Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which can be applied to an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT). The method comprises: a second apparatus sending a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) on a first time-domain resource according to a first period; and sending a paging message on a first paging occasion according to a second period, wherein the paging message is used for paging a first apparatus, the first paging occasion is determined on the basis of the first time-domain resource, the first paging occasion does not overlap with the first time-domain resource, the first period is M times the second period, and M is a positive integer. In the method, a second apparatus can determine a first paging occasion on the basis of a first time-domain resource for sending an SSB, and the first paging occasion does not overlap with the first time-domain resource, thereby achieving the effect of the first paging occasion not conflicting with an SSB resource in a time domain, and facilitating the first apparatus to successfully receive a paging message, and thus improving the paging success rate.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510389723.3, filed on March 28, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, in wireless communication systems, such as 5G new radio (NR) communication systems, terminals can calculate the paging frame (PF) and paging occasion (PO) based on the terminal's identifier, thereby receiving paging.

[0005] However, in ambient IoT (AIoT), the spectral efficiency of AIoT terminals (also known as AIoT devices) is relatively poor, meaning that the amount of data that can be transmitted per unit of resource is small. Therefore, the transmission of public information consumes more resources. For example, for downlink transmission resources in AIoT, transmitting a 20-bit synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) takes approximately 40 milliseconds. If the PF and PO are still calculated using the method in 5G NR communication systems, the probability of resource conflicts between the determined paging resources and public resources (resources used to transmit public information) is high. This may result in terminals failing to receive paging messages, thus reducing the paging success rate. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to reduce the probability of conflict between paging resources and public resources, and to improve the paging success rate.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a second device. The second device is, for example, a network-side communication device, also referred to as a network-side device or a network device. The second device can be applied to a network device or a component of a network device (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system). For example, the second device is, for instance, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a circuit, or a chip system (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of the network device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed within the network device. The network device can be a non-open radio access network (RAN) (open RAN, ORAN) system architecture or an ORAN architecture; or, the network device can be a centralized unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), or radio unit (RU) under an ORAN architecture. The network device is, for example, located on the ground, or the network device is, for example, a non-ground device such as a satellite or an airborne vehicle, or located on a non-ground device such as a satellite or an airborne vehicle. The network device is, for example, an access network device. The method includes: transmitting an SSB on a first time domain resource according to a first period. According to the second cycle, a paging message is sent at the first paging time. The paging message is used to paging the first device. The first paging time is determined based on the first time domain resources, and the first paging time does not overlap with the first time domain resources. The first cycle is M times the second cycle, where M is a positive integer.

[0008] In this technical solution, the first period can also be called the SSB period, and the second period can also be called the paging period. In a scenario where the SSB period is M times the paging period, the second device can determine the first paging timing based on the first time-domain resource used to send the SSB, and this first paging timing does not overlap with the first time-domain resource. That is, this embodiment achieves the effect that the paging timing and the resource used to send the SSB (hereinafter referred to as SSB resource) do not conflict in the time domain, which helps the first device successfully receive the paging message and improves the paging success rate. For example, if the first device is an AIoT device, then the second device can determine the first paging timing that does not overlap with the first time-domain resource, thereby reducing the probability of conflict between the first paging timing and the SSB resource and improving the paging success rate of the AIoT device.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: transmitting system information using a second time-domain resource and transmitting a paging message using a second paging timing. The second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and within this second cycle, the second time-domain resource and the second paging timing do not overlap. Alternatively, a second cycle can be understood as including a second time-domain resource for transmitting public information and a second paging timing for paging. If the second time-domain resource and the second paging timing do not overlap, the second paging timing can be used to transmit a paging message, and the second time-domain resource can also be used to transmit system information. This reduces collisions between paging resources and public resources and improves resource utilization.

[0010] Alternatively, the method further includes: sending system information using a second time-domain resource, but not sending a paging message during a second paging timing. The second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and within this second cycle, the second time-domain resource overlaps with the second paging timing. This can also be understood as a second cycle including a second time-domain resource for sending public information and a second paging timing for paging. If the second time-domain resource overlaps with the second paging timing, the second time-domain resource can be used to send system information, but the second paging timing is not used to send paging messages. This reduces collisions between paging resources and public resources, improving the success rate of public information transmission.

[0011] Alternatively, the method further includes: sending system information using a second time-domain resource, and not sending a paging message during a second paging opportunity. The second paging opportunity is located within a second cycle, and some or all of the second time-domain resource is located within that second cycle. Based on this implementation, if a second time-domain resource exists within a second cycle, the second paging opportunity within that second cycle is not used to send a paging message; or, if a second cycle contains some or all of the second time-domain resource, the second paging opportunity within that second cycle is not used to send a paging message. This alleviates the problem of paging messages failing to be sent due to conflicts between the second paging opportunity and the second time-domain resource, thereby improving the paging success rate.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first paging opportunity is located within a third time-domain resource, where the time interval between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the end time of the first time-domain resource is greater than or equal to zero. Alternatively, the start time of the third time-domain resource can be later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource. Based on this implementation, a third time-domain resource located after the first time-domain resource can be used as the paging resource, achieving the effect that the first time-domain resource and the first paging opportunity do not overlap, and also facilitating the determination of the first paging opportunity in a simpler manner.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first paging timing is determined based on a first time-domain resource, including: a second period determined based on the first time-domain resource; and a third time-domain resource determined based on the second period and a first offset, where the first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period. This implementation provides a new way to determine paging resources. Specifically, the second device can determine the paging period based on the first time-domain resource, and then determine the third time-domain resource based on the paging period and the first offset, so as to send the paging message at the first paging timing within the third time-domain resource. Because the third time-domain resource or the first paging timing does not overlap with the first time-domain resource, the problem of conflict between SSB resources and paging resources is solved, improving the paging success rate.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first offset is predefined or preconfigured, or the SSB includes first indication information used to indicate the first offset. Having the first offset predefined or preconfigured, without requiring configuration by other devices, can reduce signaling overhead. Alternatively, the first offset can be indicated by the SSB; for example, network devices can indicate the same or different first offsets through different SSBs, making the location of the first paging timing more flexible.

[0015] In one possible implementation, M is greater than 1, wherein only one paging resource is included in a first cycle, which is used to send a paging message; or, M paging resources are included in a first cycle, wherein one paging resource may be included in each second cycle within the first cycle. A paging resource can be understood as a resource that includes the paging timing, or as a resource used to transmit a paging message; for example, the aforementioned third time-domain resource can be a paging resource. It can be understood that when M is greater than 1, paging resources can be configured according to the granularity of the first cycle, that is, only one paging resource is included in a first cycle. Alternatively, paging resources can also be configured according to the granularity of the second cycle, that is, one paging resource may be included in a second cycle, thus M paging resources may be included in a first cycle. Based on this implementation, paging resources can be configured more flexibly.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the third time-domain resource includes multiple paging frames, and the first paging opportunity is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames. When M is 1, the first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources within the first period, excluding the first time-domain resource itself. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period. This can be understood as dispersing the duration of the third time-domain resource and allocating the paging opportunities within that duration to different devices. For the first device, the first paging opportunity corresponding to that first device can be determined based on its identifier. Thus, the second device will only send the paging message of the first device at that first paging opportunity, and correspondingly, the first device will only detect the paging message at that first paging opportunity, which helps reduce the time the first device spends detecting the paging message and lowers its power consumption. Furthermore, considering that the start time of the third time-domain resource is later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource, it can be understood that the first offset can achieve the effect of the third time-domain resource's start time being later than or equal to the first time-domain resource's end time. This staggers the third time-domain resource and the SSB resource, alleviating the conflict between SSB resources and paging resources and improving the paging success rate. For example, if the start time of the second cycle is the start time of the first time-domain resource, the first offset can be greater than or equal to the duration of the first time-domain resource to stagger the third time-domain resource and the SSB in the time domain. Alternatively, if the start time of the second cycle is the end time of the first time-domain resource, the first offset can be greater than or equal to zero to stagger the third time-domain resource and the SSB in the time domain.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the second cycle includes multiple paging frames. The start time of the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames is later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource. The first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames. When M is 1, the first paging frame is determined based on the first system frame number (SFN) and a first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second cycle. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second cycle. In this implementation, the first device can have a corresponding first paging timing, so the first device will only detect paging messages at the first paging timing, which helps to reduce the time for the first device to detect paging messages and reduce the power consumption of the first device. In addition, the determination of the first paging frame of the first device can reuse the existing paging frame determination method, and the first paging frame and the first time-domain resource are staggered in the time domain by the first offset to alleviate the problem of conflict between SSB resources and paging resources.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the second period includes multiple paging frames, with the first paging timing located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames. When M is greater than 1, if the first paging frame is located within a second period including the first time-domain resource, the third time-domain resource may include some or all of the remaining time-domain resources within the second period excluding the first time-domain resource; that is, some or all of the remaining resources other than the SSB can be used as the third time-domain resource. In this case, the first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period. Alternatively, when M is greater than 1, if the first paging frame is located within a second period excluding the first time-domain resource, then the first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period. In this case, it can be understood that in the second period excluding the first time-domain resource, since there are no resources for transmitting the SSB, there is no need to offset the paging frame. Alternatively, when M is greater than 1, if the first paging frame is located within a second period excluding the first time-domain resource, the first paging frame is determined based on the first system frame number and the first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period. Based on the above implementation, the determination of the first paging corresponding to the first device can be achieved. Furthermore, in this implementation, the first device can have a corresponding first paging timing, thus the first device will only detect paging messages at that first paging timing, which helps to reduce the duration of paging message detection by the first device and lowers the power consumption of the first device. In addition, the determination of the first paging frame of the first device can consider whether there is a first time-domain resource within the second period, so as to stagger it from the first time-domain resource and alleviate the problem of SSB resource and paging resource conflict.

[0019] In one possible implementation, when M is greater than 1, the first paging opportunity is located within the first paging frame, and the first paging frame is located within the third time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource is the remaining time-domain resource within the first period, excluding the first time-domain resource. This can be understood as using the resources within the first period, excluding the first time-domain resource, as paging resources. One implementation is that each device can have one paging opportunity within a third time-domain resource, which is equivalent to distributing the entire third time-domain resource to different devices. Then, the first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the duration of the third time-domain resource. Another implementation is that the third time-domain resource can be divided into P periods, which is equivalent to each device having P paging opportunities within a third time-domain resource. That is, the third time-domain resource can include P paging frames of the first device, and the first paging frame is one of the P paging frames. The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, the second duration, and the sequence number of the first paging frame among P paging frames. The time difference between any two adjacent paging frames in the P paging frames is the second duration, where P is a positive integer greater than 1. Based on the above implementation, the determination of the first paging corresponding to the first device can be achieved. Furthermore, in this implementation, the first device can have a corresponding first paging timing, thus the first device will only detect paging messages at that first paging timing, which helps reduce the time the first device spends detecting paging messages and lowers the power consumption of the first device. In addition, the first paging frame of the first device avoids the first time domain resources, alleviating the problem of conflict between SSB resources and paging resources.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending first information. The first information is used to indicate a first paging timing. Based on this implementation, the network side can indicate the first paging timing to the first device, and the first device only needs to detect the paging message at the first paging timing, without needing to determine the first paging timing itself, thus reducing the implementation complexity of the first device. Alternatively, the first information includes information for determining the first paging timing. Based on this implementation, the first device can determine the first paging timing itself, without needing the network side to indicate the first paging timing, thus reducing the waste of resources used to indicate the first paging timing.

[0021] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a first device. For example, the first device may be a terminal-side communication device, or a terminal-side device or terminal device. The first device may be applied to a terminal device or a component of a terminal device (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system). For example, the first device may be a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. For example, the first device may be the first device mentioned in the first aspect, or may be included in the first device. In one example, the first device may be a terminal device in AIoT, for example, it may be referred to as an AIoT device. The method includes: receiving an SSB on a first time domain resource according to a first period; detecting a paging message at a first paging timing according to a second period, the first paging timing being determined based on the first time domain resource, the first paging timing not overlapping with the first time domain resource. Wherein, the first period is M times the second period, and M is a positive integer.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving system information in the second time domain resource and detecting a paging message at a second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and the second time domain resource and the second paging timing do not overlap within the second cycle. Alternatively, receiving system information in the second time domain resource and not detecting a paging message at the second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and the second time domain resource and the second paging timing overlap within the second cycle. Alternatively, receiving system information in the second time domain resource and not detecting a paging message at the second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and part or all of the second time domain resource is located within that second cycle.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the time interval between the start time of the third time domain resource and the end time of the first time domain resource is greater than or equal to zero, and the first paging opportunity is located within the third time domain resource.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first paging timing is determined based on a first time-domain resource, including: a second period is determined based on the first time-domain resource, and a third time-domain resource is determined based on the second period and a first offset, wherein the first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first offset is predefined or preconfigured; or, the SSB includes first indication information for indicating the first offset.

[0026] In one possible implementation, M is greater than 1, wherein only one paging resource is included in a first cycle, and the paging resource is used to send a paging message; or, M paging resources are included in a first cycle, wherein one paging resource is included in each second cycle of a first cycle.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the third time-domain resource includes multiple paging frames, with the first paging timing located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, where M is 1. The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources within the first period, excluding the first time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the second period includes multiple paging frames, the start time of the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames is later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource, the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, and M is 1. Wherein,

[0029] The first paging frame is determined based on the first system frame number and the first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second cycle. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the first paging frame and the start time of the second cycle.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the second period includes multiple paging frames, and the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, where M is greater than 1. The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The first paging frame is located within a second period including the first time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources in the second period excluding the first time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period. Alternatively, the first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period, and is located within a second period excluding the first time-domain resource. Alternatively, the first paging frame is determined based on the first system frame number and the first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period, and is located within a second period excluding the first time-domain resource.

[0031] In one possible implementation, M is greater than 1, the first paging timing is within the first paging frame, the first paging frame is within the third time-domain resource, and the third time-domain resource is the remaining time-domain resource excluding the first time-domain resource within the first period. The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the duration of the third time-domain resource. Alternatively, the third time-domain resource includes P paging frames of the first device, and the first paging frame is one of the P paging frames. The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, the second duration, and the sequence number of the first paging frame in the P paging frames. The time difference between any two adjacent paging frames in the P paging frames is the second duration, and P is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate a first paging timing, or the first information including information for determining the first paging timing.

[0033] For the technical effects of the second aspect's implementation method, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect and its corresponding implementation method.

[0034] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be the second device described in the first aspect above, and the communication device possesses the functions of the second device. For example, the communication device can implement the functions described in the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the first aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device is, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module. This chip system or functional module can implement the functions of a network device, and is, for example, disposed within a network device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement both transmitting and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit implements the transmitting function, it can be called a transmitting unit (sometimes also called a transmitting module), and when the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit. This functional module can realize the transmitting and receiving functions; or, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0035] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the transmitting unit) processing unit is configured to transmit a synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) on a first time-domain resource according to a first period. Furthermore, it transmits a paging message at a first paging timing according to a second period. The paging message is used to page the first device. The first paging timing is determined based on the first time-domain resource, and the first paging timing does not overlap with the first time-domain resource. The first period is M times the second period, where M is a positive integer.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the second device described in the first aspect above.

[0037] Fourthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be the first device described in the second aspect above. The communication device possesses the functions of the first device. For example, the communication device can implement the functions described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the second aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The first device is, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the terminal device functions, and is, for example, disposed in the terminal device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the description in the third aspect.

[0038] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive an SSB on a first time-domain resource according to a first period. A paging message is detected at a first paging timing according to a second period, the first paging timing being determined based on the first time-domain resource and not overlapping with the first time-domain resource. The first period is M times the second period, where M is a positive integer.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the first device described in the second aspect above.

[0040] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the first aspect. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, such that when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other communication devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0043] The aforementioned communication device may be a network device, a communication module in a network device, or a chip in a network device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0044] A sixth aspect provides a communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the second aspect above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, such that, when executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second aspect above.

[0045] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other communication devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0046] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0047] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal device, a communication module in a terminal device, or a chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0048] A seventh aspect provides a communication system including a network device. Optionally, the communication system may further include a terminal device. The network device is used to perform the method described in the first aspect, which is executed by the second device. The terminal device is used to perform the method described in the second aspect, which is executed by the first device. For example, the network device may be implemented using the device described in the third or fifth aspect, such as the network device being (or including) the communication device described in the third or fifth aspect. For example, the terminal device may be implemented using the device described in the fourth or sixth aspect, such as the terminal device being (or including) the communication device described in the fourth or sixth aspect.

[0049] For example, a network device is used to transmit a synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) on a first time domain resource according to a first cycle. It also transmits a paging message at a first paging timing according to a second cycle, the paging message being used to page a first device. A terminal device is used to receive an SSB on the first time domain resource according to the first cycle. It also detects the paging message at the first paging timing according to the second cycle. The first paging timing is determined based on the first time domain resource, and the first paging timing does not overlap with the first time domain resource. The first cycle is M times the second cycle, where M is a positive integer.

[0050] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method performed by the first or second means in the preceding aspects to be implemented.

[0051] Ninthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causes the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface to enable the chip system to implement the methods described above.

[0053] Regarding the technical effects of the implementation methods in the third to tenth aspects, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of any one of the first or second aspects and its corresponding implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the interaction between the reader and the tag;

[0055] Figure 2 is an example diagram of a paging mechanism;

[0056] Figure 3 shows an example of resource conflict in AIoT;

[0057] Figures 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0058] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figures 11 to 16 are schematic diagrams of resource configurations provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0060] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] The following explanations of some terms or concepts used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0064] (1) The terminal device mentioned in the embodiments of this application is a device with wireless transceiver function, which may be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile phone), a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built into the above devices. The terminal devices are used to connect people, things, and machines, and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: satellite communication, sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M1M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and terminal devices for indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses). When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0066] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0067] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc.

[0068] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the terminal device function can be a terminal device, which can be a terminal device or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0069] (2) The network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application include, for example, access network devices (or access network elements) and / or core network devices (or core network elements). Access network devices (or access network elements) may sometimes also be referred to as RAN devices, RAN nodes, RAN entities, or access nodes, etc. The access network device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, used to communicate with the terminal device. The access network device includes, but is not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations, BTS, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, access point (AP) or next-generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), base stations evolved from the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base station may be: macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small cell, relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmit / receive points. The access network equipment can also be a radio controller, CU, and / or DU in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network equipment can also be a server, etc. For example, network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network equipment. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations using different access technologies.

[0070] In a CU-DU architecture, or in an ORAN system, access network equipment may include one or more logical network elements such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a RU. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs may be included in radio frequency (RF) equipment or RF units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0071] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-CP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples in its embodiments. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0072] Optionally, in various embodiments of this application, if the access network device is a distributed architecture, for example, the access network device includes CU and DU, or includes CU-CP, CU-UP and DU, then the access network device sends information to the UE, specifically the DU included in the access network device sends information to the UE; the access network device receives information from the UE, specifically the DU included in the access network device receives information from the UE.

[0073] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement. For example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, or Physical (PHY) layer). As another example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as one or more of the RLC, MAC, or PHY layers).

[0074] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0075] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0076] When the RAN is O-RAN, it can also have artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For example, O-RAN includes an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller can be a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / non-RT RIC / NRT RIC) or a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / near-RT RIC / nRT RIC). A non-real-time RIC can be used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions, enabling workflows including model training and model updates, and guiding applications / functions in the nRT RIC based on policies. A near-real-time RIC can be used to implement near-real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved.

[0077] Core network equipment can be devices that process and forward user signaling and data, such as those used to implement functions like mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and charging. The names of the devices implementing core network functions may differ in communication systems using different access technologies, and this application does not limit this. Taking a 4G communication system as an example, the core network equipment can be a mobility management entity (MME) and / or a serving gateway (S-GW). Taking a 5G communication system as an example, the core network equipment may include, for example, an AMF, a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM), or a user plane function (UPF).

[0078] In this application embodiment, a network element can also be referred to as an entity or a functional entity. For example, an AMF network element can also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF functional entity. Optionally, the device name mentioned in this application embodiment can omit "network element". For example, AMF network element and AMF have the same meaning.

[0079] In this application embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be referred to as a network apparatus. This network apparatus can be a network element, a network device, or an apparatus capable of supporting the network device or network element in implementing the function, such as a chip system. This apparatus can be installed within the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device is described as a network device (for example, the apparatus for implementing the functions of an access network device is an access network device, and the apparatus for implementing the functions of a core network device is a core network device).

[0080] (3) Devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) system.

[0081] Currently, IoT is receiving significant attention. For IoT scenarios, reducing device size and complexity is expected to increase the number of devices that can be accommodated in the IoT environment. IoT can be, for example, AIoT (also known as A-IoT). AIoT stands for Ambient Internet of Things, also called Environmental Powered Internet of Things or Passive IoT, or it can be understood as AIoT including passive IoT. Here, "source" refers to a power source or energy source, and "passive" means not connected to an external energy source (e.g., without a battery or with limited energy storage). Terminal devices in AIoT are passive. Passive terminal devices do not mean that they do not use energy (e.g., electrical energy), but rather that they obtain energy in a different way. AIoT devices can collect energy from the environment (e.g., radio waves, solar energy, wind power, vibration, heat, etc.) for service and communication, resulting in lower power consumption.

[0082] An AIoT system or an AIoT-based system may include AIoT devices. An AIoT device may be a device with AIoT terminal device functionality. For example, AIoT devices may include those that do not require batteries or have limited energy storage. For instance, AIoT devices may include two types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 AIoT devices have an output power consumption of approximately 1 μW, some energy storage capacity, and no downlink or uplink signal amplification capability. Type 1 devices can only transmit information through backscattering of an externally provided carrier wave and cannot generate signals themselves. Type 2 AIoT devices have a peak power of no more than several hundred μW, energy storage capacity, and the ability to amplify downlink and / or uplink signals. Type 2 AIoT devices can generate signals themselves or through backscattering of an external carrier wave. Alternatively, AIoT devices may also include other types of devices, such as those without energy storage capacity, without limitation. In this embodiment, "energy storage" can also be understood as capacity storage.

[0083] AIoT devices can perform business with corresponding devices, where the AIoT device can act as a device. This corresponding device can be called a reader, or a reader / writer, or a readout device, for example, a network device or a UE can act as a reader. Here, "device" can also be replaced with IoT devices such as a UE, a tag, or an AIoT tag; the reader can also be replaced with a network device or a UE such as an interrogator. Both the reader / writer and the AIoT device can be implemented based on cellular network infrastructure. In other words, both the reader / writer and the AIoT device can be devices within a cellular network. For example, the function of the reader / writer can be implemented by a network device, such as a base station. The AIoT terminal device can be implemented by a terminal device within a cellular network, such as an ultra-low power, ultra-low complexity IoT terminal. The network device and the terminal device can perform contactless data communication, thereby reading information from the terminal device and / or writing information that needs to be stored into the terminal device. It can be understood that in this application, the network device can have the function of a reader / writer; the terminal device has the function of a tag, or the terminal device can be a terminal device in an AIoT or IoT system.

[0084] Tags can also be called electronic tags, RFID tags, or tag devices, or AIoT terminal devices or AIoT devices. In this application, a tag can also be used as a terminal device. For example, a tag implemented through an AIoT device can also be called an AIoT tag or AIoT device. In some scenarios, AIoT devices can be embedded in third-party products to facilitate the querying of information about those products. In the embodiments of this application, the tag can communicate with network devices as a terminal device. Here, "tag" is just an optional name, and this name may change; for example, "AIoT tag" may be changed to other names. This application does not limit the name. For ease of description, the term "tag" will continue to be used as an example below.

[0085] In classification method 1, tags can be divided into three categories: passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags. Passive and semi-passive tags can use reflection-based communication methods, while active tags use actively generated carrier communication methods.

[0086] In classification method 2, tags can also be divided into three categories: Device A, Device B, and Device C. Device A has no energy storage and cannot generate signals independently; it uses backscattering to transmit signals and can be called a passive device. Device B has energy storage but cannot generate signals independently; it also uses backscattering to transmit signals, but the energy stored in Device B can amplify the reflected signal, so it can be called a semi-passive device. Device C has energy storage, can generate signals independently, and has active radio frequency components for transmission; it can be called an active device. Devices A and B cannot actively initiate information reporting requests; they can only passively trigger reporting. Device C can actively initiate information reporting requests, for example, by accessing the network and reporting information using a method similar to the UE access procedure.

[0087] The AIoT tags in this application embodiment can be classified according to classification method 1 or classification method 2, and this application embodiment is applicable to any category of AIoT tags under classification method 1 or classification method 2. Alternatively, the AIoT tags in this application embodiment are not classified according to these two classification methods, but are classified according to the aforementioned classification method for AIoT devices, and this application embodiment is applicable to any category of AIoT tags under this classification method. Alternatively, the AIoT tags in this application embodiment may also have other classification methods or may not be classified at all, and there are no restrictions on this.

[0088] The tag uses a low-precision, low-power mid-to-low frequency ring oscillator or a completely oscillator-free method to receive downlink signals. When the tag is operating, the communication energy and / or carrier wave are supplied by the reader, and communication is based on reflected carrier waves. The reader involved in this embodiment can be a handheld or fixed device for reading or writing tag information, or it can be understood as a device communicating with the tag. The reader can be a terminal device, an access network device, or a device with read / write capabilities. The reader can also be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node or a relay node. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the reader can send a carrier signal to the tag, and the tag receives the carrier signal through an antenna. The solid line in Figure 1 represents the carrier signal sent by the reader, and the dashed line represents the reflected signal transmitted by the tag based on the carrier signal reflection. The tag can adjust the information to be transmitted in the reflected signal. Through the above method, the tag uses a low-precision, low-power mid-to-low frequency ring oscillator or a completely oscillator-free method to receive downlink signals, which further reduces the power consumption of the tag's downlink reception. Optionally, the carrier can also be understood as an excitation signal. The carrier can be sent by a device other than the reader. In this case, the reader in Figure 1 can be replaced by other devices that can serve as an excitation source, such as a carrier wave node.

[0089] A tag is a miniature wireless transceiver device, mainly consisting of a built-in tag antenna, coupling element, and chip. The tag's chip contains storage space that enables a reader to read or write tag data. After receiving radio frequency signals transmitted by the reader through the antenna, the tag can couple these signals through the coupling element. This coupling channel allows power to be supplied to the tag's chip, and the data stored in the chip can be fed back to the reader through the antenna. A communication network based on cellular network infrastructure, including readers and tags, can be called a passive IoT network, or AIoT.

[0090] AIoT can be applied to a variety of scenarios. For example, in logistics and warehousing, tags (such as AIoT tags) can be used for inventory and tracking of goods, and to monitor the status of goods during transportation. In industrial manufacturing, tags can be used to monitor the status of the environment and equipment. Furthermore, AIoT can be considered for other consumer-facing businesses, such as managing user assets. By locating tags through inventory processes or other similar processes, users can determine whether their items are lost and in what area, thereby enabling AIoT-based item retrieval.

[0091] In AIoT, communication from the reader to the tag (e.g., an AIoT tag) can be called reader-to-device (R2D) communication, and communication from the tag to the reader can be called device-to-reader (D2R) communication. In AIoT, tags (e.g., AIoT tags) and readers can collaboratively execute AIoT services, which may include at least one of the following: inventory management, command processing, sensing, and positioning. When executing a command service, the tag and reader can perform at least one of the following operations: read, write, kill or disable, delete, or lock.

[0092] Inventory management, also known as data collection, involves using a reader to connect to tags within its coverage area. Successfully connected tags need to send their unique identifier (identifiable by the network, such as the EPC in RFID) to the reader. During inventory management, an inventory operation is performed between the tag and the reader. For example, the reader can retrieve the tag's identifier using commands such as query and acknowledge (ACK). To facilitate tag inventory, tags can include four session identifiers (S0-S3), each corresponding to two inventory states, A and B, indicated by a session inventory flag. When the reader selects a tag, the select command sent to that tag can carry a session identifier, which the tag can store. When the reader performs an inventory operation on the tag, the query command sent to the tag will include the session identifier, at which point the tag can flip the inventory state corresponding to that session identifier from A to B. If the reader sends a query command to perform an inventory operation again, the tag will not respond to the reader because the inventory status of the tag is B, thus avoiding the same tag being inventoryed multiple times in one inventory cycle.

[0093] Read operations can read the electronic product code (EPC) or tag identifier (TID) in the tag's memory, or read the content stored in the tag's reserved area or the content stored in the user's memory area.

[0094] A write operation allows writing to the tag's storage area. For example, a reader can send instructions and data to a tag, instructing the tag to write the data to its own storage area.

[0095] Deactivation or deletion operations can render a tag permanently unusable. For example, in logistics and warehousing scenarios, tags can be attached to goods. When goods leave the warehouse, the tag can be deactivated or deleted, effectively removing the tag from the warehouse and rendering it unusable.

[0096] Locking operations can lock the information of a tag to prevent read or write operations on that tag. Alternatively, locking operations can also lock the tag's storage area to prohibit read or write operations on that storage area. For example, a reader can send a command to the tag instructing it to lock a specified address in the storage area, making the content at that address immutable and / or unreadable.

[0097] Sensing services, also known as interconnected sensing services, are used to report sensing data. Sensing data can be, for example, environmental sensing data such as temperature or humidity.

[0098] Location services can be used to report locations.

[0099] The above are just examples. Other business processes or operations can be performed between the tag and the reader, which will not be illustrated here.

[0100] (4) Synchronization

[0101] Synchronization can include at least one of time synchronization or frequency synchronization. Time synchronization adjusts clock values ​​distributed in different locations to a certain degree of accuracy or conformity by comparing time points; the former is called absolute time synchronization, and the latter is called relative time synchronization. Frequency synchronization adjusts the rate values ​​of frequency sources distributed in different locations to a certain degree of accuracy or conformity by comparing frequency points; the former is called relative frequency synchronization, and the latter is called relative frequency synchronization. Through time and / or frequency synchronization (hereinafter referred to as time-frequency synchronization), the time / frequency deviation of the crystal oscillators of terminal devices and network devices can be corrected to ensure the accuracy of data transmission. For example, time-frequency synchronization can be based on a synchronization signal, which can be a reference signal or a signal specifically for synchronization.

[0102] For example, reference signals that can be used for time-frequency synchronization include the SSB. The SSB includes the synchronization signal (SS) and the PBCH. The SS can include the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and the secondary synchronization signal (SSS). During the process of detecting the SSB, the terminal device first detects the PSS on a given carrier frequency. Once the PSS is detected, it synchronizes to the PSS period. Furthermore, once the terminal device detects the PSS, since the structure of the SSB is predefined, it also knows the resource locations of the SSS and PBCH. By detecting the SSS on the corresponding resources, the terminal device can determine the physical cell identity (PCI) of the cell. The information carried by the PBCH is called the master information block (MIB), which contains information such as the system frame number (SFN), cell occupancy identifier, and system information block (SIB) parameter set. The terminal device needs to use this information to obtain the remaining system information broadcast by the network device.

[0103] Network devices can periodically send SSBs, and terminal devices synchronize with the network devices by detecting SSBs. For example, when a terminal device performs initial access or random access, it needs to perform cell search based on SSBs. In order for the terminal device to find a cell, each network device will periodically send an SSB. That is, the SSB is a periodically sent common signal, and the period of the SSB can be flexibly set between 5ms and 160ms. Since the network device does not know the access time of the terminal device, in order to enable the terminal device to quickly find a cell when it powers on and moves within the system, the default SSB sending period is 20ms. When using network power-saving technologies, the SSB period is lengthened; for example, the SSB period length may be extended to 1000ms.

[0104] In wireless communication systems, such as NR systems, coverage enhancement is achieved by using more antennas. However, more antennas result in very narrow beams being radiated, and a single narrow beam is insufficient to cover the entire cell. Therefore, NR networks can transmit Service SSBs (SSBs) in a beam scanning manner, that is, by using time-division multiplexing to transmit different SSBs on different beams, thereby covering the entire cell. In other words, network devices can transmit one beam direction at a certain time and transmit different beams at multiple times to cover the required direction for the entire cell. For a terminal device located in a specific downlink beam direction, it can only receive one SSB and is unaware that other SSBs are being transmitted within the cell.

[0105] The set of SSBs in a beam scan is called a synchronization signal burst set or SSB burst set. The time to complete one SSB beam scan can be called the transmission time of one SSB burst set, and the period of the SSB can be considered as the period of the synchronization signal burst set. For different subcarrier spacings, the maximum number of SSBs included in one SSB beam scan (or one SSB burst set) varies. For example, in frequency bands below 3 GHz with a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, a burst set can contain a maximum of 4 SSBs, meaning a maximum of 4 beams can be scanned.

[0106] (5) Paging

[0107] In wireless communication systems, such as NR systems, to achieve the lowest possible power consumption, terminal devices can switch to energy-saving states when there is no service activity, such as entering an idle or inactive state. In this state, the terminal device enters a deep sleep state, and some functions are no longer maintained; for example, the terminal device disconnects from the control plane. When there is service activity, network devices can wake up the terminal device via paging messages. These paging messages are carried in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), and the resources of the PDSCH are indicated by scrambling the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) with a Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI). Correspondingly, if the terminal device wants to receive paging messages, it needs to periodically wake up and check the PDCCH. If a PDCCH scrambled with P-RNTI is detected, the paging message is obtained from the resources indicated by the downlink control information (DCI) in that PDCCH. The paging message carries the identifiers of one or more terminal devices. The terminal device determines whether the paging message is for itself based on whether its own identifier is carried in the paging message. If it is for itself, the terminal device triggers a random access procedure and enters the connected state.

[0108] Terminal devices periodically wake up to detect the PDCCH, meaning they only receive paging messages at fixed time-domain locations. These fixed time-domain locations are called POs, and the radio frames containing these POs are called PFs. See Figure 2 for an example of a paging mechanism. Here, T represents the paging period, or discontinuous reception (DRX) period. Within one DRX period, the terminal device has one corresponding PO. One T can contain N PFs, as shown in Figure 2, where PF0, PF1…PFk are PF numbers, and N = k + 1. Each PF can include Ns POs. One PO can be a subframe, as shown in Figure 2, where PF1 can be divided into multiple POs. One PO is also one PDCCH monitoring occasion (PMO), and one PO can consist of multiple slots. On one PO, the network device can send paging messages on S beams, and the paging messages sent on each beam are identical. A beam, also known as an SSB beam, has different beam directions. Terminal devices located in the corresponding beam direction can receive paging messages on that beam. Generally, a single PO can support paging up to 32 UEs.

[0109] Currently, terminal devices can determine the PF and PO using formulas based on the terminal device's identifier. For example, the formulas are as follows: (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) * (UE_ID mod N) i_s = floor(UE_ID / N) mod Ns

[0110] In this context, SFN represents the system frame number of the PF, PF_offset is the offset between the start time of PF 0 and T, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal device, and i_s represents the index of the PO. Based on the above formula, the terminal device can calculate the system frame number of the PF and the index of the PO, thereby successfully locating the PO location corresponding to the terminal device. Currently, in the protocol, the values ​​of N and PF_offset can be defined in the paging control channel (PCCH) configuration, such as in the PCCH-Config field descriptions. The value of N can be T, T / 2, T / 4, T / 8, or T / 16, and different values ​​of N correspond to different sets of PF_offset values.

[0111] (6) In the embodiments of this application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0112] (7) In the embodiments of this application, “when…”, “if”, and “if” all refer to the device making a corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a time, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, “if” and “if” can be replaced, and “when…” and “in the case of…” can be replaced. “When…” and “if” / “if” can be replaced.

[0113] (8) In the embodiments of this application, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order of steps. In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present a concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably; it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent when their differences are not emphasized.

[0114] (9) In the embodiments of this application, "storage" or "preservation" may refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be separately configured or integrated into an encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some of the memories may be separately configured, while others may be integrated into a decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium, and this is not limited.

[0115] (10) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include sending directly through the air interface or sending indirectly through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the sender of the information being YY, which may include receiving directly from YY through the air interface or receiving indirectly from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within devices, such as sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0116] (11) In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" may include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0117] In this embodiment, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information units, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information units can be the same or different.

[0118] (12) In the embodiments of this application, "predefined" may mean a standard protocol predefined, or it may mean that the devices have agreed or negotiated in advance. Here, "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as fourth generation (4G) network protocols, fifth generation (5G) network protocols, new radio (NR) protocols, 5.5G network protocols, and related protocols applied in future communication networks. This application does not limit this.

[0119] The terms and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application have been introduced above. The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0120] In AIoT, some AIoT tags (such as device C) have poor spectral efficiency, requiring more resources to transmit the same amount of data compared to NR communication systems. This results in higher resource consumption for the transmission of public information in AIoT. If the PF and PO are calculated using the methods employed in NR communication systems, the probability of resource conflicts between the determined paging resources and public resources is high. If resource conflicts occur, AIoT tags may fail to receive paging messages, thus reducing the paging success rate.

[0121] For example, transmitting 20 bits of SSB (Segmented Subsystem Bus) takes approximately 40ms for downlink (i.e., from network device to terminal device) transmission resources. Additionally, AIoT tags need to support receiving necessary system information, such as SIB1. Transmitting system information still consumes significant downlink resources; currently, the length of system information is approximately 160ms, with a period of 2560ms. Figure 3 illustrates an example of resource conflict in AIoT. After configuring SSB and SIB1 resources, the available paging resources are limited within a paging cycle. If PF and PO are calculated using the current method, there will be numerous collisions between paging resources and common resources, thus affecting the paging success rate.

[0122] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method to reduce collisions between paging resources and public resources, thereby improving the paging success rate.

[0123] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) communication systems, as well as fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, such as 5G new radio (NR) communication systems, or various communication systems evolving after 5G, such as future communication systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to Bluetooth systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, long-range radio (LoRa) systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), such as satellite communication systems. For example, it can be applied to transparent satellite architectures, backhaul satellite architectures, or regenerative satellite architectures, etc., without limitation.

[0124] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication system includes a network device and an AIoT device. The AIoT device can be a standalone device or integrated with a terminal device, i.e., the AIoT device is part of the terminal device. In this communication system, the network device can function as a reader in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. The network device can communicate with the AIoT device as a reader, and the communication interface between the network device and the AIoT device is a UU interface, i.e., air interface communication. In Figure 4, the AIoT device and the network device can communicate directly bidirectionally. The network device can include a network device that sends data to the AIoT device and a network device that receives data from the AIoT device; that is, there is uplink and downlink data and / or signaling between the network device and the AIoT device. The communication between the AIoT device and the network device includes environmental IoT data and / or signaling.

[0125] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system includes a network device, an intermediate node, and an AIoT device. The network device and the AIoT device can communicate bidirectionally through the intermediate node, which can also be called a relay node, used to forward information between the network device and the AIoT device. The intermediate node can be a repeater, an IAB node, or a UE, or other devices such as the network device. For example, if the network device is located outdoors, and the terminal device and the AIoT device are located indoors, the outdoor network device communicates with the indoor AIoT device through the indoor intermediate node. The intermediate node transmits environmental IoT data and / or signaling between the network device and the AIoT device. In this communication system, the network device can have the function of a reader / writer in an RFID system. The AIoT device sends data and / or signaling to the intermediate node, and the intermediate node then sends this information to the network device through a UU interface. The AIoT device can connect to the intermediate node through the UU interface, and the intermediate node can then connect to the network device through the UU interface.

[0126] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate schematic diagrams of another communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the communication system includes a network device, an auxiliary node, and an AIoT device. One-way communication in one direction is possible between the network device and the AIoT device, and communication in the other direction can be achieved through the auxiliary node. As shown in Figure 6A, the AIoT device can send data and / or signaling to the network device and receive data and / or signaling from the auxiliary node; that is, the network device can first send data and / or signaling to the auxiliary node, which then sends it to the AIoT device. As shown in Figure 6A, the AIoT device can receive data and / or signaling from the network device and send data and / or signaling to the auxiliary node, so that the data and / or signaling can be sent to the network device through the auxiliary node. The auxiliary node can be a repeater, an IAB node, or a UE, or other devices such as a network device.

[0127] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication system includes a terminal device and an AIoT device. The AIoT device can be a standalone device, or it can be integrated with the terminal device, i.e., the AIoT device is part of the terminal device. In this communication system, the terminal device can function as a reader in an RFID system, meaning the terminal device can communicate with the AIoT device as a reader, and communication between the terminal device and the AIoT device can be achieved through a sidelink.

[0128] In this embodiment, the communication system including network devices, terminal devices, and AIoT devices can also be a discrete architecture system. As shown in Figure 8, in this communication system, network devices and terminal devices can communicate directly. Furthermore, there can be an uplink connection between the AIoT device and the network device, and a downlink connection between the AIoT device and the terminal device. The terminal device can transmit information to the AIoT device, which then forwards the information to the network device. Alternatively, there can be a downlink connection between the AIoT device and the network device, and an uplink connection between the AIoT device and the terminal device. The network device can transmit information to the AIoT device, which then forwards the information to the terminal device. Optionally, the energy required for the AIoT device to transmit information can be provided by an excitation signal, which can come from the network device, the terminal device, or other devices besides the network device and the terminal device.

[0129] In a discrete architecture system, in one implementation, the terminal device can send data to the AIoT device. The terminal device or network device provides a carrier signal, and the AIoT device generates or transmits an uplink signal based on the carrier signal and sends this uplink signal to the network device. This uplink signal may include data sent by the AIoT device to the network device; this data can be the AIoT device's own data or data received from the terminal device. In another implementation, the network device can send data to the AIoT device. The terminal device or network device provides a carrier signal, and the AIoT device generates a downlink signal based on the carrier signal and sends this downlink signal to the terminal device. This downlink signal may include data sent by the AIoT device to the terminal device; this data can be the AIoT device's own data or data received from the network device.

[0130] Another type of architecture is the direct connection architecture, in which AIoT devices and network devices can directly transmit data. When an AIoT device sends an uplink signal to a network device, the carrier signal used to generate the uplink signal is provided by the terminal device.

[0131] This application also applies to O-RAN architecture. As shown in Figure 9, an O-RAN system may include access network equipment, terminal equipment, and core network equipment. An O-RAN system may include other components besides those shown in the figure. As shown in Figure 9, the access network equipment (e.g., an eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network equipment) communicates with the core network equipment via a backhaul link and with the terminal equipment via an air interface.

[0132] For example, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network equipment can communicate with the core network via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network equipment can communicate with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one of at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link. In the ORAN system, the CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), and the DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU).

[0133] The network architecture and communication processes described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, and modules in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, and modules in other communication systems without limitation.

[0134] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps.

[0135] The methods in this embodiment can be executed by a first device and a second device. The steps executed by the first device can be performed by an AIoT device or a terminal device, or by a component of the AIoT device or terminal device (such as a communication module, baseband chip, or other processing unit or processor), or by a logic module or software that performs some or all of the functions of the AIoT device or terminal device. For example, the steps executed by the first device can be performed by the AIoT device or terminal device, or by the communication module, baseband chip, or SoC chip containing a modem core of the AIoT device or terminal device. The steps executed by the second device can be performed by a network device, an access network device, or a terminal device, or by a component of the network device, access network device, or terminal device (such as a communication module, baseband chip, or other processing unit or processor), or by a logic module or software that performs some or all of the functions of the network device, access network device, or terminal device. For example, the second device can be an access network device, and the steps executed by the second device can be performed by the access network device, or by a CU, DU, or RU that performs some of the functions of the access network device. For example, the first device can be a terminal device, and the steps performed by the second device can be performed by the terminal device, or by a communication module, baseband chip, or SoC chip containing a modem core that performs some functions of the terminal device. If the second device is a terminal device, the terminal device can act as a relay to send network-side information to the first device. As an example, the first device can be an AIoT device, such as device C.

[0136] The various embodiments of this application can be applied to the network architecture shown in any of Figures 4 to 9. For example, the second device described in the various embodiments herein can be a network device in any of Figures 4, 5, 6A, 6B, or 8, or an access network device in Figure 9, or a terminal device in Figure 7. The first device described in the various embodiments herein can be an AIoT device in any of Figures 4 to 8.

[0137] It is understood that this application does not specifically limit the structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. It can be applied to modules in the first device or the second device, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. The following description takes the interaction between the first device and the second device as an example.

[0138] In the embodiments of this application, the solutions in each embodiment can be used in a reasonable combination, and the explanations or descriptions of various terms, similar operations, or steps occurring in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the embodiments, without limitation.

[0139] In various embodiments of this document, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, when the second device is an access network device, the processing performed by the second device can be divided into at least one execution entity among CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0140] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0141] Step 1001: The second device sends the first information to the first device.

[0142] Optionally, the first information can be used to indicate a first PO, which is used to transmit paging messages. This can be understood as the second device configuring a first PO for the first device. After the first PO is configured, the second device can send paging messages on the first PO, and the first device can also detect paging messages on the first PO. In this case, the first device does not need to determine the corresponding PO itself, reducing the implementation complexity of the first device. Optionally, indicating the first PO with the first information can be understood as indicating the time-domain location of the first PO. Optionally, the frequency-domain resources on the first PO used for transmitting paging messages can be predefined or pre-configured, or they can be indicated to the first device by the second device. By indicating the first PO with the first information, the first PO can be accurately indicated to the first device, allowing for precise scheduling of the first PO. Optionally, the first information can indicate multiple POs, meaning that in addition to the first PO, other POs can also be indicated. It can also be understood that the first information can indicate a type of PO, and all POs of this type are called the first PO. That is, the first PO can refer to a type of PO, such as a public PO or a PO of a specific terminal. Thus, the first device can detect paging messages on this type of PO, thereby eliminating the need for scheduling for each PO and reducing signaling overhead.

[0143] Optionally, the first information may further include information for determining the first PO. This can be understood as the paging resource being determined based on specific rules or determination methods. The second device can notify the first device of these rules or methods, allowing the first device to determine the paging resource independently without configuration by the second device, thus reducing signaling overhead. Optionally, the first information may also be predefined or preconfigured, without specific limitations. This application provides various PO configuration methods, and the first information may differ under different configuration methods, which will be described in detail later. Optionally, the information used to determine the first PO under each configuration method may include one or more pieces of information (or parameters). The first information may include some or all of the one or more pieces of information, and the remaining parts may be predefined or preconfigured.

[0144] Optionally, the first information may be included in RRC signaling, SSB, or SIB, or the first information may be predefined or preconfigured. If the first information is carried in the SSB, steps 1001 and 1002 can be combined.

[0145] Since the determination of the first PO can also be based on predefined or preconfigured information, step 1001 is an optional step and is therefore shown as a dashed line in Figure 10.

[0146] Step 1002: The second device transmits an SSB on the first time domain resource according to the first cycle. Correspondingly, the first device receives an SSB on the first time domain resource according to the first cycle.

[0147] SSB can also be replaced with other synchronization signals without restriction. In different scenarios, SSB can also be renamed. For example, in AIoT scenarios, SSB can retain the name SSB from the 5G NR communication system, or a new name can be set; for example, a potential name could be A-SSB (AIoT SSB), without specific restrictions.

[0148] The first cycle refers to the transmission cycle of the SSB. It can also be called the SSB period. For ease of understanding, the SSB period will be used as an example in the following explanation. The SSB period can be, for example, 320ms, 160ms, or other values; there are no specific restrictions. The first time-domain resource is the resource used to transmit (send or receive) the SSB; it can also be called the SSB resource. The first time-domain resource can be understood as a specific resource. For example, an SSB cycle can include one SSB resource, and the first time-domain resource can refer to the SSB resource within an SSB cycle. Alternatively, the first time-domain resource can also be understood as a type of resource; that is, any resource used to transmit the SSB can be called a first time-domain resource, and there is one first time-domain resource within each SSB cycle. The duration of the first time-domain resource can be any possible value. As an example, the duration of the first time-domain resource can be 40ms.

[0149] Step 1003: The second device sends a paging message to the first PO according to the second cycle. Correspondingly, the first device detects the paging message at the first PO according to the second cycle. This paging message is used to page the first device. The first device may be, for example, the first device itself, or may be included in the first device. In different scenarios, the paging message may have different names; for example, in AIoT, the paging message may also be called an AIoT paging message, and there is no specific limitation.

[0150] The second cycle refers to the paging resource cycle, or the cycle of the first PO. The second cycle can also be called the paging cycle. For ease of understanding, the paging cycle will be used as an example in the following description. In this embodiment, the SSB cycle is M times the paging cycle, where M is a positive integer. That is, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the SSB cycle, and the SSB cycle is an integer multiple of the paging cycle. Therefore, this paging cycle can also be called the medium paging cycle, or the solution in this embodiment can be applied to medium paging scenarios. The paging cycle can be, for example, 320ms, 160ms, 80ms, or other values, without specific limitations. For example, if the SSB cycle is 320ms, the paging cycle can be 320ms or 160ms.

[0151] In this embodiment, the first PO can be determined based on the first time-domain resource, and the first PO does not overlap with the first time-domain resource. This can be understood as providing a new method for determining the PO, namely, determining the first PO based on the first time-domain resource, and ensuring that the first PO does not overlap with the first time-domain resource. This alleviates the conflict between SSB resources and paging resources, helps improve the success rate of paging message transmission, and increases the paging success rate.

[0152] Alternatively, it can be understood that, to address the potential collision between SSB resources and paging resources, this embodiment reconfigures SSB resources and paging resources in the time domain. For example, SSB resources can be configured first in the time domain, and then paging resources can be configured in blank spaces in the time domain. This ensures that SSB resources and paging resources do not conflict in the time domain, thereby improving the paging success rate. Furthermore, after this configuration, it can be understood that there is a certain positional relationship between SSB resources and paging resources. Therefore, the position of paging resources can be determined based on this positional relationship and the SSB resources. For example, if an SSB resource is a first time domain resource and a paging resource is a first PO, the first PO can be determined based on the first time domain resource.

[0153] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, paging resources can be understood as time-domain resources, or simply as PO or resources with PO. This application does not limit the location of paging resources in the frequency domain. For example, the frequency-domain resources included in paging resources can be configured by the second device to the first device, or they can be predefined or pre-configured.

[0154] Optionally, the second device determines the first PO based on the first time-domain resource, or in other words, the paging resource based on the SSB resource, which can be done before sending the SSB. For example, before sending the SSB, the second device can determine which resources can be used to transmit paging messages based on the relationship between the SSB resource and the paging resource, and then the paging message can be sent on these resources subsequently. For example, if one SSB resource is the first time-domain resource and one paging resource is the first PO, the first PO can be determined based on the first time-domain resource before sending the SSB, and then the paging message can be sent on the first PO. If the second device determines the paging resource before sending the SSB, it can also be understood that the second device has pre-determined the paging resource information, such as generating a paging resource map, then the second device can send the paging message based on the paging resources in the map, or it can also save the paging resource information in other forms.

[0155] Alternatively, the second device may determine the first PO based on the first time domain resource, either simultaneously with or after sending the SSB. For example, the second device may determine the first PO based on the first time domain resource, either simultaneously with or after sending the SSB, and thus can send a paging message on the first PO.

[0156] Optionally, for the first device, the paging resources can be pre-configured or pre-defined, or they can be configured by the second device for the first device. That is, when configuring paging resources, the temporal resource location of the SSB resources can be considered. However, after configuring the paging resources, the paging resources can be determined independently of the SSB resources. Essentially, the first device knows which resources are paging resources, so it only needs to detect paging messages on these paging resources. As described in step 1001, the first PO can be configured by the second device for the first device, or in other words, the second device configures paging resources for the first device. Thus, the first device can know which resources are paging resources and can detect paging resources on these paging resources.

[0157] Alternatively, the first device can determine the first PO based on the first time-domain resource, or in other words, determine the paging resource based on the SSB resource. The first device can determine the first PO based on the first time-domain resource before receiving the SSB. For example, the relationship between the SSB resource and the paging resource can be predefined or pre-configured. Therefore, the first device can determine the paging resource based on the relationship between the SSB resource and the paging resource. This is equivalent to the first device already knowing which resources can be paging resources, so the first device can subsequently detect paging messages on these resources. Alternatively, the second device can send the method for determining the paging resource to the first device. For example, the second device can send the method for determining the paging resource to the first device through the first information. Therefore, the first device can determine the paging resource based on the first information. This is also equivalent to the first device already knowing which resources can be paging resources, so the first device can subsequently detect paging messages on these resources. For example, the first PO can be one of the paging resources, and the first device can detect paging messages on the first PO.

[0158] Alternatively, the first device may determine the first PO based on the first time domain resource, either simultaneously with or after receiving the SSB on the first time domain resource. For example, the first device may determine the first PO based on the first time domain resource simultaneously with or after receiving the SSB on the first time domain resource, thereby enabling the detection of paging messages on the first PO.

[0159] Optionally, public resources can include other public resources besides SSB resources. Therefore, when configuring paging resources in the time domain, the location of other public resources can also be considered. For example, public resources can also include resources for transmitting system information, such as SIBs. We will use SIBs as an example later. The resource used to transmit SIBs can be called an SIB resource, and the SIB period can be a third period or simply an SIB period. In different scenarios, SIBs can have different names; for example, in AIoT, an SIB can be called an AIoT-SIB (A-SIB). The values ​​of the SIB period and the duration of the SIB can also be any possible values. For example, the SIB period can be 2560ms, 5120ms, or other values, without specific restrictions. One SIB period can include one SIB resource. For example, the SIB resource in a certain SIB period is a second time domain resource, which is used to transmit system information. The duration of the second time domain resource can be any possible value. As an example, the duration of the second time domain resource can be 160ms.

[0160] When considering SIB resources, SIB resources can be configured first, followed by paging resources in the remaining empty resource slots. One implementation involves configuring SSB resources first, then configuring SIB resources on top of that, and finally configuring paging resources on the remaining empty resources. For example, SIB resources can be configured in empty resource slots before or after SSB resources. As an example, SIB resources can be configured before SSB resources; for instance, one SIB resource is a second time-domain resource, and one SSB resource is a first time-domain resource, with the end time of the second time-domain resource being the start time of the first time-domain resource—meaning the second time-domain resource is configured immediately adjacent to the first time-domain resource. Alternatively, the end time of the second time-domain resource can be offset from the start time of the first time-domain resource by a selectable value. Therefore, configuring SIB resources before SSB resources and paging resources after SSB resources can mitigate the collision problem between paging resources and SIB resources. When SIB resources are configured after SSB resources, offsets can be used to stagger SIB resources and paging resources, mitigating collisions. Alternatively, if a paging resource collides with an SIB resource, the paging resource at that location can be cancelled, not configured, or not used for paging message transmission. Or, if an SIB resource exists within a paging period, it can be omitted from that period, cancelled, or not used for paging message transmission. Furthermore, if an SIB resource exists within a paging period, its availability can be determined by whether the SIB and paging resources overlap. For example, if SIB and paging resources overlap within a paging period, they can be omitted from that period, cancelled, or not used for paging message transmission. For example, if SIB resources and paging resources do not overlap within a paging cycle, then the paging resources within that paging cycle can be used to transmit paging messages, thereby improving resource utilization. For the first device, if an SIB is detected, the first device may not detect paging messages on that resource. Alternatively, if SIB resources and paging resources partially overlap, the network side may still send paging messages on the paging resources. In this case, the first device may have already received some paging messages. When receiving the remaining paging messages, if an SIB is detected, the first device can ignore or not respond to the previously received portion of the paging messages.

[0161] In this embodiment of the application, the start time or end time represents the position in the time domain. For example, the start time can also be described as the start position in the time domain, and the end time can also be described as the end position in the time domain.

[0162] For example, the following examples illustrate several possible processing methods for a second PO and a second time-domain resource. The second PO is located within a paging cycle; that is, the second PO can be a PO within a single paging cycle. For instance, the second PO and the first PO can be POs at the same location within different paging cycles.

[0163] If a second PO exists within a paging cycle, and a second time-domain resource also exists within the same paging cycle, and the second time-domain resource does not overlap with the second PO, then the second time-domain resource can be used to transmit system information, and the second PO can be used to transmit paging messages. This can be understood as follows: when configuring paging resources, if an SIB resource exists within a paging cycle, the SIB resource and the paging resource can be configured in different time-domain locations to avoid conflicts between them. Alternatively, it can be understood that if both an SIB resource and a paging resource exist within a paging cycle, it can be determined whether they overlap. If there is no overlap, system information can be transmitted on the SIB resource, and paging messages can be transmitted on the paging resource. For the second device, in this case, the second device can send system information on the second time-domain resource and send paging messages on the second PO. Correspondingly, in this case, the first device can receive system information on the second time-domain resource and detect paging messages on the second PO.

[0164] If a second PO exists within a paging cycle, and a second time-domain resource also exists within the same paging cycle, but the second time-domain resource overlaps with the second PO, then the second time-domain resource can be used to transmit system information, while the second PO is not used to transmit paging messages. This can be understood as follows: when configuring paging resources, if an SIB resource exists within a paging cycle, that paging cycle is not used to transmit paging messages, or a second PO is not configured within that paging cycle, or the second PO within that paging cycle is cancelled, to avoid conflicts between SIB resources and paging resources. Alternatively, it can be understood that if both SIB resources and paging resources exist within a paging cycle, then it can be determined whether they overlap. If they overlap, system information can be transmitted on the SIB resource, but paging messages are not transmitted on the paging resource. For the second device, in this case, the second device can send system information on the second time-domain resource and not send paging messages on the second PO. Correspondingly, in this case, the first device can receive system information on the second time-domain resource and not detect paging messages on the second PO. Alternatively, the first device may receive system information in the second time domain resource and also detect paging messages in the second PO, but since the second device does not send paging messages, the first device will not successfully detect paging messages.

[0165] If a second PO exists within a paging cycle, and a second time-domain resource also exists within that paging cycle, then the second time-domain resource can be used to transmit system information, while the second PO is not used to transmit paging messages. The existence of a second time-domain resource within a paging cycle can mean that part or all of the second time-domain resource is located within that paging cycle. This can be understood as follows: when configuring paging resources, if an SIB resource exists within a paging cycle, or if the resources within that paging cycle overlap with SIB resources, then that paging cycle is not used to transmit paging messages, or a second PO is not configured within that paging cycle, or the second PO within that paging cycle is cancelled, to avoid conflicts between SIB resources and paging resources. Alternatively, it can be understood that as long as an SIB resource exists within a paging cycle, paging messages can be avoided on the paging resources within that paging cycle. For the second device, in this case, the second device can send system information on the second time-domain resource and not send paging messages on the second PO. Correspondingly, in this case, the first device can receive system information on the second time-domain resource and not detect paging messages on the second PO. Alternatively, the first device may receive system information in the second time domain resource and also detect paging messages in the second PO, but since the second device does not send paging messages, the first device will not successfully detect paging messages.

[0166] The above description uses POs as an example. In the embodiments of this application, a PO can be located within a paging resource. For example, the first PO is located within a third time domain resource. It can also be described as the first PO being a PO within a third time domain resource. The third time domain resource is a resource used to transmit paging messages, and can also be called a paging resource. Or, the paging resource within a paging cycle is the third time domain resource. For example, the first PO can be a third time domain resource, that is, the third time domain resource is the first PO, which is equivalent to treating this time domain resource as a PO. For another example, the third time domain resource includes multiple POs, and the first PO can be one of them. Optionally, the time interval between the start time of the third time domain resource and the end time of the first time domain resource is greater than or equal to zero, or in other words, the start time of the third time domain resource is later than or equal to the end time of the first time domain resource, so that each PO within the third time domain resource does not overlap with the first time domain resource.

[0167] Optionally, the third time-domain resource can be a public paging resource. "Public" means that multiple first devices (such as AIoT devices) can detect paging messages on this public paging resource. "Public" can also be replaced with "shared." Alternatively, based on the method of determining the PO in related technologies, which requires determining the PO corresponding to the first device based on its identifier (such as UE_ID), the "public" meaning here can be understood as the resource determination being independent of the first device's identifier; any first device can detect paging messages on the public paging resource, or any first device can detect paging messages on the public paging resource. Alternatively, currently, the PDCCH can be scrambled using P-RNTI. Different terminal devices may have different P-RNTIs. The terminal device can detect based on its own corresponding P-RNTI. If a PDCCH scrambled with that P-RNTI is detected, the DCI is parsed, and the paging message is obtained from the PDSCH indicated by it. In this embodiment, the term "public" in "public paging resource" can also be understood as meaning that P-RNTI scrambling is not required. This allows all first devices to directly parse the PDCCH on the public paging resource without needing to detect whether the PDCCH is scrambled using a specific P-RNTI. Alternatively, "public" in "public paging resource" can also be understood as meaning that a common P-RNTI can be used for scrambling. Multiple first devices can share the same common P-RNTI, allowing them to detect the PDCCH on the public paging resource using the common P-RNTI. If a PDCCH scrambled by the common P-RNTI is detected, the DCI is parsed, and the paging message is obtained from the PDSCH it indicates.

[0168] If the third time-domain resource is a public paging resource, the first point of sale (PO) can occupy all time-domain resources of that third time-domain resource. This is equivalent to the first PO being a newly defined PO, and the first device can continuously detect paging messages on the first PO. In this case, either the first PO or the third time-domain resource can also be called a public PO.

[0169] Alternatively, if the third time-domain resource is a public paging resource, it can include multiple Pagers (POs), and the first PO can be one of these POs. For example, the third time-domain resource includes one or more Pagers (PFs), each of which can include one or more POs, and the first PO can be one of the POs within one of those PFs. For the first device, in addition to detecting paging messages on the first PO, it will also detect paging messages on other POs within the third time-domain resource. For the second device, it can send paging messages for any AIoT device from any PO within the third time-domain resource. In this case, the third time-domain resource can also be called a public PO, or each PO within the third time-domain resource can also be called a public PO.

[0170] When the third time-domain resource is a public paging resource, the location (e.g., time-domain location) of the public paging resource is determined, and the location of the PO within that public paging resource is also determined accordingly. For example, if the first PO occupies all the time-domain resources of the third time-domain resource, then the first PO is the third time-domain resource, and determining the location of the third time-domain resource is equivalent to determining the location of the first PO. As another example, if the third time-domain resource contains multiple POs, the location of each PO within the third time-domain resource can be fixed. Therefore, determining the third time-domain resource is equivalent to determining the location of each PO (e.g., the first PO) within that third time-domain resource. The location of each PO within the third time-domain resource can be pre-configured or pre-defined, or it can be sent from the second device to the first device. For example, the first information in step 1001 can indicate or include the location of each PO within the third time-domain resource.

[0171] Therefore, when the third time-domain resource is a public paging resource, the second device or the first device determines the first PO based on the first time-domain resource, which means determining the third time-domain resource based on the first time-domain resource. There are several ways to determine the third time-domain resource based on the first time-domain resource. These will be described below according to different scenarios.

[0172] In scenario A1, the SSB cycle and the paging cycle are the same, which means M is 1.

[0173] In one implementation, since there can be an offset between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the end time of the first time-domain resource, and this offset can be greater than or equal to zero, the start time of the third time-domain resource can be determined based on the end time of the first time-domain resource and this offset. Then, by combining the start time and duration of the third time-domain resource, the third time-domain resource can be determined. The offset or the duration of the third time-domain resource can be pre-configured or pre-defined, or it can be sent from the second device to the first device. For example, the first information in step 1001 can indicate or include the offset or the duration of the third time-domain resource.

[0174] In another implementation, the paging period can be determined based on a first time-domain resource, and the third time-domain resource can be determined based on the paging period and a first offset. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the paging period. That is, the paging period can first be determined based on the first time-domain resource, and then the third time-domain resource within that paging period can be determined based on the paging period and the first offset. The first offset can be any value that makes the start time of the third time-domain resource later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource.

[0175] Determining the paging period based on the first time domain resource can be understood as determining a reference point for the paging period based on the first time domain resource. This reference point can be used to locate the position of the paging period. For example, the reference point can be the start time, end time, or any time point within the paging period. In this embodiment, the start time of the paging period is used as the reference point for illustration. Optionally, the start time of the paging period can be the start time, end time, or any time point within the first time domain resource. As an example, the reference point for the paging period can be the start time of the paging period, which can be the same as the start or end time of the SSB (i.e., the first time domain resource).

[0176] In this scenario, specific time-domain resources can be allocated to the SSB according to the SSB cycle. Then, according to the SIB cycle, empty time-domain positions can be allocated to the SIB. For example, SIB resources can be allocated to empty resource positions before or after the SSB resources. Afterward, paging resources are allocated to the remaining empty resource positions after the SSB resources. In this implementation, a common paging resource is configured; that is, one common paging resource is configured within each paging cycle, and all first devices can detect paging messages on this common paging resource. It is understandable that if the SIB resource is configured before the SSB resource, for each resource within a single cycle, the paging resource is always configured after the SSB resource. Therefore, the SIB resource and paging resource can be staggered, mitigating resource conflicts. If the SIB resource is configured before the SSB resource, the end time of the SIB resource can be the same as the start time of the SSB resource, or there can be a certain offset between the end time of the SIB resource and the start time of the SSB resource. This offset needs to take into account the paging resource location; that is, it cannot be configured to a value that would cause a collision between the SIB resource and the paging resource. If the SIB resource is configured after the SSB resource, there can be a certain offset between the start time of the SIB resource and the end time of the SSB. This offset can be configured to a value that allows the SIB resource and the paging resource to be staggered and avoid collision.

[0177] For example, see Figure 11, which is an example diagram of two resource configuration methods in scenario A1.

[0178] Referring to Figure 11(a), the start time of the paging cycle is the same as the start time of the first time domain resource (i.e., the SSB resource). The third time domain resource (i.e., the common paging resource or common PO) is configured after the first time domain resource. By configuring the value of the first offset, the third time domain resource and the first time domain resource can be staggered in the time domain. In this case, the value of the first offset is greater than or equal to the duration of the first time domain resource, that is, the value of the first offset is greater than or equal to the length of the SSB. Figure 11(a) specifically illustrates this with the first offset being equal to the length of the first time domain resource. The second time domain resource (i.e., the SIB resource) is configured before the SSB. Figure 11(a) specifically illustrates this with the end time of the second time domain resource being the same as the start time of the first time domain resource. Referring to Figure 11(a), under this configuration, the paging resource is staggered from the SSB resource and the SIB resource, solving the problem of time domain conflict between these resources, which helps to improve the transmission success rate of paging messages and thus improve the paging success rate.

[0179] In this scenario, the second device can determine the start time of the paging cycle based on the start time of the SSB resource, and then determine the start position of the third time-domain resource based on the start time of the paging cycle and the first offset. After determining the position of the third time-domain resource in the time domain, the second device can indicate the third time-domain resource to the first device, for example, through the first information in step 1001. Thus, when the second device sends a paging message on the third time-domain resource, the first device can detect the paging message on the third time-domain resource according to the instruction from the second device.

[0180] Alternatively, the first device can independently determine the location for detecting paging messages in the time domain, or in other words, the first device can determine the time domain locations for detecting paging messages, or the first device can independently determine the third time domain resource. For example, the first device can determine the start time of the paging cycle based on the start time of the SSB resource, and then determine the start position of the third time domain resource based on the start time of the paging cycle and the first offset. Optionally, the first offset can be indicated to the first device through the first information in step 1001. Alternatively, the SSB can include first indication information used to indicate the first offset. After receiving the SSB, the first device can obtain the first offset from the SSB, and then the first device can determine the start position of the paging cycle based on the SSB, and then determine the third time domain resource by combining the first offset.

[0181] Optionally, the duration of the third time-domain resource can be predefined or preconfigured. Alternatively, the duration of the third time-domain resource can also be configured by the second device to the first device, for example, through system messages. The duration of the third time-domain resource can be understood as the length occupied by the third time-domain resource in the time domain. For example, the duration of the third time-domain resource can be a fixed length. Alternatively, the duration of the third time-domain resource can be one or more time units, where a time unit can be a radio frame, subframe, symbol, or time slot, etc. Alternatively, the duration of the third time-domain resource can be a timer; that is, a timer can be configured to start at the start time of the third time-domain resource, and the timer expires when the third time-domain resource ends, meaning the duration of the timer is the duration of the third time-domain resource.

[0182] If the first device determines the third time-domain resource on its own, the second device can instruct the first device on how to determine the third time-domain resource, for example, through the first information in step 1001. For example, the first information can indicate one or more of the following: paging cycle, the start time of the paging cycle being the start time of the first time-domain resource, a first offset, or the duration of the third time-domain resource. Optionally, some or all of the information included in the first information can be predefined or preconfigured.

[0183] Referring to Figure 11(b), the start time of the paging cycle is the same as the end time of the first time domain resource. The third time domain resource is configured after the first time domain resource. By configuring the value of the first offset, the third time domain resource and the first time domain resource can be staggered in the time domain. In this case, the value of the first offset is greater than or equal to zero. Figure 11(a) specifically illustrates this with the first offset equal to zero. In the case where the first offset is zero, it can also be considered that the first offset parameter is not set, that is, the start time of the third time domain resource is aligned with the start time of the paging cycle. Once the start time of the paging cycle is determined, it is equivalent to the start time of the third time domain resource being determined, so there is no need to set the first offset parameter. Similar to Figure 11(a), the second time domain resource is configured before the SSB. Figure 11(b) specifically illustrates this with the end time of the second time domain resource being the same as the start time of the first time domain resource. As shown in Figure 11(a), under this configuration, paging resources are staggered from SSB and SIB resources, which solves the problem of time-domain conflict between these resources and helps to improve the transmission success rate of paging messages, thereby improving the paging success rate.

[0184] In this scenario, the second device can determine the start time of the paging cycle based on the end time of the SSB resource, and then determine the start position of the third time-domain resource based on the start time of the paging cycle and the first offset. After determining the position of the third time-domain resource in the time domain, the second device can indicate the third time-domain resource to the first device, for example, through the first information in step 1001. Thus, when the second device sends a paging message on the third time-domain resource, the first device can detect the paging message on the third time-domain resource according to the instruction from the second device.

[0185] Alternatively, the first device can independently determine the location for detecting paging messages in the time domain, or in other words, the first device can determine the time domain locations for detecting paging messages, or the first device can independently determine the third time domain resource. For example, the first device can also determine the start time of the paging cycle based on the end time of the SSB resource, and then determine the start position of the third time domain resource based on the start time of the paging cycle and the first offset. Optionally, the first offset can be indicated to the first device through the first information in step 1001. Alternatively, the SSB can include first indication information used to indicate the first offset. After receiving the SSB, the first device can obtain the first offset from the SSB, and then the first device can determine the start position of the paging cycle based on the SSB, and then determine the third time domain resource by combining the first offset.

[0186] Optionally, the duration of the third time-domain resource can be predefined or preconfigured. Alternatively, the duration of the third time-domain resource can also be configured by the second device to the first device. For details, please refer to the description in Figure 11(a), which will not be elaborated further.

[0187] If the first device determines the third time-domain resource on its own, the second device can instruct the first device on how to determine the third time-domain resource, for example, through the first information in step 1001. For example, the first information can indicate one or more of the following: paging cycle, the start time of the paging cycle being the end time of the first time-domain resource, a first offset (which may not be indicated if it is zero), or the duration of the third time-domain resource. Optionally, some or all of the information included in the first information can be predefined or preconfigured.

[0188] In scenario A2, the paging period is less than the SSB period, and the SSB period is an integer multiple of the paging period, which means M is greater than 1.

[0189] When the SSB period is M times the paging period, it means that one SSB period can contain M paging periods. Therefore, paging resources can be configured as follows.

[0190] Implementation method A21 includes only one paging resource within one SSB cycle. That is, paging resources can be configured according to the granularity of the SSB cycle. Regardless of how many times the SSB cycle is longer than the paging cycle, only one third time domain resource (i.e., common paging resource) is configured within one SSB cycle. Multiple first devices or all first devices can detect paging messages in this third time domain resource.

[0191] In this scenario, the configuration of the third time-domain resource within the SSB cycle can refer to the method described in scenario A1, and the determination of the third time-domain resource can also refer to the introduction in scenario A1, so I won't elaborate further. Furthermore, in this implementation, the probability of collision between paging resources and SIB resources is low.

[0192] For example, see Figure 12, which shows two resource configuration methods in scenario A2. The SSB cycle is 320ms, the paging cycle is 160ms (M = 2), and the SIB cycle is 2560ms. The duration of one SSB is 40ms, and the duration of one SIB is 160ms. As shown in Figure 12(a), one SSB cycle includes two paging cycles. The start time of the first paging cycle is the start time of the first time domain resource. The first time domain resource occupies 40ms in the first paging cycle. A third time domain resource can be configured in the remaining resources after the first time domain resource. The first time domain resource and the third time domain resource are staggered by configuring a first offset. As shown in Figure 12(a), the start time of the third time domain resource is the same as the end time of the first time domain resource, and the first offset is the duration of the first time domain resource. As shown in Figure 12(a), SIB resources can be configured before SSB resources. The SIB resource occupies exactly the second paging cycle within an SSB cycle, thus staggering the SIB resource and paging resource and resolving the conflict between them. In other examples, the start time of the first paging cycle can also be the end time of the first time-domain resource or another time. Furthermore, the position of the SIB resource or paging resource can be adjusted in the time domain as needed, as long as it does not conflict with other resources; there are no specific restrictions.

[0193] In this implementation, if the first device determines the third time-domain resource (or the first PO), the second device can indicate to the first device, via first information, the method for determining the third time-domain resource. For example, the first information may indicate one or more of the following: paging cycle, paging resource configuration according to the SSB cycle, the location of the paging cycle, or a first offset. Alternatively, some of the information included in the first information may also be indicated to the first device in other ways. For example, the SSB may include first indication information, which may indicate the first offset.

[0194] Implementation method A22 includes M paging resources within an SSB cycle, with each paging cycle within an SSB cycle including one paging resource. That is, paging resources can be configured at the granularity of the paging cycle. Each paging cycle can include a third time-domain resource (i.e., a common paging resource), and multiple or all first devices can detect paging messages on this third time-domain resource. Compared to configuring only one paging resource within an SSB cycle, this implementation allows for the configuration of more resources as paging resources, which helps improve paging efficiency. For each paging cycle, if an SSB resource exists within that cycle, the SSB resource and the paging resource can be staggered by setting an offset. If no SSB resource exists within that cycle, an offset can be set or not; there are no specific restrictions. In this case, the frequency of paging resources existing in the time domain is relatively high, thus increasing the probability of collision between paging resources and SSB resources. Optionally, to resolve the issue of paging resource and SIB resource collision, if a paging cycle includes SIB resources, then paging resources may not be configured for that paging cycle. In other words, paging resources are only configured in paging cycles that do not include SIB resources.

[0195] For example, as shown in Figure 12(b), an SSB cycle includes two paging cycles. The start time of the first paging cycle is the start time of the first time domain resource, which occupies 40ms in the first paging cycle. A third time domain resource can be configured in the remaining resources after the first time domain resource. The first and third time domain resources are staggered by configuring a first offset. As shown in Figure 12(b), the start time of the third time domain resource is the same as the end time of the first time domain resource, and the first offset is the duration of the first time domain resource, i.e., 40ms. As shown in Figure 12(b), in the second paging cycle, there is no first time domain resource, so the third time domain resource can be configured at any position. In the example in Figure 12(b), taking the start time of the third time domain resource as the first offset after the start time of the paging cycle as an example, the position of the third time domain resource is the same in different paging cycles, which can reduce the implementation complexity. As shown in Figure 12(b), SIB resources can be configured before SSB resources. The SIB resource occupies the second paging cycle within an SSB cycle, and no third time-domain resource is configured within the paging cycle. This staggers the SIB resource and paging resource, resolving the conflict between them. In other examples, the start time of the first paging cycle can also be the end time of the first time-domain resource or another time. Furthermore, the position of the SIB resource or paging resource can be adjusted in the time domain as needed, as long as it does not conflict with other resources; there are no specific restrictions.

[0196] In this implementation, if the first device determines the third time-domain resource (or the first PO), the second device can indicate to the first device, via first information, the method for determining the third time-domain resource. For example, the first information may indicate one or more of the following: paging cycle, paging resource configuration according to the paging cycle, the location of the paging cycle, or a first offset. Alternatively, some of the information included in the first information may also be indicated to the first device in other ways. For example, the SSB may include first indication information, which may indicate the first offset.

[0197] Through the above implementation method, when the paging period is less than or equal to the SSB period, by first configuring periodic SSB resources and SIB resources, and then configuring common paging resources in the empty space in the time domain, multiple or all of the first devices can detect paging messages on the common paging resources, thus achieving the effect that paging resources can not conflict with common resources such as SSB resources and SIB resources in the time domain.

[0198] In other embodiments, the Page Points (POs) of different first devices can be distributed across different resources. This allows each first device to detect paging messages only on its corresponding PO, reducing the detection time and power consumption of each first device. Alternatively, resources that can be used as paging resources can be distributed among different first devices, with each first device's resources determined based on its identifier. These paging resources can be understood as the remaining available resources after configuring SSB and SIB resources.

[0199] In one implementation, paging resources are distributed to different first devices. This can mean distributing them at the PF (Page Function) granularity, or, in other words, the PO (Point of Purchase) can be a newly defined PO, where the duration of a PO is equal to the duration of a PF defined in the current protocol. Then, different first devices can calculate their corresponding PF based on their own identifiers. For example, a PF can be determined using the method described below, and paging messages can be continuously detected on that PF. This eliminates the need for further calculation of the PO on the PF, simplifying the computational complexity of the first devices.

[0200] In one implementation, distributing paging resources to different first devices can also refer to distributing them at the PO granularity, meaning that POs can reuse POs defined in the current protocol. Then, different first devices can determine their corresponding PF and the POs within that PF based on their own identifier, and then detect paging messages on those POs.

[0201] The following sections will introduce different scenarios.

[0202] In scenario B1, the SSB cycle and the paging cycle are the same, which means M is 1.

[0203] As one implementation of scenario B1, some or all of the time domain resources remaining in the SSB period other than the first time domain resources can be used as the third time domain resources. That is, the third time domain resources can be some or all of the time domain resources remaining in the SSB period other than the first time domain resources.

[0204] Optionally, the starting position of the paging cycle can be located at any position within the first time domain resource. For example, the starting position of the paging cycle can be the starting position of the first time domain resource. If the third time domain resource comprises all remaining time domain resources, then the starting position of the third time domain resource and the ending position of the first time domain resource can be the same. The first offset is the difference between the starting time of the third time domain resource and the starting time of the second cycle, and this first offset can be the duration of the first time domain resource. If the third time domain resource comprises only some remaining time domain resources, the third time domain resource and the first time domain resource can be offset by setting a first offset, where the first offset is greater than or equal to the duration of the first time domain resource. For example, if the first offset is equal to the duration of the first time domain resource, then the starting position of the third time domain resource is the same as the ending position of the first time domain resource; or, if the first offset is greater than the duration of the first time domain resource, then the starting position of the third time domain resource is after the ending position of the first time domain resource.

[0205] Alternatively, the starting position of the paging cycle can also be the ending position of the first time-domain resource. If the third time-domain resource comprises all remaining time-domain resources, then the starting position of the third time-domain resource can be the same as the ending position of the first time-domain resource; that is, a first offset can be omitted, or the first offset can be zero. If the third time-domain resource comprises only a portion of the remaining time-domain resources, a first offset can be omitted, or the third time-domain resource can be offset from the first time-domain resource by setting a first offset greater than or equal to zero. For example, if the first offset is zero, then the starting position of the third time-domain resource is the same as the ending position of the first time-domain resource; or, if the first offset is greater than zero, then the starting position of the third time-domain resource is after the ending position of the first time-domain resource.

[0206] In this implementation, the third time-domain resource can be broken down according to the identifier of the first identifier, and different resources can be allocated to different first devices. Thus, each first device can determine its corresponding PF and PO according to its own identifier. Specifically, the third time-domain resource may include multiple paging frames, and the first PO may be located in the first PF of the multiple paging frames. The first PF may be determined according to the identifier of the first device, the first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource.

[0207] The identifier of the first device can be UE_ID, or it can be a part of UE_ID, such as the beginning, end, or middle part of UE_ID. There is no restriction on the specific number of characters in the identifier of the first device. Alternatively, the identifier of the first device can also be other possible identifiers, without any specific restrictions.

[0208] In one example, referring to Figure 13, taking the paging cycle starting at the beginning of the first time domain resource as an example, the third time domain resource is divided into N1 PFs, as shown in Figure 13: PF0, PF1, ..., PFk, where N1 = k + 1. Each PF can include Ns POs. The PFs and POs can then be determined using the following formula: SFN mod T = (T1 div N1) * (UE_ID mod N1) + offset i_s = floor(UE_ID / N1) mod Ns

[0209] Where SFN represents the system frame number of the PF, T is the paging period, T1 represents the duration of the third time domain resource, offset is the first offset, in this example, offset is the duration of the first time domain resource, and i_s represents the sequence number of the PO within a PF.

[0210] As an alternative implementation of scenario B1, the remaining resources within a paging cycle, excluding the first time-domain resources, can be used as paging resources. This can also be understood as still configuring paging resources according to the paging cycle, but using a first offset to separate the paging resources within the paging cycle from the first time-domain resources. Furthermore, to avoid SIB resources, if a paging cycle contains SIB resources, then that cycle may not be configured with paging resources; that is, paging resources are only configured in paging cycles where SIB resources are not present.

[0211] Optionally, the starting position of the paging cycle can be located at any position within the first time-domain resource. For example, if the starting position of the paging cycle is the starting position of the first time-domain resource, then the first offset is greater than or equal to the duration of the first time-domain resource. For example, if the first offset is equal to the duration of the first time-domain resource, then the starting position of the first paging resource within the paging cycle is the same as the ending position of the first time-domain resource; or, if the first offset is greater than the duration of the first time-domain resource, then the starting position of the first paging resource within the paging cycle is after the ending position of the first time-domain resource.

[0212] Alternatively, the start position of the paging cycle can also be the end position of the first time-domain resource. In this case, the first offset can be omitted, or the first offset can be greater than or equal to zero. For example, if the first offset is zero, then the start position of the first paging resource in the paging cycle is the same as the end position of the first time-domain resource. Or, if the first offset is greater than zero, then the start position of the first paging resource in the paging cycle is after the end position of the first time-domain resource.

[0213] In this implementation, the existing methods for determining PF and PO can be reused, and the PF can be offset from the first time-domain resource using a first offset. Specifically, a paging cycle can include multiple PFs, and the start time of the first PF among the multiple PFs is later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource, i.e., the PF is configured to avoid the first time-domain resource. The first PO is the first PF among the multiple PFs. The first PF can be determined based on the first SFN and the first offset. The first SFN is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the paging cycle, and the first offset is the difference between the start time of the first PF and the start time of the second cycle. That is, the frame number of the PF (i.e., the first SFN) can be determined according to the existing PF determination method, and then the frame number of the first PF can be determined by combining the first SFN with the first offset.

[0214] In one example, referring to Figure 14, the paging cycle starts at the beginning of the first time-domain resource. If there is no SIB resource within a paging cycle, the paging cycle can be used to configure paging resources. As shown in Figure 14, the first paging cycle can include N PFs. A paging resource in Figure 14 can be one PF, and each PF can include Ns POs. The PFs and POs can then be determined using the following formulas: (SFN+offset)mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N) i_s=floor(UE_ID / N)mod Ns

[0215] Where SFN represents the system frame number of the PF, T is the paging period, T div N is the step size of the paging resource, offset is the first offset, in this example, offset is the duration of the first time domain resource, and i_s represents the sequence number of the PO within a PF.

[0216] If SIB resources exist within a paging cycle, that paging cycle will not be used to configure paging resources, as shown in Figure 14. In the second paging cycle, since SIB resources have been configured, paging resources will not be configured again in that paging cycle.

[0217] In scenario B2, the paging period is less than the SSB period, and the SSB period is an integer multiple of the paging period, which means M is greater than 1.

[0218] When the SSB period is M times the paging period, one SSB period can include M paging periods, and paging resources can be configured in various ways.

[0219] As one implementation of scenario B2, within M paging cycles of an SSB cycle, one or more paging cycles (such as the first paging cycle) contain a first time-domain resource. For these paging cycles, the first time-domain resource can be staggered by configuring a first offset. In the remaining one or more paging cycles (such as other paging cycles besides the first paging cycle), since there is no first time-domain resource, it can be used entirely for configuring paging resources. Additionally, SIB resources may also exist within the M paging cycles. When configuring paging resources, it is necessary to consider avoiding SIB resources; for example, paging resources can be configured only in paging cycles where no SIB resources exist. For each of the M paging cycles, this paging cycle can include multiple PFs, with the first PO located in the first PF among the multiple PFs.

[0220] Optionally, the start time of the paging cycle can be located at any position within the first time domain resource. For example, the start position of the paging cycle can be either the start or end position of the first time domain resource. When the start positions of the paging cycles are different, the effect of staggering the SSB resource and the paging resource can be achieved by adjusting the value of the first offset. For details, please refer to the preceding section.

[0221] If a paging cycle contains a first time-domain resource, i.e., if the first PF is located within a paging cycle that includes the first time-domain resource, then the determination of the first PF needs to consider avoiding the first time-domain resource. Specifically, for this paging cycle, some or all of the time-domain resources remaining in the paging cycle other than the first time-domain resource can be regarded as the third time-domain resource. Within this third time-domain resource, the resources are scattered according to the identifiers of different first devices. Then, the first PF can be determined based on the identifier of the first device (such as UE_ID), a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the paging cycle.

[0222] As an example, referring to Figure 15, the SSB period is 320ms, the paging period is 160ms, and one SSB period contains two paging periods, i.e., M is 2. The starting position of the paging period is located at the starting position of the first time domain resource. As shown in Figure 15(a) or (b), in the first paging period of an SSB period, the third time domain resource includes all resources in the paging period except for the first time domain resource. This third time domain resource can be divided into N1 PFs, where each PF can include Ns POs. Then, the PFs and POs in this paging period can be determined according to the following formula: SFN mod T=(T_paging div N1)*(UE_ID mod N1)+offset i_s=floor(UE_ID / N1)mod Ns

[0223] Wherein, SFN represents the system frame number of the PF, T is the paging period, T_paging represents the duration of the third time domain resource, offset is the first offset, in this example, offset is the duration of the first time domain resource, and i_s represents the sequence number of the PO within a PF.

[0224] If a paging cycle does not contain the first time-domain resource, that is, if the first PF is located in a paging cycle that does not include the first time-domain resource, then all resources within that paging cycle can be used as paging resources. In this case, one implementation is to omit the first offset; for example, the start time of the paging resource is the start time of the paging cycle. Therefore, the determination of the PF and PO can reuse existing methods. That is, for the first PF, the first PF is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the paging cycle.

[0225] As an example, referring to Figure 15(a), in the second paging cycle of an SSB cycle, all resources (or a portion thereof) can be used as paging resources. These paging resources can be divided into N PFs, where each PF can include Ns POs. Then, the PFs and POs in this paging cycle can be determined using the following formulas: SFN mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N) i_s=floor(UE_ID / N)mod Ns

[0226] In this scenario, another implementation approach is to set a first offset, which is the difference between the start time of the paging resource and the start time of the paging cycle. This first offset can be kept the same as the first offset in the first paging cycle, representing the duration of the first time-domain resource. This ensures that the position and duration of the paging resource remain consistent within each paging cycle, allowing the PF and PO to be determined using the same calculation method as in the first paging cycle, reducing implementation complexity. Alternatively, an existing calculation method can be reused, and the PF and PO can be determined based on the first offset. In other words, the first PF can be determined based on the first system frame number and the first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the paging cycle; that is, the first system frame number is determined using an existing method.

[0227] As an example, see Figure 15(b). In the second paging cycle of an SSB cycle, there is a first offset between the start time of the paging resource and the start time of the paging cycle. The paging resource can be divided into N PFs, where each PF can include Ns POs. Then, the PFs and POs in this paging cycle can be determined according to the following formulas: (SFN+offset)mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N) i_s=floor(UE_ID / N)mod Ns

[0228] Additionally, if SIB resources exist within a paging cycle, then paging resources may not be configured for that paging cycle. Referring to Figure 15(a) or (b), if the resources within the second paging cycle of the second SSB cycle are configured as SIB resources, then no paging resources are configured for that paging cycle. For the second device, it may not send a paging message within that paging cycle. For the first device, it may not detect the paging message within that paging cycle, or it may perform detection, but since the second device will not send a paging message, it will not successfully detect the paging message.

[0229] As another implementation of scenario B2, the remaining time domain resources other than the first time domain resources within an SSB cycle can be used for paging resources. In this implementation, the remaining time domain resources other than the first time domain resources within an SSB cycle can be called the third time domain resources.

[0230] In this scenario, one implementation involves treating the third time-domain resource as a new paging resource area. Within this third time-domain resource, the paging resources are distributed based on the identifier of the first device, allowing different first devices to correspond to different point-of-sale (POs). For a single first device, the PO corresponding to that device is called the first PO, and the PF containing that first PO is called the first PF. The first PF can be determined based on the identifier of the first device and the duration of the third time-domain resource. In this implementation, it's equivalent to having one corresponding PO for each first device within one SSB (Service Segmentation Block) cycle.

[0231] As an example, a third time-domain resource may include N1 power fields (PFs), where each PF may include Ns point objects (POs). Then, the PFs and POs can be determined using the following formula: SFN mod T = ((M*T - offset)div N1)*(UE_ID mod N1) + offset i_s = floor(UE_ID / N1)mod Ns

[0232] Where M*T is one SSB cycle, X*T-offset represents the duration of the remaining time-domain resources excluding the first time-domain resource within the SSB cycle, and offset is the first offset, which is greater than or equal to the duration of the first time-domain resource.

[0233] In this scenario, another implementation involves dividing the third time-domain resources into P small paging cycles. Resources within each small paging cycle can be distributed among different first devices. In this implementation, it's equivalent to a first device having P corresponding PFs or POs within one SSB cycle. These P PFs or POs are distributed across P small paging cycles, resulting in more paging resources for each first device and a higher frequency of paging, thus improving paging efficiency. Here, P is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0234] Referring to Figure 16, the SSB period is 320ms, and the original paging period is 160ms, meaning one SSB period contains two paging periods, i.e., M is 2. In this implementation, regardless of the value of M, the third time-domain resources can be divided in the manner described above. As shown in Figure 16, the third time-domain resources can be divided into P small paging periods T_new, and the duration of each small paging period T_new is (X*T-offset) / P. Within each small paging period, there can be N1 PFs, as shown in Figure 16 as PF0, PF1, ..., PFk, where N1 = k+1, and each PF contains Ns POs. For a first device, there is a corresponding PF in each of the P small paging periods, and each PF contains its corresponding PO. One of the PFs is the first PF, and the first PF contains the first PO. The first PF can be determined based on the identifier of the first device, the second duration, and the sequence number of the first PF among the P PFs. The time difference between any two adjacent PFs in the P PFs is the second duration. The second duration can also be called the step size of the paging resource within the third time domain resource, or because the duration between any two PFs is a T_new, the second duration can also be replaced with T_new.

[0235] As an example, the PF and PO in the p-th paging cycle can be determined by the following formula: SFN mod T=(T_new div N1)*(UE_ID mod N1)+offset+(p-1)*T_new i_s=floor(UE_ID / N1)mod Ns

[0236] According to the above implementation, the second device can determine the PF and PO of the first device based on the formula described above, and send a paging message on that PO. The second device can determine the corresponding PO of the first device when a paging message needs to be sent, or it can pre-determine the PF and PO of each first device based on the formula described above, so that the paging message can be sent directly on that PO when needed. Alternatively, after determining the PF and PO, the second device can indicate the determined PF and PO to the first device, so the first device does not need to determine them itself. Alternatively, the first device can also determine its own corresponding PF and PO based on the formula described above, and detect the paging message on that PO. In this case, the information used to determine the PF and PO can be predefined or pre-configured, or the second device can send the information used to determine the PF and PO to the first device through first information. For example, the first information can include the formula described above and the values ​​of the parameters in the formula. Furthermore, although the above is expressed in formula form, it is understood that the formula essentially represents the mapping relationship between parameters; therefore, the second device can also use other methods that can represent this mapping relationship for indication, such as tables, without specific limitations.

[0237] Optionally, the configuration of the first information or resources can be determined by the CU, which can send the information to the DU via the F1 interface, and the DU can then transmit the information to the first device. Alternatively, the configuration of the first information or resources can be determined by the DU and transmitted to the first device.

[0238] Based on the above implementation method, paging resources can be configured by breaking down the remaining time-domain resources (excluding SSB resources and SIB resources) according to the identifier of the first device (such as UE_ID). Each first device can have a corresponding paging resource. In addition to achieving the effect that paging resources do not conflict with common resources such as SSB resources or SIB resources in the time domain, it can also reduce the detection time of the first device and reduce the power consumption of the first device.

[0239] In the embodiments provided above, the method provided by the embodiments of this application is described using the execution of the first device and the second device as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. In order to realize the functions in the method provided by the embodiments of this application above, the first device and the second device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and implement the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0240] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device. The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be repeated.

[0241] Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1700 can be the first device or circuit system of the first device shown in any embodiment of Figure 10, used to implement the method corresponding to the first device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 1700 can also be the second device or circuit system of the second device shown in any embodiment of Figure 10, used to implement the method corresponding to the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0242] The communication device 1700 includes at least one processor 1701. The processor 1701 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 1701 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 1701 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated onto one or more integrated circuits.

[0243] Optionally, the communication device 1700 includes one or more memories 1703 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 1703 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0244] Optionally, the communication device 1700 includes a communication line 1702 and at least one communication interface 1704. Since the memory 1703, communication line 1702, and communication interface 1704 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 17.

[0245] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 1700 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0246] Processor 1701 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0247] Communication line 1702 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0248] The communication interface 1704 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0249] Memory 1703 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), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. Memory 1703 may exist independently and be connected to processor 1701 via communication line 1702. Alternatively, memory 1703 may be integrated with processor 1701.

[0250] The memory 1703 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the present application scheme, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1701. The processor 1701 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1703, thereby implementing the steps performed by the first or second device in the embodiment shown in FIG10.

[0251] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0252] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 1701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG17.

[0253] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1700 may include multiple processors, such as processors 1701 and 1705 in FIG. 17. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0254] When the device shown in Figure 17 is a chip, such as the chip of the first device or the second device, or in other words, the first device or the second device is a chip, then the chip includes a processor 1701 (which may also include a processor 1705), a communication line 1702, and a communication interface 1704. Optionally, it may include a memory 1703. Specifically, the communication interface 1704 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 1703 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 1701 and the processor 1705 may be a general-purpose CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0255] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0256] For example, when each functional module is divided according to its corresponding function, Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of a device. This device 1800 can be the first device or the second device involved in the above-described method embodiments, or it can be a chip in the first device or the second device. The device 1800 includes a processing unit 1802 and a transceiver unit 1801.

[0257] For example, the device 1800 can be the first device, or the device 1800 can be a chip in the first device.

[0258] In the first implementation, the processing unit 1802 can be used to receive SSBs on a first time-domain resource according to a first cycle, and to detect paging messages at a first paging timing according to a second cycle. The first paging timing is determined based on the first time-domain resource, and the first paging timing does not overlap with the first time-domain resource. Here, the first cycle is M times the second cycle, where M is a positive integer.

[0259] For example, device 1800 can be a second device, or device 1800 can be a chip in a second device. Transceiver unit 1801 can be used to transmit synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs) on a first time domain resource according to a first period. It can also transmit paging messages at a first paging timing according to a second period, the paging messages being used to paging the first device. The first paging timing is determined based on the first time domain resource, and the first paging timing does not overlap with the first time domain resource. The first period is M times the second period, where M is a positive integer.

[0260] It should be understood that the device 1800 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first device or the second device in the communication method of the embodiments of this application. The relevant features can be referred to the embodiment shown in FIG10 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0261] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1801 and processing unit 1802 in Figure 18 can be implemented by the processor 1701 in Figure 17 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1703. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 1802 in Figure 18 can be implemented by the processor 1701 in Figure 17 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1703, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 1801 in Figure 18 can be implemented by the communication interface 1704 in Figure 17.

[0262] Optionally, when the device 1800 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 1801 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1801 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, the transmitting unit being used to implement the transmitting function and the receiving unit being used to implement the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 1801 may be an integral module capable of implementing the transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1801 can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0263] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the first or second device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, 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, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0264] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the first or second device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0265] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the method executed by the first or second apparatus involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0266] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., 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 that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0267] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0268] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the various devices described above. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the various devices described above.

[0269] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0270] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0271] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the first device or the second device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: According to the first cycle, a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB) are transmitted on the first time domain resource; In accordance with the second cycle, a paging message is sent at the first paging time, the paging message being used to paging the first device. The first paging time is determined based on the first time domain resource, and the first paging time does not overlap with the first time domain resource. The first cycle is M times the second cycle, where M is a positive integer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: System information is transmitted using a second time-domain resource, and a paging message is transmitted at a second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing falls within a second cycle, and within that second cycle, the second time-domain resource and the second paging timing do not overlap; or, System information is transmitted using a second time-domain resource, but a paging message is not transmitted during a second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing occurs within a second cycle, and the second time-domain resource overlaps with the second paging timing within that second cycle; or... System information is sent in the second time domain resource, but paging messages are not sent at the second paging time, where the second paging time is located within a second cycle, and part or all of the second time domain resource is located within a second cycle.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The time interval between the start time of the third time domain resource and the end time of the first time domain resource is greater than or equal to zero, and the first paging opportunity is located within the third time domain resource.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first paging timing is determined based on the first time-domain resource, including: The second period is determined based on the first time-domain resource, and the third time-domain resource is determined based on the second period and the first offset, wherein the first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first offset is predefined or preconfigured; or, The SSB includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the first offset.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, Where M is greater than 1, and, Within a first cycle, there is only one paging resource, which is used to send a paging message; or, A first cycle includes M paging resources, wherein each second cycle within a first cycle includes 1 paging resource.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The third time-domain resource includes multiple paging frames, and the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, where M is 1; wherein... The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, the first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources in the first period, excluding the first time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second period includes multiple paging frames, wherein the start time of the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames is later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource, the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, and M is 1; wherein, The first paging frame is determined based on a first system frame number and a first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second cycle. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the first paging frame and the start time of the second cycle.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The second period includes multiple paging frames, the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, and M is greater than 1; wherein, The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The first paging frame is located within a second period including the first time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources in the second period excluding the first time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period; or, The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period, and the first paging frame is located within a second period excluding the first time domain resource; or, The first paging frame is determined based on the first system frame number and the first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period. The first paging frame is located within a second period excluding the first time domain resource.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, M is greater than 1, the first paging opportunity is located within the first paging frame, the first paging frame is located within the third time domain resource, and the third time domain resource is the remaining time domain resource excluding the first time domain resource within the first period; The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the duration of the third time-domain resource; or, The third time-domain resource includes P paging frames of the first device, the first paging frame being one of the P paging frames, the first paging frame being determined based on the identifier of the first device, the second duration, and the sequence number of the first paging frame in the P paging frames, the time difference between each two adjacent paging frames in the P paging frames being the second duration, and P being a positive integer greater than 1.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, the first message being used to indicate the first paging timing, or the first message including information for determining the first paging timing.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: According to the first cycle, SSB is received on the first time domain resource; In accordance with the second cycle, the paging message is detected at the first paging timing, which is determined based on the first time domain resource. The first paging timing does not overlap with the first time domain resource. The first cycle is M times the second cycle, where M is a positive integer.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives information in the second time domain resource and detects a paging message at a second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and within the second cycle, the second time domain resource and the second paging timing do not overlap; or, The system receives information in the second time domain resource and does not detect paging messages at the second paging timing, wherein the second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and within the second cycle, the second time domain resource overlaps with the second paging timing; or... The system receives information in the second time domain resource, but does not detect paging messages at the second paging timing, where the second paging timing is located within a second cycle, and part or all of the second time domain resource is located within a second cycle.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The time interval between the start time of the third time domain resource and the end time of the first time domain resource is greater than or equal to zero, and the first paging opportunity is located within the third time domain resource.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first paging timing is determined based on the first time-domain resource, including: The second period is determined based on the first time-domain resource, and the third time-domain resource is determined based on the second period and the first offset, wherein the first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The first offset is predefined or preconfigured; or, The SSB includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the first offset.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, Where M is greater than 1, and, Within a first cycle, there is only one paging resource, which is used to send a paging message; or, A first cycle includes M paging resources, wherein each second cycle within a first cycle includes 1 paging resource.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The third time-domain resource includes multiple paging frames, and the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, where M is 1; wherein... The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, the first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources in the first period, excluding the first time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period.

19. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second period includes multiple paging frames, wherein the start time of the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames is later than or equal to the end time of the first time-domain resource, the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, and M is 1; wherein, The first paging frame is determined based on a first system frame number and a first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second cycle. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the first paging frame and the start time of the second cycle.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The second period includes multiple paging frames, the first paging timing is located in the first paging frame among the multiple paging frames, and M is greater than 1; wherein, The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device, a first offset, and the duration of the third time-domain resource. The first paging frame is located within a second period including the first time-domain resource. The third time-domain resource includes some or all of the remaining time-domain resources in the second period excluding the first time-domain resource. The first offset is the difference between the start time of the third time-domain resource and the start time of the second period; or, The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period, and the first paging frame is located within a second period excluding the first time domain resource; or, The first paging frame is determined based on the first system frame number and the first offset. The first system frame number is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the second period. The first paging frame is located within a second period excluding the first time domain resource.

21. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, M is greater than 1, the first paging opportunity is located within the first paging frame, the first paging frame is located within the third time domain resource, and the third time domain resource is the remaining time domain resource excluding the first time domain resource within the first period; The first paging frame is determined based on the identifier of the first device and the duration of the third time-domain resource; or, The third time-domain resource includes P paging frames of the first device, the first paging frame being one of the P paging frames, the first paging frame being determined based on the identifier of the first device, the second duration, and the sequence number of the first paging frame in the P paging frames, the time difference between each two adjacent paging frames in the P paging frames being the second duration, and P being a positive integer greater than 1.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate the first paging timing, or the first information including information for determining the first paging timing.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, which is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22 to be performed.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

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