth instruction message is used to suspend or halt communication with the first device.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first device, the method includes: Receive second resource configuration information from a third device, wherein the second resource configuration information is used to indicate communication resources for communication between the first device and the second device, and the communication resources include a seventh time period; While the first device is disconnected from the third device, it communicates with the second device during the seventh time period.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that: In the event of a handover operation or a wireless link failure (RLF) is detected, the first device is in a state of disconnected communication with the third device.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, During the seventh time period, communication with the second device includes: If the current time falls within the seventh time period, communication is established with the second device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the current time is not within the seventh time period, communication with the second device is paused or suspended.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first timer is started at the beginning of the seventh time period, wherein the current time is within the seventh time period if the duration of the first timer is less than or equal to the duration of the seventh time period.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the duration of the first timer is greater than the duration of the seventh time period, the first timer is stopped, wherein the current time is not within the seventh time period when the first timer is stopped.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-25; or, the communication device includes a processor configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes logic circuitry and an interface, the interface being used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuitry being used to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first device, a second device, and a third device, wherein the first device is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, the second device is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 12-15, and the third device is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 16-19.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer code or a computer program, which, when run, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

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