Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and discloses a communication method and a related apparatus, which can be applied to an NTN, such as a satellite communication system. The method is applied to a first communication apparatus, the method comprising: receiving system information, the system information being used for indicating a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, the second coverage enhancement level being lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication apparatus belonging to the first coverage enhancement level; and sending a transport block (TB) on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein a first transport block size (TBS) corresponding to the TB at the second coverage enhancement level is less than a first maximum TBS allowed at the first coverage enhancement level, and a code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to a code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource. The present application is used for effectively improving resource utilization rates.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510123813.8, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 26, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) scenarios based on non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), early data transmission (EDT) is used to transmit user data via Msg3 in order to reduce terminal overhead. To reduce EDT uplink and downlink signaling, Msg3 transmission without Msg1 / random access response (RAR) can be implemented. That is, the terminal can only obtain cell-level EDT-related information through broadcast messages, and the contention-based (CB) Msg3 is mapped to the public EDT narrowband physical uplink shared channel (NPUSCH). This scenario can be called the CB-Msg3 EDT scenario.

[0004] Understandably, in the CB-Msg3EDT scenario, the base station cannot obtain any relevant information about the terminal. Traditional resource allocation methods often allocate resources based on the maximum transport block size (TBS) that can be accommodated, in order to avoid the situation where the actual bit rate is too low and bit errors are caused by the terminal using a large TBS. However, this resource allocation method may result in low resource utilization.

[0005] Therefore, how to improve resource utilization is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by people in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus that can effectively improve resource utilization.

[0007] This application will now be described from different perspectives.

[0008] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first communication device. The first communication device may be a terminal device, or a component within the terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip 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), chip system, or processor). It may also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the communication device's functions. The method includes: receiving system information, which indicates a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, wherein the second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level; transmitting a transport block TB on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein the first transport block size TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

[0009] In simple terms, the coverage enhancement level can be understood as a measure of the signal coverage of the second communication device. The higher the coverage enhancement level, the worse the coverage conditions, and the more uplink transmission resources are used when sending data (e.g., Msg3). Conversely, the lower the coverage enhancement level, the better the coverage conditions, and the less uplink transmission resources are used when sending data.

[0010] In the above scheme, although the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, it does not transmit TBs on the uplink transmission resources of the first coverage enhancement level (i.e., the first uplink transmission resources). Instead, it uses uplink transmission resources of other coverage enhancement levels (i.e., the second uplink transmission resources of the second coverage enhancement level) to transmit transport blocks TBs. It is understood that the same TBS maps to different uplink transmission resources at different coverage enhancement levels. The lower the coverage enhancement level, the fewer uplink transmission resources are mapped. In other words, the uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS will be less than those mapped to the first coverage enhancement level. Therefore, when the first communication device transmits TBs on the second uplink resources, it can effectively save resources and improve resource utilization.

[0011] For example, the first maximum TBS allowed by the first coverage enhancement level and the second maximum TBS allowed by the second coverage enhancement level can be the same or different, and this will not be limited here.

[0012] In one possible implementation, if the first maximum TBS allowed by the first coverage enhancement level and the second maximum TBS allowed by the second coverage enhancement level are the same, then the candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level is also the same as the candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level. In this case, the first TBS is the same as the initial TBS, which is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

[0013] For example, the initial TBS may be a TBS that matches the length of the data, determined by the first communication device from the candidate TBSs corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level, that is, the candidate TBS that is greater than the length of the data and has the smallest difference between the two lengths.

[0014] In the above implementation, since the initial TBS is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB, and the candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level is the same as the candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level, the first communication device does not need to repeat the previous steps when determining the first TBS. That is, the first communication device does not need to compare the data length with each candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level, but can determine the candidate TBS that is the same as the initial TBS from the candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level. This determination method can effectively reduce unnecessary calculation steps, improve the efficiency of determining the first TBS, and thus enable the TB to be sent quickly on the second uplink transmission resource of the second coverage enhancement level.

[0015] In one possible implementation, if the first maximum TBS allowed by the first coverage enhancement level and the second maximum TBS allowed by the second coverage enhancement level are different, the candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level may also be different from the candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level. In this case, the first TBS is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

[0016] In the above implementation, the candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level is different from the candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level. Therefore, for the same data length (e.g., 500), the candidate TBS selected under the two coverage enhancement levels may be different. Thus, even if the first communication device determines an initial TBS (e.g., 536) that matches the data length under the first coverage enhancement level, in order to make the final first TBS more closely match the data length, the first communication device still needs to filter from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level based on the data length. For example, if the first TBS is 504, it is closer to the data length than the initial TBS. That is, this determination method improves the accuracy of TBS selection and improves communication performance.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second communication device. The second communication device may be an access network device (such as a base station), or a component within the access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor). It may also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the communication device functions. The method includes: sending system information, which indicates a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, wherein the second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level; and receiving a transport block TB from the first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, the first transport block size TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

[0018] In the above scheme, after the second communication device sends system information, although the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, the second communication device does not receive the TB from the first communication device on the first uplink transmission resource of the first coverage enhancement level. Instead, it receives the TB from the first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource of the second coverage enhancement level. In other words, when the first communication device sends the TB, it uses uplink transmission resources of other coverage enhancement levels that are lower than the current coverage enhancement level. It can be understood that the same TBS is mapped to different uplink transmission resources at different coverage enhancement levels. The lower the coverage enhancement level, the fewer uplink transmission resources are mapped. That is, the uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than those mapped to the first coverage enhancement level. Therefore, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can effectively save resources and improve resource utilization.

[0019] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels, including a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1; receiving a transmission block TB from the first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource includes: blindly detecting the transmission block TB on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels according to the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels.

[0020] In the above implementation, when the second communication device receives a TB, it does not perform blind detection based on all currently allowed TBSs, but rather performs blind detection based on the candidate TBSs corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels. This greatly reduces the scope of blind detection, thereby effectively improving communication performance.

[0021] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels, the M coverage enhancement levels including a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, M being an integer greater than 1, the second coverage enhancement level being the lowest coverage enhancement level among N coverage enhancement levels, N being an integer less than M and greater than 1, and the N coverage enhancement levels belonging to the M coverage enhancement levels; wherein, each of the N coverage enhancement levels is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and each of the N coverage enhancement levels includes a second TBS, the code rate corresponding to the second TBS in the uplink transmission resources of the coverage enhancement level corresponding to the second TBS is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resources, and the second TBS included in the second coverage enhancement level is the first TBS.

[0022] In the above implementation, the N coverage enhancement levels are all determined from the M coverage enhancement levels, and are the coverage enhancement levels that can successfully transmit TB on their uplink transmission resources. In other words, the uplink transmission resources of each of these N coverage enhancement levels can be used to transmit TB. Since the uplink transmission resources mapped to different coverage enhancement levels are different for the same TBS, the lower the coverage enhancement level, the fewer the mapped uplink transmission resources. Therefore, the second coverage enhancement level is the lowest coverage enhancement level among the N coverage enhancement levels. Compared with the other coverage enhancement levels among the N coverage enhancement levels, it uses fewer uplink transmission resources when transmitting data, thus effectively saving more resources and improving resource utilization.

[0023] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the first maximum TBS, the M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, M is an integer greater than 1, the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the same, and the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels includes the first TBS.

[0024] In the above implementation, when the second communication device receives a TB, its blind detection range is: M candidate TBSs corresponding to coverage enhancement levels, i.e. M sets of candidate TBSs. When the second communication device can configure the same maximum TBS for each of the M coverage enhancement levels, and the candidate TBSs corresponding to these M coverage enhancement levels are the same, its blind detection range will be reduced from M sets of candidate TBSs to one set of candidate TBSs, thereby effectively reducing the complexity of blind detection.

[0025] In one possible implementation, there is a mapping relationship between the first maximum TBS and the candidate TBS corresponding to each coverage enhancement level.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first maximum TBS is one of a predefined plurality of second maximum TBSs.

[0027] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels is different, where the M coverage enhancement levels include a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0028] In the above implementation, the second communication device can flexibly configure different maximum TBS for different coverage enhancement levels, that is, configure different candidate TBS for different coverage enhancement levels. Then, the communication devices at each coverage enhancement level will be able to flexibly select a TBS that is more suitable for the data length according to their own communication capabilities, thereby improving communication performance.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the data carried by TB includes user data and business data.

[0030] Here, user data can refer to information used to identify the first communication device and request the establishment of a connection, such as the first communication device's random access identifier and initial access parameters. Service data refers to data generated by the first communication device when performing specific services; for example, if the first communication device is a water meter, the service data could include the water consumption recorded by the water meter.

[0031] In the above implementation, the data carried by TB does not only include user data, but also service data. In other words, the first communication device can use EDT to carry both service data and user data in Msg3, thereby reducing uplink and downlink signaling between the first and second communication devices and reducing transmission overhead.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than the uplink transmission resources mapped to the first coverage enhancement level.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first communication device. The first communication device may be a terminal device, or a component within the terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor). It may also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the communication device functions. The method includes: receiving system information from a second communication device, the system information including configuration parameters corresponding to a first coverage enhancement level. The configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to Y first transport block sizes (TBS) under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level; and transmitting a transport block (TB) on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to a second TBS, the second TBS being determined from the Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0034] In the above implementation, the second communication device does not allocate resources based on the maximum TBS, but rather allocates resources at the granularity of multiple TBSs under the current CE level. This resource configuration method allows for multiple specifications of resource units within the same CE level, with different specifications of resource units corresponding to different TBSs. This means that the probability of EDT collisions can be reduced through optimization of resource configuration. Specifically, the second TBS is determined by the first communication device (e.g., UE) during data transmission (e.g., sending Msg3) from among Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TBS. Therefore, the TB is transmitted on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the second TBS, effectively saving resources and improving resource utilization.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second communication device. The second communication device may be an access network device (such as a base station), or a component within the access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor). It may also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the communication device functions. The method includes: sending system information, which includes configuration parameters corresponding to a first coverage enhancement level. The configuration parameters indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to Y first transport block sizes (TBS) under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level; and receiving transport blocks (TB) from the first communication device on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to second TBSs, where the second TBS is determined from the Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0036] In the above implementation, the second communication device does not allocate resources based on the maximum TBS, but rather allocates resources at the granularity of multiple TBSs under the current CE level. This resource configuration method allows for multiple specifications of resource units within the same CE level, with different specifications of resource units corresponding to different TBSs. This means that the probability of EDT collisions can be reduced through optimization of resource configuration. Specifically, the second TBS is determined by the first communication device (e.g., UE) during data transmission (e.g., sending Msg3) from among Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TBS. Therefore, the TB is transmitted on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the second TBS, effectively saving resources and improving resource utilization.

[0037] In conjunction with the third or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the data carried by TB includes user data and business data.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the system information also includes at least one configuration parameter corresponding to a second coverage enhancement level, which is different from the first coverage enhancement level.

[0039] In the above implementation, the system information sent by the second communication device may include configuration parameters corresponding to multiple coverage enhancement levels. Compared with the method where a single system information includes configuration parameters for one coverage enhancement level, the second communication device can broadcast all system information together. This can effectively reduce the number of times the first communication device receives invalid information, reduce transmission overhead, and improve communication performance.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level include Y first TBSs, and the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level also include one or more of the following: the number of repetitions corresponding to the Y first TBSs or the number of resource units corresponding to the Y first TBSs.

[0041] In the above implementation, the second communication device allocates resources at the first TBS granularity, that is, one first TBS corresponds to one repetition number, or one first TBS corresponds to one resource unit. This resource configuration method can allow for multiple specifications of resource units within the same CE level, with different specifications of resource units corresponding to different TBS. In other words, this implementation method can reduce the probability of EDT conflicts by optimizing resource configuration.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the difference between the bit rates of any two of the Y first TBSs under the first coverage enhancement level in the corresponding uplink transmission resources is less than a preset threshold.

[0043] In the above implementation, the second communication device can use the code rate as the basis for resource allocation, so that the code rate after mapping between different specifications under the same CE level is basically the same. This can reduce the bit error caused by inconsistent code rates, thereby effectively improving the success rate of communication.

[0044] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a transceiver module for receiving system information, the system information indicating a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, the second coverage enhancement level being lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and a first communication device belonging to the first coverage enhancement level; a processing module for generating a transport block TB, wherein the first transport block size TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource; and the transceiver module for transmitting the TB on the second uplink transmission resource.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the first TBS is the same as the initial TBS, which is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the first TBS is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level, based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a processing module for generating system information, the system information indicating a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, the second coverage enhancement level being lower than the first coverage enhancement level; a transceiver module for transmitting the system information; the transceiver module is further configured to receive a transmission block TB from a first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, the first transmission block size TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

[0048] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels, including a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1; the transceiver module is specifically used to perform blind detection of transport blocks TB on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, based on the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels.

[0049] In conjunction with the fifth or sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels, the M coverage enhancement levels including a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, M being an integer greater than 1, the second coverage enhancement level being the lowest coverage enhancement level among N coverage enhancement levels, N being an integer less than M and greater than 1, and the N coverage enhancement levels belonging to the M coverage enhancement levels; wherein, each of the N coverage enhancement levels is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and each of the N coverage enhancement levels includes a second TBS, the code rate corresponding to the second TBS in the uplink transmission resources of the coverage enhancement level corresponding to the second TBS is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resources, and the second TBS included in the second coverage enhancement level is the first TBS.

[0050] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the first maximum TBS, the M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, M is an integer greater than 1, the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the same, and the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels includes the first TBS.

[0051] In one possible implementation, there is a mapping relationship between the first maximum TBS and the candidate TBS corresponding to each coverage enhancement level.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the first maximum TBS is one of a predefined plurality of second maximum TBSs.

[0053] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels is different, where the M coverage enhancement levels include a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the data carried by TB includes user data and business data.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than the uplink transmission resources mapped to the first coverage enhancement level.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive system information from a second communication device, the system information including configuration parameters corresponding to a first coverage enhancement level, the configuration parameters indicating uplink transmission resources corresponding to Y first transport block sizes (TBS) under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level; a processing module, configured to generate transport blocks (TBs); and a transceiver module, configured to transmit TBs on uplink transmission resources corresponding to a second TBS, the second TBS being determined from the Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0057] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a processing module for generating system information, the system information including configuration parameters corresponding to a first coverage enhancement level, the configuration parameters indicating uplink transmission resources corresponding to Y first transport block sizes (TBS) under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level; and a transceiver module for transmitting the system information, the transceiver module also being configured to receive a transport block (TB) from the first communication device on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to a second TBS, the second TBS being one of the Y first TBS, the second TBS being determined from the Y first TBS based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0058] In conjunction with the seventh or eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the data carried by TB includes user data and business data.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the system information also includes at least one configuration parameter corresponding to a second coverage enhancement level, which is different from the first coverage enhancement level.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level include Y first TBSs, and the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level also include one or more of the following: the number of repetitions corresponding to the Y first TBSs or the number of resource units corresponding to the Y first TBSs.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the difference between the bit rates of any two of the Y first TBSs under the first coverage enhancement level in the corresponding uplink transmission resources is less than a preset threshold.

[0062] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive information, and the processor is used to enable the communication device to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or to implement a method as described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect, or to implement a method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0063] Tenthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor. The processor is configured to cause the communication device to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or a method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or a method as described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect, or a method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0064] In conjunction with aspect ten, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include interface circuitry. The interface circuitry is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0065] Eleventhly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, causes a communication device including a processor to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any of the first aspects, or the method as described in the second aspect or any of the second aspects, or the method as described in the third aspect or any of the third aspects, or the method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the fourth aspects.

[0066] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the first aspects, or to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the second aspects, or to implement a method as described in the third aspect or any of the third aspects, or to implement a method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the fourth aspects.

[0067] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes at least a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is used to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect.

[0068] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes at least a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is used to implement the method as described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect, and the second communication device is used to implement the method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0069] The technical effects achieved in the above aspects can be referred to each other or to the beneficial effects in the method embodiments shown below, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0070] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 1c is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of resource allocation based on the maximum TBS of each CE level according to an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of resource allocation using TBS as the resource granularity provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another resource allocation method using TBS as the resource granularity provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] In the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "One or more of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0083] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0084] In this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the words "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0085] It is understood that in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device performing a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations. The device performing a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances includes: satisfying the objective circumstances, i.e., being able to perform the corresponding action; or satisfying both the objective circumstances and other circumstances, in order to perform the corresponding action.

[0086] In this application, "simultaneous" can be understood as "parallel", or at the same point in time, or within a period of time, or within the same cycle. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context.

[0087] In this application, the use of singular designations for elements is intended to represent "one or more" rather than "one and only one," unless otherwise specified.

[0088] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, phrases such as "B corresponding to A," "A corresponds to B," or similar expressions indicate that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. This includes determining information B solely based on A, as well as determining B based on A and other information. Furthermore, the use of A to determine information B can also include indirect determination, such as B being determined based on C, and C being determined based on A.

[0089] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, for example, through buses, traces, or interfaces between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device.

[0090] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant terminology of the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application will first be introduced:

[0091] 1. Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)

[0092] Non-terrestrial networks are a general term encompassing networks involving flying objects, including satellite communication networks, High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), and air-to-ground networks. Key value scenarios primarily include areas with poor land coverage, maritime communication, public safety needs, inter-aircraft communication, and railways, aiming to provide users with mobile broadband services.

[0093] HAPS is carried on airborne platforms, mainly including airplanes, balloons, and airships. It uses high-altitude platform stations as mobile communication base stations and provides mobile services using the same frequency bands as terrestrial mobile networks.

[0094] Satellite communication networks rely on onboard platforms, which mainly include low Earth Orbit (LEO), medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites.

[0095] 2. Coverage enhancement (CE) level

[0096] Different CE levels correspond to different indexes, and their resistance to signal attenuation varies. For example, if the index value corresponding to the CE level is 0, it indicates normal coverage and can resist 144dB of signal attenuation; if the index value corresponding to the CE level is 1, it indicates extended coverage and can resist 154dB of signal attenuation; if the index value corresponding to the CE level is 2, it indicates extreme coverage and can resist 164dB of signal attenuation.

[0097] Understandably, the lower the CE level, that is, the smaller the CE level index value, the better the coverage conditions, and the less uplink transmission resources (e.g., time and frequency resources) the terminal device uses when sending information.

[0098] The system architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and application scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, as the system architecture or application scenarios evolve, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0099] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 4th Generation (4G) mobile communication systems, 4.5th Generation (4.5G) mobile communication systems, and 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, including new radio access technology (NR), multi-system converged networks, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, and open-radio access networks (O-RAN). As communication technologies continue to develop, the technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be used in subsequent evolved communication systems. The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). The methods provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to NTN communication systems or scenarios where NTN and terrestrial networks (TN) are converged. The NTN system can be an NTN system integrated with 4G, 5G, and any future generation of communication systems, such as NR NTN, IoT NTN, etc. The NTN communication system can be, for example, a satellite communication system, or it can include drones, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other air access network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0100] In one possible implementation, the communication system includes communication devices that can wirelessly communicate with each other using air interface resources. These communication devices may include access network devices (also known as network devices or AP devices) and terminal devices. Air interface resources may include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources.

[0101] Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), refers to devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users. Examples include handheld devices and in-vehicle devices with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminal equipment include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes. Terminal equipment can also be a communication module, satellite phone, or its components with satellite communication capabilities, or a satellite communication terminal, such as a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) (commonly referred to as a VSAT terminal), portable station, fixed station, vehicle-mounted or airborne satellite communication terminal, etc. It should be understood that a satellite communication terminal can serve as a micro base station to further provide data interfaces to accessed user equipment.

[0102] Access network equipment refers to radio access network (RAN) nodes (or devices) that connect terminal devices to a wireless network; it can also be called a base station. Examples of RAN nodes include: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B (HNB)), base band unit (BBU), and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP). Access network equipment can also be satellites (or satellite base stations) or HAPS (Hybrid Access Point System), or base station equipment mounted on satellites / HAPS. The satellite may include at least one of the following: geostationary orbit satellite (or geosynchronous orbit satellite) or non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO). Non-geostationary earth orbit satellite may include at least one of the following: medium Earth orbit satellite or low Earth orbit satellite. There are no restrictions here. Access network equipment may also be a gateway station (or ground station, earth station, signaling station, gateway, or gateway station), etc. Additionally, in one network architecture, access network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or RAN equipment including CU nodes and DU nodes. RAN equipment including CU nodes and DU nodes separates the protocol layer of the gNB in ​​the NR system, with some protocol layer functions centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. Furthermore, the centralized unit CU may also be divided into a control plane (CU-CP) and a user plane (CU-UP). The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, mainly including radio resource control (RRC) and the corresponding packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), i.e., PDCP-C. PDCP-C is mainly responsible for the encryption and decryption of control plane data, integrity protection, and data transmission.CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, mainly including the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) and the corresponding PDCP for the user plane, namely PDCP-U. SDAP is primarily responsible for processing core network data and mapping flows to bearers. PDCP-U is mainly responsible for data plane encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, and data transmission. CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via the E1 interface. CU-CP represents the gNB connecting to the core network via the NG interface. It connects to the DU via the F1 interface control plane (F1-C). CU-UP connects to the DU via the F1 interface user plane (F1-U). Alternatively, PDCP-C may also be located within CU-UP.

[0103] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to communication systems in non-terrestrial networks. These non-terrestrial network communications can include satellite communication and drone communication, among others. This document uses satellite communication as an example, specifically relating to the aforementioned NTN NB-IoT scenario.

[0104] For example, please refer to Figure 1a, which is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1a, the terminal device accesses the network through the air interface, and the base station or part of the base station functions are deployed on the satellite and connected to the ground core network through the NG interface. The satellite is connected to the ground station through a wireless link, and the ground station is connected to the core network through wired or wireless means.

[0105] The following will describe each network element and interface in Figure 1a:

[0106] Terminal equipment: can be mobile devices that support LTE / NR, which can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate services such as making calls and accessing the Internet.

[0107] Base station: mainly provides wireless access services, allocates wireless resources to access terminal devices, and provides reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc.

[0108] Ground station: Responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between base stations and the core network.

[0109] Core Network: Used to perform services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. It consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into user plane and control plane functional entities. The user plane functional entities may include the User Plane Function (UPF) entity, which is responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions. The control plane functional entities may include the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity and the Location Management Function (SMF) entity. The AMF entity is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management, while the MMF entity is responsible for managing and controlling location service requests from target terminals and processing location-related information.

[0110] Air interface: The wireless link between the terminal and the base station.

[0111] NG interface: The interface between the base station and the core network, mainly used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network, as well as user service data.

[0112] For example, please refer to Figure 1b, which is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1b, the terminal device accesses the network through the air interface, the base station is deployed on the ground and connected to the ground station for satellite communication, the satellite is connected to the ground station through a wireless link, and the ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network through wired or wireless means.

[0113] The descriptions of each network element and interface in Figure 1b can be found in Figure 1a above, and will not be repeated here.

[0114] It is understandable that wireless links exist between satellites. If base stations are deployed on the ground, it can be understood that the satellites only have transparent transmission and forwarding capabilities, and therefore, only transparent transmission and forwarding are implemented between satellites. If base stations or some base station functions are deployed on satellites, then signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations can be completed between satellites.

[0115] For example, please refer to Figure 1c, which is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1c, the terminal device accesses the network through the air interface, the base station is deployed on the ground and connected to the ground station for satellite communication, the satellite is connected to the ground station through a wireless link, and the ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network through wired or wireless means.

[0116] In Figure 1c, the Xn interface is the interface between base stations, mainly used for signaling interaction such as handover. For the description of other network elements and interfaces in Figure 1c, please refer to Figure 1a above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0117] To facilitate understanding of the technical methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced as follows:

[0118] In NTN NB-IoT scenarios, UEs generally possess Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) functionality. This means that the UE determines its location information before accessing the NTN cell and can determine the satellite's location through ephemeris information broadcast in the system information block (SIB) sent by the base station. Therefore, the UE can obtain effective Timing Advance (TA) through its location and satellite location, without strictly requiring Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) preamble transmission. Based on this, to reduce EDT uplink and downlink signaling, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) discussed Msg3 transmission without Msg1 / RAR.

[0119] However, if Msg1 and Msg2 are removed in the CB-Msg3EDT scenario, the base station will not be able to obtain any relevant information about the UE. Therefore, resource configuration must be based on accommodating the maximum TBS to avoid decoding failures caused by the larger TBS increasing the code rate during CB-Msg3 transmission by the UE. However, 3GPP, in Release 15, supports allowing the UE to select a TBS smaller than the maximum TBS based on the actual length of the data generated by the UE when higher-layer signaling (i.e., edt-SmallTBS-Enabled) is enabled. In other words, the TBS used by the UE for data transmission is not the maximum TBS, and using the maximum TBS for resource configuration may lead to resource waste and reduced resource utilization.

[0120] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides two different communication methods:

[0121] In the first communication method, a cross-CE level resource mapping approach is proposed to save resources and improve resource utilization. Specifically, the first communication device (e.g., UE) can receive system information indicating a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level. The second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. Then, the first communication device can perform cross-CE level mapping, that is, transmit a transport block TB on the second uplink transmission resource instead of transmitting the transport block TB on the first uplink transmission resource. Here, the first transport block size TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the maximum allowed TBS under the first coverage enhancement level (i.e., the first maximum TBS), and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource. It is understandable that the same TBS is mapped to different uplink transmission resources at different CE levels. The lower the CE level, the fewer uplink transmission resources are mapped. Therefore, when the first communication device uses the uplink transmission resources of the second coverage enhancement level to send TB, it can effectively save resources and improve resource utilization.

[0122] In the second communication method, a resource allocation approach based on TBS is proposed to improve resource utilization. Specifically, the second communication device (e.g., a base station) does not allocate resources based on the maximum TBS as a baseline, but rather allocates resources at the granularity of multiple candidate TBSs (i.e., the first TBS) under the current CE level. Each candidate TBS corresponds to a resource unit (RU) of a certain specification. In other words, this resource allocation method allows for multiple specifications of resource units within the same CE level, with different specifications of resource units corresponding to different candidate TBSs. Subsequently, when the first communication device (e.g., a UE) performs data transmission (e.g., sending Msg3), it can select a more suitable first TBS (i.e., the second TBS) based on the data length and transmit the TB on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to that second TBS. Compared to using the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the maximum TBS to transmit the TB, this effectively reduces resource waste and improves resource utilization.

[0123] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between various embodiments or implementations can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The following embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the first communication device in this application embodiment may be a terminal device, or a component within the terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip or system-in-package chip containing a modem core), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the communication device functions. The second communication device may be an access network device (e.g., a base station), or a component within the access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the communication device functions. It should be understood that in this application, the terminal device and / or access network device may perform some or all of the steps in each embodiment. These steps or operations are merely examples, and other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0125] To facilitate understanding of the first communication method, please refer to Figure 2, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the method may include at least steps S201-S202:

[0126] In step S201, the second communication device sends system information, which indicates the first uplink transmission resources of the first coverage enhancement level and the second uplink transmission resources of the second coverage enhancement level. The second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. Accordingly, the first communication device receives the system information.

[0127] The communication protocol of the second communication device may include multiple predefined maximum TBSs, which can all be understood as the maximum TBS to be configured (also known as the second maximum TBS). These maximum TBSs can be used to support EDT (Electronic Data Transmission) for mapping Msg3 to NPUSCH. For example, please refer to Table 1, which is a schematic table of TBSs provided in this application embodiment for supporting the mapping of Msg3 to NPUSCH. As shown in Table 1:

[0128] Table 1

[0129] The number of maximum TBS values ​​to be configured, as shown in Table 1 above, can be 7, specifically including 408, 504, 584, 680, 808, 936, and 1000. Each maximum TBS corresponds to a set of allowed TBS values. For example, when the maximum TBS is 1000, its corresponding allowed TBS values ​​can include 328, 536, 776, and 1000. In other words, when the maximum TBS is 1000, it can be mapped to the four candidate TBS values ​​of 328, 536, 776, and 1000.

[0130] Of course, in order to achieve cross-CE level resource mapping in the future, the embodiments of this application can redesign the above Table 1 so that the specification of the resource unit between CE levels (i.e. the number of symbols occupied by each EDT) is a multiple of K, and the candidate TBS that has a mapping relationship with the maximum TBS needs to include a specific TBS value (i.e. a value less than or equal to TBS / K), where K can be an integer greater than 1.

[0131] For example, if K is 2, the allowed TBS value corresponding to the maximum TBS can include a value less than or equal to the maximum TBS / 2. For ease of understanding, please refer to Table 2, which is a schematic table of TBS provided in this application embodiment for supporting the mapping of competition-based Msg3 to NPUSCH. As shown in Table 2:

[0132] Table 2

[0133] When the maximum TBS is 1000 as shown in Table 2, its corresponding allowable TBS value can include a value less than or equal to 500 (i.e., 456). It is understandable that, according to Table 1 above, the minimum allowable TBS value is 382. When the maximum TBS is 408, 504, or 584 as shown in Table 2, the value of maximum TBS / 2 is already less than the minimum allowable TBS value. Therefore, only one of these three maximum TBS values ​​is included in the allowable TBS value, namely the maximum TBS value.

[0134] It should be noted that the items shown in Tables 1 and 2 above are merely a reference format. In actual business scenarios, other items can be created according to requirements (such as the identifier corresponding to the maximum TBS). This application embodiment does not limit the specific form of Tables 1 and 2. Furthermore, "table" is only one format; other configuration structures such as lists and sequences can also be used, which will not be limited here.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the second communication device can configure resources for M CE levels based on a predefined plurality of second TBSs, where M is an integer greater than 1. The M CE levels can include the aforementioned first and second coverage enhancement levels. After the second communication device completes the resource configuration for each CE level, it can send system information to the entire cell via the SIB. This system information can be used to indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to each of the M CE levels. In other words, the system information can include configuration parameters for each CE level, specifically including one or more of the following: maximum TBS (e.g., edt-TBS), number of RUs (e.g., N). RU ), number of repetitions (e.g., N) Rep ), the starting position of time and frequency resources or higher-layer signaling (e.g., edt-SmallTBS-enabled indication).

[0136] Here, the repetition count refers to the number of times the data to be transmitted by the sending end (e.g., the first communication device). The time-frequency resource block indicated by the start position of the time-frequency domain can be used to transmit Msg3 in the CB-Msg3 EDT scenario. edt-SmallTBS-enabled can be used to indicate whether other TBSs smaller than the maximum TBS are allowed to be used. That is, when edt-SmallTBS-enabled is enabled, other TBSs smaller than the maximum TBS are supported for padding issues.

[0137] For ease of understanding, please further refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of resource configuration based on the maximum TBS of each CE level according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the CE levels involved in this embodiment can be 4, specifically including CE level 0, CE level 1, CE level 2, and CE level 3. Among them, CE level 0 is the lowest CE level among the four CE levels, and CE level 3 is the highest CE level among the four CE levels.

[0138] The second communication device can be configured with a time-frequency resource block as uplink transmission resource for transmitting Msg3, as shown in Figure 3. In the frequency domain, this time-frequency resource block contains 16 subcarriers with corresponding indices from 0 to 15. The second communication device can configure resources for different CE levels, for example, by dividing resource units in the time domain.

[0139] It should be understood that the maximum TBS configured for each CE level of the second communication device may be different or the same, and this will not be limited here.

[0140] In one possible implementation, the second communication device can also flexibly configure the maximum TBS corresponding to each CE level according to the multiple maximum TBS shown in Table 1 above.

[0141] For example, when the second communication device configures resources for CE level 3, it can select one maximum TBS (e.g., 936) from the predefined maximum TBSs shown in Table 1 above. In this case, the candidate TBSs corresponding to CE level 3 can include four, specifically 328, 504, 712, and 936. Then, the second communication device can configure the resource unit for CE level 3 based on the maximum TBS. The specification of the resource unit for CE level 3 can be specification d as shown in Figure 3, meaning that the resource unit for CE level 3 can be used to correspond to resources in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain of the corresponding time-frequency resource block.

[0142] Similarly, the second communication device can configure resources for CE level 2, CE level 1, and CE level 0 respectively. It can be understood that N under the same CE level... RU and N Rep They are the same, but the specifications of the resource unit are the same as N. RU and N Rep Therefore, the specifications of resource units within the same CE level are the same.

[0143] As shown in Table 1 above, different maximum TBSs correspond to different allowable TBS values. Therefore, when the first communication device receives system information from the second communication device, it can know that the candidate TBSs configured by the second communication device for each CE level are different. Then, when the first communication device sends Msg3 in the future, it can select a more suitable TBS based on the data length, thereby saving resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0144] In another possible implementation, the second communication device can configure the maximum TBS of each CE level to the same maximum TBS.

[0145] For example, the second communication device can select the largest TBS from the multiple TBSs shown in Table 2 as the largest TBS for each CE level (e.g., 936). In this case, the candidate TBSs corresponding to each CE level are the same, that is, including the two candidate TBSs 408 and 936. In this way, when the second communication device performs blind detection, it can perform blind detection on the uplink transmission resources of multiple CE levels based on these two candidate TBSs. Compared with configuring different maximum TBSs under each CE level, the complexity of blind detection can be effectively reduced.

[0146] Furthermore, the second communication device can configure resources for each CE level based on the maximum TBS. Due to the redesign of Table 2, the second communication device can configure the specifications of resource units in a lower-level CE level to half the specifications of resource units in the current CE level, facilitating subsequent random mapping to uplink transmission resources in the lower-level CE level.

[0147] For example, if the specification of a resource unit of CE level 3 is specification d as shown in Figure 3, since CE level 2 is one level lower than CE level 3, CE level 1 is one level lower than CE level 2, and CE level 0 is one level lower than CE level 1, the second communication device can use half of specification d as the specification of a resource unit of CE level 2 (e.g., specification c shown in Figure 3), half of specification c as the specification of a resource unit of CE level 1 (e.g., specification b shown in Figure 3), and half of specification b as the specification of a resource unit of CE level 0 (e.g., specification a shown in Figure 3).

[0148] Specifically, the time and frequency resources indicated by specification d can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to the maximum TBS of CE level 3, the time and frequency resources indicated by specification c can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to the maximum TBS of CE level 2, the time and frequency resources indicated by specification b can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to the maximum TBS of CE level 1, and the time and frequency resources indicated by specification a can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to the maximum TBS of CE level 0. Since the maximum TBS configured for each CE level is the same, this means that the uplink transmission resources used for the same TBS are different under different CE levels. The lower the CE level, the less uplink transmission resources are used, and the higher the CE level, the more uplink transmission resources are used.

[0149] In step S202, the first communication device transmits a TB on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein the first TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is less than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

[0150] Here, the first TBS can be determined by the first communication device from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level based on the length of data carried by the TB, or it can be the same TBS as the initial TBS determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level. The initial TBS refers to the TBS determined by the first communication device from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of data carried by the TB, and will not be limited here. The aforementioned uplink transmission resources can be time-frequency resources.

[0151] In this embodiment of the application, the bit rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource can also be called the bit rate threshold. The specific determination method of the threshold can be found in the following formula (1):

[0152] Among them, TBS max It can be used to represent the first maximum TBS, that is, the maximum TBS allowed by the current CE level of the first communication device; CRC can be used to represent the checksum generated by Cyclic Redundancy Check; RE RU Q can be used to represent the number of resource elements (REs) on a RU. One RE can be used for one subcarrier in the frequency domain and one symbol in the time domain; Q is used to represent the number of information transmitted per symbol under the modulation scheme. For example, in QPSK modulation, Q can be 2, which means that each symbol can transmit 2 bits of information; N RU It can be used to represent the number of RUs; N rep It can be used to indicate the number of times data to be transmitted by the sending end (e.g., the first communication device).

[0153] For example, before executing step S202, the first communication device needs to determine the initial TBS from the candidate TBSs of the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data generated by the first communication device (i.e., the data carried by the TB). The data carried by the TB may include user data and service data. The user data may refer to information used to inform the first communication device of its identity and request connection establishment, such as the first communication device's random access identifier and initial access parameters. The service data refers to the data generated by the first communication device when performing specific services; for example, if the first communication device is a water meter, the service data may include the water consumption recorded by the water meter.

[0154] If the initial TBS is less than the first maximum TBS, the first communication device can determine N CE levels from M CE levels, where N is less than M. Each of these N CE levels is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and each of the N CE levels includes a second TBS. The code rate corresponding to the second TBS in the uplink transmission resources of the CE level corresponding to the second TBS is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resources.

[0155] Then, the first communication device can determine a second coverage enhancement level from N CE levels. For example, if N is 1, the second coverage enhancement level can be understood as the CE level determined from M CE levels; if N is an integer greater than 1, the second coverage enhancement level can be any one of the N CE levels; of course, in order to save more resources, when N is greater than 1, the second coverage enhancement level can be the lowest coverage enhancement level among the N CE levels.

[0156] In one possible implementation, the first communication device can directly determine the second TBS from candidate TBSs corresponding to other coverage enhancement levels lower than the first coverage enhancement level, based on the initial TBS.

[0157] For example, if the system information indicates that the maximum TBS corresponding to M CE levels is the first maximum TBS, then the candidate TBS corresponding to the M CE levels is also the same. The maximum TBS can be mapped to the candidate TBS corresponding to each CE level.

[0158] For example, if the system information indicates that the maximum TBS corresponding to the four CE levels (CE level 3, CE level 2, CE level 1 and CE level 0) shown in Figure 3 is 936 as shown in Table 2, then the candidate TBS corresponding to these four CE levels are two, namely 408 and 936.

[0159] If the length of the data generated by the first communication device is 400, and the first communication device belongs to CE level 2 (i.e., the first coverage enhancement level), then the first communication device can determine a candidate TBS (i.e., the initial TBS) matching the data length from the candidate TBSs corresponding to CE level 2, which is 408. Since the initial TBS is less than the first maximum TBS allowed under CE level 2, the first communication device can determine at least one CE level lower than CE level 2 from these four CE levels, specifically including CE level 1 and CE level 0. Then, the first communication device can determine the TBS that is the same as the initial TBS from the candidate TBSs corresponding to CE level 1 and CE level 0 respectively, specifically including 408 in CE level 1 (denoted as candidate TBS1) and 408 in CE level 0 (denoted as candidate TBS2). Then, the first communication device needs to continue to determine whether the code rate corresponding to the TBS that is the same as the initial TBS in the uplink transmission resources of its CE level exceeds the code rate threshold (i.e., the code rate corresponding to the maximum TBS of 936 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 2).

[0160] Understandably, the first communication device can refer to the above formula (1) to determine the code rate 1 corresponding to candidate TBS1 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 1, and the code rate 2 corresponding to candidate TBS2 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 0. If the code rate 2 is greater than the code rate threshold, and the code rate 1 is less than or equal to the code rate threshold, then the first communication device can determine candidate TBS1 as the second TBS. Then, the first communication device can determine the CE level (i.e., CE level 1) corresponding to candidate TBS1 as the second coverage enhancement level, and determine candidate TBS1 as the first TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level.

[0161] For example, if the system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M CE levels is different, taking the four CE levels shown in Figure 3 as an example, if the system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 3 is 1000 as shown in Table 1 above, the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 2 is 1000 as shown in Table 1 above, the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 1 is 936 as shown in Table 1 above, and the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 0 is 808 as shown in Table 1 above, then it can be understood that: the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 3 can include 328, 536, 776 and 1000; the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 2 can include 328, 536, 776 and 1000; the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 1 can include 328, 504, 712 and 936; and the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 0 can include 328, 504, 680 and 808.

[0162] If the length of the data generated by the first communication device is 500, and the first communication device belongs to CE level 3 (i.e., the first coverage enhancement level), then the first communication device can determine a candidate TBS (i.e., the initial TBS) that matches the length of the data from the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 3, which is 536. Since the second TBS is smaller than the maximum TBS under CE level 3, the first communication device can first determine the CE level lower than CE level 3 from these four CE levels, specifically including CE level 2, CE level 1, and CE level 0. Then, the first communication device needs to determine whether there is a TBS with the same name as the initial TBS among the candidate TBS corresponding to the CE level lower than CE level 3. If so, it needs to continue to determine whether the code rate corresponding to the TBS with the same name as the initial TBS in the uplink transmission resources of its CE level exceeds the code rate threshold (i.e., the code rate corresponding to the maximum TBS of 1000 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 3).

[0163] Understandably, when the first communication device determines a TBS (denoted as candidate TBS3) that is identical to the initial TBS from the candidate TBSs corresponding to CE level 2, the first communication device can refer to the above formula (1) to determine the code rate 3 corresponding to candidate TBS3 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 2. If the code rate 3 is less than or equal to the code rate threshold, the first communication device can determine candidate TBS3 as the second TBS. Then, the first communication device can determine the CE level (i.e., CE level 2) corresponding to candidate TBS3 as the second coverage enhancement level, and determine candidate TBS3 as the first TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level.

[0164] In another possible implementation, the first communication device can directly determine the second TBS from candidate TBSs corresponding to other coverage enhancement levels below the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TBS.

[0165] For example, if the system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M CE levels is different, taking the four CE levels shown in Figure 3 as an example, if the system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 3 is 1000 as shown in Table 1 above, the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 2 is 1000 as shown in Table 1 above, the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 1 is 936 as shown in Table 1 above, and the maximum TBS corresponding to CE level 0 is 808 as shown in Table 1 above, then it can be understood that: the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 3 can include 328, 536, 776 and 1000; the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 2 can include 328, 536, 776 and 1000; the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 1 can include 328, 504, 712 and 936; and the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 0 can include 328, 504, 680 and 808.

[0166] If the length of the data generated by the first communication device is 500, and the first communication device belongs to CE level 3, then the first communication device can determine a candidate TBS (i.e., initial TBS) that matches the data length from the candidate TBS corresponding to CE level 3, which is 536. Since the second TBS is smaller than the maximum TBS under CE level 3, the first communication device can first determine the CE level lower than CE level 3 from these four CE levels, specifically including CE level 2, CE level 1, and CE level 0, and then determine the candidate TBS (i.e., third TBS) that matches the data length from the candidate TBS corresponding to each CE level lower than CE level 3. The TBS that matches the data length can be the TBS that is greater than the data length and has the smallest difference between the two lengths.

[0167] Understandably, the third TBS determined by the first communication device may include: 536 in CE level 2 (denoted as candidate TBS4), 504 in CE level 1 (denoted as candidate TBS5), and 504 in CE level 0 (denoted as candidate TBS6). These third TBSs can constitute a TBS set. Then, the first communication device needs to further determine whether the code rate corresponding to each YBS in this TBS set in its CE level uplink transmission resources exceeds the code rate threshold (i.e., the code rate corresponding to the largest TBS of 1000 in the CE level 3 uplink transmission resources).

[0168] For example, the first communication device can refer to the above formula (1) to determine the code rate 4 corresponding to candidate TBS4 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 2, the code rate 5 corresponding to candidate TBS5 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 1, and the code rate 6 corresponding to candidate TBS6 in the uplink transmission resources of CE level 0. If the code rate 4 and the code rate 6 are less than or equal to the above code rate threshold, then candidate TBS4 and candidate TBS6 can be understood as the second TBS. Then, the first communication device can determine the second coverage enhancement level from the CE level (i.e., CE level 2) corresponding to candidate TBS4 and the CE level (i.e., CE level 0) corresponding to candidate TBS6. The second coverage enhancement level can be CE level 2 or CE level 0, and will not be limited here. Of course, in order to save more resources, the lowest coverage enhancement level (i.e., CE level 0) of these two CE levels is usually selected as the second coverage enhancement level, and candidate TBS6 is determined as the first TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level.

[0169] Furthermore, after determining the second coverage enhancement level, the first communication device can randomly map the TB to a second uplink transmission resource at the second coverage enhancement level, and transmit the TB on the second uplink transmission resource. For example, if the second coverage enhancement level determined by the second communication device is CE level 0 as shown in FIG3 above, the second communication device can randomly map the TB to a certain time-frequency resource corresponding to specification a, and transmit the TB on the time-frequency resource.

[0170] Correspondingly, the second communication device can blindly detect TB on the uplink transmission resources of M CE levels according to the candidate TBS corresponding to each of the M CE levels, and finally blindly detect TB on the second uplink transmission resources, that is, the second communication device can receive TB on the second uplink transmission resources.

[0171] In this embodiment, the first communication device does not use the first uplink transmission resources of its current CE level (i.e., the first coverage enhancement level) for data transmission. Instead, it uses the second uplink transmission resources of the second coverage enhancement level to send transport blocks (TBs). It is understood that the uplink transmission resources mapped to different CE levels for the same TBS are different; the lower the CE level, the fewer the mapped uplink transmission resources. In other words, the uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than those mapped to the first coverage enhancement level. Therefore, when the first communication device uses the second uplink resources to send TBs, it can effectively save resources and improve resource utilization.

[0172] To facilitate understanding of the first communication method, please also refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the method can be executed by a first communication device, and specifically may include steps S401-S405:

[0173] In step S401, the first communication device receives system information, which is used to indicate uplink transmission resources of M CE levels, where M is an integer greater than 1. The M CE levels include the first coverage enhancement level, and the uplink transmission resources of the first coverage enhancement level are the first uplink transmission resources. The first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level.

[0174] In step S402, the first communication device determines whether the first coverage enhancement level is the lowest coverage enhancement level among the M CE levels.

[0175] If not, continue to step S403; if yes, proceed to step S405.

[0176] In step S403, the first communication device determines whether the initial TBS is the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level.

[0177] The initial TBS is determined by the first communication device from the candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data. For example, the initial TBS may be the TBS that matches the length of the data among the candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level, that is, the TBS that is greater than the length of the data and has the smallest difference between it and the length of the data.

[0178] If not, proceed to step S404; if yes, proceed to step S405.

[0179] In step S404, the first communication device transmits a TB on the second uplink transmission resource of the second coverage enhancement level. The second coverage enhancement level belongs to M CE levels and is lower than the first coverage enhancement level. The first TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is less than the first maximum TBS, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

[0180] The specific implementation of steps S401-S404 can be found in the description of steps S201-S202 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0181] Step S405, the first communication device sends TB on the first uplink transmission resource.

[0182] In this embodiment, when the first coverage enhancement level is the lowest CE level among M CE levels, the first communication device can determine an initial TBS that matches the data length from the candidate TBSs corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level. Regardless of which candidate TBS under the lowest CE level the selected initial TBS is, the rate is matched, and it can be randomly mapped to the uplink transmission resource (i.e., the first uplink transmission resource) corresponding to the lowest CE level. When the first coverage enhancement level is not the lowest CE level among M CE levels, but the initial TBS determined by the first communication device based on the data length is the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, the first communication device also needs to randomly map the TBS to the uplink transmission resource of the current level. When the first coverage enhancement level is not the lowest CE level among M CE levels, and the initial TBS determined by the first communication device based on the data length is not the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, the first communication device can perform cross-CE level resource mapping, that is, send the TBS on the uplink transmission resource of the second coverage enhancement level, which is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, to save resources and improve resource utilization.

[0183] To facilitate understanding of the second communication method, please refer to Figure 5, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include at least steps S501-S502:

[0184] In step S501, the second communication device sends system information, which includes configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level. These parameters indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the Y first TBSs under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1. The first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives this system information.

[0185] Here, the first TBS can be used to represent a candidate TBS configured by the second communication device for the first coverage enhancement level. The configuration parameters here may include one or more of the following: maximum TBS (e.g., edt-TBS), higher-layer signaling (e.g., edt-SmallTBS-enabled) indication, number of first TBSs (e.g., Small-TBS-Num, which can be represented by Y), time-frequency resource start position, number of resource units corresponding to each first TBS, and number of RUs (e.g., N). RU ) or number of repetitions (e.g., N) Rep ).

[0186] It is understandable that edt-SmallTBS-enabled can be used to indicate whether other TBSs smaller than the maximum TBS are allowed to be used. That is, when edt-SmallTBS-enabled is enabled, other TBSs smaller than the maximum TBS can be selected. At this time, the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level also include one or more items with the first TBS as the granularity: the number of repetitions corresponding to Y first TBSs or the number of RUs corresponding to Y first TBSs.

[0187] In other words, when edt-SmallTBS-enabled is enabled, the second communication device can allocate the specifications of Y EDT resource units according to the Y first TBSs corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level. Each specification corresponds to one first TBS, and the difference between the corresponding code rates of any two first TBSs in the corresponding uplink transmission resources under the first coverage enhancement level is less than a preset threshold. In this embodiment, using code rate as the basis for resource allocation can ensure that the mapped code rates of different specifications under the same CE level are basically consistent. This can reduce the bit error rate caused by inconsistent code rates, thereby effectively improving the communication success rate.

[0188] In this embodiment of the application, the specific method for determining the bit rate corresponding to any first TBS in the uplink transmission resources configured for it can be found in the following formula (2):

[0189] Among them, TBS i It can be used to represent the i-th type of first TBS under the first coverage enhancement level, where i is less than or equal to Y; N RU，i It can be used to represent the number of RUs corresponding to the i-th type of first TBS; N rep，i It can be used to represent the number of times the data to be sent by the sending end (e.g., the first communication device) when data is transmitted using the i-th type of first TBS; the description of other parameters can be found in the description of the parameters in the above formula (1), and will not be repeated here.

[0190] Optionally, the system information may also include configuration parameters corresponding to at least one second coverage enhancement level, where the second coverage enhancement level is different from the first coverage enhancement level. It is understood that the second communication device can be configured with configuration parameters corresponding to multiple CE levels, and the maximum TBS of these multiple CE levels can be configured to be the same or different; this will not be limited here.

[0191] For ease of understanding, please further refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of resource allocation using TBS as the resource granularity provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the CE levels involved in this embodiment can be 3, specifically including CE level 0, CE level 1, and CE level 2. Among them, CE level 0 is the lowest CE level among the three CE levels, and CE level 2 is the highest CE level among the three CE levels.

[0192] The second communication device can configure a time-frequency resource block as uplink transmission resource for transmitting Msg3, as shown in Figure 6. In the frequency domain, this time-frequency resource block contains 12 subcarriers, corresponding to indices 0 to 11. The second communication device can configure resources at the granularity of each candidate TBS of the same CE level, for example, by dividing resource units in the time domain.

[0193] It should be understood that the maximum TBS configured by the second communication device for each CE level can be different or the same, and will not be limited here. The number of the first TBS corresponding to each CE level can be the same or different. In the embodiments of this application, the second communication device can be configured with the same number of first TBS for each CE level, specifically 3 as an example.

[0194] Taking CE level 0 as an example, the second communication device can be configured with three first TBSs for CE level 0, specifically including TBS1 (e.g., 328), TBS2 (e.g., 408), and TBS3 (e.g., 504). Then, the second communication device can be configured according to TBS1, TBS2, and TBS3 respectively, allocating time-frequency resources corresponding to CE level 0. For example, the second communication device can configure different resource specifications on the same subcarrier within the same CE level.

[0195] As shown in Figure 6, after configuring resources for CE level 0, the second communication device can obtain three types of resource units, specifically including resource units shown in specification a1, specification a2, and specification a3. Specifically, the resource unit shown in specification a1 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS1, the resource unit shown in specification a2 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS2, and the resource unit shown in specification a3 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS3.

[0196] Similarly, the second communication device can divide the time and frequency resources corresponding to CE level 1 based on the three first TBSs under CE level 1 to obtain three types of resource units, specifically including the resource unit shown in specification b1, the resource unit shown in specification b2, and the resource unit shown in specification b3.

[0197] The second communication device can divide the time and frequency resources corresponding to CE level 2 based on the three first TBSs under CE level 2 to obtain three types of resource units, specifically including the resource unit shown in specification c1, the resource unit shown in specification c2, and the resource unit shown in specification c3.

[0198] Furthermore, please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of another resource allocation method using TBS as the resource granularity provided in this application embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the CE level involved in this application embodiment can be any one of the M CE levels (for example, CE level 2 shown in Figure 6), and CE level 2 can be the highest CE level among the M CE levels.

[0199] For example, the second communication device can be configured with four first TBSs for CE level 2, specifically including TBS4 (e.g., 328), TBS5 (e.g., 536), TBS6 (e.g., 776), and TBS7 (e.g., 1000). Then, the second communication device can be configured according to TBS4, TBS5, TBS6, and TBS7 respectively to allocate time-frequency resources corresponding to CE level 2. For example, the second communication device can be configured with the same resource specifications on the same subcarrier of the same CE level.

[0200] As shown in Figure 7, after configuring resources for CE level 0, the second communication device can obtain four types of resource units, specifically including resource units shown in specification d1, specification d2, specification d3, and specification d4. Specifically, the resource unit shown in specification d1 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS4, the resource unit shown in specification d2 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS5, the resource unit shown in specification d3 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS6, and the resource unit shown in specification d4 can be used to transmit the TB corresponding to TBS7.

[0201] In step S502, the first communication device sends a TB on the uplink transmission resource corresponding to the second TBS. The second TBS is determined from the Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0202] The data generated by the first communication device (i.e., the data carried by TB) may include user data and service data. User data can refer to information used to identify the first communication device and request connection establishment, such as the first communication device's random access identifier and initial access parameters. Service data refers to data generated by the first communication device when performing specific services. For example, if the first communication device is a water meter, the service data may include the water consumption recorded by the water meter.

[0203] Understandably, before executing step S502, the first communication device needs to determine a second TBS from the Y first TBSs of the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data generated by the first communication device. For example, the second TBS may be the first TBS determined from the Y first TBSs that is longer than the data length and shorter than the largest TBS. Alternatively, the second TBS may be the first TBS determined from the Y first TBSs that matches the data length, i.e., the first TBS that is longer than the data length and has the smallest difference between itself and the data length.

[0204] Then, the first communication device can randomly map the TB to the resource unit corresponding to the second TBS. For example, if the length of the data generated by the first communication device is 400, and the CE level of the first communication device is CE level 0 as shown in Figure 6, then the second TBS here is TBS2 (e.g., 408) involved in Figure 6. Therefore, the first communication device can randomly map the TB to the uplink transmission resource corresponding to TBS2 (e.g., a resource unit shown in specification a2), and transmit the TB on the uplink transmission resource corresponding to TBS2.

[0205] In this embodiment, the second communication device does not allocate resources based on the maximum TBS, but rather allocates resources at the granularity of multiple TBSs under the current CE level. This resource configuration method allows for multiple resource units of different specifications within the same CE level, with different specifications corresponding to different TBSs. This optimization of resource configuration can reduce the probability of EDT conflicts. Subsequently, when the first communication device (e.g., UE) performs data transmission (e.g., sending Msg3), it can select the uplink transmission resource corresponding to the TBS related to the data length to send the TBS, effectively saving resources and improving resource utilization.

[0206] The foregoing details the method provided in this application. To facilitate the implementation of the above-described solutions in the embodiments of this application, corresponding apparatus or devices are also provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0207] This application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 9.

[0208] Referring to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, the communication device 1 includes at least one of a transceiver module 81 and a processing module 82. These modules can perform the corresponding functions of the communication device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 81 can implement the corresponding communication function, and the processing module 82 is used to implement the corresponding processing function. For example, the transceiver module 81 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0209] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the first communication device mentioned above. The first communication device may be a terminal device, or a component in the terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication function (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a logic node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the communication device functions.

[0210] In specific implementation, transceiver module 81 is used to receive system information, which indicates the first uplink transmission resource of the first coverage enhancement level and the second uplink transmission resource of the second coverage enhancement level. The second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. Processing module 82 is used to generate transport block TB, wherein the first transport block size TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource. Transceiver module 81 is used to transmit TB on the second uplink transmission resource.

[0211] In one possible implementation, the first TBS is the same as the initial TBS, which is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

[0212] In one possible implementation, the first TBS is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level, based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

[0213] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 81 and the processing module 82 can be found in the description of steps S201-S202 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2 or the description of steps S401-S402 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 4, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0214] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the second communication device mentioned above. The second communication device may be an access network device (such as a base station), or a component in the access network device (such as a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system or processor), or a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the communication device.

[0215] In specific implementation, processing module 82 is used to generate system information, which indicates the first uplink transmission resource of the first coverage enhancement level and the second uplink transmission resource of the second coverage enhancement level, wherein the second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level; transceiver module 81 is used to send the system information; transceiver module 81 is also used to receive a transmission block TB from the first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, the first transmission block size TBS corresponding to TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

[0216] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate uplink transmission resources corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels, including a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1; transceiver module 81 is specifically used to perform blind detection of transport blocks TB on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, based on the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels.

[0217] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 81 and the processing module 82 can be found in the description of steps S201-S202 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2 or the description of steps S401-S402 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 4, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0218] In one possible implementation, combining any of the above implementation methods, the system information is used to indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, where the M coverage enhancement levels include a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, M being an integer greater than 1, the second coverage enhancement level being the lowest coverage enhancement level among the N coverage enhancement levels, N being an integer less than M and greater than 1, and the N coverage enhancement levels belong to the M coverage enhancement levels; wherein, each of the N coverage enhancement levels is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and each of the N coverage enhancement levels includes a second TBS, the bit rate corresponding to the second TBS in the uplink transmission resources of the coverage enhancement level corresponding to the second TBS is less than or equal to the bit rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resources, and the second TBS included in the second coverage enhancement level is the first TBS.

[0219] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the first maximum TBS, the M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, M is an integer greater than 1, the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the same, and the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels includes the first TBS.

[0220] In one possible implementation, there is a mapping relationship between the first maximum TBS and the candidate TBS corresponding to each coverage enhancement level.

[0221] In one possible implementation, the first maximum TBS is one of a predefined plurality of second maximum TBSs.

[0222] In one possible implementation, system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to M coverage enhancement levels is different, where the M coverage enhancement levels include a first coverage enhancement level and a second coverage enhancement level, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0223] In one possible implementation, the data carried by TB includes user data and business data.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than the uplink transmission resources mapped to the first coverage enhancement level.

[0225] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the first communication device mentioned above. The first communication device may be a terminal device, or a component in the terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system or processor), or a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the communication device.

[0226] In specific implementation, transceiver module 81 is used to receive system information from the second communication device. The system information includes configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level. The configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the Y first transport block sizes (TBS) under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. Processing module 82 is used to generate transport blocks (TBs). Transceiver module 81 is used to send TBs on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the second TBS. The second TBS is determined from the Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0227] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 81 and the processing module 82 can be found in the description of steps S501-S502 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 5 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0228] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the second communication device mentioned above. The second communication device may be an access network device (such as a base station), or a component in the access network device (such as a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system or processor), or a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the communication device.

[0229] In the specific implementation, the processing module 82 is used to generate system information, which includes configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level. The configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the Y first transport block sizes (TBS) under the first coverage enhancement level, where Y is an integer greater than 1, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. The transceiver module 81 is used to send the system information. The transceiver module 81 is also used to receive transport blocks (TB) from the first communication device on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the second TBS. The second TBS is one of the Y first TBSs, and the second TBS is determined from the Y first TBSs based on the data length carried by the TB.

[0230] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 81 and the processing module 82 can be found in the description of steps S501-S502 in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 5 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0231] Combining any of the above implementation methods, in one possible implementation, the data carried by TB includes user data and business data.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the system information also includes at least one configuration parameter corresponding to a second coverage enhancement level, which is different from the first coverage enhancement level.

[0233] In one possible implementation, the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level include Y first TBSs, and the configuration parameters corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level also include one or more of the following: the number of repetitions corresponding to the Y first TBSs or the number of resource units corresponding to the Y first TBSs.

[0234] In one possible implementation, the difference between the bit rates of any two of the Y first TBSs under the first coverage enhancement level in the corresponding uplink transmission resources is less than a preset threshold.

[0235] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 2 can be used to implement the operations performed by the first or second communication device in the above embodiments, or it can be the first or second communication device mentioned above. The communication device 2 includes: a processor 91, a memory 92, and a bus system 93.

[0236] The memory 92 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 92 is used to store related instructions and data. The memory 92 stores executable modules or data structures, or subsets thereof, or extended sets thereof:

[0237] Operation instructions: This includes various operation instructions used to perform various operations.

[0238] Operating system: includes various system programs used to implement various basic business functions and handle hardware-based tasks.

[0239] Figure 9 shows only one memory, but of course, multiple memories can be set as needed.

[0240] The communication device 2 may further include a transceiver 94. The transceiver 94 may be a communication module or a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the transceiver 94 is used to perform the transmission and reception operations involved in the above embodiments.

[0241] Processor 91 can be a controller, central processor (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. Processor 91 can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of DSP and microprocessor, etc.

[0242] In practical applications, the various components of communication device 2 are coupled together through bus system 93. Bus system 93 includes not only a data bus but may also include a power bus, control bus, and status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as bus system 93 in Figure 9. Figure 9 is only schematically illustrated for ease of representation.

[0243] In specific implementation, the communication device 2 can execute the steps of the method performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments. Specifically, when the communication device 2 is used to implement the various steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the communication method provided in the embodiments, the processor 91 can implement the function of the processing module 82, and the transceiver 94 can implement the function of the transceiver module 81.

[0244] It should be noted that in practical applications, the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0245] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory described in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0246] This application also provides a chip, which includes at least a processor. The processor is used to execute computer execution instructions to cause a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0247] Optionally, the chip may also include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0248] This application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting the apparatus on which the chip system is mounted to implement the method steps performed by the first or second communication device in the above embodiments, such as generating or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the data transmission device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0249] This application provides a communication system, which includes at least a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device work together to implement the communication method described in the preceding embodiments.

[0250] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0251] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0252] In the above method embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. A computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. Available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0253] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0254] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0255] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Receive system information, the system information being used to indicate a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, the second coverage enhancement level being lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication device belonging to the first coverage enhancement level; Transmit a transport block TB on the second uplink transport resource, wherein the first transport block size TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transport resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transport resource.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first TBS is the same as the initial TBS, which is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first TBS is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level, based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Send system information, the system information being used to indicate a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, wherein the second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level; On the second uplink transmission resource, a transport block TB is received from a first communication device, wherein the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, the first transport block size TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, the M coverage enhancement levels including the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1; Receiving a transmission block TB from the first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource includes: On the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, blind detection of transmission blocks (TBs) is performed based on the candidate TBSs corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels respectively. The M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1. The second coverage enhancement level is the lowest coverage enhancement level among the N coverage enhancement levels, where N is an integer less than M and greater than 1. The N coverage enhancement levels belong to the M coverage enhancement levels. Wherein, each of the N coverage enhancement levels is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and each of the N coverage enhancement levels includes a second TBS. The code rate of the second TBS in the uplink transmission resources of the coverage enhancement level corresponding to the second TBS is less than or equal to the code rate of the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resources. The second TBS included in the second coverage enhancement level is the first TBS.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The system information is also used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the first maximum TBS, the M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, M is an integer greater than 1, the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the same, and the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels includes the first TBS.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, There is a mapping relationship between the first maximum TBS and the candidate TBS corresponding to each coverage enhancement level.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first maximum TBS is one of a predefined plurality of second maximum TBSs.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels are different. The M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The data carried by the TB includes user data and business data.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than the uplink transmission resources mapped to the first coverage enhancement level.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to receive system information, which is used to indicate the first uplink transmission resources of the first coverage enhancement level and the second uplink transmission resources of the second coverage enhancement level, wherein the second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level. A processing module is used to generate a transport block (TB), wherein the first transport block size (TBS) corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transport resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transport resource. The transceiver module is used to send the TB on the second uplink transmission resource.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first TBS is the same as the initial TBS, which is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the first coverage enhancement level based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first TBS is determined from at least one candidate TBS corresponding to the second coverage enhancement level, based on the length of the data carried by the TB.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processing module is configured to generate system information, wherein the system information is configured to indicate a first uplink transmission resource of a first coverage enhancement level and a second uplink transmission resource of a second coverage enhancement level, wherein the second coverage enhancement level is lower than the first coverage enhancement level; The transceiver module is used to send the system information; The transceiver module is further configured to receive a transport block TB from a first communication device on the second uplink transmission resource, wherein the first communication device belongs to the first coverage enhancement level, the first transport block size TBS corresponding to the TB under the second coverage enhancement level is smaller than the first maximum TBS allowed under the first coverage enhancement level, and the code rate corresponding to the first TBS in the second uplink transmission resource is less than or equal to the code rate corresponding to the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resource.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, the M coverage enhancement levels including the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1; The transceiver module is specifically used to perform blind detection of transport blocks (TBs) on the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels, based on the candidate TBSs corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13-16, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate the uplink transmission resources corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels respectively. The M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1. The second coverage enhancement level is the lowest coverage enhancement level among the N coverage enhancement levels, where N is an integer less than M and greater than 1. The N coverage enhancement levels belong to the M coverage enhancement levels. Wherein, each of the N coverage enhancement levels is lower than the first coverage enhancement level, and each of the N coverage enhancement levels includes a second TBS. The code rate of the second TBS in the uplink transmission resources of the coverage enhancement level corresponding to the second TBS is less than or equal to the code rate of the first maximum TBS in the first uplink transmission resources. The second TBS included in the second coverage enhancement level is the first TBS.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13-18, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the first maximum TBS. The M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1. The candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels is the same, and the candidate TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels includes the first TBS.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, There is a mapping relationship between the first maximum TBS and the candidate TBS corresponding to each coverage enhancement level.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that, The first maximum TBS is one of a predefined plurality of second maximum TBSs.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13-21, characterized in that, The system information is used to indicate that the maximum TBS corresponding to the M coverage enhancement levels are different. The M coverage enhancement levels include the first coverage enhancement level and the second coverage enhancement level, where M is an integer greater than 1.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13-22, characterized in that, The data carried by the TB includes user data and business data.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13-23, characterized in that, The uplink transmission resources mapped to the second coverage enhancement level for the same TBS are less than the uplink transmission resources mapped to the first coverage enhancement level.

25. A communication system comprising means for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 12, and means for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a transceiver, the transceiver being used to send and receive information, and the processor being used to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, the processor being used to enable the communication devices to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes a communication device including the processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

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