Signal transmission method, communication apparatus, storage medium and program product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications. Provided are a signal transmission method, a communication apparatus, a storage medium and a program product. The method is applied to a first node. The method comprises: sending a first signal, wherein the first signal triggers N transmission resources, and N is a positive integer; and on the basis of the N transmission resources, receiving from second nodes second signals in response to the first signal.

Description

Signal transmission methods, communication devices, storage media and software products

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202510399769.3, filed on March 28, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a signal transmission method, a communication device, a storage medium, and a program product. Background Technology

[0003] In existing passive Internet of Things (Passive IoT) communication technologies, readers and devices typically communicate in a question-and-answer manner.

[0004] For example, during communication between the reader and the terminal device, the reader needs to send a trigger signal to the terminal device, and then the terminal device sends a response signal to the reader.

[0005] However, in communication processes involving multiple terminal devices, such as random access processes, each terminal device needs to send signals at different times, and a time interval needs to be reserved between the signals sent by different terminal devices to avoid signal overlap in time. The overall signal transmission process has low transmission efficiency, takes a long time, and has high communication latency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a signal transmission method, a communication device, a storage medium, and a program product.

[0007] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a signal transmission method applied to a first node, the method comprising: sending a first signal; the first signal triggering N transmission resources; N being a positive integer; and receiving a second signal from a second node in response to the first signal based on the N transmission resources.

[0008] In the signal transmission method provided in this disclosure, a first node can trigger N transmission resources by sending a first signal. This allows uplink signals from multiple second nodes to be transmitted on the N transmission resources. The first node can then receive second signals from the second nodes in response to the first signal, based on the N transmission resources. This enables communication with multiple second nodes. Compared to the question-and-answer approach of related technologies, this method improves the transmission efficiency of the signal transmission process and reduces communication latency.

[0009] In a second aspect, this disclosure provides a communication device applied to a first node. The communication device includes: a first transmitting module for transmitting a first signal; the first signal triggering N transmission resources; N being a positive integer; and a first receiving module for receiving a second signal from a second node in response to the first signal based on the N transmission resources.

[0010] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a signal transmission method applied to a second node, the method comprising: receiving a first signal sent by a first node; the first signal triggering N transmission resources; N being a positive integer; and sending a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources.

[0011] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a communication device applied to a second node, the communication device comprising: a second receiving module for receiving a first signal sent by a first node; the first signal triggering N transmission resources; N being a positive integer; and a second sending module for sending a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources.

[0012] Fifthly, this disclosure provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory storing processor-executable instructions; the processor being configured to, when executing the aforementioned instructions, cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first or third aspect above.

[0013] Sixthly, this disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: software instructions; when the aforementioned software instructions are executed in a communication device, causing the communication device to implement the method described in the first or third aspect above. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0014] In a seventh aspect, this disclosure provides a computer program product, comprising: computer instructions; when the aforementioned computer instructions are executed in a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the method described in the first or third aspect above.

[0015] The beneficial effects of aspects two through seven above can be referred to in aspect one, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the technical solutions of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this disclosure to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1 is an architecture diagram of a passive Internet of Things system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 is a timing diagram of the transmission of the first to fourth signals according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another signal transmission method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 7 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 8 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0026] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprise" and other forms such as the third-person singular "comprises" and the present participle "comprising" are interpreted as open-ended and encompassing, meaning "including, but not limited to." In the description of the specification, terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. The illustrative representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics mentioned may be included in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0027] 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 disclosure, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] In this disclosure, the terms "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this disclosure should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the terms "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0029] In addition, the use of “based on” implies openness and inclusivity, because processes, steps, calculations or other actions “based on” one or more of the stated conditions or values ​​may in practice be based on additional conditions or values ​​beyond those stated.

[0030] In existing passive IoT communication technologies, readers and devices typically communicate using a question-and-answer approach. When communicating with multiple devices, each device needs to send signals at different times, and time intervals must be reserved between signals to avoid overlap. This results in low transmission efficiency, long processing time, and high communication latency.

[0031] Based on this, the present disclosure provides a signal transmission method, communication device, storage medium, and program product, which can trigger multiple transmission resources by sending a first signal, enabling uplink signals from multiple terminal devices to be transmitted on multiple transmission resources, thereby improving transmission efficiency and reducing communication latency.

[0032] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 is an architecture diagram of a passive Internet of Things (IoT) system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the passive IoT system 100 may include a helper 101, a reader 102, and a terminal device 103.

[0034] Excitation source 101 can be any available environmental radio frequency source, such as a broadcast television signal transmission tower, a mobile communication system base station, a node in a network, an intermediate user equipment (UE), and a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point. This disclosure does not limit the specific form of excitation source 101.

[0035] Excitation source 101 can send radio frequency energy to activate terminal device 103.

[0036] Reader 102, also known as a reader / writer, can be a base station (BS), node, or intermediate user equipment (UE) in the network.

[0037] The reader 102 can be used to send data signals, send radio frequency energy to activate the terminal device 103, and receive and parse the data transmitted by the terminal device 103.

[0038] The terminal device 103 can be an Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a Bluetooth device, a Zigbee device, a UE, etc. This disclosure does not limit the specific form of the terminal device 103.

[0039] Terminal device 103 can be used to receive command messages, send identification identifiers, and transmit status data. When charging is required, terminal device 103 can receive a carrier wave for energy harvesting (CW for EH) sent by reader 102 to obtain the energy required for receiving and transmitting signals.

[0040] In some embodiments, during the data transmission process from the terminal device 103 to the reader 102, the terminal device 103 may also be referred to as the sending end, and the reader 102 may be referred to as the receiving end.

[0041] In some embodiments, the terminal device 103 may also be referred to as a terminal device, such as an access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, etc., or it may be a passive Internet of Things terminal or passive Internet of Things device.

[0042] The methods provided in this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Ambient IoT, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th generation (5G) communication systems, hybrid LTE and 5G architectures, 6th generation (6G) communication systems, or new communication systems emerging in future communication developments. The communication system can also be a machine-to-machine (M2M) network, machine-type communication (MTC), or a network communication system based on passive IoT, etc.

[0043] Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system 200 may include a first node 201 and a second node 202, and the first node 201 and the second node 202 are connected in communication.

[0044] The first node 201 can be a network device. The network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a transmission receive point (TRP), an intermediate user equipment (UE), a transmission point (TP), or some other access node or base station. Based on the size of the service coverage area provided, base stations can be further divided into macro base stations for providing macro cells, micro base stations for providing micro cells, and femto base stations for providing femto cells. With the continuous evolution of wireless communication technology, future base stations may also adopt other names. In this embodiment, the first node 201 can also be a reader in a passive Internet of Things (e.g., the reader 102 described above).

[0045] The second node 202 can be a terminal device. For example, it can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities (such as a mobile phone or tablet), an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal in an Internet of Things (IoT) system, an Ambient IoT device, or a computing device. In this embodiment of the disclosure, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in a passive IoT system (such as the terminal device 103 described above).

[0046] It should be noted that Figure 2 is only an exemplary framework diagram. The number of devices or nodes included in Figure 2 and the names of each device are not limited. In addition to the functional nodes shown in Figure 2, the communication system may also include other nodes or devices, such as core network devices.

[0047] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this disclosure are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0048] The embodiments provided in this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] This disclosure first provides a signal transmission method applied to a first node. Figure 3 is a flowchart of a signal transmission method provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include the following steps:

[0050] S11, Send the first signal.

[0051] Here, the first signal can be used to trigger an access resource; that is, each time the first node sends a first signal, it indicates the start of a new access resource. A second node can select an access resource from the range of access resources and send a second signal within that access resource to initiate initial access. For example, the second node can randomly select an access resource from multiple access resources and, after receiving the trigger signal (i.e., the aforementioned first signal) corresponding to the selected access resource, send the second signal to initiate initial access. An access resource can also be called an access slot or access round. Since a first signal triggers a corresponding second signal for random access or initial access, it can also be understood that a first signal triggers a random access process.

[0052] In some embodiments, one access resource corresponds to N transmission resources, or in other words, one access resource includes N (N is a positive integer) transmission resources. A first signal triggers an access resource, thus determining the corresponding N transmission resources. The second node can further determine one transmission resource from the N transmission resources within the selected access resource and send a second signal on the determined transmission resource. That is, the second node can select one access resource from the range of access resources, determine one transmission resource from the N transmission resources, and send a signal based on the determined transmission resource within the selected access resource. In this case, the aforementioned first signal can also be understood as triggering N transmission resources.

[0053] For example, the transmission resources include at least one of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and code domain resources.

[0054] For example, time-domain resources may include symbols, time slots, subframes, or frames. Frequency-domain resources may include transmission subbands, subchannels, subcarriers, physical resource blocks (PRBs), or bandwidth parts (BWPs) in the frequency domain. Code-domain resources may include spreading codes.

[0055] As an example, the first signal could be a paging signal in Ambient IoT, or an access resource trigger signal.

[0056] Here, the paging signal is used to indicate the number or range of access resources. The paging signal can also be used to trigger the first access resource in the access resource range, i.e., access resource index 0. The access timing trigger signal is used to trigger an access resource, for example, to trigger an access resource in the access resource range other than the first access resource. For example, the first signal could be a paging signal under a non-contention access mechanism.

[0057] As another example, the first signal could also be a "read" command signal, or a "write" command signal, etc.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first signal may further include the identity identifier of the second node, which may be a temporary identity identifier of the second node.

[0059] It should be noted that, as mentioned above, the first node can be a reader in a passive IoT system, and the second node can be a device in a passive IoT system. Therefore, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the signal sent by the first node to the second node can be understood as a Reader to Device (R2D) signal or a downlink signal (e.g., the first signal, the third signal, the fifth signal, and the sixth signal, etc.), and the signal sent by the second node to the first node can be understood as a Device to Reader (D2R) signal or an uplink signal (e.g., the second signal and the fourth signal, etc.).

[0060] S12, Receive the second signal of the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources.

[0061] Here, the second signal includes the first identity identifier or the second identity identifier of the second node.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first identity identifier may be a fixed identity identifier of the second node.

[0063] For example, in a non-contention access process, the second signal may include a fixed identifier of the second node (e.g., a product identification code).

[0064] For example, the fixed identity of the second node can be a long bit sequence containing 96 or more bits.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second identity may be a temporary identity of the second node.

[0066] For example, during a contention for access, the second signal may include the temporary identity or random identity of the second node.

[0067] For example, the temporary identity of the second node can be a short bit sequence containing less than 96 bits, such as 16 bits.

[0068] For example, the second signal can be Message 1 (Msg1) in Ambient IoT.

[0069] In some possible embodiments, after sending a first signal, the first node can receive H second signals based on N transmission resources, where H is greater than or equal to 0. When H = 0, it indicates that the first node did not detect any second signals based on the N transmission resources. This could be because no second node sent a second signal on the transmission resource triggered by the first signal, or because the second node sent second signals but none were correctly decoded by the first node. When H > 0, it indicates that H second signals were detected based on the N transmission resources, and these H second signals were transmitted based on H transmission resources out of the N transmission resources and were correctly decoded by the first node. In the case of N = 1, the first node can receive a second signal responding to the first signal based on a single transmission resource.

[0070] In some possible embodiments, the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal is within the time range of the first interval duration to the second interval duration. It can also be understood that the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal is greater than or equal to the first interval duration and less than or equal to the second interval duration.

[0071] As an example, the first interval duration can be equal to (1-e)T1, and the second interval duration can be equal to (1+e)T2; or, the first interval duration can be equal to (1-e)T3+t. A The second interval duration is equal to (1+e)T³+t B .

[0072] Here, T1 represents the first delay value, T2 represents the second delay value, T3 represents the third delay value, e represents the clock error of the second node, 0≤e<1, and t B greater than or equal to 0, t A Less than 0 or t A Greater than or equal to 0. Here, t A t B This can be understood as time tolerance, t A and t B The absolute values ​​can be equal.

[0073] In some possible embodiments, as described above, the transmission resources may include time-domain resources. In this case, the above-described S102 may specifically include the following methods:

[0074] Method 1: The first node receives the second signal sent by the second node of the first device type on the first N / 2 time domain resources out of N time domain resources, and receives the second signal sent by the second node of the second device type on the last N / 2 time domain resources out of N time domain resources.

[0075] Method 2: The first node receives the second signal sent by the second node of the first device type on the first N / 2 time domain resources out of N time domain resources, and receives the second signal sent by the second node of the second device type on the N time domain resources.

[0076] Method 3: The first node receives the second signal sent by the second node of the first device type on the first time domain resource among N time domain resources, and receives the second signal sent by the second node of the second device type on the N time domain resources.

[0077] Here, the clock error or sampling frequency offset (SFO) of the second node of the first device type is higher than that of the second node of the second device type; or, the first device type is a device type that transmits signals using backscattering, and the second device type is a device type that generates and transmits signals internally; or, the power consumption of the first device type is lower than that of the second device type. For example, the power consumption of the second node of the first device type is in the range of 1 microwatt to 100 microwatts, and the power consumption of the second node of the second device type is in the range of 100 microwatts to 10 milliwatts.

[0078] For example, the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal on the first time domain resource among the N time domain resources is within the range of the first interval length and the second interval length, that is, the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal on the first time domain resource among the N time domain resources is greater than or equal to the first interval length and less than or equal to the second interval length.

[0079] The time interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal on the second time-domain resource out of N time-domain resources is U(1+e). 2 +G1 to U(1+e) 2 Within the range of +G2, i.e., the interval duration is greater than or equal to U(1+e). 2 +G1, and less than or equal to U(1+e). 2 +G2. Here, U is the transmission duration of a second signal, G1 is the duration of the first interval, G2 is the duration of the second interval, and 0≤e<1.

[0080] As one possible implementation, as described above, the transmission resource can be a frequency domain resource. In this case, the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal on any one of the N frequency domain resources is within the time range of the first interval duration to the second interval duration, that is, the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal on any one of the N frequency domain resources is greater than or equal to the first interval duration and less than or equal to the second interval duration.

[0081] For example, N frequency domain resources are located at different frequency domain positions, and the frequency domain position of the frequency domain resources is determined based on at least one of the chip duration of the uplink signal (D2R signal), the number of times the data is repeated in the second signal, and the bit duration.

[0082] As another possible implementation, as described above, the transmission resource can be a code domain resource. In this case, the first node can receive the second signal using N spreading codes. The interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal of any one of the N spreading codes is within the range of a first interval duration and a second interval duration. That is, the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the second signal of any one of the N spreading codes is greater than or equal to the first interval duration and less than or equal to the second interval duration.

[0083] In the signal transmission method provided in this embodiment, a first node can trigger N transmission resources by sending a first signal. This allows uplink signals from multiple second nodes to be transmitted on the N transmission resources. The first node can receive a second signal from the second nodes in response to the first signal, based on the N transmission resources. This enables communication with multiple second nodes. Compared to the question-and-answer approach of related technologies, this method improves the transmission efficiency of the signal transmission process and reduces communication latency.

[0084] In some possible embodiments, the first node may also parse the received second signal, parse out the identity identifier, and then send a third signal to the second node. In this case, the method may further include the following steps:

[0085] Step 1a: After receiving the second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources, send S third signals.

[0086] Here, S is a positive integer. As mentioned above, the first node can receive H second signals, where S is less than or equal to H, and H is a positive integer. A third signal includes confirmation information from K second signals, where K is a positive integer. The value of K can be different for different third signals.

[0087] As an example, after receiving H second signals based on N transmission resources, the first node can send S third signals. Each third signal contains acknowledgment information for one or more of the H second signals. The S third signals contain acknowledgment information for all H second signals. Thus, the first node confirms to the H second nodes corresponding to the H second signals that it has received the second signals sent by them.

[0088] For example, the confirmation information of the second signal can be the second identity identifier of the second node contained in the second signal, that is, the third signal includes the second identity identifier of the second node. In other words, after receiving the second signal, the first node can parse the identity identifier in the second signal to determine the target second node from which the identity identifier is parsed, and then send the second identity identifier of the target second node back to the target second node through the third signal. When the target second node receives the third signal containing its own second identity identifier, it can confirm that its second signal has been correctly identified by the first node.

[0089] For example, the third signal could be Message 2 (Msg2) in Ambient IoT.

[0090] In some possible embodiments, the interval between the end time of the latest second signal among the H second signals and the start time of the first third signal among the S third signals is greater than or equal to the third interval length, which is equal to (1+e)T4, where T4 is the fourth delay value.

[0091] As one possible implementation, as described above, the transmission resources are frequency domain resources or code domain resources, and a second node can start monitoring the third signal at time T4, no later than the end of the second signal it transmitted, based on its own clock.

[0092] In some possible embodiments, the last of the S third signals includes first indication information, which indicates that the current third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal.

[0093] For example, after receiving a second signal from H second nodes based on N transmission resources, the first node can send S third signals. Each third signal includes acknowledgment information for one or more of the H second signals. For instance, if S = H, the first node can send H third signals, each containing acknowledgment information for one of the H second signals. The S third signals are transmitted during the access process triggered by the first signal. The last of the S third signals contains first indication information. After receiving the first indication information, the second node can determine that the transmission of all third signals in the access resources triggered by the first signal has ended and can stop monitoring the third signals.

[0094] In some possible embodiments, after sending the third signal, the first node may also receive a fourth signal sent by the second node. In this case, the method may further include the following steps:

[0095] Step 1b: Receive the fourth signal sent by the second node.

[0096] Here, the fourth signal includes the first identity identifier of the second node.

[0097] As an example, as described above, the first node can specifically send a third signal to the target second node (i.e., the aforementioned K second nodes) whose identity has been parsed. In this case, the first node can specifically receive a fourth signal sent by the target second node.

[0098] In some possible embodiments, the interval between the end time of the third signal and the start time of the fourth signal is within the range of a first interval length to a second interval length, where the first interval length is equal to (1-e)T1 and the second interval length is equal to (1+e)T2; or, the interval between the end time of the third signal and the start time of the fourth signal is within the range of a fourth interval length to a fifth interval length, where the fourth interval length is equal to (1-e)T5+t. C The duration of the fifth interval is equal to (1+e)T5+t D .

[0099] Here, t D greater than or equal to 0, t C Less than 0 or t C Greater than or equal to 0. Here, t C t D This can be understood as time tolerance, t C t D The absolute values ​​can be equal, and T5 is the fifth delay value.

[0100] In some possible embodiments, the fourth signal transmitted by the target second node (i.e., the aforementioned K second nodes) can be transmitted using K frequency domain resources or K code domain resources. The interval between the end time of the third signal and the start time of any one of the K fourth signals is within the range of a first interval duration and a second interval duration. The first and second interval durations can be referred to the section on the interval durations of the first and second signals above, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] In some possible embodiments, the fourth signal sent by the target second node (i.e., the aforementioned K second nodes) can be transmitted using K time-domain resources. The interval between the end time of the third signal and the start time of the first of the K fourth signals is within the range of a first interval duration to a second interval duration.

[0102] As one possible implementation, the second node can start sending the fourth signal based on its own clock within a time range from the first delay value (i.e., T1 above) to the second delay value (i.e., T2 above) after the end time of the third signal, and the interval between the end time of the third signal and the start time of the fourth signal is within the range of the first interval length to the second interval length.

[0103] As another possible implementation, the second node can start sending the fourth signal based on its own clock at a fifth delay value (i.e., T5 above) after the end time of the third signal, with the interval between the end time of the third signal and the start time of the fourth signal ranging from the fourth interval to the fifth interval.

[0104] For example, FIG4 is a transmission timing diagram of the first to fourth signals provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4, in the first, second, third and fourth signals for communication between the first node and the second node, there is a certain interval between adjacent signals. FIG4 shows the interval between the first and second signals, the interval between the second and third signals and the interval between the third and fourth signals as examples.

[0105] In some possible embodiments, for second nodes that fail to parse the identity identifier from the second signal, the first node may also send a fifth signal to instruct these second nodes to retransmit the second signal. In this case, the method may further include the following steps:

[0106] Step 1c: After receiving the second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources, send the fifth signal.

[0107] Here, the fifth signal is used to instruct (or trigger) the second node that sent the second signal on m of the N transmission resources to retransmit the second signal; m is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0108] As an example, the fifth signal may include second indication information and / or a Media Access Control (MAC) layer Protocol Data Unit (PDU) for indicating retransmission of the second signal, wherein the second indication information indicates m of the N transmission resources.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second signal may include at least two parts: a preamble sequence and data. The preamble sequence can be used to implement functions such as signal timing synchronization.

[0110] For example, after receiving the second signal based on N transmission resources, the first node can send the fifth signal. For instance, if the first node detects the preamble sequence of the second signal on M of the N transmission resources but fails to successfully decode the data of the second signal (the identity of the second node), it can send the fifth signal, where M is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0111] In this way, if the first node detects the preamble sequence of the second signal on one or more transmission resources but fails to decode the data, it can indicate the sequence number of these transmission resources to the second node, notifying the second node that used these transmission resources to send the second signal to retransmit the second signal.

[0112] In some possible embodiments, if no preamble sequence is detected on N transmission resources, the first node can send the next first signal to start the next transmission resource, and the interval between the end time of the first signal and the start time of the next first signal (or two temporally adjacent first signals) is greater than or equal to the sixth interval.

[0113] Understandably, the next first signal can trigger a new access resource, meaning the current access resource has ended, the second node accessing the current access resource ends the access process, and the next access resource begins. The second node that selects the next access resource can then access the resource.

[0114] As an example, the sixth interval duration can satisfy any of the following:

[0115] (1) The duration of the sixth interval is less than or equal to the duration of the second interval. For example, the duration of the sixth interval is equal to the duration of the second interval minus t, and t is greater than or equal to 0.

[0116] (2) The duration of the sixth interval is equal to (1+e)w·R2D chip length+t6 or (1+e)(w·R2D chip length+t6) or (1+e)w·R2D chip length;

[0117] (3) The duration of the sixth interval is equal to (1+e)w·D2R chip length+t6 or (1+e)(w·D2R chip length+t6) or (1+e)w·D2R chip length;

[0118] Here, R2D chip length refers to the chip duration of the downlink signal (R2D signal). For example, R2D chip length can be the shortest chip duration for the downlink signal, or the longest chip duration for the downlink signal, or the chip duration configured for the downlink signal. D2R chip length refers to the chip duration of the uplink signal (D2R signal). For example, the chip duration d of the uplink signal can be the shortest chip duration for the D2R signal, or the longest chip duration for the uplink signal, or the chip duration configured for the uplink signal. In a specific example, the chip duration of the uplink signal is equal to d / (2R), where d is the bit duration and R is the number of times the data is repeated in the uplink signal. w is a positive integer, and t6 is greater than or equal to 0.

[0119] In some possible embodiments, after successfully receiving the first identifier of the second node, the first node can confirm that the second node has successfully connected.

[0120] In some possible embodiments, the first node may also send a sixth signal before sending the first signal. The sixth signal and the first signal are transmitted sequentially in the time domain, and the interval between the end time of the sixth signal and the start time of the first signal is greater than or equal to the sixth interval duration.

[0121] In some embodiments, the sixth signal or paging signal includes third indication information, which is used to indicate at least one of the first resource allocation method and the second resource allocation method.

[0122] In the first resource allocation method, the transmission resources used by the fourth signal are indicated by the fourth indication information, which is transmitted within the third signal. For example, the first node sends the third signal, which includes acknowledgment information for K second signals and the fourth indication information. The second node corresponding to the acknowledgment information of the K second signals can use the transmission resources indicated by the fourth indication information to send the fourth signal.

[0123] Under the second resource allocation method, the fourth signal uses the same transmission resources as the second signal; that is, the transmission resource index used by the fourth signal is the same as that used by the second signal. For example, a first node sends a third signal, which includes acknowledgments for K second signals. The second nodes corresponding to the K acknowledgments for the second signals can send the fourth signal on the transmission resources used to send the K second signals, respectively. The index of the transmission resource used by each second node to send the second signal and the fourth signal is the same.

[0124] The signal transmission method for the first node has been described above. Next, this application provides a signal transmission method applied to a second node. Figure 5 is a flowchart of another signal transmission method provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include the following steps:

[0125] S21, Receive the first signal sent by the first node.

[0126] Here, the first signal can be used to trigger an access resource; that is, each time the first node sends a first signal, it indicates the start of a new access resource. A second node can select an access resource from the range of access resources and send a second signal within that access resource to initiate initial access. For example, the second node can randomly select an access resource from multiple access resources and, after receiving the trigger signal (i.e., the aforementioned first signal) corresponding to the selected access resource, send the second signal to initiate initial access. An access resource can also be called an access slot or access round. Since a first signal triggers a corresponding second signal for random access or initial access, it can also be understood that a first signal triggers a random access process.

[0127] In some embodiments, one access resource corresponds to N transmission resources, or in other words, one access resource includes N (N is a positive integer) transmission resources. A first signal triggers an access resource, thus determining the corresponding N transmission resources. The second node can further determine one transmission resource from the N transmission resources within the selected access resource and send a second signal on the determined transmission resource. That is, the second node can select one access resource from the range of access resources, determine one transmission resource from the N transmission resources, and send a signal based on the determined transmission resource within the selected access resource. In this case, the aforementioned first signal can also be understood as triggering N transmission resources.

[0128] For example, the transmission resources include at least one of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and code domain resources.

[0129] For example, time-domain resources may include symbols, time slots, subframes, or frames. Frequency-domain resources may include transmission subbands, subchannels, subcarriers, physical resource blocks (PRBs), or bandwidth parts (BWPs) in the frequency domain. Code-domain resources may include spreading codes.

[0130] As an example, the first signal could be a paging signal in Ambient IoT, or an access resource trigger signal.

[0131] Here, the paging signal is used to indicate the number or range of access resources. The paging signal can also be used to trigger the first access resource in the access resource range, i.e., access resource index 0. The access timing trigger signal is used to trigger an access resource, for example, to trigger an access resource in the access resource range other than the first access resource. For example, the first signal could be a paging signal under a non-contention access mechanism.

[0132] As another example, the first signal could also be a "read" command signal, or a "write" command signal, etc.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first signal may further include the identity identifier of the second node, which may be a temporary identity identifier of the second node.

[0134] It should be noted that, as mentioned above, the first node can be a reader in a passive IoT system, and the second node can be a device in a passive IoT system. Therefore, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the signal sent by the first node to the second node can be understood as a Reader to Device (R2D) signal or a downlink signal (e.g., the first signal, the third signal, the fifth signal, and the sixth signal, etc.), and the signal sent by the second node to the first node can be understood as a Device to Reader (D2R) signal or an uplink signal (e.g., the second signal and the fourth signal, etc.).

[0135] S22. Based on one of the N transmission resources, send a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node.

[0136] In some possible embodiments, if the access resource triggered by the first signal is the access resource selected by the second node, the second node can determine one of the N transmission resources and send the second signal based on the determined transmission resource; or, if the first signal contains the second identifier of the second node, the second node determines one of the N transmission resources and sends the second signal based on the transmission resource.

[0137] In some embodiments, a second signal sent by a second node includes a first identity identifier or a second identity identifier of the second node.

[0138] For example, during a contention-based access process, the second signal may contain the second identity identifier of the second node; during a non-contention-based access process, the second signal may contain the first identity identifier of the second node.

[0139] For example, the first identity identifier can be a fixed identity identifier (or fixed ID) of the second node, such as a product identification code. Exemplarily, the first identity identifier is a long bit sequence containing 96 bits or more. The second identity identifier is a random identity identifier (or random ID) of the second node, also known as a temporary identity identifier (or temporary ID). Exemplarily, the second identity identifier is a short bit sequence containing J bits, where J is less than 96, for example, J = 16.

[0140] As an example, the second signal could be Message 1 (Msg1) in Ambient IoT.

[0141] In some possible embodiments, the second node may specifically begin sending the second signal within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the first signal; or, the second node may also begin sending the second signal at a third delay value after the end time of the first signal.

[0142] As an example, the second node can start transmitting the second signal based on its own clock, within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the first signal; or, the second node can start transmitting the second signal at a third delay value after the end time of the first signal. Understandably, the second node may have a certain clock error, with a clock error coefficient of e, for example, e taking a value in the range of 1% to 10%.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first delay value and the second delay value may satisfy any one of the following:

[0144] The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length, y1·D2R chip length), and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length, y2·D2R chip length); or,

[0145] The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length,y1·D2R chip length)+t1, and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length,y2·D2R chip length)+t2.

[0146] The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length + t2; or...

[0147] The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length + t2; or...

[0148] The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length; or,

[0149] The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length.

[0150] Here, R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; x1, y1, x2, and y2 are all positive integers, x1 is less than or equal to x2, and y1 is less than or equal to y2; t2 is greater than or equal to 0, and t1 is less than 0, or t1 is greater than or equal to 0. t1 and t2 can be understood as time tolerances, and the absolute values ​​of t1 and t2 can be equal.

[0151] For example, the values ​​of x1 and y1 satisfy at least one of the following two conditions: first, x1 is equal to 4, 5 or 6; second, the value of y1 is a multiple of 10, for example, y1 is equal to 10 or 20.

[0152] For example, x2 = 20 * x1, and / or y2 = 20 * y1.

[0153] For example, R2D chip length is the shortest chip duration for a downlink signal, or the longest chip duration for a downlink signal, or the chip duration configured for a downlink signal.

[0154] For example, the chip duration d of the uplink signal is either the shortest chip duration for a D2R signal, or the longest chip duration for an uplink signal, or the chip duration configured for the uplink signal. In a specific example, the chip duration of the uplink signal is equal to d / (2R), where d is the bit duration and R is the number of times the data is repeated in the uplink signal.

[0155] In a specific example, the R2D chip length in the first delay value is the shortest chip length for the downlink signal, and the R2D chip length in the second delay value is the longest chip length for the downlink signal; and / or, the D2R chip length in the first delay value is the shortest chip length for the uplink signal, and the D2R chip length in the second delay value is the longest chip length for the uplink signal.

[0156] In a specific example, the R2D chip length is the chip duration configured for the downlink signal, and / or the D2R chip length is the chip duration configured for the uplink signal. At least one of x2 and y2 can take different values ​​under different R2D chip lengths and / or D2R chip lengths. That is, the value of at least one of x2 and y2 can be determined according to the configured R2D chip length and / or D2R chip length.

[0157] In some embodiments, the third delay value may satisfy any one of the following:

[0158] Max(x1·R2D chip length,y1·D2R chip length)+t3;

[0159] x1·R2D chip length+t3;

[0160] y1·D2R chip length+t3;

[0161] Here, R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; t3 is greater than or equal to 0; x1 and y1 are positive integers.

[0162] For example, the values ​​of x1 and y1 satisfy at least one of the following two conditions: first, x1 is equal to 4, 5 or 6; second, the value of y1 is a multiple of 10, for example, y1 is equal to 10 or 20.

[0163] For example, R2D chip length is the shortest chip duration for a downlink signal, or the longest chip duration for a downlink signal, or the chip duration configured for a downlink signal. D2R chip length is the chip duration of an uplink signal (D2R signal).

[0164] For example, the chip duration d of the uplink signal is either the shortest chip duration for a D2R signal, or the longest chip duration for an uplink signal, or the chip duration configured for the uplink signal. In a specific example, the chip duration of the uplink signal is equal to d / (2R), where d is the bit duration and R is the number of times the data is repeated in the uplink signal.

[0165] In a specific example, the second delay value or the third delay value does not exceed the first preset duration, that is, it is less than or equal to the first preset duration, and the first preset duration is greater than or equal to 100 microseconds, for example, the first preset duration is equal to 300, 400 or 500 microseconds.

[0166] In some possible embodiments, as described above, the transmission resource triggered by the first signal can be a time-domain resource. In this case, the second node can specifically send the second signal in the following three ways:

[0167] Method 1: When the second node is a second node of the first device type, determine one time domain resource from the first N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources, and send a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node on the determined time domain resource; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, determine one time domain resource from the last N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources, and send a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node on the determined time domain resource.

[0168] In other words, for a second node of the first device type, the second node determines a time domain resource from the first N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources and sends a second signal on the determined time domain resource; for a second node of the second device type, the second node determines a time domain resource from the last N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources and sends a second signal on the determined time domain resource.

[0169] Method 2: When the second node is a second node of the first device type, determine one time domain resource from the first N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources, and send a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node on the determined time domain resource; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, determine one time domain resource from the N time domain resources, and send a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node on the determined time domain resource.

[0170] In other words, for a second node of the first device type, the second node determines a time domain resource from the first N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources and sends a second signal on the determined time domain resource; for a second node of the second device type, the second node determines a time domain resource from the N time domain resources and sends a second signal on the determined time domain resource.

[0171] Method 3: When the second node is a second node of the first device type, a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the first time domain resource of N time domain resources; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, a time domain resource is determined among the N time domain resources, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time domain resource.

[0172] In other words, for a second node of the first device type, the second node determines the first time domain resource among N time domain resources and sends the second signal on the determined time domain resource; for a second node of the second device type, the second node determines one time domain resource among N time domain resources and sends the second signal on the determined time domain resource.

[0173] Here, the clock error or sampling frequency offset (SFO) of the second node of the first device type is higher than that of the second node of the second device type; or, the first device type is a device type that transmits signals using backscattering, and the second device type is a device type that generates and transmits signals internally; or, the power consumption of the first device type is lower than that of the second device type. For example, the power consumption of the second node of the first device type is in the range of 1 microwatt to 100 microwatts, and the power consumption of the second node of the second device type is in the range of 100 microwatts to 10 milliwatts.

[0174] In a specific example, if the second node determines the first transmission resource from N transmission resources, the second node starts transmitting the second signal within the time range from the first delay value to the second delay value after the end time of the first signal; or, the second node starts transmitting the second signal at the third delay value after the end time of the first signal.

[0175] In another specific example, where the second node determines the second transmission resource from N transmission resources, the second node's U(1+e) after the end time of the first signal. 2 +D1 to U(1+e) 2 The second signal is sent within the +D2 time range; or, the second node sends the signal U(1+e) after the end time of the first signal. 2 +D3 starts transmitting the second signal. Here, U is the transmission duration of a second signal, D1 is the first delay value, D2 is the second delay value, D3 is the third delay value, and 0≤e<1.

[0176] In some possible embodiments, after sending the second signal, the second node may also receive a third signal. Here, the third signal includes acknowledgment messages from K second nodes, where K is a positive integer.

[0177] As an example, the minimum interval between the end time of the second signal and the start time of the third signal is the fourth delay value.

[0178] Here, the fourth delay value is equal to z.R2D chip length+t4 or z·D2R chip length+t4; R2D chip length represents the chip length of the downlink signal, D2R chip length represents the chip length of the downlink signal, t4 is greater than or equal to 0, and z is a positive integer.

[0179] For example, z can be an integer multiple of 10, such as z equal to 10, 20, or 40, etc.

[0180] In a specific example, the second node can, based on its own clock, assume that the minimum interval between the end time of the second signal and the start time of the third signal is the fourth delay value.

[0181] For example, the second node may begin receiving the third signal at a fourth delay value no later than the end time of the second signal.

[0182] In some embodiments, the confirmation information of the K second signals is the second identity identifier of the second node among the K second signals, that is, the third signal contains K second identity identifiers.

[0183] In some embodiments, as described above, the last of the S third signals sent by the first node includes first indication information, which indicates that the current third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal. In this case, if the second node receives a third signal containing the first indication information, which indicates that the third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal, the second node can determine that all third signal transmissions in the access resource triggered by the first signal have ended and can stop monitoring the third signal. If no third signal containing the second node's second identifier is received in the access process triggered by the first signal, the second node can determine that the access has failed.

[0184] In a specific example, the third signal could be Message 2 (Msg2) in Ambient IoT.

[0185] In some possible embodiments, if the third signal includes the second node's own confirmation information (or second identity identifier), a fourth signal is sent to the first node. Here, the fourth signal includes the second node's own first identity identifier.

[0186] As an example, the second node may begin transmitting the fourth signal within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the third signal. The first delay value and the second delay value can be specifically referred to in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0187] As another example, the second node may also begin sending the fourth signal at a fifth delay value after the end time of the third signal.

[0188] Here, the fifth delay value equals any one of the following:

[0189] Max(x3·R2D chip length,y3·D2R chip length)+t5;

[0190] x3·R2D chip length + t5;

[0191] y3·D2R chip length+t5;

[0192] R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal; D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; t5 is greater than or equal to 0; x3 and y3 are positive integers.

[0193] In some embodiments, the fifth delay value is greater than or equal to the third delay value described above.

[0194] In a specific example, the second node may start sending the fourth signal based on its own clock within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the third signal; or, the second node may start sending the fourth signal at a fifth delay value after the end time of the third signal.

[0195] In a specific example, the fourth signal could be Message 3 (Msg3) in Ambient IoT.

[0196] In some possible embodiments, as described above, the first node can send a fifth signal to the second node if it fails to parse the identity identifier, instructing the second node to retransmit the second signal. In this case, the method may further include the following steps:

[0197] Step 1d: After sending the second signal to the first node, receive the fifth signal sent by the first node.

[0198] Here, the fifth signal may include second indication information and / or a Media Access Control (MAC) layer Protocol Data Unit (PDU) for instructing the retransmission of the second signal, wherein the second indication information indicates m of the N transmission resources. The fifth signal is used to instruct the second node that sent the second signal on m of the N transmission resources to retransmit the second signal; m is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0199] Step 2d: If there are m transmission resources, including the transmission resources used by itself to send the second signal, resend the second signal to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources.

[0200] For example, within the access resource triggered by the first signal, if the second node receives a fifth signal after sending the second signal using the nth transmission resource out of N transmission resources, and the transmission resource indicated by the second indication information in the fifth signal includes the nth transmission resource, then the second node can determine a transmission resource among the N transmission resources. For example, the second node can randomly select a transmission resource from the N transmission resources and retransmit the second signal using the determined transmission resource. Alternatively, if the fifth signal contains a MAC layer PDU indicating retransmission of the second signal, the second node can retransmit the second signal based on one of the N transmission resources.

[0201] As an example, the second node may begin retransmitting the second signal within a time range from the first delay value to the second delay value after the end time of the fifth signal; or, it may begin retransmitting the second signal at the third delay value after the end time of the fifth signal. The first delay value, the second delay value, and the third delay value can be specifically referred to in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0202] In a specific example, the second node may start sending the second signal based on its own clock, within a time range from the first delay value to the second delay value after the end time of the fifth signal; or, the second node may start sending the second signal at the third delay value after the end time of the first signal.

[0203] In some possible embodiments, the second node may also receive a sixth signal sent by the first node before receiving the first signal sent by the first node.

[0204] Here, the sixth signal and the first signal are transmitted sequentially in the time domain. The minimum interval between the end time of the sixth signal and the start time of the first signal is equal to the sixth delay value. The sixth delay value is less than the second delay value, or the sixth delay value is equal to w·R2D chip length+t6 or w·D2R chip length+t6. w is a positive integer, and t6 is greater than or equal to 0.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second node can determine the value of e based on the device type of the second node. For example, the e value corresponding to the second node of the first device type is greater than the e value corresponding to the second node of the second device type.

[0206] In some embodiments, the sixth signal or paging signal includes third indication information, which is used to indicate at least one of the first resource allocation method and the second resource allocation method.

[0207] Under the first resource allocation method, the second node sends a second signal. After receiving a third signal containing confirmation information of the second signal, it determines to transmit a resource based on the third indication information in the third signal, and sends a fourth signal based on the transmission resource.

[0208] Under the second resource allocation method, the second node sends a second signal, and after receiving a third signal containing confirmation information of the second signal, sends a fourth signal on the transmission resources used by the second signal.

[0209] In some embodiments, at least one of the first delay value, the second delay value, the third delay value, the fourth delay value, the fifth delay value, and the sixth delay value takes different values ​​under different encoding methods or different bit rates.

[0210] For example, the value of at least one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth delay values ​​is determined based on whether forward error correction (FEC) coding or convolutional code (CC) coding is used. For instance, all other things being equal, when using forward error correction (FEC) coding or convolutional code (CC) coding, the value of at least one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth delay values ​​is greater than its value when FEC or CC coding is not used.

[0211] It should be understood that in communication processes involving multiple terminal devices, such as random access, each terminal device needs to send signals at different times, and time intervals need to be reserved between different signals to avoid signal overlap. This results in low transmission efficiency and long processing time. To improve communication efficiency, methods based on Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), or Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) can be considered to enable parallel transmission of uplink signals from multiple devices. However, in passive IoT communication technology, the timing relationship between signal transmission and reception, and how devices determine signal transmission and reception times for the aforementioned TDM, FDM, or CDM transmission methods, require further research.

[0212] The signal transmission method provided in this disclosure provides various time intervals or timing relationships between uplink and downlink signals. It can be used to determine the signal transmission and reception times under TDM, FDM, or CDM transmission modes, enabling uplink signals from multiple devices to be transmitted on the same access resource, realizing initial access based on FDM, TDM, or CDM. It can also be used for multicast services, thereby improving transmission efficiency and reducing communication latency.

[0213] The foregoing primarily describes the solution provided in this disclosure from a methodological perspective. It is understood that each communication node, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithmic steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0214] In an exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides a communication device in the form of a virtual device, which can be applied to the aforementioned first node. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the communication device includes: a first transmitting module 601 and a first receiving module 602.

[0215] The first transmitting module 601 is used to transmit a first signal; the first signal triggers N transmission resources; N is a positive integer.

[0216] The first receiving module 602 is used to receive a second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources.

[0217] In some possible embodiments, the first sending module 601 is further configured to send S third signals after receiving a second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources, where S is a positive integer; the third signals include the second identity identifier of the second node; the last of the S third signals includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the current third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal.

[0218] In other possible embodiments, the first sending module 601 is further configured to send a fifth signal after receiving a second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources; here, the fifth signal includes second indication information, which indicates m of the N transmission resources; m is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

[0219] In an exemplary embodiment, this disclosure also provides another communication device in the form of a virtual device, which can be applied to the second node described above. Figure 7 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the communication device includes: a second receiving module 701 and a second transmitting module 702.

[0220] The second receiving module 701 is used to receive a first signal sent by the first node; the first signal triggers N transmission resources; N is a positive integer.

[0221] The second sending module 702 is used to send a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources.

[0222] In some possible embodiments, the second transmitting module 702 is specifically configured to begin transmitting the second signal within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the first signal.

[0223] In other possible embodiments, the second transmitting module 702 is specifically configured to begin transmitting the second signal at a third delay value after the end time of the first signal.

[0224] In some other possible embodiments, the second sending module 702 is specifically configured to, when the second node is a second node of the first device type, determine a time domain resource from the first N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources, and send a second signal responding to the first signal to the first node on the determined time domain resource; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, determine a time domain resource from the last N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources, and send a second signal responding to the first signal to the first node on the determined time domain resource; or, when the second node is a second node of the first device type, determine a time domain resource from the first N / 2 time domain resources of N time domain resources. The second node is a second device type, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time-domain resource; or, if the second node is a first device type, a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the first time-domain resource of the N time-domain resources; or, if the second node is a second device type, a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the first time-domain resource of the N time-domain resources; if the second node is a second device type, a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time-domain resource.

[0225] In some other possible embodiments, the second receiving module 701 is further configured to receive a third signal after the second sending module 702 sends the second signal; the third signal includes the second identity identifiers of K second nodes, where K is a positive integer.

[0226] In some other possible embodiments, the second receiving module 701 is further configured to stop monitoring the third signal if the third signal includes first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that the current third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal.

[0227] In some other possible embodiments, the second sending module 702 is further configured to send a fourth signal to the first node if the third signal includes the second identity identifier of the second node itself; the fourth signal includes the first identity identifier of the second node itself.

[0228] In some other possible embodiments, the second transmitting module 702 is specifically configured to begin transmitting the fourth signal within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the third signal.

[0229] In some other possible embodiments, the second transmitting module 702 is specifically configured to begin transmitting the fourth signal at a fifth delay value after the end time of the third signal.

[0230] In some other possible embodiments, the second receiving module 701 is further configured to receive a fifth signal sent by the first node after sending the second signal to the first node; the fifth signal includes second indication information, which indicates m transmission resources out of N transmission resources; m is a positive integer less than or equal to N; the second sending module 702 is further configured to resend the second signal to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources if the m transmission resources include the transmission resources used by itself to send the second signal.

[0231] In some other possible embodiments, the second transmitting module 702 is specifically configured to begin retransmitting the second signal within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the fifth signal; or, to begin retransmitting the second signal at a third delay value after the end time of the fifth signal.

[0232] In some other possible embodiments, the second receiving module 701 is further configured to receive a sixth signal sent by the first node before receiving the first signal sent by the first node; here, the minimum interval between the end time of the sixth signal and the start time of the first signal is equal to the sixth delay value; the sixth delay value is less than the second delay value, or the sixth delay value is equal to w·R2D chip length+t6 or w·D2R chip length+t6.

[0233] For a more detailed description of the first transmitting module 601, the first receiving module 602, the second receiving module 701, and the second transmitting module 702, as well as a more detailed description of the various technical features and the beneficial effects, please refer to the corresponding method embodiment section above, which will not be repeated here.

[0234] It should be noted that the modules in Figure 6 or Figure 7 can also be called units; for example, the transmitting module can be called a transmitting unit. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7, the names of the modules may not be those shown in the figures; for example, the receiving module can also be called a communication module, and the transmitting module can also be called a communication module.

[0235] If the units or modules in Figure 6 or Figure 7 are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, in essence, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this disclosure. Storage media for storing computer software products include: USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0236] When the functions of the integrated modules described above are implemented in hardware, FIG8 is a block diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This communication device may be the first node or the second node described above. As shown in FIG8, the communication device includes: a processor 802, a communication interface 803, and a bus 804. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory 801.

[0237] Processor 802 may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure. Processor 802 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure. Processor 802 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0238] The communication interface 803 is used to connect to other devices via a communication network. This communication network can be Ethernet, wireless access network, wireless local area network (WLAN), etc.

[0239] The memory 801 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0240] In one possible implementation, the memory 801 can exist independently of the processor 802. The memory 801 can be connected to the processor 802 via a bus 804 and is used to store instructions or program code. When the processor 802 calls and executes the instructions or program code stored in the memory 801, it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0241] In another possible implementation, the memory 801 can also be integrated with the processor 802.

[0242] Bus 804 can be an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Bus 804 can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used to represent it in Figure 8, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0243] Through the above description of the implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the equipment or device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0244] In an exemplary embodiment, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) including software instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0245] In an exemplary embodiment, this application also provides a computer program product containing computer instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0246] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer-executable instructions. When these computer-executable instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer-executable instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer-executable instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape) or an optical medium (e.g., DVD), etc.

[0247] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple components. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0248] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

[0249] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A signal transmission method, wherein, The method is applied to the first node; the method includes: Send a first signal; the first signal triggers N transmission resources; N is a positive integer; The second signal is received by the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: After receiving the second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources, S third signals are sent, where S is a positive integer; the third signals include the second identity identifier of the second node; the last of the S third signals includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the current third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further includes: After receiving the second signal from the second node in response to the first signal based on N transmission resources, a fifth signal is sent; The fifth signal includes second indication information, which indicates m of the N transmission resources; m is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

4. A signal transmission method, wherein, The method is applied to the second node; the method includes: Receive the first signal sent by the first node; the first signal triggers N transmission resources; N is a positive integer; A second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The sending of a second signal in response to the first signal includes: The second signal is transmitted within a time range from a first delay value to a second delay value after the end time of the first signal; The first delay value and the second delay value satisfy any one of the following: The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length, y1·D2R chip length), and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length, y2·D2R chip length); or, The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length, y1·D2R chip length) + t1, and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length, y2·D2R chip length) + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length; or, The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; x1, y1, x2 and y2 are all positive integers, x1 is less than or equal to x2, y1 is less than or equal to y2; t2 is greater than or equal to 0, t1 is less than 0, or t1 is greater than or equal to 0.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The sending of a second signal in response to the first signal includes: The second signal is transmitted starting at a third delay value after the end time of the first signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The third delay value is equal to any one of the following: Max(x1·R2D chip length,y1·D2R chip length)+t3; x1·R2D chip length+t3; y1·D2R chip length+t3; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal. t3 is greater than or equal to 0; x1 and y1 are positive integers.

8. The method according to claim 5 or 7, wherein, The values ​​of x1 and y1 must satisfy at least one of the following: x1 equals any one of the following: 4, 5, or 6; y1 equals 10 or 20.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The N transmission resources are time-domain resources; the step of sending a second signal in response to the first signal to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources includes: When the second node is a second node of the first device type, a time-domain resource is determined from the first N / 2 time-domain resources of the N time-domain resources, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time-domain resource; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, a time-domain resource is determined from the last N / 2 time-domain resources of the N time-domain resources, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time-domain resource; or, When the second node is a second node of the first device type, a time-domain resource is determined from the first N / 2 time-domain resources of the N time-domain resources, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time-domain resource; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, a time-domain resource is determined from the N time-domain resources, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time-domain resource; or, When the second node is a second node of the first device type, a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the first time domain resource of the N time domain resources; when the second node is a second node of the second device type, a time domain resource is determined among the N time domain resources, and a second signal responding to the first signal is sent to the first node on the determined time domain resource.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein, The method further includes: After sending the second signal, a third signal is received; the third signal includes the second identity identifiers of K second nodes, where K is a positive integer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The minimum interval between the end time of the second signal and the start time of the third signal is the fourth delay value; the fourth delay value is equal to z.R2D chip length+t4 or z·D2R chip length+t4; R2D chip length represents the chip length of the downlink signal, D2R chip length represents the chip length of the downlink signal, t4 is greater than or equal to 0, and z is a positive integer.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, z is an integer multiple of 10.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The method further includes: If the third signal includes first indication information, monitoring of the third signal is stopped; the first indication information is used to indicate that the current third signal is the last third signal in the access process triggered by the first signal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The method further includes: If the third signal includes the second identity identifier of the second node itself, a fourth signal is sent to the first node; the fourth signal includes the first identity identifier of the second node itself.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, Sending the fourth signal to the first node includes: The fourth signal is transmitted within the time range from the first delay value to the second delay value after the end time of the third signal; The first delay value and the second delay value satisfy any one of the following: The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length, y1·D2R chip length), and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length, y2·D2R chip length); or, The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length,y1·D2R chip length)+t1, and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length,y2·D2R chip length)+t2. The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length; or, The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; x1, y1, x2 and y2 are all positive integers, x1 is less than or equal to x2, y1 is less than or equal to y2; t2 is greater than or equal to 0, t1 is less than 0, or t1 is greater than or equal to 0.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein, Sending the fourth signal to the first node includes: The fourth signal is transmitted starting at a fifth delay value after the end time of the third signal; The fifth delay value is equal to any one of the following: Max(x3·R2D chip length,y3·D2R chip length)+t5; x3·R2D chip length + t5; y3·D2R chip length+t5; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal; D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; t5 is greater than or equal to 0; x3 and y3 are positive integers.

17. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 16, wherein, The method further includes: After sending the second signal to the first node, a fifth signal sent by the first node is received; the fifth signal includes second indication information, which indicates m of the N transmission resources; m is a positive integer less than or equal to N; If the m transmission resources include the transmission resources used by itself to send the second signal, the second signal is resent to the first node based on one of the N transmission resources.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The step of retransmitting the second signal to the first node based on the N transmission resources includes: The second signal is retransmitted within the time range from the first delay value to the second delay value after the end time of the fifth signal; or, the second signal is retransmitted at the third delay value after the end time of the fifth signal. The first delay value and the second delay value satisfy any one of the following: The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length, y1·D2R chip length), and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length, y2·D2R chip length); or, The first delay value is equal to Max(x1·R2D chip length,y1·D2R chip length)+t1, and the second delay value is equal to Max(x2·R2D chip length,y2·D2R chip length)+t2. The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length + t1, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length + t2; or, The first delay value is equal to x1·R2D chip length, and the second delay value is equal to x2·R2D chip length; or, The first delay value is equal to y1·D2R chip length, and the second delay value is equal to y2·D2R chip length; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; x1, y1, x2, and y2 are all positive integers, x1 is less than or equal to x2, and y1 is less than or equal to y2; t2 is greater than or equal to 0, and t1 is less than 0, or t1 is greater than or equal to 0. The third delay value is equal to any one of the following: Max(x1·R2D chip length,y1·D2R chip length)+t3; x1·R2D chip length+t3; y1·D2R chip length+t3; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; t3 is greater than or equal to 0; x1 and y1 are positive integers.

19. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 18, wherein, The method further includes: Before receiving the first signal sent by the first node, receive the sixth signal sent by the first node; The minimum interval between the end time of the sixth signal and the start time of the first signal is equal to the sixth delay value; the sixth delay value is less than the second delay value, or the sixth delay value is equal to w·R2D chip length+t6 or w·D2R chip length+t6. The second delay value is equal to any one of the following: Max(x2·R2D chip length,y2·D2R chip length); Max(x2·R2D chip length,y2·D2R chip length)+t2; x2·R2D chip length+t2; y2·D2R chip length+t2; x2·R2D chip length; y2·D2R chip length; R2D chip length represents the chip duration of the downlink signal, and D2R chip length represents the chip duration of the uplink signal; x2 and y2 are both positive integers; t2 is greater than or equal to 0; w is a positive integer, and t6 is greater than or equal to 0.

20. A communication device, wherein, include: Processor and memory; The memory stores instructions that the processor can execute; When the processor is configured to execute the instructions, it causes the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-19.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, include: Software instructions; When the software instructions are executed in the communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-19, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

22. A computer program product, wherein, include: Computer instructions; When the computer instructions are executed in the communication device, the communication device causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-19.

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