Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus, relating to the field of communication technology, which enables network devices to rationally utilize SCSe and LBT methods to send SSBs to terminal devices, thereby improving communication efficiency. The method includes: a terminal device receiving a first SSB from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, the first value indicating the QCL relationship between candidate SSB positions; the terminal device determines, based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via SCSe, or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via LBT; or, based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via SCSe, or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In a communication system, network devices can send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs) to terminal devices using the listen before talk (LBT) method, or they can send SSBs to terminal devices using the short control signal exemption (SCSe) method.

[0003] In the LBT mode, the network device can listen to the channel before sending an SSB to the terminal device, and then send the SSB to the terminal device after successfully occupying the channel. In the SCSe mode, the network device can directly send an SSB to the terminal device; however, the duration for which the network device sends an SSB within an observation period cannot exceed 10% of the observation period.

[0004] When network devices transmit SSBs using the LBT (Large-Time Bit-Sniff) method, the need for channel listening can lead to significant transmission delays. When network devices transmit SSBs using the SCSe method, the limited transmission duration restricts the number of SSBs that can be sent. Therefore, selecting a more efficient SSB transmission method is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables network devices to send SSBs to terminal devices in a reasonable manner using LBT and SCSe methods, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a terminal device receiving a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, the first value being used to indicate a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations; the terminal device determining, based on the first value and the maximum value of the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) or that the terminal device determines, based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via SCSe or that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0007] Based on the first aspect, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can send a portion of the SSB using the SCSe method and the remaining portion using the LBT method. This combined SCSe and LBT method reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device exceeds the maximum number of SSBs that can be sent using SCSe, the network device can send the complete SSB to the terminal device. Furthermore, when sending an SSB, the network device can include a first value in the SSB. After receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine which transmission method the network device used based on this first value, and then adjust its receiving beam accordingly to improve communication performance.

[0008] In one possible design, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device in the DBTW, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

[0009] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for the terminal device to determine the SSB transmission method according to the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW.

[0010] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on a first value and the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the DBTW. When the DBTW state is closed, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe. When the DBTW state is open, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the terminal device can also determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, and determine the sending method of the first SSB based on the DBTW state, providing another feasible solution for the terminal device to determine the sending method of the SSB.

[0012] In one possible design, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW, the terminal device determines that the DBTW state is closed; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the DBTW state is open.

[0013] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for the terminal device to determine the DBTW state according to the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW.

[0014] In one possible design, when the first value is the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band.

[0015] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for the terminal device to determine the SSB transmission method according to the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0016] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on a first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe. When the DBTW state is closed, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe. When the DBTW state is open, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0017] Based on this possible design, the terminal device can also determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, and determine the sending method of the first SSB based on the DBTW state, providing another feasible solution for the terminal device to determine the sending method of the SSB.

[0018] In one possible design, the DBTW state is determined to be off when the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0019] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for the terminal device to determine the DBTW state according to the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0020] In one possible design, the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe is any of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.

[0021] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0022] Based on this possible design, the time slots used for sending uplink services can also be used as SSB candidate locations to increase the number of SSB candidate locations. When the network device fails to send an SSB due to using the LBT method, the network device can send an SSB at other SSB candidate locations, thereby improving the success rate of SSB transmission.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can realize the functions performed by the terminal device in the first aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) from the network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between SSB candidate locations; the processing module is configured to determine, based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or a Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) in the unlicensed frequency band; or, the processing module is configured to determine, based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe or a LBT in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0024] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to, when the first value is 16 or 32, determine that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device in the DBTW; otherwise, determine that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device in the DBTW.

[0025] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the DBTW; when the DBTW state is closed, the first SSB is determined to be an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; when the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is determined to be an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

[0026] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine that the DBTW state is closed if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW when the first value is 16 or 32; otherwise, determine that the DBTW state is open.

[0027] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via the SCSe method when the first value is the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via the SCSe method.

[0028] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe; when the DBTW state is closed, the first SSB is determined to be an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band; when the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is determined to be an SSB transmitted by the network device via LBT in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0029] In one possible design, the processing module is also used to determine that the DBTW state is off when the first value is equal to the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0030] In one possible design, the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe is any of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.

[0031] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0032] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the communication device in the second aspect can refer to the behavior function of the terminal device in the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a terminal device. This communication device can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the above-described aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to receive a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, which indicates the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between SSB candidate locations; the processor can be used to determine, based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or a Listen-After-Speak (LBT) SSB in the unlicensed frequency band; or, the processor can be used to determine, based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe or a LBT SSB in the unlicensed frequency band. In another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data for the communication device. When the communication device is in operation, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0034] In the third aspect, the specific implementation of the communication device can refer to the behavior and function of the communication device in the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a network device sending a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) to a terminal device; wherein, the first SSB includes a first value, the first value being used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between SSB candidate locations; the first value being used to determine, based on the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via Listen-Before-Speak (LBT); or, the first value being used to determine, based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via SCSe or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in an unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0036] Based on the fourth aspect, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can send a portion of the SSB using the SCSe method and the remaining portion using the LBT method. This combined SCSe and LBT method reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device exceeds the maximum number of SSBs that can be sent using SCSe, the network device can send the complete SSB to the terminal device. Furthermore, when sending an SSB, the network device can include a first value in the SSB. After receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine which transmission method the network device used based on this first value, and then adjust its receiving beam accordingly to improve communication performance.

[0037] In one possible design, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device in DBTW, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; otherwise, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

[0038] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for the network device to send SSBs according to the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW.

[0039] In one possible design, the first value is also used to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the DBTW; when the DBTW state is closed, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe; when the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0040] Based on this possible design, the DBTW state can be determined to be either open or closed based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW. The transmission method of the first SSB can also be determined based on the DBTW state, providing another feasible solution for the terminal device to determine the transmission method of the SSB.

[0041] In one possible design, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW, the DBTW state is closed; otherwise, the DBTW state is open.

[0042] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for determining the DBTW state according to a first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW.

[0043] In one possible design, when the first value is the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0044] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for determining the SSB transmission method according to the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0045] In one possible design, the first value is also used to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe; when the DBTW state is closed, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band; when the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device via LBT in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0046] Based on this possible design, the DBTW state can be determined to be either open or closed based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe. The transmission method of the first SSB can also be determined based on the DBTW state, providing another feasible solution for the terminal device to determine the transmission method of the SSB.

[0047] In one possible design, the DBTW state is off when the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0048] Based on this possible design, a feasible solution is provided for determining the DBTW state according to a first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0049] In one possible design, the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe is any of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.

[0050] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0051] Based on this possible design, the time slots used for sending uplink services can also be used as SSB candidate locations to increase the number of SSB candidate locations. When the network device fails to send an SSB due to using the LBT method, the network device can send an SSB at other SSB candidate locations, thereby improving the success rate of SSB transmission.

[0052] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can implement the functions performed by the network device in the fourth aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to send a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) to a terminal device. The first SSB includes a first value, which indicates the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations. The first value is used to determine, based on the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or a Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) in the unlicensed frequency band; or, based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, whether the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device via SCSe or a LBT in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0053] In one possible design, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device in DBTW, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; otherwise, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

[0054] In one possible design, the first value is also used to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the DBTW; when the DBTW state is closed, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe; when the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0055] In one possible design, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW, the DBTW state is closed; otherwise, the DBTW state is open.

[0056] In one possible design, when the first value is the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0057] In one possible design, the first value is also used to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe; when the DBTW state is closed, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band; when the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device via LBT in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0058] In one possible design, the DBTW state is off when the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0059] In one possible design, the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe is any of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.

[0060] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0061] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the communication device in the fifth aspect can refer to the behavior and functions of the network device in the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0062] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a network device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a network device. This communication device can implement the functions performed by the network device in the above-described aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to send a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) to a terminal device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between SSB candidate locations; the first value is used to determine, based on the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or a Listen-After-Speak (LBT) SSB in the unlicensed frequency band; or, based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, whether the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device via SCSe or a LBT SSB in the unlicensed frequency band. In another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data of the communication device. When the communication device is in operation, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0063] In the sixth aspect, the specific implementation of the communication device can refer to the behavioral functions of the communication device in the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a terminal device receiving a first SSB from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes an index and a second value, the second value being used to indicate the QCL relationship between remaining SSB candidate positions, the remaining SSB candidate positions being the SSB candidate positions other than the positions of SSBs sent using the SCSe method; when the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method, otherwise, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0065] Based on the seventh aspect, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can send a portion of the SSB using the SCSe method and the remaining portion using the LBT method. This combined SCSe and LBT method reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device exceeds the maximum number of SSBs that can be sent using SCSe, the network device can send the complete SSB to the terminal device. Furthermore, when sending an SSB to the terminal device, the network device can include an SSB index and a second value within the SSB. After receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine which transmission method the network device used based on the SSB index, and then adjust the receiving beam according to the transmission method and the second value, thereby improving communication performance.

[0066] In one possible design, the second value is greater than or equal to 1, and the second value is less than or equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0067] In one possible design, the second value is any of the following: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40.

[0068] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, feasible solutions are provided for determining the value of the second value.

[0069] In one possible design, the first threshold is greater than or equal to 0, and the first threshold is less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device using the SCSe method.

[0070] In one possible design, the first threshold is any of the following: 32, 40, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0071] In one possible design, the first threshold is predefined; or, the first threshold is sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0072] Based on the above three possible solutions, feasible options are provided for determining the value of the first threshold.

[0073] In one possible design, when the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method, the terminal device receives the SSB from the network device that has a QCL relationship with the first SSB based on the second value.

[0074] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the number of SSBs sent by the network device using the SCSe method based on a first threshold.

[0075] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the remaining SSB candidate positions corresponding to the SSBs sent by the network device using the LBT method based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device using the SCSe method; the terminal device receives the SSBs sent by the network device using the LBT method based on the second value and the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0076] Based on the above three possible designs, a feasible solution is provided for the terminal device to receive the SSB that has a QCL relationship with the first SSB from the network device according to the second value.

[0077] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0078] Based on this possible design, the time slots used for sending uplink services can also be used as SSB candidate locations to increase the number of SSB candidate locations. When the network device fails to send an SSB due to using the LBT method, the network device can send an SSB at other SSB candidate locations, thereby improving the success rate of SSB transmission.

[0079] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the seventh aspect or possible designs of the seventh aspect. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to receive a first SSB from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes an index and a second value, the second value indicating the QCL relationship between remaining SSB candidate positions, and the remaining SSB candidate positions are the SSB candidate positions excluding the positions of SSBs sent using the SCSe method; the processing module is used to determine that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method when the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, otherwise, determine that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0080] In one possible design, the second value is greater than or equal to 1, and the second value is less than or equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0081] In one possible design, the second value is any of the following: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40.

[0082] In one possible design, the first threshold is greater than or equal to 0, and the first threshold is less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device using the SCSe method.

[0083] In one possible design, the first threshold is any of the following: 32, 40, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0084] In one possible design, the first threshold is predefined; or, the first threshold is sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0085] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive, based on a second value, an SSB from the network device that has a QCL relationship with the first SSB when the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method.

[0086] In one possible design, the processing module is also used to determine the number of SSBs sent by the network device using the SCSe method based on a first threshold.

[0087] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine the remaining SSB candidate positions corresponding to the SSBs sent by the network device in the LBT mode based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device in the SCSe mode; the transceiver module is further configured to receive the SSBs sent by the network device in the LBT mode based on the second value and the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0088] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0089] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the communication device in the eighth aspect can refer to the behavior function of the terminal device in the communication method provided by the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0090] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within the terminal device. This communication device can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the above aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to receive a first SSB from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes an index and a second value, the second value indicating the QCL relationship between remaining SSB candidate positions, the remaining SSB candidate positions being the SSB candidate positions excluding the positions of SSBs transmitted using the SCSe method; the processor can be used to determine that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device using the LBT method when the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, otherwise, determine that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device using the SCSe method. In yet another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data of the communication device. When the communication device is in operation, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0091] In the ninth aspect, the specific implementation of the communication device can refer to the behavioral function of the communication device in the communication method provided by the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0092] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a network device sending a first SSB to a terminal device; wherein the first SSB includes an index and a second value, the second value being used to indicate the QCL relationship between remaining SSB candidate positions, the remaining SSB candidate positions being the SSB candidate positions other than the positions of SSBs sent using the SCSe method; when the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method, otherwise, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0093] Based on the tenth aspect, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can send a portion of the SSB using the SCSe method and the remaining portion using the LBT method. This combined SCSe and LBT method reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device exceeds the maximum number of SSBs that can be sent using the SCSe method, the network device can send the complete SSB to the terminal device. Furthermore, when sending an SSB to the terminal device, the network device can include an SSB index and a second value within the SSB. After receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine which transmission method the network device used based on the SSB index, and then adjust the receiving beam according to the transmission method and the second value, thereby improving communication performance.

[0094] In one possible design, the second value is greater than or equal to 1, and the second value is less than or equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0095] In one possible design, the second value is any of the following: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40.

[0096] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, feasible solutions are provided for determining the value of the second value.

[0097] In one possible design, the first threshold is greater than or equal to 0, and the first threshold is less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device using the SCSe method.

[0098] In one possible design, the first threshold is any of the following: 32, 40, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0099] In one possible design, the first threshold is predefined; or, the first threshold is sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0100] Based on the above three possible solutions, feasible options are provided for determining the value of the first threshold.

[0101] In one possible design, when the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method, the network device sends an SSB that has a QCL relationship with the first SSB to the terminal device based on the second value.

[0102] In one possible design, the network device determines the number of SSBs to be sent using the SCSe method based on a first threshold.

[0103] In one possible design, the network device determines the remaining SSB candidate positions corresponding to the SSBs sent using the LBT method based on the number of SSBs sent using the SCSe method; the network device then sends the SSBs to the terminal device using the LBT method based on the second value and the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0104] Based on the above three possible designs, a feasible solution is provided for the network device to send an SSB that has a QCL relationship with the first SSB to the terminal device according to the second value.

[0105] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0106] Based on this possible design, the time slots used for sending uplink services can also be used as SSB candidate locations to increase the number of SSB candidate locations. When the network device fails to send an SSB due to using the LBT method, the network device can send an SSB at other SSB candidate locations, thereby improving the success rate of SSB transmission.

[0107] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can implement the functions performed by the network device in the tenth aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to send a first SSB to a terminal device; wherein the first SSB includes an index and a second value, the second value indicating the QCL relationship between remaining SSB candidate positions, and the remaining SSB candidate positions are the SSB candidate positions excluding those sent using the SCSe method; when the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method; otherwise, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0108] In one possible design, the second value is greater than or equal to 1, and the second value is less than or equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0109] In one possible design, the second value is any of the following: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40.

[0110] In one possible design, the first threshold is greater than or equal to 0, and the first threshold is less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device using the SCSe method.

[0111] In one possible design, the first threshold is any of the following: 32, 40, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0112] In one possible design, the first threshold is predefined; or, the first threshold is sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0113] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send an SSB that has a QCL relationship with the first SSB to the terminal device according to the second value when the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method.

[0114] In one possible design, the processing module is also used to determine the number of SSBs sent using the SCSe method based on a first threshold.

[0115] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine the remaining SSB candidate positions corresponding to the SSBs sent using the LBT method based on the number of SSBs sent using the SCSe method; the transceiver module is further configured to send the SSBs to the terminal device using the LBT method based on the second value and the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0116] In one possible design, when DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0117] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the communication device in the eleventh aspect can refer to the behavior and functions of the network device in the communication method provided by the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect.

[0118] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a network device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a network device. This communication device can implement the functions performed by the network device in the aforementioned aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to send a first SSB to a terminal device; wherein the first SSB includes an index and a second value, the second value indicating the QCL relationship between remaining SSB candidate positions, the remaining SSB candidate positions being the SSB candidate positions excluding the positions of SSBs sent using the SCSe method; when the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method; otherwise, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method. In yet another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data of the communication device. When the communication device is in operation, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect.

[0119] In the twelfth aspect, the specific implementation of the communication device can refer to the behavioral function of the communication device in the communication method provided by the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect.

[0120] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a terminal device receiving a synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) from a network device; when the SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) method, the terminal device receives a Control Resource Set (CORESET 0) and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from the network device; wherein, the PDSCH includes a System Message Block (SIB 1); CORESET 0, SIB 1, and the SSB satisfy a Quasi-Co-location (QCL) relationship.

[0121] Based on the thirteenth aspect, the terminal equipment can use the same receiving beam to receive the SSB and the CORESET 0 and PDSCH that have a QCL relationship with the SSB, which can reduce the initial access delay.

[0122] In one possible design, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0123] Alternatively, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two or three symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0124] Based on this possible design, several feasible solutions are provided for the symbols occupied by CORESET 0 and PDSCH.

[0125] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the thirteenth aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to receive synchronization signals and Physical Broadcast Channel Blocks (SSBs) from network devices. The transceiver module is also used to receive Control Resource Set (CORESET 0) and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from network devices when the SSB is transmitted by the network device using the Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) method. The PDSCH includes System Message Blocks (SIBs 1); CORESET 0, SIBs 1, and the SSBs satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship.

[0126] In one possible design, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two or three symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0127] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the communication device in aspect fourteen can refer to the behavior function of the terminal device in the communication method provided by aspect thirteen or any possible design of aspect thirteen.

[0128] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a terminal device. This communication device can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the above-described aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to receive synchronization signals and Physical Broadcast Channel Blocks (SSBs) from network devices; the transceiver can also be used to receive Control Resource Set (CORESET 0) and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from network devices when the SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device using the Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) method; wherein, the PDSCH includes System Message Block (SIB 1); CORESET 0, SIB 1, and the SSB satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship. In yet another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data of the communication device. When the communication device is in operation, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect.

[0129] In particular, the specific implementation of the communication device in aspect 15 can refer to the behavioral function of the communication device in the communication method provided by aspect 13 or any possible design of aspect 13.

[0130] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a network device sending a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB) to a terminal device using a short control signal exemption (SCSe) method; the network device sending a control resource set (CORESET 0) and a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) to the terminal device; wherein, the PDSCH includes a system message block (SIB 1); and CORESET 0, SIB 1, and SSB satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship.

[0131] Based on the sixteenth aspect, network devices can avoid performing LBT and reduce power consumption by transmitting the SSB and the CORESET 0 and PDSCH that have a QCL relationship with the SSB together in SCSe mode using the same transmit beam.

[0132] In one possible design, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two or three symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0133] Based on this possible design, several feasible solutions are provided for the symbols occupied by CORESET 0 and PDSCH.

[0134] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can implement the functions performed by the network device in the sixteenth aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to send a synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) to a terminal device using the Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) method. The transceiver module is also used to send a Control Resource Set (CORESET 0) and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) to the terminal device; wherein the PDSCH includes a System Message Block (SIB 1); CORESET 0, SIB 1, and SSB satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship.

[0135] In one possible design, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is time-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB; or, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two or three symbols; wherein CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0136] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the communication device in the seventeenth aspect can refer to the network device behavior function in the communication method provided by the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0137] In an eighteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a network device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a network device. This communication device can implement the functions performed by the network device in the above-described aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to send synchronization signals and Physical Broadcast Channel Blocks (SSBs) to a terminal device using a Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) method; the transceiver can also be used to send Control Resource Set (CORESET 0) and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) to the terminal device; wherein, the PDSCH includes System Message Block (SIB 1); CORESET 0, SIB 1, and SSB satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship. In yet another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data of the communication device. When the communication device is in operation, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0138] In particular, the specific implementation of the communication device in the eighteenth aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the communication device in the communication method provided by the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0139] Nineteenthly, a communication device is provided, comprising one or more processors; the one or more processors being configured to execute computer programs or instructions, wherein when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions or instructions, the communication device performs a communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or performs a communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or performs a communication method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or performs a communication method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect, or performs a communication method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect, or performs a communication method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0140] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories coupled to one or more processors, the memories used to store the aforementioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memories are located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memories are located inside the communication device. In embodiments of this application, the processor and memory may also be integrated into a single device, i.e., the processor and memory may be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving and / or transmitting information.

[0141] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces coupled to one or more processors, and the communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

[0142] In a twentieth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising an input / output interface and logic circuitry; the input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information; the logic circuitry is used to perform a communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect, and to process and / or generate information based on the information.

[0143] In a twenty-first aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or a communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or a communication method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or a communication method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect, or a communication method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect, or a communication method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0144] In a twenty-second aspect, a computer program product comprising computer instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to perform the communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or to perform the communication method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or to perform the communication method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect, or to perform the communication method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect, or to perform the communication method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0145] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform a communication method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the tenth aspect or any possible design of the tenth aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the thirteenth aspect or any possible design of the thirteenth aspect, or to perform a communication method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0146] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects nineteen to twenty-three can be seen in the technical effects of any possible design in aspect one above, or in the technical effects of any possible design in aspect four above, or in the technical effects of any possible design in aspect seven above, or in the technical effects of any possible design in aspect ten above, or in the technical effects of any possible design in aspect thirteen above, or in the technical effects of any possible design in aspect sixteen above.

[0147] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a communication device as described in any one of the second to third aspects and a communication device as described in any one of the fifth to sixth aspects, or comprising a communication device as described in any one of the eighth to ninth aspects and a communication device as described in any one of the eleventh to twelfth aspects, or comprising a communication device as described in any one of the fourteenth to fifteenth aspects and a communication device as described in any one of the seventeenth to eighteenth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0148] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the composition of an SSB provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0149] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the time domain location of a candidate SSB provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0150] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0151] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0152] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0153] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0154] Figure 7 This application provides a schematic diagram of an SSB candidate location.

[0155] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an SSB occupancy symbol provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0156] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of PDSCH occupancy symbols provided in this application embodiment;

[0157] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0158] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0159] Before describing the embodiments of this application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0160] Frequency bands: With the evolution of access technologies, the number of available frequency bands continues to increase. New radio (NR) technology divides frequency bands into two main parts: frequency range 1 (FR1) and frequency range 2 (FR2). FR1 mainly refers to the bandwidth of 450MHz to 6GHz, and FR2 mainly refers to the bandwidth of 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz.

[0161] In addition, the 52.6GHz–71GHz frequency band (also known as above 52.6GHz) is also included in the scope of use for the next 5G mobile communication system. For this frequency band, there are both licensed and unlicensed bands.

[0162] Licensed frequency bands: Frequency bands that require authorization to be used.

[0163] Unlicensed frequency bands: Frequency bands that can be used without licensing, also known as shared frequency bands. In the context of 5G mobile communication technology, technologies deployed in shared frequency bands are collectively called new radio unlicensed (NRU) technology.

[0164] For example, taking the access regime currently being discussed at the European Post and Telecommunications Conference (CEPT) as an example, the licensed and unlicensed frequency bands of various countries and regions within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are shown in Table 1 below. Here, U represents an unlicensed frequency band, and all other frequency bands except those marked with U represent licensed frequency bands. For instance, for China, 59GHz-64GHz is an unlicensed frequency band, and the remaining bands are licensed; for the United States, 57GHz-71GHz is an unlicensed frequency band, and the remaining bands are licensed.

[0165] Table 1

[0166]

[0167]

[0168] Synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB): such as Figure 1As shown, an SSB can be composed of a two-dimensional region consisting of four orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain and 20 resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain. An SSB may include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0169] The terminal device can perform cell synchronization and coarse symbol-level timing synchronization by demodulating the PSS and SSS. The PBCH can include master information block (MIB) information from higher layers. The terminal device can perform system frame-level timing synchronization by demodulating the MIB information and obtain the relevant configuration information of system information block 1 / remaining minimum system information (SIB1 / RMSI). That is, the terminal device can demodulate the type 0 physical downlink control channel (Type0-PDCCH) and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of SIB1 / RMSI through the parameter (pdcch-ConfigSIB1). Type0-PDCCH can include control resource set #0 (CORESET#0).

[0170] Based on the above description, in addition to NR systems, unlicensed frequency bands can also include other systems such as radar, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and other operator access systems. Therefore, regulations stipulate that systems operating in unlicensed frequency bands must support all or some of the following key technologies: listen-before-talk (LBT), transmit power control (TPC), and dynamic frequency selection (DFS).

[0171] The LBT mechanism requires all access devices to assess interference levels in the target channel's frequency band before using it. The channel can only be used if the interference level is less than or equal to a preset threshold. The TPC mechanism prevents transmitting devices operating in unlicensed frequency bands from increasing their transmit power indefinitely, provided it doesn't affect the normal communication of other access devices. The DFS mechanism requires systems operating in unlicensed frequency bands to dynamically switch to lower-interference frequency bands, avoiding the frequency bands of higher-priority systems.

[0172] Furthermore, regulations vary across different countries and regions for the same unlicensed frequency band. For example, in some countries, transmitting equipment must perform a Level Bypass (LBT) before sending downlink signals; downlink signals can only be transmitted after successfully occupying the channel. However, in other countries or regions, transmitting equipment can use a Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) method, exempting it from LBT. In this case, the duration of signal transmission within an observation period (also described as a transmission period) cannot exceed 10% of the observation period. The observation period can be the transmission period of the signal. When the signal is a synchronization signal block pattern (SS / PBCH Block / SSB), the observation period can be the transmission period of the SSB.

[0173] For example, taking an SSB observation period of 20ms as an example, within 20ms, the duration for which the network device sends a set of SSBs (or SSB burst sets) to the terminal device using the SSBSe method cannot exceed 2ms.

[0174] In summary, considering the different regulatory requirements of different countries and regions, network devices operating in unlicensed frequency bands can send SSBs to terminal devices using either the SCSe method or the LBT method.

[0175] However, when network devices send SSBs using the LBT method, the need for channel listening can lead to significant transmission delays. When network devices send SSBs using the SCSe method, the transmission duration limit restricts the number of SSBs that can be sent. If the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device exceeds the maximum number of SSBs that can be sent using the SCSe method, only a portion of the SSBs can be sent, and the remaining SSBs cannot be delivered to the terminal device.

[0176] The terminal device can receive SSBs sent by the network device within the discovery burst transmission window (DBTW). This DBTW can be configured by the network device for the terminal device. When the network device does not configure a DBTW for the terminal device, the terminal device can default to a certain window length. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the terminal device can default to a DBTW window length of 5ms.

[0177] For example, taking a subcarrier spacing of 120kHz as an example, the terminal device defaults to a 20ms period for the network device to send a group of SSBs, with a configurable maximum DBTW window length of 5ms, and a maximum of 64 SSBs that the network device can send. The number and duration of SSBs sent by the network device are shown in Table 2 below. For a group of SSBs, the duration and duty cycle for sending different numbers of SSBs are also different. Within the default 20ms period, the network device can only send SSBs in SCSe mode when the duty cycle is less than or equal to 10% and the corresponding duration is less than or equal to 2ms. That is, when the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the number of SSBs sent by the network device in SCSe mode is less than or equal to 56. When the network device needs to send 64 SSBs to the terminal device, the network device can only send 56 SSBs in SCSe mode, and cannot send the remaining 8 SSBs to the terminal device.

[0178] Table 2

[0179] Number of SSBs Duration Duty cycle Is it possible to use the SCSe method? 64 2.29 11.43％ no 62 2.21 11.07％ no 60 2.14 10.71％ no 58 2.07 10.36％ no 56 2.00 10.00％ yes 54 1.93 9.64％ yes 52 1.86 9.29％ yes 50 1.79 8.93％ yes 48 1.71 8.57％ yes

[0180] When the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, within a 5ms half-frame, the starting symbol position of the candidate SSB index in each time slot can be: {4,8,16,20}+20·n, where n = 0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18, and n represents the time slot position. Here, the candidate SSB represents the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can send to the terminal device, and the number of candidate SSBs can be greater than or equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device to the terminal device. A schematic diagram of the candidate SSB's position in the time domain can be shown as follows: Figure 2 As shown, 1ms includes 8 slots. The shaded areas are slots used for transmitting SSBs, and one slot can transmit 2 SSBs. The blank areas are slots used for transmitting uplink services. It can be understood that within a 5ms observation period, the number of slots available for transmitting SSBs is 32. Therefore, the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can transmit is 64. Alternatively, it can be described as 64 candidate SSBs within one observation period, or 64 candidate SSB positions within a 5ms half-frame.

[0181] It should be noted that the window length of DBTW and the absolute time length or number of time slots corresponding to the completion of all SSB transmissions can be different. For example, taking a DBTW window length of 5ms as an example, the absolute time length corresponding to the completion of all SSB transmissions may be less than 5ms. For example, taking a subcarrier spacing of 480kHz as an example, 1ms can correspond to 32 time slots, and each time slot can transmit 2 SSBs. To transmit 64 SSBs, a minimum of 32 time slots are required, and the corresponding absolute time is 1ms, which is less than 5ms.

[0182] In summary, how network devices can use LBT and SCSe methods to send SSBs to terminal devices while reducing transmission latency and ensuring complete SSB transmission to the terminal devices has become an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0183] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which may include: a terminal device receiving a first SSB from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, the first value being used to indicate the QCL relationship between candidate SSB positions; the terminal device determining, based on the first value and the maximum value of the number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe, or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT; or, the terminal device determining, based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe, or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0184] In this embodiment, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can send a portion of the SSB using the SCSe method and the remaining portion using the LBT method. This combined SCSe and LBT method reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device exceeds the maximum number of SSBs that can be sent using the SCSe method, the network device can send the complete SSB to the terminal device. Furthermore, when sending an SSB to the terminal device, the network device can include a first value in the SSB. After receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine which transmission method the network device used based on the first value, and then adjust the receiving beam accordingly to improve communication performance.

[0185] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0186] The communication method provided in this application can be used in any communication system, such as a third-generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, an NR system, a vehicle-to-everything (NR V2X) system, a hybrid LTE and 5G network system, a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT) system, and other next-generation communication systems, such as 6G. It can also be a non-3GPP communication system, without limitation.

[0187] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to various communication scenarios, such as 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 communications (mMTC), D2D, V2X, and IoT communication scenarios.

[0188] Optionally, embodiments of this application can be used in communication systems operating in unlicensed frequency bands. The unlicensed frequency band can be the above 52.6GHz band mentioned above. For example, embodiments of this application can be used in communication systems operating in unlicensed frequency bands of 60GHz.

[0189] The following is based on Figure 3 Taking an example, the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0190] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 3 As shown, the communication system may include network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0191] in, Figure 3The terminal device can be located within the beam / cell coverage area of ​​the network device. The terminal device can communicate with the network device over the air via either the uplink (UL) or downlink (DL). For example, in the UL direction, the terminal device can send uplink data to the network device via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); in the DL direction, the network device can send downlink data to the terminal device via the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0192] Figure 3 The terminal equipment in this context can be a terminal device that supports the new air interface, enabling it to access the communication system via the air interface and initiate services such as making calls and accessing the internet. The terminal equipment can be a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, and can possess channel prediction and channel coefficient feedback functions.

[0193] Terminal equipment can also be called user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), etc. Specifically, Figure 3 The terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, or computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, an in-vehicle terminal, a vehicle with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capabilities, an intelligent connected vehicle, a drone with drone-to-drone (U2U) communication capabilities, etc., without restriction.

[0194] in, Figure 3 The network devices in this context can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. They are primarily used to implement wireless physical control functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control, and mobility management, providing reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. A network device can be an entity on the network side used to transmit or receive signals and may possess channel prediction capabilities.

[0195] Specifically, the network device can be either a wired access device or a wireless access device. For example, the network device can be an access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) device, composed of multiple 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes. These 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes can be: access points (APs), base stations (nodeBs, NBs), enhanced nodeBs (eNBs), next-generation nodeBs (NRnodeBs, gNBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), transmission points (TPs), or other types of access nodes.

[0196] In practical implementation, Figure 3 As shown, various terminal devices and network devices can adopt... Figure 4 The shown composition structure, or including Figure 4 The components shown. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 400 can be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a terminal device; it can also be a network device or a chip or system-on-a-chip within a network device. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the communication device 400 includes a processor 401, a transceiver 402, and a communication line 403.

[0197] Furthermore, the communication device 400 may also include a memory 404. The processor 401, memory 404, and transceiver 402 can be connected via a communication line 403.

[0198] The processor 401 can be 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 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0199] Transceiver 402 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. These other communication networks can be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc. Transceiver 402 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

[0200] Communication line 403 is used to transmit information between the components included in communication device 400.

[0201] Memory 404 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0202] The memory 404 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions; it can also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions; it can also be 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 discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0203] It should be noted that the memory 404 can exist independently of the processor 401, or it can be integrated with the processor 401. The memory 404 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data, etc. The memory 404 can be located inside or 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 this application.

[0204] In one example, processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, for example Figure 4 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0205] As an optional implementation, the communication device 400 includes multiple processors, for example, besides Figure 4 In addition to processor 401, it may also include processor 407.

[0206] As an optional implementation, the communication device 400 also includes an output device 405 and an input device 406. For example, the input device 406 is a device such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, and the output device 405 is a device such as a display screen or speaker.

[0207] It should be noted that the communication device 400 can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, network server, mobile phone, tablet computer, wireless terminal, embedded device, chip system, or other device. Figure 4 Equipment with a similar structure. Furthermore... Figure 4 The structural composition shown herein 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 illustrated, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0208] In this embodiment of the application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0209] Furthermore, the actions, terms, etc., involved in the various embodiments of this application can be referenced interchangeably without limitation. The message names or parameter names in the messages exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations without limitation.

[0210] The following is combined with Figure 3 The communication system shown refers to the following Figure 5 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below, wherein the terminal device can be Figure 3 In the communication system shown, any terminal device or 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 can all possess... Figure 4 The components shown are illustrated. The processing performed by a single execution entity (terminal device or network device) shown in the embodiments of this application can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into at least one of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU).

[0211] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application use one observation period as an example to describe the process of the network device sending an SSB to the terminal device.

[0212] Figure 5 A flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 5As shown, the method may include:

[0213] Step 501: The network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first SSB accordingly.

[0214] The first SSB may include a first value, which can be used to indicate the quasi co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations.

[0215] It should be noted that the first SSB can be any SSB sent by the network device to the terminal device. That is, the first SSB can also be described as an SSB sent by the network device to the terminal device, or as an SSB received by the terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0216] Here, SSB candidate locations refer to the positions where network devices can send SSBs to terminal devices, or they can be described as the locations where network devices can send SSBs to terminal devices. It should be noted that the number of SSB candidate locations is greater than or equal to the number of SSBs actually sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0217] For example, network devices can also use the time slots used for sending uplink services as SSB candidate locations to increase the number of SSB candidate locations. When the network device fails to send an SSB due to using the LBT method, the network device can send the SSB at other SSB candidate locations to improve the success rate of SSB transmission.

[0218] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, taking DBTW with a window length of 5ms and a subcarrier spacing of 120KHz as an example, there are 64 SSB candidate positions in a 5ms half-frame. When the network device also uses the time slot used for sending uplink services as an SSB candidate position, the number of SSB candidate positions in a 5ms half-frame increases from 64 to 80, that is, there are 80 SSB candidate positions in a 5ms half-frame.

[0219] Among them, network devices can configure QCL relationships for SSB candidate locations. For multiple SSB candidate locations with QCL relationships, the network device can use the same transmission beam when transmitting SSBs at these multiple SSB candidate locations. That is, the transmission beams corresponding to SSB candidate locations with QCL relationships are the same.

[0220] For example, if SSB candidate positions 0, 8, and 16 have a QCL relationship, the transmission beam used by the network device when transmitting an SSB at SSB candidate position 0 is the same as the transmission beam used by the network device when transmitting an SSB at SSB candidate position 8 and the transmission beam used by the network device when transmitting an SSB at SSB candidate position 16.

[0221] Based on the above description of QCL relationships, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, the network device can carry a first value in the SSB to indicate the QCL relationship between the candidate SSB locations.

[0222] When a network device sends multiple SSBs at multiple SSB candidate locations that have a QCL relationship, the network device can configure the same first value for the multiple SSBs to indicate that the multiple SSB candidate locations corresponding to the multiple SSBs have a QCL relationship, or it can be described as that the multiple SSBs have a QCL relationship.

[0223] When a network device sends multiple SSBs at multiple SSB candidate locations that do not have a QCL relationship, the network device can configure different first values ​​for these multiple SSBs to indicate that the multiple SSB candidate locations corresponding to these multiple SSBs do not have a QCL relationship, or it can be described as that there is no QCL relationship between these multiple SSBs.

[0224] For example, taking the example of a network device sending an SSB to a terminal device at SSB candidate positions 0, 1, and 2, assuming that SSB candidate positions 0 and 2 have a QCL relationship, the network device can configure a first value of 1 for SSB 0 sent at SSB candidate position 0 and SSB 2 sent at SSB candidate position 2, and configure a first value of 2 for SSB 1 sent at SSB candidate position 1. By configuring the same first value of 1 for both SSB 0 and SSB 2, it indicates that SSB 0 and SSB 2 have a QCL relationship, or it can be described as SSB candidate position 0 used to send SSB 0 and SSB candidate position 2 used to send SSB 2 having a QCL relationship.

[0225] Optionally, the network device carries the first value in the MIB of the first SSB, or it can be described as the network device carrying the first value in the MIB of the SSB sent by the network device to the terminal device, or it can be described as the MIB containing the first value.

[0226] Based on the above description of SSB, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can use one or more of the following sending methods: SCSe method and LBT method. That is, the network device can send an SSB using SCSe method, LBT method, or a combination of SCSe and LBT methods.

[0227] Among them, SSBs sent in SCSe mode can be called SCSe-SSB, and SSBs sent in LBT mode can be called LBT-SSB.

[0228] When a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device using a hybrid SCSe and LBT method, within an observation period, the SSB sent by the network device to the terminal device may include both SCSe-SSB and LBT-SSB.

[0229] It should be noted that when a network device sends SSBs to a terminal device using a hybrid SSE and LBT method, the network device can determine the transmission method of each SSB. However, the terminal device is unaware of the transmission method of each received SSB. Therefore, the network device can adjust the specific value of the first value in each SSB to indicate the corresponding transmission method.

[0230] In one possible design, the network device configures a first value for the SSB based on the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW.

[0231] For example, when a network device transmits an SSB using the SCSe method in an unlicensed frequency band, the network device can configure the first value of the SSB to be greater than the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can transmit within the DBTW. When a network device transmits an SSB using the LBT method in an unlicensed frequency band, the network device can configure the first value of the SSB to be less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can transmit within the DBTW.

[0232] The first value can also be used to indicate the number of different beam directions used when the network device sends an SSB to the terminal device.

[0233] When a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device using the LBT method, the number of SSBs sent using the LBT method is less than or equal to the first value.

[0234] For example, taking the first value as 16, the number of different transmission beam directions used by the network device when sending SSB to the terminal device is 16 (or it can be described as the network device using 16 different beam directions to send SSB to the terminal device), and the number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device using LBT method is less than or equal to 16.

[0235] Optionally, the first value is 16 or 32.

[0236] Optionally, the network device can also indicate whether the DBTW state is open or closed by using a first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW.

[0237] For example, when the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW, the DBTW state is closed; when the first value is less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW, the DBTW state is open.

[0238] It should be noted that when the DBTW state is determined to be in a closed state based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, the SSB corresponding to the first value is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe; when the DBTW state is determined to be in an open state based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, the SSB corresponding to the first value is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0239] Optionally, the network device can carry the DBTW window length in SIB 1 (e.g., in the RRC parameter "DiscoveryBurst-WindowLength"). The terminal device can determine the DBTW window length by demodulating SIB 1, and then determine the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can send within the DBTW. Based on this maximum value and a first value, the terminal device can then determine the SSB transmission method. In other words, the terminal device can determine the SSB transmission method based on the first value and the DBTW window length.

[0240] One time slot can transmit 2 SSBs. The terminal device can determine the number of time slots corresponding to the DBTW based on the window length of the DBTW, and then determine the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can transmit within the DBTW.

[0241] In another possible design, the network device configures a first value for the SSB based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0242] For example, when a network device transmits an SSB in an unlicensed frequency band using the SCSe method, the network device can configure the first value of the SSB to be the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0243] Optionally, the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe can be any of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, or 56.

[0244] Optionally, the network device can also indicate whether the DBTW status is open or closed by using a first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0245] For example, when the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the DBTW state is off.

[0246] It should be noted that when the DBTW state is determined to be off based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the SSBs corresponding to the first value are the SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0247] The network device can indicate the number of SSBs sent by the network device via the SIB 1 parameter to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine the number of SSBs sent by the network device via the SIB 1 parameter, and then determine the SSB transmission method based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via the SIB 1 parameter.

[0248] In another possible design, the network device configures the first value for the SSB based on the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0249] For example, when a network device transmits an SSB in a licensed frequency band, the network device can configure the first value of the SSB to be the maximum value of the number of candidate SSBs.

[0250] The maximum number of candidate SSBs is the maximum number of SSBs that a network device can send to a terminal device.

[0251] Optionally, when the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz, the maximum number of candidate SSBs is 64.

[0252] Optionally, the network device can also indicate whether the DBTW status is on or off by the maximum value of the first value and the number of candidate SSBs.

[0253] For example, the DBTW state is off when the first value is equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0254] It should be noted that when the DBTW state is determined to be in the off state based on the maximum value of the first value and the number of candidate SSBs, the SSB corresponding to the first value is the SSB transmitted by the network device in the licensed frequency band.

[0255] Step 502: The terminal device determines the transmission method of the first SSB.

[0256] The transmission method can be either LBT or SCSe. The terminal device can determine the transmission method of the SSB based on the first value of the received SSB.

[0257] In one possible design, the terminal device determines, based on a first value and the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the DBTW, whether the SSB is transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe or LBT. In other words, the terminal device can determine whether the SSB transmission method is SCSe or LBT based on the first value and the DBTW window length, because the terminal device can determine the maximum number of SSBs transmitted within the DBTW through the DBTW window length. It should be noted that this alternative description can also be applied to the following embodiments.

[0258] For example, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device in DBTW, the terminal device determines that the SSB corresponding to the first value is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the SSB corresponding to the first value is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

[0259] Optionally, the terminal device determines whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW.

[0260] For example, when the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within DBTW, the terminal device determines that the DBTW state is closed; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the DBTW state is open.

[0261] It should be noted that when the DBTW state is determined to be in a closed state based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, the terminal device determines that the SSB corresponding to the first value is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe; when the DBTW state is determined to be in a closed state based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, the terminal device determines that the SSB corresponding to the first value is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

[0262] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the DBTW window length by demodulating SIB 1, and then determine the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can send within the DBTW, and then determine the SSB transmission method based on the maximum value and the first value.

[0263] One time slot can transmit 2 SSBs. The terminal device can determine the number of time slots corresponding to the DBTW based on the DBTW window length, and then determine the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can transmit within that DBTW.

[0264] In another possible design, the terminal device determines the SSB as either an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via the SCSe method, or an SSB transmitted by the network device via the LBT method, based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via the SCSe method.

[0265] The network device can use the SIB 1 parameter to indicate to the terminal device the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe. The terminal device can determine the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe based on the SIB 1 parameter.

[0266] Optionally, the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe can be any of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, or 56.

[0267] For example, when the first value equals the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, the terminal device determines that the SSB carrying the first value is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band. For instance, if the terminal device determines that the received SSB contains a first value of 56, while the pre-configured number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe is 48, and these values ​​are not equal, the terminal device can know that the received SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via LBT in an unlicensed frequency band.

[0268] Optionally, the terminal device may also determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe.

[0269] For example, when the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the DBTW state is determined to be off.

[0270] It should be noted that when the DBTW state is determined to be off based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the terminal device determines that the SSB corresponding to the first value is the SSB sent by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band.

[0271] In another possible design, the terminal device determines the transmission method of the SSB based on the maximum value of the first value and the number of candidate SSBs.

[0272] The maximum number of candidate SSBs represents the maximum number of SSBs that a network device can send to a terminal device. This maximum number of candidate SSBs can be determined based on the subcarrier spacing. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz, the maximum number of candidate SSBs is 64.

[0273] For example, when the first value is equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs, the terminal device determines that the SSB carrying the first value is an SSB sent by the network device in the licensed frequency band.

[0274] Optionally, the terminal device can also determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed by using the maximum value of the first value and the number of candidate SSBs.

[0275] For example, the DBTW state is off when the first value is equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0276] It should be noted that when the DBTW state is determined to be in the off state based on the maximum value of the first value and the number of candidate SSBs, the SSB corresponding to the first value is the SSB transmitted by the network device in the licensed frequency band.

[0277] Based on the above three possible designs, the terminal device can also determine whether there is a QCL relationship between SSBs according to the first value of SSB. For SSBs with a QCL relationship, the terminal device can use the same receiving beam to receive them, thereby improving communication performance.

[0278] Based on the above Figure 5The method shown allows network devices to send SSBs to terminal devices using either SCSe or LBT methods. This combined SCSe and LBT approach reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Furthermore, compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device exceeds the maximum number that can be sent using SCSe, the network device can send the complete SSB. Additionally, when sending SSBs, the network device can include a first value. Upon receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine the transmission method used by the network device based on this first value, and adjust its receiving beam accordingly to improve communication performance.

[0279] With the above Figure 5 In the network device, the first value is carried in the SSB. The terminal device determines the transmission method of the SSB based on the first value. Different methods can be used, as follows: Figure 6 As shown, network devices can also carry the SSB index and second value in the SSB, and terminal devices can determine the SSB transmission method based on the SSB index and the first threshold.

[0280] Figure 6 A flowchart of another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the method may include:

[0281] Step 601: The network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first SSB accordingly.

[0282] The first SSB may include the index of the first SSB and a second value. The second value can be used to indicate the QCL relationship between the remaining SSB candidate positions. The remaining SSB candidate positions are the SSB candidate positions other than the positions of SSBs sent using the SCSe method.

[0283] It should be noted that the first SSB can be any SSB sent by the network device to the terminal device. That is, the first SSB can also be described as an SSB sent by the network device to the terminal device, or as an SSB received by the terminal device, etc., without restriction.

[0284] The description of the SSB candidate positions can refer to the description of the SSB candidate positions in step 501 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0285] For example, when the window length of DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

[0286] When a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, it can use a hybrid method of SCSe and LBT. An SSB sent using SCSe can be called an SCSe-SSB, and an SSB sent using LBT can be called an LBT-SSB. That is, within an observation period, the network device can send SSBs using SCSe at some SSB candidate positions and use LBT at the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0287] Specifically, the remaining SSB candidate locations can be the SSB candidate locations other than those where SSBs are sent using the SCSe method, or they can be described as the remaining SSB candidate locations excluding those where SSBs are sent using the SCSe method, or they can be described as the remaining SSB candidate locations including those where network devices can send SSBs using the LBT method.

[0288] For example, taking an SSB candidate position count of 80, assuming the network device sends 56 SSBs to the terminal device using the SCSe method, the remaining SSB candidate positions consist of the 24 remaining SSB candidate positions out of the 80 SSB candidate positions excluding the 56 SSBs sent using the SCSe method. For instance, if the 56 SSBs sent using the SCSe method occupy the first 56 of the 80 SSB candidate positions, then the remaining SSB candidate positions are the last 24 positions.

[0289] Network devices can configure QCL relationships for remaining SSB candidate locations. When a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device using LBT at the remaining SSB candidate locations, for SSB candidate locations with QCL relationships, the network device can use the same transmission beam when sending SSBs at these multiple SSB candidate locations; that is, the transmission beams corresponding to SSB candidate locations with QCL relationships are the same.

[0290] Based on the above description of QCL relationships, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, the network device can carry a second value in the SSB to indicate the QCL relationship between the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0291] It should be noted that network devices can determine the specific value of the second value based on the QCL relationship between the remaining SSB candidate positions. When a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device, regardless of whether the SSB is sent in SCSe or LBT mode, the network device will include the second value in the SSB so that the terminal device can determine the QCL relationship between the remaining SSB candidate positions based on the second value.

[0292] For example, assuming there are 80 candidate SSB positions, and the network device needs to send 64 SSBs to the terminal device, and the network device sends 56 SSBs to the terminal device using the SCSe method, the remaining SSB candidate positions can include the last 24 SSB candidate positions out of the 80. The network device can configure the second value to 8 to indicate that among these 24 candidate positions, for the remaining 8 SSBs to be sent, each SSB has three transmission opportunities. That is, the network device can send the same SSB at three SSB candidate positions with a QCL relationship. When an SSB transmission fails, the network device can continue to send the SSB using an SSB candidate position with a QCL relationship, thereby improving the SSB transmission success rate.

[0293] like Figure 7 As shown, taking the indices of the last 24 SSB candidate positions out of 80 as #56 to #79 as an example, when the second value is 8, the SSB candidate position index can be modulo 8. SSB candidate positions with the same remainder have a QCL relationship. Figure 7 As shown, SSB candidate positions #56, #64, and #72, all with a remainder of 0, have a QCL relationship; SSB candidate positions #57, #65, and #73, all with a remainder of 1, have a QCL relationship; ...; SSB candidate positions #63, #71, and #79, all with a remainder of 7, have a QCL relationship; network devices can use the same transmission beam to transmit SSBs at SSB candidate positions with a QCL relationship.

[0294] Based on the above description of Table 2, it can be seen that when the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can send using the SCSe method is 56. Based on this, taking the example that the network device needs to send 64 SSBs to the terminal device, the maximum value of the second value can be shown in Table 3 below when the network device sends different numbers of SSBs to the terminal device using the SCSe method:

[0295] Table 3

[0296]

[0297] In Table 3 above, the number of SSBs transmitted using the SCSe method decreases sequentially from 56 to 24. Since each time slot contains 2 SSBs, the number of time slots occupied by SSBs transmitted using the SCSe method is 1 / 2 of the number of SSBs transmitted using the SCSe method. Considering the maximum 5ms DBTW, when the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, there are 40 time slots and 80 SSB candidate positions within 5ms. When a set of SSBs transmitted by the network device to the terminal device contains 64 SSBs, if the network device transmits 56 of them using the SCSe method, occupying 28 slots, then the remaining 8 SSBs are transmitted in the remaining 24 SSB candidate positions. That is, a maximum of 8 SSBs are transmitted using the LBT method. In this case, the maximum value of the second value is 8. If the network device sends 24 SSBs using the SCSe method, occupying 12 slots, then the remaining 40 SSBs will be sent from the remaining 56 SSB candidate positions. This means a maximum of 40 SSBs will be sent using the LBT method, and the maximum value of the second value in this case is 40. If the network device does not use the SCSe method to send SSBs, then 64 SSBs will be sent from the 80 SSB candidate positions, meaning a maximum of 64 SSBs will be sent using the LBT method. In this case, the maximum value of the second value in this case is 64.

[0298] As shown in Table 3 above, the maximum value of the second value is equal to the number of SSBs sent by the network device using the LBT method.

[0299] For example, the second value can be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the maximum number of candidate SSBs.

[0300] When the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the maximum number of candidate SSBs is 64.

[0301] For example, the second value can be any of the following: 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40.

[0302] It should be noted that when a network device sends SSBs to a terminal device using a hybrid SSE and LBT method, the network device can determine the transmission method of each SSB. However, the terminal device is unaware of the transmission method of each received SSB. Therefore, the network device can indicate the corresponding transmission method for each SSB using the SSB index and a first threshold.

[0303] The first threshold can be the number of SSBs sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0304] The first threshold can be greater than or equal to 0, and less than or equal to the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device to the terminal device using the SCSe method.

[0305] For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz, the maximum number of SSBs that the network device can send to the terminal device using the SCSe method is 56.

[0306] For example, the first threshold can be any of the following: 32, 40, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56.

[0307] Optionally, the first threshold is predefined; or, the first threshold is sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0308] When the index of the SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the network device sends the SSB using the LBT method; when the index of the SSB is less than the first threshold, the network device sends the SSB using the SCSe method.

[0309] Optionally, the network device carries the second value in the SSB's MIB.

[0310] Optionally, the network device carries the SSB index in the payload of the SSB's PBCH.

[0311] Alternatively, unlike step 601 where the network device indicates the transmission method of each SSB through the index of the first SSB and the first threshold, the network device can also send SIB 1 parameters (such as "ServingCellConfigCommonSIB" and / or "ServingCellConfigCommon") to the terminal device through RRC parameters to directly indicate the number of SSBs sent by the network device and / or the transmission method of each SSB.

[0312] For example, a network device can use a bitmap to indicate to the terminal device the SSBs sent by the network device. The network device can set a bit to 1 to indicate that an SSB has been sent at the candidate location corresponding to that bit, and set a bit to 0 to indicate that an SSB has not been sent at the candidate location corresponding to that bit. The number of SSBs sent by the network device is equal to the number of bits set to 1.

[0313] For example, taking a subcarrier spacing of 120kHz as an example, the bit map can include 64 bits, each bit corresponding to one SSB. The network device can set a bit to 1 to indicate that the candidate position of the SSB corresponding to that bit has sent an SSB, and set a bit to 0 to indicate that the candidate position of the SSB corresponding to that bit has not sent an SSB. Assuming that the number of bits set to 1 is 56, it can be determined that the number of SSBs sent by the network device is 56.

[0314] Optionally, the network device can also configure indication information for the bit set to 1 to indicate the transmission mode, so as to indicate the transmission mode of the SSB corresponding to that bit.

[0315] Step 602: When the index of the first SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0316] The terminal device can determine the transmission method of the SSB based on the index of the received SSB and the first threshold.

[0317] When the index of an SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device determines that the SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method. When the index of an SSB is less than the first threshold, the terminal device determines that the SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the SCSe method.

[0318] When the SSB is an SSB sent by the network device using the LBT method, the terminal device can also receive an SSB sent by the network device that has a QCL relationship with the SSB, based on the second value.

[0319] For example, the terminal device can determine the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device using the SCSe method based on a first threshold. Based on the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device using the SCSe method, it can determine the remaining candidate positions of the SSBs transmitted by the network device using the LBT method. Based on a second value and the remaining candidate positions of the SSBs, the terminal device can receive the SSBs transmitted by the network device using the LBT method.

[0320] For example, assuming the number of SSB candidate locations is 80, and the network device needs to send 64 SSBs to the terminal device, and the network device sends 56 SSBs to the terminal device using the SCSe method, with a first threshold of 55, the terminal device can determine that the number of SSBs sent by the network device using the SCSe method is 56. Since the number of SSB candidate locations is 80, the terminal device can determine that the remaining SSB candidate locations corresponding to the SSBs sent by the network device using the LBT method are the last 24 SSB candidate locations out of the 80 SSB candidate locations (i.e., the last 24 SSB candidate locations). (SSB candidate positions #56 to #79). When the second value is 8, the terminal device can determine that SSB candidate positions #56, #64, and #72 have a QCL relationship; SSB candidate positions #57, #65, and #73 have a QCL relationship; ...; SSB candidate positions #63, #71, and #79 have a QCL relationship; and the terminal device can use the same receiving beam to receive SSBs at the SSB candidate positions with QCL relationships.

[0321] That is, when the index of the SSB is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device can adjust the receiving beam according to the second value to receive the SSB sent by the network device that has a QCL relationship with the current SSB; when the index of the SSB is less than the first threshold, the terminal device does not need to adjust the receiving beam according to the second value.

[0322] Optionally, after the terminal device demodulates SIB 1, it can perform rate matching (RM) on the remaining SSB candidate positions.

[0323] Alternatively, unlike step 602 where the terminal device determines the transmission method of each SSB based on the index of the first SSB and the first threshold, the terminal device can also determine the number of SSBs sent by the network device and / or the transmission method of each SSB by parsing the SIB 1 parameters (such as “ServingCellConfigCommonSIB” and / or “ServingCellConfigCommon”) sent by the network device through RRC parameters.

[0324] For example, when a network device uses a bitmap to indicate to a terminal device the SSBs sent by the network device, assuming the network device sets a bit to 1 to indicate that an SSB has been sent at the candidate location corresponding to that bit, and sets a bit to 0 to indicate that an SSB has not been sent at the candidate location corresponding to that bit, the terminal device can determine the number of bits set to 1 as the number of SSBs sent by the network device.

[0325] For example, taking a subcarrier spacing of 120kHz as an example, the bit map can include 64 bits, each bit corresponding to one SSB. The network device can set a bit to 1 to indicate that the candidate position of the SSB corresponding to that bit has sent an SSB, and set a bit to 0 to indicate that the candidate position of the SSB corresponding to that bit has not sent an SSB. Assuming that the number of bits set to 1 is 56, the terminal device can determine that the number of SSBs sent by the network device is 56.

[0326] Optionally, when the network device configures the bit set to 1 to indicate the transmission method, the terminal device can determine the transmission method of the SSB corresponding to that bit based on the indication information corresponding to each bit.

[0327] based on Figure 6 The method shown allows network devices to send SSBs to terminal devices using either SCSe or LBT methods. This combined SCSe and LBT approach reduces transmission latency compared to LBT. Furthermore, compared to SCSe, when the number of SSBs sent by the network device exceeds the maximum number that can be sent using SCSe, the network device can send the complete SSB. Additionally, when sending SSBs, the network device can include an SSB index and a second value. Upon receiving the SSB, the terminal device can determine the transmission method used by the network device based on the index and adjust its receiving beam accordingly, thus improving communication performance.

[0328] Based on the above Figures 5 to 7 In the initial access process, when the network device sends an SSB to the terminal device using the SCSe method, the network device can also send a resource control set CORESET 0 and a PDSCH to the terminal device; wherein, the PDSCH may include SIB 1; CORESET 0, SIB 1 and the SSB satisfy a quasi-co-addressable QCL relationship.

[0329] By transmitting the SSB and its associated CORESET 0 and PDSCH (which have a QCL relationship) together using the same transmit beam in SCSe mode, network devices can avoid performing LBT (Local Bit Bypass) and reduce power consumption. Simultaneously, terminal devices can use the same receive beam to receive the SSB and its associated CORESET 0 and PDSCH, thus reducing initial access latency.

[0330] For example, taking a subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz as an example, each symbol occupies approximately 8.9 μs, each SSB occupies 4 symbols, and 56 SSBs occupy approximately 2 ms, or about 224 symbols. Correspondingly, for 32 SSBs, it occupies approximately 128 symbols. Therefore, when the transmission period of a group of SSBs is 20 ms, 96 symbols are used to transmit other non-SSB downlink signals.

[0331] Therefore, when the SSB is transmitted together with the CORESET 0 and PDSCH that satisfy the QCL relationship, these 96 symbols can be used to transmit the CORESET#0 and PDSCH that have a QCL relationship with the SSB. The CORESET#0 and PDSCH that have a QCL relationship with each SSB occupy an additional 3 symbols. The CORESET#0 and PDSCH that have a QCL relationship with the SSB can also be described as the CORESET#0 and PDSCH associated with the SSB, without restriction.

[0332] The following are Figure 8 Taking a time slot with two SSBs as an example, let's explain the CORESET#0 associated with each SSB and the symbols occupied by the PDSCH:

[0333] Optionally, when configuring the symbols occupied by the PDSCH, the network device can indicate the symbols occupied by the PDSCH by indicating the starting symbol position and the duration of the PDSCH in the time domain channel.

[0334] For example, a network device can indicate the start symbol position of the PDSCH on the time-domain channel via S, and indicate the duration of the PDSCH on the time-domain channel via L.

[0335] For example, taking S=4 and L=4 as an example, such as Figure 9 As shown, PDSCH occupies symbols 4, 5, 6 and 7.

[0336] In the first possible design, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols.

[0337] Among them, CORESET 0 and SSB are time-division multiplexed, and PDSCH and SSB are frequency-division multiplexed.

[0338] For example, such as Figure 8As shown in Table 4 below, the CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 0 and 1. This can be achieved by setting S to 4 and L to 2 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 4 and 5; or by setting S to 4 and L to 3 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 4, 5, and 6; or by setting S to 4 and L to 4 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 4, 5, 6, and 7; or by setting S to 5 and L to 2 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 5 and 6; or by setting S to 5 and L to 3 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 5, 6, and 7; or by setting S to 6 and L to 2 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 6 and 7.

[0339] Table 4

[0340]

[0341]

[0342] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown in Table 5 below, the CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 2 and 3. This can be indicated by setting S to 8 and L to 2 to allow the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 to occupy symbols 8 and 9; or by setting S to 8 and L to 3 to allow the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 to occupy symbols 8, 9, and 10; or by setting S to 8 and L to 4 to allow the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 to occupy symbols 8, 9, 10, and 11; or by setting S to 9 and L to 2 to allow the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 to occupy symbols 9 and 10; or by setting S to 9 and L to 3 to allow the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 to occupy symbols 9, 10, and 11; or by setting S to 10 and L to 2 to allow the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 to occupy symbols 10 and 11.

[0343] Table 5

[0344] S L 8 2 8 3 8 4 9 2 9 3 10 2

[0345] In the second possible design, CORESET 0 occupies two symbols, and PDSCH occupies two symbols.

[0346] Among them, CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0347] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 4 and 5. As shown in Table 6 below, S can be set to 6 and L to 2 to indicate that PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 6 and 7.

[0348] Table 6

[0349] S L 6 2

[0350] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 8 and 9. As shown in Table 7 below, S can be set to 10 and L to 2 to indicate that PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 10 and 11.

[0351] Table 7

[0352] S L 10 2

[0353] In the third possible design, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two, three, or four symbols.

[0354] Among them, CORESET 0 and SSB are time-division multiplexed, and PDSCH and SSB are frequency-division multiplexed.

[0355] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown in Table 8 below, the CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbol 0. This can be indicated by setting S to 4 and L to 2 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 4 and 5; or by setting S to 4 and L to 3 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 4, 5, and 6; or by setting S to 4 and L to 4 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 4, 5, 6, and 7; or by setting S to 5 and L to 2 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 occupies symbols 5 and 6; or by setting S to 5 and L to 3 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 5, 6, and 7; or by setting S to 6 and L to 2 to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbols 6 and 7.

[0356] Table 8

[0357] S L 4 2 4 3 4 4 5 2 5 3 6 2

[0358] For example, such as Figure 8As shown in Table 9 below, the CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbol 1. This can be indicated by setting S to 8 and L to 2, to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 8 and 9; or by setting S to 8 and L to 3, to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 8, 9, and 10; or by setting S to 8 and L to 4, to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 8, 9, 10, and 11; or by setting S to 9 and L to 2, to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 9 and 10; or by setting S to 9 and L to 3, to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 9, 10, and 11; or by setting S to 10 and L to 2, to indicate that the PDSCH corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbols 10 and 11.

[0359] Table 9

[0360] S L 8 2 8 3 8 4 9 2 9 3

[0361] In the fourth possible design, CORESET 0 occupies one symbol, and PDSCH occupies two or three symbols.

[0362] Among them, CORESET 0 is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB, and PDSCH is frequency-division multiplexed with SSB.

[0363] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 1 can occupy symbol 4. As shown in Table 10 below, SSB 1 can occupy symbols 5 and 6 by setting S to 5 and L to 2; or by setting S to 5 and L to 3 to indicate that SSB 1 can occupy symbols 5, 6 and 7; or by setting S to 6 and L to 2 to indicate that SSB 1 can occupy symbols 6 and 7.

[0364] Table 10

[0365] S L 5 2 5 3 6 2

[0366] For example, such as Figure 8As shown, CORESET 0 corresponding to SSB 2 can occupy symbol 8. As shown in Table 11 below, SSB 2 can occupy symbols 9 and 10 by setting S to 9 and L to 2; or by setting S to 9 and L to 3 to indicate that SSB 2 can occupy symbols 9, 10 and 11; or by setting S to 10 and L to 2 to indicate that SSB 2 can occupy symbols 10 and 11.

[0367] Table 11

[0368] S L 9 2 9 3 10 2

[0369] It should be noted that the above embodiments describe SSB transmission only from the perspective of time-domain resources and do not limit the frequency-domain resources occupied by the SSB. Furthermore, the above embodiments only describe SSB transmission using a subcarrier spacing of 120kHz as an example; it should be understood that the above embodiments are also applicable to application scenarios with other subcarrier spacings and are not limited thereto.

[0370] The foregoing primarily describes the solutions provided in this application from the perspective of device-to-device interaction. It is understood that each device, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0371] This application embodiment can divide each device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0372] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 10 A terminal device 100 is shown, which can perform the above-described actions. Figures 5 to 9 Actions performed by the terminal device.

[0373] The terminal device 100 may include a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002. Exemplarily, the terminal device 100 may be a terminal device, or a chip or other combination device or component having the aforementioned terminal device functions. When the terminal device 100 is a terminal device, the transceiver module 1001 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, etc.; the processing module 1002 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the terminal device 100 is a component having the aforementioned terminal device functions, the transceiver module 1001 may be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 1002 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the terminal device 100 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1001 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip); the processing module 1002 may be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1001 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components; the processing module 1002 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0374] For example, the transceiver module 1001 can be used to perform... Figures 5 to 9 In the illustrated embodiments, all transmit and receive operations performed by the terminal device, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein; the processing module 1002 can be used to execute Figures 5 to 9 The embodiments shown include all operations performed by the terminal device other than the send and receive operations, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0375] As another feasible approach Figure 10 The transceiver module 1001 can be replaced by a transceiver unit, which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1001; the processing module 1002 can be replaced by a processor, which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1002. Furthermore, Figure 10 The terminal device 100 shown may also include a memory. When the transceiver module 1001 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1002 is replaced by a processor, the terminal device 100 involved in the embodiments of this application can be... Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0376] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 11 A network device 110 is shown, which can perform the above-described functions. Figures 5 to 9 Actions performed by network devices.

[0377] The network device 110 may include a transceiver module 1101 and a processing module 1102. Exemplarily, the network device 110 may be a network device, or a chip or other combination of devices or components with the aforementioned network device functions. When the network device 110 is a network device, the transceiver module 1101 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuitry; the processing module 1102 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the network device 110 is a component with the aforementioned network device functions, the transceiver module 1101 may be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 1102 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor. When the network device 110 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1101 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip); the processing module 1102 may be a processor (or processing circuitry) of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1101 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components; the processing module 1102 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0378] For example, transceiver module 1101 can be used to perform... Figures 5 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, all transmit and receive operations performed by the network device, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein; processing module 1102 can be used to perform Figures 5 to 9 The embodiments shown include all operations performed by the network device other than sending and receiving operations, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0379] As another feasible approach Figure 11 The transceiver module 1101 can be replaced by a transceiver unit, which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1101; the processing module 1102 can be replaced by a processor, which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1102. Furthermore, Figure 11 The network device 110 shown may also include a memory. When the transceiver module 1101 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1102 is replaced by a processor, the network device 110 involved in the embodiments of this application can be... Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0380] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end) of any of the foregoing embodiments, such as the terminal's hard disk or memory. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the terminal. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the terminal's internal storage unit and external storage devices. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0381] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0382] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) 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, and c can be single or multiple.

[0383] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0384] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0385] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0386] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0387] If the integrated unit is implemented as 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 solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0388] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The terminal device receives a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) from the network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations; The terminal device determines, based on the first value and the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Listen-Before-Speak (LBT). The terminal device determines, based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band, or determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via LBT in an unlicensed frequency band.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device in the DBTW, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The terminal device determines whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the maximum value of the number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW. When the DBTW state is off, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe. When the DBTW state is open, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, the terminal device determines that the DBTW state is closed; otherwise, the terminal device determines that the DBTW state is open.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, When the first value is the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The terminal device determines whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the first value and the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe. When the DBTW state is off, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe. When the DBTW state is open, the terminal device determines that the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the DBTW state is determined to be off.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe is any one of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, When the DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The network device sends a first synchronization signal and a Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) to the terminal device; wherein, the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations; The first value is used to determine, based on the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Listen-Before-Speak (LBT); or The first value is used to determine, based on the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band, or an SSB transmitted by the network device via LBT in an unlicensed frequency band.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device in the DBTW, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe mode; otherwise, the first SSB is an SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT mode.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The first value is also used to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW. When the DBTW state is off, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe. When the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, When the first value is 16 or 32, if the first value is greater than the maximum number of SSBs sent by the network device within the DBTW, the DBTW state is closed; otherwise, the DBTW state is open.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, When the first value is equal to the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, the first SSB is the SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in the unlicensed frequency band.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that, The first value is also used to determine whether the DBTW state is open or closed based on the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe. When the DBTW state is off, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via SCSe. When the DBTW state is open, the first SSB is the SSB sent by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via LBT.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, When the first value equals the number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe, the DBTW state is off.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10-16, characterized in that, The number of SSBs sent by the network device via SCSe is any one of the following: 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, When the DBTW is 5ms and the subcarrier spacing is 120KHz, the number of SSB candidate positions is 80.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to receive a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB) from a network device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations; The processing module is configured to determine, based on the first value and the maximum value of the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Listen-Before-Speak (LBT); or The processing module is configured to determine, based on the first value and the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band, or to determine that the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via LBT in an unlicensed frequency band.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to send a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB) to the terminal device; wherein the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between candidate SSB locations; The first value is used to determine, based on the maximum number of SSBs transmitted by the network device within the Discovery Burst Transmission Window (DBTW), whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Short Control Signal Exemption (SCSe) or an SSB transmitted by the network device in the unlicensed frequency band via Listen-Before-Speak (LBT); or The first value is used to determine, based on the number of SSBs transmitted by the network device via SCSe, whether the first SSB is an SSB transmitted by the network device via SCSe in an unlicensed frequency band, or an SSB transmitted by the network device via LBT in an unlicensed frequency band.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes an input / output interface and logic circuitry; the input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information; the logic circuitry is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18, processing and / or generating the information based on the information. The information includes a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB); the first SSB includes a first value, which is used to indicate the quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between SSB candidate locations.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer causes the computer to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

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