Communication method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to A-IoT technology in the field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium, which can make the number of access resources indicated by a reader / writer more reasonable, and can effectively reduce the number of idle slots caused by random access selection, thereby facilitating improvement of random access efficiency. The method comprises: a reader / writer determines a number Q of first resources, and sends, to an A-IoT device, first information for indicating a first value x, the number Q of first resources being associated with the first value x and a second value y according to a first association; and correspondingly, the A-IoT device obtains the number Q of first resources according to the first association on the basis of the received first value x and second value y, and determines an access occasion on the basis of the number Q of first resources, wherein the first resource is a resource allocated by a second communication apparatus and used for access by a first communication apparatus, x and Q are positive integers, and y is an integer.

Description

Communication methods, devices and computer-readable storage media

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510395252.7, filed on March 28, 2025, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus and Computer-Readable Storage Medium", 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 and computer-readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined the Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. A-IoT is based on cellular network infrastructure and consists of readers and A-IoT terminals. A-IoT supports inventory services, meaning it supports the use of readers to access A-IoT terminals within its coverage area.

[0004] During the random access process of A-IoT terminals, the A-IoT terminal can initiate random access based on the number of access resources (or access opportunities) provided by the reader. Some solutions mention that the A-IoT terminal can perform a contention-based random access process based on the number Q of access resources allocated by the reader. Here, the number of access resources is determined by the reader indicating x, and the A-IoT terminal then proceeds according to Q=2. x This is obtained in a way that indicates x and obtains the number of access resources Q. However, this method of indicating x and obtaining the number of access resources Q results in a granular value of Q that is too large. As a result, too many resources in a single allocation may not have A-IoT terminals connected, resulting in too many idle resources and reducing the speed of the entire access process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium, which aims to make the number of access resources indicated by the reader more reasonable, thereby avoiding excessive idle resources and improving resource utilization.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applicable to a first communication device, which may be, for example, an A-IoT terminal, a communication module within an A-IoT terminal, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within an A-IoT terminal. The method is described below using the first communication device as an example.

[0007] For example, the method includes: receiving first information from a second communication device, the first information indicating a first value x; associating a quantity Q of a first resource with the first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship, where x and Q are positive integers and y is an integer; and determining an access timing based on the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0008] The first resource refers to the resources allocated to the second communication device for its access to the network. The first association relationship is any one of N association relationships between the quantity Q of the first resource and the first value x and the second value y, where N is a positive integer.

[0009] The second value y mentioned above can be understood as the step size y of Q, or the offset y of Q. That is, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the step size y of Q according to the first association relationship. Or, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the offset y of Q according to the first association relationship.

[0010] The access timing determined by the first communication device based on the quantity Q of the first resources is any one of the Q first resources. This access timing is the resource from which the first communication device sends Msg1.

[0011] Based on this technical solution, the first communication device can determine the quantity Q of the first resource according to a predefined association relationship, based on the first value x indicated by the second communication device and the additionally obtained second value y. This method can obtain different values ​​of Q by using different second values ​​y while keeping the bit length of the first value x constant; or, it can obtain different values ​​of Q by using the same second value y while changing the bit length of the first value x. That is, the method provided in this application allows for more flexible selection of the value of Q, which is beneficial for the second communication device to allocate a quantity of first resources that is closer to the quantity of first communication devices in the network to be accessed. This reduces the number of idle time slots caused by random access selection and improves the efficiency of random access.

[0012] Optionally, the first information can be carried in a paging message or other R2D messages. Here, an R2D message refers to a message sent by the second communication device to the first communication device.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second value y is predefined; or, the second value y is determined based on information / messages from the second communication device.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving second information from the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate a second value y.

[0015] The second information can be carried in the paging message or other R2D messages.

[0016] Based on this, the size of the second value y can be flexibly adjusted to obtain different values ​​of Q, thus making the value of Q more flexible.

[0017] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an access occasion trigger message from a second communication device, the access occasion trigger message being used to trigger frequency domain resources and / or time domain resources; and determining a second value y based on the number Y of frequency domain resources and / or the number X of time domain resources triggered by the access occasion trigger message.

[0018] Among them, the access occasion trigger message is used to schedule and trigger the resource to send Msg1.

[0019] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a mask from a second communication device; and determining a second value y based on the length of the mask.

[0020] The mask, carried in the paging message, is the mask used to select a first group of communication devices.

[0021] Based on this, by triggering messages and masks through a success occasion to obtain the second value y, it is possible to avoid the problem of reduced coverage of the second communication device without adding extra bits to indicate the second value y.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving third information from the second communication device, the third information being used to determine a first association relationship from N association relationships.

[0023] Among them, N types of association relationships are predefined, and each of these N types of association relationships has a different number. For example, the third information can indicate the first association relationship through the number corresponding to the first association relationship.

[0024] Therefore, using numbering to indicate the first association can save signaling overhead, thereby avoiding excessively large R2D messages that could affect the coverage of the second communication device.

[0025] Optionally, this third information can be carried in a paging message or other R2D messages.

[0026] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the second communication device, the fourth information being used to indicate the bit length of the first value x.

[0027] For example, the fourth information may be a 2-bit field L in a paging message or other R2D message. Field L has four different values, which can correspond to multiple different bit lengths. These multiple different bit lengths are used as the bit length of the first value x. The four different bit lengths corresponding to the four values ​​can be predefined.

[0028] Based on this, the method of indicating the bit length of the first value x through a 2-bit field can effectively reduce the number of bits required to indicate the bit length of the first value x compared to the method of directly carrying the bit length of the first value x in the R2D message. This can effectively avoid the problem of the coverage area of ​​the second communication device being severely reduced due to the R2D message being too large.

[0029] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a second communication device, which may be, for example, a reader / writer, a network device or terminal device for implementing reader / writer functions, a communication module in the network device or terminal device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions in the network device or terminal device. The method will be described below using a second communication device as an example.

[0030] For example, the method includes: determining the quantity Q of a first resource, the quantity Q of the first resource being associated with a first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship, where x and Q are both positive integers and y is an integer; and sending first information to a first communication device, the first information being used to indicate the first value x.

[0031] The descriptions of the first resource, the first relationship, and the first information can be found in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0032] Based on this technical solution, the quantity Q of the first resource determined by the second communication device is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first correlation. Therefore, after the second communication device sends first information indicating the first value x to the first communication device, the first communication device needs to determine the quantity Q of the first resource based on the first value x and the additionally obtained second value y, according to a predefined correlation. This method can obtain different values ​​of Q by using different second values ​​y while keeping the bit length of the first value x constant; or, it can obtain different values ​​of Q by using the same second value y while changing the bit length of the first value x. That is, the method provided by this application can make the value of Q more flexible, which is beneficial for the second communication device to allocate a quantity of first resources that is closer to the quantity of first communication devices in the network to be accessed, thereby reducing the number of idle time slots caused by random access selection and improving the efficiency of random access.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second information to a first communication device, the second information being used to indicate the second value y.

[0034] For a description of the second value y and the second information, please refer to the description in the first aspect; it will not be repeated here.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to a first communication device, the third information being used to determine the first association relationship from the N association relationships.

[0036] For a description of the N types of relationships and the third information, please refer to the description in the first part, which will not be repeated here.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the first communication device, the fourth information being used to indicate the bit length of the first value x.

[0038] For a description of the fourth piece of information, please refer to the description in the first aspect; it will not be repeated here.

[0039] In conjunction with the first and second aspects, in certain implementations of the first and second aspects, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, and the first value y satisfy: Q = x * y; (1)

[0040] Or, Q = 2 (x*y) (2)

[0041] Where y is a positive integer. In this case, y can be understood as the step size of Q.

[0042] Both (1) and (2) above are one type of association among the N types of associations, that is, the associations shown in (1) and (2) can both be called the first association. Based on the association shown in (1), the distribution of Q values ​​can be made more uniform, and the deviation between the number of first resources and the total number of first communication devices that need to be accessed is smaller. Based on the association shown in (2), the value of Q can be adjusted more quickly using the first value x.

[0043] In conjunction with the first and second aspects, in certain implementations of the first and second aspects, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, and the second value y satisfy: Q = y + 2 x (3)

[0044] At this point, y can be understood as the offset of Q. Based on the correlation shown in (3), the second communication device can quickly adjust the Q value and accurately indicate the Q value by controlling the first value x and the second value y.

[0045] In conjunction with the first and second aspects, in certain implementations of the first and second aspects, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the second value y and the third value z according to the first association relationship, where z is an integer.

[0046] Here, the second value y can be understood as the step size of Q, and the third value z can be understood as the offset z of Q.

[0047] Optionally, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the second value y, and the third value z according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, the second value y, and the third value z satisfy: Q = x * y + z; (4)

[0048] Or, Q = z + 2 (x*y) (5)

[0049] At this point, y is a positive integer.

[0050] In conjunction with the first and second aspects, in certain implementations of the first and second aspects, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the second value y, and the third value z according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, the second value y, and the third value z satisfy: Q = y * z + 2 x(6)

[0051] The relationships shown in (4) to (6) above are all relationships between the quantity Q of the first resource and the first value x, the second value y, and the third value z. Based on the relationships shown in (4) to (6), the second communication device can quickly adjust the Q value and accurately indicate the Q value by controlling the first value x and the second value y.

[0052] In conjunction with the first and second aspects, in certain implementations of the first and second aspects, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the second value y, the third value z and the fourth value p according to the first association relationship, where p and y are positive integers and z is an integer.

[0053] Here, the third value z can be understood as the first step length z, and the fourth value p can be understood as the second step length p. The first step length z can be understood as the step length corresponding to the offset, and the second step length can be understood as the step length corresponding to the first value.

[0054] Optionally, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the second value y, the third value z, and the fourth value p according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, the second value y, the third value z, and the fourth value p satisfy the following relationship: Q = y*z + p*x. (7)

[0055] Based on the correlation shown in (4) to (6), the second communication device can quickly adjust the Q value and accurately indicate the Q value by controlling two step sizes and offsets.

[0056] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a first communication device, which may be an A-IoT terminal, a communication module in an A-IoT terminal, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) in an A-IoT terminal responsible for communication functions. The method is described below using the first communication device as an example.

[0057] For example, the method includes: receiving a first index and a second index from a second communication device, the first index indicating a range of values ​​for the quantity Q of the first resource, and the second index determining the quantity Q of the first resource from the range of values ​​for the quantity Q of the first resource, where Q is a positive integer; and determining the quantity Q of the first resource based on the first index and the second index.

[0058] Based on this technical solution, the second communication device can indicate the number Q of the first resource by using the first index and the second index, which can effectively increase the coverage of the second communication device by indicating the number of access resources with fewer bits; moreover, it can indicate the number of access resources more accurately and with fine granularity, effectively solving the problem of access resource waste in the random access process.

[0059] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a second communication device, which may be, for example, a reader / writer, a network device or terminal device for implementing reader / writer functions, a communication module in the network device or terminal device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) in the network device or terminal device. The method will be described below using a second communication device as an example.

[0060] For example, the method includes: determining a first index and a second index based on the quantity Q of a first resource, wherein the first index is used to indicate the range of values ​​for the quantity Q of the first resource, and the second index is used to determine the quantity Q of the first resource from the range of values ​​for the quantity Q of the first resource, wherein Q is a positive integer; and sending the first index and the second index to a first communication device.

[0061] Based on this technical solution, the second communication device indicates the number of access resources Q by using the first index and the second index. This method can indicate the number of access resources with fewer bits and can also indicate the number of access resources more accurately and with fine granularity. This not only effectively solves the problem of access resource waste in the random access process, but also avoids the R2D message from becoming too large, thus effectively avoiding the impact on the coverage of the second communication device.

[0062] In combination with the third and fourth aspects, in some implementations of the third and fourth aspects, different values ​​of the first index correspond to different value ranges.

[0063] In conjunction with the third and fourth aspects, in some implementations of the third and fourth aspects, the quantity of the first resource is the i-th positive integer in the range of the quantity Q of the first resource, wherein i satisfies the following relationship with the second index:

[0064] i = second index * unit length; or, i = 2 (第二索引) ;

[0065] The unit length is predefined and is less than the fifth value, which is the difference between the largest and smallest positive integers in the range of the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0066] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including modules or units for implementing the methods described in the first or third aspect and any possible implementation of the first or third aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0067] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device including modules or units for implementing the methods of the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation of the second or fourth aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0068] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device including a processor, the processor being configured to perform the methods described in the first or third aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0069] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor for performing the methods described in the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0070] In conjunction with aspects seven and eight, in some implementations, the apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0071] In conjunction with aspects seven and eight, in some implementations, the apparatus may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0072] Ninthly, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations of any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods.

[0073] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0074] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0075] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods of any of the above aspects and any possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

[0076] In one aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

[0077] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a communication system including the aforementioned first communication device and second communication device. The first communication device is used to perform the methods described in the first or third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second communication device is used to instruct the methods described in the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0078] It should be understood that the fifth to twelfth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first to fourth aspects of this application, and the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0079] Figure 1 is an example diagram of an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) system;

[0080] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the application framework involving the radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) module under the O-RAN architecture;

[0081] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture;

[0082] Figures 4 to 7 are schematic diagrams of the network architecture provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0083] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the overall process of A-IoT air interface / access stratum (AS);

[0084] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0085] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 12 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0087] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0088] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points are explained first:

[0089] First, in the embodiments of this application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same name category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first communication device" and "second communication device" are simply different devices, and do not limit the number of devices or their priority; similarly, "first information" and "second information" are simply different pieces of information, and there is no temporal sequence, size, or priority relationship between them.

[0090] Second, in the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send first information to the first communication device" can be understood as the destination of the first information being the first communication device, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive first index and second index from the second communication device" can be understood as the source of the first index and second index being the second communication device, which may include direct reception from the second communication device via the air interface or indirect reception from the second communication device via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0091] In other words, sending and receiving can be done between devices, such as between a first communication device and a second communication device; or it can be done within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0092] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, before being sent from the source to the destination. Similarly, the destination, upon receiving information from the source, can also perform corresponding processing, such as decoding and demodulation, to interpret the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0093] Third, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to 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. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0094] Fourth, in the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction and indirect instruction, as well as explicit instruction and implicit instruction. The information indicated by a certain piece of information is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only instruct a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement order of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction.

[0095] It is understandable that, for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be indicated, and for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be indicated.

[0096] Fifth, in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., network device or terminal device) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., network device or terminal device) to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0097] Sixth, the predefined terms in this application can be understood as: definition, pre-defined, storage, pre-storage, pre-negotiation, pre-configuration, solidification, or pre-firing.

[0098] Seventh, the term "storage" in this application can refer to storage in one or more memory devices. These memory devices can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memory devices can be separately installed, while others can be integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0099] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, sidelink (SL) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, new radio access technology (NR) systems, and satellite communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication networks.

[0100] The network device in this application can be, for example, a RAN device, which is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. A radio access network device can provide wireless communication services, allowing terminal devices to access the wireless network. A radio access network device can be a node in a radio access network, referred to as a RAN node.

[0101] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a home evolved NodeB (or home Node B, HNB), a Wi-Fi access point (AP), a mobile switching center, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can also be a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, and internet-to-things (IoT) communication systems. A RAN node can also be a RAN node in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), meaning that a RAN node can be deployed on a high-altitude platform, a satellite, or a low-altitude drone. RAN nodes can be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, etc., or radio controllers in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or nodes in open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) scenarios. Optionally, RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment.

[0102] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0103] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in the ORAN system, CU can also be called open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called open RU (O-RU).

[0104] Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU units can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. That is, the wireless access network device in this application can be a virtualized device, for example, implemented through general-purpose hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general-purpose hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

[0105] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an O-RAN system. It is understood that an O-RAN system may also include components other than those shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, access network devices communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with user equipment (UE) via an air interface.

[0106] Specifically, the BBU in the access network equipment communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and the RU in the access network equipment communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0107] In some examples, the CU is a logical node carrying the radio resource control (RRC) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as F1 interfaces. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., F1 interfaces) can provide control plane and user plane functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0108] In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and the control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. AMF elements are responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and the user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in terminal devices.

[0109] In some examples, a DU is a logical node that carries the radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which may be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0110] It's understandable that the above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that need to meet low latency requirements can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not need to meet this latency requirement can be placed in the CU.

[0111] In some examples, the RU is a logical node that carries both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP TRP or RRH or other similar entity. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0112] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. One DU can be connected to one or more RUs. It is understood that the functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU may be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU may be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU may be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU may be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer may include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0113] In this model, the DU and RU may or may not be co-located. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a lower-layer split-control, user, and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface through a fronthaul link. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces, respectively providing the control plane and user plane. In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0114] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the application framework involving the RIC module under the O-RAN architecture. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC), which includes near-real-time RIC (near-RT RIC) and non-real-time RIC (non-RT RIC).

[0115] The near real-time RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, it can be used to train an artificial intelligence (AI) model and then use that AI model for inference. The near real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near real-time RIC can deliver the inference results to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and / or between DU and RU. For example, the near real-time RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, and the DU sends them to the RU.

[0116] Non-real-time RICs are used for model training and inference. For example, they are used to train AI models and then use those models for inference. Non-real-time RICs can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs; for example, a non-real-time RIC delivers inference results to a DU, which then forwards them to an RU.

[0117] Optionally, near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can be configured as separate network elements. Alternatively, near real-time and non-real-time RICs can be part of other devices. For example, near real-time RICs can be set in RAN nodes (e.g., CU, DU), while non-real-time RICs can be set in operation administration and maintenance (OAM) systems, cloud servers, core network devices, or other network devices.

[0118] In a communication system, network elements are connected via interfaces (e.g., NG interfaces, Xn interfaces) or over-the-air interfaces. These network element nodes, such as core network equipment, access network nodes (RAN nodes), terminal equipment, or one or more devices in the OAM (Operational Access Management) system, are equipped with one or more AI modules. An access network node can be a single RAN node or can comprise multiple RAN nodes, for example, including CUs and DUs. CUs and / or DUs can also be equipped with one or more AI modules. For example, when a CU is split into CU-CP and CU-UP, one or more AI models can be configured in CU-CP and / or CU-UP.

[0119] The aforementioned AI modules are used to implement corresponding AI functions. AI modules deployed in different network elements can be the same or different. Depending on the parameter configuration, the AI ​​module model can achieve different functions. The AI ​​module model can be configured based on one or more of the following parameters: structural parameters (e.g., at least one of the following: number of neural network layers, neural network width, inter-layer connections, neuron weights, neuron activation function, or bias in the activation function), input parameters (e.g., type and / or dimension of input parameters), or output parameters (e.g., type and / or dimension of output parameters). The bias in the activation function can also be referred to as the neural network bias.

[0120] It is understandable that an AI module can have one or more models. A model can infer an output, which includes one or more parameters. The learning, training, or inference processes of different models can be deployed on different nodes or devices, or they can be deployed on the same node or device.

[0121] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture. As shown in Figure 3, O-RAN includes different components such as Open Cloud (O-cloud), O-RU, O-DU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, Non-real-time RIC, Near-real-time RIC, and Service Management and Orchestration framework (SMO). By establishing a unified testing and certification mechanism, the compatibility and consistency between O-RAN components provided by different vendors are ensured.

[0122] The correspondence between the relevant network elements, interfaces, and their implementable protocol layer functions included in ORAN can be found in Table A below.

[0123] Table A

[0124] The terminal equipment in this application may also be referred to as UE, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device.

[0125] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data connectivity to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (such as laptops, PDAs, etc.), mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, drones, wireless terminals in remote medical care, 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 phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.

[0126] Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those with comprehensive functions, large sizes, and the ability to perform complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses. They also include devices focused on a specific application function that require the use of other devices, such as smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0127] In addition, terminal devices may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Their main functions include collecting data (for some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from network devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network devices.

[0128] The terminal device in this application can also be a virtualized device, for example, implemented through general-purpose hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general-purpose hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

[0129] It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0130] With the development of communication technology, 3GPP has defined the Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) technology. A-IoT technology can be applied to scenarios such as logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, and environmental monitoring. A-IoT is based on cellular network communication infrastructure and consists of readers and A-IoT terminals (or A-IoT devices). In other words, both readers and A-IoT terminals in A-IoT can be devices within a cellular network. For example, the functions of a reader can be implemented by network devices (such as base stations) or terminal devices. A-IoT terminals can be terminals with extremely low power consumption and extremely low complexity within a cellular network.

[0131] The A-IoT terminals in this application can be divided into three categories: device A, device B, and device C. Device A (similar to a passive A-IoT terminal): has no energy storage and no independent signal generation or amplification capability; it requires uplink communication via reflection and scattering transmission. Device B (similar to a semi-passive A-IoT terminal): has energy storage but no independent signal generation or amplification capability; it requires uplink communication via reflection and scattering transmission. Device C (similar to an active A-IoT terminal): has energy storage and an independent signal generation capability; it does not require uplink communication via reflection and scattering transmission.

[0132] The following examples, using the reader / writer functionality implemented by network devices or terminal devices, illustrate several possible network architectures for A-IoT:

[0133] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, it includes a network device that sends data / signaling to an A-IoT terminal, and a network device that receives data and / or signaling from the A-IoT terminal. That is, there is uplink and downlink data / signaling transmission between the network device and the A-IoT terminal. In other words, the A-IoT terminal and the network device can communicate bidirectionally. The communication between the network device and the A-IoT terminal includes environmental IoT data and / or signaling.

[0134] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the A-IoT terminal and the network device communicate bidirectionally through an intermediate node between the A-IoT terminal and the network device. That is, the A-IoT terminal and the intermediate node can communicate bidirectionally, and the network device and the intermediate node can also communicate bidirectionally. The intermediate node can be a repeater, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a UE, or other devices capable of realizing environmental IoT. The intermediate node transmits environmental IoT data and / or signaling between the network device and the A-IoT device.

[0135] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6(a), the A-IoT terminal sends data / signaling to the network device and receives data / signaling from the auxiliary node; as shown in Figure 6(b), the A-IoT terminal receives data / signaling from the network device and sends data / signaling to the auxiliary node. The auxiliary node can be a repeater, IAB, UE, or other device capable of realizing the Internet of Things.

[0136] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the A-IoT terminal and the terminal device communicate bidirectionally. The communication between the terminal device and the A-IoT terminal includes environmental IoT data and / or signaling. The terminal device communicating with the A-IoT terminal is not the A-IoT terminal itself, but rather a terminal device used to implement reader / writer functions.

[0137] For example, the main services of A-IoT include: inventory, positioning, sensing, and command.

[0138] Among them, 1) Inventory service uses a reader (which can be a base station / terminal) to access A-IoT terminals (A-IoT terminal devices) within the coverage area. Devices that successfully access the network need to send their unique identifier to the reader.

[0139] 2) Positioning is the process of using positioning signals to locate the position of an A-IoT terminal.

[0140] 3) Sensing refers to the A-IoT terminal reporting sensor data to the base station, such as temperature data.

[0141] 4) The command can be some operation instructions, such as write or lock processes. Write process: The BS sends a downlink command and data, instructing the A-IoT terminal to write the data into its own storage area. Lock process: Sends a downlink command to make the A-IoT terminal lock the location of a specified address in the storage area, and the contents of that storage area cannot be modified and / or read.

[0142] Figure 8 illustrates the overall process of the A-IoT air interface / AS, specifically including steps A through C:

[0143] Step A: A-IoT paging. Specifically, the reader sends an A-IoT paging message based on the service request, indicating which device needs to respond.

[0144] For example, an A-IoT paging message can identify the device that the message indicates needs to respond by carrying an identifier.

[0145] As an example, in cases where an A-IoT paging message indicates that a single device needs to respond, the A-IoT paging message may contain a single A-IoT device identifier (ID).

[0146] As another example, when an A-IoT paging message indicates that there are multiple devices that need to respond, the A-IoT paging message may contain a group ID mapped to multiple A-IoT devices, or the A-IoT paging message may contain multiple A-IoT device identifiers.

[0147] As another example, the A-IoT paging message may also not contain any identifier. In this case, it can be assumed that all A-IoT devices that can receive the A-IoT paging message need to respond to the A-IoT paging message.

[0148] Optionally, the aforementioned A-IoT paging message may also indicate: resources for a D2R response message used to respond to the paging message.

[0149] It is understandable that A-IoT devices can continuously receive A-IoT paging messages as long as they have enough energy.

[0150] The aforementioned A-IoT paging message can be replaced with an (initial) trigger message. This application does not limit the message name.

[0151] Step B: D2R Data Transmission. Specifically, the triggered A-IoT device performs device ID transmission through the A-IoT random access procedure. This random access can be contention-based or contention-free. The triggered A-IoT device refers to a device that needs to respond to the A-IoT paging message.

[0152] The A-IoT random access procedure is the process by which A-IoT devices connect to the network to complete data transmission. This A-IoT random access procedure is triggered by the reader, for example, by sending an A-IoT paging message. The slotted-ALOHA is the baseline of the A-IoT random access procedure.

[0153] Specifically, when an A-IoT device responds to an A-IoT paging message, the A-IoT device performs the following steps 1 to 3:

[0154] Step 1: Determine the random access type and access timing (access timing can also be called access resources), that is, the resources allocated by the reader for access by the A-IoT device.

[0155] If the random access type is contention-free access, after step 1, the following steps can be performed: select the indicated D2R timing / resource; and skip step 2 and proceed directly to step 3.

[0156] If the random access type is contention-based random access, the process can continue after step 1: selecting / determining the access timing (also known as access resource, access timing, access resource, etc.); and step 2.

[0157] Step 2: Competition-based random access and competition resolution.

[0158] The contention-based random access procedure has the following two possible implementation schemes:

[0159] Option 1: A-IoT Msg1 contains no data. That is, the A-IoT Msg1 sent by the A-IoT device does not carry upper-layer data.

[0160] At this point, step 2 may specifically include steps 2-1 and 2-2:

[0161] Step 2-1: When the A-IoT device recognizes the start of its access occasion, it sends a random ID generated by the A-IoT device to the reader. That is, when the A-IoT device recognizes the start of its access occasion, it sends A-IoT Msg1 to the reader.

[0162] The random ID can be generated randomly or based on the device ID. There is no limit to the size of the random ID; for example, it can be a 16-bit random number.

[0163] Step 2-2: The reader responds with a successfully received random ID. That is, the reader sends A-IoT Msg2 to the A-IoT device.

[0164] If the A-IoT device receives a response message containing a random ID, and that random ID is the same as the one it previously sent in A-IoT Msg1, then the contention is considered resolved successfully.

[0165] It is worth noting that the size of the random ID in A-IoT Msg1 should be sufficient for contention resolution purposes. A sufficiently large range of random ID values ​​reduces the probability that A-IoT devices will send the same random ID in A-IoT Msg1.

[0166] Option 2: A-IoT Msg1 contains data. That is, the A-IoT Msg1 sent by the A-IoT device carries upper-layer data.

[0167] At this point, step 2 may specifically include steps 2-3 and 2-4:

[0168] Steps 2-3: When the A-IoT device recognizes the start of its access occasion, it sends A-IoT Msg1 containing upper-layer data, which can be the device ID and / or any other upper-layer data. That is, when the A-IoT device recognizes the start of its access occasion, it sends A-IoT Msg1 to the reader.

[0169] Optionally, in Scheme 2, the A-IoT Msg1 may or may not include a random ID.

[0170] Steps 2-4: The reader can respond with the successfully received random ID and / or device ID and / or ACK (i.e., A-IoT Msg2). Alternatively, the reader can choose not to respond if the A-IoT device access is successful, data transmission is successful, or the service is successful.

[0171] For the former, if the A-IoT device receives an A-IoT Msg2 containing a random ID and / or a device ID and / or an acknowledgement (ACK), and this information is part of the previously sent information in A-IoT Msg1 or information generated based on A-IoT Msg1 (such as information generated by hashing msg1), then the A-IoT device considers the race to be resolved successfully.

[0172] For the latter, if the A-IoT device does not receive a signal indicating failure, reconnection, or retransmission, it is considered that the access was successful, the data transmission was successful, or the service was successful.

[0173] Step 3: Data transmission.

[0174] After a successful access, either a contention-based random access method or a contention-free access method is used by an A-IoT device, the A-IoT device can perform upper-layer data transmission with the reader, which may include D2R transmission and R2D transmission following D2R transmission.

[0175] It's understandable that subsequent R2D transmissions after a D2R transmission don't always need to be sent. The use / existence of subsequent R2D transmissions requires further research; for example, handling retransmissions or reconnection after a D2R transmission failure could be considered.

[0176] Step C: Data transmission. Data transmission includes: Step C1, the reader sends data to the A-IoT device, called R2D data transmission; C2, the A-IoT device sends data to the reader, called D2R data transmission.

[0177] R2D data transmission includes, for example, sending commands such as read, write, lock, deactivate, and sensor. D2R data transmission can be a response to commands, such as data read by a read command or success / failure feedback for a write command.

[0178] The process shown in Figure 8 above can support inventory and command operations in the following ways:

[0179] 1) For “inventory-only” operations, the baseline solution includes steps A and B.

[0180] 2) For the “inventory and command” business, the baseline scheme includes steps A, B, C1 and C2.

[0181] 3) For "command-only" scenarios: This can be supported by a baseline scheme with steps A, B, C1, and C2. Alternatively, it can be supported by the following scheme: Step A': The reader sends an A-IoT paging message containing the command based on the service request, instructing the device to process / respond to the command. Step B': Possible D2R data transmission is performed through the A-IoT random access procedure.

[0182] In the two implementation schemes of the contention-based random access procedure described above, the access timing of the A-IoT device is determined by the A-IoT device based on the number of access resources indicated by the reader. That is to say, when determining the access type as contention-based random access, the A-IoT device needs to determine its own access timing based on the number of access resources indicated by the reader, and send A-IoT Msg1 when its access timing arrives.

[0183] Currently, in some systems (e.g., passive radio frequency identification (RFID) systems), the total number of access resources is indicated by x in a message sent by the reader (e.g., a select message), and then Q=2. x Calculate the total number of access resources, Q. However, this method of indicating the total number of access resources has a relatively large granularity in the possible values ​​of the total number of resources. For example, when x = 15 and x = 16, the interval between the values ​​of Q is 2. 16 -2 15 =32768, for 2 15 Up to 2 16 The number of resources between them may not be indicated, which will cause the total number of access resources allocated by the reader to not match the number of A-IoT devices that need to be accessed, resulting in too many idle time slots and reducing the speed of the entire process.

[0184] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a reasonable way to indicate the total number of resources in order to reduce the occurrence of too many idle time slots during random access.

[0185] In view of this, the communication method, apparatus and computer-readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of this application can effectively reduce the occurrence of too many idle time slots during random access, and can also reduce the bit length used to indicate the total number of resources.

[0186] The methods and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the methods provided in this application can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figures 4 to 7, but this application is not limited thereto. For example, the first communication device in this application can be the A-IoT terminal in Figures 4 to 7, or the communication module in the A-IoT terminal, or the circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions in the A-IoT terminal. The second communication device can be the network device in Figures 4 to 6, or the communication module in the network device, or the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the network device terminal, or the terminal device in Figure 7, or the communication module in the terminal device, or the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal device.

[0187] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In the method 900 shown in Figure 9, the method is described from the perspective of the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. As shown in Figure 9, the method 900 may include steps S901 to S912. The steps in method 900 are described in detail below.

[0188] S901, the second communication device determines the quantity Q of the first resource, which is associated with a first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship. That is, Q, x, and y satisfy the first association relationship.

[0189] Where x, Q, and N are all positive integers, and y is an integer.

[0190] The first resource is the resource allocated by the second communication device for the first communication device to access (the network). Therefore, the first resource can also be called an access resource, an access opportunity, or a resource that the first communication device can use to send Msg1. For example, the first resource can be a time-frequency resource, a frequency domain resource, or a time domain resource.

[0191] The first association relationship is any one of N association relationships relating the quantity Q of the first resource to the first value x and the second value y. In other words, each of the N association relationships describes the relationship between Q, x, and y. The association relationship can also be replaced by a function expression or functional relation, etc., and this application does not limit its usage.

[0192] The second value in this application can be understood as the step size of Q (the step size of Q can be replaced by the unit of Q or other descriptions), or the offset of Q. That is, the first association is any one of the N associations between the quantity Q of the first resource and the first value x and the step size y of Q, or the first association is any one of the N associations between the quantity Q of the first resource and the first value x and the offset y of Q.

[0193] For example, the second communication device determining the number Q of the first resource may include: the second communication device determining the number Q of the first resource based on the number of second communication devices in the network to be accessed.

[0194] S902, the second communication device sends first information to the first communication device, the first information indicating a first value x. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first information from the second communication device.

[0195] For example, the first information may be carried in a paging message or other R2D messages. When the first information is carried in a paging message or other R2D messages, the paging message or other R2D message can be considered as indicating the first value x.

[0196] Optionally, after S902, the method 900 may further include: S903, whereby the first communication device determines the quantity Q of the first resource based on a first value x and a second value y, according to a first association relationship.

[0197] It can be understood that the quantity Q of the first resource is related to the first value x and the second value y according to the first association relationship. Therefore, given the first association relationship, the first value x, and the second value y, it is easy to obtain the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0198] S904, the first communication device determines the access timing of the first communication device based on the quantity Q of the first resource (for ease of description, the access timing of the first communication device will be referred to as access timing #1 below).

[0199] The access timing #1 can be any one of the Q first resources. This access timing #1 is the resource from which the first communication device sends Msg1.

[0200] In this embodiment, the first communication device can determine the quantity Q of the first resource based on a first value x indicated by the second communication device and an additionally obtained step size y or offset y of Q, according to a predefined association relationship. This method can obtain different values ​​of Q by using different step sizes y or offsets y while keeping the bit length of the first value x constant; or, it can obtain different values ​​of Q by using the same step size y or offset y while changing the bit length of the first value x. That is, the method provided in this application allows for more flexible determination of the value of Q, which is beneficial for the second communication device to allocate a quantity of first resources that is closer to the quantity of first communication devices in the network to be accessed, thereby reducing the number of idle time slots caused by random access selection and improving the efficiency of random access.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the first communication device described above can obtain the second value y based on the following method:

[0202] In Method 1, the second value y is predefined.

[0203] For example, the second value y is predefined as 1 or other positive integers.

[0204] Method 2: Determine the second value y based on information / messages from the second communication device.

[0205] As an example, prior to S903, method 900 further includes: S905, whereby the second communication device sends second information to the first communication device, the second information indicating a second value y. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second information from the second communication device and obtains the second value y based on the second information.

[0206] For example, the second information can be carried in a paging message or other R2D messages. Specifically, the second communication device can indicate the second value y through a field in the paging message or other R2D message, which can be understood as the second information here.

[0207] This method of indicating the second value y through the second information can achieve flexible adjustment of Q by sacrificing a certain bit length, but it requires relatively fewer bits compared to the method of directly indicating Q.

[0208] As another example, prior to S903, method 900 further includes: S906, whereby the second communication device sends an access occasion trigger message to the first communication device, the access occasion trigger message being used to trigger frequency domain resources and / or time domain resources. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the access occasion trigger message from the second communication device; and determines a second value y based on the number Y of frequency domain resources and / or the number X of time domain resources triggered by the access occasion trigger message.

[0209] For example, when an access occasion trigger message is used to trigger frequency domain resources, the second value y can be Y, or Y times A1, or Y times (1 / B1). Here, A1 and B1 are positive integers. The values ​​of A1 and B1 can be predefined or indicated by the second communication device.

[0210] For example, when an access occasion trigger message is used to trigger a time-domain resource, the second value y can be X, or X multiplied by A2, or X multiplied by (1 / B2). Here, A2 and B2 are positive integers. The values ​​of A2 and B2 can be predefined or indicated by a second communication device.

[0211] For example, when an access occasion trigger message is used to trigger time-domain resources, the second value y can be (X*Y), or (X*Y) multiplied by A3, or (X*Y) multiplied by (1 / B3). Here, A3 and B3 are positive integers. The values ​​of A3 and B3 can be predefined or indicated by the second communication device.

[0212] Among them, the access occasion trigger message is used to schedule and trigger the resource to send Msg1.

[0213] As another example, prior to S903, the method 900 further includes: S907, whereby the second communication device sends a mask to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the mask from the second communication device and determines a second value y based on the length of the mask.

[0214] The mask, carried in the paging message, is the mask used to select a first group of communication devices.

[0215] For example, the first communication device determining the second value y based on the length of the mask may include: the first communication device determining the numerical value corresponding to the length of the mask as the second value y based on a first correspondence. The first correspondence may be predefined, and it is a correspondence between the lengths of multiple masks and multiple numerical values ​​(all of which are positive integers).

[0216] Table 1 shows one type of correspondence.

[0217] Table 1

[0218] It is understood that in specific implementations, the first correspondence may also include correspondences between more (or fewer) mask lengths and more (or fewer) values ​​than those shown in Table 1. It is also understood that the values ​​corresponding to different mask lengths may be other values; Table 1 is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation.

[0219] Referring to Table 1, if the length of the mask received by the first communication device is 1, then the second value is 500; if the length of the mask received by the first communication device is 2, then the second value is 100; if the length of the mask received by the first communication device is 3, then the second value is 50; if the length of the mask received by the first communication device is 4, then the second value is 10.

[0220] This method of determining the second value y by triggering a message or mask through an existing access occasion not only allows for flexible adjustment of Q, but also avoids the problem of excessively large R2D messages by not requiring additional bits.

[0221] In one possible implementation, the above N types of relationships are predefined. The function type to which these N relationships belong can be an exponential function or a linear function, etc.

[0222] For example, when N equals 1, the first communication device and the second communication device can determine a predefined association relationship as the first association relationship.

[0223] For example, when N is greater than 1, the second communication device can determine any one of the predefined N association relationships as the first association relationship; and indicate the determined first association relationship to the first communication device.

[0224] That is, prior to S903, the method 900 may further include: S908, whereby the second communication device sends third information to the first communication device, the third information being used to indicate a first association relationship (from N association relationships). Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third information from the second communication device; and determines the first association relationship from the N association relationships based on the third information.

[0225] It can be understood that the first communication device determines the first association based on the third information. Therefore, it can also be said that the third information is used to determine the first association from N kinds of associations.

[0226] For example, N types of relationships correspond to N different numbers, and the different numbers corresponding to different relationships can be predefined. The third information can indicate the first relationship through the number corresponding to the first relationship. For example, the third information includes the number corresponding to the first relationship.

[0227] This method of indicating the first association by number can save signaling overhead, thereby avoiding excessively large R2D messages that could affect the coverage of the second communication device.

[0228] Optionally, the third information can be carried in a paging message or other R2D messages. Specifically, the second communication device can indicate the first association through a field F in a paging message or other R2D message, where field F can be understood as the third information.

[0229] In one possible implementation, prior to S903, method 900 further includes: S909, whereby the second communication device sends fourth information to the first communication device, the fourth information indicating the bit length of the first value x. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the fourth information from the second communication device; and based on the fourth information, determines the bit length of the first value x; and further determines the value of the first value x.

[0230] This fourth piece of information can be carried in a paging message or in other R2D messages.

[0231] As an example, the second communication device may indicate the bit length of the first value x through a field L in a paging message or other R2D message, which can be understood as the fourth information here.

[0232] This field L can be an l-bit field (l is a positive integer), and l bits can have 2... l There are several possible values, each corresponding to a different bit length. These different bit lengths are used as the bit length of x. Specifically, 1 bit... l The value corresponding to 2 l The different bit lengths can be predefined.

[0233] Table 2 shows the correspondence between different bit values ​​and different bit lengths when the L field is a 2-bit (i.e., l=2) bit field.

[0234] Table 2

[0235] As shown in Table 2, a 2-bit field can have four different values ​​(i.e., bit values), and these four different values ​​can correspond to four different bit lengths. That is, a 2-bit field can indicate four different bit lengths. It is understood that the bit lengths corresponding to these four different values ​​can also be other values; this table is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on this application.

[0236] Referring to Table 2, if the L field is 00, the bit length of x indicated by the field is 3 bits; if the L field is 01, the bit length of the first value x indicated by the field is 5 bits; if the L field is 10, the bit length of the first value x indicated by the field is 10 bits; and if the L field is 11, the bit length of the first value x indicated by the field is 16 bits.

[0237] This method of indicating the bit length of the first value x through the fourth information can achieve flexible modulation of the first value x by sacrificing a certain bit length, thereby realizing flexible adjustment of Q. However, compared with the method of directly indicating Q, the number of bits required is relatively small.

[0238] As another example, the fourth piece of information indicates the bit length of the first value x via a mask.

[0239] For example, different lengths of a predefined mask correspond to different bit lengths. Thus, the first network device can determine the bit length corresponding to the length of the received mask, and then determine that bit length as the bit length of the first value x.

[0240] Table 3 shows a correspondence between different mask lengths and different bit lengths.

[0241] Table 3

[0242] It is understood that in specific implementations, the correspondence between different mask lengths and different bit lengths may include more (or fewer) mask lengths and more (or fewer) bit lengths than shown in Table 3. It is also understood that the bit lengths corresponding to different mask lengths may be other values; Table 3 is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on this application.

[0243] Referring to Table 3, if the mask length received by the first communication device is 1, then the bit length of the first value x indicated by the fourth information is 16; if the mask length received by the first communication device is 2, then the bit length of the first value x indicated by the fourth information is 14; if the mask length received by the first communication device is 8, then the bit length of the first value x indicated by the fourth information is 50; if the mask length received by the first communication device is 4, then the bit length of the first value x indicated by the fourth information is 5.

[0244] The following section uses the second value y as the step size and offset of Q to introduce the correlation between the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, and the first value y (i.e., the first correlation mentioned above):

[0245] In the first example, the second value y is the step size y of Q (hereinafter referred to as step size y), where y is a positive integer.

[0246] At this point, the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, and the step size y satisfy the following relationship: Q = x * y;

[0247] Or, Q = 2 (x*y) ;

[0248] Alternatively, Q = y * 2x .

[0249] Combining the second method described above, where the second value y is indicated by the second information, if the second value y is indicated using 3 bits and the first value x is indicated using 4 bits, then according to Q=2 (x*y) The maximum value of Q can be obtained as 2. (16*8) =2 128 Compared to directly indicating Q=2 128 The required 128 bits, the additional indication of the second value y provided in this application, requires relatively few bits.

[0250] Optionally, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with a first value x and a step size y according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the step size y, and a third value z according to the first association relationship, where z is an integer. In this case, the above S903 can be replaced by: the first communication device determines the quantity Q of the first resource based on the first value x, the second value y, and the third value z according to the first association relationship.

[0251] The third value z can be understood as the offset z of Q (hereinafter referred to as offset z). This offset z can be predefined or indicated by the second communication device.

[0252] If the offset z is indicated by the second communication device, then before S903, the method 900 may further include: S910, the second communication device sends fifth information to the first communication device, the fifth information indicating the offset z. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the fifth information from the second communication device.

[0253] This fifth piece of information can be carried in a paging message or other R2D messages. Regarding the method by which the fifth piece of information indicates the offset z, please refer to the description of the indication method for the second value in Method Two above; it will not be repeated here.

[0254] For example, when the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the step size y, and the offset z according to the first association relationship, the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, the step size y, and the offset z satisfy the following relationship: Q = x * y + z;

[0255] Or, Q = z + 2 (x*y) .

[0256] Alternatively, Q = y * z + 2 x .

[0257] In the second example, the second value y is the offset y of Q (hereinafter referred to as offset y).

[0258] At this point, the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, and the offset y satisfy the following relationship: Q = y + 2x .

[0259] Optionally, the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with a first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship, including: the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the offset y, the third value z, and the fourth value p according to the first association relationship, where p and y are positive integers, and z is an integer. In this case, the above S903 can be replaced by: the first communication device determining the quantity Q of the first resource based on the first value x, the offset y, the third value z, and the fourth value p according to the first association relationship.

[0260] Here, the third value z can be understood as the first step length z, and the fourth value p can be understood as the second step length p. The first step length z can be understood as the step length corresponding to the offset, and the second step length can be understood as the step length corresponding to the first value.

[0261] Optionally, the first step length z and the second step length p can both be predefined, or both can be indicated by the second communication device, or one can be indicated by the second communication device and the other can be predefined.

[0262] If the first step length z is indicated by the second communication device, then before S903, the method 900 may further include: S911, the second communication device sends a sixth message to the first communication device, the sixth message indicating the first step length z. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the sixth message from the second communication device.

[0263] If the second step length p is indicated by the second communication device, then before S903, the method 900 may further include: S912, whereby the second communication device sends a seventh message to the first communication device, the seventh message indicating the second step length p. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the seventh message from the second communication device.

[0264] The sixth and / or seventh information can be carried in the paging message or in other R2D messages. The method by which the sixth information indicates the first step length z, and the method by which the seventh information indicates the second step length p, can be referred to the description of the indication method for the second value in Method 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0265] For example, when the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x, the offset y, the first step length z, and the second step length p according to the first association relationship, the quantity Q of the first resource, the first value x, the second value y, the first step length z, and the second step length p satisfy the following relationship: Q = y*z + p*x.

[0266] It is understood that the quantity Q of the first resource, and the first value x, the second value y, the first step length z, or the second step length p in this application may also satisfy other relationships besides those shown above, which will not be shown one by one in this application. This application does not limit the specific form of the first relationship.

[0267] Figure 10 is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In the method 1000 shown in Figure 10, the method is illustrated from the perspective of the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. As shown in Figure 10, the method 1000 may include steps S1001 to S1005. The steps in method 1000 are described in detail below.

[0268] S1001, the second communication device determines the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0269] The first resource is the resource allocated by the second communication device for the access of the first communication device, where Q is a positive integer. The first resource can be replaced by access resources, access timing, or resources for sending Msg1, etc. The first resource can be a time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource, or a time-frequency resource.

[0270] For example, the second communication device determining the number Q of the first resource may include: the second communication device determining the number Q of the first resource based on the number of second communication devices in the network to be accessed.

[0271] S1002, the second communication device determines the first index and the second index based on the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0272] The first index is used to indicate the range of values ​​for the quantity Q of the first resource (hereinafter referred to as the first value range for ease of description), and the second index is used to determine the quantity Q of the first resource from the first value range.

[0273] The first value range can be one of multiple value ranges, which can be predefined. These multiple value ranges can be, for example, obtained by segmenting integers from D to F, and each value range can include multiple positive integers. Each value range can correspond to a number, and the correspondence between each value range and the number can be predefined. Here, D is less than F, and D and F are positive integers. It can be understood that the first index of this application can be one of multiple numbers corresponding to multiple value ranges, and the value range corresponding to this number includes the quantity Q of the first resource determined by the second communication device.

[0274] For example, assuming M = 1 and N = 10000, the integers within the range [1, 10000] are segmented, resulting in multiple value ranges: [1, 10], [11, 100], [101, 1000], and [1001, 10000]. The corresponding numbers for these four value ranges can be 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. If the quantity Q of the first resource determined by the second communication device is 5000, then the first index is number 3, corresponding to [1001, 10000]. When using 2 bits to indicate the numbers corresponding to these four value ranges, the field used to carry the first index is 11.

[0275] One specific implementation of S1002 is that the second communication device determines the range of values ​​for Q as a first value range based on the quantity Q of the first resource, and determines the number corresponding to the first value range as a first index; then, it determines Q as the i-th integer in the first value range; and based on the value of i, it determines a second index. The second index is associated with i according to a second association relationship, which is any one of M types of association relationships between the second index and i, and the M types of association relationships can be predefined.

[0276] Optionally, the second index is associated with i according to a second association relationship, including: i and the second index satisfying:

[0277] i = second index * unit length; (8)

[0278] Or, i = 2 (第二索引) (9)

[0279] The unit length can be predefined. This unit length is less than the fifth value, which is the difference between the largest and smallest positive integers in the first range.

[0280] S1003, the second communication device sends a first index and a second index to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first index and the second index from the second communication device.

[0281] S1004, the first communication device determines the quantity Q of the first resource based on the first index and the second index.

[0282] One specific implementation of S1004 is: the first communication device determines the first value range corresponding to the first index based on the first index; and then, based on the second index, determines the i-th positive integer in the first value range as the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0283] Specifically, the first communication device can obtain the value of i based on the second index according to the above formula (7) or formula (8), and determine the i-th positive integer in the first value range as the quantity Q of the first resource. It should be understood that whether the first communication device obtains the value of i according to formula (7) or formula (8) can be indicated by the second communication device.

[0284] Assume the first value range is [11, 20], the unit length is 3, and the second index is 2. If the first communication device can obtain i = 2 * 3 = 6 according to formula (7), that is, the third positive integer 16 in [11, 20] is the quantity of the first resource, i.e., Q = 16. Or, if the first communication device can obtain i = 2 according to formula (8), 2 The fourth positive integer 14 in [11, 20] represents the quantity of the first resource, i.e., Q = 14.

[0285] Optionally, after S1004, the method 1000 may further include: S1005, the first communication device determines access timing #1 based on the quantity Q of the first resources. A description of access timing #1 can be found in the preceding S904 description, and will not be repeated here.

[0286] In this embodiment of the application, the second communication device indicates the number Q of the first resource by using the first index and the second index. This method can indicate the number of access resources with fewer bits and can also indicate the number of access resources more accurately and with fine granularity. This not only effectively solves the problem of access resource waste in the random access process, but also avoids the R2D message from being too large, thus effectively avoiding the impact on the coverage of the second communication device.

[0287] It should be understood that the method provided in this application can also be applied to application frameworks involving RIC modules under the O-RAN architecture shown in Figure 2. In this case, the second communication device can be understood as the access network device in Figure 2, and the first communication device can be understood as the terminal device in Figure 2. Specifically, the RIC module in the second communication device sends information to the first communication device.

[0288] 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 does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0289] Figures 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of possible apparatuses provided in embodiments of this application. These apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the first and second communication devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0290] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the device 1100 includes a transceiver module 1110 and a processing module 1120.

[0291] One possible design is that the device 1100 is used to implement the function of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 or FIG10 above.

[0292] For example, the transceiver module 1110 is configured to: receive first information from the second communication device, the first information indicating a first value x; the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first association relationship, the first resource being the resource allocated by the second communication device for access by the first communication device, the first association relationship being any one of N association relationships between the quantity Q of the first resource and the first value x and the second value y, where x, Q, and N are all positive integers, and y is an integer; the processing module 1120 is configured to: determine the access timing based on the quantity Q of the first resource.

[0293] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to: receive second information from the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate the second value y.

[0294] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to: receive third information from the second communication device, the third information being used to determine the first association relationship from the N association relationships.

[0295] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to: receive fourth information from the second communication device, the fourth information being used to indicate the bit length of the first value x.

[0296] A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1110 and the processing module 1120 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figure 9 or Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0297] For example, the transceiver module 1110 is configured to: receive a first index and a second index from the second communication device; the processing module 1120 is configured to: determine the quantity Q of the first resource based on the first index and the second index.

[0298] A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1110 and the processing module 1120 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0299] Another possible design is that the device 1100 is used to implement the function of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 or FIG10 above.

[0300] For example, the processing module 1120 is configured to: determine the quantity Q of a first resource, the quantity Q of the first resource being associated with a first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship, the first resource being a resource allocated by the second communication device for access by the first communication device, the first association relationship being any one of N association relationships in which the quantity Q of the first resource is associated with the first value x and the second value y, where x, Q, and N are all positive integers, and y is an integer; the transceiver module 1110 is configured to: send first information to the first communication device, the first information being used to indicate the first value x.

[0301] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to: send second information to the first communication device, the second information being used to indicate the second value y.

[0302] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to: send third information to the first communication device, the third information being used to determine the first association relationship from the N association relationships.

[0303] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to: send fourth information to the first communication device, the fourth information being used to indicate the bit length of the first value x.

[0304] For example, the processing module 1120 is configured to: determine the quantity Q of the first resource; and determine a first index and a second index based on the quantity Q of the first resource; the transceiver module 1110 is configured to: send the first index and the second index to the first communication device.

[0305] A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1110 and the processing module 1120 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figure 9 or Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0306] It is understandable that, since device 1100 has communication functions, device 1100 can also be called communication device 1100.

[0307] Figure 12 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the device 1200 includes one or more processors 1210. The processor 1210 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the device (e.g., a first communication device, a second communication device, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0308] Optionally, in one design, processor 1210 may include a program (also referred to as code or instructions) that can be executed on processor 1210, causing device 1200 to perform the methods executed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. In yet another possible design, device 1200 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG12) for implementing the functions of the first and second communication devices in the above method embodiments.

[0309] For example, the processor 1210 can be used to execute computer programs or instructions in memory to implement the steps performed by the first and second communication devices in the method embodiments shown in any of the embodiments of FIG9 or FIG10.

[0310] Optionally, the device 1200 may include one or more memories 1220 storing programs (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 1210, causing the device 1200 to perform the methods executed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments.

[0311] Optionally, the processor 1210 and / or memory 1220 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0312] Optionally, the device 1200 may further include a communication interface 1230. The processor 1210, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the device (e.g., the first communication device and the second communication device). The communication interface 1230, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transceiver function of the device.

[0313] Optionally, the device 1200 also includes a communication interface 1230. The processor 1210 and the communication interface 1230 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1230 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0314] It is understandable that since device 1200 has communication capabilities, it can also be called a communication device.

[0315] When device 1200 is used to implement the method of FIG9 or FIG10, processor 1210 is used to execute the functions of the aforementioned processing unit, and communication interface 1230 is used to execute the functions of the aforementioned transceiver module. Whether communication interface 1230 is used for sending or receiving depends on whether the scheme executed by device 1200 is used to perform a sending action or a receiving action.

[0316] It is understood that when the device 1200 is a first communication device and a second communication device, the communication interface 1230 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver, with the transmitter used to send signals and the receiver used to receive signals. When the device 1200 is a chip applied to terminal equipment or network equipment, the communication interface 1230 can be an input / output circuit, wherein the input circuit can be used for receiving and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0317] It should be noted that the above method embodiments can be applied to a processor, or implemented by a processor. A processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions.

[0318] The aforementioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0319] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0320] The memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0321] The methods provided in the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, they can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may include one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium may 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 may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic disk), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0322] This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a processor, can implement the methods shown in the above method embodiments.

[0323] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium containing computer instructions that, when executed on a processor, can implement the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0324] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, for reading instructions stored in a memory. When the processor executes the stored instructions, the chip can implement the method shown in the above method embodiments.

[0325] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first communication device and second communication device.

[0326] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0327] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0328] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0329] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0330] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0331] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, essentially, or the part that contributes to existing technology, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0332] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first communication device comprises: receiving first information from a second communication device, the first information being used to indicate a first value x; a first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship, the first resource being a resource allocated by the second communication device for access of the first communication device, the first association relationship being any one of N association relationships of the first resource quantity Q associated with the first value x and the second value y, x, Q and N being positive integers, and y being an integer; determining an access opportunity based on the first resource quantity Q.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The second value y is predefined; or The method further comprises: receiving second information from the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate the second value y.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving third information from the second communication device, the third information being used to determine the first association relationship from the N association relationships.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, y is a positive integer; The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to the first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q, the first value x and the second value y satisfy: Q=x*y; or Q＝2 (x*y) 。 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to a first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q, the first value x and the second values y satisfy: Q = y + 2 x .

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x and the second value y according to first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x, the second value y and the third value z according to a first association relationship, z being an integer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, y is a positive integer; The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x, the second value y and the first value z according to a first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q, the first value x, the second value y and the third value z satisfy: Q=x*y+z; or Q = z + 2 (x*y) .

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x, the second value y and the second value z according to a first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q, the first values x, the second values y and the third values z satisfy: Q = y * z + 2 x .

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x and the second value y, according to a first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x, a second value y, a third value z and a fourth value p according to a first association relationship, p and y being positive integers, and z being an integer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The first resource quantity Q is associated with the first value x, the second value y, the third value z and the fourth value p according to a first association relationship, comprising: The first resource quantity Q, the first value x, the second value y, the third value z and the fourth value p satisfy the following relationship: Q=y*z+p*x.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving fourth information from the second communication device, the fourth information being used to indicate a bit length of the first value x.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a second communication device comprises: determining a first quantity of resources Q, the first quantity of resources Q being associated with a first value x and a second value y according to a first association relationship, the first quantity of resources being resources allocated by the second communication device for the first communication device to access, the first association relationship being any one of N association relationships of the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x and the second value y, x, Q, N being positive integers, y being an integer; sending first information to the first communication device, the first information being used for indicating the first value x.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: sending second information to the first communication device, the second information being used for indicating the second value y.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending third information to the first communication device, the third information being used for determining the first association relationship from the N association relationships.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, y is a positive integer; the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x and the second value y according to the first association relationship comprises: the first quantity of resources Q, the first value x and the first value y satisfy: Q=x*y; or, Q＝2 (x*y) 。 16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x and a step value y according to the first association relationship comprises: the first quantity of resources Q, the first quantity of resources Q, the first value x and the second value y satisfy: Q = y + 2 x .

17. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein, the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x and the second value y according the first association relationship comprises: the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x, the second value y and a third value z according to the first association relationship, z being an integer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, y is a positive integer; the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value X, the second value y and a third value z according to the first association relationship comprises: the first quantity of resources Q, the first value x, the second value y and the third value z satisfy: Q=x*y+z; or, Q = z + 2 (x*y) .

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x, the second value y and the third value z according to the first association relationship comprises: the first quantity of resources Q, the second value y and the third value z satisfy: Q = y * z + 2 x .

20. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein, the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x and the second value Y according to the first association relationship comprises: the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x and the second value y, the first value x, the second value y and the third value z according to the first association comprises:

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x, the second value Y, the third value z and a fourth value p according to the first association relationship, p and y being positive integers, z being an integer. the first quantity of resources Q being associated with the first value x, the second value y, the third value z and the fourth value p according to the first association relationship comprises; the first quantity of resources Q, the first value x, the second value y, the third value z and the fourth value p satisfy the following relationship:

22. The method of any one of claims 12-21, wherein, Q=y*z+p*x. The method further comprises:

23. A communications device, characterized by sending fourth information to the first communication device, the fourth information being used for indicating a bit length of the first value x.

24. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The apparatus comprises modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

25. A communications device, characterized by comprising at least one processor configured to cause the communication device to implement the method of any of claims 1-11 by executing the computer program.

26. A communications device, characterized by comprising at least one processor configured to cause the communication device to implement the method of any of claims 12-22 by executing the computer program.

27. A chip, characterized by comprising: a processor configured to read instructions stored in a memory, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the chip to implement the method of any of claims 1-11; or the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the chip to implement the method of any of claims 12-22.

28. A communication system, characterized by comprising: a first communication device configured to implement the method of any of claims 1-11; and a second communication device configured to implement the method of any of claims 12-22.

29. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, wherein The computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the method of any of claims 1-22 to be performed.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the method of any of claims 1-22 to be performed.

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