Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus. In an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) communication system, an A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information achieves byte alignment thereof by means of padding bits, and the length of the padding bits, or the number of identifiers (e.g., indices) corresponding to access resources is indicated in the A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information. Therefore, the difficulty and complexity for an A-IoT device to read an A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be reduced, thereby ensuring that the A-IoT device can correctly read the A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information and parse same. Moreover, since the bit length to be indicated (the length of padding bits, or the number of indices corresponding to access resources) is relatively small, the overheads of indication information can be reduced, and the utilization rate of communication resources can be increased.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on February 7, 2025, with application number 202510138472.1 and entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined the Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. A-IoT devices include network devices (or A-IoT network devices) and terminal devices that support A-IoT functions. Terminal devices that support A-IoT functions can be called A-IoT terminals.

[0004] During the process of A-IoT terminals (e.g., tags) randomly accessing A-IoT network devices, the paging messages sent by the A-IoT network devices can indicate multiple access resources (i.e., the total number of access resources can be indicated by the paging messages). Each A-IoT terminal can send an A-IoT message 1 (A-IoT Msg1) to the network device on one access resource. Each A-IoT Msg1 carries a 16-bit random number (RN16) generated by the A-IoT terminal. The A-IoT network device can decide which A-IoT terminals on which access resources are allowed to successfully access the network and indicate this to the A-IoT terminals through A-IoT message 2 (A-IoT Msg2). A-IoT Msg2 can include multiple random numbers (RN16) contained in A-IoT Msg1, which are used by the A-IoT terminals to indicate successful access. If an A-IoT terminal receives an A-IoT Msg2 containing a random number (RN16), and this random number (RN16) is the same as the RN16 previously sent in A-IoT Msg1, then the contention is considered resolved successfully.

[0005] Currently, A-IoT Msg2 uses the index of the access resource to associate different RN16, meaning that the RN16 corresponding to the A-IoT terminal and the index of the access resource are used together to indicate the A-IoT terminal that has successfully connected. Feedback information sent by A-IoT network devices to A-IoT terminals indicates whether the data transmission sent by the A-IoT terminal was successful or failed. The feedback information also uses the index of the access resource to associate different A-IoT terminals, with each access resource corresponding to a unique index. Since the total number of access resources may change, the length of the index may also change (e.g., the index may become longer), which may lead to the inability to achieve byte alignment in A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information. That is, it cannot be guaranteed that the length of A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information is an integer multiple of one byte (i.e., 8 bits), increasing the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT terminals to read A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and a communication device. In an A-IoT communication system, byte alignment of A-IoT Message 2 (A-IoT Msg2) or feedback information can be achieved. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT terminals to read A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that A-IoT terminals can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the other hand, it reduces the overhead of indication information and improves the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. The executing entity of this method can be a first device, which can be an A-IoT device, a component (chip, chip system, or processor) supporting the implementation of this method in an A-IoT device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an A-IoT device. For example, the first device can be an A-IoT terminal. The method includes: the first device sending first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data; the first device receiving second information, the second information including: an identifier of at least one access resource and third information, the third information being used to determine the length of the padding bits of the second information or the length of the identifier of the at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device including the first device, and the length of the padding bits being greater than or equal to 0 bits; wherein the first information includes a first identifier, and the second information is used to determine whether the first device has successfully accessed the second device; or, the first information includes data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data has been successfully sent; or, the first information includes data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

[0008] The communication method provided in the first aspect uses padding bits to align the bytes of the second information (e.g., A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information), and uses third information to determine the length of the padding bits or the identifier length corresponding to the access resource in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the other hand, since the required bit length (the length of the padding bits or the number of indices corresponding to the access resource) is relatively small, the overhead of the third information can be reduced, improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0009] For example, if the first information includes a first identifier (e.g., RN16), for example, the first information could be A-IoT message 1 (A-IoT Msg1), then the second information could be A-IoT Msg2. The first device could send A-IoT Msg1 to the second device on the first access resource.

[0010] For example, if the first information includes uplink data and / or D2R data, such as A-IoT Msg3, then the second information can be feedback information for A-IoT Msg3, which is used to indicate or determine whether A-IoT Msg3 (or data) has been successfully sent.

[0011] For example, if the first information includes D2R data sent from the first device to the second device, then the second information can be feedback information on the D2R data, which is used to indicate or determine whether the D2R data was successfully sent.

[0012] For example, if the first message is A-IoT Msg3, the second device may not receive or parse A-IoT Msg3 correctly, or the second device may fail to receive A-IoT Msg3. In this case, the second message may be a retransmitted A-IoT Msg2 (Retransmit A-IoT Msg2), which is used to indicate to the first device whether A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted. That is, the second message is used to determine whether A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information includes a first identifier. If the identifier of at least one access resource includes the identifier of the first access resource, and the second information includes the first identifier, it is determined that the first device has successfully accessed the second device. Alternatively, the first information includes data. If the identifier of at least one access resource includes the identifier of the first access resource, it is determined that the data was successfully transmitted. Alternatively, if the identifier of at least one access resource does not include the identifier of the first access resource, it is determined that the data transmission failed. Alternatively, the first information includes data. If the identifier of at least one access resource includes the identifier of the first access resource, it is determined that the data needs to be retransmitted. Here, the first access resource is the access resource used by the first device when accessing the second device. For example, the first device can send A-IoT Msg1 to the second device on the first access resource.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the third information is used to determine the length of the padding bits in the second information, and the third information is used to indicate the length of the padding bits. In this implementation, on the one hand, the first device can determine which positions or fields of the second information are padding bit fields (i.e., invalid fields). This reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the second information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, since the length of the padding bits is relatively small, at most 7 bits, a 3-bit third information can indicate the length of the padding bits, reducing the overhead of the third information and improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0015] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the identifier of at least one access resource includes: an index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource or a bitmap corresponding to each of the at least one access resource. This implementation improves the flexibility of the identifier of at least one access resource and reduces implementation complexity.

[0016] The index of a certain access resource can be the index of that access resource among the candidate access resources. For example, the index of the first access resource corresponding to the first device can be the index of the first access resource among the candidate access resources.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the third information is used to determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource. The identifier of at least one access resource includes an index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource. The third information is used to indicate the number of indices corresponding to the at least one access resource. In this implementation, the third information directly indicates the number of indices. The first device can determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource (i.e., the length of the valid information) by using the determined number of indices and the length of each index. On the one hand, this allows the first device to determine which fields in the second information are valid. This reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the second information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, the number of indices is generally less than the length of the valid bits. Therefore, the length of the indication information (i.e., the length of the third information) required to indicate the number of indices is less than the bit length required to indicate the valid bits, which can reduce the overhead of the third information and improve the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the value of the padding bit is a first value, the value of the identifier of at least one access resource is a second value, and the set of values ​​for the identifier of at least one access resource does not include the first value. This implementation reduces the difficulty for the first device to distinguish between the padding bit and the valid field in the second information, and improves the efficiency and accuracy of distinguishing between the padding bit and the valid field in the second information.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the padding bit is positioned before the identifier of at least one access resource in the second information. This implementation reduces the complexity of the first device processing the second information. The first device can discard the padding bit first, thus eliminating the need for caching it and reducing the consumption of its storage capacity.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second information further includes a second identifier, which is used to determine whether the third device has successfully accessed the second device. In this implementation, the second information may be A-IoT Msg2, and the second identifier generated by the third device (e.g., RN16) may be used to determine whether the third device has successfully accessed the network (e.g., whether it has successfully accessed the second device).

[0021] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second information includes fourth information. A first value of the fourth information indicates that the first device and the third device correspond to the same time unit, which is used to determine the time-domain resources used for data transmission between the first and third devices. Alternatively, the second information includes fourth information, and a second value of the fourth information indicates that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective time lengths. The first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine the time-domain resources used when the first device transmits data, and the third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine the time-domain resources used when the third device transmits data. In this implementation, indicating the time-domain resources for data transmission by A-IoT devices in the above manner provides flexibility and reduces the overhead of indicating time-domain resources in the seventh information. Furthermore, different indication methods or time-domain resource allocation methods can be selected for different time-domain resources, improving the utilization efficiency of time-domain resources.

[0022] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, when the fourth information is a first value, the second information is further used to indicate the length of the time unit; or, when the fourth information is a second value, the second information further includes indication information of the first time length and the third time length. This implementation can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the first device in determining the length of the time unit or the first time length.

[0023] For example, the fourth piece of information can be a field or a data element in the second piece of information. The first value of the fourth piece of information can be 0, and the second value can be 1. Alternatively, the first value of the fourth piece of information can be 1, and the second value can be 0.

[0024] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, when the fourth information is a first value, the time-domain position of the first device transmitting data is determined based on the starting position, the number of time units corresponding to the first device, and the length of the time unit; or, when the fourth information is a second value, the time-domain position of the first device transmitting data is determined based on the starting position and the first time length. This implementation improves the efficiency and accuracy of the first device in determining the time-domain resources used for transmitting data.

[0025] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, when the fourth information is a first value, the number of time units corresponding to the first device is related to the order of the identifier of the first access resource among the identifiers of at least one access resource. That is, the number of time units corresponding to the first device can be determined based on the order of the identifier of the first access resource among the identifiers of at least one access resource. This implementation improves the efficiency and accuracy of the first device in determining the number of its corresponding time units.

[0026] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second information includes fifth information. A first value of the fifth information indicates that the first device and the third device correspond to the same first parameter set. The first parameter set includes at least one parameter, and each parameter in the first parameter set is used to determine a frequency domain resource. The first parameter set is used to determine the frequency domain resources used for data transmission between the first device and the third device. Alternatively, the second information includes fifth information and at least one parameter. A second value of the fifth information indicates that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective parameters. The first parameter corresponding to the first device is used to determine the frequency domain resources used when the first device transmits data, and the third parameter corresponding to the third device is used to determine the frequency domain resources used when the third device transmits data. The at least one parameter includes both the first parameter and the third parameter. In this implementation, on the one hand, the implementation is flexible and can reduce the overhead of indicating time domain resources. On the other hand, different indication methods can be selected according to the number of A-IoT devices. When the number of A-IoT devices is small, a per-device frequency domain resource allocation method can be used, i.e., each A-IoT device is allocated frequency domain parameters individually. When the number of A-IoT devices is large, a common parameter set indication method can be used, thereby improving the efficiency of indicating frequency domain resources.

[0027] For example, the fifth piece of information can be a field or a data element in the seventh piece of information. The first value of the fifth piece of information can be 0, and the second value can be 1. Alternatively, the first value of the fifth piece of information can be 1, and the second value can be 0.

[0028] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, if the fifth information is a first value, the second information further includes a first parameter set. This implementation can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the first device in determining the first parameter set.

[0029] For example, the parameter types in the first parameter set may include at least one of the following: bitrate, bit length, or number of encoding repetitions.

[0030] For example, the first parameter set may include at least one bitrate; or, the first parameter set may include at least one code length; or, the first parameter set may include at least one number of encoding repetitions; or, the first parameter set may include at least two of the following: bitrate, code length, or number of encoding repetitions.

[0031] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, when the fifth information is a first value, the parameter corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set is associated with the order of the identifier of the first access resource among the identifiers of at least one access resource. That is, the parameter corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set can be determined based on the order of the identifier of the first access resource among the identifiers of at least one access resource. Similarly, the parameter corresponding to the third device in the first parameter set is associated with the order of the identifier of the third access resource among the identifiers of at least one access resource. That is, the parameter corresponding to the third device in the first parameter set can be determined based on the order of the identifier of the third access resource among the identifiers of at least one access resource. Here, the first access resource is the access resource used when the first device accesses the second device, and the third access resource is the access resource used when the third device accesses the second device. This implementation can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the first device in determining the parameters corresponding to the bytes.

[0032] Secondly, a communication method is provided. The executing entity of this method can be a first device, which can be an A-IoT device, a component (chip, chip system, or processor) supporting the implementation of this method in an A-IoT device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an A-IoT device. For example, the first device can be an A-IoT terminal. The method includes: the first device sending first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data; the first device receiving sixth information, the length of the sixth information being an integer multiple of one byte, the sixth information including an identifier of at least one access resource, the identifier of the at least one access resource including multiple identical identifiers, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access a second device, the at least one device including the first device; wherein the first information includes a first identifier, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the first device has successfully accessed the second device; or, the first information includes data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data has been successfully sent; or, the first information includes data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

[0033] The second aspect provides a communication method that byte alignment of the sixth information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) by repeating one or more indices corresponding to at least one access resource, or by repeating the bitmap of at least one access resource. On one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving information transmission efficiency. On the other hand, it reduces implementation complexity.

[0034] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, where the identifier of at least one access resource includes an index corresponding to at least one access resource, the identifier of at least one access resource includes multiple identical identifiers, including: the first index in the indexes corresponding to at least one access resource appears repeatedly; or, where the identifier of at least one access resource includes a bitmap corresponding to at least one access resource, the identifier of at least one access resource including multiple identical identifiers includes: the bitmap appears repeatedly. This implementation reduces the complexity of implementation.

[0035] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, where the identifier of at least one access resource includes an index corresponding to at least one access resource, the length of each index is 1 bit, 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, or 8 bits. This implementation allows for byte alignment of the feedback information with fewer repetitions, reducing the overhead of the sixth piece of information.

[0036] For other related content regarding the first and sixth information, please refer to the description of possible implementation methods corresponding to the first aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0037] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. The executing entity of this method can be a first device, which can be an A-IoT device, a component (chip, chip system, or processor) supporting the A-IoT device in implementing the method, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the A-IoT device. For example, the first device can be an A-IoT terminal. The method includes: the first device sending first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data; the first device receiving seventh information, the seventh information including an identifier of at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access a second device, the at least one device including the first device, and the seventh information further indicating time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources for at least one A-IoT device to respectively transmit data. The seventh information includes the fourth information, and the first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same time unit, which is used to determine the time domain resources for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the seventh information includes the fourth information, and the second value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective time lengths, the first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine the time domain resources used when the first device transmits data, and the third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine the time domain resources used when the third device transmits data.

[0038] The third aspect provides a communication method in which the seventh message (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) instructs the A-IoT device to transmit time-domain resources for data transmission in the manner described above. On the one hand, this method offers flexibility and reduces the overhead of instructing time-domain resources in the seventh message. On the other hand, different instruction methods or time-domain resource allocation methods can be selected for different time-domain resources, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of time-domain resources.

[0039] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, if the fourth information is a first value, the seventh information is also used to indicate the length of the time unit; or, if the fourth information is a second value, the seventh information also includes indication information of the first time length and the third time length.

[0040] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, when the fourth information is the first value, the time-domain position of the first device transmitting data is determined based on the starting position, the number of time units corresponding to the first device, and the length of the time unit; or,

[0041] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, when the fourth information is a first value, the number of time units corresponding to the first device is associated with the order of the identifier of the first access resource in the identifier of the at least one access resource.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the seventh information includes the fifth information, the first value of which is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same first parameter set, the first parameter set including at least one parameter, each parameter in the first parameter set being used to determine a frequency domain resource, and the first parameter set being used to determine the frequency domain resource for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the seventh information includes the fifth information and at least one parameter, the second value of which is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective parameters, the first parameter corresponding to the first device being used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the first device when transmitting data, and the third parameter corresponding to the third device being used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the third device when transmitting data, the at least one parameter including the first parameter and the third parameter.

[0043] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, if the fifth information is the first value, the seventh information also includes the first parameter set.

[0044] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, when the fifth information is a first value, the parameters corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set are associated with the order of the identifier of the first access resource in the identifier of at least one access resource, and the parameters corresponding to the third device in the first parameter set are associated with the order of the identifier of the third access resource in the identifier of at least one access resource, wherein the third access resource is the access resource used by the third device when accessing the second device.

[0045] The specific details and beneficial effects of the various possible implementation methods of the third aspect can be found in the explanation of the corresponding implementation methods of the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) also includes third information, which is used to determine the length of the padding bits in the seventh information or the length of the identifier of at least one access resource. The padding bits of the seventh information are used to implement byte alignment of the seventh information. For an explanation of the implementation of byte alignment, please refer to the explanation of the corresponding implementation in the first aspect above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0047] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the second and third identifiers of at least one access resource identifier included in the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) are the same, and the number of identifiers of at least one access resource is greater than the number of at least one access resource. The seventh information is byte-aligned by repeating the index or repeating the bit map. For the explanation of the implementation of byte alignment, please refer to the explanation of the corresponding implementation of the second aspect above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0048] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. The executing entity of this method can be a second device, which can be an A-IoT device, a component (chip, chip system, or processor) supporting the implementation of this method in an A-IoT device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an A-IoT device. For example, the second device can be an A-IoT network device. The method includes: the second device receiving first information from a first device, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data; the second device sending second information to the first device, the second information including: an identifier of at least one access resource and third information, the third information being used to determine the length of the padding bits of the second information or the length of the identifier of the at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device including the first device, and the length of the padding bits being greater than or equal to 0 bits; wherein the first information includes a first identifier, and the second information is used to determine whether the first device has successfully accessed the second device; or, the first information includes data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data has been successfully transmitted; or, the first information includes data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

[0049] The fourth aspect provides a communication method that uses padding bits to align the bytes of the second information (e.g., A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information), and uses third information to determine the length of the padding bits or the identifier length corresponding to the access resource in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the other hand, since the required bit length (the length of the padding bits or the number of indices corresponding to the access resource) is relatively small, the overhead of the third information can be reduced, improving the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0050] For details regarding the specific content and beneficial effects of the second information, padding bits, third information, and the identifier of at least one access resource, please refer to the description of the implementation method corresponding to the first aspect above; it will not be repeated here.

[0051] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the second information includes fourth information, the first value of which is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same time unit, the time unit being used to determine the time domain resources for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the second information includes fourth information, the second value of which is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective time lengths, the first time length corresponding to the first device being used to determine the time domain resources used when the first device transmits data, and the third time length corresponding to the third device being used to determine the time domain resources used when the third device transmits data.

[0052] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the second information includes fifth information, the first value of which is used to indicate the first device and the third device corresponding to a first parameter set, the first parameter set including at least one parameter, each parameter in the first parameter set being used to determine a frequency domain resource, and the first parameter set being used to determine the frequency domain resource for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the second information includes fifth information and at least one parameter, the second value of which is used to indicate the parameters corresponding to the first device and the third device, the first parameter corresponding to the first device being used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the first device when transmitting data, the third parameter corresponding to the third device being used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the third device when transmitting data, and the at least one parameter including the first parameter and the third parameter.

[0053] For details regarding the specific content and beneficial effects of the fourth and fifth pieces of information, please refer to the explanation of the implementation method corresponding to the first aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] Fifthly, a communication method is provided. The executing entity of this method can be a second device, wherein the second device can be an A-IoT device, a component (chip, chip system, or processor) supporting the implementation of the method in an A-IoT device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an A-IoT device. For example, the second device can be an A-IoT network device. The method includes: the second device receiving first information from a first device, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data; the second device sending sixth information, the length of the sixth information being an integer multiple of one byte, the sixth information including an identifier of at least one access resource, the identifier of the at least one access resource including multiple identical identifiers, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device including the first device; wherein the first information includes a first identifier, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the first device has successfully accessed the second device; or, the first information includes data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data has been successfully sent; or, the first information includes data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

[0055] The communication method provided in the fifth aspect achieves byte alignment of the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information in the sixth information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) by repeating one or more indices corresponding to at least one access resource, or by repeating the bitmap of at least one access resource. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, it reduces the complexity of implementation.

[0056] For the various possible implementation methods and beneficial effects of the fifth aspect, please refer to the description of the various possible implementation methods corresponding to the second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0057] Sixthly, a communication method is provided, wherein the executing entity of the method may be a second device, wherein the second device may be an A-IoT device, or a component (chip, chip system, or processor) supporting the A-IoT device in implementing the method, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the A-IoT device. For example, the second device may be an A-IoT network device. The method includes: the second device receiving first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data; the second device sending seventh information to the first device, the seventh information including an identifier of at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device including the first device, and the seventh information further indicating time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources for at least one A-IoT device to respectively perform data transmission. The seventh information includes the fourth information, and the first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same time unit, which is used to determine the time domain resources for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the seventh information includes the fourth information, and the second value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective time lengths, the first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine the time domain resources used when the first device transmits data, and the third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine the time domain resources used when the third device transmits data.

[0058] The communication method provided in the sixth aspect instructs the A-IoT device to transmit time-domain resources for data transmission in the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) in the manner described above. On the one hand, this approach offers flexibility and reduces the overhead of instructing time-domain resources in the seventh information. On the other hand, different instruction methods or time-domain resource allocation methods can be selected for different time-domain resources, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of time-domain resources.

[0059] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the seventh information includes the fifth information, the first value of which is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same first parameter set, the first parameter set includes at least one parameter, each parameter in the first parameter set is used to determine a frequency domain resource, and the first parameter set is used to determine the frequency domain resource for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the seventh information includes the fifth information and at least one parameter, the second value of which is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective parameters, the first parameter corresponding to the first device is used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the first device when transmitting data, the third parameter corresponding to the third device is used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the third device when transmitting data, and the at least one parameter includes the first parameter and the third parameter.

[0060] For the various possible implementation methods and beneficial effects of the sixth aspect, please refer to the description of the various possible implementation methods corresponding to the third aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0061] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) also includes the third information, which is used to determine the length of the padding bits in the seventh information or the length of the identifier of at least one access resource. The padding bits of the seventh information are used to implement byte alignment of the seventh information. For an explanation of the implementation of byte alignment, please refer to the explanation of the corresponding implementation in the first aspect above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0062] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the second and third identifiers of at least one access resource identifier included in the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) are the same, and the number of identifiers of at least one access resource is greater than the number of at least one access resource. The seventh information is byte-aligned by repeating the index or repeating the bit map. For the explanation of the implementation of byte alignment, please refer to the explanation of the implementation of the second aspect above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0063] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module (e.g., including a processing module and a communication module) for performing any of the steps of any of the first to third aspects above, or any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects above.

[0064] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a module (e.g., including a processing module and a communication module) for performing any of the steps in any of the third to sixth aspects above, or in any possible implementation of any of the third to sixth aspects above.

[0065] Ninthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute: the method of any one of the first to third aspects above, or the method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to third aspects.

[0066] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute: the method of any one of the third to sixth aspects above, or the method of any possible implementation of any one of the third to sixth aspects.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a memory storing a computer program, and at least one processor executes the method of any one of the first to third aspects above, or the method of any one of any three possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects above, by executing the computer program stored in the memory. Alternatively, the method of any one of the third to sixth aspects above, or the method of any one of any three possible implementations of the third to sixth aspects above.

[0068] In one possible implementation, at least one processor executes, via logic circuitry or processing circuitry, the method of any one of the first to third aspects above, or the method of any one of any three possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects above. Alternatively, the method of any one of the third to sixth aspects above, or the method of any one of any three possible implementations of the third to sixth aspects above.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the communication device may further include an interface circuit for performing specific signal transmission and reception.

[0070] For example, the communication device can be an A-IoT device, such as an A-IoT terminal or an A-IoT network device, or a component (chip, chip system, or processor) in an A-IoT device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of an A-IoT device.

[0071] Eleventhly, an A-IoT device is provided, comprising: the communication device provided in the seventh aspect, the communication device provided in the eighth aspect, the communication device provided in the ninth aspect, or the communication device provided in the tenth aspect.

[0072] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects above, or the method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0073] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program that, when executed, performs the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects above, or the method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0074] In a fourteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a communication device having the chip installed to perform the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects above, or the method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to sixth aspects above.

[0075] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip or system-on-a-chip is provided, comprising: logic circuitry for implementing the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects above, or any possible implementation of any one of the first to sixth aspects above. Optionally, the chip or system-on-a-chip may further include interface circuitry.

[0076] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the communication device provided in the seventh aspect and the communication device provided in the eighth aspect, or includes the communication device provided in the ninth aspect and the communication device provided in the tenth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0077] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an A-IoT terminal device connecting to a reader and transmitting data.

[0078] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an inventory process using RFID technology.

[0079] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of an A-IoT communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0080] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of the structure of an access network device (network device) under the O-RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0081] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system involving a RIC module under an O-RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0083] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of how different RN16s are associated using different access resource indexes in an example of A-IoT Msg2 provided in this application embodiment.

[0084] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of how different RN16 are associated using a bitmap in an example of A-IoT Msg2 provided in this application embodiment.

[0085] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another example of A-IoT Msg2 provided in this application, in which different RN16 are associated using a bit map.

[0086] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of a second information structure provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0087] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another example of the second information structure provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0088] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another example of the second information structure provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0089] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0090] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the repetition of feedback information using the index of access resources in an example provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0091] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a feedback message using a bitmap for repetition provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0092] Figure 16 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0093] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of an example feedback information structure provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0094] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another example of the structure of feedback information provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0095] Figure 19 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0096] Figure 20 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0097] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0098] In the description of the embodiments of this application, 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 existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0099] Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0100] In this article, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably.

[0101] In this embodiment, the A-IoT network device or A-IoT terminal may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer includes applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software. Furthermore, this embodiment does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided in this embodiment, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in this embodiment by running a program that records the code of the method provided in this embodiment. For example, the execution entity of the method provided in this embodiment can be an A-IoT network device or an A-IoT terminal, or a functional module in the A-IoT network device or A-IoT terminal that can call and execute a program.

[0102] Furthermore, various aspects or features of this application can be implemented as methods, apparatus, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used herein encompasses a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical discs (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). Additionally, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0103] With the development of communication technology, 3GPP defined A-IoT technology. A-IoT technology emphasizes integrating IoT devices into the environment, making them part of the environment rather than independent entities. The goal of A-IoT is to create a fully immersive environment where devices and sensors are almost invisible, yet still provide a wealth of information and services.

[0104] A-IoT devices in A-IoT technology include network devices (or A-IoT network devices) and terminal devices supporting A-IoT functionality. In other words, an A-IoT-based communication system includes A-IoT network devices and a first type of terminal device. The first type of terminal device can be a device with A-IoT terminal device functionality. Both A-IoT network devices and A-IoT terminal devices can be devices within a cellular network. For example, an A-IoT network device can be implemented using a reader, a wireless access network (RAN) device, such as a base station. Terminal devices supporting A-IoT functionality can be called A-IoT terminal devices, A-IoT terminals, or first type of terminal devices. For example, A-IoT terminal devices, A-IoT terminals, or first type of terminal devices can be passive, semi-passive, or active A-IoT terminals. Optionally, in this embodiment, an A-IoT network device can also be called a network device.

[0105] A-IoT terminal devices, or Type 1 terminal devices, can be implemented by terminals in cellular networks, such as ultra-low power, ultra-low complexity IoT terminals. A-IoT network devices can perform contactless data communication with Type 1 terminals, thereby reading information from or writing information to be stored in Type 1 terminals. A-IoT technology can be used to implement one or more of the following services: inventory, positioning, sensing, and commands. Command services can implement write or lock processes. In terms of application scope, A-IoT technology can be applied to scenarios such as logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, or environmental monitoring.

[0106] For example, inventory management can be understood as using a reader or writer to connect to A-IoT terminals within the coverage area. Successfully connected A-IoT terminals need to send their unique identifier (which the reader or writer can recognize, such as an electronic product code (EPC) from radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology) to the reader or writer. Inventory management can also be called a stocktaking operation.

[0107] Location services can be understood as using some location signals to locate the position of A-IoT terminals.

[0108] Sensing services can be understood as A-IoT terminals reporting sensing data to base stations, such as temperature data.

[0109] Command operations can include operation instructions, such as write, lock, and read operations.

[0110] The read service can read the EPC, tag identifier (TID), and content stored in the tag's reserved area or user storage area from the storage area of ​​an A-IoT terminal (e.g., a tag). The write service can perform write operations on the tag's storage area; for example, the base station can send downlink commands and data to the tag, instructing it to write data into its own storage area. The locking service can lock the tag's information, preventing read or write operations on that tag. Alternatively, the locking service can also lock a storage area, preventing or allowing read or write operations on that storage area.

[0111] A-IoT terminal devices can be divided into three categories: device A, device B, and device C.

[0112] Device A has no energy storage and cannot independently generate or amplify signals; it uses backscattering to transmit signals. For example, device A may include a passive A-IoT terminal or a passive tag.

[0113] Device B has energy storage but cannot generate signals independently. It uses backscattering to transmit signals, and its stored energy amplifies the reflected signal. For example, device B may include a semi-passive A-IoT terminal or a semi-passive tag.

[0114] Device C has energy storage, can independently generate signals and amplify reflected signals, and contains active RF components for transmission. For example, device C may include an active A-IoT terminal or an active tag.

[0115] For A-IoT communication technology, A-IoT terminal devices need to connect to A-IoT network devices (such as readers) through an access process. The following will illustrate the process of an A-IoT terminal device connecting to a reader. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an A-IoT terminal device connecting to a reader and transmitting data.

[0116] As shown in Figure 1: In step A, the reader can send an A-IoT paging message to the A-IoT terminal device according to the service request, indicating which A-IoT terminal device needs to respond. Optionally, the A-IoT paging message can also be called an initial trigger message.

[0117] The A-IoT paging message can be used to instruct A-IoT terminal devices to access A-IoT network devices. Optionally, the A-IoT paging message can also be used to trigger / instruct A-IoT terminal devices to send uplink data, or to trigger / instruct / request A-IoT terminal devices to perform a first service, wherein the first service may include at least one of the following: paging service, inventory service, command service (such as read, write, lock, etc.), positioning service, sensing service, etc.

[0118] Optionally, the A-IoT paging message can also be called the (initial) downlink trigger message, which can be triggered by a core network element. For example, a core network element can send a first service request message or a paging message to a network device (i.e., an A-IoT network device). The first service can be an inventory service, a command service, or a location service, etc. Once the network device confirms the first service (request) message or paging (request) message, it can send an A-IoT paging message to the A-IoT terminal device.

[0119] Step B: The A-IoT terminal device sends data to the reader (D2R data transmission). In Step B, the triggered A-IoT terminal device performs the transmission of the device identifier (ID) through the A-IoT random access procedure or without using the A-IoT random access procedure (such as contention-free resolution).

[0120] Step C: Data transmission.

[0121] In one possible implementation, step C may include steps C1 and C2.

[0122] Step C1, possible R2D (reader sends to A-IoT terminal device) data transmission (e.g., the reader sends commands to the A-IoT terminal device, such as read, write, lock, deactivate, sense, etc.).

[0123] Step C2: Possible D2R data transmission (e.g., the A-IoT terminal device's response to commands, such as the data read by a read command, or the success or failure feedback for a write command).

[0124] In one possible implementation, the process shown in Figure 1 can support inventory and command application scenarios in the following ways.

[0125] For example, in an inventory-only scenario, the process includes steps A and B as shown in Figure 1.

[0126] For the inventory and command scenario, the process includes steps A, B, C1, and C2 as shown in Figure 1.

[0127] For command-only scenarios, the process includes steps A, B, C1, and C2 as shown in Figure 1.

[0128] At the access stratum (AS), A-IoT paging messages may need to carry device identifiers (IDs) to identify the devices / groups of devices included or associated with this triggering message. For example, an A-IoT paging message may include a single A-IoT device ID, an A-IoT paging message may include group IDs mapped to multiple A-IoT devices, an A-IoT paging message may not include any identifiers (i.e., indicating that all A-IoT devices capable of receiving the A-IoT paging message need to respond), or an A-IoT paging message may include multiple A-IoT device identifiers.

[0129] Optionally, for an A-IoT device (e.g., an A-IoT terminal) that receives an A-IoT paging message, the A-IoT device can determine the resources (such as time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources) for D2R transmission based on the A-IoT paging message. For example, it can be assumed that the A-IoT device can receive the A-IoT paging message as long as it has sufficient power.

[0130] The A-IoT random access procedure is used for A-IoT terminals to access A-IoT network devices for data transmission. For example, the A-IoT random access procedure can be triggered by a reader, including a single A-IoT terminal, a group of A-IoT terminals, or all A-IoT terminals within the reader's coverage area. The slotted ALOHA algorithm is the baseline for the A-IoT random access procedure. In general, the slotted ALOHA algorithm divides time into discrete time slots, each with a length approximately equal to the time required to transmit a data packet, or in other words, each time slot is equal to or slightly longer than a frame. All devices are synchronized to these time slots and can only send data packets at the beginning of a time slot. The slotted ALOHA algorithm reduces the possibility of collisions at arbitrary times because collisions can only occur within the same time slot. When a node has data to send, it waits for the next available time slot to begin and attempts to send a data packet within that time slot. This means that all transmissions occur at the boundaries of time slots, rather than at arbitrary times.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the random access process of the A-IoT terminal based on the A-IoT paging message may include the following steps:

[0132] Step 1: Random access type and access timing / resource determination:

[0133] If the random access is contention-free access, the A-IoT terminal selects the D2R transmission timing / resource based on the time-frequency resources (i.e., access resources) indicated by the A-IoT paging message; skips the contention resolution in step 2 and executes the D2R data transmission in step 3.

[0134] If it is contention-based random access, the A-IoT terminal determines or selects the access timing or resources, and then proceeds to step 2.

[0135] Step 2: Contention-based random access contention resolution:

[0136] Regarding the competing solutions, there are currently two candidate solutions:

[0137] Option 1: Message 1 (A-IoT Msg1) contains no data. When the A-IoT terminal recognizes the start of its access occasion, it sends a random ID generated by the A-IoT terminal to the reader via A-IoT Msg1.

[0138] For example, A-IoT terminals can generate random IDs or random IDs based on device IDs. The size of the random ID can also be unlimited, for example, a 16-bit random number (RN16). Random IDs can be used for contention resolution or to distinguish different A-IoT terminals during random access / contention resolution processes.

[0139] After receiving A-IoT Msg1, the reader sends A-IoT Msg2 to the A-IoT terminal to indicate that the random ID has been successfully received. If the A-IoT terminal receives A-IoT Msg2 containing the random ID, and this random ID is the same as the one previously sent in A-IoT Msg1, then the contention is considered resolved successfully.

[0140] In this context, A-IoT Msg2 is used for contention resolution because it is assumed that the size of the random ID in A-IoT Msg1 should be sufficient for contention resolution purposes. It is highly unlikely that A-IoT terminals choosing the same access timing / resources will send the same random ID value in A-IoT Msg1; therefore, the range of random ID values ​​can be considered sufficiently large.

[0141] Option 2: A-IoT Msg1 has data.

[0142] When the A-IoT terminal recognizes the start of its access period, it sends A-IoT Msg1, which includes upper-layer data. For example, the upper-layer data could be the A-IoT terminal's device ID (e.g., EPC) and / or any other upper-layer data. In Scheme Two, the A-IoT Msg1 may or may not include a random ID generated by the A-IoT terminal.

[0143] After receiving A-IoT Msg1, in one possible implementation, the reader can send A-IoT Msg2 to the A-IoT terminal, carrying at least one of the following: a successfully received random ID, a device ID (partial or complete), or an acknowledgment (ACK) message. In another possible implementation, the reader may not respond (not send A-IoT Msg2 to the A-IoT terminal). If the A-IoT terminal does not receive signaling indicating failure, re-access, or retransmission, it considers the access successful / data transmission successful / service successful.

[0144] If the A-IoT terminal receives A-IoT Msg2, and A-IoT Msg2 is part of the information included in A-IoT Msg1 or information generated based on A-IoT Msg1 (e.g., by performing a hash function on msg1), then the A-IoT terminal considers the race condition to be resolved successfully.

[0145] Step 3: Data transmission. The data sent from the A-IoT terminal to the reader can be called A-IoT Msg3, or in other words, the data sent from the A-IoT terminal to the reader is carried within A-IoT Msg3.

[0146] After receiving A-IoT Msg3, the reader can send feedback information, such as A-IoT Msg4, to the A-IoT terminal to indicate whether the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 was successful or failed. Similarly, after receiving other data from the A-IoT terminal, the reader can also send feedback information to the A-IoT terminal to indicate whether the other data transmissions were successful or failed.

[0147] The following is a brief explanation of RFID technology.

[0148] RFID systems primarily consist of readers and tags. Optionally, the tag can also be called an electronic tag, and the reader can be replaced with a data reader. The reader reads information from the tag or writes information to the tag. Non-contact data communication occurs between the reader and the tag for tag management. The tag's function is simple; it relies on the reader's activation to send information. The tag converts the wireless signal emitted by the reader into energy, which powers its operation. Tags support microwatt-level or even hundreds of microwatt-level power consumption, limiting their ability to support complex designs. Currently, RFID technology can be used to identify targets.

[0149] If RFID is applied to mobile communication systems, such as 5G or new radio (NR) communication systems, then wireless access devices (e.g., base stations) can act as readers, performing reader / writer functions. The main applications of RFID include identification, and it can also be used for data reading and writing.

[0150] For example, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an inventory process using RFID technology. As shown in Figure 2, the process mainly includes:

[0151] Step 1: The reader sends a Select command to the tag to select a group of tags.

[0152] The Select command carries the identifier, action, and mask of the inventory session. Upon receiving the Select command, the tag matches the mask. If a match is successful, the session and corresponding flag are set. Assume the inventorySession corresponds to session identifier S0 (session:S0) and action = 0. If the tag's mask matches, the tag sets the flag of session S0 to A, i.e., performs the initial flag setting. After the tag's EPC is successfully sent to the reader, the flag of session S0 will be flipped to B. A and B represent two different inventory states: A indicates the inventory state of a session that has not yet been inventoryed (i.e., the tag's EPC has not been successfully transmitted), and B indicates the inventory state of a session that has already been inventoryed (i.e., the tag's EPC has been successfully transmitted).

[0153] The inventory session and the subsequent flags (i.e., inventory status) are bound together; each flag corresponds to one inventory session. The `Select` statement specifies which session's flag is set. The `action` parameter defines how to set the flag, for example, `action = 1` or `action = 0`. When a tag is received, if the mask matches, the flag corresponding to the session will be set to A (action = 1) or B (action = 0). The mask is used to filter which tags are selected. For example, if a tag stores a complete 96-bit identifier, the mask can indicate that tags with the first 16 bits being "111…111" are selected. If the mask stored in the tag matches the mask indicated in `Select`, the tag can further set its flag based on the `action` parameter and then listen for subsequent query commands.

[0154] Optionally, the Select command can also be called a paging message, trigger message / indication, or initial trigger message / indication, etc.

[0155] Step 2: The reader sends a query command, carrying the Q value, session identifier, session flags, etc.

[0156] Assuming the inventory session is S0 and the flag is A, when the session flag of the tag matches the flag carried in the query command (i.e., both are A), the tag randomly generates a value ranging from 0 to 2 based on Q. Q-1 A random number is used as the initial value for the counter.

[0157] Optionally, a query command can also be called an Access Round Trigger or an Access Round Trigger Indication. A query command is used to trigger or indicate at least one access opportunity, such as directly or indirectly indicating the total number of access opportunities (or access times), or it can be used to trigger the first access opportunity or access time.

[0158] Step 3: If no tag sends a response message for the query command, the reader continues to send QueryRep commands. Each time a tag receives a QueryRep, the counter is decremented by one; that is, for each QueryRep received, Counter = Counter – 1. Each QueryRep can carry a session identifier but does not need to carry a Q value or flag bits.

[0159] For example, each QueryRep corresponds to the start or end of an access opportunity. Each time a tag receives a QueryRep, it signifies the end of the previous access opportunity and the start of the next. The tag can randomly select an access opportunity to initiate access, send uplink data (e.g., EPC), or receive downlink data.

[0160] Optionally, the QueryRep command can also be called an access occasion indication or trigger command. Each QueryRep is used to trigger or indicate the next access opportunity, or to indicate or associate with the boundary (start or end) of an access opportunity.

[0161] Optionally, the aforementioned "access opportunity" can also be referred to as access timing, access time slot, etc. Each access opportunity allows a tag to send access requests, resolve contention, or transmit data, etc.

[0162] Step 4: Send the tag RN16.

[0163] For example, a tag may receive multiple QueryRep messages. After the tag receives multiple QueryRep messages, the Counter value decreases to 0, and the tag then sends back a 16-bit random number (RN16). If the Counter value is not 0, the tag does not send a message to the reader. If the reader does not receive RN16, it continues to send QueryRep messages.

[0164] Optionally, RN16 can also be called random access ID or random ID, and different RN16 can distinguish different tags.

[0165] Step 5: The reader sends an ACK to the tag.

[0166] If the reader receives a random number (RN), i.e., RN16, and there is no collision (e.g., only one tag sends an RN16 in an access opportunity), then the ACK includes the RN16 received by the reader to indicate successful contention resolution. The ACK can be associated with the A-IoT terminal (e.g., a tag) by carrying the contention resolution identifier (i.e., RN16).

[0167] Optionally, the tag sending RN16 to the reader can also be referred to as the tag sending A-IoT Msg1 to the reader, where A-IoT Msg1 includes RN16.

[0168] Optionally, the reader's feedback ACK to the tag can also be referred to as the reader's feedback A-IoT Msg2 to the tag, with A-IoT Msg2 carrying RN16. ACK or A-IoT Msg2 can also be called an Access ID response, an access response, or a Contention Resolution Identity.

[0169] It should be understood that if the reader receives only one RN in an access time slot (or access time period), it indicates no collision. If the reader receives multiple RNs in an access time slot (or access time period), it indicates a collision, but the reader will only send an ACK to one tag. In other words, in RFID, only one tag is allowed to successfully access the network in a single time slot.

[0170] Step 6: The tag sends an EPC to the reader.

[0171] If a tag receives an ACK and the RN16 carried in the ACK matches (is the same as) the RN16 it sent to the reader, then it sends back the tag's EPC. If the RN16 carried in the ACK does not match the RN16 it sent to the reader, then it does not send back any information.

[0172] Optionally, EPC can also be referred to as uplink data or device identifier.

[0173] Step 7: The reader continues to send QueryRep.

[0174] When the tag sends an EPC and receives a QueryRep, it indicates successful data transmission. The tag will then flip its flag, changing the session identifier (S0) from A to B. This flag prevents a previously stored tag from being stored again, because subsequent queries will carry flag A, and after the flip, the session flag will be B. The tag will not respond to queries with flag A.

[0175] The signaling transmitted in each step of Figure 2 can be carried in the media access control (MAC) layer, such as in the MAC Control Element (MAC CE), MAC Service Data Unit (SDU), or MAC Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU). Optionally, the MAC layer can also be described as the A-IoT Access Layer (A-IoT AS).

[0176] Currently, during the random access process of A-IoT terminals (e.g., tags), the paging message sent by the A-IoT network device can indicate X time-domain resources and Y frequency-domain resources, where X is greater than or equal to 1. This is used by the A-IoT terminal to send A-IoT Msg1. Each A-IoT terminal can send one A-IoT Msg1 to the network device (e.g., a reader or writer) on one access resource. Different A-IoT terminals can send A-IoT Msg1 messages occupying different access resources. Each A-IoT Msg1 carries a random number (e.g., RN16) generated by the A-IoT terminal. For cases where X*Y>1, the A-IoT network device can decide which access resources are allowed to successfully access the network and indicate this to the A-IoT terminal via A-IoT Msg2. The number of A-IoT terminals allowed to successfully access the network is less than or equal to the value of X*Y. The A-IoT Msg2 sent by the A-IoT network device to the A-IoT terminal can include multiple (e.g., some or all) random numbers contained in A-IoT Msg1, which are used by the A-IoT terminal to indicate successful access. For example, a paging message indicates M access resources. N devices each select an access resource from the M resources and send A-IoT Msg1. Each device's A-IoT Msg1 carries an RN16, and the A-IoT network device receives a total of N RN16s. If the A-IoT network device decides to allow Y devices to successfully access the network, the A-IoT Msg2 sent by the A-IoT network device to the A-IoT terminal may include Y random numbers, where Y is less than or equal to N, and N is less than or equal to M. A-IoT Msg2 can be carried using MAC layer signaling. Only one A-IoT terminal can successfully access the same access resource at a time.

[0177] Because different A-IoT terminals may send the same RN16 to the A-IoT network device in their A-IoT Msg1 messages—for example, A-IoT terminal 1 and A-IoT terminal 2 may send A-IoT Msg1 messages to the A-IoT network device on different access resources, and both A-IoT Msg1 messages may carry the same RN16—if A-IoT Msg2 uses RN16 to indicate a terminal that has successfully connected, then both A-IoT terminal 1 and A-IoT terminal 2 will believe that they have successfully connected. However, the A-IoT network device may actually only allow A-IoT terminal 1 to connect, causing A-IoT terminal 2 to mistakenly believe that it has also successfully connected, resulting in subsequent data transmission failures.

[0178] To address the issue of different A-IoT terminals corresponding to the same RN16, the A-IoT Msg2 uses the index of the access resource to associate different RN16s. That is, it uses the RN16 corresponding to the A-IoT terminal and the index of the access resource to jointly indicate the A-IoT terminal that has successfully connected. The access resource is the access resource included in the paging message, and each access resource corresponds to a unique index. The A-IoT Msg2 is carried using MAC layer signaling. Since the total number of access resources indicated by the paging message may vary, and the length of the index may also vary (e.g., increasing the index length), it may lead to byte alignment issues in the A-IoT Msg2. This means that the length of the A-IoT Msg2 may not be an integer multiple of a single byte (i.e., 8 bits), increasing the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT terminals to read the A-IoT Msg2.

[0179] Feedback messages sent from A-IoT network devices to A-IoT terminals indicate whether data transmission by the A-IoT terminal was successful or failed. Feedback messages can also be carried using MAC layer signaling. Different A-IoT terminals are associated with access resource indexes within the feedback messages. These access resources are those included in the paging message, and each access resource corresponds to a unique index. Since the total number of access resources may vary, the length of the index may also change (e.g., the index may become longer), potentially leading to byte alignment issues in the feedback messages and increasing the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT terminals to read them.

[0180] In summary, when A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information uses access resource indices associated with different RN16s or different A-IoT terminals to access the network, the number of access resources indicated in the paging message may change, and the length of the access resource index may change (e.g., the index becomes longer). This may cause A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information to be byte-aligned, increasing the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT terminals to read feedback information.

[0181] In view of this, this application provides a communication method and a communication device, which uses padding bits to align the bytes of A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, and indicates the length of the padding bits or the number of identifiers (e.g., indices) corresponding to the access resources in A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. Alternatively, when repeating identifiers (e.g., indices) corresponding to the access resources in A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, byte alignment of A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be achieved. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT terminals to read A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that A-IoT terminals can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the other hand, since the required bit length (i.e., the length of the padding bits or the number of indices corresponding to the access resources) is relatively small, the overhead of the indication information can be reduced, and the utilization rate of communication resources can be improved.

[0182] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, a communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be briefly described first. It can be understood that this application can be applied to A-IoT communication systems.

[0183] For example, Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the network architecture of an A-IoT communication system.

[0184] As shown in Figure 3a, the A-IoT communication system includes A-IoT terminals and network devices (i.e., A-IoT network devices), with bidirectional communication between them. The communication between the network devices and A-IoT terminals includes environmental IoT data and / or signaling, including A-IoT signaling sent from the network devices to the A-IoT terminals (e.g., paging messages, A-IoT Msg2, feedback information) and A-IoT signaling sent from the A-IoT terminals to the network devices (e.g., including A-IoT Msg1, uplink data (e.g., the aforementioned A-IoT Msg3)). The feedback information can be a response to the data sent from the A-IoT terminals to the network devices. Optionally, the feedback information can also be referred to as A-IoT Msg4.

[0185] As shown in Figure 3b, the A-IoT communication system includes A-IoT terminals, network devices (i.e., A-IoT network devices), and relay nodes. A-IoT terminals and network devices communicate bidirectionally through relay nodes. In this structure, relay nodes can be repeaters, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, terminal devices, or other devices that enable environmental IoT. Relay nodes transmit AIoT data and / or signaling between network devices and A-IoT terminals.

[0186] As shown in Figure 3c, the A-IoT communication system includes A-IoT terminals, network devices (i.e., A-IoT network devices), and auxiliary nodes. A-IoT terminals can send uplink A-IoT data or A-IoT signaling to network devices and receive A-IoT data or A-IoT signaling from auxiliary nodes. In other words, network devices send downlink A-IoT data or A-IoT signaling to A-IoT terminals through auxiliary nodes. Auxiliary nodes can be repeaters, IAB nodes, terminal devices, or other devices that enable environmental IoT. Network devices and auxiliary nodes can transmit data or signaling through the Uu interface.

[0187] As shown in Figure 3d, the A-IoT communication system includes A-IoT terminals, network devices (i.e., A-IoT network devices), and assisting nodes. Network devices can send downlink A-IoT data or A-IoT signaling to A-IoT terminals, and assisting nodes can send uplink A-IoT data or A-IoT signaling to network devices. In other words, A-IoT terminals send uplink A-IoT data or A-IoT signaling to network devices via assisting node network devices.

[0188] As shown in Figure 3e, the A-IoT communication system includes A-IoT terminals and terminal devices, with bidirectional communication between the A-IoT terminals and terminal devices. Communication between A-IoT devices and terminal devices includes A-IoT data and / or A-IoT signaling. The terminal device can implement the functions of an A-IoT network device.

[0189] For example, in the communication architecture shown in Figure 3, the method provided in this application can be used when the network device sends A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information to the A-IoT terminal, or when the terminal device sends A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information to the A-IoT terminal.

[0190] For example, the communication system described in Figure 3 above can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, a 4G or 5G mobile communication system (including standalone and non-standalone networks), NR, future communication networks, a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) system, or a communication system integrating two or more of the above systems. This application does not impose limitations on the embodiments described herein.

[0191] In the embodiments of this application, network devices (or A-IoT network devices) may sometimes also be referred to as access network devices, wireless access network devices, network devices, RAN entities, RAN nodes, or access nodes, etc., constituting part of the communication system to help terminals achieve wireless access.

[0192] In one possible scenario, the network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. For example, the network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or indoor station, a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device functions.

[0193] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, thereby realizing the functions of network devices. Different RAN nodes implement specific functions of the network devices. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). Optionally, the central unit (CU) can also be called a control unit (CU).

[0194] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0195] In one possible implementation of this application, the network device (or RAN) may include CU, DU, and RU, etc. In another possible implementation, the network device (or RAN) may be CU, DU, or RU, etc. This application does not impose any limitations on the implementation.

[0196] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of an access network device (network device) structure under an O-RAN architecture. As shown in Figure 4, the access network device (e.g., an eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network device) communicates with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with the terminal device (A-IoT terminal) via an air interface. The access network device (or A-IoT network device) includes a BBU and at least one RU. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU. The BBU communicates with the core network via the backhaul link, and the RU in the access network device communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The terminal device can implement the functions of the aforementioned A-IoT terminal. The access network device can implement the functions of the aforementioned A-IoT network device.

[0197] In some examples, the CU can be a logical node carrying the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU can have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., the RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as the F1 interface. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0198] In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (Control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be Access and Mobility Function (AMF) network elements, such as the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (User plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the User Plane Function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in terminal devices. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0199] In some examples, a DU is a logical node that carries the radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which can be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0200] In some examples, the RU is a logical node carrying both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0201] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through the Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane (LLS-CUS) interface. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces providing the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0202] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0203] For example, in the communication architecture shown in Figure 4, the CU can generate A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, and the CU transmits the generated A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information to the DU, which then forwards it to the UE through the RU. The A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can use the method provided in this application.

[0204] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system involving a RIC module under the O-RAN architecture. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). RICs include near-real-time RICs (near-RT RICs) and non-real-time RICs (non-RT RICs). The terminal device in Figure 5 can implement the functions of the aforementioned A-IoT terminal.

[0205] The near real-time RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, it can be used to train an artificial intelligence (AI) model and then use that AI model for inference. The near real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near real-time RIC can deliver the inference results to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and / or between DU and RU. For example, the near real-time RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, and the DU sends them to the RU.

[0206] Non-real-time RICs are used for model training and inference. For example, they are used to train AI models and then use those models for inference. Non-real-time RICs can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs; for example, a non-real-time RIC delivers inference results to a DU, which then forwards them to an RU.

[0207] Furthermore, near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can also be configured as separate network elements. Optionally, near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can also be part of other devices. For example, near real-time RICs can be installed in RAN nodes (e.g., CU, DU), while non-real-time RICs can be installed in operations administration and maintenance (OAM) systems, cloud servers, core network devices, or other network devices. Network elements in the communication system are connected via interfaces (e.g., next generation (NG) interfaces, Xn) or air interfaces.

[0208] AI modules are used to implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. Depending on the parameter configuration, the AI ​​module can implement different functions. The AI ​​module model can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (e.g., at least one of the following: number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation function, or biases in the activation function), input parameters (e.g., the type and / or dimension of the input parameters), or output parameters (e.g., the type and / or dimension of the output parameters). The biases in the activation function can also be referred to as the neural network biases.

[0209] An AI module can have one or more models. A model can infer an output, which includes one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models can be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they can be deployed on the same node or device.

[0210] In one possible implementation, the grouping of A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be dynamically configured based on the RIC. For example, the RIC can estimate the successful access probability based on prior information related to the A-IoT terminal and determine the number of access resources (access opportunities) that the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information needs to include. In this case, the number of access opportunities included in each A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be different. For example, the RIC can determine the index size included in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information based on prior information such as historical information and determine whether to group it. For example, the RIC can provide prior information to the CU. Optionally, the network device can, according to the RIC instruction, inform the A-IoT terminal (e.g., the terminal device in Figure 5) in advance in the paging message or downlink message whether the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information includes all random numbers (i.e., whether the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information is sent in groups) before sending the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information (before sending the A-IoT Msg2). The RIC can know the capability or power consumption of the A-IoT terminal and can prioritize triggering the resumption of data transmission for A-IoT terminals with lower capabilities.

[0211] In this application embodiment, the A-IoT terminal can also be referred to as an A-IoT device, A-IoT terminal device, or terminal device, etc., and the terminal device specifically performs A-IoT functions. Optionally, the terminal device can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless core network element, user agent, user device, or terminal device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user, and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted devices, etc. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can be used to act as a base station. For example, the terminal device can act as a dispatching entity, providing sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) or device-to-device (D2D) communications. For example, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices communicate without relaying communication signals through base stations.

[0212] It should be understood that the communication systems shown in Figures 3 to 5 are merely exemplary and should not impose any limitations on the communication systems applicable to the embodiments of this application. For example, the communication system shown in Figure 3 may also include more or fewer network nodes, such as terminals, network devices (access network devices), etc. The network devices or A-IoT terminals included in Figure 3 may be the various forms of RAN nodes or terminal devices described above. The embodiments of this application are not shown one by one in the figures.

[0213] The following section uses specific examples to illustrate the communication method provided in this application.

[0214] It should be understood that in this embodiment, the first device and the second device are used as examples to illustrate the method. The first device and the second device can be A-IoT devices; for example, the first device can be called a first A-IoT device, and the second device can be called a second A-IoT device. Exemplarily, the first A-IoT device can be a first A-IoT terminal, and the second A-IoT device can be an A-IoT network device. For example, the first device can be a tag, and the second device can be a reader. As an example and not a limitation, the first device and the second device in this application can also be components (chips, chip systems, or processors) that support the first device and the second device in implementing the method, or they can be logic modules or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device and the second device. For example, CU, DU, or RU. This embodiment does not impose limitations here.

[0215] The communication method provided in this application is described below with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. This method 600 can be applied to the communication system or communication architecture shown in Figures 3 to 5, and of course, it can also be applied to other communication scenarios or communication architectures with the above-mentioned problems. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations here. In the example shown in Figure 6, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information is byte-aligned using padding bits, and the length of the padding bits or the identifier length of at least one access resource included in the second information is determined by the third information in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information.

[0216] As shown in Figure 6, the method 600 illustrated in Figure 6 may include steps S610 to S630. The steps of method 600 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 6.

[0217] S610, the first device sends first information to the second device, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data. Accordingly, the second device receives the first information.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the first information may carry a first identifier generated by the first device. For example, the first identifier may be a random identifier generated by the first device. Exemplarily, the random identifier may be a first random number. For example, the first random number may be a 16-bit random number (e.g., RN16) or a random number of other lengths, etc., and this embodiment of the application is not limited thereto. In this case, optionally, the first information may be referred to as A-IoT Msg1.

[0219] It should be understood that in this application, the term RN16 can be replaced with "random ID", or in other words, RN16 is an implementation of random ID, and RN16 in the following text can be replaced with random ID.

[0220] It should be understood that in this application embodiment, A-IoT Msg1 can also be replaced (or referred to as) Random ID, Random Identifier, or Random Access Request Message, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the specific name of A-IoT Msg1. The function of A-IoT Msg1, Random ID, Random Identifier, or Random Access Request Message can include at least one of the following:

[0221] Identification information for contentious access;

[0222] The identifier for the first device may be, for example, access stratum identification (AS ID) information, a temporary identifier, a scrambling (or descrambling) sequence, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) mask, or a CRC masking (or scrambling, descrambling, or demasking) sequence, or used to generate access stratum identification information, a temporary identifier, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) mask. For example, when the second device schedules an R2D message or sends downlink data to the first device, the access stratum identification information, a temporary identifier, a scrambling (or descrambling) sequence, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) mask, or a CRC masking (or scrambling, descrambling, or demasking) sequence is used to associate the identifier of the first device.

[0223] In one possible implementation, the first information may also carry data sent from the first device to the second device. For example, it may include at least one of the device ID of the first device or data. For instance, the device ID of the first device may include the EPC of the first device.

[0224] For example, a first device may send A-IoT Msg1 to a second device on a first access resource. The first access resource may be indicated to the first device by the second device via an A-IoT paging message, an R2D trigger message, or a random access trigger message. It should be understood that the second device may indicate multiple access resources via A-IoT paging messages, R2D trigger messages, or random access trigger messages. Access resources may include time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources; optionally, access resources may also be referred to as access occasions. Multiple access resources include the first access resource. Different A-IoT devices may select different access resources to send A-IoT Msg1 to the second device. In other words, each of the multiple access resources indicated by the second device may be a candidate access resource for the first device to access the second device.

[0225] For example, the first device may select a first access resource from the candidate access resources, such as randomly selecting a first access resource from the candidate access resources.

[0226] In one possible implementation, candidate access resources can be configured via messages sent from the second device to the first device (e.g., R2D messages), which can be indicated / carried in one or more of the following ways:

[0227] Paging message: Optional, paging message can also be called A-IoT paging message, initial (paging) message, or (initial) trigger / selection message, etc., used to paging, select or trigger the access of the first device and / or data transmission;

[0228] R2D messages are used to schedule data transmission (D2R transmission) from the first device to the second device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific name of the R2D message;

[0229] (Random) access trigger message; for example, it can be used to trigger a round of random access, re-access, or to trigger one or more access opportunities / access resources, etc.

[0230] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned indication or message carrying candidate access resources can be carried in at least one of the following signaling methods: MAC CE, MAC header, MAC signaling element, physical layer (PHY) sequence, other R2D message carrying, or data carrying. This application does not impose limitations on the embodiments described herein.

[0231] In one possible implementation, the first information may carry at least one of the device ID of the first device or data. For example, the device ID of the first device may include the EPC of the first device, etc. Exemplarily, in this case, the first information may also be referred to as A-IoT Msg3, and the first device may send the first information to the second device on a first transmission resource.

[0232] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, A-IoT Msg3 can also be replaced (or referred to as) data transmission information, uplink data, D2R data, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific name of A-IoT Msg3.

[0233] In one possible implementation, the first information may include D2R data sent by the first device to the second device. For example, the D2R data may include upper-layer data, such as non-access stratum (NAS) data, application-layer data, etc. For instance, the first device may send D2R data to the second device after sending A-IoT Msg3. For example, the upper-layer data may include at least one of the first device's response to a command or a device ID. For instance, the first device's response to a command may include data read by a read command, success or failure feedback for a write command, etc.

[0234] In one possible implementation, the second device can also forward upper-layer data to core network equipment.

[0235] In one possible implementation, if the first information includes D2R data, the first device can send the first information to the second device on a first transmission resource (i.e., data transmission resource), which may include time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources.

[0236] In one possible implementation, the first transport resource can be configured via an R2D message, for example, indicated / carried in one or more of the following ways:

[0237] Paging message: An R2D message used to schedule data transmission (D2R transmission) from the first device to the second device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific name of the R2D message.

[0238] (Random) access trigger message; for example, it can be used to trigger a round of random access, re-access, or to trigger one or more access opportunities / access resources, etc.

[0239] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned indication or message carrying the first transmission resource can be carried in at least one of the following signaling methods: MAC CE, MAC header, MAC signaling element, physical layer (PHY) sequence, other R2D message carrying, or data carrying. This application does not impose limitations on the embodiments described herein.

[0240] It should be understood that, in the case where the first information includes D2R data or the first information is A-IoT Msg3, before sending the first information, the first device may send information (e.g., A-IoT Msg1) to the second device on the first access resource, which includes at least one of the first identifier or data.

[0241] S620, in response to the first information, the second device sends second information to the first device. The second information includes an identifier of at least one access resource and third information, the third information being used to determine the length of the padding bits in the second information or the length of the identifier of the at least one access resource. The at least one access resource is used for A-IoT devices to access the network. Alternatively, each of the at least one access resource can be a candidate access resource for the first device to access the second device. Or, each of the at least one access resource is a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, where the at least one device includes the first device. Accordingly, the first device receives the second information.

[0242] The candidate access resources can be used for A-IoT devices to access the network. For example, the second device can indicate X (X is an integer greater than or equal to 1) access resources (e.g., time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or code-domain resources) through access resource indication information. These X access resources can be understood as candidate access resources. The first device can (randomly) select one resource from the X access resources (e.g., the first access resource) and initiate random access on that resource, for example, by sending the aforementioned first information.

[0243] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the length of the second information is an integer multiple of the length of one byte, and the second information may include padding bits, the length of which is greater than or equal to 0 bits and less than or equal to 7 bits.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned "padding bits" can also be replaced by one or more of padding information, reserved information, reserved bits, or extended information. In other words, the second information can utilize one or more of padding bits, padding information, reserved information, reserved bits, or extended information to achieve byte alignment. For example, if the padding bits can be replaced by padding bits and reserved information, then the third information can be used to determine the total length of the padding bits and reserved information. The total length of the padding bits and reserved information is greater than or equal to 0 bits and less than or equal to 7 bits. The following explanation will use padding bits as an example.

[0245] In one possible implementation, if the first information includes a first identifier (e.g., RN16), for example, the first information could be A-IoT Msg1, then the second information could be A-IoT Msg2, used to indicate contention resolution or determine whether the A-IoT device has successfully accessed the network. A-IoT Msg2 includes an identifier of at least one access resource. The identifier of the access resource indicated by the second device via an A-IoT paging message, R2D trigger message, or random access trigger message includes the identifier of at least one access resource carried in A-IoT Msg2. Furthermore, A-IoT Msg2 may also include at least one random number (e.g., at least RN16). At least one random number is used to indicate successful network access or contention resolution; each A-IoT device carries a random number in its first message (A-IoT Msg1) sent on the corresponding access resource. For example, a third device could send A-IoT Msg1 to the second device on the second access resource, carrying a third random number (also called a third identifier), such as RN16, corresponding to the third device. The access resource indicated by the A-IoT paging message includes the second access resource.

[0246] In one possible implementation, if the first information includes uplink data and / or D2R data, for example, the first information may be A-IoT Msg3, then the second information may be feedback information for A-IoT Msg3, which is used to indicate or determine whether A-IoT Msg3 (or data) has been successfully sent.

[0247] In one possible implementation, if the first information includes D2R data sent from the first device to the second device, then the second information may be feedback information on the D2R data, which is used to indicate or determine whether the D2R data was successfully sent.

[0248] In one possible implementation, if the first message is A-IoT Msg3, the second device may not receive or parse A-IoT Msg3 correctly, or the second device may fail to receive A-IoT Msg3. In this case, the second message may be a retransmitted A-IoT Msg2 (Retransmit A-IoT Msg2), used to indicate to the first device whether A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted. That is, the second message is used to determine whether A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted.

[0249] In this embodiment of the application, the second information also includes third information. For example, the third information may be a field or an element in the second information.

[0250] In one possible implementation, byte alignment of the second information is achieved by padding bits, that is, ensuring that the length of the second information is an integer multiple of the length of a byte or an integer multiple of the length of 8 bits. In other words, the length of the second information is made an integer multiple of the length of an octet by padding bits. An octet represents a byte consisting of 8 bits.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the third information is used by the first device to determine the length of the padding bits. For example, the third information indicates the length of the padding bits. By determining the length of the padding bits, the first device can determine which positions or fields in the second information are padding bit fields (i.e., invalid fields). This reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the second information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, since the length of the padding bits is relatively small, at most 7 bits, using a 3-bit third information can indicate the length of the padding bits, which can reduce the overhead of the third information and improve the utilization of communication resources.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the third information is used to determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource in the second information. By determining the length of the identifier of at least one access resource, the first device can determine which positions or fields in the second information are valid fields, reducing the difficulty and complexity of the first device reading the second information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, and improving the efficiency of information transmission.

[0253] It should be understood that, in the case of the second information being A-IoT Msg2, A-IoT Msg2 may also include a third identifier, such as an RN16 generated by a third device. Alternatively, A-IoT Msg2 may also include multiple RN16s, with different RN16s associated with different A-IoT devices. The RN16 generated by the third device is used to determine whether the third device has successfully accessed the network (e.g., whether it has successfully accessed the second device).

[0254] S630, the first device determines, based on the second information, whether the first device has successfully connected to the second device, whether the first information has been successfully sent, or at least one of the following: data that needs to be sent.

[0255] The first device can determine the length of the padding bits based on the third information, or determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource. Based on the length of the identifier of at least one access resource, the length of the valid bits in the second information can be determined, or the length of the invalid bits (padding bits) in the second information can be determined based on the length of the padding bits, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the second information and improve the efficiency of information transmission.

[0256] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg1, A-IoT Msg1 may include a first identifier generated by the first device (for example, RN16), and the second information may be A-IoT Msg2. If at least one access resource identifier in A-IoT Msg2 includes the identifier of the first access resource, and A-IoT Msg2 includes the first identifier (RN16), the first device determines that the contention has been resolved or that the first device has successfully accessed the second device. Otherwise, the first device determines that it has not accessed the second device.

[0257] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg3, the second information can be feedback information for A-IoT Msg3, indicating whether the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 was successful or failed. For example, if the identifier of at least one access resource carried in the second information (feedback information) includes the identifier of the first access resource, the first device determines that the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 was successful. Otherwise, the first device determines that the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 failed. Alternatively, if the identifier of at least one access resource carried in the second information (feedback information) does not include the identifier of the first access resource, the first device determines that the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 was successful. Otherwise, the first device determines that the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 failed.

[0258] In one possible implementation, if the first information includes D2R data sent from the first device to the second device, the second information can be feedback information regarding the D2R data, used to indicate whether the D2R data was successfully transmitted or failed to transmit. For example, if the identifier of at least one access resource carried in the second information (feedback information) includes the identifier of the first access resource, the first device determines that the D2R data was successfully transmitted. Otherwise, the first device determines that the D2R data transmission failed. Alternatively, if the identifier of at least one access resource carried in the second information (feedback information) does not include the identifier of the first access resource, the first device determines that the D2R data was successfully transmitted; otherwise, the first device determines that the D2R data transmission failed.

[0259] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg3, the second information can be a retransmitted A-IoT Msg2 (Retransmit A-IoT Msg2), used to indicate to the first device that A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted, i.e., the data needs to be retransmitted. For example, if the identifier of at least one access resource carried in the second information includes the identifier of the first access resource, and the transmission of A-IoT Msg3 previously sent by the first device failed, the first device determines that A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted.

[0260] In one possible implementation, when the first information includes D2R data (e.g., A-IoT Msg3), since the first information is transmitted through the first transmission resource, the second information (e.g., feedback information or retransmission of A-IoT Msg2) may include the identifier of at least one transmission resource and third information, used to indicate whether the D2R data of the first device was successfully transmitted or failed to be transmitted, or to indicate the retransmission of A-IoT Msg3. The specific judgment process is similar to the judgment process of the access resource described above. For details, please refer to the above description. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0261] The following describes a possible implementation of the identifier of at least one access resource included in the second information (taking A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information as an example).

[0262] One possible implementation: The identifier of at least one access resource includes an index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource. In this case, each access resource in the at least one access resource corresponds to an index, and the lengths of the different indices are all the same. For example, the index of the first access resource can be the index of the first access resource in the indicated or allocated access resources (e.g., candidate access resources). For example, the index of the first access resource can be an index of a time resource, such as the time resource or time unit in which the first information is transmitted, or it can be an index of a frequency domain resource, or an index of both time and frequency domain resources, etc.

[0263] It should be understood that, in this application, the index of a certain access resource can be the index of that access resource among candidate access resources. For example, the index of the first access resource corresponding to the first device can be the index of the first access resource among the candidate access resources indicated by the second device.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the first device determines the index / identification information corresponding to its access resource when determining the access resource. For example, the index / identification information corresponding to the access resource used by the first device can be determined in the following ways:

[0265] Method 1: Determined based on time-domain resources (location) and frequency-domain resources (location):

[0266] For example, there are 16 time-domain resources and 4 frequency-domain resources as candidate access resources. One possible implementation is that there are a total of 16 * 4 = 64 candidate access resources, and the first device can randomly select one from all the candidate access resources as the first access resource, for example, selecting the 38th candidate access resource as the first resource. Another implementation is that the first device randomly selects the time-domain resource and the frequency-domain resource respectively, for example, randomly selecting the 10th time-domain resource and the 2nd frequency-domain resource. Then the index of the access resource can be determined by the following schemes:

[0267] Option A: The index can be determined in the order of time domain first and then frequency domain. For example, first determine the starting index value of the index corresponding to the 10th time domain resource as (10-1)*4=36, and then add the index value of the frequency domain resource as 36+2, that is, the index value of the access resource is 38 (or it can also be 37, for example, starting from 0 to count the first index value).

[0268] Option B: The frequency domain can be determined first, followed by the time domain. The 3rd frequency domain resource and the 8th time resource can be randomly selected. Then the index of the access resource in the time and frequency resource dimension is 38 (or it can be 37, for example, starting from 0 to count the first index value).

[0269] Method 2: Determine the index based on access time-domain resources (location).

[0270] For example, if there are 16 time-domain resources (e.g., corresponding to 16 time units, each time unit may have the same or different lengths), and the first device randomly selects the 10th time resource as the first access resource, then the index corresponding to the access resource in the time dimension is 10 (or it can also be 9, for example, starting from 0 to count the first index value).

[0271] Method 3: Determine the (location) index based on access frequency domain resources. For example, if there are 4 candidate access resources (e.g., corresponding to 4 frequency domain locations, each frequency domain location can be determined by R2D messages), and the first device randomly selects the 3rd frequency domain resource as the first access resource, then the index corresponding to the access resource in the frequency domain dimension is 3 (or it can also be 2, for example, starting from 0 to count the first index value).

[0272] It should be understood that the above methods 1 to 3, as well as schemes A and B in method 1, can be specified in the protocol as using one of them, or multiple methods can be included in the protocol. The index corresponding to the access resource can be determined based on which rule according to the instruction of the second device (e.g., reader) (through R2D messages, such as paging messages, access trigger messages, configuration messages, etc.) or the first device actively selects. That is, methods 1 to 3 can be obtained through configuration by the second device or selection by the first device.

[0273] For example, the first device can determine the length of the index corresponding to each access resource based on the total number of access resources indicated by the A-IoT paging message, R2D trigger message, or random access trigger message. The A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information may include multiple indices, and the lengths of the different indices are all the same.

[0274] For example, if the total number of access resources indicated by the A-IoT paging message is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2, then each index is 1 bit long. If the total number of access resources is greater than or equal to 3 and less than or equal to 4, then each index is 2 bits long. If the total number of access resources is greater than or equal to 5 and less than or equal to 8, then each index is 3 bits long. If the total number of access resources is greater than or equal to 9 and less than or equal to 16, then each index is 4 bits long. If the total number of access resources is greater than or equal to 16 and less than or equal to 32, then each index is 5 bits long. If the total number of access resources is greater than or equal to 32 and less than or equal to 64, then each index is 6 bits long. In other words, each index length can indicate all access resources.

[0275] In one possible implementation, access resources can be divided into frequency domain access resources and time domain access resources. For example, an A-IoT paging message can indicate X time domain access resources and Y frequency domain access resources. Then, the index of each access resource can include two parts: index T indicating time domain access resources and index F indicating frequency domain access resources. For example, if an A-IoT paging message indicates 2 time domain access resources and 4 frequency domain access resources, the access resource index corresponding to each A-IoT device can be index T + index F. Here, index T has a length of 1 bit, and index F has a length of 2 bits, so the length of the access resource index corresponding to each A-IoT device can be 3 bits.

[0276] For example, Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of how different RN16 are associated with different access resource indices in an A-IoT Msg2 example. Each index corresponds to or indicates an access resource, and it is assumed that the index of each access resource is two bits.

[0277] One possible implementation is as follows: each index is followed by an associated RN16, as shown in Figure 7a. Index 00 indicates an access resource, and the RN16 sent by the first device on this access resource is RN16 (1). Index 01 indicates an access resource, and the RN16 sent by the third device (A-IoT device) on this access resource is RN16 (2). Index 10 indicates an access resource, and the RN16 sent by the fourth device (A-IoT device) on this access resource is RN16 (3). Each index and its corresponding RN16 are associated with an A-IoT device. As shown in Figure 7, A-IoT Msg2 also includes scheduling information, which is used to indicate the transmission resources of A-IoT Msg3 or D2R data.

[0278] One possible implementation is to indicate all the indices first, and then indicate all the RN16s. For example, as shown in Figure 7b. For instance, the order of the indices can be consistent with the order of the RN16s corresponding to each index.

[0279] It should be understood that if the second information is feedback information, the second information may not include RN16. For example, RN16(1) to RN16(4) shown in Figure 7 can be removed to implement the feedback information using the index of the access resource.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the length of each index can be fixed, meaning that the index length remains the same regardless of how many candidate access resources the second device indicates. For example, if the protocol specifies a maximum allocation of 64 access resources at a time, then each index has a length of 6 bits, and the length of each index remains 6 bits regardless of whether the second device allocates or indicates 1, 4, or 64 access resources.

[0281] A second possible implementation: The identifier of at least one access resource includes at least one bit map corresponding to the access resource. Optionally, in this embodiment, a bit map can also be called a bitmap, and unless otherwise specified, the two terms can be used interchangeably.

[0282] When at least one access resource is identified by a bitmap corresponding to that access resource, the second information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) may consist of only one bitmap. The length of the bitmap is the same as the total number of access resources indicated by the A-IoT paging message, R2D trigger message, or random access trigger message. Each bit in the bitmap indicates one access resource or corresponds to one A-IoT device. For example, if the total number of access resources indicated in the A-IoT paging message is 13, the length of the bitmap is 13 bits. Different values ​​of a certain bit in the bitmap are used to indicate whether the A-IoT device has successfully accessed the network, whether the A-IoT Msg3 has been successfully sent, or whether the D2R data has been successfully sent, etc.

[0283] It should be understood that when the second information is A-IoT Msg2, A-IoT Msg2 also carries at least one random number (at least one RN16). For example, the length of the bitmap can be greater than the number of RN16 carried by A-IoT Msg2, meaning A-IoT Msg2 can indicate that some A-IoT devices have successfully connected, and the RN16 carried in the second information is the RN16 corresponding to the A-IoT devices (e.g., including the first device, the third device, etc.) that have successfully resolved contention or successfully connected to the network (successfully connected to the second device). Alternatively, the length of the bitmap can be equal to the number of RN16 carried by A-IoT Msg2, meaning A-IoT Msg2 indicates that all A-IoT devices have successfully connected, and the RN16 carried by A-IoT Msg2 is the RN16 corresponding to all A-IoT devices.

[0284] For example, Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of how different RN16 are associated using a bitmap in an A-IoT Msg2 example. In the example shown in Figure 8, there are 5 RN16, namely RN16(1) to RN16(5). The length of the bitmap is greater than or equal to 5 bits. As shown in Figure 8a, the bitmap is placed before the RN16, and as shown in Figure 8b, all RN16 are indicated first before the bitmap is indicated.

[0285] It should be understood that if the second information is feedback information, the second information may not include RN16. For example, RN16(1) to RN16(4) shown in Figure 8 can be removed (deleted) to obtain the feedback information using the bit map of access resources.

[0286] For example, as shown in Figure 9, assume the total number of access resources indicated by the A-IoT paging message is 8, the bitmap length is 8 bits (10101011), and the access resource used by the first device corresponds to the 5th bit in the bitmap or has an index of 5 in the total access resources (or it could be 4, for example, the index of the first access resource in the total access resources is 0). For instance, the index of the first access resource used by the first device in the total access resources is 5. Assume a predefined bit value of 1 indicates that the A-IoT device has successfully accessed the network, and a value of 0 indicates that the A-IoT device has not accessed the network. Furthermore, A-IoT Msg2 also includes RN16 sent by different A-IoT devices. The number of RN16 is the same as the number of bits with a value of 1 in the bitmap (e.g., 5 as shown in Figure 9). After receiving A-IoT Msg2, the first device determines that the 5th bit of the bitmap is 1 (as shown in Figure 9). The 5th bit value of 1 is the third bit among all bits with a value of 1. If the third RN16 (RN16(3)) is the same as the RN16 sent by the first device through A-IoT Msg1, the first device determines that the contention is resolved or that the first device has successfully connected to the second device. If the 5th bit of the bitmap is 0, the first device determines that it has not connected to the second device. In this case, A-IoT Msg2 does not include the RN16 sent by the first device.

[0287] Of course, in other implementations of this application, the identifier of at least one access resource can also be implemented in other ways, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0288] In one possible implementation, A-IoT Msg2 may further include an AS ID, used to indicate the AS ID assigned to the first device that successfully accesses / resolves contention. Optionally, if A-IoT Msg2 does not indicate or does not include an AS ID, a default random identifier (e.g., RN16) can be used as the subsequent AS ID. If A-IoT Msg2 indicates or includes an AS ID, the AS ID indicated by A-IoT Msg2 is used as the subsequent AS ID. In this embodiment, there is no limitation on the number of bits for the AS ID; it can be longer than the random identifier (e.g., the random identifier is 16 bits, and the AS ID is 20 bits), shorter than the random identifier (e.g., the random identifier is 16 bits, and the AS ID is 6 bits), or the same length as the random identifier.

[0289] In one possible implementation, the R2D message sent by the second device to the first device (e.g., feedback information or scheduling information) can be associated with an AS ID (instead of a random identifier) ​​to identify different A-IoT devices.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the index or bitmap of the access resource can be used as the AS ID of each A-IoT device (e.g., the first device). Here, the bitmap can be a bitmap with an index position of 1 and other positions of 0 (which indicates a bitmap of an access resource).

[0291] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the second information may also include other information besides at least one of index, bitmap, or random identifier, such as scheduling information, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations here.

[0292] The following will explain in detail the possible ways to implement the third information.

[0293] In one possible implementation, when the third information is used to determine the length of the padding bits in the second information, the third information can indicate the length of the padding bits. This directly indicates the length of the padding bits, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of determining the padding bit length and reducing the overhead of the third information. The length of the third information is at most 3 bits.

[0294] For example, Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of an example second information structure. Since the second information is carried using MAC layer signaling, the third information can be placed in the MAC header, and the padding bits can be placed in the MAC layer signaling payload. Figure 10a shows the padding bits located in the low bits of the MAC layer signaling payload (i.e., MAC CE and / or MAC SDU), and Figure 10b shows the padding bits located in the high bits of the MAC layer signaling payload (i.e., MAC CE and / or MAC SDU).

[0295] In one possible implementation, the padding bits are placed in the high bits of the MAC layer signaling. Specifically, the padding bits are positioned before the identifiers of at least one access resource (treating the identifiers of at least one access resource as a whole) in the second information; or, the padding bits are positioned before the identifier of each access resource within the identifiers of at least one access resource. This reduces the complexity of the first device's processing of the second information. The first device can discard the padding bits initially, thus eliminating the need to cache them and reducing the consumption of the first device's storage capacity.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the third information can be located in the MAC header, MAC CE, MAC signaling element, or MAC SDU. Alternatively, if the MAC layer message does not distinguish between the MAC header and signaling elements such as MAC CE and / or MAC SDU, the third information can be carried within the MAC layer message.

[0297] In one possible implementation, the third information can be carried in a (physical layer) sequence, such as a preamble sequence, a postamble sequence, a midamble sequence, or other sequences, which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0298] In the example shown in Figure 10, assume the length of the scheduling information is 8 bits or an integer multiple of 8 bits. Each row in Figure 10(a) or (b) can be 8 bits or an integer multiple of 8 bits.

[0299] Figure 10 illustrates this using the example of at least one access resource being identified by its corresponding index. It should be understood that the index corresponding to at least one access resource in Figure 10 can also be replaced by a bitmap, in which case the second information includes only one bitmap, as shown in Figure 11.

[0300] For example, Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a second information structure (e.g., feedback information). Assume the scheduling information is 8 bits long, and the index length for each access resource is 6 bits. Each row in Figure 12 is 8 bits long. For the second row, index 2 is split into two parts: Index2 (2 bits) and Index1 (4 bits), with lengths of 2 bits and 4 bits respectively. The sum of the 6 bits of Index2 (2 bits) and Index1 is 8 bits. For the third row, index 3 is split into two parts: Index3 (2 bits) and Index3 (4 bits), with the sum of the remaining bits of Index2 (4 bits) and Index3 (4 bits) being 8 bits. For the fourth row, the sum of the remaining bits of Index3 (2 bits) and Index4 (6 bits) is 8 bits. This process continues to more indices, ultimately determining whether the padding bit length is 6 bits, 4 bits, or 2 bits. If the padding bit length is 6 bits, the length of the third information can be 3 bits. If the padding bit length is 4 bits, the length of the third information can be 2 bits. If the padding bit length is 2 bits, the length of the third information can be 1 bit.

[0301] It should be understood that, in the example shown in Figure 12, if the second information is A-IoT Msg2, the structure shown in Figure 12 also includes at least one RN16, wherein the number of RN16 is the same as the number of indices. If the identifier of at least one access resource is a bitmap corresponding to at least one access resource, the sum of the number of RN16 is less than or equal to the length of the bitmap.

[0302] When the third information indicates the length of the padding bits, the identifier of at least one access resource can be an index corresponding to at least one access resource or a bitmap corresponding to at least one access resource.

[0303] In one possible implementation, when the third information is used to determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource in the second information, the identifier of at least one access resource can be an index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource, and the third information can indicate the number of indices. In this way, the third information directly indicates the number of indices, and the first device can determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource (i.e., the length of the valid information) using the determined number of indices and the length of each index. On the one hand, this allows the first device to determine which fields in the second information are valid. This reduces the difficulty and complexity of the first device reading the second information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, the number of indices is generally less than the length of the valid bits. Therefore, the length of the indication information required to indicate the number of indices (i.e., the length of the third information) is less than the bit length required to indicate the valid bits, which can reduce the overhead of the third information and improve the utilization rate of communication resources.

[0304] It should be understood that in other implementations of this application, other methods can also be used to enable A-IoT devices to distinguish between valid fields (at least one identifier of an access resource) and invalid fields (padding bit fields) in A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information.

[0305] In one possible implementation, the protocol can define that the indices corresponding to at least one access resource cannot take some (or one) specified sequences (e.g., the index cannot be a sequence of all zeros), while the padding bits can take these specified sequences (e.g., the padding bits are a sequence of all zeros). Alternatively, the protocol can define that the padding bits can take some (or one) specified or specific sequences. That is, the padding bits take a first value, and the indices corresponding to at least one access resource take a second value. The first value and the second value are different, or in other words, the set of values ​​for the identifier of at least one access resource does not include the first value. If the high or low bits of the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information are all zeros (i.e., the bit values ​​are all the first values), the A-IoT device considers it an invalid field (i.e., a padding bit field). In this case, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information does not need to indicate the length of the padding bits.

[0306] In one possible implementation, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be filled with all 0s (a sequence of all 0s), all 1s (a sequence of all 1s), or a sequence of specified rules (e.g., 101010, 010101, 000111, or 111000) after the last valid index, bitmap, or other valid information (e.g., random identifier, resource configuration information). The A-IoT device can determine where the invalid field (i.e., the padding bits) begins. In other words, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be filled with a specific sequence after the last non-padding bit (valid information). In this case, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information does not need to indicate the length of the padding bits.

[0307] In one possible implementation, the protocol can specify that all padding bits are 0, and the position where the first bit in A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information is 1 represents a valid index, bitmap, or other valid information (e.g., random identifier, resource configuration information, etc.). Alternatively, the protocol can specify that all padding bits are 1, and the position where the first bit in A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information is 0 represents a valid index, bitmap, or other valid information. In this case, A-IoT Msg2 or the feedback information may not need to indicate the length of the padding bits.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the protocol can specify that a 1-bit indicator is used after each index, bitmap, or other valid information to indicate whether the index, bitmap, or other valid information has ended. That is, a 1-bit indicator can be used after the last non-padded bit (valid information) in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information to indicate whether the valid information has ended. In this case, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information may not need to indicate the length of the padding bits.

[0309] The communication method provided in this application embodiment uses padding bits to align the bytes of the second information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information). The A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information indicates the length of the padding bits or the number of indices corresponding to at least one access resource included in the second information. Indicating the length of the padding bits improves the efficiency and accuracy of determining the padding bit length and reduces the overhead of the indication information (third information). By indicating the number of indices corresponding to at least one access resource, the A-IoT device (e.g., the first device described above) can determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource pair (i.e., the length of the valid information) using the determined number of indices and the length of each index. Since the number of indices is generally less than the length of the valid bits, the overhead of the indication information (third information) can also be reduced, improving the utilization rate of communication resources. Furthermore, by determining the length of the padding bits or the length of the valid information, the A-IoT device can determine which fields in the second information are valid. This reduces the difficulty and complexity for A-IoT devices to read secondary information, ensuring that A-IoT devices can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thereby improving the efficiency of information transmission.

[0310] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. In the example shown in Figure 13, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information includes at least one identifier of an access resource. Byte alignment of the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information is achieved by repeating the identifier of at least one access resource in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information.

[0311] As shown in Figure 13, method 1300 may include steps S1310 to S1330. The steps of method 1300 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 13.

[0312] S1310, the first device sends first information to the second device, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data.

[0313] For a detailed explanation of S1310, please refer to the explanation of S610 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0314] S1320, in response to the first information, the second device sends sixth information to the first device. The length of the sixth information is an integer multiple of one byte. The sixth information includes the identifier of at least one access resource, and the identifier of the at least one access resource includes multiple identical identifiers. Each of the at least one access resource is a candidate access resource for the first device to access the second device. Alternatively, each of the at least one access resource is a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, and the at least one device includes the first device.

[0315] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg1, which includes a first random number (e.g., RN16), then the sixth information can be A-IoT Msg2, used to indicate whether contention has been resolved or whether the A-IoT device has successfully accessed the network device (second device). A-IoT Msg2 includes an identifier of at least one access resource.

[0316] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg3, then the sixth information can be feedback information for A-IoT Msg3. The sixth information is used to indicate or determine whether A-IoT Msg3 (or data) has been successfully sent.

[0317] In one possible implementation, if the first message is A-IoT Msg3, the second device may not receive or parse A-IoT Msg3 correctly, or in other words, the second device fails to receive A-IoT Msg3. In this case, the sixth message may be a retransmitted A-IoT Msg2 (retransmit A-IoT Msg2), used to indicate to the first A-IoT device (first device) whether A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted. That is, the sixth message is used to determine whether A-IoT Msg3 needs to be retransmitted.

[0318] It should be understood that, in the case of the sixth piece of information being A-IoT Msg2, A-IoT Msg2 may also include a random identifier (e.g., RN16) generated by a third device (A-IoT device). Alternatively, A-IoT Msg2 may also include multiple RN16s, with different RN16s associated with different A-IoT devices.

[0319] For the above content related to the sixth information, please refer to the corresponding part of the explanation in method 600. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0320] In one possible implementation, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information includes an identifier of at least one access resource. This identifier may include multiple identical identifiers, or in other words, the second and third identifiers of the at least one access resource are identical. In other words, byte alignment of the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can be achieved by repeating the identifier of at least one access resource (e.g., the second and third identifiers) in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. After the first device receives the sixth information, since the repeated identifiers in the at least one access resource identifier will not cause misunderstanding for the first device—for example, if the first device receives two identical identifiers, since the two identifiers have the same meaning (indicating the same access resource)—the first device will discard or not interpret the later received identical identifier, thus not affecting the first device's interpretation of the identifier of the at least one access resource. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, it can reduce the complexity of implementation.

[0321] 1330, the first device determines, based on the sixth information, whether the first device has successfully connected to the second device, whether the first information has been successfully sent, or at least one of the following:

[0322] For a detailed explanation of the 1330, please refer to the above explanation of the S630. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0323] The following describes a possible implementation of the identifier of at least one access resource included in the sixth information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information).

[0324] In one possible implementation, the identifier of at least one access resource in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information includes an index corresponding to at least one access resource. In this case, each access resource in the at least one access resource corresponds to an index, and the lengths of the different indices are all the same.

[0325] In another possible implementation, the identifier of at least one access resource includes at least one bit map corresponding to the access resource.

[0326] For a description of the index corresponding to at least one access resource and the bit map corresponding to at least one access resource, please refer to the description of the corresponding part of Method 600. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0327] The following describes the possible ways in which the identifier of at least one access resource may be repeated in the sixth information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information).

[0328] Possible implementation method 1: When the identifier of at least one access resource includes at least one index corresponding to each access resource, any one of the indices corresponding to each access resource can be repeated multiple times, that is, the index of at least one access resource includes multiple identical indices, ultimately ensuring the alignment of the sixth information byte.

[0329] For example, Figure 14 shows a structural diagram of the sixth information being feedback information. Assume that the number of at least one access resource in the feedback information is N. Before the index is repeated, the number of indices corresponding to at least one access resource is N, namely index1 to indexN. Assume that the length of each index is 6 bits. Each row in Figure 14 can be 8 bits or an integer multiple of 8 bits. Figure 14 is illustrated with the example of each row being 8 bits long, and assumes that the length of the scheduling information is 8 bits.

[0330] As shown in Figure 14a, for the sixth row, index N1 is split into two parts: index N1 (2 bits) and index N2 (4 bits), with lengths of 2 bits and 4 bits respectively. index N1 represents the first repetition of index N. The sum of the 6 bits of index N1 (2 bits) and index N is 8 bits. For the seventh row, index N2 is split into two parts: index N2 (4 bits) and index N2 (2 bits), with index N2 representing the second repetition of index N. The sum of the remaining bits of index N1 (4 bits) and index N2 (4 bits) is 8 bits. For the eighth row, the sum of the remaining bits of index N2 (2 bits) and index N3 (6 bits) is 8 bits. index N3 represents the second repetition of index N. In other words, repeating index N three times achieves byte alignment of the feedback information. Here, indexN can be understood as the second identifier in at least one access resource identifier, and each of index N1, index N2, or index N3 can be understood as the third identifier in at least one access resource identifier, meaning that the second and third identifiers in at least one access resource identifier are the same. After index duplication, the identifier of at least one access resource includes N+3 identifiers, of which 4 identifiers are the same (index N, index N1, index N2, and index N3).

[0331] As shown in Figure 14b, for the sixth row, index N is split into two parts: index N (4 bits) and index N (4 bits). One of the index N (4 bits) is already part of the fifth row, making the length of the fifth row 8 bits. index N1 is split into two parts: Index N1 (4 bits) and Index N2 (2 bits), with lengths of 4 bits and 2 bits respectively. Index N1 represents the first repetition of index N. The sum of the lengths of Index N1 (4 bits) and Index N (4 bits) is 8 bits. For the seventh row, the sum of the remaining lengths of index N1 (2 bits) and Index N2 (6 bits) is 8 bits. Index N2 represents the second repetition of index N. Repeating Index N twice achieves byte alignment of the feedback information. Here, index N can be understood as the second identifier in at least one access resource identifier, and each of Index N1 or index N2 can be understood as the third identifier in at least one access resource identifier. In the example shown in Figure 14b, after index duplication, the number of identifiers for at least one access resource is N+2, and 3 of the N+2 identifiers are the same (index N, index N1, index N2).

[0332] As shown in Figure 14c, for the sixth row, index N is split into two parts: index N (2 bits) and index N (4 bits). One of the index N (4 bits) has already been used as part of the fifth row (the previous row), making the fifth row's length 8 bits. For the sixth row, the sum of the remaining index N (2 bits) and index N1 (6 bits) is 8 bits. index N1 represents the first repetition of index N. Repeating index N once achieves byte alignment of the feedback information. Here, index N can be understood as the second identifier in at least one access resource identifier, and index N1 can be understood as the third identifier in at least one access resource identifier. In the example shown in Figure 14c, after index repetition, the number of identifiers for at least one access resource is N+1, and two of these N+1 identifiers are identical (index N and index N1).

[0333] It should be understood that the number of repetitions of an index is related to the number of indices carried in the feedback information and the length of the index. For indices of other lengths, the byte alignment of the feedback information can also be achieved using the index repetition method provided in this application.

[0334] For example, if the sum of Index length × number of indices + Index length × N is an integer multiple of 8, then the byte alignment of the feedback information can be achieved. Here, N represents the number of indices corresponding to at least one access resource before index duplication.

[0335] For example, when byte alignment of feedback information is achieved by repeating an index in the index corresponding to at least one access resource, the length of each index can satisfy at least one of the following:

[0336] When the number of access resources (i.e. candidate access resources) indicated by the second device is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2, the length of each index is 1.

[0337] When the number of access resources indicated by the second device is greater than or equal to 3 and less than or equal to 4, the length of each index is 2;

[0338] When the number of access resources indicated by the second device is greater than or equal to 5 and less than or equal to 16, the length of each index is 4.

[0339] When the number of access resources indicated by the second device is greater than or equal to 17 and less than or equal to 64, the length of each index is 6.

[0340] When the number of access resources indicated by the second device is greater than or equal to 65 and less than or equal to 256, the length of each index is 8.

[0341] With each index having a length of 1 bit, 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, or 8 bits, byte alignment of the feedback information can be achieved with fewer repetitions, thus reducing the overhead of the feedback information.

[0342] For example, when the index length is 1, the index is repeated at most 7 times; when the index length is 2, the index is repeated at most 3 times; when the index length is 4, the index is repeated at most 1 time (4 bits); when the index length is 6, the index is repeated at most 3 times (as shown in Figure 15); when the index length is 8, the index can be repeated without repetition.

[0343] With each index having a length of 1 bit, 2 bits, 4 bits, or 6 bits, the number of repetitions required can be reduced, thereby reducing the length and overhead of feedback information and the consumption of communication resources.

[0344] Of course, in other implementations of this application, for example, when the length of each index is 3 bits, 5 bits, or 7 bits, the byte alignment of the feedback information can also be achieved by repeating the index in the feedback information.

[0345] It should be understood that, in the example shown in Figure 14, which is illustrated using feedback information as an example, if the sixth information is A-IoT Msg2, the structure shown in Figure 14 also includes at least one RN16, wherein the number of RN16 is the same as the number of indexes (N) before the index is repeated.

[0346] It should also be understood that the example shown in Figure 14 is illustrated using the repetition of the last index (indexN). In other implementations of this application, byte alignment of A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can also be achieved by repeating other indices (or any one of them) in the indices corresponding to at least one access resource. Alternatively, byte alignment of A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information can also be achieved by repeating multiple indices in the indices corresponding to at least one access resource (e.g., index 1 and index 2 in Figure 14 are both repeated). This application does not impose limitations on the embodiments described herein.

[0347] In one possible implementation, if the identifier of at least one access resource in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information is a bit map corresponding to at least one access resource, the bit map can be repeated multiple times to ultimately ensure byte alignment of the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. Before repeating the identifier of at least one access resource, the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information includes only one bit map.

[0348] For example, Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of a feedback information structure. Each row in Figure 15 can be 8 bits or an integer multiple of 8 bits. Figure 15 is illustrated using an example where each row can be 8 bits long, and it is assumed that the length of the scheduling information is 8 bits.

[0349] As shown in Figure 15a, if the bitmap is 2 bits long, it needs to be repeated a maximum of three times: bitmap 1, bitmap 2, and bitmap 3, to achieve byte alignment of the feedback information. Here, the bitmap can be understood as the second identifier in at least one access resource identifier, and each of bitmap 1, bitmap 2, and bitmap 3 can be understood as the third identifier in at least one access resource identifier; that is, the second and third identifiers of at least one access resource identifier are the same. After repeating the bitmap, the number of identifiers for at least one access resource is four (bitmap, bitmap 1, bitmap 2, and bitmap 3), and all four bitmaps are identical.

[0350] As shown in Figure 15b, the bitmap is 6 bits long. Therefore, the bitmap needs to be repeated a maximum of three times: bitmap 1, bitmap 2, and bitmap 3, to achieve byte alignment of the feedback information. Each bitmap can be understood as the second identifier in at least one access resource identifier, and each of bitmap 1, bitmap 2, and bitmap 3 can be understood as the third identifier in at least one access resource identifier; that is, the second and third identifiers of at least one access resource identifier are the same. After repeating the bitmap, there are four identifiers for at least one access resource, and all four bitmaps are identical.

[0351] As shown in Figure 15c, if the bitmap is 3 bits long, it needs to be repeated a maximum of seven times, from bitmap 1 to bitmap 7, to achieve byte alignment of the feedback information. Each bitmap can be understood as the second identifier in at least one access resource identifier, and each of bitmaps 1 to 7 can be understood as the third identifier in at least one access resource identifier; that is, the second and third identifiers of at least one access resource identifier are the same. After repeating the bitmap, there are 7 identifiers for at least one access resource, and all 7 bitmaps are identical.

[0352] It should be understood that the number of repetitions in the bitmap is related to the length of the bitmap carried in the feedback information. For bitmaps of other lengths, the byte alignment of the feedback information can also be achieved using the bitmap repetition method provided in this application.

[0353] For example, if the bitmap length + bitmap length × N = 8, then the byte alignment of the feedback information is achieved. Here, N represents the number of indices corresponding to at least one access resource before bitmap repetition.

[0354] For example, regarding the repetition of bitmaps, if the length of the bitmap is 1, it needs to be repeated 7 times; if the length of the bitmap is 2, it needs to be repeated 3 times; if the length of the bitmap is 3, it needs to be repeated 7 times; if the length of the bitmap is 4, it needs to be repeated once; if the length of the bitmap is 5, it needs to be repeated 7 times; if the length of the bitmap is 6, it needs to be repeated 3 times; if the length of the bitmap is 7, it needs to be repeated 7 times; and if the length of the bitmap is 8, it does not need to be repeated.

[0355] It should be understood that, in the example shown in Figure 15, which uses feedback information as an example, if the sixth information is A-IoT Msg2, the structure shown in Figure 15 also includes at least one RN16. If a predefined bit value of 1 indicates successful network access for the A-IoT device, the number of RN16 is the same as the number of bits with a value of 1 in the bitmap. Alternatively, if a predefined bit value of 0 indicates successful network access for the A-IoT device, the number of RN16 is the same as the number of bits with a value of 0 in the bitmap. In other words, the number of RN16 is the same as the number of A-IoT devices that have successfully accessed the network.

[0356] In one possible implementation, if the remaining number of bits (i.e., the number of bits required for byte alignment) is greater than the index length, the index can be repeated. If the remaining number of bits is less than the index length, it can be padded with 0s, 1s, or other information. After the first device receives the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, if it parses a sequence shorter than the index length (e.g., the low bits of MAC layer signaling), it considers it an invalid string or field. For example, in the sixth row shown in Figure 14a, the remaining two bits can be padded with 0s, 1s, or other information to achieve byte alignment of the feedback information, thus eliminating the need for the seventh and eighth rows.

[0357] In one possible implementation, if the remaining number of bits (i.e., the number of bits required to complete byte alignment) is greater than the bitmap length, the bitmap can be repeated. If the remaining number of bits is less than the bitmap length, the bitmap can be directly padded with 0s, 1s, or other information, as long as it does not affect the first device's understanding of the sixth information. For example, if there are 16 candidate access resources and the remaining number of bits is 4, the last bitmap can be padded to 20 bits. The first device only understands or reads the 0s and 1s corresponding to the first 16 bits of the bitmap, and the last 4 bits can be discarded or not processed. That is to say, in this embodiment, the length of the bitmap can also be greater than the number of candidate access resources.

[0358] For example, the protocol can specify that the bitmap is placed at the last position (or least significant bit, LSB) of the second information in method 600 or the sixth information in method 1300. The supplementary information of the bitmap can also be part of the bitmap.

[0359] The communication method provided in this application embodiment achieves byte alignment of the sixth information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) by repeating one or more indices corresponding to at least one access resource, or by repeating the bitmap of at least one access resource. On one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity for the first device to read the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the first device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, it reduces the complexity of implementation.

[0360] Figure 16 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. In the example shown in Figure 16, the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources in the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information are used to instruct at least one A-IoT device to perform data transmission respectively.

[0361] As shown in Figure 16, method 1600 may include steps S1610 to S1630. The steps of method 1600 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 16.

[0362] S1610, the first device sends first information to the second device, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data.

[0363] For a detailed explanation of S1610, please refer to the explanation of S610 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0364] S1620, in response to the first information, the second device sends seventh information to the first device. The seventh information includes an identifier of at least one access resource, each of which is a candidate access resource for the first device to access the second device. In other words, each of the at least one access resource is a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, where the at least one device includes the first device. The seventh information also indicates the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for at least one A-IoT device to perform data transmission (e.g., transmitting A-IoT Msg3 or D2R data). For example, the seventh information can associate at least one A-IoT device (including the first device) with identification information, and the associated A-IoT device can determine the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for data transmission based on the seventh information.

[0365] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg1, A-IoT Msg1 includes the RN16 (first identifier) ​​generated by the first device, and the seventh information can be A-IoT Msg2. In addition to being used for contention resolution, A-IoT Msg2 can also instruct or schedule at least one A-IoT device to perform time-domain and / or frequency-domain data transmission (e.g., sending A-IoT Msg3 or D2R data).

[0366] In one possible implementation, if the first information is A-IoT Msg3, the seventh information can be feedback information for A-IoT Msg3. Besides indicating whether A-IoT Msg3 was transmitted or successfully sent, the seventh information can also instruct or schedule time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for at least one A-IoT device to transmit data. For example, if the seventh information indicates that the first device's A-IoT Msg3 transmission failed, the seventh information can instruct the first device to retransmit the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for A-IoT Msg3, or the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for subsequent D2R data transmission. As another example, if the seventh information indicates that the first device's A-IoT Msg3 transmission was successful, the seventh information can instruct the first device to allocate time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for subsequent D2R data transmission.

[0367] It should be understood that for the parts of the seventh information that are the same as the second information in method 600 or the sixth information in method 1300, such as the specific description of the identifier of at least one access resource, please refer to the description of the corresponding part above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0368] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) also includes third information, which is used to determine the length of the padding bits in the seventh information or the length of the identifier of at least one access resource. The padding bits of the seventh information are used to implement byte alignment of the seventh information. For an explanation of the implementation of byte alignment, please refer to the description of method 600 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0369] Optionally, in one possible implementation, the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) includes at least one identifier of an access resource that includes multiple identical identifiers. That is, the seventh information is byte-aligned by repeating the index or repeating the bitmap. For an explanation of how to implement byte alignment, please refer to the explanation of the above method 1300. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0370] In other words, the technical solution of method 1600 can be combined with the solutions of method 600 or method 1300. For example, the seventh information can be the same as the second information of method 600 or the sixth information of method 1300. Alternatively, method 1600 can also be a standalone technical solution.

[0371] S1630, the first device determines the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources for data transmission based on the seventh information.

[0372] The following will explain in detail the method by which the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources instruct the first device to perform data transmission in the seventh information.

[0373] First: The method of indicating the time-domain resources for data transmission of the first device.

[0374] In one possible implementation, the seventh information (e.g., A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) includes the fourth information. For example, the fourth information could be a field or a data element in the seventh information.

[0375] The first value of the fourth information indicates that the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) and the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device) correspond to the same time unit, which is used to determine the time-domain resources for data transmission between the first and third devices. Alternatively, the first value of the fourth information indicates that the time unit can correspond to or be used for data transmission between multiple A-IoT devices (e.g., including the first and third devices). These multiple A-IoT devices can be all or some of the A-IoT devices associated with the seventh information. For example, the Xth identifier in the seventh information (index, RN16, or different devices corresponding to bitmaps) is associated with the same time unit.

[0376] The second value of the fourth information is used to indicate the respective time lengths of the first and third devices. The first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine the time domain resources used by the first device when transmitting data, and the third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine the time domain resources used by the third device when transmitting data. The identifier of at least one access resource in the seventh information includes: the identifier of the access resource used by the first device to access the second device, and the identifier of the access resource used by the third device to access the second device. Alternatively, the second value of the fourth information is used to indicate the time length indicated by different fields (or information cells) corresponding to different locations for each A-IoT device (e.g., the A-IoT device associated with the seventh information) when transmitting data. The time lengths indicated by different fields (or information cells) can be the same (e.g., transmitting data on different frequency domain resources) or different. For example, the Xth identifier in the seventh information (the different devices corresponding to index, RN16, or bitmap) is associated with a time resource.

[0377] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the above-mentioned terms "time unit" and "time length" can also be replaced with "time resource" or "time domain resource". In other words, the time unit and time length can be an implementation of time resource or time domain resource.

[0378] In other words, the first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) and the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device) correspond to the same time unit, that is, to indicate that different A-IoT devices use the same or common time unit. A time unit can be understood as a time length or time period, such as a time length of M time slots, symbols, subframes, radio frames, or Tms. A time unit can be a time offset relative to a preset reference time domain position or a time domain start position. In other words, the first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that different A-IoT devices correspond to the same time unit or the same common time offset.

[0379] In one possible implementation, the time unit can also be the number of times the first or third device receives R2D messages. For example, the length of a time unit can correspond to the time interval between two R2D messages received by the first or third device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the R2D messages mentioned above. For example, an R2D message can be a random access trigger message, second information, or random access time domain resource trigger / indication information (used to trigger the start of the next time domain resource / time unit, or trigger the end of the current time domain resource / time resource), etc. The embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations here.

[0380] The second value of the fourth information is used to indicate the respective time lengths for the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) and the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device), that is, to instruct different A-IoT devices to use their respective corresponding time lengths. For example, the first A-IoT device corresponds to the first time length, the second A-IoT device corresponds to the second time length, and the third A-IoT device corresponds to the third time length. The time length corresponding to each device (each A-IoT device) can be understood as a time period, such as a time length of S time slots, symbols, subframes, radio frames, or Tms. The time length corresponding to each device (A-IoT device) can be a time offset relative to a preset reference time domain position or a time domain start position. In other words, the second value of the fourth information is used to indicate the respective time lengths or time offsets for different A-IoT devices, that is, each A-IoT device is allocated a time offset individually.

[0381] Optionally, the second value of the fourth information indicates the respective time lengths of the first and third devices. This method can also be called the time-domain resource allocation method at the A-IoT device granularity (per device), that is, each A-IoT device is allocated a separate time length.

[0382] It should be understood that when the fourth information indicates that different A-IoT devices use their respective corresponding time lengths, the corresponding time lengths for different A-IoT devices can be different or the same (e.g., in the case of frequency division multiplexing). For example, the first time length and the second time length can be the same or different.

[0383] For example, the first value of the fourth information can be 0, and the second value can be 1. Or, the first value of the fourth information can be 1, and the second value can be 0.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the preset reference time domain position or time domain start position can be any of the following:

[0385] The end time position (time domain position) of the paging message;

[0386] The start or end time position (time domain position) of the second information;

[0387] The start or end time position of the first information (time domain position);

[0388] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned end time position (end domain position) could be the time domain position at which the postamble of the second information or paging message is detected.

[0389] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned start time position (start time domain position) can be the time domain position at which the preamble of the second information or paging message is detected.

[0390] In one possible implementation, the start or end time position of the first information can be: the preamble time position of sending the first information, or the postamble time position of sending the first information.

[0391] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned start or end time position can also be a time position determined by adding a time offset less than or equal to T1 to the aforementioned time (time domain position). For example, T1 can be the processing time of the A-IoT device for the R2D message, or T1 can be indicated by a second device (e.g., a reader) through the R2D message (e.g., through a paging message, a second message, or any other R2D message), or T1 can be specified by the protocol, or predefined or preconfigured. This application does not impose limitations on the embodiments described herein.

[0392] In one possible implementation, if the fourth information is the first value, the seventh information is also used to indicate the length of the time unit. That is, the seventh information can also indicate the length of the same or common time unit used by different A-IoT devices.

[0393] In one possible implementation, if the fourth information is the first value, the seventh information may not need to indicate the length of the time unit. The length of the same or common time unit used by different A-IoT devices can also be indicated to the A-IoT devices through other signaling.

[0394] In one possible implementation, when the fourth information is the second value, the seventh information is also used to indicate that different A-IoT devices use their respective corresponding time lengths. For example, the seventh information is also used to indicate a first time length, a second time length, and a third time length, with different time lengths corresponding to different A-IoT devices.

[0395] In one possible implementation, when the fourth information is the second value, the time-domain position of the first device (e.g., a first A-IoT device) transmitting data is determined based on the starting position and the first time length corresponding to the first device. Similarly, the time-domain position of the third device (e.g., a third A-IoT device) transmitting data is determined based on the starting position and the third time length corresponding to the third device. That is, when the fourth information is the second value, the time-domain positions of different devices (different A-IoT devices) transmitting data are determined based on the starting position and the time length corresponding to each device.

[0396] In one possible implementation, if the fourth information is the second value, and no first or third time length is indicated, the first or third time length can be defaulted to zero.

[0397] For example, when the fourth information is the second value, the time-domain position when the first device transmits data can be the time-domain start position plus the first time length. For instance, the time-domain start position can be the end time of the second information (e.g., the time when the postamble of the second information is detected) offset by a time length T1 (T1 is greater than or equal to 0, for example, T1 can be the R2D message processing delay of the first device), and the first time length is T2. Then, the time-domain position when the first device transmits data is the end time of the second information followed by T1+T2 time.

[0398] In one possible implementation, when the fourth information is the first value, the time-domain position of the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) transmitting data is determined based on the starting position, the number of time units corresponding to the first device, and the length of the time unit. The time-domain position of the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device) transmitting data is determined based on the starting position, the number of time units corresponding to the third device, and the length of the time unit. That is, when the fourth information is the first value, the time-domain position of different devices (different A-IoT devices) transmitting data is determined based on the starting position, the number of time units corresponding to different devices (e.g., including the first device and the third device), and the length of the same time unit. The number of time units corresponding to different devices can be the same (in the case of frequency division multiplexing) or different. It can be understood that when the number of time units corresponding to different devices is the same, and the starting position (preset reference time-domain position or time-domain starting position) corresponding to different devices is the same, the time-domain position of different devices transmitting data is also the same, while the frequency-domain position can be different.

[0399] In one possible implementation, the number of time units corresponding to the first device is related to the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the first device to access the second device in the identifiers of at least one access resource. That is, the number of time units corresponding to the first device can be determined based on the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the first device to access the second device in the identifiers of at least one access resource. Similarly, the number of time units corresponding to the third device is related to the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the third device to access the second device in the identifiers of at least one access resource. In other words, the number of time units corresponding to different A-IoT devices is related to the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the A-IoT device when accessing the network in the identifiers of at least one access resource. The seventh information includes the identifier of at least one access resource.

[0400] For example, taking a first A-IoT device (first device) as an example, the access resource corresponding to the first A-IoT device is the first access resource. If the identifier of at least one access resource is an index corresponding to at least one access resource, then the first A-IoT device can determine the order of the index of the first access resource among the indices corresponding to at least one access resource. For example, if there are a total of 10 indices corresponding to at least one access resource, and the Nth index among the indices corresponding to at least one access resource is the same as the index of the first access resource, then the number of time units corresponding to the first A-IoT device is N-1 or N. If the indices corresponding to at least one access resource do not include the index of the first access resource, then it is determined that the seventh information does not schedule the first A-IoT device to perform data transmission, and the seventh information does not indicate the time domain resources for the first A-IoT device to perform data transmission.

[0401] If the identifier of at least one access resource is a bitmap (index) corresponding to at least one access resource, then the first A-IoT device can determine the order of the bits of the first access resource in the bitmap. For example, suppose a predefined bit value of 1 indicates that the A-IoT device has successfully accessed the network, and a value of 0 indicates that the A-IoT device has not accessed the network. Suppose the first access resource used by the first A-IoT device corresponds to the 5th bit in the bitmap. If it is determined that the 5th bit of the bitmap is 1, and the 5th bit is the Nth bit among all bits with a value of 1, then the number of time units corresponding to the first A-IoT device is N-1 or N. Of course, in this case, the seventh information can also carry the RN16 corresponding to the first A-IoT device.

[0402] In one possible implementation, when the seventh information is A-IoT Msg2, the starting position (a preset reference time domain position or time domain start position) can be the time domain start or end position where the second device sends A-IoT Msg2, or the time domain start or end position where the A-IoT device sends the previous A-IoT Msg3, or a specified time domain start or end position for sending R2D data, or the above time domain positions plus an offset value (Tmin), where the time length of the offset value can be the same as the processing delay of the A-IoT device.

[0403] The following explanation uses the first device as an example to illustrate the determination of time-domain resources for data transmission.

[0404] After receiving the seventh message, if the fourth message has the first value, the first device can determine the number of its corresponding time units. Combining the indicated time unit length and starting position (a preset reference time domain position or time domain starting position), the first device can determine its time domain resources for data transmission. For example, the time domain position of the first device transmitting data (e.g., sending A-IoT Msg3 or D2R data) is T, where T = starting position + time unit length × (number of time units - 1) × (1 ± SFO); or, T = starting position + time unit length × (number of time units - 1). Here, SFO represents the sampling frequency offset (SFO). Alternatively, T = starting position + time unit length × number of time units × (1 ± SFO); or, T = starting position + time unit length × number of time units.

[0405] When the fourth information is the second value, the first device can determine its corresponding time length (e.g., the first time length), and thus determine its time domain resources when transmitting data. For example, the time domain position of the first device transmitting data (e.g., sending A-IoT Msg3 or D2R data) is T, where T = starting position + first time length × (1 ± SFO); or, T = starting position + first time length.

[0406] Of course, similar methods can be used to determine the time domain location or time domain resources used when transmitting data for other A-IoT devices.

[0407] By instructing A-IoT devices to transmit time-domain resources in the aforementioned manner, on the one hand, the implementation is flexible and can reduce the overhead of indicating time-domain resources in the seventh message. On the other hand, for time-domain resources, if the time-domain resources are long, and the A-IoT device does not have an R2D calibration frequency after receiving the seventh message, the SFO will cause the subsequent timing offset to gradually increase. In this case, a per-device time-domain resource allocation method can be used to improve the utilization efficiency of time-domain resources.

[0408] In one possible implementation, the seventh information is carried in the MAC layer signaling, while the fourth information can be located in the MAC header of the MAC layer signaling.

[0409] Second: The indication method for time-domain resources for data transmission by A-IoT devices.

[0410] In one possible implementation, the seventh information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) includes the fifth information. For example, the fifth information can be a field or a data element in the seventh information.

[0411] The first value of the fifth information indicates that the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) and the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device) correspond to the same first parameter set. The first parameter set includes at least one parameter, each parameter determining a frequency domain resource. The first parameter set determines the frequency domain resources for data transmission between the first and third devices. Alternatively, the first value of the fifth information indicates that the first parameter set can correspond to or be used for data transmission between multiple A-IoT devices (e.g., including the first and third devices). These multiple A-IoT devices can be all or some of the A-IoT devices associated with the seventh information. For example, the Xth identifier (index, RN16, or different devices corresponding to the bitmap) in the seventh information may be associated with the same parameter set.

[0412] The second value of the fifth information is used to indicate the parameters corresponding to the first and third devices, where the parameter corresponding to the first device (e.g., the first parameter) is used to determine the frequency domain resources used by the first device when transmitting data, and the parameter corresponding to the third device (e.g., the third parameter) is used to determine the frequency domain resources used by the third device when transmitting data. Alternatively, the second value of the fifth information is used to indicate that each A-IoT device (e.g., the A-IoT device associated with the seventh information) corresponds to different (e.g., different locations) frequency domain resources for data transmission. The frequency domain resources indicated by different fields (or information elements) can be the same (e.g., data is transmitted on different time domain resources) or different. For example, the Xth identifier in the seventh information (the different devices corresponding to the index, RN16, or bitmap) is associated with a frequency domain resource.

[0413] In other words, the first value of the fifth information is used to instruct the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) and the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device) to use the same set of parameters (the first parameter set) to determine their respective frequency domain resources, that is, to instruct different A-IoT devices to use the same or common set of parameters (the first parameter set). The first parameter set includes at least one parameter, each parameter being used to determine a frequency domain resource.

[0414] The second value of the fifth information is used to indicate the parameters (or frequency domain resource parameters) corresponding to the first device (e.g., the first A-IoT device) and the third device (e.g., the third A-IoT device), that is, to instruct different A-IoT devices to use their respective corresponding parameters. For example, the first A-IoT device corresponds to (or uses) the first parameter, the second A-IoT device corresponds to (or uses) the second parameter, and the third A-IoT device corresponds to (or uses) the third parameter. Each parameter is used to determine a frequency domain resource. In other words, the second value of the fifth information is used to indicate the frequency domain parameters corresponding to different A-IoT devices, that is, each A-IoT device is allocated frequency domain parameters separately.

[0415] Optionally, the second value of the fifth information indicates the parameters of the first and third devices respectively. This method can also be called the frequency domain resource allocation method at the A-IoT device level (per device), that is, each A-IoT device is allocated frequency domain parameters separately.

[0416] It should be understood that, when the fifth information indicates that different A-IoT devices use their respective corresponding parameters, the frequency domain parameters corresponding to different A-IoT devices can be different or the same. If the parameters corresponding to different A-IoT devices are the same, then the frequency domain resources used by different A-IoT devices can be the same, for example, in the case of time-division multiplexing.

[0417] For example, the first value of the fifth piece of information can be 0, and the second value can be 1. Or, the first value of the fifth piece of information can be 1, and the second value can be 0.

[0418] For example, the parameter types in the first parameter set may include at least one of the following: bitrate, bit length, or number of encoding repetitions.

[0419] For example, the first parameter set may include at least one bitrate; or, the first parameter set may include at least one code length; or, the first parameter set may include at least one number of encoding repetitions; or, the first parameter set may include at least two of the following: bitrate, code length, or number of encoding repetitions.

[0420] In one possible implementation, if the fifth information is the first value, the seventh information also includes the first parameter set. Optionally, the seventh information can also be used to indicate the number of parameters (frequency number) included in the first parameter set.

[0421] In one possible implementation, if the fifth information is the first value, the seventh information may not need to include the first parameter set. The first parameter set can also be indicated to the A-IoT device via other signaling.

[0422] In one possible implementation, when the fifth information is the second value, the seventh information is also used to indicate at least one parameter. For example, the at least one parameter includes: a first parameter corresponding to (or used by) the first A-IoT device, a second parameter corresponding to (or used by) the second A-IoT device, and a third parameter corresponding to (or used by) the third A-IoT device.

[0423] For example, at least one parameter may include at least one bitrate; or, at least one parameter may include at least one code length; or, at least one parameter may include at least one number of encoding repetitions; or, at least one parameter may include at least two of bitrate, code length, or number of encoding repetitions.

[0424] In one possible implementation, when the fifth information is the second value, the frequency domain position of the first device (e.g., a first A-IoT device) when transmitting data is determined according to the first parameter corresponding to the first device. Similarly, the frequency domain position of the third device (e.g., a third A-IoT device) when transmitting data is determined according to the first parameter corresponding to the third device. That is, when the fifth information is the second value, the time domain position of different devices (different A-IoT devices) when transmitting data is determined according to the parameters corresponding to each device.

[0425] In one possible implementation, when the fifth information is the first value, the frequency domain position of the first device when transmitting data is determined according to the parameter corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set, and the frequency domain position of the third device when transmitting data is determined according to the parameter corresponding to the second device in the first parameter set.

[0426] In one possible implementation, when the fifth information is a first value, the parameter corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set is associated with the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the first device to access the network among the identifiers of at least one access resource. That is, the parameter corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set can be determined based on the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the first device to access the network among the identifiers of at least one access resource. Similarly, the parameter corresponding to the third device in the first parameter set is associated with the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the third device to access the network among the identifiers of at least one access resource. In other words, the parameters corresponding to different A-IoT devices are related to the order of the identifier of the access resource used by the A-IoT device to access the network among the identifiers of at least one access resource. The seventh information includes the identifier of at least one access resource.

[0427] For example, taking the first A-IoT device as an example, the explanation of the order of the identifier of the first access resource corresponding to the first A-IoT device among the identifiers of at least one access resource can be found in the explanation of the corresponding part in the determination process of time-domain resources above. For simplicity, it will not be repeated here. Assume that the first parameter set includes M parameters. The first A-IoT device determines that the index of the first access resource is the Nth in the order of the indices corresponding to at least one access resource. If the Nth is less than or equal to M, then the Nth parameter among the M parameters is the parameter corresponding to the first A-IoT device. If the Nth is greater than M, then the (NM×a)th parameter among the M parameters is the parameter corresponding to the first A-IoT device. Here, the value of NM×a is less than M, and the value of a is a positive integer. a can be understood as the number of times all parameters in the first parameter set are polled.

[0428] For example, the first parameter set includes 5 parameters. If the first A-IoT device determines that the index of the first access resource is the 7th in the order of the indices corresponding to at least one access resource, then the second parameter in the first parameter set is the parameter corresponding to the first A-IoT device. That is, after polling all 5 parameters once, the second parameter is determined as the parameter corresponding to the first A-IoT device during the second polling process. If the first A-IoT device determines that the index of the first access resource is the 3rd in the order of the indices corresponding to at least one access resource, then the third parameter in the first parameter set is the parameter corresponding to the first A-IoT device.

[0429] The following example illustrates how the first A-IoT device determines the frequency domain resources for data transmission.

[0430] After receiving the seventh information, if the fifth information is the first value, the first A-IoT device can determine the order of the index of the first access resource in the indexes corresponding to at least one access resource, determine the parameters corresponding to the first parameter set based on the order of the index of the first access resource in the indexes corresponding to at least one access resource, and determine the frequency domain resource or frequency domain position when transmitting data based on the parameters.

[0431] When the fifth information is the second value, the first A-IoT device can determine its corresponding parameters and determine the frequency domain resources or frequency domain location when transmitting data based on these parameters.

[0432] Of course, similar methods can be used to determine the frequency domain location or frequency domain resources used when transmitting data for other A-IoT devices.

[0433] In one possible implementation, the seventh information is carried in the MAC layer signaling, while the fifth information can be located in the MAC header of the MAC layer signaling.

[0434] The above method instructs A-IoT devices to transmit frequency domain resources for data transmission. On the one hand, it offers flexibility and reduces the overhead of instructing time domain resources. On the other hand, different instruction methods can be selected based on the number of A-IoT devices. When the number of A-IoT devices is small, a per-device frequency domain resource allocation method can be used, meaning each A-IoT device is allocated frequency domain parameters individually. When the number of A-IoT devices is large, a common parameter set instruction method can be used, thereby improving the efficiency of instructing frequency domain resources.

[0435] In one possible implementation, the sixth information in method 1300 or the second information in method 600 may also include the fourth and / or fifth information. For example, the scheduling information in the sixth information of method 1300 or the scheduling information in the second information of method 600 may include the fourth and / or fifth information.

[0436] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned seventh information can be used to indicate the frequency domain resources for the first device to send msg1, data, or D2R messages, or to indicate the frequency domain resources for the second device to receive msg1, data, or D2R messages.

[0437] In one possible implementation, the seventh information (e.g., frequency domain resource information) can be configured via R2D messages, for example, indicated / carried in one or more of the following ways: paging messages, (random) access trigger messages, etc.

[0438] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned seventh information (e.g., frequency domain resource information) can be carried in at least one of the following signaling methods: MACCE, MAC header, MAC signaling element, physical layer (PHY) sequence, other R2D message carrying, or data carrying. This application does not impose limitations on the embodiments described herein.

[0439] For example, the parameters or at least one parameter in the first parameter set mentioned above can be implemented in a variety of ways, which will be explained below through various examples such as method A to method C.

[0440] Method A. The parameters in the first parameter set, or at least one parameter, can indicate the frequency information / frequency location / frequency point location of the first frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain is the frequency domain resource for which the first device transmits uplink messages (or D2R messages), such as the frequency domain resource for which the first device transmits first information.

[0441] Method B. The parameters in the first parameter set, or at least one parameter, can indicate the frequency shift between the first frequency domain resource and the default frequency domain location (or the pre-configured frequency domain location).

[0442] Method C. The parameters in the first parameter set, or at least one parameter, may include at least one of the following:

[0443] Parameter 1. Time parameter (denoted as Tpri). For example, parameter 1 can indicate uplink or downlink or uplink / downlink transmission time unit, or parameters related to uplink or downlink or uplink / downlink transmission time unit, etc.

[0444] Parameter 2. Code length parameter (denoted as M). For example, parameter 2 can be the number of Manchester code repetitions, or a parameter related to the number of Manchester code repetitions, etc.

[0445] Parameter 3. Scaling parameter (denoted as Rchip). For example, parameter 3 can be the number of level repetitions, or a parameter related to the level length, etc.

[0446] Parameter 4. Number of code repetitions (or line code repetitions). For example, parameter 4 can be the line code repetition number, which can be 1, 4, 8, or 16, corresponding to four frequency domain resources. For instance, parameter 4 can be the line code repetition number for Manchester coding, for example, it could be 2. n , where n is a non-negative integer.

[0447] Parameter 5. Sampling frequency. For example, setting parameter 5 to 1.92MHz and 2.4MHz will also affect the configuration of frequency domain resources, such as the maximum number of frequency domain resources or the maximum frequency shift position of frequency domain resources.

[0448] Parameter 6. Transmission bandwidth. For example, parameter 6 can be the uplink transmission bandwidth or the downlink transmission bandwidth. For example, the uplink transmission bandwidth can be 15kHz. Optionally, the transmission bandwidth is affected by the sampling frequency offset (SFO), and the transmission bandwidth after the sampling frequency offset can be the transmission bandwidth × (1 ± SFO).

[0449] Parameter 7. Sampling frequency offset. For example, parameter 7 can be SFO. The value of SFO will also affect the frequency domain resource information. For example, the frequency shift can be equal to 1 / 2 × 1 / chip length × (1 ± SFO). Chip length can represent the level length. Optionally, the level length can be related to one or more of parameters 1 to 4.

[0450] By using one or more of the parameters 1 to 7 mentioned above, the first device can determine the frequency domain resource (or frequency shift position), for example, by parameter 4, or by parameters 4 and 2, or by parameters 2 and 3, or by parameters 2, 3 and 6. The names of the parameters are not limited.

[0451] For example, in one possible implementation of method C, parameters 1 to 3 can be configured using Table 1 below.

[0452] Table 1

[0453] As shown in Table 1, index = 0 corresponds to Tpri = 25 microseconds (µs), Rchip = 4, and M = 1; index = 1 corresponds to Tpri = 25µs, Rchip = 4, and M = 2, and so on.

[0454] Frequency domain resources / locations can be determined by using one or more of the three parameters configured in Table 1.

[0455] The structure of the seventh information is illustrated below with specific examples.

[0456] Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a structure where the seventh information is feedback information. The fourth information is represented by T, and the fifth information is represented by F. Assume that the first value of the fourth information is T=1, and the second value of the fourth information is T=0; the first value of the fifth information is F=1, and the second value of the fifth information is F=0.

[0457] As shown in Figure 17a, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=1 and F=1. In the time domain, a common time unit (time offset) is used for different A-IoT devices (different indices), and in the frequency domain, a common first parameter set is used. The feedback information includes both the common time unit and the common first parameter set.

[0458] As shown in Figure 17b, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=1 and F=0. In the time domain, a common time unit (time offset) is used for different A-IoT devices (different indices), while in the frequency domain, frequency domain resource parameters (freq info) are allocated separately for different A-IoT devices (different indices). Each A-IoT device (index) is associated with its corresponding frequency domain resource parameters after its index, and each frequency domain resource parameter can be used to determine a frequency domain resource.

[0459] As shown in Figure 17c, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=0 and F=1. In the time domain, different A-IoT devices (different indices) use their respective time lengths, while in the frequency domain, a common first parameter set is used. Each A-IoT device (index) is associated with its corresponding time length after its index. The feedback information includes the common first parameter set and the time length corresponding to each A-IoT device (index).

[0460] As shown in Figure 17d, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=0 and F=0. In the time domain, different A-IoT devices (different indices) are assigned their own time lengths, and in the frequency domain, different A-IoT devices (different indices) are individually allocated frequency domain resource parameters (freq info). Each A-IoT device (index) is associated with its corresponding frequency domain resource parameters and time length after its index.

[0461] It should be understood that the example shown in Figure 17 is based on feedback information. If the seventh information is A-IoT Msg2, the structure shown in Figure 17 also includes at least one RN16. The number of RN16 is the same as the number of indices.

[0462] In one possible implementation, all the indices in the example shown in Figure 17 can also be replaced with a bit map.

[0463] Optionally, in the example shown in Figure 17, the structure of the feedback information may further include padding bits and third information to achieve byte alignment of the feedback information. For details, please refer to the relevant description of method 600. Alternatively, the structure of the feedback information may further include at least one repeated index to achieve byte alignment of the feedback information. For details, please refer to the relevant description of method 1300.

[0464] In one possible implementation, the seventh information in method 1600 may include padding bits and third information; or it may include at least one index or bitmap repetition to achieve byte alignment of the seventh information.

[0465] For example, Figure 18 shows a schematic diagram of the seventh information structure provided in an embodiment of this application. In the example shown in Figure 18, the seventh information is feedback information.

[0466] As shown in Figure 18a, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=1 and F=1. In the time domain, it uses a common time unit (time offset) shared by different A-IoT devices (different indices), and in the frequency domain, it uses a common first parameter set. The feedback information includes both the common time unit and the common first parameter set. Furthermore, the feedback information also includes padding bits and third information. The third information indicates the length of the padding bits, thereby achieving byte alignment of the feedback information.

[0467] As shown in Figure 18b, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=1 and F=0. In the time domain, a common time unit (time offset) is used across different A-IoT devices (different indices), while in the frequency domain, frequency domain resource parameters (freq info) are allocated separately for each A-IoT device (different index). Each A-IoT device (index) is associated with its corresponding frequency domain resource parameters after its index. Furthermore, the feedback information also includes padding bits and third information. The third information indicates the length of the padding bits, thus achieving byte alignment of the feedback information.

[0468] As shown in Figure 18c, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=0 and F=1. In the time domain, different A-IoT devices (different indices) use their respective time lengths, while in the frequency domain, a common first parameter set is used. Each A-IoT device (index) is associated with its corresponding time length after its index. The feedback information includes the common first parameter set and the time length corresponding to each A-IoT device (index). Furthermore, the feedback information also includes padding bits and third information. The third information indicates the length of the padding bits, thus achieving byte alignment of the feedback information.

[0469] As shown in diagram d of Figure 18, the feedback information includes T and F, where T=0 and F=0. In the time domain, different A-IoT devices (different indices) are assigned their own time lengths, and in the frequency domain, different A-IoT devices (different indices) are individually allocated frequency domain resource parameters (freq info). Each A-IoT device (index) is associated with its corresponding frequency domain resource parameters and time length after its index. Furthermore, the feedback information also includes padding bits and third information. The third information indicates the length of the padding bits, thereby achieving byte alignment of the feedback information.

[0470] It should be understood that the example shown in Figure 18 is based on feedback information. If the seventh information is A-IoT Msg2, the structure shown in Figure 18 also includes at least one RN16. The number of RN16 is the same as the number of indices.

[0471] In one possible implementation, all the indices in the example shown in Figure 18 can also be replaced with a bit map or a bitmap.

[0472] In other possible embodiments of this application, at least one of R2D signaling, designated D2R signaling, MAC CE, MAC header, A-IoT Msg1, or buffer status report (BSR) may be bit-aligned, while the data portion of these signaling messages may be byte-aligned.

[0473] For example, R2D data, A-IoT Msg2, A-IoT paging messages, random access trigger messages (RA trigger), specified D2R data, or at least one of A-IoT Msg2 can be bit-aligned.

[0474] For example, bit alignment can be used in random access trigger messages (RAtrigger) to improve disk storage speed.

[0475] Optionally, for upper layer data transmission, if the second device (e.g., a reader) requests a BSR, the A-IoT device (e.g., a tag) reports data at the byte level and pads the MAC PDU to byte alignment. If the second device does not request a BSR, the MAC PDU sent by the A-IoT device does not contain padding bits, and the MAC PDU is bit-aligned.

[0476] It should be understood that the above description is merely to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of this application, and is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. Based on the examples given above, those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes. For example, some steps in the above method embodiments may be unnecessary, or new steps may be added. Alternatively, any combination of two or more of the above embodiments may be used. Such modifications, changes, or combinations also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0477] It should also be understood that the methods, situations, categories, and classifications of embodiments in this application are for the convenience of description only and should not constitute a special limitation. Various methods, categories, situations, and features in embodiments can be combined without contradiction.

[0478] It should also be 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, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0479] It should also be understood that the above description of the embodiments of this application focuses on highlighting the differences between the various embodiments. Any similarities or differences not mentioned can be referred to each other. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0480] The communication method of the present application embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 18. The communication device of the present application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 19 and 20.

[0481] This embodiment can divide the A-IoT device (i.e., the first device and the second device mentioned above) into functional modules according to the method described above. For example, it can be divided into functional modules corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware. It should be noted that the module division in this embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0482] It should be noted that the relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0483] The first and second devices provided in this application embodiment are used to execute any of the communication methods provided in the above-described method embodiments, thus achieving the same effect as the above-described implementation methods. When using integrated units, the first and second devices may include a processing module, and optionally a storage module and a communication module. The processing module can be used to control and manage the actions of the first and second devices. For example, it can be used to support the first and second devices in executing the steps performed by the processing unit. The storage module can be used to support the storage of program code and data, etc. The communication module can be used to support communication between the first and second devices and other devices.

[0484] It should be understood that the first device and the second device provided in this application may be an A-IoT device, or a component (chip, chip system, or processor) that enables the A-IoT device to implement the method, or a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device and the second device.

[0485] The processing module can be a processor or a controller. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of digital signal processing (DSP) and a microprocessor, etc. The storage module can be a memory. The communication module can specifically be a radio frequency circuit, a Bluetooth chip, or a device that interacts with other electronic devices.

[0486] For example, FIG19 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1900 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG19, the communication device 1900 includes a processing unit 1910 and a transceiver unit 1920. The transceiver unit 1920 is used to perform operations related to information transmission and reception under the control of the processing unit 1910. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processing module, and the transceiver unit may also be referred to as a communication unit, communication module, or communication interface, etc.

[0487] In some embodiments, the communication device 1900 may correspond to the first device described in method 600 above, or it may be a component (chip, chip system, or processor) applied to the first device, or it may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device. Furthermore, each module or unit in the communication device 1900 is used to execute the actions or processes performed by the first device in method 600 above.

[0488] The transceiver unit 1920 is used to: send first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data.

[0489] The transceiver unit 1920 is further configured to: receive second information, the second information including: an identifier of at least one access resource and third information, the third information being used to determine the length of the padding bits of the second information or the length of the identifier of the at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device including the first device. The length of the padding bits is greater than or equal to 0 bits; wherein, the first information includes a first identifier, and the second information is used by the processing unit 1910 to determine whether the communication device has successfully accessed the second device; or, the first information includes data, and the second information is used by the processing unit 1910 to determine whether the data has been successfully transmitted; or, the first information includes data, and the second information is used by the processing unit 1910 to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

[0490] The communication device provided in this application embodiment uses padding bits to align the bytes of A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, and uses indication information to determine the length of the padding bits or the identifier length corresponding to the access resource in A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity of the communication device reading A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the communication device can correctly read and parse A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information. On the other hand, since the bit length to be indicated (the length of the padding bits or the number of indices corresponding to the access resource) is relatively small, the overhead of third-party information can be reduced, and the utilization rate of communication resources can be improved.

[0491] In some possible implementations, the first information includes a first identifier. If the identifier of at least one access resource includes the identifier of the first access resource, and the second information includes the first identifier, the processing unit 1910 determines that the communication device has successfully accessed the second device. Alternatively, the first information includes data. If the identifier of at least one access resource includes the identifier of the first access resource, the processing unit 1910 determines that the data was successfully transmitted. Alternatively, if the identifier of at least one access resource does not include the identifier of the first access resource, the processing unit 1910 determines that the data transmission failed. Alternatively, if the first information includes data, and the identifier of the at least one access resource includes the identifier of the first access resource, the processing unit 1910 determines that the data needs to be retransmitted. Here, the first access resource is the access resource used by the communication device during its access to the second device.

[0492] In some possible implementations, the third information is used to determine the length of the padding bits in the second information, and the third information is used to indicate the length of the padding bits.

[0493] In some possible implementations, the identifier of at least one access resource includes: an index corresponding to at least one access resource or a bitmap corresponding to at least one access resource.

[0494] In some possible implementations, the third information is used to determine the length of the identifier of at least one access resource, the identifier of at least one access resource including the index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource, and the third information is used to indicate the number of indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource.

[0495] In some possible implementations, the value of the padding bit is a first value, the value of the identifier of at least one access resource is a second value, and the set of values ​​for the identifier of at least one access resource does not include the first value.

[0496] In some possible implementations, the padding bit is positioned before the identifier of at least one access resource in the second information.

[0497] The second information also includes a second identifier, which is used to determine whether the third device has successfully connected to the second device.

[0498] In one possible implementation, the specific process by which each unit in the communication device 1900 performs the above-mentioned corresponding steps is described in the preceding description of the first device in conjunction with the relevant embodiments of method 600. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0499] In other embodiments: the communication device 1900 may correspond to the first device described in method 1300 above, or it may be a component (chip, chip system, or processor) applied to the first device, or it may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device. Furthermore, each module or unit in the communication device 1900 is used to execute the actions or processes performed by the first device in method 1300 above.

[0500] The transceiver unit 1920 is used to: send first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data.

[0501] The transceiver unit 1920 is further configured to: receive sixth information, the length of which is an integer multiple of one byte, the sixth information including an identifier of at least one access resource, the identifier of which includes multiple identical identifiers, each of which is a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, and the at least one device including the first device. Wherein, the first information includes a first identifier, and the sixth information is used by the processing unit 1910 to determine whether the communication device has successfully accessed the second device; or, the first information includes data, and the sixth information is used by the processing unit 1910 to determine whether the data has been successfully transmitted; or, the first information includes data, and the sixth information is used by the processing unit 1910 to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

[0502] The communication device provided in this application embodiment achieves byte alignment of the sixth information (A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information) by repeating one or more indices corresponding to at least one access resource, or by repeating the bitmap of at least one access resource. On one hand, this reduces the difficulty and complexity of the communication device reading the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, ensuring that the communication device can correctly read and parse the A-IoT Msg2 or feedback information, thus improving the efficiency of information transmission. On the other hand, it reduces the complexity of implementation.

[0503] In some possible implementations, when the identifier of the at least one access resource includes an index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource, the inclusion of multiple identical identifiers in the identifier of the at least one access resource includes: the first index in the index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource appears repeatedly; or, when the identifier of the at least one access resource includes a bitmap corresponding to the at least one access resource, the inclusion of multiple identical identifiers in the identifier of the at least one access resource includes: the bitmap appears repeatedly.

[0504] In some possible implementations, where the identifier of the at least one access resource includes an index corresponding to each of the at least one access resource, the length of each index is 1 bit, 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, or 8 bits.

[0505] In one possible implementation, the specific process by which each unit in the communication device 1900 performs the above-mentioned corresponding steps is described in the preceding description of the first device in conjunction with the relevant embodiments of method 1300. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0506] In other embodiments: the communication device 1900 may correspond to the first device described in method 1600 above, or it may be a component (chip, chip system, or processor) applied to the first device, or it may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device. Furthermore, each module or unit in the communication device 1900 is used to execute the actions or processes performed by the first device in method 1600 above.

[0507] The transceiver unit 1920 is used to: send first information, the first information including at least one of a first identifier or data.

[0508] The transceiver unit 1920 is further configured to: receive seventh information, the seventh information including an identifier of at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access a second device, the at least one device including a first device, the seventh information also being configured to instruct at least one A-IoT device to perform time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for data transmission (e.g., sending A-IoT Msg3 or D2R data).

[0509] Processing unit 1910 is also configured to: determine, based on the seventh information, the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources for data transmission.

[0510] The seventh information includes the fourth information, and the first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same time unit, which is used to determine the time domain resources for data transmission between the first device and the third device; or, the seventh information includes the fourth information, and the second value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective time lengths, the first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine the time domain resources used when the first device transmits data, and the third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine the time domain resources used when the third device transmits data.

[0511] The communication device provided in this application embodiment has two advantages: firstly, it offers flexible implementation options, reducing the overhead of indicating time-domain resources in the seventh information; secondly, it allows for the selection of different indication methods based on different time-domain resources, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of time-domain resources.

[0512] In one possible implementation, if the fourth information is a first value, the seventh information is also used to indicate the length of the time unit; or, if the fourth information is a second value, the seventh information also includes indications of the first time length and the third time length.

[0513] In one possible implementation, when the fourth information is a first value, the time domain position of the first device transmitting data is determined based on the starting position, the number of time units corresponding to the first device, and the length of the time unit; or, when the fourth information is a second value, the time domain position of the first device transmitting data is determined based on the starting position and the first time length.

[0514] In one possible implementation, when the fourth information is a first value, the number of time units corresponding to the first device is associated with the order of the identifier of the first access resource in the identifier of the at least one access resource.

[0515] In one possible implementation, the seventh information includes the fifth information, and a first value of the fifth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to the same first parameter set. The first parameter set includes at least one parameter, and each parameter in the first parameter set is used to determine a frequency domain resource. The first parameter set is used to determine the frequency domain resource for data transmission between the first device and the third device. Alternatively, the seventh information includes the fifth information and at least one parameter, and a second value of the fifth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to their respective parameters. The first parameter corresponding to the first device is used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the first device when transmitting data, and the third parameter corresponding to the third device is used to determine the frequency domain resource used by the third device when transmitting data. The at least one parameter includes the first parameter and the third parameter.

[0516] In one possible implementation, if the fifth information is a first value, the seventh information further includes a first parameter set. If the fifth information is a first value, the parameters corresponding to the first device in the first parameter set are associated with the order of the identifier of the first access resource in the identifiers of the at least one access resource; the parameters corresponding to the third device in the first parameter set are associated with the order of the identifier of the third access resource in the identifiers of the at least one access resource, wherein the third access resource is the access resource used by the third device when accessing the second device.

[0517] In one possible implementation, the specific process by which each unit in the communication device 1900 performs the corresponding steps described above is given in the description of the first device in connection with the relevant embodiments of method 1600 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0518] In some embodiments, the specific process by which each unit in the communication device 1900 performs the above-described corresponding steps is described in the preceding description of the second device in conjunction with the embodiments related to method 600. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0519] In some embodiments, the specific process by which each unit in the communication device 1900 performs the above-described corresponding steps is described in the preceding description of the second device in conjunction with the embodiments related to method 1300. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0520] In some embodiments, the specific process by which each unit in the communication device 1900 performs the above-described corresponding steps is described in the preceding description of the second device in conjunction with the embodiments related to method 1600. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0521] Furthermore, the communication device 1900 may also include a storage unit, and the transceiver unit 1920 may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, pins, or interface circuitry. The storage unit stores instructions executed by the transceiver unit 1920 and the processing unit 1910. The transceiver unit 1920, the processing unit 1910, and the storage unit are coupled to each other. The storage unit stores instructions, the processing unit 1910 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, and the transceiver unit 1920 performs specific signal transmission and reception under the control of the processing unit 1910.

[0522] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1920 may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, or an interface circuit. The storage unit may be a memory. The processing unit 1910 may be implemented by a processor.

[0523] As shown in Figure 20, the communication device 2000 may include a processor 2010. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may also include a memory 2020 and a transceiver 2030. The dashed lines in Figure 20 indicate that this unit or module is optional. The communication device 2000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments.

[0524] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1900 shown in FIG19 or the communication device 2000 shown in FIG20 can implement the steps performed by the first device in the aforementioned method 600, method 1300 or method 1600.

[0525] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1900 shown in FIG19 or the communication device shown in FIG20 can implement the steps performed by the second device in the aforementioned methods 600, 1300 or 1600. Similar descriptions can be found in the descriptions of the corresponding methods mentioned above. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0526] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1900 shown in FIG19 or the communication device 2000 shown in FIG20 can be an A-IoT device, or the A-IoT device can include the communication device 1900 shown in FIG19 or the communication device 2000 shown in FIG20.

[0527] It should also be understood that the division of units in the above device is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, all units in the device can be implemented entirely through software calls from processing elements; all units can be implemented entirely in hardware; or some units can be implemented through software calls from processing elements, while others are implemented in hardware. For example, each unit can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated into a chip within the device. Alternatively, it can be stored as a program in memory, and its function can be called and executed by a processing element within the device. Here, the processing element can also be called a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above units can be implemented through integrated logic circuits in the processor element or through software calls from processing elements.

[0528] In one example, a unit in any of the above devices can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the methods described above, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more DSPs, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these forms of integrated circuits. As another example, when a unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU or other processor capable of calling programs. Furthermore, these units can be integrated together to implement a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0529] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the processor can be a CPU, but it can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, microprocessors (MPUs), microcontroller units (MCUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence processors (AI processors), neural processing units (NPUs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0530] It should also be 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 read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be cache or random access memory (RAM) (which serves 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).

[0531] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the first device and the second device described above.

[0532] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or 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. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means.

[0533] This application also provides a computer-readable medium for storing computer program code, the computer program including instructions for executing any of the communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application. The readable medium may be the memory described in the examples above, and this application does not limit this to such methods.

[0534] This application also provides a computer program product including instructions that, when executed, cause a first device to perform an operation corresponding to the first device operation in the above method, or cause a second device to perform an operation corresponding to the second device operation in the above method.

[0535] This application also provides a chip comprising a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuitry. The processing unit can execute computer instructions to cause the chip within the communication device to perform any of the communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0536] Optionally, any of the communication devices provided in the above embodiments of this application may include the chip.

[0537] Optionally, the computer instructions are stored in a storage unit.

[0538] Optionally, the storage unit can be an internal storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, it can be an external storage unit within the communication device, such as ROM or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, like RAM. The processing unit and the storage unit can be decoupled and located on different physical devices, connected via wired or wireless means to implement their respective functions, thus supporting the chip in performing the various functions described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the processing unit and the memory can also be coupled to the same device.

[0539] In this embodiment, the various communication devices, communication systems, computer-readable storage media, computer program products or chips are all used to execute the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0540] In this application, various objects such as messages / information / devices / systems / apparatus / actions / operations / processes may be named. It is understood that these specific names do not constitute a limitation on the relevant objects. The names may be changed depending on the scenario, context, or usage habits. The understanding of the technical meaning of the technical terms in this application should be mainly determined from their functions and technical effects embodied / performed in the technical solution.

[0541] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0542] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0543] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first device sends first information, the first information comprising at least one of a first identifier or data; The first device receives second information, the second information comprising: an identifier of at least one access resource and third information, the third information being used to determine a length of padding bits of the second information or a length of the identifier of the at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access a second device, the at least one device comprising the first device, the length of the padding bits being greater than or equal to 0 bits; Wherein, the first information comprises the first identifier, and the second information is used to determine whether the first device successfully accesses the second device; or, The first information comprises data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data is successfully sent; or, The first information comprises data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data needs to be re-sent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises the first identifier, the identifier of the at least one access resource comprises an identifier of a first access resource, and the second information comprises the first identifier, and it is determined that the first device successfully accesses the second device, wherein the first access resource is an access resource used by the first device in the process of accessing the second device; or, The first information comprises data, the identifier of the at least one access resource comprises an identifier of a first access resource, and it is determined that the data is successfully sent; or, the identifier of the at least one access resource does not comprise the identifier of the first access resource, and it is determined that the data is unsuccessfully sent, wherein the first access resource is an access resource used by the first device in the process of accessing the second device; or, The first information comprises data, the identifier of the at least one access resource comprises an identifier of a first access resource, and it is determined that the data needs to be re-sent, wherein the first access resource is an access resource used by the first device in the process of accessing the second device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The third information is used to determine the length of the padding bits of the second information, and the third information is used to indicate the length of the padding bits.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The identifier of the at least one access resource comprises: indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource respectively or a bit map corresponding to the at least one access resource.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The third information is used to determine the length of the identifier of the at least one access resource, the identifier of the at least one access resource comprises indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource respectively, and the third information is used to indicate a number of the indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The padding bits have a first value, the identifier of the at least one access resource has a second value, and a value set of the identifier of the at least one access resource does not comprise the first value.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The padding bits are located before the identifier of the at least one access resource in a position of the second information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The second information further comprises a second identifier, and the second identifier is used to determine whether the third device successfully accesses the second device.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein: The second information comprises fourth information, and a first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to a same time unit, and the time unit is used to determine time domain resources used by the first device and the third device for data transmission; or The second information comprises fourth information, and a second value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to respective time lengths, a first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine time domain resources used by the first device for data transmission, and a third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine time domain resources used by the third device for data transmission.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein: In a case where the fourth information is the first value, the second information is further used to indicate a length of the time unit; or In a case where the fourth information is the second value, the second information further comprises indication information of the first time length and the third time length.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein: In a case where the fourth information is the first value, a time domain position of the first device for data transmission is determined according to a starting position, a number of the time units corresponding to the first device, and a length of the time unit; Or In a case where the fourth information is the second value, a time domain position of the first device for data transmission is determined according to a starting position and the first time length.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein: The second information comprises fifth information, and a first value of the fifth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to a same first parameter set, the first parameter set comprises at least one parameter, each parameter in the first parameter set is used to determine a frequency domain resource, and the first parameter set is used to determine frequency domain resources used by the first device and the third device for data transmission; or The second information comprises fifth information and at least one parameter, and a second value of the fifth information is used to indicate that the first device and the third device correspond to respective parameters, a first parameter corresponding to the first device is used to determine frequency domain resources used by the first device for data transmission, a third parameter corresponding to the third device is used to determine frequency domain resources used by the third device for data transmission, and the at least one parameter comprises the first parameter and the third parameter.

13. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: The first device sends first information, and the first information comprises at least one of a first identifier or data. The first device receives sixth information, a length of the sixth information is an integer multiple of a byte length, the sixth information includes an identification of at least one access resource, the identification of the at least one access resource includes a plurality of same identifications, each of the at least one access resource is a candidate access resource for at least one device to access a second device, the at least one device includes the first device; The first information includes the first identification, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the first device successfully accesses the second device; or The first information includes data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data is successfully transmitted; or The first information includes data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: In a case where the identification of the at least one access resource includes indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource respectively, the identification of the at least one access resource including a plurality of same identifications includes: a first index of the indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource respectively appearing repeatedly; or In a case where the identification of the at least one access resource includes a bitmap corresponding to the at least one access resource, the identification of the at least one access resource including a plurality of same identifications includes: the bitmap appearing repeatedly.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, In a case where the identification of the at least one access resource includes indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource respectively, a length of each index is 1 bit, 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, or 8 bits.

16. A method of communication, comprising: The method includes: The second device receives first information from a first device, the first information including at least one of a first identification or data; The second device transmits second information, the second information including: an identification of at least one access resource and third information, the third information being used to determine a length of padding bits of the second information or a length of the identification of the at least one access resource, each of the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device including the first device, the length of the padding bits being greater than or equal to 0 bits; The first information includes the first identification, and the second information is used to determine whether the first device successfully accesses the second device; or The first information includes data, and the second information is used to determine whether the data is successfully transmitted; or The first information includes data, and the second information is used to determine whether the device needs to be retransmitted.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The third information is used to determine the length of the padding bits of the second information, and the third information is used to indicate the length of the padding bits.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The third information is used to determine the length of the identification of the at least one access resource, the identification of the at least one access resource including indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource respectively, and the third information is used to indicate a number of the indexes corresponding to the at least one access resource.

19. The method of any one of claims 16-18, wherein, The padding bits are located before the identification of the at least one access resource in the position of the second information.

20. The method of any one of claims 16-19, wherein, the second information comprises fourth information, a first value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and a third device correspond to a same time unit, and the time unit is used to determine time domain resources for data transmission of the first device and the third device; or the second information comprises fourth information, a second value of the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device and a third device correspond to respective time lengths, a first time length corresponding to the first device is used to determine time domain resources for data transmission of the first device, and a third time length corresponding to the third device is used to determine time domain resources for data transmission of the third device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, in a case where the fourth information is the first value, the second information is further used to indicate a length of the time unit; or in a case where the fourth information is the second value, the second information further comprises indication information of the first time length and the third time length.

22. The method of any one of claims 16-21, wherein, the second information comprises fifth information, a first value of the fifth information is used to indicate that the first device and a third device correspond to a first parameter set, the first parameter set comprises at least one parameter, each parameter in the first parameter set is used to determine a frequency domain resource, and the first parameter set is used to determine frequency domain resources for data transmission of the first device and the third device; or the second information comprises fifth information and at least one parameter, a second value of the fifth information is used to indicate that the first device and a third device correspond to respective parameters, a first parameter corresponding to the first device is used to determine frequency domain resources for data transmission of the first device, a third parameter corresponding to the third device is used to determine frequency domain resources for data transmission of the third device, and the at least one parameter comprises the first parameter and the third parameter.

23. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: a second device receiving first information from a first device, the first information comprising at least one of a first identifier or data; the second device sending sixth information, a length of the sixth information being an integer multiple of a byte length, the sixth information comprising identification of at least one access resource, the identification of the at least one access resource comprising a plurality of same identifiers, each access resource in the at least one access resource being a candidate access resource for at least one device to access the second device, the at least one device comprising the first device; wherein, in a case where the first information comprises the first identifier, the sixth information is used to determine whether the first device successfully accesses the second device; or in a case where the first information comprises the data, the sixth information is used to determine whether the data is successfully sent; or The first information comprises data, and the sixth information is used to determine whether the data needs to be retransmitted.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, In a case where the identity of the at least one access resource comprises indexes respectively corresponding to the at least one access resource, the multiple same identities included in the identity of the at least one access resource comprise: a first index of the indexes respectively corresponding to the at least one access resource repeatedly appearing; or, In a case where the identity of the at least one access resource comprises a bit map corresponding to the at least one access resource, the multiple same identities included in the identity of the at least one access resource comprise: the bit map repeatedly appearing.

25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein, In a case where the identity of the at least one access resource comprises indexes respectively corresponding to the at least one access resource, a length of each index is 1 bit, 2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits or 8 bits.

26. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: Units for performing respective steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or units for performing respective steps of the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, or units for performing respective steps of the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, or units for performing respective steps of the method according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

27. A communications device, characterized by Comprise a processor for causing the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, by executing a computer program stored in a memory and / or by a logic circuit.

28. A communications device, characterized by Comprise a processor for causing the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, or the method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, by executing a computer program stored in a memory and / or by a logic circuit.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program comprising program instructions, the program instructions, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform: the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, or the method according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, Comprise: A computer program, when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform: the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or the methods according to any one of claims 13 to 15, or the method according to any one claims 16 to 21, or the method according to any one of claims 23 to25.

31. A communication system, characterized by The communication system comprises a first device for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a second device for performing the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22; or, the first device is for performing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, and the second device is for performing the method according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

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