Communication method and apparatus, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus, a storage medium, and a program product. The method comprises: a second apparatus sends first information to a first apparatus, the first information being used for indicating whether to use forward error correction channel coding for first data; and the first apparatus processes the first data on the basis of whether to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data to obtain a first message, and sends the first message to the second apparatus. By using the solution of the present application, the second apparatus indicates whether to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data, so that the first apparatus can accurately process the first data on the basis of the indication, allowing data transmission to meet a communication requirement.

Description

Communication methods, devices, storage media and software products

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510392604.3, filed on March 28, 2025, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus, Storage Medium and Program Product", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) rd The Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines ambient-internet of things (A-IoT) technology. A-IoT technology can be applied to logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identification, environmental monitoring, and more. A-IoT communication includes reader-to-device (R2D) communication and device-to-reader (D2R) communication. The protocol specifies that D2R communication can use forward error correction (FEC) channel coding or not. However, there is currently no corresponding solution for how A-IoT devices determine whether to use FEC channel coding. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, storage medium, and program product for determining whether to employ forward error correction channel coding on a data channel so that the transmission of the data channel meets communication requirements.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first device, which may be an A-IoT device or a communication module in an A-IoT device, or a circuit or chip applied to an A-IoT device (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). Taking the application of this method to an A-IoT device as an example...

[0006] In this method, a first device receives first information indicating whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to a first data channel; processes a first bit sequence according to the first information to obtain a second bit sequence; and transmits the second bit sequence on the first data channel. By using this method, the first device, by receiving an indication from a second device regarding whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, can accurately process the first data channel based on the indication, ensuring that the data channel transmission meets communication requirements.

[0007] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first device, which may be an A-IoT device or a communication module in an A-IoT device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) applied to an A-IoT device. Taking the application of this method to an A-IoT device as an example...

[0008] In this method, a first device receives first information; if the first information includes a first field, it applies forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; or if the first information does not include the first field, it does not apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel. It then processes a first bit sequence based on the first information to obtain a second bit sequence; and transmits the second bit sequence on the first data channel. By using this method, the first device receives an instruction from a second device regarding whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel, enabling the first device to accurately process the first data channel based on the instruction, ensuring that the data channel transmission meets communication requirements.

[0009] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the second bit sequence is included in the first message, which is an uplink message within a first time range, or the first message is an uplink message triggered by a trigger message. This implementation clarifies the scope of the first information, enabling the first device to accurately determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the uplink message within the first time range or the uplink message triggered by the trigger message.

[0010] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or one of the first and second aspects, the uplink message is a random access message 1. This implementation clarifies the scope of the first information, enabling the first device to accurately determine whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to random access messages 1 within a first time range or to random access messages 1 triggered by a trigger message.

[0011] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the first and second aspects, the method further includes: a first device receiving second information, the second information indicating whether a second data channel conforms to the indication of the first information, the second data channel carrying a third message, the third message being other uplink messages within the first time range besides the random access message 1. Using this implementation, when the scope of the first information is the random access message 1 or the random access message 1 triggered by the trigger message within the first time range, the second information can further indicate whether other uplink messages within the first time range besides the random access message 1 conform to the indication of the first information, thereby enabling the first device to accurately determine whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to other uplink messages within the first time range besides the random access message 1.

[0012] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the first and second aspects, if the first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information, then forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel; or if the first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information, then forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel.

[0013] In a further possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the first and second aspects, the method further includes, after transmitting the second bit sequence, receiving third information indicating whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel if the second information indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel. By employing this implementation, in the case where the second information indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel if the first information indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel, further indicating whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel via third information allows the first device to accurately determine whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel.

[0014] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the first and second aspects, the first information is carried in a paging message or a trigger message.

[0015] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the first and second aspects, the first time range is the time between receiving the first information and receiving the fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the third data channel. Exemplarily, the fourth information may be the same as or different from the first information.

[0016] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the first aspect, the second aspect, or any of the first and second aspects, the fourth information is carried in at least one of the following messages: a paging message, a trigger message, and a random access message 2.

[0017] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second device, which may be a reader or a communication module in a reader, or a circuit or chip applied to the reader (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). Taking the application of this method to a reader as an example.

[0018] In this method, a second device sends first information indicating whether forward error correction channel coding (FEC) is applied to a first data channel; receives a second bit sequence on the first data channel; if FEC is applied to the first data channel, performs FEC decoding on the second bit sequence to obtain a first bit sequence; and if FEC is not applied to the first data channel, detects the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence. By using this method, the second device, by indicating whether FEC is applied to the first data channel, enables the first device to accurately process the first data channel based on the indication, ensuring that the data channel transmission meets communication requirements.

[0019] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second device, which may be a reader or a communication module in a reader, or a circuit or chip applied to the reader (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). Taking the application of this method to a reader as an example.

[0020] In this method, a second device sends first information; if the first information includes a first field, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; otherwise, forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel. A second bit sequence is received on the first data channel; if the first information includes the first field, forward error correction channel decoding is performed on the second bit sequence to obtain a first bit sequence; and if the first information does not include the first field, the second bit sequence is detected to obtain the first bit sequence. Using this method, the second device indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, enabling the first device to accurately process the first data channel based on this indication, ensuring that the data channel transmission meets communication requirements.

[0021] In conjunction with the third or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second bit sequence is included in a first message, which is an uplink message within a first time range, or the first message is an uplink message triggered by a trigger message.

[0022] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or one of the third and fourth aspects, the uplink message is a random access message 1.

[0023] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any of the third and fourth aspects, the method further includes: a second device sending second information, the second information being used to indicate whether a second data channel complies with the indication of the first information, the second data channel being used to carry a third message, the third message being an uplink message other than the random access message 1 within the first time range.

[0024] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any of the third and fourth aspects, if the first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information, then forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel; or if the first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information, then forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel.

[0025] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any of the third and fourth aspects, the method further includes, in a case where the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel in violation of the indication of the first information, and after transmitting the second bit sequence, the method further includes:

[0026] A third message is sent, which indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel.

[0027] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any of the third and fourth aspects, the first information is carried in a paging message or a trigger message.

[0028] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any of the third and fourth aspects, the first time range is the time between receiving the first information and receiving the fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the third data channel.

[0029] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, or any of the third and fourth aspects, the fourth information is carried in at least one of the following messages: a paging message, a trigger message, and a random access message 2.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the third, fourth, or any possible implementation of the third and fourth aspects can be found in the corresponding descriptions of the first, second, or any possible implementation of the first and second aspects.

[0031] Fifthly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first device, which may be an A-IoT device or a communication module in an A-IoT device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) applied to an A-IoT device. Taking the application of this method to an A-IoT device as an example...

[0032] In this method, a first device receives a third bit sequence; obtains a first parameter; determines, based on the first parameter, whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to a first data channel; processes the first bit sequence according to whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel to obtain a second bit sequence; and transmits the second bit sequence on the first data channel; wherein the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the time parameter M of a second chip length of the third bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding, wherein the second chip length of the third bit sequence is equal to 1 / M of the length of one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and M is a positive integer. Using this method, the first device can accurately determine whether to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel by acquiring the first parameter, thereby enabling the first device to accurately process the first data channel and ensure that the transmission of the data channel meets communication requirements.

[0033] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, obtaining the first parameter includes: receiving the first parameter, the first parameter including at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices Y in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader / writer, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding.

[0034] In another possible implementation of the fifth aspect or one possible embodiment of the fifth aspect, the first parameter includes the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to a first threshold, determining that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Using this implementation, the number of block repetitions can be used to improve demodulation performance. Since the gain of forward error correction channel coding is greater than the gain of block repetitions, when it is necessary to improve the demodulation performance of the first device, forward error correction channel coding should be applied first, and then increasing the number of block repetitions should be considered. Therefore, if the number of block repetitions of the first data channel is greater than the first threshold, it indicates that the first device has a need to improve demodulation performance, and forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the first data channel is less than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the first device does not have a need to improve demodulation performance, and forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether forward error correction channel coding should be used for the first data channel.

[0035] In conjunction with the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes M. Determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if M is greater than or equal to a second threshold, determining that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; if M is less than the second threshold, determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Using this implementation, a larger M value for the downlink reader-to-device (R2D) indicates worse downlink demodulation performance, suggesting that the first device has no need to improve demodulation performance, and in this case, uplink can consider not using forward error correction channel coding; a smaller M value for the downlink R2D indicates better downlink demodulation performance, suggesting that the first device has a need to improve demodulation performance, and in this case, uplink can consider using forward error correction channel coding. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel.

[0036] In conjunction with the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes Y, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first transmission parameter includes: if Y is less than or equal to a third threshold, and the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, then it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; if Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, then it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will be applied to the first data channel. In this implementation, a larger bandwidth allows for a smaller supported Y value. Furthermore, the bandwidth is inversely proportional to the product of the length of a first chip in the second bit sequence and R. A larger device-to-reader (D2R) bandwidth results in poorer demodulation performance; that is, a large bandwidth indicates low uplink coverage requirements, suggesting that forward error correction channel coding can be disregarded. Conversely, a smaller D2R bandwidth leads to better demodulation performance; that is, a small bandwidth indicates high uplink coverage requirements, suggesting that forward error correction channel coding can be considered. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel.

[0037] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the first parameter includes the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first transmission parameter includes: if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than a fifth threshold, determining that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. In this implementation, the length of the preamble is related to synchronization performance. The shorter the preamble length, the worse the synchronization performance; the longer the preamble length, the better the synchronization performance. Synchronization performance needs to match the demodulation performance of the data channel. Therefore, when the synchronization performance requirement is low, forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; when the synchronization performance requirement is high, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Therefore, the shorter the preamble length, the less forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; the longer the preamble length, the more forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether forward error correction channel coding should be used for the first data channel.

[0038] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the first parameter includes the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first transmission parameter includes: if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than a sixth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Therefore, the shorter the length of the intermediate preamble, the less forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data; the longer the length of the intermediate preamble, the more forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data.

[0039] In conjunction with the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is 1, determining that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel.

[0040] In conjunction with the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel includes: the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is any one of the following: 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, and determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel.

[0041] Sixthly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second device, which may be a reader or a communication module in a reader, or a circuit or chip applied to the reader (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). Taking the application of this method to a reader as an example.

[0042] In this method, a second device transmits a third bit sequence; receives a second bit sequence on a first data channel; obtains a first parameter; based on the first parameter, determines whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel; and if forward error correction channel decoding is applied to the first data channel, performs forward error correction channel decoding on the second bit sequence to obtain a first bit sequence; if forward error correction channel decoding is not applied to the first data channel, detects the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence; wherein, the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the time parameter M of a second chip length of the third bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding, wherein the second chip length of the third bit sequence is equal to 1 / M of the length of one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and M is a positive integer.

[0043] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: a second device sending the first parameter, the first parameter including at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices Y in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader / writer, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding.

[0044] In conjunction with the sixth aspect or one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to a first threshold, determining that forward error correction channel decoding is not applied to the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, determining that forward error correction channel decoding is applied to the first data channel.

[0045] In conjunction with the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes M, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if M is greater than or equal to a second threshold, determining not to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel; if M is less than the second threshold, determining to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel.

[0046] In conjunction with the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes Y, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if Y is less than or equal to a third threshold, and the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, determining not to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel; if Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, determining to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel.

[0047] In conjunction with the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than a fifth threshold, determining that forward error correction channel decoding is not applied to the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, determining that forward error correction channel decoding is applied to the first data channel.

[0048] In another possible implementation, in conjunction with the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the first parameter includes the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the sixth threshold, determining that forward error correction channel decoding is not applied to the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, determining that forward error correction channel decoding is applied to the first data channel.

[0049] In conjunction with the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, in yet another possible implementation, the first parameter includes the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the second message based on the first parameter includes: when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is 1, determining that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel; when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, determining that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel.

[0050] In conjunction with the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, in yet another possible implementation, the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is any one of the following: 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, then forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel.

[0051] The beneficial effects of the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof can be found in the description of the fifth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and will not be repeated here.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device can perform the methods described in the first to sixth aspects or any one of the embodiments of the first to sixth aspects. The communication device can be a first device or a second device, or it can be a module (e.g., a chip) applied to a first device or a module (e.g., a chip) applied to a second device.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit performs the receiving and / or transmitting operations in the methods of the first to sixth aspects or any one of the first to sixth aspects; the processing unit performs the processing operations in the methods of the first to sixth aspects or any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0054] In another possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory; the processor is configured to support the device in performing the corresponding functions in the channel state information reporting method described above. The memory, coupled to the processor, stores necessary computer programs (or computer-executable instructions) and / or data for the device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface for supporting communication between the device and other network elements, such as the transmission or reception of data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface. Optionally, the memory may be located internally within the communication device and integrated with the processor; alternatively, it may be located externally to the communication device.

[0055] In another possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor being coupled to the transceiver. The processor executes computer programs or instructions to control the transceiver to receive and transmit information. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions, it is also used to implement the above method through logic circuits or execution code instructions. The transceiver can be a transceiver circuit, a transceiver module, or an input / output interface, used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device. When the communication device is a chip, the transceiver is a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface.

[0056] When the communication device is a chip, the transmitting unit can be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface; the receiving unit can be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface. When the communication device is a terminal device, the transmitting unit can be a transmitter or a receiver; the receiving unit can be a receiver or a receiver.

[0057] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of the first to sixth aspects or any one of the first or sixth aspects.

[0058] A ninth aspect provides a computer program product that, when executed on a communication device, implements the method as described in any one of the first to sixth aspects or any one of the first or sixth aspects.

[0059] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the method described in any one of the embodiments of the first, second, and fifth aspects, and the second device is configured to implement the method described in any one of the embodiments of the third, fourth, and sixth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in the embodiments of this application;

[0061] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of radio frequency identification communication;

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of A-IoT device 1;

[0063] Figures 4a-4e are schematic diagrams of the network topology provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0064] Figure 5a is a schematic diagram of random access in an A-IoT system;

[0065] Figure 5b is a schematic diagram of a contention-based random access process for an A-IoT device;

[0066] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the time-domain waveform using a small frequency shift;

[0067] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain waveform after a small frequency shift;

[0068] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the number of IoT devices supported by the reader in a frequency division multiple access environment;

[0069] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a convolutional code encoder;

[0070] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figures 10a and 10b are schematic diagrams showing whether forward error correction channel coding is used, indicated by paging messages and trigger messages, respectively.

[0072] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The scheme of this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G (5th generation mobile communication technology), future evolution systems, or multiple communication convergence systems, as well as existing communication systems. The application scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application can include various scenarios, such as machine-to-machine (M2M), macro-micro communication, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (uRLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC). These scenarios may include, but are not limited to, communication scenarios between terminal devices, communication scenarios between network devices, and communication scenarios between network devices and terminal devices. Among these, network devices include access network devices and core network devices.

[0076] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, wherein the RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110. Terminals and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. The communication system 1000 may also include a core network 200. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 via wireless or wired means. The core network equipment in core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the RAN node. Communication system 1000 may also include Internet 300.

[0077] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, or a future radio access system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), or it can be a WiFi system. RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0078] RAN nodes, also known as radio access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminals access communication systems wirelessly. In one application scenario, an RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission and reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. RAN nodes can be macro base stations (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), relay nodes, or donor nodes.

[0079] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control (RRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RANC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of these protocol layers, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes or integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0080] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, a RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description.

[0081] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from a base station. Terminals can also be called terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0082] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0083] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0084] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0085] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0086] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. To communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When the terminal communicates with this serving cell, it is also susceptible to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0087] With the increasing prevalence of 5G NR machine-type communication (MTC) and Internet of Things (IoT) communication, the number of connected IoT devices is growing daily. Therefore, the industry's demand for reduced cost and power consumption in IoT devices is becoming increasingly strong. During the 4G era, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) systems. However, NB-IoT terminals still require external power (batteries) and have the ability to generate local high-frequency carrier waves, thus limiting their power consumption to milliwatts. However, with the evolution and development of 5G IoT, the need for lower-power terminals in 5G networks is growing, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provides a good technical reference for low power consumption, supporting microwatt-level power consumption. RFID terminals (tags) use low-precision, low-power mid-to-low frequency ring oscillators or receive downlink signals without a local oscillator. When the tag is working, the energy and carrier wave for communication are supplied by the reader, and communication is based on reflected carrier waves. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of radio frequency identification communication. Curve 1 represents the carrier wave sent by the reader, and curve 2 represents the tag modulating and reflecting the carrier wave sent by the reader for transmission.

[0088] Given the low power consumption advantage of RFID communication technology, 5G A-IoT technology has emerged. To meet ultra-low power consumption requirements, terminals in A-IoT also use low-precision, low-power mid-to-low frequency ring oscillators or receivers without a local oscillator to receive downlink signals. This receiving method further reduces the power consumption of downlink reception. However, for such low-power receiving methods, only amplitude detection, such as envelope detection, can be performed because a low-precision ring oscillator alone cannot guarantee accurate demodulation of signal phase information.

[0089] Existing RFID terminals are low in cost and design complexity, but suffer from poor coverage and limited applicability. During the research of 5G A-IoT, coverage enhancement designs also encounter some challenges.

[0090] A-IoT technology can be applied to logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, environmental monitoring, and more.

[0091] I. A-IoT:

[0092] Passive IoT technology refers to IoT without a "source," where "source" refers to a power source. Currently, the most common and mature passive IoT technology is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which uses radio frequency to read and write data to recording media (electronic tags or RFID cards). The basic principle of RFID is to use backscattering to complete energy conversion and communication. An RFID system generally includes a reader and an RFID tag. The reader transmits electromagnetic waves of a certain frequency through an antenna; when the RFID tag enters the working range of the transmitting antenna, it is activated by an induced current, and then transmits its stored information through its internal antenna; the transmission process involves load modulation of the received electromagnetic waves. The reader's antenna receives the carrier signal from the RFID tag and transmits it back to the reader.

[0093] Traditional RFID has several drawbacks, such as short transmission distance and a limited reading range of only a few meters. It typically requires handheld scanning, leading to labor-intensive and time-consuming operations. Furthermore, the lack of interference management solutions results in severe interference and capacity issues between RFID readers, especially in densely deployed scenarios, making it difficult for RFID to support seamless, large-scale networks.

[0094] Therefore, A-IoT was proposed to support backscatter communication technology in cellular systems.

[0095] A-IoT, also known as passive IoT, offers lower power consumption and lower cost compared to NB-IoT within the 3GPP standard framework. In non-3GPP frameworks, A-IoT targets the market demand for RFID, providing comparable and even more advantageous technical solutions.

[0096] The demand for A-IoT stems from addressing scenarios not covered by current 3GPP technologies, such as the following three scenarios:

[0097] 1) Under extreme environmental conditions, such as high pressure, extremely high / low temperature, and humid environments.

[0098] 2) Scenarios such as ultra-low complexity, very small device size / shape factor (e.g., thickness in millimeters), maintenance-free (e.g., traditional batteries that do not require device replacement) and longer life cycle.

[0099] 3) Device scenarios where traditional battery-powered devices are not applicable.

[0100] A-IoT can provide Internet of Things (IoT) services and features characteristics such as battery-free operation, low power consumption, low complexity, low cost, small size, and long lifespan. Compared to traditional IoT technologies, an A-IoT system includes A-IoT devices and readers. For example, a reader can also be called an interrogator. For example, an A-IoT device can also be called an A-IoT terminal, A-IoT, or a device with A-IoT functionality identified by a tag.

[0101] A-IoT devices are powered by energy harvesting, allowing them to operate without batteries or with limited energy storage (i.e., using capacitors). They can communicate with other devices without traditional power sources or avoid human intervention for charging or replacement. A-IoT devices can harvest energy from radio waves or, in specific use cases, from any other form of energy. For example, in some scenarios, A-IoT devices can harvest energy from radio waves, which may originate from 5G New Radio (NR) network entities or UEs. In other scenarios, A-IoT devices can harvest energy from solar energy, light, motion / vibration, heat, pressure, or any other source.

[0102] II. Device types of A-IoT devices:

[0103] In one possible example, an A-IoT device can have the following two characteristics:

[0104] A-IoT device 1 has a peak power consumption of around 1 microwatt (μW), energy storage capabilities, and a sampling clock frequency offset (SFO) of up to 10. X ppm, without signal amplification capability, where ppm represents parts per million. Device-to-reader (D2R) transmission of A-IoT device 1 is based on backscatter transmission using a carrier frequency provided externally. D2R refers to the transmission process from the A-IoT device to the reader (such as a network device or terminal device), which is described in detail below.

[0105] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of A-IoT device 1, which includes the following modules:

[0106] (1) Antenna: Radio frequency (RF) energy reception and receiver / transmitter can be shared or separated.

[0107] (2) Matching network: Matches the impedance between the antenna and other parts (including the RF energy harvester and receiver-related modules).

[0108] (3) RF energy harvester: including rectifier, which converts radio frequency signals (AC) into DC.

[0109] (4) Energy storage (e.g., capacitor): Storing collected energy from an RF energy receiver.

[0110] (5) Power Management Unit (PMU): Manages the energy stored from the energy harvester and provides energy to the active modules that need energy supply.

[0111] (6) Digital baseband logic (BB logics): including functional modules such as encoder, decoder, controller, etc.

[0112] (7) Memory: Includes two types of memory: 1) Non-volatile memory, such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and device identifiers (IDs) that can be permanently stored. 2) Registers that temporarily store information, which can only store information when there is sufficient energy in the energy storage.

[0113] (8) Clock generator: provides clock signals.

[0114] (9) Receiving related modules:

[0115] RF band-pass filter (BPF): Improves frequency selectivity.

[0116] RF envelope detector: Converts RF signals to baseband.

[0117] Baseband low-pass filter (BB LPF): Filters out harmonics and high-frequency components, improving the signal quality input to the comparator.

[0118] Comparator: determines whether the input signal is high or low (level).

[0119] (10) Sending related modules:

[0120] Backscatter modulator: Switches the impedance to modulate the backscatter signal using the transmit signal from the baseband logic.

[0121] A-IoT device 2, with peak power consumption in the hundreds of microwatts, has energy storage capabilities and an SFO of up to 10. X ppm indicates signal amplification capability. Furthermore, based on the source of the carrier frequency used for transmission, A-IoT device 2 can be divided into A-IoT device 2a and A-IoT device 2b. Specifically, A-IoT device 2a's D2R transmission is based on backscatter transmission using an externally provided carrier frequency, while A-IoT device 2b's D2R transmission is based on a carrier frequency generated internally within the device.

[0122] This application mainly relates to A-IoT devices 1.

[0123] In another possible example, an A-IoT device can have the following three characteristics:

[0124] A-IoT device A: No energy storage, no independent signal generation / amplification, such as backscattering.

[0125] A-IoT device B: It has energy storage but does not generate independent signals, such as backscattering. The stored energy can be used to amplify the feedback signal.

[0126] A-IoT device C: It has energy storage and independent signal generation, such as the transmission of active radio frequency components.

[0127] III. Network Topology of A-IoT:

[0128] 3GPP defines several A-IoT topologies, as shown in Figures 4a-4e.

[0129] Network Topology 1: Interaction between Network Devices and A-IoT Devices

[0130] Please refer to Figure 4a, which is a schematic diagram of a topology provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 4a, the A-IoT device and the network device communicate bidirectionally. The network device can send a reader-to-device (R2D) signal to the A-IoT device; the A-IoT device receives the R2D signal sent from the network device; optionally, the A-IoT device sends a corresponding response signal to the network device (this response signal can be a backscattered signal). Correspondingly, the A-IoT device can send a D2R signal to the network device; the network device receives the D2R signal from the A-IoT device; optionally, the network device sends a corresponding response signal to the A-IoT device.

[0131] It should be noted that, in Figure 4a, the transmission from the network device to the A-IoT device can be referred to as "R2D" transmission, and the transmission from the A-IoT device to the network device can be referred to as "D2R" transmission. Optionally, in Figure 4a, the reader / writer can be a network device.

[0132] In some possible implementations, a network device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. In some implementations, the network device may be responsible for air interface-side radio resource management (RRM), quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption, and data transmission and reception.

[0133] In some possible implementations, network devices may include base stations (BS) in a communication system or devices deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions; that is, network devices may include devices in the RAN. For example, devices in the RAN may include evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE communication system, next-generation evolved node B (ng-eNB) in an NR communication system, next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR communication system, master node (MN) in a dual-connectivity architecture, secondary node (SN) in a dual-connectivity architecture, etc., without specific limitations.

[0134] In some possible implementations, network devices may include devices in the core network (CN). For example, devices in the CN may include access and mobility management functions (AMF), user plane functions (UPF), session management functions (SMF), etc.

[0135] In some possible implementations, network devices can also be access points (APs) in Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), relay stations, communication devices in future evolved PLMN networks, and communication devices in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs).

[0136] In some possible implementations, the network device may include means for providing wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, or it may include other discrete devices.

[0137] In some possible implementations, network devices can communicate with Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet, private IP networks, or other data networks.

[0138] In some possible implementations, the network device may include a single node to perform the functions of the aforementioned base station, or it may include two or more independent nodes to perform the functions of the aforementioned base station. For example, the network device includes centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs), such as gNB-CU and gNB-DU.

[0139] In some possible implementations, the network device can be any of the multiple sites that perform coherent joint transmission (CJT) with the terminal device, or other sites outside of the multiple sites, or other network devices that communicate with the terminal device, without any specific restrictions.

[0140] In some possible implementations, the network device can have mobility characteristics; for example, the network device can be a mobile device. Optionally, the network device can be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite can be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device can also be a base station located on land, water, or other similar locations.

[0141] In some possible implementations, network devices can provide services to a cell, and terminal devices within that cell can communicate with the network devices via transmission resources (such as spectrum resources). This cell can be a macro cell, small cell, metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, or femto cell, etc.

[0142] In some possible implementations, the network device described in the embodiments of this application may be a chip, chip module, device, unit, etc., and there are no specific limitations on it.

[0143] Network Topology 2: Network devices interact with A-IoT devices through intermediate nodes:

[0144] Please refer to Figure 4b, which is a schematic diagram of another topology provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 4b, since the network device and the A-IoT device cannot communicate directly, the intermediate node can relay the communication between the network device and the A-IoT device. In Figure 4b, the transmission from the intermediate node to the A-IoT device can be called "R2D" transmission, and the transmission from the A-IoT device to the intermediate node can be called "D2R" transmission. In Figure 4b, optionally, the reader / writer can refer to the intermediate node.

[0145] Specifically, the network device sends R2D data to the intermediate node. The intermediate node then assembles the R2D data into an R2D signal and sends it directly to the A-IoT device, or processes the R2D data to assemble an R2D signal before sending it to the A-IoT device. The R2D data can be the data portion of the R2D signal. Correspondingly, the A-IoT device receives the R2D signal. Optionally, the A-IoT device sends a corresponding response signal to the intermediate node (this response signal can be a backscattered signal). Optionally, the intermediate node forwards the response signal to the network device, or processes the response signal before sending it to the network device. The network device and the intermediate node can communicate via the Uu interface. The A-IoT device sends a D2R signal to the intermediate node. The intermediate node then forwards the D2R data from the signal to the network device, or processes the D2R data before sending it to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the D2R data, which can be the data portion of the D2R signal. Optionally, the network device sends a corresponding response signal to the intermediate node. Alternatively, the intermediate node forwards the response signal to the A-IoT device, or processes the response signal before sending it to the A-IoT device. The network device and the intermediate node can communicate via a Uu interface.

[0146] In some possible implementations, an intermediate node is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, an intermediate node could be a terminal device. For example, intermediate nodes can be eNBs, eNodeBs, gNodeBs, gNBs, multi-transmission receiving points (M-TRPs), base stations in subsequent evolution systems, access nodes in WLAN systems, mobile phones, terminals, remote UEs, relay UEs, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless devices in industrial control, wireless devices in autonomous driving, wireless devices in remote medical care, wireless devices in smart grids, wireless devices in transportation safety, wireless devices in smart cities, and wireless devices in smart homes. Wireless devices in the home, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, or terminal devices in future public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.

[0147] For a detailed description of the network equipment, please refer to Figure 4a; it will not be repeated here.

[0148] Network Topology 3: Interaction between network devices and auxiliary nodes, A-IoT devices:

[0149] “Network Topology 3” is divided into R2D-assisted network topology and D2R-assisted network topology.

[0150] Please refer to Figure 4c. The topology in Figure 4c can be called an R2D-assisted network topology, which is another topology diagram provided in the embodiments of this application. In the R2D-assisted network topology, network devices cannot directly send R2D signals to A-IoT devices, while A-IoT devices can directly send D2R signals to network devices and receive R2D signals from the auxiliary node. Optionally, for R2D, the reader / writer can be an auxiliary node; for D2R, the reader / writer can be a network device.

[0151] Specifically, the network device sends R2D data to the auxiliary node; then, the auxiliary node can either assemble the R2D data into an R2D signal and directly forward it to the A-IoT device, or process the R2D data to assemble an R2D signal before sending it to the A-IoT device. The R2D data can be the data portion of the R2D signal. Correspondingly, the A-IoT device receives the R2D signal from the auxiliary node. The A-IoT device can also directly send D2R signals to the network device. The network device and the auxiliary node can communicate via the Uu interface.

[0152] In Figure 4c, the transmission from the auxiliary node to the A-IoT device can be called "R2D" transmission, and the transmission from the A-IoT device to the network device can be called "D2R" transmission.

[0153] Please refer to Figure 4d. The topology in Figure 4d can be called a D2R-assisted network topology, which is another topology diagram provided in the embodiments of this application. In the D2R-assisted network topology, A-IoT devices cannot directly send D2R signals to network devices, but A-IoT devices can receive R2D signals from network devices and then send D2R signals to the auxiliary node. Optionally, for R2D, the reader / writer can be a network device; for D2R, the reader / writer can be an auxiliary node.

[0154] Specifically, network devices can send R2D signals to A-IoT devices. Correspondingly, after receiving the R2D signal from the network device, the A-IoT device can optionally send a D2R signal to the auxiliary node. The auxiliary node then forwards the D2R data from the D2R signal to the network device, or processes the D2R data in the D2R signal before sending it to the network device. The D2R data can be the data portion of the D2R signal. The network device and the auxiliary node can communicate via the Uu interface.

[0155] In Figure 4d, the transmission from the network device to the A-IoT device can be called "R2D" transmission, and the transmission from the A-IoT device to the auxiliary node can be called "D2R" transmission.

[0156] In some possible implementations, an auxiliary node is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, an auxiliary node can be an eNB, eNodeB, gNodeB, gNB, M-TRP, a base station in a subsequent evolution system, an access node in a WLAN system, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a VR terminal, an AR terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle terminal, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wearable terminal, etc.

[0157] Network Topology 4: Interaction between Terminal Devices and A-IoT Devices

[0158] Please refer to Figure 4e, which is a schematic diagram of another topology provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 4e, the A-IoT device and the terminal device communicate directly in both directions. The reader / writer can refer to the terminal device.

[0159] Specifically, the terminal device sends an R2D signal to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device receives the R2D signal sent by the terminal device. Optionally, the A-IoT device sends a corresponding response signal to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the A-IoT device sends a D2R signal to the terminal device; the terminal device receives the D2R signal sent by the A-IoT device, and optionally, the terminal device sends a corresponding response signal to the A-IoT device (this response signal can be a backscattered signal).

[0160] The terminal device in this application is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, and may be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The terminal device can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the terminal device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR). For example, terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, in-vehicle terminals, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in future mobile communication networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc. In some embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system. The chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete components.

[0161] In the above description, "direct" means that the signal transmission does not pass through auxiliary nodes or intermediate nodes. However, in actual transmission, it may need to pass through other devices, such as routers in the communication link.

[0162] In summary, in this embodiment, the A-IoT system may include network nodes and A-IoT devices. The network node may be one of the network devices, intermediate nodes, or auxiliary nodes shown in Figures 4a to 4e. The intermediate or auxiliary node serves as a relay for transmission between the network device and the A-IoT device.

[0163] IV. D2R / R2D Transmission:

[0164] In this embodiment, the communication between the reader / writer and the A-IoT device is referred to as R2D, which can also be called R2D transmission, R2D communication, R2D signal transmission, or R2D information transmission. Optionally, the R2D signal can also be called the A-IoT R2D signal, and the data portion therein can be called R2D data or A-IoT R2D data. This embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0165] Communication between A-IoT devices and readers is referred to as D2R, or D2R transmission, D2R communication, D2R signal transmission, or D2R information transmission. Optionally, the D2R signal can be called an A-IoT D2R signal, and the data portion can be called D2R data or A-IoT D2R data; this application does not limit the specific terminology used in the embodiments.

[0166] Optionally, the signal transmission between the reader and the A-IoT device can be D2R and / or R2D for any of the above network topologies, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0167] For the network topology shown in Figure 4a, R2D signal transmission refers to the network device directly sending R2D signals to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device directly receiving R2D signals from the network device. D2R signal transmission refers to the A-IoT device directly sending D2R signals to the network device, and the network device directly receiving D2R signals from the A-IoT device.

[0168] For the network topology shown in Figure 4b, R2D signal transmission refers to the network device sending R2D data to the intermediate node, the intermediate node assembling the R2D data into an R2D signal and sending it to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device receiving the R2D signal from the intermediate node. D2R signal transmission refers to the A-IoT device sending a D2R signal to the intermediate node, the intermediate node forwarding the D2R data in the D2R signal to the network device, and the network device receiving the D2R data from the intermediate node.

[0169] For the network topology shown in Figure 4c, R2D signal transmission refers to the network device sending R2D data to the auxiliary node, the auxiliary node assembling the R2D data into an R2D signal and sending it to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device receiving the R2D signal from the auxiliary node. D2R signal transmission refers to the A-IoT device sending a D2R signal to the network device, and the network device receiving the D2R signal from the A-IoT device.

[0170] For the network topology shown in Figure 4d, R2D signal transmission refers to the network device directly sending R2D signals to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device directly receiving R2D signals from the network device. D2R signal transmission refers to the A-IoT device sending D2R signals to the auxiliary node, the auxiliary node forwarding the D2R data in the D2R signal to the network device, and the network device receiving the D2R data from the auxiliary node.

[0171] For the network topology shown in Figure 4e, R2D signal transmission refers to the terminal device directly sending R2D signals to the A-IoT device, and the A-IoT device directly receiving R2D signals from the terminal device. D2R signal transmission refers to the A-IoT device directly sending D2R signals to the terminal device, and the terminal device directly receiving D2R signals from the A-IoT device.

[0172] In the above description, "direct" means that the signal transmission does not pass through auxiliary nodes or intermediate nodes. However, in actual transmission, it may need to pass through other devices, such as routers in the communication link.

[0173] For example, both A-IoT devices and readers can be implemented based on cellular network infrastructure. In other words, both A-IoT devices and readers can be devices within a cellular network. For instance, an A-IoT device can be implemented by a terminal within a cellular network, such as an ultra-low power, ultra-low complexity IoT terminal. The functionality of a reader can be implemented by network devices, such as base stations. Non-contact data communication can be performed between the network device and the terminal, thereby reading information from the terminal and / or writing information that needs to be stored into the terminal.

[0174] A-IoT technology can be used to implement one or more of the following functions: inventory management, location tracking, sensing, and commands. Command functions can be understood as implementing write or lock processes. In terms of application scope, A-IoT technology can be applied to scenarios such as logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, or environmental monitoring.

[0175] The 3GPP plenary meeting defined an extremely low-power, extremely low-complexity Internet of Things (IoT) technology. It can be understood as an extension of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in 3GPP. Although it shares some principles with RFID, such as similar inventory management processes, it introduces more value scenarios in 3GPP.

[0176] The inventory management process involves using readers to connect A-IoT devices within the coverage area. Once connected, each device needs to send its unique identifier (which the network can recognize, such as the electronic product code (EPC) in RFID) to the reader.

[0177] Positioning is the process of using location signals to pinpoint the location of A-IoT devices.

[0178] Sensing involves A-IoT devices reporting sensor data to the base station, such as temperature data.

[0179] The command can be some operation instructions, such as write and lock. The write process is that the BS sends a downlink command and data, instructing the A-IoT device to write the data into its own storage area. The lock process is that a downlink command is sent to instruct the A-IoT device to lock the location at a specified address in the storage area, and the contents of that storage area cannot be modified and / or read.

[0180] Random access:

[0181] Random access in A-IoT technology is a necessary process for establishing a wireless link between A-IoT devices and readers. Through this random access process, A-IoT devices establish uplink synchronization with readers and obtain uplink resources. There are two random access methods: contention-based and non-contention-based. This application mainly relates to the contention-based random access method.

[0182] Contention-based random access:

[0183] Figure 5a illustrates random access in an A-IoT system. Random access in A-IoT technology mainly includes the following signaling:

[0184] R2D mainly includes paging, R2D trigger message, and message 2 (Msg2);

[0185] D2R mainly includes message 1 (Msg1) and message 3 (Msg3);

[0186] Control information can be carried in paging, R2D trigger messages, and Msg2.

[0187] A paging message is sent only once per paging cycle. The paging message carries the device ID to be paging and scheduling information. The first paging message sent is called the initial paging message.

[0188] R2D trigger messages are used to indicate Msg1 resources to A-IoT devices and are sent multiple times during a single inventory cycle. R2D trigger messages can also be called QueryRep-like messages or paging messages. If called QueryRep-like messages, their main difference from paging messages lies in the Media Access Control (MAC) header. If called paging messages, their difference from paging messages is that they do not carry a device identifier.

[0189] Figure 5b illustrates a contention-based random access process for an A-IoT device. This process includes the following steps:

[0190] S500. The reader sends message 0 (Msg0) (i.e., paging) to trigger the target A-IoT device to initiate random access.

[0191] S501. The A-IoT device sends Msg1 to the reader, where Msg1 carries a random identifier (random ID) generated by the A-IoT device.

[0192] S502. The reader sends a physical reader-device channel (PRDCH) containing Msg2 as a response to the received Msg1 from the A-IoT device. Msg2 may contain the random ID from Msg1.

[0193] Msg2 is used for contention resolution, that is, when an A-IoT device receives Msg2 containing its own random ID, the A-IoT device considers the contention resolution successful.

[0194] PRDCH can carry one or more A-IoT devices, Msg2.

[0195] The S503.A-IoT device sends Msg3 to the reader, carrying upper-layer data (including device identifier and / or other upper-layer data).

[0196] The scheduling information for Msg3 is indicated by Msg2.

[0197] The following explains the terms that may be involved in the embodiments of this application:

[0198] Chip: The time unit for D2R and R2D transmission is a chip, which is one level. For on-off keying (OOK) modulation (both D2R and R2D support OOK), the level refers to the duration of a high level or a low level.

[0199] The time parameter M for a chip length: The chip length in R2D is equal to 1 / M of the length of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, where M is a positive integer.

[0200] D2R chip length: The D2R chip length is affected by the time-domain repetition factor R. Frequency division multiple access (FDMA) requires small frequency shift (SFS) for implementation. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6a, which illustrates the time-domain waveform using a small frequency shift, the bit before line code encoding is denoted as the information bit, and its length is denoted as the information bit length (which can be written as T). b If the line code is encoded and SFS is performed, the length of each chip is denoted as D2R chip length (as shown in Figure 6a), and D2R chip length = T. b / (2×R).

[0201] Time-domain repetition factor R: This can be understood as follows: when R > 1, the frequency domain position of the signal corresponding to R > 1 will shift or move ±R / T relative to R = 1. b For example, as shown in Figure 6a, assuming information bit #1 is 0110, T b =266.66 microseconds (μs); when R=1, the signal #1 after Manchester encoding and SFS of information bit #1 can be 10010110, and the chip length of signal #1 is 133.33μs; when R=4, the signal #2 after Manchester encoding and SFS of information bit #1 can be 1010101001010101 01010101 10101010, and the chip length of signal #2 is 33.33μs.

[0202] Taking time interval #1 as an example, when R=1, the first bit 0 of information bit #1 is encoded as 10, and 10 is transmitted once in time interval #1. When R=4, the first bit 0 of information bit #1 is encoded as 10101010, that is, 10 is transmitted four times in time interval #1. Compared to R=1, R=4 is equivalent to shortening the chip length of R=1 to 1 / 4 and transmitting it four times. It can be understood that the above examples using R=1 and R=4 illustrate the time-domain characteristics of different values ​​of R. R can also take any other possible value, and its time-domain characteristics are similar to those of R=1 and R=4. These are for reference and understanding and are not limited to any specific value.

[0203] The following section continues with R=1 and R=4 as examples to introduce the frequency domain characteristics of different values ​​of R.

[0204] Assuming R=1, the effective bandwidth of signal #1 is 15 kilohertz (kHz). For example, the spectrum of signal #1 is shown in the left figure of Figure 6b (the horizontal axis is frequency (f) in kHz, and the vertical axis is power in decibels milliwatts (dBm)). The effective bandwidth of signal #1 can include single-sideband #1 and single-sideband #2. The effective bandwidth range of single-sideband #1 is -7.5kHz to 0kHz, and the effective bandwidth range of single-sideband #2 is 0kHz to 7.5kHz.

[0205] When R=4, the frequency domain position of signal #2 will shift or move ±4 / T relative to R=1. b For example, the spectrum of signal #2 is shown in the right figure of Figure 6b (horizontal axis is frequency in kHz; vertical axis is power in dBm). The effective bandwidth of signals #1 and #2 is the same, both being 15kHz. The effective bandwidth of signal #2 can include single-sideband #3 and single-sideband #4. The frequency domain position of single-sideband #3 is offset by -7.5kHz relative to single-sideband #1, that is, the effective bandwidth range of single-sideband #3 is -15kHz to (-7.5)kHz; similarly, the frequency domain position of single-sideband #4 is offset by +7.5kHz relative to single-sideband #2, that is, the effective bandwidth range of single-sideband #4 is 7.5kHz to 15kHz. It can be understood that the above uses R=1 and R=4 as examples to introduce the frequency domain characteristics of different values ​​of R. R can also take any other possible value, and its frequency domain characteristics are similar to those of R=1 and R=4. This can be used for reference and understanding without limitation.

[0206] The number of IoT devices (Y) supported by the reader in a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) environment: Y decreases as the transmission bandwidth increases. Figure 7 illustrates the number of IoT devices supported by the reader in a FDMA environment. When the transmission bandwidth is 2400kHz, Y can only be 1; when the transmission bandwidth is 600kHz, the maximum value of Y can be 3; and when the transmission bandwidth is 150kHz, the maximum value of Y can be 5.

[0207] Forward Error Correction Channel Coding: Convolutional codes are a type of forward error correction channel coding. Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a convolutional code encoder. Convolutional codes convert the input bit sequence (c0,…,c…) into a single bit sequence. K-1 The convolutional code encoder is performed modulo-2 multiplication with one or more generator polynomials, and the results are then output in parallel to form the encoded sequence. The convolutional code encoder used in the current AIoT device 1 is shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the convolutional code encoder includes 6 registers (represented by "D" in Figure 8) and 12 XOR gates (represented by ⊕ in Figure 8). The registers are used to store bit values, and the XOR gates are used to perform XOR operations. The generator polynomial is [133, 171, 165]. As can be seen from Figure 8, c... k The output after entering the convolution encoder is That is, 1 bit of input corresponds to 3 bits of output, so the code rate of this convolutional coding is 1 / 3. Note that if forward error correction channel coding is not used, the code rate can be considered to be 1.

[0208] Punching: Punching refers to the selective discarding (or omission) of certain redundant bits in the encoded bitstream, thereby increasing the bit rate. For example, convolutional encoders generate redundant bits during encoding to enhance anti-interference capabilities and reliability, but these redundant bits may reduce transmission efficiency. Punching can remove some redundant bits, improving transmission efficiency.

[0209] Holes can be punched after convolutional encoding.

[0210] The 1 / 2 code rate can be achieved as follows: Let the bits before convolutional coding be a, b, c, d, ..., and the output bits after convolutional coding be a0, a1, a2, b0, b1, b2, c0, c1, c2, d0, d1, d2, ... By fixing the first bit of the output bit corresponding to the input bit, the output after punching according to the above pattern becomes a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, c2, d1, d2... After punching, it can be seen that the input bit 'a' corresponds to the output bit 'a1a2', that is, 1 input bit corresponds to 2 output bits, therefore the code rate is 1 / 2.

[0211] A code rate of 1 / 4 can be achieved as follows. Let x be the number of bits to be convolutionally encoded. n xm When convolutional coding is used and the number of block repetitions is 2, the number of bits after convolutional coding and block repetition is x. n00 ,x n10 ,x n20 ,x m00 ,x m10 ,x m20 ,x n01 ,x n11 ,x n21 ,x m01 ,x m11 ,x m21 Fixed to remove x n00 ,x n10 ,x n01 ,x n11 The output is x n20 ,x m00 ,x m10 ,x m20 ,x n21 ,x m01 ,x m11 ,x m21 After punching holes, it can be seen that the input is 2 bits and the output becomes 8 bits, so the code rate is 1 / 4.

[0212] D2R communication can use forward error correction channel coding or not. However, there is currently no solution for how A-IoT devices determine whether to use forward error correction channel coding.

[0213] In view of this, this application provides a communication scheme in which the second device indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is used on the first data channel, so that the first device can accurately process the first data based on the indication, and the data transmission meets the communication requirements.

[0214] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below based on the above communication system:

[0215] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0216] S901. The second device sends information 1 to the first device. Accordingly, the first device receives information 1.

[0217] For example, in an A-IoT system, the first device may be an A-IoT device and the second device may be a reader / writer.

[0218] In one implementation, the information 1 is used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel.

[0219] For example, information 1 can be 1 bit. When the value of this 1 bit is a first value, it is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; when the value of this 1 bit is a second value, it is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel. For example, the first value is "0" and the second value is "1"; or, the first value is "1" and the second value is "0".

[0220] In one example, as shown in Figure 10a, it is a schematic diagram of indicating whether forward error correction channel coding is used through a paging message. This information 1 can be carried in the paging message.

[0221] In one instance of this example, the scope of information 1 is uplink messages within a first time range. This first time range can be configured or predefined by the network side. For example, the first time range can be the time range corresponding to a single inventory round. Specifically, during the random access process of the A-IoT system, all uplink messages in a single inventory round can include at least one of the following messages: Msg1, Msg3 from one or more A-IoT devices in that inventory round, and uplink transmission message 5 (message 5, Msg5) after random access.

[0222] In another scenario of this example, message 1 applies to all Msg1s within a first time frame. Message 1 below is one Msg1 in a inventory round. In the random access process of the A-IoT system, all Msg1s in a inventory round refer to the Msg1s of one or more A-IoT devices in that round. Furthermore, an A-IoT device can initiate random access more than once. If an A-IoT device fails to initiate random access once, it can initiate random access again. Therefore, one A-IoT device can correspond to multiple Msg1s.

[0223] In another example, as shown in Figure 10b, it is a schematic diagram of whether forward error correction channel coding is used by indicating through a trigger message, and this information 1 can be carried in the trigger message.

[0224] In one instance of this example, the scope of information 1 is the uplink messages triggered by the trigger message. The uplink messages triggered by the trigger message may include at least one of the following messages: Msg1, Msg3, and Msg5.

[0225] When the trigger message carries information 1 and indicates that the triggered uplink messages do not use forward error correction channel coding, if the first device fails to send Msg3 or Msg5, the second device needs to send Msg2 or downlink transmission message 4 (message 4, Msg4) after random access to initiate the retransmission of the corresponding Msg3 or Msg5. At this time, in order to increase the probability of successful transmission, Msg2 or Msg4 will carry indication information to indicate that the corresponding Msg3 or Msg5 applies forward error correction channel coding.

[0226] In another scenario of this example, the scope of information 1 is limited to Msg1 triggered by the trigger message. The implementation of "Msg1 triggered by the trigger message" could involve an A-IoT device generating a random number in a storage cycle. Each time an A-IoT device receives a trigger message, it decrements this random number by 1. When the random number reaches 0, the A-IoT device sends Msg1.

[0227] Understandably, a reader can indicate whether to use forward error correction channel coding through paging messages or trigger messages, but it will not indicate whether to use forward error correction channel coding through both paging messages and trigger messages simultaneously.

[0228] Furthermore, since the scope of information 1 is Msg1 within the first time range, it needs to be further determined whether the second data channel complies with the indication of information 1. Furthermore, the second device can also send information 4 to the first device, which indicates whether the second data channel complies with the indication of information 1. The second data channel is used to carry a third message, which is any uplink message other than Msg1 within the first time range.

[0229] The following discussion will address different scenarios:

[0230] 1) Message 4 is used to instruct the second data channel to comply with the instructions of Message 1:

[0231] Information 1 is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not used for Msg1, and information 4 is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not used for the second data channel in accordance with the indication of information 1. Therefore, forward error correction channel coding is not used for the second data channel.

[0232] When the paging message carries information 1 and indicates that Msg1 within the first time range does not use forward error correction channel coding, and the paging message carries information 4 and indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not used on the second data channel in accordance with the instruction of information 1, when the first device fails to send Msg3 or Msg5, the second device needs to send Msg2 or Msg4 again to initiate the retransmission of the corresponding Msg3 or Msg5. At this time, in order to increase the probability of successful transmission, Msg2 or Msg4 will carry indication information to indicate that the corresponding Msg3 or Msg5 applies forward error correction channel coding.

[0233] Information 1 is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is used for Msg1, and information 4 is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel in accordance with the indication of information 1. Therefore, forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel.

[0234] 2) Message 4 is used to indicate that the second data channel does not comply with the instruction of Message 1 to use forward error correction channel coding. Further, the second device can also send message 5 to the first device, which indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel.

[0235] For example, information 4 can be 1 bit. When the value of this 1 bit is the third value, it is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel; when the value of this 1 bit is the fourth value, it is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not used for the second data channel.

[0236] For example, the third value is "0" and the fourth value is "1"; or, the third value is "1" and the fourth value is "0".

[0237] The second data channel may contain at least one of the following messages: Msg3 and Msg5. For example, Msg2 may be used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is employed for Msg3.

[0238] In another implementation, whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel can be indicated by whether information 1 is empty.

[0239] For example, if the information 1 includes the first field, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; if the information does not include the first field, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel.

[0240] For example, the information 1 includes a first field, which can be any value. For instance, if the information 1 includes a first field and the value of the first field is 0, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; if the information 1 does not include the first field, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel. As another example, if the information 1 includes a first field and the value of the first field is 1, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; if the information 1 does not include the first field, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel.

[0241] In this embodiment, the information 1 can be carried in a paging message or a trigger message. When the information 1 is carried in a paging message or a trigger message, its scope of application can be referred to the description in the previous embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] S902. The first device processes the first bit sequence according to information 1 to obtain the second bit sequence.

[0243] In one scenario, the first device determines, based on information 1, that forward error correction channel coding will be applied to the first data channel. Then, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first bit sequence to obtain the second bit sequence. Furthermore, before obtaining the second bit sequence, other processing operations can be performed on the data after forward error correction channel coding.

[0244] In another scenario, if the first device determines, based on information 1, that it will not use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel, then the first device will perform other processing operations on the first bit sequence to obtain the second bit sequence.

[0245] Other processing operations include adding cyclic redundancy check (CRC) codes, punching holes, and so on.

[0246] S903. The first device sends a second bit sequence to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the second bit sequence.

[0247] After obtaining the second bit sequence, the first device sends the second bit sequence to the second device.

[0248] The second device may selectively perform either step S904a or S904b:

[0249] S904a. When it is indicated that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel, forward error correction channel decoding is performed on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0250] S904b. When it is indicated that forward error correction channel coding is not used for the first data channel, the second bit sequence is detected to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0251] The second device processes data in a similar manner to the first device, and its principle can be found in the descriptions of steps S901 and S902. If the first device determines to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel, then the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel; conversely, if the first device determines not to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel, then the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel.

[0252] The following discussion will address different scenarios:

[0253] In the first embodiment described above, information 1 is used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. When information 1 indicates that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, the second device performs forward error correction channel decoding on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence. When information 1 indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel, the second device detects the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0254] Regarding the second embodiment described above, if information 1 includes the first field, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; otherwise, if information 1 does not include the first field, it indicates that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data. In the case where information 1 includes the first field, the second device performs forward error correction channel decoding on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence; if information 1 does not include the first field, the second device detects the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0255] According to a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, a second device indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is used on a first data channel, so that the first device can accurately process the first data channel based on the indication, and the transmission of the data channel meets the communication requirements.

[0256] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0257] S1101. The second device sends a third bit sequence to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the third bit sequence.

[0258] For example, in an A-IoT system, the first device may be an A-IoT device and the second device may be a reader / writer.

[0259] For example, in the random access process of an A-IoT system, the third bit sequence can be any of the following R2D messages: paging message, trigger message, Msg2, Msg4.

[0260] In this context, the length of a second chip in the third bit sequence is equal to 1 / M of the length of an OFDM symbol, where M is a positive integer.

[0261] S1102. The first device acquires the first parameter.

[0262] The first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the time parameter M of a second chip length of the third bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding.

[0263] The second bit sequence is obtained by processing the first bit sequence. In this embodiment, the processing mainly refers to whether to use FEC channel coding for the first data channel. Additionally, cyclic redundancy check codes, puncturing, etc., can be added to the first data channel.

[0264] Where M is a protocol predefined value.

[0265] For example, the first device may receive a first parameter from the second device, wherein the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, Y, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding.

[0266] For example, the first parameter mentioned above can also be predefined by the protocol.

[0267] S1103. The first device determines, based on the first parameter, whether to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel.

[0268] In one implementation, the first parameter includes the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence. Then: if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to a first threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Alternatively, if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than the first threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. Alternatively, if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than the first threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the first threshold, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel.

[0269] The number of block repetitions can be used to improve demodulation performance. Since the gain of forward error correction channel coding is greater than the block repetition gain, when improving the demodulation performance of an A-IoT device, forward error correction channel coding should be used first, followed by increasing the number of block repetitions. Therefore, if the number of block repetitions in the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, it indicates that the A-IoT device needs improved demodulation performance, and forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions in the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the A-IoT device does not need improved demodulation performance, and forward error correction channel coding is not used for the first data channel.

[0270] For example, the first threshold can be 1. The number of block repetitions is 1, that is, there are no block repetitions.

[0271] In another embodiment, if the first parameter includes M, then: if M is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first device determines not to use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel; if M is less than the second threshold, the first device determines to use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if M is greater than the second threshold, the first device determines not to use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel; if M is less than the second threshold, the first device determines to use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if M is greater than the second threshold, the first device determines not to use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel; if M is less than or equal to the second threshold, the first device determines to use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel.

[0272] The larger the M value of downlink R2D, the worse the downlink demodulation performance, indicating that the A-IoT device does not need to improve demodulation performance. In this case, uplink can consider not using forward error correction channel coding. The smaller the M value of downlink R2D, the better the downlink demodulation performance, indicating that the A-IoT device needs to improve demodulation performance. In this case, uplink can consider using forward error correction channel coding.

[0273] For example, the second threshold is 24.

[0274] In another implementation, if the first parameter includes Y, then: if Y is less than or equal to a third threshold, and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; if Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will be applied to the first data channel. Alternatively, if Y is less than the third threshold, and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; if Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will be applied to the first data channel. Alternatively, if Y is less than the third threshold and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is not used for the first data channel; if Y is greater than or equal to the third threshold and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel.

[0275] The larger the bandwidth, the smaller the Y that can be supported.

[0276] The bandwidth B, the product of the first chip length of the second bit sequence and R, satisfy the following relationship: Therefore, the larger the bandwidth, the smaller the product of the length of the first chip of the second bit sequence and R; conversely, the smaller the bandwidth, the larger the product of the length of the first chip of the second bit sequence and R.

[0277] The larger the D2R bandwidth, the worse the demodulation performance. That is, if a large bandwidth is used, it means that the current uplink coverage requirement is not high, so it is possible to consider not using forward error correction channel coding. Conversely, the smaller the D2R bandwidth, the better the demodulation performance. That is, if a small bandwidth is used, it means that the current uplink coverage requirement is high, so it is possible to consider using forward error correction channel coding.

[0278] Therefore, the smaller Y is, and the smaller the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is not used for the first data channel; the larger Y is, and / or the larger the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel.

[0279] For example, the third threshold mentioned above is equal to 1.

[0280] For example, the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is equal to 0.69 μs.

[0281] In another embodiment, if the first parameter includes the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, then: if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than a fifth threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the first device determines to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the first device determines to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the first device determines to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel.

[0282] The length of the preamble is related to synchronization performance. A shorter preamble results in poorer synchronization performance, while a longer preamble results in better synchronization performance. Synchronization performance needs to be matched with data demodulation performance. Therefore, when synchronization performance requirements are low, forward error correction channel coding is not used for the first data channel; when synchronization performance requirements are high, forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel.

[0283] In another embodiment, if the first parameter includes the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, then: if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than a fifth threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the first device determines to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the first device determines to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, the first device determines not to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the first device determines to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel.

[0284] The length of the intermediate preamble is related to synchronization performance. A shorter intermediate preamble results in poorer synchronization performance, while a longer intermediate preamble results in better synchronization performance. Synchronization performance needs to be matched with data demodulation performance. Therefore, when synchronization performance requirements are low, forward error correction channel coding is not used for the first data channel; when synchronization performance requirements are high, forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel.

[0285] In another embodiment, the first parameter includes the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding. Then: when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is 1, the first device does not use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel; when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, the first device uses forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel. For example, when the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, the code rate is any one of the following: 1 / 4, 1 / 3, or 1 / 2, then forward error correction channel coding is used on the first data channel.

[0286] It is understood that the above-described embodiments can be implemented independently or in combination. When one or more of the embodiments are implemented in combination, the one or more first parameters configured by the second device for the first device will ensure that the results determined by the first device are consistent, and will not result in contradictory results depending on different first parameters. For example, if the first parameters include the number of block repetitions of the first data and M, then the first device can determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the number of block repetitions of the first data, and determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on M; or, the first device can determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the number of block repetitions of the first data, and determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on M.

[0287] S1104. The first device processes the first data according to whether forward error correction channel coding is used on the first data channel to obtain the second bit sequence.

[0288] In one scenario, the first device determines, based on the first parameter, that forward error correction channel coding will be applied to the first data channel, and then applies forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel to obtain the second bit sequence. Furthermore, before obtaining the second bit sequence, other processing operations can be performed on the data after forward error correction channel coding.

[0289] In another scenario, if the first device determines, based on the first parameter, that it will not use forward error correction channel coding on the first data channel, then the first device will perform other processing operations on the first data to obtain the second bit sequence.

[0290] Other processing operations include adding CRC codes, punching holes, and so on.

[0291] S1105. The first device sends a second bit sequence to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the second bit sequence.

[0292] After obtaining the second bit sequence, the first device sends the second bit sequence to the second device.

[0293] S1106. The second device acquires the first parameter.

[0294] The first parameter can be generated by the second device or predefined by the protocol.

[0295] S1107. The second device determines, based on the first parameter, whether to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel.

[0296] The method by which the second device determines its operation is similar to that of the first device, and its principle can be found in the description of step S1103. If the first device determines to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel, then the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel; conversely, if the first device determines not to use forward error correction channel coding for the first data channel, then the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel.

[0297] In one implementation, the first parameter includes the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence. Then: if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, it determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than the first threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, it determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than the first threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel.

[0298] For example, the first threshold can be 1. The number of block repetitions is 1, that is, there are no block repetitions.

[0299] In another embodiment, if the first parameter includes M, then: if M is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if M is less than the second threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if M is greater than the second threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if M is less than the second threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if M is greater than the second threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if M is less than or equal to the second threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel.

[0300] For example, the second threshold is 24.

[0301] In another implementation, if the first parameter includes Y, then: if Y is less than or equal to a third threshold, and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to a fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be applied to the first data channel; if Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will be applied to the first data channel. Alternatively, if Y is less than the third threshold, and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be applied to the first data channel; if Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will be applied to the first data channel. Alternatively, if Y is less than the third threshold and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is not used for the first data channel; if Y is greater than or equal to the third threshold and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel.

[0302] For example, the third threshold mentioned above is equal to 1.

[0303] For example, the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is equal to 0.69 μs.

[0304] In another embodiment, if the first parameter includes the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, then: if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel.

[0305] In another embodiment, if the first parameter includes the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, then: if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than a fifth threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. Alternatively, if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the fifth threshold, the second device determines not to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; if the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than the fifth threshold, the second device determines to use forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel.

[0306] In another embodiment, the first parameter includes the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding. Then: when the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding is 1, the second device does not perform forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel; when the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding is less than 1, the second device performs forward error correction channel decoding on the first data channel. For example, when the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding is less than 1, the code rate is any one of the following: 1 / 4, 1 / 3, or 1 / 2, then forward error correction channel decoding is performed on the first data channel.

[0307] It is understood that the above-described embodiments can be implemented independently or in combination. When one or more of the embodiments are implemented in combination, one or more first parameters predefined in the protocol or configured by the second device will ensure that the results determined by the second device are consistent, and will not result in contradictory results depending on different first parameters. For example, if the first parameters include the number of block repetitions of the first data and M, then the second device can determine whether to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel based on the number of block repetitions of the first data, and determine whether to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel based on M; or, the second device can determine whether to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel based on the number of block repetitions of the first data, and determine whether to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel based on M.

[0308] S1108a. When it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel, the second device performs forward error correction channel decoding on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0309] S1108b. If it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is not used on the first data channel, the second bit sequence is detected to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0310] In one scenario, if the second device determines that forward error correction channel decoding is used on the first data channel, it performs forward error correction channel decoding on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence. Furthermore, after performing forward error correction channel decoding on the second bit sequence, other processing operations can be performed on the second bit sequence to obtain the first data.

[0311] In another scenario, if the second device determines that forward error correction channel decoding is not used on the first data channel, it will detect the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence.

[0312] According to an embodiment of this application, a communication method is provided in which a first device obtains a first parameter and, based on the first parameter, can accurately determine whether to use forward error correction channel coding for a first data channel, thereby enabling the first device to accurately process the first data channel and make the transmission of the data channel meet the communication requirements.

[0313] In this application, the phrase "sending information to... (e.g., the first device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being the first device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the first device. Similarly, the phrase "receiving information from... (e.g., the first device)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., the first device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the source of the information being the first device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the first device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0314] It is understood that this application uses the first device and the second device as examples to illustrate the execution of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution of the interaction. For example, the first device in the method provided by this application can also be a chip, chip system, or processor applied to the first device, or it can be a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first device; the second device in the method provided by this application can also be a chip, chip system, or processor applied to the second device, or it can be a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second device.

[0315] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the second device and the first device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0316] Figures 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first or second device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0317] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processing unit 1210 and a transceiver unit 1220. The communication device 1200 is used to implement the functions of the first or second device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 11.

[0318] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the function of the first device: the transceiver unit 1220 is used to implement at least one step executed by the first device in steps S901 and S903 in the embodiment shown in FIG9, and the processing unit 1210 is used to implement step S902 in the embodiment shown in FIG9; or, the transceiver unit 1220 is used to implement at least one step executed by the first device in steps S1101 and S1105 in the embodiment shown in FIG11, and the processing unit 1210 is used to implement at least one step in steps S1102-S1104 in the embodiment shown in FIG11.

[0319] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the function of the second device: the transceiver unit 1220 is used to implement at least one step executed by the second device in steps S901 and S903 in the embodiment shown in FIG9, and the processing unit 1210 is used to implement step S904a or S904b in the embodiment shown in FIG9; or, the transceiver unit 1220 is used to implement at least one step executed by the second device in steps S1101 and S1105 in the embodiment shown in FIG11, and the processing unit 1210 is used to implement at least one step among steps S1106, S1107, S1108a, and S1108b in the embodiment shown in FIG11.

[0320] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1210 and the transceiver unit 1220 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0321] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to the first device, the first device chip implements the functions of the first device in the above method embodiments. The first device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first device, which is sent to the first device by the second device; or, the first device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first device, which is sent to the second device by the first device.

[0322] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to the second device, the second device chip implements the functions of the second device in the above method embodiments. The second device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the second device, which is information sent from the first device to the second device; or, the second device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the second device, which is information sent from the second device to the first device.

[0323] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned transceiver unit and / or processing unit can be implemented through virtual modules. For example, the processing unit can be implemented through software functional units or virtual devices, and the transceiver unit can be implemented through software functions or virtual devices. Alternatively, the processing unit or transceiver unit can also be implemented through physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing unit is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0324] As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1300 includes a processor 1310 and may also include an interface circuit 1320. The processor 1310 and the interface circuit 1320 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1320 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1300 may also include a memory 1330 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 13) for storing instructions executed by the processor 1310, or storing input data required by the processor 1310 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1310 executes instructions.

[0325] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the function of the first device: the interface circuit 1320 is used to implement at least one step executed by the first device in steps S901 and S903 in the embodiment shown in FIG9, and the processor 1310 is used to implement step S902 in the embodiment shown in FIG9; or, the interface circuit 1320 is used to implement at least one step executed by the first device in steps S1101 and S1105 in the embodiment shown in FIG11, and the processor 1310 is used to implement at least one step in steps S1102-S1104 in the embodiment shown in FIG11.

[0326] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the function of the second device: the interface circuit 1320 is used to implement at least one step executed by the second device in steps S901 and S903 in the embodiment shown in FIG9, and the processor 1310 is used to implement step S904a or S904b in the embodiment shown in FIG9; or, the interface circuit 1320 is used to implement at least one step executed by the second device in steps S1101 and S1105 in the embodiment shown in FIG11, and the processor 1310 is used to implement at least one step among steps S1106, S1107, S1108a, and S1108b in the embodiment shown in FIG11.

[0327] A more detailed description of the processor 1310 and interface circuit 1320 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0328] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from the base station, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the terminal (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the terminal chip by these modules. The terminal chip sends information to the base station, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules in the terminal (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the base station by these modules.

[0329] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a base station, the base station chip implements the functions of the base station in the above method embodiments. The base station chip receives information from the terminal, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the base station (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the base station chip by these modules. The base station chip sends information to the terminal, which can be understood as the information being sent down to other modules in the base station (such as an RF module or antenna), and then sent to the terminal by these modules.

[0330] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. Information transmission and reception can be between RAN nodes and terminals, such as between a base station and a terminal; between two RAN nodes, such as between a CU and a DU; or between different modules within a single device, such as between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or between a base station chip and other modules of the base station.

[0331] It is understood that in this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, 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, or indirectly indicating the information to be instructed by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or agreed upon in advance. For example, the instruction of specific information can also be achieved by using the arrangement order of various information in advance (e.g., as specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information to be sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0332] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0333] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, optical discs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or terminal.

[0334] 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 programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless 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, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0335] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0336] Depending on whether the specification uses "optional": In this application, "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 three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0337] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; Based on the first information, the first bit sequence is processed to obtain the second bit sequence; The second bit sequence is transmitted on the first data channel. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Receive first information, and if the first information includes a first field, apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel, or if the first information does not include the first field, do not apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; Based on the first information, the first bit sequence is processed to obtain the second bit sequence; The second bit sequence is transmitted on the first data channel. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein The second bit sequence is included in the first message, which is an uplink message within a first time range, or the first message is an uplink message triggered by a trigger message. The method of claim 3, wherein The uplink message is Random Access Message 1. The method of claim 4, wherein The method further includes: The system receives a second message, which indicates whether the second data channel follows the instruction of the first message. The second data channel carries a third message, which is an uplink message other than the random access message 1 within the first time range. The method of claim 5, wherein The first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information; therefore, forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel. The first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information. Therefore, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel. The method of claim 5, wherein The second information is used to indicate cases where forward error correction channel coding is not performed on the second data channel as indicated by the first information, and after transmitting the second bit sequence, the method further includes: Receive third information, which indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first information is carried in a paging message or a trigger message. The method according to any one of claims 3-8, characterized in that The first time range is the time between receiving the first information and receiving the fourth information, and the fourth information is used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the third data channel. The method of claim 9, wherein The fourth information is carried in at least one of the following messages: paging message, trigger message, and random access message 2. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Send a first message, the first message being used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel; Receive the second bit sequence on the first data channel; When forward error correction channel coding is indicated for the first data channel, forward error correction channel decoding is performed on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence; When it is indicated that forward error correction channel coding is not used on the first data channel, the second bit sequence is detected to obtain the first bit sequence. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Send first information, and if the first information includes the first field, apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel, or if the first information does not include the first field, do not apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; Receive the second bit sequence on the first data channel; If the first information includes the first field, the second bit sequence is subjected to forward error correction channel decoding to obtain the first bit sequence; If the first information does not include the first field, the second bit sequence is detected to obtain the first bit sequence. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The second bit sequence is included in the first message, which is an uplink message within a first time range, or the first message is an uplink message triggered by a trigger message. The method of claim 13, wherein The uplink message is Random Access Message 1. The method of claim 14, wherein The method further includes: Send a second message, which is used to indicate whether the second data channel follows the instruction of the first message. The second data channel is used to carry a third message, which is an uplink message other than the random access message 1 within the first time range. The method of claim 15, wherein The first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information; therefore, forward error correction channel coding is not applied to the second data channel. The first information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, and the second information is used to indicate that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel in accordance with the indication of the first information. Therefore, forward error correction channel coding is applied to the second data channel. The method of claim 15, wherein The second information is used to indicate cases where forward error correction channel coding is not performed on the second data channel as indicated by the first information, and after transmitting the second bit sequence, the method further includes: A third message is sent, which indicates whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the second data channel. The method of any one of claims 11-17, wherein The first information is carried in a paging message or a trigger message. The method according to any one of claims 13-18, characterized in that The first time range is the time between receiving the first information and receiving the fourth information, and the fourth information is used to indicate whether forward error correction channel coding is used for the third data channel. The method of claim 19, wherein The fourth information is carried in at least one of the following messages: paging message, trigger message, and random access message 2. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Receive the third bit sequence; Get the first parameter; Based on the first parameter, determine whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel; Depending on whether forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel, the first bit sequence is processed to obtain the second bit sequence; Transmit the second bit sequence on the first data channel; The first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the time parameter M of a second chip length of the third bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding, wherein the second chip length of the third bit sequence is equal to 1 / M of the length of one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and M is a positive integer. The method of claim 21, wherein, The process of obtaining the first parameter includes: The first parameter is received, and the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein The first parameter includes the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: If the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; If the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 21, wherein The first parameter includes M, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: If M is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; If M is less than the second threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein The first parameter includes Y, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first transmission parameter includes: If Y is less than or equal to the third threshold, and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel. If Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is applied to the first data channel. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein The first parameter includes the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, and the step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first transmission parameter includes: The length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, so it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; If the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein The first parameter includes the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first transmission parameter includes: The length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the sixth threshold, so it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; If the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein The first parameter includes the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel coding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: When the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is 1, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding will not be applied to the first data channel; When the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, it is determined that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 28 wherein When the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is less than 1, determining that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel includes: the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding is any one of the following: 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, and determining that forward error correction channel coding is used for the first data channel. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Send the third bit sequence; Receive the second bit sequence on the first data channel; Get the first parameter; Based on the first parameter, determine whether to use forward error correction channel decoding for the first data channel; If it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel, forward error correction channel decoding is performed on the second bit sequence to obtain the first bit sequence; If it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is not used on the first data channel, the second bit sequence is detected to obtain the first bit sequence; The first parameter includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the time parameter M of a second chip length of the third bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding, wherein the second chip length of the third bit sequence is equal to 1 / M of the length of one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and M is a positive integer. The method of claim 30, wherein The method further includes: Send the first parameter, which includes at least one of the following: the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence, the number Y of IoT devices Y in the frequency division multiple access environment supported by the reader, the product of a first chip length of the second bit sequence and the time-domain repetition factor R of the second bit sequence, the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence, the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence, and the code rate of the forward error correction channel coding. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein The first parameter includes the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: If the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is less than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be used on the first data channel; If the number of block repetitions of the second bit sequence is greater than the first threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 30, wherein The first parameter includes M, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: If M is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be used on the first data channel; If M is less than the second threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein The first parameter includes Y, and determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: If Y is less than or equal to the third threshold, and the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be used on the first data channel. If Y is greater than the third threshold, and / or the product of the length of a first chip of the second bit sequence and R is greater than the fourth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein The first parameter includes the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: The length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the fifth threshold, so it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be used on the first data channel; If the length of the preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein The first parameter includes the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: If the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is less than the sixth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding will not be used on the first data channel. If the length of the intermediate preamble of the second bit sequence is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein The first parameter includes the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding. The step of determining whether to apply forward error correction channel decoding to the first data channel based on the first parameter includes: When the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding is 1, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is not used on the first data channel; When the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding is less than 1, it is determined that forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. The method of claim 37, wherein If the code rate of the forward error correction channel decoding is any one of the following: 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, then forward error correction channel decoding is used for the first data channel. A communication device characterized by comprising: It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 2-10, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 11, 13-20, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 12-20, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 21-29, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 30-38. A communication device, characterized by The device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices. The processor is used, through logic circuits or execution code instructions, to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 2-10, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 11, 13-20, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 12-20, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 21-29, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 30-38. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-38. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes relevant program instructions, which, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-38.

Images