Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus. In the method, a terminal may send first information to an access network node, or receive the first information from the access network node, wherein the first information is mapped to eight second time units comprised in a first time unit, and the duration of one second time unit is 1 ms. The first time unit is a first time unit among a plurality of first time units that is located after a first time domain position. The plurality of first time units are arranged in a time domain with a period of 90 ms. By means of the method, the terminal can determine, on the basis of the first time domain position and time domain positions of the plurality of first time units, a first time unit to which the first information is mapped, such that the terminal communicates with the access network node by using appropriate time domain resources in a scenario in which there are a large number of non-schedulable time domain resources in a frame structure period.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510127897.2, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 27, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Compared to terrestrial networks (TN), satellite communications offer wider coverage and are less susceptible to damage from external forces and natural disasters. Therefore, the integration of satellite and terrestrial communications, leveraging their respective strengths and compensating for their weaknesses, forms a seamless global communication network encompassing land, sea, air, and space. This integrated network aims to meet the diverse and ubiquitous service needs of users and represents a crucial direction for future communication development.

[0004] To achieve the integration of satellite and terrestrial communications, a scheme is proposed to apply the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard to satellite constellations. Currently, some satellites use a frame structure period of 90 milliseconds (ms). This 90ms includes one simple time slot, four uplink slots, four downlink slots, and multiple guard intervals. The simple time slot is used to transmit broadcast information, occupying a duration of 20.32ms. Each downlink slot occupies the same duration as each uplink slot, 8.28ms.

[0005] Satellite systems typically configure one downlink and one uplink segment within the aforementioned frame structure period for communication with the terminal, with the remaining segments not used for communication. Under this configuration, within a 90ms frame structure period, the terminal has 8.28ms to receive downlink signals and 8.28ms to transmit uplink signals, leaving the remaining time resources unallocated to the terminal. In other words, a significant amount of time-domain resources within the aforementioned frame structure period cannot be allocated to the terminal. The 3GPP standard does not address resource scheduling methods for this scenario. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables a terminal to communicate with an access network node using appropriate time-domain resources in scenarios where there are a large number of unschedulable time-domain resources in the frame structure period.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] Firstly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a communication device. In one scenario, the communication device is a terminal-side device, such as a terminal or a communication / processing module within a terminal, or a circuit or chip within a terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip within a terminal responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). In another scenario, the communication device is a network-side device, such as a network-side access network node, a module within an access network node (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network node's functions.

[0009] The method includes receiving or sending first information. The first information is mapped within a first time unit, which is the first time unit located after a first time domain position among N first time units, where N is an integer greater than 1. The N first time units are arranged in the time domain with a period of 90ms. Each first time unit includes 8 second time units, and the duration of each second time unit is 1ms.

[0010] Based on the method provided in the first aspect above, if the first information is sent by a communication device, the communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information based on the first time domain position and the positions of N first time units, and thus send the first information in that first time unit. If the first information is received by a communication device, the communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information based on the first time domain position and the positions of N first time units, and thus receive the first information in that first time unit. Therefore, the above method enables the communication device to use appropriate time domain resources for communication in scenarios where there are a large number of unschedulable time domain resources in the frame structure period (such as the 90ms mentioned above).

[0011] In one possible implementation, receiving or sending the first information includes: receiving or sending the first information when there is no resource conflict in the first time unit of mapping the first information.

[0012] Based on the above implementation method, resource conflicts can be avoided in the first time unit.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first time unit for mapping the first information does not have resource conflicts, including: the second information to be mapped does not exist in the first time unit for mapping the first information; or, the position where the first information is mapped in the first time unit is not exactly the same as the position where the second information is mapped in the first time unit.

[0014] Based on the above implementation, if there is no second information to be mapped in the first time unit that maps the first information, or if the position of the first information mapped in the first time unit is not exactly the same as the position of the second information mapped in the first time unit, then the communication device can determine that there is no resource conflict in the first time unit that maps the first information.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information are the same, but the indices of the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information and the second information are different; or, the first information and the second information are the same, but the transmission periods corresponding to the first information and the second information are different.

[0016] Based on the above implementation, the method provided in the first aspect can be applied to scenarios where the first information is repeatedly sent, or to scenarios where the first information is sent periodically.

[0017] In one possible implementation, there are M first time units between the first time domain location and the first time unit that maps the first information, and all M first time units have resource conflicts, where M is a positive integer less than N-1.

[0018] Based on the above implementation, when resource conflicts exist in all M first time units, the first information can be mapped to the first time unit after the M first time units to avoid resource conflicts.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first time unit that maps the first information is the first time unit located after the first time domain position among N first time units.

[0020] Based on the above implementation, if there is no resource conflict in the first time unit, the communication device maps the first information onto that first time unit. If there is a resource conflict in the first time unit, the communication device still maps the first information onto that first time unit, and other information with resource conflicts, such as the second information, is discarded, that is, the sender of the second information does not send it, and the receiver of the second information does not receive it.

[0021] In one possible implementation, N first time units belong to N different first radio frames, and a first radio frame includes 90 second time units. The 8 second time units included in the first time units of a first radio frame are the second time units among the 90 second time units that satisfy the first condition.

[0022] Based on the above implementation, if the first information is sent by the communication device, the communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information to based on the first condition; if the first information is received by the communication device, the communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information to based on the first condition.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first condition relates to the length of the first radio frame, the indexes of the eight second time units in the first radio frame, and a first offset; or, the first condition relates to one or more of the indexes of the second time units mapping the main information block, the second time units mapping the secondary synchronization signal, the second time units mapping the main synchronization signal, or the second time units mapping system information block 1, and a second offset; or, the first condition relates to the length of the first radio frame, the indexes of the third time units to which the eight second time units belong, the indexes of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and a third offset, wherein a first radio frame includes nine third time units, and a third time unit includes ten second time units.

[0024] Based on the above implementation, if the first information is sent by the communication device, the communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information to according to the above method; if the first information is received by the communication device, the communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information to according to the above method.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the indices of the eight second time units are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0; or, the indices of the eight second time units are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, and 1; or, the indices of the eight second time units are 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; or, the indices of the eight second time units are 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0026] In the four designs described above, the indices of the eight second downlink time units all include 0, 4, 5, and 9. Typically, the primary information block is mapped to the second time unit with index 0, the secondary synchronization signal to the second time unit with index 9, the primary synchronization signal to the second time unit with index 5, and system information block 1 to the second time unit with index 4. Therefore, the above implementation allows the primary information block, secondary synchronization signal, primary synchronization signal, or system information block 1 to be mapped to the eight second time units, enabling the receiver to receive the data.

[0027] In one possible implementation, N first time units belong to N different first radio frames, one first radio frame includes 9 third time units, and one third time unit includes 10 second time units; the 8 second time units included in the first time unit of a first radio frame belong to one third time unit, or belong to two third time units.

[0028] Based on the above implementation, the eight second time units included in the first time unit can belong to one third time unit or two third time units, so that the positions of the eight second time units in the first radio frame are more flexible and diverse.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving or sending first indication information; when the eight second time units belong to one third time unit, the first indication information indicates the one third time unit; when the eight second time units belong to two third time units, the first indication information indicates the two third time units.

[0030] Based on the above implementation, the device that receives the first instruction information can determine which third time unit or which two third time units the eight second time units are located in.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information indicating eight second time units, such as indicating which of the aforementioned one or two third time units are these eight second time units.

[0032] Based on the above implementation method, the device that receives the second instruction information can determine the time domain position of the eight second time units.

[0033] In one possible implementation, N first time units belong to N different first radio frames; the period of the first information is X fourth time units, one first radio frame includes 90 second time units, and the fourth time unit is a second time unit belonging to the first time unit among the 90 second time units, where X is a positive integer; or, the period of the first information is Y fifth time units, one first radio frame includes 9 third time units, one third time unit includes 10 second time units, the fifth time unit is one of the 9 third time units, and some of the second time units included in the fifth time unit belong to the first time unit, where Y is a positive integer.

[0034] Based on the above implementation, the communication device can send / receive the first information at a period of X fourth time units, or at a period of Y fifth time units.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the first time-domain position is determined based on the time-domain position of the mapped third information and the fourth offset, and the third information is used to schedule the first information.

[0036] Based on the above implementation, the communication device can determine the first time domain position according to the time domain position of the mapped third information and the fourth offset, and then determine on which first time unit the first information is mapped according to the first time domain position.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving or sending third indication information, which is used to indicate a first time-domain location.

[0038] Based on the above implementation, the device that receives the third instruction information can determine the first time domain position, and then determine on which first time unit the first information is mapped, or determine on which first time unit the first information is mapped.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first information includes paging messages, control information, system messages, data information, broadcast messages, or uplink random access signals.

[0040] Based on the above implementation method, the communication device can send or receive the above information through the first time unit.

[0041] Secondly, a communication device is provided for implementing the method provided in the first aspect. This communication device can be a terminal-side device or a network-side device as described in the first aspect. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module and a communication module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be, for example, a processor. The communication module may also be referred to as an interface unit, used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication module may include interface circuitry, a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a communication interface.

[0043] In one possible implementation, a processing module is used to control the communication module to receive or send first information, which is mapped in a first time unit. The first time unit is a first time unit located after a first time domain position among N first time units, where N is an integer greater than 1. The N first time units are arranged in the time domain with a period of 90ms. One first time unit includes 8 second time units, and the duration of one second time unit is 1ms.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to control the communication module to receive or send the first information when there is no resource conflict in the first time unit that maps the first information.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the first time unit for mapping the first information does not have resource conflicts, including: the second information to be mapped does not exist in the first time unit for mapping the first information; or, the position where the first information is mapped in the first time unit is not exactly the same as the position where the second information is mapped in the first time unit.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information are the same, but the indices of the repetition counts corresponding to the first information and the second information are different; or, the first information and the second information are the same, but the transmission periods corresponding to the first information and the second information are different.

[0047] In one possible implementation, there are M first time units between the first time domain location and the first time unit mapping the first information, and all M first time units have resource conflicts, where M is a positive integer less than N-1.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the first time unit that maps the first information is the first time unit located after the first time domain position among the N first time units.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the N first time units belong to N different first radio frames, and a first radio frame includes 90 second time units. The 8 second time units included in the first time units of the first radio frame are the second time units that satisfy the first condition among the 90 second time units.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first condition is related to the length of the first radio frame, the indexes of the eight second time units in the first radio frame, and a first offset; or, the first condition is related to one or more of the indexes of the second time units mapping the main information block, the second time units mapping the secondary synchronization signal, the second time units mapping the main synchronization signal, or the second time units mapping system information block 1, and a second offset; or, the first condition is related to the length of the first radio frame, the indexes of the third time units to which the eight second time units belong, the indexes of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and a third offset, wherein a first radio frame includes nine third time units, and a third time unit includes ten second time units.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the indices of the eight second time units are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0; or, the indices of the eight second time units are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, and 1; or, the indices of the eight second time units are 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; or, the indices of the eight second time units are 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the N first time units belong to N different first radio frames, one first radio frame includes 9 third time units, and one third time unit includes 10 second time units; the 8 second time units included in the first time unit of one first radio frame belong to one third time unit, or belong to two third time units.

[0053] In one possible implementation, a communication module is used to receive or send first indication information; when the eight second time units belong to one third time unit, the first indication information indicates the one third time unit; when the eight second time units belong to two third time units, the first indication information indicates the two third time units.

[0054] In one possible implementation, a communication module is used to receive second indication information, which indicates the eight second time units.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the N first time units belong to N different first radio frames; the period of the first information is X fourth time units, and one first radio frame includes 90 second time units, where the fourth time unit is a second time unit belonging to the first time unit among the 90 second time units, and X is a positive integer; or, the period of the first information is Y fifth time units, one first radio frame includes 9 third time units, one third time unit includes 10 second time units, the fifth time unit is one of the 9 third time units, and some of the second time units included in the fifth time unit belong to the first time unit, where Y is a positive integer.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the first time-domain position is determined based on the time-domain position of the mapped third information and a fourth offset, the third information being used to schedule the first information.

[0057] In one possible implementation, a communication module is used to receive or send third indication information, which is used to indicate the first time domain location.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the first information includes paging messages, control information, system messages, data information, broadcast messages, or uplink random access signals.

[0059] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor being configured to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the preceding aspects by executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, and / or by means of logic circuitry. The communication device may be the communication device described in the first aspect.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the number of the aforementioned processors can be one or more.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory. The processor and memory are integrated together; alternatively, the memory is independent of the processor.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the processor and / or memory also include an artificial intelligence (AI) module for implementing AI-related functions. The AI ​​module can implement AI functions through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI ​​module may include a radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) module. The AI ​​module could be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0065] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is configured to receive a computer program or instructions and transmit them to the processor; the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method described in any of the preceding aspects. The communication device may be the communication device described in the first aspect above.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the number of the aforementioned processors can be one or more.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the processor also includes an AI module for implementing AI-related functions. The AI ​​module can implement AI functions through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI ​​module may include a RIC module. The AI ​​module could be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0069] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the methods described in any of the preceding aspects.

[0070] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided that, when run on a computer, enables the computer to perform the methods described in any of the preceding aspects.

[0071] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising one or more of the following: a terminal-side device for performing the method described in the first aspect, or a network-side device for performing the method described in the first aspect.

[0072] The technical effects of any possible implementation of aspects two through seven can be found in the technical effects of different possible implementations of aspects one or any one of the above aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0073] Understandably, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other, the solutions in the above aspects can be combined. Attached Figure Description

[0074] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the frame structure used by the satellite;

[0075] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the frame structure adopted by the 3GPP standard;

[0076] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of the communication system architecture provided in this application;

[0077] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the satellite communication scenario provided in this application;

[0078] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application;

[0079] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the first time unit in the time domain provided in this application;

[0080] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the first time unit, the second time unit, and the third time unit in the first wireless frame provided in this application;

[0081] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between the first wireless frame and the uplink and downlink time periods provided in this application;

[0082] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between the first wireless frame and the uplink and downlink time periods provided in this application (II).

[0083] Figure 6C is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between the first wireless frame and the uplink and downlink time periods provided in this application.

[0084] Figure 6D is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between the first wireless frame and the uplink and downlink time periods provided in this application.

[0085] Figure 7 is a block diagram of the communication device provided in this application;

[0086] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0087] Satellite communication can utilize high-orbit, medium-orbit, and low-orbit satellites to achieve wide-area or even global coverage, providing seamless communication services to users worldwide. In terrestrial communication networks, access network nodes are closer to terminals, resulting in shorter data transmission latency and faster data transmission rates. Therefore, integrating satellite and terrestrial communication can provide users with more comprehensive and higher-quality services.

[0088] For example, in remote areas where terrestrial communication cannot reach, on airplanes, or on ocean-going ships, satellites can provide economical and reliable network services, extending the network to places where terrestrial communication cannot reach. As another example, satellites can provide continuous and uninterrupted network connectivity for users on mobile platforms such as IoT devices, airplanes, ships, trains, or cars. The integration of satellite and terrestrial communication can significantly enhance the service capabilities of terrestrial communication in this regard. Furthermore, satellites have superior broadcast / multicast capabilities, providing efficient data distribution services to users, including those at the network edge.

[0089] In addition, current satellite communications also exhibit the following two characteristics: (1) Satellite access terminals are becoming increasingly smaller. For example, satellites can now support access from terminals including mobile phones. (2) Broadband communication services are becoming more common. For example, in addition to traditional narrowband voice services, satellites can also provide high-speed data services and Internet multimedia communication services.

[0090] In conclusion, the integration of satellite and terrestrial communications, leveraging their respective strengths and compensating for their weaknesses, together form a globally seamless, integrated communication network that covers land, sea, air, and space, meeting users' diverse and ubiquitous business needs. This represents an important direction for the future development of communications.

[0091] To achieve the integration of satellite and terrestrial communications, a scheme applying 3GPP standards to satellite constellations has been proposed. Currently, some satellites (such as Iridium satellites) can adopt the frame structure shown in Figure 1A. In Figure 1A, the satellite frame structure period is 90ms, specifically including one one-way time slot, four uplink time periods (e.g., uplink time period 0 to uplink time period 3), four downlink time periods (e.g., downlink time period 0 to downlink time period 3), and multiple guard intervals. The one-way time slot occupies 20.32ms and can be used for satellite broadcast information. Each uplink time period occupies 8.28ms and can be used for terminal uplink signal transmission. Each downlink time period also occupies 8.28ms and can be used for satellite downlink signal transmission.

[0092] The 3GPP standard uses a frame structure period of 10ms, meaning that the duration of a radio frame (also called a system frame) is 10ms. A radio frame can include 10 subframes, such as subframe 0 to subframe 9, and the duration of each subframe is 1ms. For example, Figure 1B shows the radio frames included in 90ms, such as radio frames 0 to 8, a total of 9 radio frames, and the 10 subframes contained in radio frame 0.

[0093] Satellite systems typically configure a frame structure period (90ms as shown in Figure 1A) with one downlink segment and one uplink segment for communication with the terminal, and the remaining segments are not used for communication. Under this configuration, within a 90ms frame structure period, the terminal has 8.28ms to receive downlink signals and 8.28ms to send uplink signals. However, 3GPP standards, such as the Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication standard, usually use 1ms subframes as a basic scheduling time unit. Therefore, within 90ms, the terminal actually has 8ms to receive downlink signals and 8ms to send uplink signals, leaving 74ms unscheduled for the terminal. In other words, a large amount of resources cannot be scheduled for the terminal within 90ms. The 3GPP standard does not address resource scheduling methods for this scenario.

[0094] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a communication method and apparatus, offering corresponding resource scheduling methods for the aforementioned communication scenarios. The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] The method provided in this application can be used in various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a 3GPP-related communication system, a communication system evolving after 5G, or a system integrating multiple systems, etc., without limitation. Among them, 5G can also be referred to as new radio (NR). The method provided in this application will be described below using the communication system 10 shown in Figure 2A as an example. Figure 2A is only a schematic diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solution provided in this application.

[0096] Figure 2A shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 provided in this application. In Figure 2A, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one access network node (110a and 110b in Figure 2A, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 2A, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other access network nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 2A). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to access network node 110. Access network node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and access network node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0097] RAN 100 can be a 3GPP-related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. RAN 100 can also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0098] Access network node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN node, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple access network nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types.

[0099] In one possible scenario, access network nodes can be base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), next-generation eNBs (ng-eNBs) in LTE, base stations (gNodeBs or gNBs) in NR, access points (APs), transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems. Access network nodes can be macro base stations (as shown in Figure 2A, 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 2A, 110b), relay nodes or donor nodes, or radio controllers in CRAN scenarios. Access network nodes can also be network equipment in mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems, such as those deployed on low-altitude platforms, high-altitude platforms, or satellites. Optionally, access network nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the access network equipment can be a roadside unit (RSU). In some scenarios, the roles of access network node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, a helicopter or drone that is usually configured as a terminal can also be configured as a mobile base station, and a device that accesses the RAN via a helicopter or drone is configured as a terminal.

[0100] In another possible scenario, multiple access network nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each access network node performing some of the functions of the base station. Specifically, the access network nodes can be centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), or radio units (RU), etc.

[0101] In this application, the CU can implement the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer in the 3GPP standard. The CU can also implement the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer. The DU can implement the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer in the 3GPP standard. The DU can also implement some or all of the physical layer functions, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, or modulation / demodulation. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception functions. The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). It is understood that the CU can be classified as a network device in the access network or a network device in the core network; no limitation is made here. Furthermore, the CU can be further divided into the CU-control plane (CP) and the CU-user plane (UP). The CU-CP implements the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer. The CU-UP implements the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0102] In this application, the RU can be included in a radio frequency (RF) device or RF unit, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). The RU can implement some physical layer functions and RF functions in the 3GPP standard. The physical layer functions implemented by the RU 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).

[0103] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0104] Terminal 120 can be a device or module that is connected to the aforementioned communication system 10 and has corresponding communication functions. Terminal 120 can be deployed on land, including indoors, outdoors, handheld, or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). A terminal can also be called a terminal device, which can be user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), or any device used to provide voice or data connectivity to a user. UE includes handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains), wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers), or computing devices. For example, a UE can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, PDA, mobile internet device (MID), satellite terminal, or computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. UE can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless modem, a point-of-sale (POS) machine, customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart robot, a robotic arm, workshop equipment, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in intelligent transportation, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, an in-vehicle terminal, an RSU with terminal functionality, or flying equipment (e.g., a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. A terminal can also be other devices with terminal functionality; for example, a terminal can be a device that acts as a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0105] By way of example and not limitation, in this application, the terminal can be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into a user's clothing or accessories. For example, wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also devices that achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include devices that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as devices that focus on only one type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0106] In this application, the terminal can be a terminal in an Internet of Things (IoT) system or a terminal in an NB-IoT system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks via communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and machine-to-machine interconnection. The terminal in this application can be a terminal in machine-type communication (MTC).

[0107] The terminal in this application can be an on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, on-board unit (OBU), or telematics box (T-BOX) built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, on-board unit, or T-BOX. The terminal can also be a complete vehicle device. Therefore, this application can be applied to vehicle networking, such as V2X, long-term evolution vehicle (LTE-V) communication technology, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication.

[0108] In one embodiment, the above-described communication system 10 can be applied to satellite communication scenarios, for example, to the satellite communication scenario shown in Figure 2B.

[0109] The satellite communication scenario shown in Figure 2B includes a terminal 202, a satellite 201 communicating with the terminal 202 via an air interface, a ground station communicating with the satellite 201 via an NG interface, a core network 205 communicating with the ground station via an NG interface, and a data network communicating with the core network 205. This satellite communication scenario also includes a satellite 203 communicating with the satellite 201 via an Xn interface and a terminal 204 communicating with the satellite 203 via an air interface.

[0110] In Figure 2B, both satellites 201 and 203 function as base stations. For example, satellite 201 (or satellite 203) can provide wireless access services, allocate wireless resources to the accessing terminal 202 (or terminal 204), and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc.

[0111] The core network 205 may possess one or more of the following functions: user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, or accounting. In one embodiment, the core network 205 includes multiple functional units. For example, the core network 205 may be divided into control plane functional entities and data plane functional entities. Control plane functional entities may include access and mobility management units, such as access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements. AMF network elements can be responsible for at least one function among user access management, security authentication, or mobility management. Data plane functional entities may include user plane units, such as user plane function (UPF) network elements. UPF network elements can be responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions.

[0112] The ground station in Figure 2B can be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite 201 (or satellite 203) and core network 205.

[0113] In addition, the air interface is the wireless link between the terminal and the base station. The Xn interface is the interface between base stations, which can be used for signaling exchanges such as handover. The NG interface is the interface between the base station and the core network, which can exchange non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network, as well as user service data, etc.

[0114] It is understandable that the access network node 110 in the communication system 10 corresponds to the satellite 201 in Figure 2B and can have the functions of the satellite 201; the terminal 120 in the communication system 10 corresponds to the terminal 202 in Figure 2B and can have the functions of the terminal 202; the core network 200 in the communication system 10 corresponds to the core network 205 in Figure 2B and can have the functions of the core network 205; or, the access network node 110 in the communication system 10 corresponds to the satellite 203 in Figure 2B and can have the functions of the satellite 203; the terminal 120 in the communication system 10 corresponds to the terminal 204 in Figure 2B and can have the functions of the terminal 204; the core network 200 in the communication system 10 corresponds to the core network 205 in Figure 2B and can have the functions of the core network 205.

[0115] It is understood that the communication system 10 shown in Figure 2A is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the technical solutions of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in specific implementations, the communication system 10 may also include other devices, and the number of access network nodes and terminals can be determined according to specific needs without limitation. Furthermore, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0116] Optionally, each network element or device in Figure 2A of this application (such as access network node 110 or terminal 120, etc.) may also be referred to as a communication device, which may be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. This application does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0117] Optionally, the functions of each network element or device (e.g., access network node 110 or terminal 120) in Figure 2A of this application can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or one or more functional modules within a single device. This application does not impose specific limitations on these functions. It is understood that the aforementioned functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0118] The method provided in this application will now be described in conjunction with the communication system 10 shown in Figure 2A above.

[0119] It is understood that the access network node in the following embodiments of this application may be the access network node 110 in the communication system 10, and the terminal in the following embodiments of this application may be the terminal 120 in the communication system 10.

[0120] It is understood that in this application, the terminal and / or access network node may perform some or all of the steps in this application. These steps are merely examples, and this application may also perform other steps or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the steps in this application.

[0121] It is understood that the methods described below in this application are illustrated using terminals and access network nodes as the execution subjects of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by the communication / processing module in the terminal or the circuit or chip (such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC chip / SIP chip containing a modem core, or a GPU / AI processor / ASIC) in the terminal responsible for communication / processing functions; the method executed by the access network node in this application can also be implemented by modules (such as circuits, chips, or chip systems) in the access network node, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network node.

[0122] Figure 3 illustrates a communication method provided in this application. This communication method can be applied to either uplink or downlink communication scenarios. The communication method may include the following steps:

[0123] S301: The first communication device sends first information. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first information.

[0124] In this application, the first information includes paging messages, control information, system messages, data information, broadcast messages, or uplink random access signals, etc.

[0125] Control information may include uplink control information, such as information carried in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); or control information may include downlink control information, such as information carried in the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0126] The data information may include uplink data information, such as information carried in the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); or the data information may include downlink data information, such as information carried in the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0127] System messages can include any type of system information block (SIB), such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB3, etc.

[0128] Broadcast messages include, for example, multimedia broadcast messages.

[0129] The uplink random access signal is the signal sent by the terminal during random access. For example, in a two-step random access procedure, the uplink random access signal is message A (MsgA). In a four-step random access procedure, the uplink random access signal is message 1 (Msg1) or message 3 (Msg3).

[0130] It should be understood that the names of the various messages or channels in this application may also be other names. For example, the above-mentioned PUCCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, PDSCH, SIB, and the master information block (MIB), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the embodiments below may also be called NPUCCH, NPDCCH, NPUSCH, NPDSCH, NB-SIB, NB-MIB, NSSS, NPSS in narrow band (NB) systems.

[0131] Understandably, in downlink communication scenarios, the first communication device is the access network node, the second communication device is the terminal, and the first information is downlink information, such as paging messages, downlink control information, downlink data information, broadcast messages, or system messages. In uplink communication scenarios, the first communication device is the terminal, the second communication device is the access network node, and the first information is uplink information, such as uplink control information, uplink data information, or uplink random access signals.

[0132] In this application, the first information can be mapped in the first time unit.

[0133] One possible implementation is that the first communication device determines a first time unit that maps the first information, and sends the first information through the first time unit.

[0134] One possible design is that the first time unit is the first time unit located after the first time domain position among N first time units. N is an integer greater than 1. The N first time units are arranged in the time domain with a period of 90ms.

[0135] Taking N=4 as an example, the distribution of the first time unit in the time domain can be shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows four first time units, namely first time units 401 to first time units 404. If the first time domain position is time domain position 405 in Figure 4, then the first time unit mapping the first information is first time unit 402, or first time unit 403, or first time unit 404. If the first time domain position is time domain position 406 or time domain position 407 in Figure 4, then the first time unit mapping the first information is first time unit 403 or first time unit 404.

[0136] Optionally, if the first time domain position is time domain position 406 in Figure 4, then the first time unit mapping the first information can also be the first time unit 402. For example, the first information can be mapped to time domain resources located after time domain position 406 in the first time unit 402.

[0137] It should be understood that in the above example, the first time unit mapping the first information can also be the first time unit after the first time unit 404, without restriction.

[0138] Understandably, through the above mapping rules, the first communication device can determine which first time unit to map the first information based on the first time domain position and the positions of N first time units, and thus send the first information in that first time unit. Correspondingly, the second communication device can determine which first time unit has the first information mapped based on the first time domain position and the positions of the N first time units, and thus receive the first information in that first time unit. Therefore, the above mapping rules enable the first communication device to use appropriate time domain resources to communicate with the second communication device even in scenarios where there are a large number of unschedulable time domain resources within the frame structure period (such as the aforementioned 90ms).

[0139] In one implementation, the N first time units belong to N different first radio frames, or the N first time units correspond one-to-one with the N first radio frames. A first radio frame includes 90 second time units, and the duration of each second time unit is 1 ms. In other words, the duration of a first radio frame is 90 ms, or the period of a first radio frame is 90 ms. Furthermore, a first time unit includes 8 second time units; in other words, the duration of a first time unit is 8 ms.

[0140] For example, taking Figure 4 as an example, a 90ms interval in Figure 4 can be regarded as a first radio frame, and the duration of any first time unit in Figure 4 is 8ms. It should be understood that Figure 4 is only a schematic diagram of the first time unit. In specific applications, the first time unit is not necessarily located at the beginning position of its corresponding first radio frame. The first time unit can also be located at other positions in its corresponding first radio frame, as long as it does not exceed the boundary of the first radio frame, and there is no restriction.

[0141] Understandably, using the above method, within a first radio frame, there are 8ms available for the terminal to receive the first information, or 8ms available for the terminal to send the first information. This design satisfies the following requirements of the satellite frame structure: one downlink period and one uplink period in the satellite frame structure cycle are used for communication with the terminal, and the remaining periods are not used for communication with the terminal.

[0142] In this application, the mapping of first information within a first time unit can be understood as the mapping of first information onto all or part of the second time units included in the first time unit. For example, the first information may be mapped onto each of the second time units included in the first time unit, or onto Z of the second time units therein. Z is a positive integer less than 8.

[0143] In one implementation, the aforementioned 90 second time units belong to 9 third time units. In other words, a first radio frame includes 9 third time units, the duration of a third time unit is 10 ms, and a third time unit includes 10 second time units.

[0144] For example, the relationship between the first time unit, the second time unit, and the third time unit in a first radio frame can be illustrated in Figure 5. The first radio frame shown in Figure 5 (i.e., 90ms) includes third time units 0 to 8, a total of 9 third time units. Each third time unit can include 10 second time units, such as second time units 0 to 9. Figure 5 illustrates the 10 second time units included in third time units 0 and 1. The first time unit includes 8 second time units in a first radio frame. These 8 second time units belong to one third time unit, or they can belong to two third time units. Figure 5 is drawn with the example of 8 second time units belonging to third time unit 0, such as the first time unit including second time units 0 to 7 within third time unit 0.

[0145] The eight second time units belong to two third time units. This can be understood as a portion of the eight second time units belonging to one third time unit, and another portion of the eight second time units belonging to another third time unit. The number of the aforementioned portion of second time units can be the same as or different from the number of the other portion of second time units. For example, the eight second time units include second time units 7 to 9 in third time unit 0, and second time units 0 to 4 in third time unit 1.

[0146] The "0" in the third time unit 0 above is the index of the third time unit, used to indicate the number, sequence number, or identifier of the third time unit. The third time unit 1, third time unit 2, and so on can be understood in a similar way.

[0147] The "0" in the second time unit 0 above is the index of the second time unit, used to indicate the number, sequence number, or identifier of the second time unit. The second time unit 1, second time unit 2, and so on can be understood in a similar way.

[0148] In this application, "index" can be replaced by number, identifier, or sequence number, etc. For example, the index of the second time unit can be replaced by the sequence number of the second time unit, and the index of the third time unit can be replaced by the sequence number of the third time unit, etc.

[0149] In one implementation, a second time unit comprises R sixth time units. R is a positive integer. The value of R can be determined based on the subcarrier spacing. For example, R equals 2.

[0150] In one implementation, the third time unit is a radio frame or system frame, the second time unit is a subframe, and the sixth time unit is a slot.

[0151] It is understood that the eight second time units included in the first time unit are the second time units among the 90 second time units that can map information or send information, so these eight second time units can be called valid second time units. The first time unit in this application can be replaced by eight second time units, or eight valid second time units. Second time units among the 90 second time units that cannot map information or send information can be called invalid second time units. The mapped or sent information here can be uplink information or downlink information, specifically including information transmitted between the access network node and the terminal (such as an IoT terminal or NB-IoT terminal) using 3GPP standards for communication, such as the first information mentioned above.

[0152] In one implementation, the aforementioned eight second time units are second time units in the first radio frame (e.g., 90 second time units) that satisfy the first condition. Thus, the first communication device and / or the second communication device can determine, based on the first condition, eight second time units in the first radio frame that can map uplink or downlink information, i.e., the first time units. Subsequently, when the first communication device and / or the second communication device need to transmit information, they can map the information to a first time unit in a certain first radio frame, thereby avoiding mapping the information to invalid second time units.

[0153] One possible design involves a first condition relating to the length of the first radio frame (e.g., 90 ms), the index of the eight second time units in the first radio frame, and a first offset.

[0154] For example, the 90 second time units in the first radio frame can be numbered from 0 to 89. These numbers can be called the indices of the 90 second time units in the first radio frame. Among these indices, the indices that satisfy the following relationship are the indices of the 8 second time units: S mod 90 = {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7} + n1

[0155] Where S represents the index of a second time unit in the first radio frame, such as a value from 0 to 89, mod represents the modulo operation, and n1 represents the first offset, which is 0 or a positive integer. It should be understood that n1 can be set as needed; for example, n1 can be equal to 0 or 56. Furthermore, {0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7} can be replaced with other values, for example, {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} or {2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}, etc.

[0156] Taking n1 equal to 0 as an example, the indices of the eight second time units in the first radio frame are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, corresponding to second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 0 in Figure 5. Taking n1 equal to 56 as an example, the indices of the eight second time units in the first radio frame are 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63, corresponding to second time units 6 to 9 in the third time unit 5 in Figure 5, and second time units 0 to 3 in the third time unit 6.

[0157] The aforementioned relationship can be defined in the protocol; the first offset can be defined in the protocol or indicated to the terminal by the access network node. Thus, the terminal and the access network node can determine eight second time units in the first radio frame that can map uplink or downlink information.

[0158] Another possible design involves a first condition related to one or more of the following: the index of the second time unit mapped to the MIB (e.g., 0), the index of the second time unit mapped to the SSS (e.g., 9), the index of the second time unit mapped to the PSS (e.g., 5), or the index of the second time unit mapped to the SIB1 (e.g., 4), and a second offset. This allows for the adoption of the 3GPP standard configuration for the MIB, PSS, SSS, or SIB1. System Information Block 1 can also be referred to as System Message 1.

[0159] Understandably, in order for one or more of MIB, PSS, SSS, or SIB1 to be mapped to eight second time units, the indices of the eight second time units may include one or more of 0, 4, 5, or 9. Optionally, the indices of the eight second time units may not include 2, 3, 7, or 8.

[0160] For example, the first communication device and / or the second communication device can determine a third time unit (also called a valid third time unit) in the first radio frame that can map uplink information or downlink information, and determine a second time unit that can map uplink information or downlink information within the valid third time unit, that is, the eight second time units included in the first time unit. The aforementioned uplink information or downlink information includes information transmitted between the access network node and a terminal (such as an IoT terminal or an NB-IoT terminal, etc.) communicating using 3GPP standards, such as the aforementioned first information.

[0161] It should be understood that the above eight second time units may belong to one third time unit or two third time units, without restriction.

[0162] For example, an index satisfying the following relationship is the index of a valid third time unit in the first radio frame: SFN mod 9 = n2

[0163] Here, SFN represents the index of a third time unit in the first radio frame, such as a value from 0 to 9; mod represents the modulo operation; and n2 represents the second offset, which is 0 or a positive integer. It should be understood that n2 can be set as needed, for example, n2 can be equal to 0, 1, 5, 6, or 7, etc.

[0164] For example, let's take the third time unit (i.e., third time unit 0 to third time unit 8) within the first 90ms of the seventh time unit as an example. When n2 equals 0, the index of the effective third time unit is 0; when n2 equals 1, the index of the effective third time unit is 1; when n2 equals 6, the index of the effective third time unit is 6; when n2 equals 7, the index of the effective third time unit is 7. Combining one or more of the indices of the second time units mapped to MIB (e.g., 0), the second time units mapped to SSS (e.g., 9), the second time units mapped to PSS (e.g., 5), or the second time units mapped to SIB1 (e.g., 4), the indices of the eight second time units included in the first time unit are as follows:

[0165] Example 1: When n2 equals 0 or 1, the indices of the 8 second time units are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0. Among them, the second time units with indices 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 belong to the third time unit 0, and the second time unit with index 0 belongs to the third time unit 1.

[0166] Example 2: When n2 equals 0 or 1, the indices of the 8 second time units are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, and 1. Among them, the second time units with indices 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 belong to the third time unit 0, and the second time units with indices 0 and 1 belong to the third time unit 1.

[0167] Example 3: When n2 equals 0 or 1, the indices of the 8 second time units are 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Among them, the second time units with indices 8 and 9 belong to the third time unit 0, and the second time units with indices 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 belong to the third time unit 1.

[0168] Example 4: When n2 equals 0 or 1, the indices of the 8 second time units are 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Among them, the second time unit with index 9 belongs to the third time unit 0, and the second time units with indices 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 belong to the third time unit 1.

[0169] Example 5: When n2 equals 5 or 6, the indices of the 8 second time units are 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Among them, the second time unit with index 9 belongs to the third time unit 5, and the second time units with indices 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 belong to the third time unit 6.

[0170] Example 6: When n2 equals 0 or 6, the indices of the 8 second time units are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. These 8 second time units belong to the third time unit 0 or the third time unit 6.

[0171] Example 7: When n2 equals 6 or 7, the indices of the 8 second time units are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, and 1. Among them, the second time units with indices 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 belong to the third time unit 6, and the second time units with indices 0 and 1 belong to the third time unit 7.

[0172] Example 8: When n2 equals 6 or 7, the indices of the 8 second time units are 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1, and 2. Among them, the second time units with indices 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 belong to the third time unit 6, and the second time units with indices 0, 1, and 2 belong to the third time unit 7.

[0173] Another possible design involves a first condition relating to the length of the first radio frame (e.g., 90 ms), the index of the third time unit to which the eight second time units belong, the index of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and a third offset.

[0174] As an example, the length of the first radio frame, the index of the third time unit to which the eight second time units belong, the index of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and the third offset can satisfy the following relationship: (10×n_f+n_s-Offset0)mod 90={0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7}+Offset1

[0175] Wherein, n_f represents the index of the third time unit to which the second time unit belongs, and this index can be the index of the third time unit in the seventh time unit, such as 0 to (H×L)-1. n_s represents the index of the second time unit in its third time unit, such as 0 to 9. Offset0 and Offset1 are the third offsets, and mod represents the modulo operation. Offset0 and Offset1 are 0 or positive integers. For example, Offset0 is 0, 8, 3, 4, or 9; Offset1 is 0 or 56. n_f satisfying the above relationship is the index of the third time unit to which the 8 second time units belong, and n_s satisfying the above relationship is the index of the 8 second time units in their third time units. The seventh time unit, H, and L can be described in the following embodiments.

[0176] The following explanation uses the third time unit (i.e., third time unit 0 to third time unit 8) within the first 90ms of the seventh time unit as an example.

[0177] Example A: Taking Offset0 as 0 and Offset1 as 0 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 0. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 0. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0178] Example B: Taking Offset0 as 3 and Offset1 as 0 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 0 and the third time unit 1. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 3 to 9 in the third time unit 0, and second time unit 0 in the third time unit 1. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0179] Example C: Taking Offset0 as 4 and Offset1 as 0 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 0 and the third time unit 1. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 4 to 9 in the third time unit 0, and second time units 0 to 1 in the third time unit 1. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0180] Example D: Taking Offset0 as 8 and Offset1 as 0 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 0 and the third time unit 1. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 8 to 9 in the third time unit 0, and second time units 0 to 5 in the third time unit 1. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0181] Example E: Taking Offset0 as 9 and Offset1 as 0 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 0 and the third time unit 1. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time unit 9 in third time unit 0, and second time units 0 to 6 in third time unit 1. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0182] Example F: Taking Offset0 as 0 and Offset1 as 56 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 5 and the third time unit 6. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 6 to 9 in the third time unit 5, and second time units 0 to 3 in the third time unit 6. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0183] Example G: Taking Offset0 as 3 and Offset1 as 56 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time units 5 and 6. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time unit 9 in third time unit 5, and second time units 0 to 6 in third time unit 6. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0184] Example H: Taking Offset0 as 4 and Offset1 as 56 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 6. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 6. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0185] Example I: Taking Offset0 as 8 and Offset1 as 56 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 6 and the third time unit 7. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 4 to 9 in the third time unit 6, and second time units 0 to 1 in the third time unit 7. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0186] Example J: Taking Offset0 as 9 and Offset1 as 56 as an example, the first time unit belongs to the third time unit 6 and the third time unit 7. For example, the eight second time units included in this first time unit are second time units 5 to 9 in the third time unit 6, and second time units 0 to 2 in the third time unit 7. It can be understood that the above first time unit can be used for uplink or downlink communication.

[0187] As another example, the length of the first radio frame, the index of the third time unit to which the eight second time units belong, the index of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and the third offset can satisfy the following relationship: (10×n_f+n_s-Offset0)mod 90={0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

[0188] Where n_f represents the index of the third time unit to which the second time unit belongs, this index can be the index of the third time unit in the seventh time unit, such as 0 to (H×L)-1. n_s represents the index of the second time unit in its third time unit, such as 0 to 9. Offset0 is the third offset, and mod represents the modulo operation. Offset0 is 0 or a positive integer. For example, Offset0 is 0, 8, 3, 4, or 9. n_f satisfying the above relationship is the index of the third time unit to which 8 second time units belong, and n_s satisfying the above relationship is the index of the 8 second time units in their respective third time units.

[0189] Let's take the third time unit (i.e., third time unit 0 to third time unit 8) within the first 90ms of the seventh time unit as an example. When Offset0 is 0, the first time unit includes 8 second time units, which are the same as in Example A above. When Offset0 is 3, the first time unit includes 8 second time units, which are the same as in Example B above. When Offset0 is 4, the first time unit includes 8 second time units, which are the same as in Example C above. When Offset0 is 8, the first time unit includes 8 second time units, which are the same as in Example D above. When Offset0 is 9, the first time unit includes 8 second time units, which are the same as in Example E above.

[0190] As another example, the length of the first radio frame, the index of the third time unit to which the eight second time units belong, the index of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and the third offset can satisfy the following relationship: (10×n_f+n_s-Offset0)mod 90={56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63}

[0191] Where n_f represents the index of the third time unit to which the second time unit belongs, this index can be the index of the third time unit in the seventh time unit, such as 0 to (H×L)-1. n_s represents the index of the second time unit in its third time unit, such as 0 to 9. Offset0 is the third offset, and mod represents the modulo operation. Offset0 is 0 or a positive integer. For example, Offset0 is 0, 8, 3, 4, or 9. n_f satisfying the above relationship is the index of the third time unit to which 8 second time units belong, and n_s satisfying the above relationship is the index of the 8 second time units in their respective third time units.

[0192] Let's take the third time unit (i.e., third time unit 0 to third time unit 8) within the first 90ms of the seventh time unit as an example. When Offset 0 is 0, the eight second time units included in the first time unit are the same as in example F above. When Offset 0 is 3, the eight second time units included in the first time unit are the same as in example G above. When Offset 0 is 4, the eight second time units included in the first time unit are the same as in example H above. When Offset 0 is 8, the eight second time units included in the first time unit are the same as in example I above. When Offset 0 is 9, the eight second time units included in the first time unit are the same as in example J above.

[0193] It should be understood that the above is only an example of the eight second time units included in the first time unit. In specific applications, the indices of these eight second time units may have other values, which will not be listed here.

[0194] Understandingly, the aforementioned valid second time unit indicates that uplink or downlink information can be mapped within that second time unit, but it does not mean that uplink or downlink information will necessarily be mapped within a valid second time unit. The first communication device and / or the second communication device may determine, based on communication needs, to map information within a specific valid second time unit, or to map information within each valid second time unit. Similarly, the aforementioned valid third time unit indicates that there exists a second time unit within that third time unit that can map uplink or downlink information, but it does not mean that uplink or downlink information will necessarily be mapped within the second time units of a valid third time unit.

[0195] In one embodiment, the first or second communication device can indicate to the other party the valid or invalid third time units in the first radio frame, so that the other party can determine which third time units in the first radio frame are valid third time units, thereby determining the first time unit from these third time units.

[0196] Taking the example of a first communication device indicating a valid or invalid third time unit to a second communication device, the first communication device sends a first indication message to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first indication message from the first communication device. The first indication message indicates a valid or invalid third time unit in the first radio frame.

[0197] Understandably, if the eight second time units included in the first time unit belong to a third time unit, then the first indication information indicates that third time unit. For example, the first indication information includes nine bits, each bit corresponding to a third time unit within the first radio frame, used to indicate whether the third time unit is a valid third time unit or an invalid third time unit. Taking the first radio frame including third time units 0 to 8, where third time unit 0 is a valid third time unit as an example, the first indication information includes "011111111" or "10000000".

[0198] If the eight second time units included in the first time unit belong to two third time units, then the first indication information indicates the two third time units. For example, the first indication information includes nine bits, each bit corresponding to one third time unit within the first radio frame (i.e., within 90ms), used to indicate whether the third time unit is a valid third time unit or an invalid third time unit. Taking the first radio frame including third time units 0 to 8, where third time units 5 and 6 are valid third time units, as an example, the first indication information includes "111110011" or "000001100".

[0199] Taking the example of a second communication device indicating a valid or invalid third time unit to a first communication device, the second communication device sends a first indication message to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first indication message from the second communication device. The first indication message indicates a valid or invalid third time unit in the first radio frame. The method by which the first indication message indicates a valid or invalid third time unit can be referred to the corresponding description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0200] In one embodiment, the first or second communication device can indicate to the other party whether a second time unit in the first radio frame is valid or invalid, so that the other party can determine which second time units in the first radio frame are valid.

[0201] Taking the example of a first communication device indicating a valid or invalid second time unit to a second communication device, the first communication device sends second indication information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the second indication information from the first communication device. The second indication information indicates whether a second time unit in the first radio frame is valid or invalid.

[0202] Understandably, if the eight second time units included in the first time unit belong to a third time unit, the second indication information indicates which second time units in that third time unit are valid or invalid. For example, the second indication information includes 10 bits, each bit corresponding to one second time unit in a third time unit, used to indicate whether the second time unit is valid or invalid. Taking a third time unit including second time units 0 to 9, where second time units 0 to 7 are valid, as an example, the second indication information includes "1111111100" or "0000000011".

[0203] If the eight second time units included in the first time unit belong to two third time units, then the second indication information indicates which of the two third time units are valid or invalid. For example, the second indication information includes 20 bits, each bit corresponding to one of the two third time units, used to indicate whether the second time unit is valid or invalid. Taking two third time units that both include second time units 0 to 9, where second time units 8 to 9 in the first third time unit are valid, and second time units 0 to 5 in the second third time unit are valid, as an example, the second indication information includes "0000000011" and "1111110000", or the second indication information includes "1111111100" and "0000001111".

[0204] Taking the example of a second communication device indicating a valid or invalid second time unit to a first communication device, the second communication device sends second indication information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second indication information from the second communication device. The second indication information indicates whether a second time unit in the first radio frame is valid or invalid. The method by which the second indication information indicates a valid or invalid second time unit can be referred to the corresponding description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0205] Understandably, after receiving the first instruction information and the second instruction information, the first or second communication device can determine the valid second time unit in the first wireless frame.

[0206] In one embodiment, the first communication device or the second communication device determines a valid second time unit in the first wireless frame based on the aforementioned first condition, and sends first indication information and second indication information to the other party. Of course, the first communication device or the second communication device may also determine a valid second time unit in the first wireless frame and send first indication information and second indication information to the other party in other ways, without limitation.

[0207] In one implementation, (H×L) third time units constitute a seventh time unit; that is, a seventh time unit includes (H×L) third time units. Here, L represents that a seventh time unit comprises L periods, and H represents the number of third time units included in each of the L periods. The period here can refer to the period of the first radio frame (e.g., 90ms). L is an integer greater than 1, and H is a positive integer. Optionally, the seventh time unit can also be called a superframe.

[0208] To align with the period of the first radio frame in each seventh time unit, the duration of the seventh time unit can be an integer multiple of 90ms, that is, the duration of the seventh time unit can be divided by 90ms.

[0209] As an example, (H×L) is less than or equal to 1024. For instance, if (H×L) equals 1020, then the duration of the seventh time unit is 9180ms, L equals 102, and H equals 9.

[0210] As another example, (H×L) is greater than 1024. For example, (H×L) equals 1130, in which case the duration of the seventh time unit is 10170ms, L equals 113, and H equals 9.

[0211] It should be understood that in specific applications, the duration of the seventh time unit may not be a multiple of 90ms. For example, the duration of the seventh time unit is 10240ms, which means that one seventh time unit includes 1024 third time units, that is, (H×L) equals 1024.

[0212] It should be understood that the above is only an example of (H×L). In specific applications, (H×L) can also be other values, such as 1000, 1010, 1140 or 1150, etc., without restriction.

[0213] In one embodiment, the first communication device and / or the second communication device can determine, through the above-described embodiment (such as the first condition), a valid second time unit and / or a valid third time unit in the first radio frame within the seventh time unit at the boundary of the seventh time unit (such as the starting position of a seventh time unit).

[0214] Understandably, communication between access network nodes and terminals typically involves uplink and downlink communication. Therefore, the first radio frame may include eight second time units for transmitting uplink information and eight second time units for transmitting downlink information. The former can be referred to as eight second uplink time units or eight valid second uplink time units, and the latter as eight second downlink time units or eight valid second downlink time units. In addition to the eight second time units for transmitting uplink information and the eight second time units for transmitting downlink information, the first radio frame has 74 remaining second time units. These 74 second time units are typically not used for communication between the terminal and the access network node, and therefore can be referred to as invalid second time units. Optionally, the terminal here can be a terminal using 3GPP standards for communication, such as an IoT terminal or an NB-IoT terminal.

[0215] In one embodiment, the first communication device and / or the second communication device can determine the eight valid second uplink time units and eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame using any one of the methods A to C below. Subsequently, the first communication device and the second communication device can perform uplink communication on the eight valid second uplink time units and downlink communication on the eight valid second downlink time units.

[0216] Method A: The first communication device and / or the second communication device may use the above-described embodiments to determine the eight valid second uplink time units and the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first wireless frame, respectively.

[0217] As an example, the first communication device and the second communication device determine, respectively, eight valid second uplink time units and eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame based on a first condition. When determining the two types of second time units, the values ​​of the first offset or the second offset may differ.

[0218] For example, when determining the former, the first offset is equal to 0, and when determining the latter, the first offset is equal to 56. Therefore, the indices of the eight valid second uplink time units in the first radio frame are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, corresponding to the second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 0 in Figure 5. The indices of the eight valid second downlink time units in the first radio frame are 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 and 63, corresponding to the second time units 6 to 9 in the third time unit 5 in Figure 5, and the second time units 0 to 3 in the third time unit 6.

[0219] Alternatively, when determining the former, the first offset is equal to 56, and when determining the latter, the first offset is equal to 0. Therefore, the indices of the eight valid second uplink time units in the first radio frame are 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63, corresponding to the second time units 6 to 9 in the third time unit 5 in Figure 5, and the second time units 0 to 3 in the third time unit 6. The indices of the eight valid second downlink time units in the first radio frame are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, corresponding to the second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 0 in Figure 5.

[0220] For example, when determining the first communication device and the second communication device, the second offset is equal to 5, 6, or 7; when determining the latter, the second offset is equal to 0 or 1. Examples of 8 valid second uplink time units and 8 valid second downlink time units can be found in the corresponding descriptions above.

[0221] As another example, the first or second communication device may determine the eight valid second uplink time units and the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame based on the first and second instruction information sent by the other party.

[0222] It should be understood that the first or second communication device can send first and second indication information for eight valid second uplink time units, and also send first and second indication information for eight valid second downlink time units. In other words, the first or second communication device sends a total of two first indication messages and two second indication messages.

[0223] Alternatively, the first or second communication device may send both the first and second indication information together for the two types of second time units. In other words, the first or second communication device sends one first indication information and one second indication information. Taking an example where 8 second downlink time units belong to third time unit 0 and 8 second uplink time units belong to third time units 5 and 6, the first indication information may include 9 bits, the value of which is "011110011" or "100001100". If second time units 0 to 7 in third time unit 0 are valid second time units, second time units 8 to 9 in third time unit 5 are valid second time units, and second time units 0 to 5 in third time unit 6 are valid second time units, then the second indication information may include 30 bits, the first 10 bits being "0000000011" to indicate the valid second time units in third time unit 0, and the middle 10 bits being "1111111100" to indicate the valid second time units in third time unit 6. The valid second time unit in time unit 5 has the last 10 bits set to "0000001111" to indicate the valid second time unit in time unit 6; or, the first 10 bits set to "1111111100" to indicate the valid second time unit in time unit 0, the middle 10 bits set to "0000000011" to indicate the valid second time unit in time unit 5, and the last 10 bits set to "1111110000" to indicate the valid second time unit in time unit 6.

[0224] Method B: The first communication device and / or the second communication device use the above-described implementation method to determine the 8 valid second uplink time units included in the first radio frame, and determine the 8 valid second downlink time units in the first radio frame based on the 8 valid second uplink time units.

[0225] For example, the first communication device and the second communication device respectively determine the eight valid second uplink time units included in the first radio frame based on the first condition, or the first communication device or the second communication device can determine the eight valid second uplink time units included in the first radio frame based on the first instruction information and the second instruction information sent by the other party. Specifically, please refer to the corresponding description in Method A.

[0226] Subsequently, the first communication device and / or the second communication device may determine the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame based on the eight valid second uplink time units included in the first radio frame.

[0227] For example, the first communication device and / or the second communication device can determine eight valid second downlink time units based on the offset or interval between the two types of second time units described above, and eight valid second uplink time units. The offset or interval may be defined in the protocol, or determined and indicated to the terminal by the access network node.

[0228] Specifically, if the indices of the eight valid second uplink time units in the first radio frame are 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 and 63, and the offset is 56, then the indices of the eight valid second downlink time units in the first radio frame are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

[0229] Method C: The first communication device and / or the second communication device may use the above-described embodiments to determine the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame, and determine the eight valid second uplink time units included in the first radio frame based on the eight valid second downlink time units.

[0230] For example, the first communication device and the second communication device respectively determine the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame based on the first condition, or the first communication device or the second communication device can determine the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame based on the first instruction information and the second instruction information sent by the other party. Specifically, please refer to the corresponding description in Method A.

[0231] Subsequently, the first communication device and / or the second communication device may determine the eight valid second uplink time units included in the first radio frame based on the eight valid second downlink time units included in the first radio frame.

[0232] For example, the first communication device and / or the second communication device can determine eight valid second uplink time units based on the offset or interval between the two types of second time units described above, and eight valid second downlink time units. The offset or interval may be defined in the protocol, or determined by the access network node and indicated to the terminal.

[0233] Understandably, uplink information transmitted between the first and second communication devices can be mapped to eight valid second uplink time units within a first radio frame, and downlink information transmitted between the first and second communication devices can be mapped to eight valid second downlink time units within a first radio frame. However, this does not mean that information must be mapped to each of the eight valid second uplink time units within a first radio frame, and / or, all eight valid second downlink time units. Access network nodes and terminals map information to the corresponding valid second time units according to communication needs.

[0234] In one implementation, the first radio frame includes four downlink periods, four uplink periods, and one one-way time slot. Eight valid second downlink time units are mapped to one of the four downlink periods, and eight valid second uplink time units are mapped to one of the four uplink periods.

[0235] The aforementioned downlink time slot is used for access network nodes to send downlink signals, the aforementioned uplink time slot is used for terminals to send uplink signals, and the aforementioned one-way time slot is used for access network nodes to send broadcast information. For example, the duration of one downlink time slot is 8.28ms, the duration of one uplink time slot is 8.28ms, and the duration of one one-way time slot is 20.32ms.

[0236] For example, the eight valid second downlink time units are mapped to the first downlink period of the four downlink periods, and the eight valid second uplink time units are mapped to the first uplink period of the four uplink periods. For instance, the positions of the eight valid second downlink time units and the eight valid second uplink time units can be shown in Figure 6A.

[0237] For example, the eight valid second downlink time units are mapped to the second downlink period of the four downlink periods, and the eight valid second uplink time units are mapped to the second uplink period of the four uplink periods. For instance, the positions of the eight valid second downlink time units and the eight valid second uplink time units can be shown in Figure 6B.

[0238] For example, the eight valid second downlink time units are mapped to the third downlink period of the four downlink periods, and the eight valid second uplink time units are mapped to the third uplink period of the four uplink periods. For instance, the positions of the eight valid second downlink time units and the eight valid second uplink time units can be shown in Figure 6C.

[0239] For example, the eight valid second downlink time units are mapped to the fourth downlink period of the four downlink periods, and the eight valid second uplink time units are mapped to the fourth uplink period of the four uplink periods. For instance, the positions of the eight valid second downlink time units and the eight valid second uplink time units can be shown in Figure 6D.

[0240] In one design, downlink time slots 0 to 3 in Figures 6A and 6B belong to one frame (e.g., frame 1), while the unidirectional time slots in Figures 6A and 6B, and uplink time slots 0 to 3 belong to another frame (e.g., frame 2).

[0241] Optionally, the terminal can adjust the timing to advance so that the eight valid second uplink time units are mapped exactly into one uplink period.

[0242] The above method enables the access network node to send downlink information to the terminal during one of the four downlink time periods, and enables the terminal to send uplink information during one of the four uplink time periods.

[0243] In one embodiment, the first communication device and the second communication device can determine, in the manner described above, eight valid second uplink time units and / or eight valid second downlink time units within each of the N first wireless frames, and determine, in conjunction with the first time domain position, on which eight valid second time units the first information is mapped.

[0244] In one embodiment, a first communication device or a second communication device indicates a first time domain location to the other party, enabling the other party to determine the first time domain location and thereby determine a valid second time unit that maps the first information.

[0245] As an example, the first communication device sends third indication information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the third indication information from the first communication device. The third indication information indicates a first time-domain position. For example, the third indication information includes the index of a second time unit corresponding to the first time-domain position. The third indication information also includes the index of a third time unit in which the second time unit is located. As another example, the third indication information includes the offset of the first time-domain position relative to the time-domain position of the third indication information.

[0246] As another example, the second communication device sends a third indication message to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third indication message from the second communication device. The third indication message indicates a first time-domain position. The manner in which the third indication message indicates the first time-domain position can be referred to the previous paragraph.

[0247] In one implementation, the first time-domain position is determined based on the time-domain position of the mapped third information and a fourth offset. The third information is used to schedule the first information. For example, the third information is downlink control information.

[0248] For example, the first time-domain position m1 starts from m2+n4. Here, m2 represents the last second time unit in at least one second time unit carrying / mapping the third information, and n4 represents the fourth offset. In other words, m1 is offset (or delayed) by n4 relative to m2. n4 can represent the number of offset second time units, or the number of valid offset second time units, or the sum of the number of offset second time units and the number of valid second time units. The number of second time units here includes the number of valid second time units and the number of invalid second time units.

[0249] Understandably, when n4 represents the number of valid second time units of the offset, or the sum of the number of second time units of the offset and the number of valid second time units, the probability of resource conflicts occurring when multiple pieces of information are scheduled to the same first time unit can be reduced. In other words, by using the number of valid second time units in n4, multiple pieces of information can be configured to be mapped to different positions within the same first time unit.

[0250] In this application, the value of n4 can be different in different communication scenarios.

[0251] One possible design, for downlink communication scenarios, is that n4 can be equal to 5, or equal to 5 + k0, where k0 is a non-negative integer.

[0252] For example, taking a frequency division duplex (FDD) scenario, if the third information is a control signal in N1 format, then n4 equals 5 + k0, indicating that the first time domain position is the position after 5 second time units from m2, and then after k0 second time units; or the first time domain position is the position after 5 second time units from m2, and then after k0 valid second time units; or the first time domain position is the position after 5 valid second time units from m2, and then after k0 valid second time units.

[0253] Taking the first time domain position as an example, starting from m2, passing through 5 second time units, and then passing through k0 second time units, if m2 is the second time unit 0 in the third time unit 0, and k0 equals 2, then the first time domain position is the second time unit 7 or the second time unit 8 in the third time unit 0.

[0254] Taking the first time domain position as an example, starting from m2, passing through 5 second time units, and then passing through k0 valid second time units, if m2 is the second time unit 0 in the third time unit 0, there are no valid second time units in the third time unit 0, and the second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 1 are valid second time units, and k0 equals 2, then the first time domain position is the second time unit 1 or the second time unit 2 in the third time unit 1.

[0255] Taking the first time domain position as an example, starting from m2, passing through 5 valid second time units, and then passing through k0 valid second time units, if m2 is the second time unit 0 in the third time unit 0, there are no valid second time units in the third time unit 0, and the second time units 0 to 7 in the third time unit 1 are valid second time units, and k0 equals 1, then the first time domain position is the second time unit 6 or the second time unit 7 in the third time unit 1.

[0256] The aforementioned N1 format control signals include control signals scrambled with the cell-radio network tempory identity (C-RNTI), or control signals scrambled with the radio access-radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI), or control signals scrambled with the pre-configured uplink resource-radio network tempory identity (PUR-RNTI), or control signals scrambled with the group-radio network tempory identity (G-RNTI). C-RNTI scrambled control signals are used for normal data scheduling. RA-RNTI scrambled control signals are used to schedule PDCCH-triggered random access. PUR-RNTI scrambled control signals are used to schedule idle-state data transmission. G-RNTI scrambled control signals are used to schedule multicast data.

[0257] For control signals scrambled by C-RNTI, RA-RNTI, or PUR-RNTI, the range of values ​​for k0 is related to the number of repetitions of the data scheduled by the control signal. For example, the relationship between the range of values ​​for k0 and the number of repetitions of the data scheduled by the control signal can be shown in Table 1. Where, I Delay Represents the index of k0. R max This indicates the maximum number of repetitions of the data scheduled by the control signal.

[0258] Table 1

[0259] For the control signal scrambled by G-RNTI, the range of values ​​for k0 can be shown in Table 2.

[0260] Table 2

[0261] For example, taking the FDD scenario as an example, if the third information is a control signal in N2 format, then n4 equals 5 + k0, k0 = 0, or it can be understood as n4 equals 5, indicating that the first time domain position is the position 5 times the second time unit from m2; or it indicates that the first time domain position is the position 5 times the valid second time unit from m2.

[0262] The N2 format control signals include control signals scrambled with either the Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) or the Single Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SC-RNTI). The P-RNTI scrambled control signals are used to schedule paging messages, while the SC-RNTI scrambled control signals are used to schedule multicast data.

[0263] For example, in a time division duplex (TDD) scenario, n4 equals 5, which means that the first time domain position is the position 5 times the second time unit starting from m2; or it means that the first time domain position is the position 5 times the effective second time unit starting from m2.

[0264] Another possible design, for uplink communication scenarios, is that n4 can be equal to k0 + K. offset Or it can be equal to 8 + k0. Where k0 is a non-negative integer, K... offset It is an integer.

[0265] For example, in an FDD scenario, n4 can be k0+K offset This indicates that the first time-domain position starts from m2, passes through k0 second time units, and then passes through K... offset The position of the second time unit; or it can be represented as the first time domain position starting from m2, passing through k0 second time units, and then passing through K. offset The position of a valid second time unit; or it can be represented as the first time domain position starting from m2, passing through k0 valid second time units, and then passing through K... offset The position of a valid second time unit. Where K offsetIt can be indicated by the access network node. The range of values ​​for k0 is shown in Table 3.

[0266] Table 3

[0267] For example, taking a TDD scenario, n4 can be equal to 8 + k0, representing the first time domain position as the position 8 times the second time unit from m2, and then 10 times the second time unit; or the first time domain position as the position 8 times the second time unit from m2, and then 10 times the second time unit; or the first time domain position as the position 8 times the second time unit from m2, and then 10 times the second time unit. The range of values ​​for k0 is shown in Table 4.

[0268] Table 4

[0269] In one implementation, the access network node sends third information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third information from the access network node. Thus, the terminal can determine the first time-domain location and relevant parameters of the first information (such as the modulation scheme, repetition count, etc.).

[0270] In one implementation, the first information is sent periodically. For example, the period of the first information can be configured for the third information. Subsequently, the first communication device can send the first information according to this period. Alternatively, the period of the first information can be configured using a semi-static resource configuration method. This semi-static resource configuration can be either downlink or uplink semi-static resource configuration, without limitation.

[0271] One possible design is that the period of the first information is X fourth time units or Y fifth time units. X and Y are positive integers.

[0272] The aforementioned fourth time unit is a second time unit belonging to the first time unit among the 90 second time units included in a first radio frame. In other words, the fourth time unit is a valid second time unit. That is, the period of the first information can be calculated according to the valid second time unit to avoid the first information being mapped to an invalid second time unit.

[0273] For example, if X equals 8 and the first radio frame includes 16 valid second time units, if the first first message is sent in the first valid second time unit of the first radio frame, then the second first message is sent in the ninth valid second time unit of the first radio frame, and the third first message should be sent in the seventeenth valid second time unit of the first radio frame. However, since the first radio frame only has 16 valid second time units, the third first message can be sent in the first valid second time unit of the next first radio frame, and so on.

[0274] The aforementioned fifth time unit is one of the nine third time units included in a first radio frame, and some of the second time units included in the fifth time unit belong to the first time unit. In other words, the fifth time unit is a valid third time unit. That is, the period of the first information can be calculated according to the valid third time unit to reduce the probability of the first information being mapped to an invalid second time unit.

[0275] For example, since the duration of the third time unit is 10ms, and the first radio frame includes 9 third time units, if Y equals 2, the first radio frame includes 2 valid third time units, which means the period of the first information is 90ms. If Y equals 2, the first radio frame includes 1 valid third time unit, which means the period of the first information is 180ms.

[0276] In one implementation, if the duration of a seventh time unit is 10170ms, then a seventh time unit includes 113 first radio frames, so a seventh time unit includes (113×8) valid second downlink time units and (113×8) valid second uplink time units.

[0277] In one implementation, if the duration of a seventh time unit is 10240 ms, then a seventh time unit includes 113 first radio frames and the remaining 70 ms. If the 70 ms includes 8 valid second uplink time units and 8 valid second downlink time units, then a seventh time unit includes (114 × 8) valid second downlink time units and (114 × 8) valid second uplink time units. If the 70 ms includes 8 valid second uplink time units but does not include 8 valid second downlink time units, then a seventh time unit includes (113 × 8) valid second downlink time units and (114 × 8) valid second uplink time units. If the 70 ms includes 8 valid second downlink time units but does not include 8 valid second uplink time units, then a seventh time unit includes (114 × 8) valid second downlink time units and (113 × 8) valid second uplink time units.

[0278] In one implementation, the first communication device sends the first information when there is no resource conflict in the first time unit that maps the first information. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first information when there is no resource conflict in the first time unit that maps the first information.

[0279] In this application, the first time unit that maps the first information has no resource conflict, which can be understood as the first time unit that maps the first information not containing the second information to be mapped, such as the first time unit not mapping any information other than the first information. Alternatively, the position where the first information is mapped in the first time unit is not exactly the same as the position where the second information is mapped in the first time unit, such as the first time unit mapping both the first and second information, but the positions of the two information mappings are not exactly the same.

[0280] One possible design is that the location where the first information is mapped in the first time unit (referred to as the second time-domain location) is not exactly the same as the location where the second information is mapped in the first time unit (referred to as the third time-domain location), including: the second time-domain location and the third time-domain location do not overlap.

[0281] For example, taking the first time unit as including the second time units 0 to 7 as an example, if the second time domain position includes the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 0, then the third time domain position includes the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit other than the second time unit 0 among the second time units 0 to 7, such as the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 1, or the time domain positions corresponding to the second time units 2 to 3, etc.

[0282] Another possible design is that the second time-domain location is not exactly the same as the third time-domain location, including: the second time-domain location and the third time-domain location partially overlap.

[0283] For example, taking the first time unit as including the second time units 0 to 7 as an example, if the second time domain position includes the time domain positions corresponding to the second time units 2 to 3, then the third time domain position includes the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 2, or includes the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 3.

[0284] Understandably, in addition to the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 2 or the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 3, the third time domain position may also include the time domain positions corresponding to the second time units other than the second time units 2 and 3 in the second time units 0 to 7. For example, the third time domain position may also include one or more of the following: the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 1, the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 4, or the time domain position corresponding to the second time unit 5, etc.

[0285] In one implementation, if the second time-domain position and the third time-domain position partially overlap, the overlapping portion of the second time-domain position and the third time-domain position is mapped to either first information or second information, the time-domain position in the second time-domain position other than the aforementioned overlapping portion is mapped to the first information, and the time-domain position in the third time-domain position other than the aforementioned overlapping portion is mapped to the second information.

[0286] In one implementation, the first information and the second information are the same, but the indices for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information and the second information are different. In other words, the first information and the second information are repeatedly sent, and the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information is different from the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the second information. Taking a maximum repetition count of 4 as an example, the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information is 1, and the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the second information is 2; or, the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information is 2, and the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the second information is 3; or, the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information is 3, and the index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the second information is 4.

[0287] In one implementation, the first information and the second information are the same, but their transmission periods are different. In other words, the first information and the second information are periodically transmitted, and the transmission period for the first information is different from that for the second information. For example, the first information may be transmitted in the first period, and the second information in the second period, or the first information may be transmitted in the second period, and the second information in the third period, and so on.

[0288] In one embodiment, there are M first time units between the first time domain location and the first time unit mapping the first information. All M first time units have resource conflicts, where M is a positive integer less than N-1. That is, the first communication device maps the first information in a first time unit after the first time domain location where there are no resource conflicts.

[0289] In one implementation, the first time unit that maps the first information is the first time unit located after the first time domain position among N first time units.

[0290] For example, if there is no resource conflict in the first time unit, the first communication device maps the first information onto that first time unit. If there is a resource conflict in the first time unit, the first communication device still maps the first information onto that first time unit, and other information with resource conflicts, such as the second information, is discarded; that is, the sender of the second information does not send it, and the receiver of the second information does not receive it. Of course, in specific applications, the first information can also be discarded, and the second information can be mapped instead; there are no restrictions.

[0291] Resource conflicts in this application may include actual data conflicts and / or potential resource conflicts. Potential resource conflicts refer to resource conflicts perceived by access network nodes and / or terminals before information transmission, according to the resource mapping rules provided in this application or the resource mapping rules defined in the protocol.

[0292] It should be understood that in specific applications, there may be fourth information, etc., which has a different index for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first and second information, or fifth information, etc., which has a different transmission period corresponding to the first and second information. These information can also be processed according to the above logic to avoid resource conflicts.

[0293] For example, if the first communication device determines, according to the above implementation, that the first information, the second information, and the fourth information should be mapped to the same first time unit, and that the time domain positions of these three information do not overlap, then the first communication device sends the first information, the second information, and the fourth information through the first time unit.

[0294] For example, if the first communication device determines, according to the above implementation, that the first information, the second information, and the fourth information should be mapped to the same first time unit, and the time domain positions of the three information are completely overlapping, then the first communication device sends the first information, or the second information, or the fourth information through the first time unit.

[0295] For example, if the first communication device determines, according to the above implementation, that the first information, the second information, and the fourth information should be mapped to the same first time unit, and the time-domain positions of these three pieces of information partially overlap, then the first communication device does not transmit information on the overlapping time-domain resources, or the first communication device transmits a portion of the first information, a portion of the second information, or a portion of the fourth information on the overlapping time-domain resources. The first communication device transmits the information that should be mapped on its respective time-domain resources on non-overlapping time-domain resources.

[0296] The following section will elaborate on this using specific communication scenarios.

[0297] Scenario 1: The access network node configures the terminal to send the first information according to period T1, and the starting point of period T1 is n. Then, the terminal starts sending the first information on W valid second uplink time units after n. If, according to T1, the first information sent in the first period (denoted as information 1) and the first information to be sent in the second period (denoted as information 2) are both mapped to the aforementioned W valid second uplink time units, and the mapped positions partially overlap, then the access network node and the terminal have the following processing methods:

[0298] (1) The terminal does not transmit information on overlapping time domain resources, and the access network node does not receive information on overlapping time domain resources; or,

[0299] (2) Terminal sends information 1 but does not send information 2, and access network node receives information 1 but does not receive information 2; or,

[0300] (3) Terminal sends information 2 but does not send information 1, and the access network node receives information 2 but does not receive information 1; or...

[0301] (4) If the starting position of the mapping of information 1 is different from the starting position of the mapping of information 2, and the starting position of the mapping of information 1 is earlier than the starting position of the mapping of information 2, then the terminal sends information 1 but does not send information 2, and the access network node receives information 1 but does not receive information 2; or,

[0302] (5) If the starting position of the mapping of information 1 is different from the starting position of the mapping of information 2, and the starting position of the mapping of information 2 is earlier than the starting position of the mapping of information 1, then the terminal sends information 2 but does not send information 1, and the access network node receives information 2 but does not receive information 1.

[0303] Scenario 2: The first information is downlink control information. The access network node configures a search space for the first information. The terminal divides the search space into multiple subspaces based on the possible repetition count of the first information. Within each subspace, the terminal blindly detects the first information according to the assumed repetition count. Furthermore, each transmission of the first information is mapped to a valid second downlink time unit. If a valid second downlink time unit in a subspace cannot accommodate the corresponding repetition count, the access network node and the terminal handle the situation as follows:

[0304] (1) Access network nodes do not transmit the first information on overlapping time domain resources, and terminals do not monitor or receive the first information on overlapping time domain resources; or,

[0305] (2) The access network node does not send the first information in this subspace, and the terminal does not monitor this subspace; or,

[0306] (3) If the starting positions of the first information mappings with different repetition counts do not overlap, the access network node will start sending the first information from the non-overlapping time domain position. After sending the first information, no information will be sent on the overlapping time domain resources. Correspondingly, the terminal will receive the first information at the non-overlapping time domain position.

[0307] Scenario 3: The first message is a system message. The access network node can configure the system message reception window, which can be determined based on physical time. A system message can be repeated multiple times, and the access network node can also configure the time interval corresponding to the number of repetitions, such as U third time units. Furthermore, each transmission of the system message is mapped to a valid second downlink time units. If there are no a second downlink time units within the time interval corresponding to two repetitions, the second downlink time units mapped to the first message for multiple repetitions will overlap. The access network node and terminal handle this as follows:

[0308] (1) The access network node does not send the first information within the aforementioned time interval, and the terminal does not receive the first information within the aforementioned time interval; or...

[0309] (2) The access network node does not transmit the first information on the overlapping time domain resources, and the terminal does not receive the first information on the overlapping time domain resources; or,

[0310] (3) If the starting positions of the first information mappings with different repetition counts do not overlap, the access network node will start sending the first information from the non-overlapping time domain position. After sending the first information, no information will be sent on the overlapping time domain resources. Correspondingly, the terminal will receive the first information at the non-overlapping time domain position.

[0311] Scenario 4: The first message is a paging message. The access network node configures the paging period and the search space for the corresponding control signals within the paging period. The terminal divides the search space into multiple subspaces based on the possible repetition count of the control signals. Within each subspace, the terminal blindly detects the control signals according to the assumed repetition count. Furthermore, each transmission of the paging message is mapped to a valid second uplink time unit.

[0312] The various embodiments mentioned above in this application can be combined without contradiction, and no limitation is imposed.

[0313] The above mainly describes the solution provided in this application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, this application also provides a communication device, which can be the first communication device in the above method embodiments, or a device including the first communication device, or a component usable in the first communication device; or, the communication device can be the second communication device in the above method embodiments, or a device including the second communication device, or a component usable in the second communication device. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the first or second communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function.

[0314] Figure 7 illustrates a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 70 may include modules or units for implementing the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device 70 includes a processing module 701 and a communication module 702. The processing module 701, also referred to as a processing unit, is used to perform operations other than transmission and reception operations, and may be, for example, a processing circuit or a processor. The communication module 702, also referred to as an interface unit, is used to perform transmission and reception operations, and may be, for example, an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a communication interface.

[0315] In some embodiments, the communication device 70 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG7) for storing one or more of program instructions, program code or data.

[0316] In some embodiments, the communication device 70 may further include an AI module (not shown in FIG. 7) for implementing AI-related functions. The AI ​​module can implement AI functions through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI ​​module includes a RIC module. Optionally, the AI ​​module and the storage module are integrated into one module, or the AI ​​module and the processing module 701 are integrated into one module.

[0317] For example, the communication device 70 can be a terminal-side device in the above embodiments, such as a terminal or a communication module or processing module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions.

[0318] For example, in one embodiment, the processing module 701 is used to control the communication module 702 to send or receive first information. For example, the processing module 701 can be used to execute S301.

[0319] Understandably, when the processing module 701 controls the communication module 702 to send the first information, the communication device 70 is the first communication device mentioned above; when the processing module 701 controls the communication module 702 to receive the first information, the communication device 70 is the second communication device mentioned above.

[0320] In one possible design, when the communication device 70 is a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, the functionality of the processing module 701 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the communication module 702 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0321] In one possible design, when the communication device 70 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing module 701 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication module 702 can be implemented by interface circuits or data transceiver circuits on the aforementioned chip.

[0322] In one possible design, when the communication device 70 is a terminal or a processing module within a terminal, the functionality of the processing module 701 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a GPU, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a GPU. Alternatively, the processor may include an AI processor, or a SoC or SIP chip containing an AI processor. Or, the processor may include an ASIC, or a SoC or SIP chip containing an ASIC. The functionality of the communication module 702 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0323] In one possible design, when the communication device 70 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for processing functions, such as a GPU or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a GPU, an AI processor or a SoC or SIP chip containing an AI processor, or an ASIC or a SoC or SIP chip containing an ASIC, the function of the processing module 701 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication module 702 can be implemented by interface circuits or data transceiver circuits on the aforementioned chip.

[0324] Alternatively, for example, the communication device 70 can be a network-side device in the above embodiments, such as an access network node or a module (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system) in the access network node.

[0325] For example, in one embodiment, the processing module 701 is used to control the communication module 702 to receive or send first information. For example, the processing module 701 can be used to execute S701.

[0326] Understandably, when the processing module 701 controls the communication module 702 to receive the first information, the communication device 70 is the second communication device mentioned above; when the processing module 701 controls the communication module 702 to send the first information, the communication device 70 is the first communication device mentioned above.

[0327] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated onto a single physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0328] It is understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units are implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into a SoC or ASIC, or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the core that executes the software instructions for computation or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0329] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0330] In specific implementations, the first or second communication device in the above embodiments can adopt the composition structure shown in FIG8, or include the components shown in FIG8. FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device applicable to this application. It is understood that the communication device 80 includes means of necessary forms such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, which are appropriately configured together to execute the solution provided in this application. For example, the communication device 80 includes one or more processors 801 for implementing the method provided in this application.

[0331] Processor 801 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, processor 801 can be a baseband processor or a CPU. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 80 (such as an access network node, terminal, or chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs. Optionally, in one design, processor 801 may include program 805 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on processor 801 to cause the communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above embodiments. In yet another possible design, communication device 80 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG8) for implementing the functions of the first or second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0332] Optionally, the communication device 80 may include one or more memories 803. The memory 803 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM), cache, or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions. It may also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory provided in this application may generally be non-volatile. Optionally, the memory 803 stores a program 807 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 801 to cause the communication device 80 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0333] Optionally, the processor 801 may include an AI module 806, and / or the memory 803 may include an AI module 808. The aforementioned AI modules are used to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​modules can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI ​​module may include a RIC module. For example, the AI ​​module can be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0334] Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 801 and / or the memory 803. The processor 801 and the memory 803 may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0335] Optionally, the communication device 80 may also include a transceiver 802 and / or an antenna 804. The processor 801, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device 80. The transceiver 802, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 80 via the antenna 804.

[0336] It is understood that the composition shown in Figure 8 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 8, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0337] In one example, the functional units in the communication device 70 may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the methods described above, such as: one or more ASICs, or one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. For example, the processing module 701 is configured as a processor 801, the communication module 702 is configured as a transceiver 802, and the storage module of the communication device 70 is configured as a memory 803.

[0338] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0339] Optionally, this application also provides a chip system, including: at least one processor and an interface, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instructions in the memory, the method in any of the above method embodiments is executed. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0340] Optionally, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the program can include the processes described in the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the communication device in any of the foregoing embodiments, such as the hard disk or memory of the communication device. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the communication device, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the communication device. Further, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium can include both internal storage units and external storage devices of the communication device. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is used to store the aforementioned computer program and other programs and data required by the communication device. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0341] Optionally, this application also provides a computer program product. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be executed by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the above computer program product, and when executed, it can include the processes described in the above method embodiments.

[0342] Optionally, this application also provides computer instructions. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be executed by computer instructions instructing related hardware (such as a computer, processor, terminal, or access network node). The program can be stored in the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium or the aforementioned computer program product.

[0343] Optionally, this application also provides a communication system, including: the first communication device and the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0344] It is understood that in this application, PDSCH, PDCCH, PUCCH and PUSCH are just examples of downlink data channel, downlink control channel, uplink control channel and uplink data channel, respectively. In different systems and different scenarios, data channels and control channels may have different names, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0345] It is understood that the message names or parameter names between network elements in the above embodiments of this application are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. This application does not impose any specific limitations on these names. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably.

[0346] It is understood that in this application, " / " can indicate that the objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" can be used to describe three relationships between the related objects. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Here, A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, expressions like "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" are generally used to indicate any of the following: A exists alone; B exists alone; C exists alone; A and B exist simultaneously; A and C exist simultaneously; B and C exist simultaneously; A, B, and C exist simultaneously. The above examples using three elements (A, B, and C) illustrate the optional entries for this item. When the expression contains more elements, its meaning can be obtained according to the aforementioned rules.

[0347] To facilitate the description of the technical solutions of this application, the terms "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish technical features with the same or similar functions. The terms "first" and "second" do not limit the number or execution order, nor do they imply that they are necessarily different. In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. The use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0348] It is understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply a sequential order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of this application.

[0349] It is understood that in this application, "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require that there must be a judgment action when implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0350] In this application, "simultaneously" can be understood as at the same point in time, within a period of time, or within the same cycle.

[0351] In this application, "less than or equal to" can be replaced with "less than" or "equal to". For example, "A is less than or equal to B" can be replaced with "A is less than B" or "A is equal to B".

[0352] It is understood that some optional features in this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution upon which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus provided in this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0353] It is understood that the same step or step with the same function or technical feature in this application can be referenced and learned from each other in different embodiments.

[0354] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0355] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0356] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0357] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive or send first information, the first information is mapped in a first time unit, the first time unit is the first time unit located after the first time domain position among N first time units, N is an integer greater than 1, the N first time units are arranged in the time domain with a period of 90ms, one first time unit includes 8 second time units, and the duration of one second time unit is 1ms.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving or sending of the first information includes: If there is no resource conflict in the first time unit that maps the first information, the first information is received or sent.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first time unit mapping the first information has no resource conflict, including: The second information to be mapped does not exist in the first time unit where the first information is mapped; or... The position of the first information mapped in the first time unit is not exactly the same as the position of the second information mapped in the first time unit.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first information and the second information are the same; The indices for the number of repetitions corresponding to the first information and the second information are different; or, The transmission periods corresponding to the first information and the second information are different.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, There are M first time units between the first time domain location and the first time unit that maps the first information, and all M first time units have resource conflicts, where M is a positive integer less than N-1.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first time unit that maps the first information is the first first time unit located after the first time domain position among the N first time units.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The N first time units belong to N different first radio frames. A first radio frame includes 90 second time units. The 8 second time units included in the first time units of a first radio frame are the second time units that satisfy the first condition among the 90 second time units.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first condition is related to the length of the first radio frame, the index of the eight second time units in the first radio frame, and the first offset; or, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: the index of the second time unit of the mapped main information block, the index of the second time unit of the mapped secondary synchronization signal, the index of the second time unit of the mapped main synchronization signal, or the index of the second time unit of the mapped system information block 1, and the second offset; or, The first condition is related to the length of the first radio frame, the index of the third time unit to which the eight second time units belong, the index of the eight second time units in their respective third time units, and the third offset, wherein a first radio frame includes nine third time units and a third time unit includes ten second time units.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The indices of the eight second time units are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0; or, The indices of the eight second time units are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, and 1; or, The indices of the eight second time units are 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; or, The indices of the eight second time units are 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The N first time units belong to N different first radio frames. One first radio frame includes 9 third time units, and one third time unit includes 10 second time units. The first time unit in a first wireless frame includes eight second time units that belong to one third time unit, or to two third time units.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive or send the first instruction information; When the eight second time units belong to one third time unit, the first indication information indicates the third time unit; When the eight second time units belong to two third time units, the first indication information indicates the two third time units.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second instruction message, which indicates the eight second time units.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The N first time units belong to N different first radio frames; The period of the first information is X fourth time units, and a first wireless frame includes 90 second time units. The fourth time unit is the second time unit that belongs to the first time unit among the 90 second time units, and X is a positive integer. or, The period of the first information is Y fifth time units, a first wireless frame includes 9 third time units, a third time unit includes 10 second time units, the fifth time unit is one of the 9 third time units, and some of the second time units included in the fifth time unit belong to the first time unit, where Y is a positive integer.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The first time-domain position is determined based on the time-domain position of the mapped third information and the fourth offset, and the third information is used to schedule the first information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive or send third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the first time domain location.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The first information includes paging messages, control information, system messages, data information, broadcast messages, or uplink random access signals.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The communication device also includes the memory.

20. The communication device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program code that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

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