Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which relate to the field of communication technology and can use limited bits in paging DCI or PEI to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets, or indicate SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signals. The method includes: a terminal device receives a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information from a network device, and determines whether a reference signal is sent according to the first DCI; wherein the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or is associated with one or more SSBs; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 28, 2021, with application number 202111259695.1, and invention name “A method for sending TRS for IDLE / INACTIVE UE”, and the priority of the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 5, 2021, with application number 202111308894.7, and invention name “Communication method and device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In a communication system, a network device may send configuration information of a reference signal to a terminal device via system information, and the terminal device may perform processing such as automatic gain control adjustment and time-frequency synchronization based on the reference signal.

[0004] In order to avoid increasing the burden on network equipment, the reference signal cannot be guaranteed to be sent all the time, and dynamic signaling can be used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent. The dynamic signaling can be signaling such as paging downlink control information (Paging DCI) or paging early indication (PEI).

[0005] In order to determine the transmission direction of the reference signal, the synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB) associated with the reference signal resource set can be configured for each reference signal resource set. Since the network device can send up to 64 SSBs in different directions, if each SSB direction is expected to have a corresponding reference signal, it may be necessary to configure 64 reference signal resource sets, or configure reference signals associated with up to 64 SSB indexes.

[0006] However, the number of available bits in paging DCI or PEI is limited. How to use limited bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets, or how to use limited bits to indicate SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signals has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can use limited bits in paging DCI or PEI to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets, or use limited bits to indicate SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signals.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which may include: a terminal device receives first downlink control information DCI from a network device, and determines whether a reference signal is sent based on the first DCI; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0009] Based on the first aspect, the terminal device can receive a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information from a network device. Since each indication bit in the reference signal availability indication information can be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or associated with one or more SSBs, the terminal device can determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit is sent, or determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indication bit is sent, based on the value of each indication bit. The embodiment of the present application clearly defines the mapping relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, and provides a feasible solution for the network device to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs through limited indication bits to inform the terminal device whether the corresponding reference signal is sent.

[0010] In one possible design, the system information received by the terminal device includes first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the terminal device can determine the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI through the first configuration information, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0012] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0013] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB, providing a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information.

[0014] In one possible design, the system information received by the terminal device includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indication bit.

[0015] Based on this possible design, the terminal device can determine one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit through the second configuration information, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0016] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, where G is determined based on the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0017] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the number of second configuration information, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information.

[0018] In one possible design, the system information received by the terminal device includes third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit.

[0019] Based on this possible design, the terminal device can determine the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indication bit through the third configuration information, and then determine the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit according to the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indication bit, and determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0020] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information; wherein the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI.

[0021] Based on this possible design, the terminal device can determine the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI through the fourth configuration information, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0022] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0023] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set, providing a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information.

[0024] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indication information contains a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer; when N is greater than or equal to M, the number of one or more indication bits is M; each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; or each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to an SSB.

[0025] Based on this possible design, when N is greater than or equal to M, the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB can correspond one to one, providing a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0026] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs; wherein Q is the remainder of M divided by N, A is the result of M divided by N rounded up, and B is the result of M divided by N rounded down.

[0027] In one possible design, the Q indication bits are the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0028] Based on the above two possible designs, when N is less than M, the above method can be used to configure the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0029] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, and among the P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, each indicator bit is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs; wherein, (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the result of M divided by N and rounded up.

[0030] In one possible design, when (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0031] In one possible design, the P indication bits are the first P indication bits among the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0032] Based on the above three possible designs, when N is less than M, the above method can be used to configure the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0033] In one possible design, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order; or, among the indexes of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0034] Based on this possible design, when each indicator bit corresponds to one or more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, the above two methods can be used to determine the reference signal resource set or SSB to which each indicator bit is specifically associated.

[0035] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of predefined SSBs, which is determined according to the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the SSBs; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, which is determined according to the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in SIB1 sent by the network device; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signals configured in the system information, which is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0036] Based on this possible design, multiple feasible solutions are provided for determining the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI.

[0037] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0038] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for determining the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI.

[0039] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI, or a paging advance indication PEI.

[0040] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device also receives a second DCI from the network device, and the second DCI is a paging advance indication PEI; the second DCI includes a first indication bit, and the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

[0041] Based on the above two possible designs, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device also receives a second DCI from the network device, and the terminal device can also determine whether the reference signal is sent according to the second DCI.

[0042] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned first aspect or the possible design of the first aspect, and the functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. Among them, the transceiver module can be used to receive the first downlink control information DCI from the network device, and the processing module can be used to determine whether the reference signal is sent according to the first DCI; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-location QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0043] In one possible design, the system information received by the transceiver module includes first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

[0044] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0045] In one possible design, the system information received by the transceiver module includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indication bit.

[0046] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, where G is determined based on the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0047] In one possible design, the system information received by the transceiver module includes third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit.

[0048] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information; wherein the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI.

[0049] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0050] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indication information contains a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer; when N is greater than or equal to M, the number of one or more indication bits is M; each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; or each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to an SSB.

[0051] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs; wherein Q is the remainder of M divided by N, A is the result of M divided by N rounded up, and B is the result of M divided by N rounded down.

[0052] In one possible design, the Q indication bits are the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0053] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, and among the P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, each indicator bit is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs; wherein, (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the result of M divided by N and rounded up.

[0054] In one possible design, when (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0055] In one possible design, the P indication bits are the first P indication bits among the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0056] In one possible design, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order; or, among the indexes of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0057] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of predefined SSBs, which is determined according to the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the SSBs; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, which is determined according to the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in SIB1 sent by the network device; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signals configured in the system information, which is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0058] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0059] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI, or a paging advance indication PEI.

[0060] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the transceiver module also receives a second DCI from the network device, and the second DCI is a paging advance indication PEI; the second DCI includes a first indication bit, and the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

[0061] It should be noted that the specific implementation method of the communication device in the second aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the terminal device in the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0062] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a chip or system on chip in a terminal device. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include: a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and the processor may be used to support the communication device to implement the functions involved in the above first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. For example: the transceiver can be used to receive the first downlink control information DCI from the network device, and the processor can be used to determine whether the reference signal is sent according to the first DCI; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-location QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set. In another possible design, the communication device may also include a memory, the memory is used to store computer execution instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0063] Among them, the specific implementation method of the communication device in the third aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the terminal device in the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0064] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which may include: a network device determines first downlink control information DCI; and sends the first DCI to a terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0065] Based on the fourth aspect, the network device may send a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information to the terminal device. Since each indication bit in the reference signal availability indication information may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or associated with one or more SSBs, the terminal device may determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit is sent, or determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indication bit is sent, based on the value of each indication bit. The embodiment of the present application clearly defines the mapping relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, and provides a feasible solution for the network device to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs through limited indication bits to inform the terminal device whether the corresponding reference signal is sent.

[0066] In one possible design, the system information sent by the network device includes first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

[0067] Based on this possible design, the network device can indicate the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI through the first configuration information, and the first configuration information of the terminal device can determine the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0068] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0069] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB, providing a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information.

[0070] In one possible design, the system information sent by the network device includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indication bit.

[0071] Based on this possible design, the network device can send the second configuration information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit through the second configuration information, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0072] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, where G is determined based on the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0073] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the number of second configuration information, which provides a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information.

[0074] In one possible design, the system information sent by the network device includes third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit.

[0075] Based on this possible design, the network device sends the third configuration information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indication bit through the third configuration information, and then determine the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit according to the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with each indication bit, and determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0076] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information; wherein the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI.

[0077] Based on this possible design, the network device sends the fourth configuration information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI through the fourth configuration information, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0078] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0079] Based on this possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set, providing a feasible solution for determining the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information.

[0080] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indication information contains a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer; when N is greater than or equal to M, the number of one or more indication bits is M; each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; or each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to an SSB.

[0081] Based on this possible design, when N is greater than or equal to M, the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB can correspond one to one, providing a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0082] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs; wherein Q is the remainder of M divided by N, A is the result of M divided by N rounded up, and B is the result of M divided by N rounded down.

[0083] In one possible design, the Q indication bits are the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0084] Based on the above two possible designs, when N is less than M, the above method can be used to configure the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0085] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, and among the P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, each indicator bit is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs; wherein, (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the result of M divided by N and rounded up.

[0086] In one possible design, when (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0087] In one possible design, the P indication bits are the first P indication bits among the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0088] Based on the above three possible designs, when N is less than M, the above method can be used to configure the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, which provides a feasible solution for configuring the association relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB.

[0089] In one possible design, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order; or, among the indexes of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0090] Based on this possible design, when each indicator bit corresponds to one or more reference signal resource sets or SSBs, the above two methods can be used to determine the reference signal resource set or SSB to which each indicator bit is specifically associated.

[0091] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of predefined SSBs, which is determined according to the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the SSBs; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, which is determined according to the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in SIB1 sent by the network device; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signals configured in the system information, which is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0092] Based on this possible design, multiple feasible solutions are provided for determining the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI.

[0093] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0094] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for determining the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI.

[0095] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI, or a paging advance indication PEI.

[0096] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the network device also sends a second DCI to the terminal device, and the second DCI is a paging advance indication PEI; the second DCI includes a first indication bit, and the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

[0097] Based on the above two possible designs, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device also receives a second DCI from the network device, and the terminal device can also determine whether the reference signal is sent according to the second DCI.

[0098] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the functions performed by the network node in the fourth aspect or the possible design of the fourth aspect, and the functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be used to determine the first downlink control information DCI; the transceiver module can be used to send the first DCI to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-location QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0099] In one possible design, the system information sent by the transceiver module includes first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

[0100] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is F, where F is determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to each SSB.

[0101] In one possible design, the system information sent by the transceiver module includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indication bit.

[0102] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, where G is determined based on the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0103] In one possible design, the system information sent by the transceiver module includes third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit.

[0104] In one possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information; wherein the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI.

[0105] In one possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is E, where E is determined based on the fourth configuration information included in each reference signal resource set.

[0106] In one possible design, the reference signal availability indication information contains a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer; when N is greater than or equal to M, the number of one or more indication bits is M; each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; or each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to an SSB.

[0107] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs; wherein Q is the remainder of M divided by N, A is the result of M divided by N rounded up, and B is the result of M divided by N rounded down.

[0108] In one possible design, the Q indication bits are the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0109] In one possible design, when N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, and among the P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, each indicator bit is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs; wherein, (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the result of M divided by N and rounded up.

[0110] In one possible design, when (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0111] In one possible design, the P indication bits are the first P indication bits among the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits among the N indication bits.

[0112] In one possible design, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order; or, among the indexes of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0113] In one possible design, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of predefined SSBs, which is determined according to the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the SSBs; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, which is determined according to the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in SIB1 sent by the network device; or, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signals configured in the system information, which is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

[0114] In one possible design, the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0115] In one possible design, the first DCI is a paging DCI, or a paging advance indication PEI.

[0116] In one possible design, when the first DCI is a paging DCI, the transceiver module also sends a second DCI to the terminal device, and the second DCI is a paging advance indication PEI; the second DCI includes a first indication bit, and the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

[0117] It should be noted that the specific implementation method of the communication device in the fifth aspect may refer to the behavioral function of the network node in the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0118] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a network node or a chip or system on chip in a network node. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the network node in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include: a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and the processor may be used to support the communication device to implement the functions involved in the above fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect. For example: the processor can be used to determine the first downlink control information DCI; the transceiver can be used to send the first DCI to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-location QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set. In another possible design, the communication device may also include a memory, the memory is used to store computer execution instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0119] Among them, the specific implementation method of the communication device in the sixth aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the network node in the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0120] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes one or more processors; the one or more processors are used to run computer programs or instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions or instructions, the communication device executes the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or executes the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0121] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories, one or more memories are coupled to one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store the above-mentioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication device. In an embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive information and / or send information.

[0122] In one possible design, the communication device also includes one or more communication interfaces, the one or more communication interfaces are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

[0123] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes an input / output interface and a logic circuit; the input / output interface is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, and process and / or generate information according to the information. The information includes a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0124] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, the computer executes the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or executes the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0125] In the tenth aspect, a computer program product comprising computer instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0126] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0127] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which is coupled to a memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0128] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the seventh to twelfth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by any possible design of the above-mentioned first aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by any possible design of the above-mentioned fourth aspect.

[0129] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a communication device as described in any one of the second to third aspects, or a communication device as described in any one of the fifth to sixth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0130] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a frame structure of a paging occasion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0131] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a frame structure of a paging occasion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0134] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0135] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of system information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0136] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of system information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0137] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of system information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0138] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of system information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0139] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of system information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0140] Fig.11 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0141] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the composition of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0142] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the composition of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0143] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0144] Before describing the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0145] Reference signal (RS): In long term evolution (LTE) communication systems and new radio (NR) communication systems, reference signals can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, they can be used for terminal equipment to perform automatic gain control (AGC) adjustment, time-frequency synchronization, beam measurement, and radio resource management (RRM) measurement.

[0146] In the LTE communication system, the cell-level reference signal may be a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), and the CRS exists in each downlink subframe.

[0147] In the NR communication system, in order to reduce the resource overhead of network equipment and avoid introducing too many cell-level reference signals, it is finally determined that the cell-level reference signal is sent in the synchronization signal and PBCH block (synchronization signaland PBCH block, SSB), where each SSB can include a primary synchronization signal (primary synchronization signal, PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (secondary synchronization signal, SSS).

[0148] Non-connected state: may include idle state and inactive state.

[0149] When the terminal device is in a non-connected state, the terminal device can periodically receive paging. Before receiving the paging, in order to ensure that the paging reception performance is good enough, the terminal device needs to perform AGC adjustment, time-frequency synchronization and other processing in advance according to the reference signal sent by the network device.

[0150] For example, Figure 1 As shown, for the LTE communication system, since each subframe has a CRS, the terminal device only needs to wake up a short time in advance (e.g., 2ms) to use the CRS to complete AGC adjustment, time-frequency synchronization and other processing, and then receive paging in the paging occasion (PO). For the NR communication system, since the period of SSB may be relatively large, when the terminal device needs one SSB to complete AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization, in extreme cases, the terminal device may need to wake up a long time in advance (e.g., 20ms), and then complete AGC adjustment, time-frequency synchronization and other processing according to the received SSB. When the terminal device needs multiple SSBs to complete AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization, the terminal device wakes up longer in advance (e.g., 40ms or 60ms), but at this time, since the terminal device wakes up a long time in advance, the sleep time of the terminal device is shortened, which will lead to a waste of power consumption of the terminal device.

[0151] In order to solve the problem of power consumption waste caused by the design of SSB in the NR communication system, the network equipment can send some reference signals (the reference signals can also be called auxiliary reference signals (assistance RS)) to the terminal equipment through system information. If the location of these reference signals is close enough to the PO, the problem of power consumption waste caused by the design of SSB can be solved. It should be noted that these reference signals are mainly configured for terminal devices in a non-connected state, and the type of these reference signals can be tracking reference signals (TRS).

[0152] Among them, the network device may include the configuration information of the reference signal through a system information block (SIB). Specifically, the network device may configure multiple reference signal resource sets (resource sets), and each reference signal resource set may include multiple resources (resource). In order to determine the reception parameters of the reference signal (such as the delay spread of the reference signal, the Doppler shift of the reference signal, the filter parameters when the reference signal is sent, the sending direction of the reference signal, etc.), the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set may be configured for each reference signal resource set. If the network is deployed in frequency range 2 (frequency range 2, FR2), that is, 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz, the network device may send up to 64 SSBs (that is, the SSB index value may be 0 to 63) in one cycle (that is, in one SSB burst set), and the sending direction of each SSB may be the same or different. If it is desired that each SSB direction has a corresponding reference signal, 64 reference signal resource sets may need to be configured. According to the structure of TRS, each reference signal resource set may contain 2 or 4 resources.

[0153] However, in order to avoid increasing the burden on network devices, these reference signals are not guaranteed to be sent all the time. For example, after a network device broadcasts the configuration information of several reference signals, the reference signals corresponding to these configuration information may be sent for a while and not sent for a while, and the changes may be relatively frequent. However, under normal circumstances, the system information sent by network devices usually does not change very frequently. If the terminal device is notified whether the reference signal is sent by changing the system information (for example, by not configuring certain reference signals in the system information, indicating that these reference signals are no longer sent), the terminal device may not be notified in time. In order to be able to more dynamically inform the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent, dynamic signaling can be used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent.

[0154] Informing the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent can also be described as informing the terminal device of the availability of the reference signal. If the reference signal is sent, the reference signal is available, and if the reference signal is not sent, the reference signal is not available. Or informing the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent can also be described as informing the terminal device whether the reference signal exists. If the reference signal is sent, the reference signal exists (present), and if the reference signal is not sent, the reference signal does not exist (absent).

[0155] Exemplarily, the dynamic signaling may be signaling such as paging downlink control information (Paging DCI) or paging early indication (Paging early indication, PEI).

[0156] Among them, paging DCI is the DCI used to schedule paging messages. The paging message can be included in the paging physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). At this time, the paging DCI will schedule the paging PDSCH. Specifically, the paging message can include the identifier (UE ID) of the paged terminal device. In the 5G NR system, the UE ID can be 5G-S-TMSI. Each terminal device can support the "receive paging" function, so the network device can indicate to the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent through the paging DCI.

[0157] Among them, PEI is an indication information sent before PO, and the indication information can be used to indicate whether a paging message is sent in the corresponding PO. Optionally, PEI can also be called early paging indication (EPI), or early indication of paging, or advanced paging indication, or can also be called other names, which are not limited here. PEI can also be a certain DCI. The network device can indicate to the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent through PEI, and the terminal device supporting PEI can determine whether the reference signal is sent after receiving PEI.

[0158] For example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the location where the paging DCI and the paging message are located is called PO. If the paging DCI is used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent, such as Figure 2 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , it generally indicates the availability of the reference signal before the PO of the next paging cycle. If PEI is used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent, such as Figure 2 As shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , the PEI can indicate the availability of the reference signal before the PO of the current paging cycle (i.e., the PO corresponding to the PEI), and can also indicate the availability of the auxiliary reference signal before the PO of the next paging cycle. In addition, since there may be both terminal devices that support PEI and those that do not support PEI in the network, such as Figure 2 As shown in (b) in FIG. 1 , PEI and paging DCI may be used simultaneously in a cell to indicate whether a reference signal is sent.

[0159] However, since the number of available bits in the paging DCI or PEI is limited, how to use limited bits to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets, or how to use limited bits to indicate SSBs corresponding to multiple reference signals becomes a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0160] In order to solve this problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a terminal device can receive a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information from a network device, and determine whether the reference signal is sent based on the first DCI; wherein the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or is associated with one or more SSBs; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined based on the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0161] In an embodiment of the present application, a network device may send a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information to a terminal device. Since each indication bit in the reference signal availability indication information may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or associated with one or more SSBs, the terminal device may determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit is sent, or determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indication bit is sent, based on the value of each indication bit. The embodiment of the present application clearly defines the mapping relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, and provides a feasible solution for the network device to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs through limited indication bits to inform the terminal device whether the corresponding reference signal is sent.

[0162] The implementation of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0163] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used in any communication system, which can be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, an LTE communication system, or a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, an NR communication system, a vehicle to everything (NR V2X) system, and can also be applied to a system with a hybrid network of LTE and 5G, or a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other next-generation communication systems, and can also be a non-3GPP communication system without limitation.

[0164] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication scenarios. For example, it can be applied to one or more of the following communication scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), machine type communication (MTC), massive machine type communication (mMTC), D2D, V2X and IoT and other communication scenarios.

[0165] Below Figure 3 Take the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application as an example to describe.

[0166] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the communication system may include network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0167] in, Figure 3The terminal device can be located within the beam / cell coverage of the network device. The terminal device can communicate with the network device through the uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) over the air interface. For example, the terminal device can receive system information, paging DCI, PEI, reference signal and other information sent by the network device. Another example is that the terminal device can send uplink data to the network device through the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in the UL direction; the network device can send downlink data to the terminal device through the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the DL direction.

[0168] Figure 3 The terminal device in the term "terminal device" may be a terminal device that supports the new air interface, and may access the communication system through the air interface and initiate services such as calls and Internet access. The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE) or mobile station (MS) or mobile terminal (MT). Specifically, Figure 3 The terminal device in the term "can be a mobile phone, tablet computer or computer with wireless transceiver function. It can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a vehicle terminal, a vehicle with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capability, an intelligent networked vehicle, a drone with UAV to UAV (U2U) communication capability, etc., without limitation.

[0169] in, Figure 3 The network device in the network can be any device with wireless transceiver function, which is mainly used to realize wireless physical control function, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control and mobility management, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocol and data encryption protocol. For example, the network device can send system information, paging DCI, PEI, reference signal and other information to the terminal device.

[0170] Figure 3The network device in can be a device that supports wired access or a device that supports wireless access. Exemplarily, the network device can be an access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) device, which is composed of multiple 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes. The 5G-AN / 5G-RAN node can be: an access point (AP), a base station (nodeB, NB), an enhanced base station (enhance nodeB, eNB), a next generation base station (NRnodeB, gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP) or some other access node, etc.

[0171] When implementing it specifically, Figure 3 As shown, for example, each terminal device and network device can use Figure 4 The structure shown, or including Figure 4 Parts shown. Figure 4 The present invention provides a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 400, which can be a terminal device or a chip or system on chip in a terminal device; or a network device or a chip or system on chip in a network device. Figure 4 As shown, the communication device 400 includes a processor 401 , a transceiver 402 and a communication line 403 .

[0172] Furthermore, the communication device 400 may further include a memory 404. The processor 401, the memory 404 and the transceiver 402 may be connected via a communication line 403.

[0173] The processor 401 is a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 401 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0174] The transceiver 402 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication networks may be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The transceiver 402 may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver or any device capable of achieving communication.

[0175] The communication line 403 is used to transmit information between the components included in the communication device 400.

[0176] The memory 404 is used to store instructions, where the instructions may be computer programs.

[0177] Among them, the memory 404 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0178] It should be noted that the memory 404 can exist independently of the processor 401, or can be integrated with the processor 401. The memory 404 can be used to store instructions or program codes or some data, etc. The memory 404 can be located in the communication device 400, or can be located outside the communication device 400, without limitation. The processor 401 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 404 to implement the communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0179] In one example, the processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 4 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0180] As an optional implementation, the communication device 400 includes multiple processors, for example, Figure 4 In addition to the processor 401, a processor 407 may also be included.

[0181] As an optional implementation, the communication device 400 further includes an output device 405 and an input device 406. Exemplarily, the input device 406 is a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone or a joystick, and the output device 405 is a device such as a display screen and a speaker.

[0182] It should be noted that the communication device 400 can be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system or a Figure 4 In addition, Figure 4 The structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except Figure 4 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0183] In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0184] In addition, the actions, terms, etc. involved in the various embodiments of the present application can refer to each other without limitation. The message name or parameter name in the message exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and other names can also be used in the specific implementation without limitation.

[0185] Combine the following Figure 3 The communication system shown, referring to the following Figure 5 , describes the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, wherein the terminal device can be Figure 3 Any terminal device in the communication system shown, the network device can be Figure 3 Any network device in the communication system shown. The terminal devices and network devices described in the following embodiments may have Figure 4 The processing performed by a single execution subject (terminal device or network device) shown in the embodiments of the present application may also be divided into multiple execution subjects, which may be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device may be divided into at least one of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU) and a radio unit (RU), without limitation.

[0186] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 5 As shown, the method may include:

[0187] Step 501: A network device sends a first DCI to a terminal device.

[0188] Step 502: The terminal device determines whether a reference signal is sent according to the first DCI.

[0189] The first DCI may include reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information may include one or more indication bits. Each indication bit may be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit may be associated with one or more SSBs. The value of the indication bit may be used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is transmitted, or the value of the indication bit may be used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is transmitted. The reference signal corresponding to the SSB may be determined according to quasi co-located (QCL) configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information may be used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0190] The first DCI may be a paging DCI or a PEI.

[0191] Among them, the network device can send system information to the terminal device. The system information can be divided into a master information block (MIB) and multiple SIBs. The network device can configure the configuration information of the reference signal resource set in a certain SIB (also described as SIB-X).

[0192] For example, Figure 6 As shown, SIB-X may include configuration information of M reference signal resource sets, where M is a positive integer, i.e., includes configuration information of reference signal resource set 0, configuration information of reference signal resource set 1, ..., configuration information of reference signal resource set M-1. The configuration information of each reference signal resource set may include parameters of K reference signal resource sets, where K is a positive integer, i.e., the configuration information of each reference signal resource set may include parameter 0 of the reference signal resource set, parameter 1 of the reference signal resource set, ..., parameter K-1 of the reference signal resource set. The configuration information of each reference signal resource set may also include configuration information of L reference signal resources, i.e., the configuration information of each reference signal resource set may also include configuration information of reference signal resource 0, configuration information of reference signal resource 1, ..., configuration information of reference signal resource L-1. The configuration information of each reference signal resource may also include parameters of one or more reference signal resources. The value of L may be 2 or 4, i.e., each reference signal resource set may include 2 or 4 reference signal resources.

[0193] Exemplarily, the parameters of the reference signal resource set may include one or more of the following:

[0194] The SSB index associated with the reference signal resource set can also be described as QCL configuration information;

[0195] The first OFDM symbol in the time domain (firstOFDM-SymbolInTimeDomain) is used to determine which symbol or symbols are occupied by the reference signal in a time slot;

[0196] Frequency Domain Allocation: used to determine which resource element (RE) is occupied by each RB in the RB occupied by the reference signal;

[0197] The starting resource block (RB) and the number of occupied RBs (startingRB and nrofRBs) are used to determine which RBs are occupied by the reference signal;

[0198] A power control offset (powerControlOffsetSS), used to determine the transmit power of the reference signal;

[0199] The periodicityAndOffset is used to determine which time slot(s) the reference signal occupies.

[0200] Exemplarily, the parameters of the reference signal resource may include a scrambling ID, which is used to determine the sequence generation parameters of the reference signal.

[0201] In a first possible design, the system information sent by the network device to the terminal device includes first configuration information, and the first configuration information can be used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI. The terminal device determines the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI based on the first configuration information, and then determines whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is sent based on the value of the SSB-associated indication bit, wherein the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is specifically a reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set corresponding to the SSB.

[0202] For example, Figure 7As shown, the system information may be SIB-X, and SIB-X may include one or more first configuration information, and each first configuration information may be used to configure the position of an SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI. For example, taking the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI as M, SIB-X may include first configuration information 0, first configuration information 1, ..., first configuration information M-1, wherein the first configuration information 0 may be used to configure the position of the first SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI, the first configuration information 1 may be used to configure the position of the second SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI, ..., the first configuration information M-1 may be used to configure the position of the M-1th SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

[0203] Among them, one or more first configuration information may exist in the SIB-X in the form of a list. That is, the first configuration information list (for example, associatedIndicationBitForSSB-List) may be configured in SIB-X, and the first configuration information list may include M first configuration information, respectively used to indicate the position of the indication bits associated with the M SSBs in the first DCI. Each first configuration information may be named associatedIndicationBitForSSB, and its value range may be {firstBit, secondBit, ...}. For example, when the indication bits are at most 6, the value range of the first configuration information may be {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}, that is, the first configuration information may be one of firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, or sixthBit.

[0204] It should be noted that, when the first configuration information is firstBit, it means that the indication bit corresponding to the first configuration information is the first indication bit in the first DCI; when the first configuration information is secondBit, it means that the indication bit corresponding to the first configuration information is the second indication bit in the first DCI;…; when the first configuration information is sixthBit, it means that the indication bit corresponding to the first configuration information is the sixth indication bit in the first DCI.

[0205] The number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be the number of predefined SSBs, and the number of predefined SSBs may be determined according to the frequency band where the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band where the SSBs are located may also be understood as the frequency band where the carrier is located.

[0206] For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4; when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8; when the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz and the carrier frequency is in FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64; when the subcarrier spacing is 240KHz and the carrier frequency is in FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64.

[0207] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device may be determined based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in the SIB1 sent by the network device. Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually sent in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined according to the frequency band of the carrier and the subcarrier spacing.

[0208] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information, and the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information may be determined based on the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (such as SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and which SSBs are associated may be recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs is counted as the value of M.

[0209] In the first possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be F, and F may be determined based on the first configuration information corresponding to the SSB associated with the first DCI. The position of the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association in the first DCI may also be described as: which of all the indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information is the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association.

[0210] The number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information may be determined according to the total number of information bits corresponding to each of the first configuration information.

[0211] For example, taking SIB-X including M first configuration information as an example, assuming that the total number of information bits corresponding to the M first configuration information is 4, then the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4, and the first configuration information can be used to configure which of the 4 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the SSB-associated indication bit is.

[0212] Among them, it can be determined according to the value of the first configuration information which one of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the SSB-associated indication bit is.

[0213] For example, taking the example that the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4, the first configuration information can be 2 bits, and the value of the first configuration information can be set to 00 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the first of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 01 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the second of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 10 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the third of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 11 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the fourth of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0214] For another example, taking the upper limit of the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information as 6 (for example, the value range of associatedIndicationBitForSSB is {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}), the first configuration information can be 3 bits, and the value of the first configuration information can be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the first configuration information is used to configure the SSB association indication bit is the first of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the first configuration information The value of is set to 001 (or to secondBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the second of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 010 (or to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the third of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 011 (or to fourthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure SSB association is the fourth of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. If the M first configuration information included in SIB-X are traversed and it is found that the value of any of the first configuration information is one of {000, 001, 010, 011} (or {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit}), the actual value of the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4.

[0215] For another example, taking the number of bits F included in the reference signal availability indication information as 6, the first configuration information can be 3 bits, and the value of the first configuration information can be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association is the first of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 001 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association is the second of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the first configuration information is set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association is the second of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The third of the six indication bits of the signal availability indication information; setting the value of the first configuration information to 011 (or setting it to the fourthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association is the fourth of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; setting the value of the first configuration information to 100 (or setting it to the fifthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association is the fifth of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; setting the value of the first configuration information to 101 (or setting it to the sixthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the first configuration information to configure the SSB association is the sixth of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0216] The value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is sent. Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is sent, without limitation.

[0217] Based on the first possible design described above, when there are multiple reference signal resource sets for a certain SSB, the configuration signaling overhead can be reduced by adopting the first possible design described above. For example, taking the case where 128 reference signal resource sets are configured and each SSB corresponds to 2 reference signal resource sets, assuming that each first configuration information includes 3 bits, then 64 first configuration information require 3*64=192 bits. When the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device determined by ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1, or is equal to the number of SSBs associated according to the TRS configuration, the total number of bits of each first configuration information can be further reduced.

[0218] It should be noted that in the above description of the first configuration information, the first configuration information is understood as corresponding to one SSB, that is, each first configuration information is used to configure the position of an indication bit associated with an SSB in the first DCI. Alternatively, the first configuration information can also be understood as corresponding to all SSBs, that is, the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bits associated with all SSBs in the first DCI. It can be understood that one first configuration information corresponding to all SSBs is essentially equal to the above multiple first configuration information corresponding to one SSB.

[0219] In a second possible design, the system information sent by the network device to the terminal device includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets (associated Resource Set Index) associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs (associated SSB-Index) associated with the indication bit. The terminal device determines the reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit according to the second configuration information, and then determines whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication information. Alternatively, the terminal device determines the SSB associated with each indication bit according to the second configuration information, and then determines whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication information, wherein the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is specifically the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set corresponding to the SSB.

[0220] For example, Figure 8 As shown, the system information may be SIB-X, and SIB-X may include one or more second configuration information, each of which may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with an indication bit, or each of which may be used to configure one or more SSBs associated with an indication bit. For example, assuming that the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, where G is a positive integer, SIB-X may include second configuration information 0, second configuration information 1, ..., second configuration information G-1; wherein, second configuration information 0 may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the first indication bit, or to configure one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit; second configuration information 1 may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the second indication bit, or to configure one or more SSBs associated with the second indication bit; ...; second configuration information G-1 may be used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the Gth indication bit, or to configure one or more SSBs associated with the Gth indication bit.

[0221] Each second configuration information can be named associatedResourceSetForIndicationBit, or associatedSSB-ForIndicationBit. Exemplarily, the second configuration information can be set in the form of a bitmap, that is, the value of each associatedResourceSetForIndicationBit or associatedSSB-ForIndicationBit is a bitmap, wherein the length of the bitmap can be determined according to the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI, or according to the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI.

[0222] Specifically, when the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with an indication bit, the length of the bit map can be determined according to the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI; when the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with an indication bit, the length of the bit map can be determined according to the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI.

[0223] The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be the number of predefined SSBs, and the number of predefined SSBs may be determined based on the frequency band where the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band where the SSBs are located may also be understood as the frequency band where the carrier is located.

[0224] For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4, and the bitmap of the second configuration information can be 4 bits to indicate 4 SSBs. When the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8, and the bitmap of the second configuration information can be 8 bits to indicate 8 SSBs. When the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4, and the bitmap of the second configuration information can be 4 bits to indicate 4 SSBs. When the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8, and the bitmap of the second configuration information can be 8 bits to indicate 8 SSBs. When the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz and the carrier frequency is FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64, and the bitmap of the second configuration information can be 64 bits to indicate 64 SSBs. When the subcarrier spacing is 240 KHz and the carrier frequency is FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs may be 64, and the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 64 bits to indicate 64 SSBs.

[0225] Alternatively, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device may be determined based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in the SIB1 sent by the network device. Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually sent in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined according to the frequency band of the carrier and the subcarrier spacing. For example, if it is determined according to ssb-PositionsInBurst that the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device is 20, the bit map of the second configuration information may be 20 bits to indicate 20 SSBs.

[0226] Alternatively, the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information, and the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information may be determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (such as SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined according to the QCL configuration information, and which SSBs are associated may be recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs is counted. At this point, for example, if the number of associated SSBs is determined to be 4 according to the configuration information of each reference signal resource set, the bit map of the second configuration information may be 4 bits.

[0227] The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0228] For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information as 64 as an example, the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 64 bits to indicate 64 reference signal resource sets. Alternatively, an upper limit of the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information may be predefined, and the length of the bitmap of the second configuration information may be determined according to the upper limit value, such as taking the upper limit value as 128 as an example, the bitmap of the second configuration information may be 128 bits to indicate 128 reference signal resource sets.

[0229] It should be noted that the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information can be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information can be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is not associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information. Alternatively, the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information can be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information can be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal resource set corresponding to the bit is not associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information, without limitation.

[0230] Alternatively, the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 0 to indicate that the SSB corresponding to the bit is associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 1 to indicate that the SSB corresponding to the bit is not associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information. Alternatively, the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 1 to indicate that the SSB corresponding to the bit is associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information, and the bit in the bitmap of the second configuration information may be set to 0 to indicate that the SSB corresponding to the bit is not associated with the indication bit corresponding to the second configuration information, without limitation.

[0231] In another example, the second configuration information may be set in the form of a starting and length indicator value (SLIV), that is, the value of each associatedResourceSetForIndicationBit or associatedSSB-ForIndicationBit is a SLIV. At this time, each indication bit is associated with one or more continuous reference signal resource sets, or one or more continuous SSBs. For example, for an indication bit, the starting index value of the reference signal resource set associated with it can be configured with SLIV as 5, and the index value length is 10, then the indication bit is associated with reference signal resource set 5 to reference signal resource set 14. For another example, for an indication bit, the starting index value of the SSB associated with it can be configured with SLIV as 16, and the index value length is 8, then the indication bit is associated with reference signal resource set 16 to reference signal resource set 23.

[0232] In the second possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be G, where G may be determined based on the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

[0233] For example, taking the example that the number of second configuration information included in the system information configured by the network device for the terminal device is 4, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be 4. Taking the example that the number of second configuration information included in the system information configured by the network device for the terminal device is 6, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information can be 6.

[0234] The value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent. Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent, without limitation.

[0235] Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is transmitted. Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is not transmitted, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indication bit is transmitted, without limitation.

[0236] It should be noted that in the above description of the second configuration information, the second configuration information is understood as corresponding to one indication bit, that is, each second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with an indication bit, or is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with an indication bit. Alternatively, the second configuration information can also be understood as corresponding to all indication bits, that is, the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with all indication bits, or is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with all indication bits. It can be understood that one second configuration information corresponding to all indication bits is essentially equal to the above multiple second configuration information corresponding to one indication bit.

[0237] In a third possible design, the configuration information of the reference signal resource set of the system information sent by the network device to the terminal device may include fourth configuration information. The fourth configuration information may be used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI. The terminal device determines the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI according to the fourth configuration information, and then determines whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set is sent according to the value of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set. Each fourth configuration information may be named associatedIndicationBit, and its value range may be {firstBit, secondBit, ...}. For example, when the number of indication bits is at most 6, the value range may be {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}. In other words, the fourth configuration information may be one of firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, or sixthBit.

[0238] It should be noted that, when the fourth configuration information is firstBit, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the first indication bit in the first DCI; when the fourth configuration information is secondBit, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the second indication bit in the first DCI;…; when the fourth configuration information is sixthBit, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the sixth indication bit in the first DCI.

[0239] For example, Fig. 9 As shown, the system information may be SIB-X, and SIB-X may include configuration information of one or more reference signal resource sets, and the configuration information of each reference signal resource set may include a fourth configuration information, and the fourth configuration information may be used to configure the position of an indication bit associated with a reference signal resource set in the first DCI. For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI as M, the configuration information of the M reference signal resource sets of SIB-X may include fourth configuration information 0, fourth configuration information 1, ..., fourth configuration information M-1, wherein the fourth configuration information 0 may be used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set 0 in the first DCI, the fourth configuration information 1 may be used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set 1 in the first DCI, ..., and the fourth configuration information M-1 may be used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set M-1 in the first DCI.

[0240] The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0241] In the third possible design, the number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be E, and E may be determined according to the fourth configuration information corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the first DCI. The fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI and may also be described as: the fourth configuration information is used to configure which of all indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is.

[0242] The number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information may be determined according to the total number of information bits corresponding to each fourth configuration information.

[0243] For example, taking SIB-X including M fourth configuration information as an example, assuming that the total number of information bits corresponding to the M fourth configuration information is 4, the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4, and the fourth configuration information can be used to configure which of the 4 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is. Assuming that the values ​​of the M fourth configuration information include and only include 0, 1, 2, and 4, the total number of information bits corresponding to the M fourth configuration information is 4, and the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4. At this time, the value of the information bit corresponding to a fourth configuration information corresponds to the position of the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information in ascending order. For example, when the value of the fourth configuration information is 0, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the first information bit; when the value of the fourth configuration information is 1, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the second information bit; when the value of the fourth configuration information is 2, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the third information bit; when the value of the fourth configuration information is 4, it indicates that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the fourth information bit.

[0244] In another method, the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the values ​​of each fourth configuration information. Specifically, the number of bits E can be determined according to the maximum value of each fourth configuration information value. Assuming that the value of the fourth configuration information starts from 0 and the maximum value of each fourth configuration information value is Z, the value of the number of bits E can be determined to be Z+1. For example, taking SIB-X as an example including M fourth configuration information, assuming that the maximum value of the M fourth configuration information is 4, it means that the number of indication bits corresponding to the M fourth configuration information is five information bits. When the value of the information bit corresponding to the M fourth configuration information is 0, it means that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the first information bit, and when the value of the information bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is 1, it means that the indication bit corresponding to the fourth configuration information is the second information bit, and so on. Assuming that the values ​​of the M fourth configuration information include and only include 0, 1, 2, and 4, the number of bits E=5. And since the value of the fourth configuration information corresponding to no reference signal resource set is 3, the fourth information bit of the five information bits is not used to indicate the availability of any reference signal.

[0245] The above-mentioned different ways of determining the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information can be applied to different indication methods. For example, when the first DCI is PEI, the first method can be used, that is, the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the total number of information bits corresponding to each fourth configuration information. For another example, when the first DCI is paging DCI, the second method can be used, and the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information can be determined according to the value of the information bit corresponding to each fourth configuration information.

[0246] Among them, it can be determined according to the value of the fourth configuration information which one of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is.

[0247] For example, taking the example that the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4, the fourth configuration information can be 2 bits, and the value of the fourth configuration information can be set to 00 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the reference signal resource set association is the first of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to 01 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the reference signal resource set association is the second of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to 10 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the reference signal resource set association is the third of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to 11 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the reference signal resource set association is the fourth of the four indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0248] For another example, taking the upper limit of the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information as 6 (for example, the value range of associatedIndicationBit is {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit, fifthBit, sixthBit}), the fourth configuration information can be 3 bits, and the value of the fourth configuration information can be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the fourth configuration information is used to configure the SSB association indication bit is the first of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to Set to 001 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure SSB association is the second of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; set the value of the fourth configuration information to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure SSB association is the third of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; set the value of the fourth configuration information to 011 (or set to fourthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure SSB association is the fourth of the six indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. If the M fourth configuration information included in SIB-X are traversed and it is found that the value of any of the fourth configuration information is one of {000, 001, 010, 011} (or {firstBit, secondBit, thirdBit, fourthBit}), the actual value of the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information is 4.

[0249] For another example, taking the number of bits E included in the reference signal availability indication information as 6, the fourth configuration information can be 3 bits, and the value of the fourth configuration information can be set to 000 (or set to firstBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the association of the reference signal resource set is the first of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to 001 (or set to secondBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the association of the reference signal resource set is the second of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to 010 (or set to thirdBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the association of the reference signal resource set is the second of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information. The value of the fourth configuration information is set to 100 (or set to the fifthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the association of the reference signal resource set is the fifth of the 6 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information; the value of the fourth configuration information is set to 101 (or set to the sixthBit) to indicate that the indication bit used by the fourth configuration information to configure the association of the reference signal resource set is the sixth of the 4 indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0250] The value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent. Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent, without limitation.

[0251] Based on the third possible design, taking the configuration of 128 reference signal resource sets as an example, assuming that each fourth configuration information includes 3 bits, the 128 fourth configuration information require 3*128=384 bits.

[0252] It should be noted that, in the above description of the fourth configuration information, the fourth configuration information is understood as corresponding to a reference signal resource set, that is, each fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of an indication bit associated with a reference signal resource set in the first DCI. Alternatively, the fourth configuration information can also be understood as corresponding to all reference signal resource sets, that is, the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with all reference signal resource sets in the first DCI. It can be understood that one fourth configuration information corresponding to all reference signal resource sets is essentially equal to the above multiple fourth configuration information corresponding to one reference signal resource set.

[0253] In a fourth possible design, the system information sent by the network device to the terminal device may include third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information may be used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, or the third configuration information may be used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit.

[0254] When the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, the terminal device can determine the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit based on the third configuration information, determine the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit based on the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent based on the value of the indication bit.

[0255] Alternatively, when the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit, the terminal device can determine the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit based on the third configuration information, determine the SSB associated with each indicator bit based on the number of SSBs associated with each indicator bit, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the indicator bit is sent based on the value of the indicator bit.

[0256] For example, Fig.10 As shown, the system information may be SIB-X, and SIB-X may include third configuration information, and the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit.

[0257] In the fourth possible design, the reference signal availability indication information may contain a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer.

[0258] The number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be the number of predefined SSBs, and the number of predefined SSBs may be determined according to the frequency band where the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band where the SSBs are located may also be understood as the frequency band where the carrier is located.

[0259] For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4; when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8; when the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz and the carrier frequency is in FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64; when the subcarrier spacing is 240KHz and the carrier frequency is in FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64.

[0260] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device may be determined based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in the SIB1 sent by the network device. Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually sent in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined according to the frequency band of the carrier and the subcarrier spacing.

[0261] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information, and the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information may be determined based on the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (such as SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and which SSBs are associated may be recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs is counted as the value of M.

[0262] The number of reference signal resource sets M associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0263] When the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit or the number of SSBs associated with each indication bit is configured by the third configuration information as K, the number of one or more indication bits may be

[0264] Case 1: when K is equal to 1, the number of one or more indicator bits may be M, where M=N; each indicator bit may correspond one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; or each indicator bit may correspond one-to-one to an SSB.

[0265] Exemplarily, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order.

[0266] For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI as 6, and the third configuration information configuring the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit as K=1 as an example, the number of indicator bits is 6. Assuming that the indexes of the reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI are in ascending order, the first indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second smallest index, and so on, the sixth indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index. Assuming that the indexes of the reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI are in descending order, the first indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second largest index, and so on, the sixth indicator bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index.

[0267] For another example, taking the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI as 4, and the third configuration information configuring the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indicator bit as K=1, the number of indicator bits is 4. Assuming that the indexes of the SSBs associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI are in ascending order, the first indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the second smallest index, and so on, and the fourth indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index. Assuming that the indexes of the SSBs associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI are in descending order, the first indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index, the second indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the second largest index, and so on, and the fourth indicator bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index.

[0268] Case 2: When K is greater than 1, N is less than M, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs. Where Q is the remainder of M divided by N, i.e., Q=M%N, and A is the result of M divided by N rounded up, i.e., B is the result of M divided by N rounded down, that is The number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs corresponding to each indication bit can be made as identical or similar as possible. It can be understood that A=K at this time.

[0269] For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 40, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit configured by the third configuration information as K=7, the number of indication bits is 6, Q=40%6=4, NQ=2, That is, each of the 4 indication bits is associated with 7 reference signal resource sets or 7 SSBs, and each of the remaining 2 indication bits is associated with 6 reference signal resource sets or 6 SSBs.

[0270] It should be noted that the Q indication bits may be the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or may be the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits, without limitation.

[0271] Among them, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI can be in ascending or descending order.

[0272] For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI as 64, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit configured by the third configuration information as K=11, the reference signal availability indication information may include 6 bits, and of the 6 indication bits, 4 indication bits are associated with 11 reference signal resource sets or SSBs, and 2 indication bits are associated with 10 reference signal resource sets or SSBs:

[0273] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, and the number of associated indicators in the front is large and the number of associated indicators in the back is small, then the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit (resource set index / SSB index) = 0~10, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 11~21, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 22~32, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 33~43, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 44~53, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 54~63.

[0274] Among them, the indication bit corresponding to firstBit is the first indication bit in the first DCI; the indication bit corresponding to secondBit is the second indication bit in the first DCI; ...; the indication bit corresponding to sixthBit is the sixth indication bit in the first DCI.

[0275] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, and the number of associated indicators bits in the front is small, and the number of associated indicators bits in the back is large, then the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit = 0~9, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 10~19, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 20~30, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 31~41, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 42~52, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 53~63.

[0276] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in descending order, and the number of associated indicators is larger than that of the latter ones, then the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit = 53~63, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 42~52, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 31~41, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 20~30, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 10~19, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 0~9.

[0277] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in descending order, and the number of associated indicators bits in the front is small, and the number of associated indicators bits in the back is large, then the index of the associated reference signal resource set or SSB = 54~63, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 44~53, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 33~43, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 22~32, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 11~21, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 0~10.

[0278] It should be noted that in some cases, not all SSBs are configured with associated reference signals, such as when the value of M is determined according to the number of SSBs associated with all reference signals configured in SIB-X. For example, the network device is configured with 32 reference signal resource sets, which are associated with SSB#0 to SSB#15, and SSB#48 to 63 respectively. Assume that N=6. If the SSB index is in ascending order, and the number of associated indication bits in the front is large and the number of associated indication bits in the back is small, then the index of the SSB associated with firstBit = 0 to 5, the index of the SSB associated with secondBit = 6 to 11, the index of the SSB associated with thirdBit = 12 to 15 and 48, the index of the SSB associated with fourthBit = 49 to 53, the index of the SSB associated with fifthBit = 54 to 58, and the index of the SSB associated with bit6 = 59 to 63.

[0279] Alternatively, in the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0280] For example, taking K=6, M=36 (assuming the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB=0-35), N=6, that is, there are 6 indication bits, and each indication bit can be associated with 6 reference signal resource sets or SSBs. At this time, if the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit = {0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = {1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = {2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = {3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = {4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 34}, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = {5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35}.

[0281] Case 3: When K is greater than 1, N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits can be Among the P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, each indicator bit is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs. Where (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the result of M divided by N and rounded up, that is, It can be understood that A=K at this time.

[0282] For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 8, and the third configuration information configuring the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit as K=2, the number of indication bits is 4, and each indication bit is associated with 2 reference signal resource sets or 2 SSBs.

[0283] For another example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 10, and the third configuration information configuring the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit as K=2, the number of indication bits is 5, and each indication bit is associated with 2 reference signal resource sets or 2 SSBs.

[0284] Among them, when (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0285] For example, taking the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 11, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit configured by the third configuration information as K=2, the number of indication bits is 6, P=5, MP*A=1, that is, each of 5 indication bits out of 6 bits is associated with 2 reference signal resource sets or 2 SSBs, and the remaining 1 bit is associated with 1 reference signal resource set or 1 SSB.

[0286] The index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order. The description may refer to the relevant description in the above situation 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0287] Alternatively, in the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information. This description can refer to the relevant description in the above situation 2 and will not be repeated.

[0288] In the fourth possible design, the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent. Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent, without limitation.

[0289] In a fifth possible design, the association between the indication bit in the first DCI and the reference signal resource set or SSB may be predefined, and the terminal device may determine the association between the indication bit in the first DCI and the reference signal resource set or SSB according to predefined rules, and then determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the indication bit is sent according to the value of the indication bit.

[0290] The reference signal availability indication information may contain a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer.

[0291] The maximum value N of the bits included in the reference signal availability indication information may be predefined or configured by the network device and is not limited.

[0292] The number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may be the number of predefined SSBs, and the number of predefined SSBs may be determined according to the frequency band where the SSBs are located and the subcarrier spacing. The frequency band where the SSBs are located may also be understood as the frequency band where the carrier is located.

[0293] For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4; when the subcarrier spacing is 15KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 4; when the subcarrier spacing is 30KHz and the carrier frequency is greater than 3GHz, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 8; when the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz and the carrier frequency is in FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64; when the subcarrier spacing is 240KHz and the carrier frequency is in FR2, the maximum number of predefined SSBs can be 64.

[0294] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device may be determined based on the ssb-PositionsInBurst contained in the SIB1 sent by the network device. Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst is used to configure the positions of the SSBs actually sent in a predefined SSB transmission pattern determined according to the frequency band of the carrier and the subcarrier spacing.

[0295] Alternatively, the number M of SSBs associated with the first DCI may also be equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information, and the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information may be determined based on the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set. For example, all reference signal resource sets included in the system information (such as SIB-X) may be traversed, the number of SSBs associated with each reference signal resource set may be determined based on the QCL configuration information, and which SSBs are associated may be recorded. Finally, the number of recorded SSBs is counted as the value of M.

[0296] The number of reference signal resource sets M associated with the first DCI may be equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

[0297] Case 1: when N is greater than or equal to M, the number of one or more indication bits may be M; each indication bit may correspond one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; or each indication bit may correspond one-to-one to an SSB.

[0298] Exemplarily, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order.

[0299] For example, taking the case that the reference signal availability indication information can contain up to 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is 6, the number of indication bits is 6. Assuming that the indexes of the reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in ascending order, the first indication bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index, the second indication bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second smallest index, and so on, the sixth indication bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index. Assuming that the indexes of the reference signal resource sets associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in descending order, the first indication bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the largest index, the second indication bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the second largest index, and so on, the sixth indication bit is associated with the reference signal resource set with the smallest index.

[0300] For another example, taking the reference signal availability indication information as containing up to 6 bits and the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI as 4, the number of indication bits is 4. Assuming that the indexes of the SSBs associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in ascending order, the first indication bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index, the second indication bit is associated with the SSB with the second smallest index, and so on, and the fourth indication bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index. Assuming that the indexes of the SSBs associated with each indication bit in the first DCI are in descending order, the first indication bit is associated with the SSB with the largest index, the second indication bit is associated with the SSB with the second largest index, and so on, and the fourth indication bit is associated with the SSB with the smallest index.

[0301] Case 2: When N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits is N, there are Q indicator bits among the N indicator bits, each of the Q indicator bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each of the remaining (NQ) indicator bits among the N indicator bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs. Among them, Q is the remainder of M divided by N, that is, Q = M% N, and A is the result of M divided by N rounded up, that is, B is the result of M divided by N rounded down, that is The number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs corresponding to each indication bit can be made as identical or as close as possible.

[0302] For example, taking the reference signal availability indication information as including a maximum of 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 40, the number of indication bits is 6, Q=40%6=4, NQ=2, That is, each of the 4 indication bits is associated with 7 reference signal resource sets or 7 SSBs, and each of the remaining 2 indication bits is associated with 6 reference signal resource sets or 6 SSBs.

[0303] It should be noted that the Q indication bits may be the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or may be the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits, without limitation.

[0304] Among them, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI can be in ascending or descending order.

[0305] For example, taking the reference signal availability indication information as containing up to 6 bits and the number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI as 64, according to the above description of Q, it can be determined that the number of indication bits is 6, and of the 6 indication bits, 4 indication bits are associated with 11 reference signal resource sets or SSBs, and 2 indication bits are associated with 10 reference signal resource sets or SSBs:

[0306] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, and the number of associated indicators in the front is large and the number of associated indicators in the back is small, then the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit (resource set index / SSB index) = 0~10, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 11~21, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 22~32, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 33~43, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 44~53, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 54~63.

[0307] Among them, the indication bit corresponding to firstBit is the first indication bit in the first DCI; the indication bit corresponding to secondBit is the second indication bit in the first DCI; ...; the indication bit corresponding to sixthBit is the sixth indication bit in the first DCI.

[0308] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, and the number of associated indicators bits in the front is small, and the number of associated indicators bits in the back is large, then the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit = 0~9, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 10~19, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 20~30, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 31~41, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 42~52, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 53~63.

[0309] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in descending order, and the number of associated indicators is larger than that of the latter ones, then the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit = 53~63, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 42~52, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 31~41, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 20~30, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 10~19, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 0~9.

[0310] If the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indicator bit in the first DCI is in descending order, and the number of associated indicators bits in the front is small, and the number of associated indicators bits in the back is large, then the index of the associated reference signal resource set or SSB = 54~63, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = 44~53, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = 33~43, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = 22~32, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = 11~21, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = 0~10.

[0311] It should be noted that in some cases, not all SSBs are configured with associated reference signals, such as when the value of M is determined according to the number of SSBs associated with all reference signals configured in SIB-X. For example, the network device is configured with 32 reference signal resource sets, which are associated with SSB#0 to SSB#15, and SSB#48 to 63 respectively. Assume that N=6. If the SSB index is in ascending order, and the number of associated indication bits in the front is large and the number of associated indication bits in the back is small, then the index of the SSB associated with firstBit = 0 to 5, the index of the SSB associated with secondBit = 6 to 11, the index of the SSB associated with thirdBit = 12 to 15 and 48, the index of the SSB associated with fourthBit = 49 to 53, the index of the SSB associated with fifthBit = 54 to 58, and the index of the SSB associated with bit6 = 59 to 63.

[0312] Alternatively, in the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

[0313] For example, taking N=6, M=36 (assuming that the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB=0-35), each indication bit can be associated with 6 reference signal resource sets or SSBs. At this time, if the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending order, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the firstBit = {0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the secondBit = {1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the thirdBit = {2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fourthBit = {3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33}, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the fifthBit = {4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 34}, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the sixthBit = {5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35}.

[0314] Case 3: When N is less than M, the number of one or more indicator bits may be N. Among the P indicator bits of the N indicator bits, each indicator bit is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs. Where (P*A) is less than or equal to M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than M, and A is the result of M divided by N and rounded up, that is,

[0315] For example, taking the reference signal availability indication information as including a maximum of 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 8, the number of indication bits is 6. P=4, that is, each of the 4 indication bits is associated with 2 reference signal resource sets or 2 SSBs, and the remaining 2 bits are reserved bits.

[0316] For another example, taking the reference signal availability indication information as including a maximum of 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 10, the number of indication bits is 6. P=5, that is, each of the 5 indicator bits among the 6 bits is associated with 2 reference signal resource sets or 2 SSBs, and the remaining 1 bit is a reserved bit.

[0317] Among them, when (P*A) is less than M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with (MP*A) reference signal resource sets or (MP*A) SSBs.

[0318] For example, taking the reference signal availability indication information as including a maximum of 6 bits, and the number of reference signal resource sets or SSBs associated with the first DCI as 11, the number of indication bits is 6. P=5, MP*A=1, that is, each of 5 indicator bits among the 6 bits is associated with 2 reference signal resource sets or 2 SSBs, and the remaining 1 bit is associated with 1 reference signal resource set or 1 SSB.

[0319] It should be noted that, when the (P+1)th bit does not exist, the P indication bits are the first P indication bits of the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits of the N indication bits. When the (P+1)th bit exists, the P indication bits are the first P indication bits of the P+1 indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits of the P+1 indication bits, without limitation.

[0320] The index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI may be in ascending or descending order. The description may refer to the relevant description in the above situation 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0321] Alternatively, in the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information. This description can refer to the relevant description in the above situation 2 and will not be repeated.

[0322] In the fifth possible design, the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent. Alternatively, the value of the indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is not sent, and the value of the indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with the indication bit is sent, without limitation.

[0323] Based on the above Figure 5According to the method shown, the network device can send a first DCI including reference signal availability indication information to the terminal device. Since each indication bit in the reference signal availability indication information can be associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or associated with one or more SSBs, the terminal device can determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the reference signal resource set associated with each indication bit is sent, or determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with each indication bit is sent according to the value of each indication bit. The embodiment of the present application clearly defines the mapping relationship between the indication bit and the reference signal resource set or SSB, and provides a feasible solution for the network device to indicate multiple reference signal resource sets or multiple SSBs through limited indication bits to inform the terminal device whether the corresponding reference signal is sent.

[0324] Based on the above Figure 5 The method shown, such as Fig.11 As shown, when the first DCI is the first paging DCI, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application may further include the following steps 503 and 504.

[0325] Step 503: The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device.

[0326] Among them, the second DCI is PEI; the second DCI may include a first indication bit, the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

[0327] The monitoring position of PEI may include multiple monitoring occasions (MO), and different MOs may correspond to different SSB indexes, or it may be described as that the sending direction of PEI on an MO is the same as the sending direction or the sending parameters of its associated SSB.

[0328] For example, taking the first DCI as the paging DCI, and in the paging DCI, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with firstBit = 0~10, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with secondBit = 11~21, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with thirdBit = 22~32, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with fourthBit = 33~43, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with fifthBit = 44~53, and the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with bit6 = 54~63 as an example, on the MO corresponding to SSB index = 0, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indication bit contained in PEI = 0~10 (that is, the first indication bit is the same as the firstBit in the paging DCI); on the MO corresponding to SSB index = 22, the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with the first indication bit contained in PEI = 22~32 (that is, the first indication bit is the same as the thirdBit in the paging DCI).

[0329] Among them, the indication bit corresponding to firstBit is the first indication bit in the paging DCI; the indication bit corresponding to secondBit is the second indication bit in the paging DCI; ...; the indication bit corresponding to fourthBit is the fourth indication bit in the paging DCI.

[0330] Therefore, step 503 can also be understood as: the first indication bit included in the PEI is one of the indication bits included in the paging DCI, and specifically can be the indication bit associated with the SSB index associated with the MO of the current PEI.

[0331] Step 504: The terminal device determines whether a reference signal is sent according to the second DCI.

[0332] Among them, the terminal device can determine whether the reference signal resource set associated with the first indication bit or the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is sent according to the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI.

[0333] Exemplarily, the value of the first indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal resource set associated with the first indication bit or the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is not sent, and the value of the first indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal resource set associated with the first indication bit or the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is sent. Alternatively, the value of the first indication bit may be set to 1 to indicate that the reference signal resource set associated with the first indication bit or the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is not sent, and the value of the first indication bit may be set to 0 to indicate that the reference signal resource set associated with the first indication bit or the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is sent, without limitation.

[0334] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between devices. It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, each device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present application.

[0335] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of each device according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0336] In the case of dividing each functional module into corresponding functional modules, Fig.12A terminal device is shown, and the terminal device 120 may include a transceiver module 1201 and a processing module 1202. Exemplarily, the terminal device 120 may be a terminal device, or may be a chip applied to the terminal device or other combined devices, components, etc. having the above terminal device functions. When the terminal device 120 is a terminal device, the transceiver module 1201 may be a transceiver, and the transceiver may include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc.; the processing module 1202 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, and the baseband processor may include one or more CPUs. When the terminal device 120 is a component having the above terminal device functions, the transceiver module 1201 may be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 1202 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the terminal device 120 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1201 may be an input and output interface of a chip (such as a baseband chip); the processing module 1202 may be a processor (or a processing circuit) of the chip system, or a logic circuit, and may include one or more central processing modules. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1201 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component; the processing module 1202 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit).

[0337] For example, the transceiver module 1201 can be used to perform Figure 5-Figure 11 All the sending and receiving operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes used to support the technology described herein; the processing module 1202 can be used to perform Figure 5-Figure 11 All operations except the sending and receiving operations performed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described in this document.

[0338] The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive first downlink control information DCI from a network device;

[0339] The processing module 1202 is configured to determine whether a reference signal is sent according to the first DCI;

[0340] Among them, the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0341] As another possible way to achieve this, Fig.12 The transceiver module 1201 in the embodiment may be replaced by a transceiver, and the transceiver may integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1201; the processing module 1202 may be replaced by a processor, and the processor may integrate the functions of the processing module 1202. Further, Fig.12 The terminal device 120 shown may also include a memory. When the transceiver module 1201 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1202 is replaced by a processor, the terminal device 120 involved in the embodiment of the present application may be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0342] Alternatively, when the transceiver module 1201 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1202 is replaced by a processor, the terminal device 120 involved in the embodiment of the present application can also be Fig.14 The communication device 140 shown, wherein the processor may be a logic circuit 1401, and the transceiver may be an input-output interface 1402. Further, Fig.14 The communication device 140 shown may also include a memory 1403 .

[0343] In the case of dividing each functional module into corresponding functional modules, Fig.13 A network device is shown, and the network device 130 may include a processing module 1301 and a transceiver module 1302. Exemplarily, the network device 130 may be a network device, or a chip applied to the network device, or other combined devices, components, etc. having the above network device functions. When the network device 130 is a network device, the processing module 1301 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs; the transceiver module 1302 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc. When the network device 130 is a component having the above network device functions, the processing module 1301 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor; the transceiver module 1302 may be a radio frequency unit. When the network device 130 is a chip system, the processing module 1301 may be a processor (or a processing circuit) of the chip system, or a logic circuit, which may include one or more central processing modules; the transceiver module 1302 may be an input and output interface of a chip (such as a baseband chip). It should be understood that the processing module 1301 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit); the transceiver module 1302 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component.

[0344] For example, the processing module 1301 can be used to perform Figure 5-Figure 11All operations except the transceiver operation performed by the network device in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes used to support the technology described herein; the transceiver module 1302 can be used to perform Figure 5-Figure 11 The illustrated embodiments illustrate all transceiver operations performed by the network device and / or other processes for supporting the techniques described herein.

[0345] The processing module 1301 is configured to determine a first DCI;

[0346] The transceiver module 1302 is configured to send a first DCI to a terminal device;

[0347] Among them, the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

[0348] As another possible way to achieve this, Fig.13 The processing module 1301 in the embodiment can be replaced by a processor, and the processor can integrate the functions of the processing module 1301; the transceiver module 1302 can be replaced by a transceiver, and the transceiver can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1302. Further, Fig.13 The network device 130 shown may also include a memory. When the processing module 1301 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1302 is replaced by a transceiver, the network device 130 involved in the embodiment of the present application may be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0349] Alternatively, when the processing module 1301 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1302 is replaced by a transceiver, the network device 130 involved in the embodiment of the present application can also be Fig.14 The communication device 140 shown, wherein the processor may be a logic circuit 1401, and the transceiver may be an input-output interface 1402. Further, Fig.14 The communication device 140 shown may also include a memory 1403 .

[0350] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be completed by a computer program to instruct the relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it may include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of a terminal (including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end) in any of the above embodiments, such as a hard disk or memory of the terminal. The above computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the above terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk equipped on the above terminal, a smart memory card (smart media card, SMC), a secure digital (secure digital, SD) card, a flash card (flash card), etc. Further, the above computer-readable storage medium can also include both an internal storage unit of the above terminal and an external storage device. The above computer-readable storage medium is used to store the above computer program and other programs and data required by the above terminal. The above computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

[0351] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0352] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0353] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0354] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0355] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple different places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0356] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0357] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, It is characterized in that include: The terminal device receives first downlink control information DCI from the network device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set; The terminal device determines whether the reference signal is sent according to the first DCI.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The system information received by the terminal device includes first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

3. The method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is F, and F is determined according to the first configuration information corresponding to each of the SSBs.

4. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The system information received by the terminal device includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indication bit.

5. The method according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, and G is determined according to the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

6. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The system information received by the terminal device includes third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each of the indication bits, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each of the indication bits.

7. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information; wherein the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI.

8. The method according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The fourth configuration information is used to configure a position of an indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI, including: The fourth configuration information is used to configure which one of all the indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is.

9. The method according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is E, and E is determined according to the fourth configuration information included in each of the reference signal resource sets.

10. The method according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The E is determined according to the fourth configuration information included in each of the reference signal resource sets, including: The maximum value of the fourth configuration information included in each of the reference signal resource sets is Z, and the value of E is determined to be Z+1.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 6, It is characterized in that The reference signal availability indication information includes a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer; When N is greater than or equal to M, the number of the one or more indication bits is M; Each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; Alternatively, each indicator bit corresponds one-to-one to one SSB.

12. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that When the N is less than the M, the number of the one or more indication bits is the N, there are Q indication bits among the N indication bits, each indication bit of the Q indication bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each indication bit of the remaining (NQ) indication bits of the N indication bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs; Among them, the Q is the remainder of the division of M by the N, the A is the result of rounding up the division of M by the N, and the B is the result of rounding down the division of M by the N.

13. The method according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The Q indication bits are the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or are the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits.

14. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that When the N is less than the M, the number of the one or more indication bits is N, and each indication bit of the P indication bits among the N indication bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs; Among them, (P*A) is less than or equal to the M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than the M, and the A is the result of dividing the M by the N and rounding up.

15. The method according to claim 14, It is characterized in that When (P*A) is less than the M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with the (MP*A)th reference signal resource set or the (MP*A)th SSB.

16. The method according to claim 14, It is characterized in that The P indication bits are the first P indication bits among the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits among the N indication bits.

17. The method according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order; Alternatively, in the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 2, 4-6, It is characterized in that The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of predefined SSBs, and the number of predefined SSBs is determined according to the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the SSBs; or The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device is determined according to ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 sent by the network device; or The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information, and the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

19. The method according to any one of claims 2, 4-6, It is characterized in that The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, 12-17, It is characterized in that The first DCI is a paging DCI, or a paging advance indication PEI.

21. The method according to claim 20, It is characterized in that When the first DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device further receives a second DCI from the network device, where the second DCI is a paging advance indication PEI; The second DCI includes a first indication bit, where the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; The one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

22. A communication method, It is characterized in that include: The network device determines first downlink control information DCI; The network device sends the first DCI to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

23. The method according to claim 22, It is characterized in that The system information sent by the network device includes first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the position of the SSB-associated indication bit in the first DCI.

24. The method according to claim 23, It is characterized in that The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is F, and F is determined according to the first configuration information corresponding to each of the SSBs.

25. The method according to claim 22, It is characterized in that The system information sent by the network device includes second configuration information; wherein the second configuration information is used to configure one or more reference signal resource sets associated with the indication bit, or the second configuration information is used to configure one or more SSBs associated with the indication bit.

26. The method according to claim 25, It is characterized in that The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is G, and G is determined according to the number of second configuration information included in the system information.

27. The method according to claim 22, It is characterized in that The system information sent by the network device includes third configuration information; wherein the third configuration information is used to configure the number of reference signal resource sets associated with each of the indication bits, or the third configuration information is used to configure the number of SSBs associated with each of the indication bits.

28. The method according to claim 22, It is characterized in that The configuration information of the reference signal resource set includes fourth configuration information; wherein the fourth configuration information is used to configure the position of the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI.

29. The method according to claim 28, It is characterized in that The fourth configuration information is used to configure a position of an indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set in the first DCI, including: The fourth configuration information is used to configure which one of all the indication bits of the reference signal availability indication information the indication bit associated with the reference signal resource set is.

30. The method according to claim 28, It is characterized in that The number of bits included in the reference signal availability indication information is E, and E is determined according to the fourth configuration information included in each of the reference signal resource sets.

31. The method according to claim 30, It is characterized in that The E is determined according to the fourth configuration information included in each of the reference signal resource sets, including: The maximum value of the fourth configuration information included in each of the reference signal resource sets is Z, and the value of E is determined to be Z+1.

32. The method according to claim 22 or 27, It is characterized in that The reference signal availability indication information includes a maximum of N bits, where N is a positive integer; The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is M, or the number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is M, where M is a positive integer; When N is greater than or equal to M, the number of the one or more indication bits is M; Each indication bit corresponds one-to-one to a reference signal resource set; Alternatively, each indicator bit corresponds one-to-one to one SSB.

33. The method according to claim 32, It is characterized in that When the N is less than the M, the number of the one or more indication bits is the N, there are Q indication bits among the N indication bits, each indication bit of the Q indication bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs, and each indication bit of the remaining (NQ) indication bits of the N indication bits is associated with B reference signal resource sets or B SSBs; Among them, the Q is the remainder of the division of M by the N, the A is the result of rounding up the division of M by the N, and the B is the result of rounding down the division of M by the N.

34. The method according to claim 33, It is characterized in that The Q indication bits are the first Q indication bits among the N indication bits, or are the last Q indication bits among the N indication bits.

35. The method according to claim 32, It is characterized in that When the N is less than the M, the number of the one or more indication bits is N, and each indication bit of the P indication bits among the N indication bits is associated with A reference signal resource sets or A SSBs; Among them, (P*A) is less than or equal to the M, ((P+1)*A) is greater than the M, and the A is the result of dividing the M by the N and rounding up.

36. The method according to claim 35, It is characterized in that When (P*A) is less than the M, the (P+1)th bit among the N indication bits is associated with the (MP*A)th reference signal resource set or the (MP*A)th SSB.

37. The method according to claim 35, It is characterized in that The P indication bits are the first P indication bits among the N indication bits, or the P indication bits are the last P indication bits among the N indication bits.

38. The method according to any one of claims 27, 33-37, It is characterized in that The index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI is in ascending or descending order; Alternatively, in the index of the reference signal resource set or SSB associated with each indication bit in the first DCI, the index interval of adjacent reference signal resource sets or the index interval of adjacent SSBs is equal to the number of bits of the reference signal availability indication information.

39. The method according to any one of claims 23, 25-27, It is characterized in that The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of predefined SSBs, and the number of predefined SSBs is determined according to the frequency band and subcarrier spacing of the SSBs; or The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device, and the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device is determined according to ssb-PositionsInBurst included in SIB1 sent by the network device; or The number of SSBs associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information, and the number of SSBs associated with the reference signal configured in the system information is determined according to the QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of each reference signal resource set.

40. The method according to any one of claims 23, 25-27, It is characterized in that The number of reference signal resource sets associated with the first DCI is equal to the number of reference signal resource sets configured in the system information.

41. The method according to any one of claims 22-31, 33-37, It is characterized in that The first DCI is a paging DCI, or a paging advance indication PEI.

42. The method according to any one of claims 22-31, 33-37, It is characterized in that When the first DCI is a paging DCI, the network device further sends a second DCI to the terminal device, where the second DCI is a paging advance indication PEI; The second DCI includes a first indication bit, where the first indication bit is associated with one or more SSBs, and the first indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the first indication bit is sent; The one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit are exactly the same as the one or more SSBs associated with one indication bit included in the first DCI, and the one or more SSBs associated with the first indication bit include an SSB that is quasi-co-located with the second DCI.

43. A communication device, It is characterized in that include: A transceiver module, configured to receive first downlink control information DCI from a network device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set; A processing module is used to determine whether the reference signal is sent according to the first DCI.

44. A communication device, It is characterized in that include: A processing module, configured to determine first downlink control information DCI; A transceiver module, configured to send the first DCI to a terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; Each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; The value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; The reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

45. A communication device, It is characterized in that The communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-21, or executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 22-42.

46. ​​A communication device, It is characterized in that The communication device comprises an input / output interface and a logic circuit; the input / output interface is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, or execute the communication method according to any one of claims 22 to 42, and process and / or generate the information according to the information; The information includes first downlink control information DCI; the first DCI includes reference signal availability indication information, and the reference signal availability indication information includes one or more indication bits; each indication bit is associated with one or more reference signal resource sets, or each indication bit is associated with one or more synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated reference signal resource set is sent, or the value of the indication bit is used to determine whether the reference signal corresponding to the associated SSB is sent; the reference signal corresponding to the SSB is determined according to the quasi-co-site QCL configuration information included in the configuration information of the reference signal resource set, and the QCL configuration information is used to configure the SSB associated with the reference signal resource set.

47. A computer readable storage medium, It is characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer instructions or programs are executed on a computer, the computer executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, or executes the communication method according to any one of claims 22 to 42.

48. A computer program product, It is characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, or executes the communication method according to any one of claims 22 to 42.

49. A chip, It is characterized in that The chip is coupled to the memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-21, or to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 22-42.

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