A communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device and system, which are used to reduce the overhead and energy consumption in the carrier adding process, reduce the time delay and quickly add and activate the carrier. The method comprises: a terminal device receives a first message on a first carrier, wherein the first message comprises configuration information, and the configuration information is used for the terminal device to receive a signal on a second carrier; and the terminal device receives a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement period based on the configuration information, wherein each signal group comprises a plurality of signal blocks, and the signal blocks are used for the terminal device to acquire timing and frequency synchronization on the second carrier.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] New Radio (NR) inherits the carrier aggregation (CA) feature from Long Term Evolution (LTE). CA technology can simultaneously allocate multiple carriers, whether continuous or discontinuous in the frequency domain, to a single terminal device, increasing the total bandwidth of the terminal device and thus increasing user capacity.

[0003] The terminal device measures other cells according to the configuration information of the network device and reports the measurement results. Based on the measurement results, the network device configures the terminal device to add a secondary cell. The terminal device establishes a connection with the secondary cell based on a random access procedure. After the terminal device completes the addition of the secondary cell, the network device can schedule the terminal device to transmit data on the secondary cell, thereby realizing carrier addition.

[0004] To enable terminal devices to synchronize on a new carrier, network devices need to continuously activate and broadcast synchronization signals, resulting in significant overhead and energy consumption. Furthermore, when terminal devices cross carriers, they need to reacquire the target cell and re-synchronize the carrier's timing and frequency, leading to substantial latency. Additionally, data transmission across carriers requires re-scanning the beam, resulting in significant carrier activation latency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system to reduce overhead and energy consumption during carrier addition, reduce latency, and thus quickly add and activate carriers.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a terminal device receiving a first message on a first carrier, the first message including configuration information, the configuration information being used by the terminal device to receive signals on a second carrier; the terminal device receiving a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle based on the configuration information; each signal group including multiple signal blocks, the signal blocks being used by the terminal device to synchronize timing and frequency with a network device on the second carrier.

[0007] The first carrier and the second carrier may be located in the same frequency band or in different frequency bands. The first carrier can be understood as the current carrier, and the second carrier can be understood as a newly added carrier. Each signal block may include one or more signals.

[0008] The terminal device has already established a connection and can communicate normally on the first carrier. The network device can instruct the terminal device on the configuration information for receiving signals on the second carrier. The terminal device can search for signals in one or more specific beam directions according to the instructions of the network device, without blind searching. This reduces the latency of the terminal device re-scanning beams and resynchronizing carriers. The terminal device can obtain downlink timing in a short time and complete frequency synchronization and beam alignment with the network device. The network device does not need to continuously or periodically turn on and broadcast synchronization signals on specific carriers. It only needs to send signals of a portion of the scanned beams to the terminal device, which can reduce the air interface resource overhead and energy consumption of the network device, thereby quickly adding active carriers.

[0009] In one possible design, the terminal device can use the same spatial filter to receive a group of signals on the second carrier. That is, within one measurement period, the terminal device uses the same parameters for the spatial filter; in other words, the terminal device can maintain the same parameters for the spatial filter within one measurement period. This can also be understood as the terminal device using the same receiving beam within one measurement period; that is, the terminal device can maintain the same receiving beam within one measurement period.

[0010] The measurement period, also known as the measurement window or reception period, allows the terminal device to receive signals from a complete signal group using a fixed receiving beam within a measurement period. This enables the terminal device to search for signals in a specific beam direction, allowing it to determine the receiving beam used on the second carrier during service communication.

[0011] In this design, the terminal device can receive signals using a fixed receiving beam or according to the receiving beam indicated by the network device within a measurement cycle. This allows the terminal device to search for signals in a specific beam direction, enabling it to quickly complete frequency synchronization and beam alignment with the network device.

[0012] In one possible design, the terminal device can also receive a first downlink reference signal on a first carrier; within a measurement period, the terminal device can determine the parameters of the spatial filter used to receive the signal group within the measurement period, assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group received within the measurement period satisfy a quasi-co-addressable QCL relationship.

[0013] Assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group satisfy the QCL relationship, the network device can use the first downlink reference signal to indicate the spatial resources when the terminal device receives the signal. Based on the first downlink reference signal, the terminal device can determine the receiving parameters or receiving beam of the spatial filter, thereby searching for the signal in a specific beam direction.

[0014] In this design, the network device can indicate spatial resources through the first downlink reference signal. For example, the network device can use the first downlink reference signal as the reference source signal of QCL Type-D included in the TCI status indication, so that the terminal device can search for the signal in a specific beam direction, thereby quickly completing frequency synchronization and beam alignment with the network device.

[0015] In one possible design, each signal group may consist of multiple signal blocks that are sequential in the time domain; and / or there may be one or more OFDM symbols between two consecutively received signal groups.

[0016] In this design, the signal blocks are continuous in the time domain, and the signal arrangement is more compact, shortening the signal reception time of the terminal device within a measurement cycle and further reducing latency. Furthermore, considering the latency when the terminal device switches between receiving beams and / or receiving antenna panels between different measurement cycles, or when switching between receiving different signal blocks within a measurement cycle, setting guard symbols between two consecutive signal groups or two signal blocks allows the terminal device to receive signals more completely and accurately.

[0017] In one possible design, the signal block includes a primary synchronization signal PSS and a secondary synchronization signal SSS; or the signal block includes any of the following signals: PSS, SSS, channel state information-reference signal CSI-RS, and tracking reference signal TRS.

[0018] In this design, only PSS and SSS, or only PSS, can be retained in the signal block, reducing the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the signal block in time, and further reducing overhead and beam scanning delay.

[0019] In one possible design, the first message includes one or more of the following information: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency domain range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute frequency, or, an index of a signal block or signal. The network device instructs the terminal device on the time-frequency resources when receiving the reference signal, enabling the terminal device to quickly complete frequency synchronization and beam alignment with the network device after receiving the reference signal and searching for the signal in a specific beam direction based on the reference signal.

[0020] In one possible design, based on the configuration information, after receiving a group of signals on the second carrier in each measurement cycle, the terminal device may also report a second message to the network device, the second message including the measurement results of the downlink signals transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

[0021] In this design, the terminal device can report measurement results explicitly or implicitly. The measurement results can indicate the optimal receiving beam measured by the terminal device, that is, the receiving beam used by the terminal device on the second carrier during service communication; in other words, it can indicate the transmitting beam used by the network device on the second carrier during service communication.

[0022] In one possible design, before receiving the first message on the first carrier, the terminal device may also receive a third message. This third message is used by the terminal device to determine reception parameters for a received signal group on the second carrier. The reception parameters include at least one of the following: spatial domain relationship, Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI), and associated reference signal information. The TCI indicates the QCL relationship between a first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group. The QCL relationship is used to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the receive beam used by the terminal device to receive the signal group during the measurement period. Alternatively, the QCL relationship may also be used to determine one or more of the following: Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread. The QCL relationship may further be used by the terminal device to determine the time-frequency synchronization information of the received signal on the second carrier.

[0023] In this design, the network device can instruct the terminal device to receive the beam on the second carrier to enable the rapid addition of the active carrier.

[0024] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a network device transmitting a first message on a first carrier, the first message including configuration information, the configuration information being used by a terminal device to receive signals on a second carrier; the network device transmitting a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle, each signal group including one or more signal blocks, the signal blocks being used by the terminal device to perform timing and frequency synchronization with the network device on the second carrier.

[0025] The first carrier and the second carrier may be located in the same frequency band or in different frequency bands. The first carrier can be understood as the current carrier, and the second carrier can be understood as a newly added carrier. Each signal block may include one or more signals.

[0026] The terminal device has already established a connection and can communicate normally on the first carrier. The network device can instruct the terminal device on the configuration information for receiving signals on the second carrier. The terminal device can search for signals in one or more specific beam directions according to the instructions of the network device, without blind searching. This reduces the latency of the terminal device re-scanning beams and resynchronizing carriers. The terminal device can obtain downlink timing in a short time and complete frequency synchronization and beam alignment with the network device. The network device does not need to continuously or periodically turn on and broadcast synchronization signals on specific carriers. It only needs to send signals of a portion of the scanned beams to the terminal device, which can reduce the air interface resource overhead and energy consumption of the network device, thereby quickly adding active carriers.

[0027] In one possible design, the network device can transmit a group of signals on the second carrier using the same spatial filter. That is, within a measurement period, the network device uses the same parameters for the spatial filter; in other words, the network device can maintain the same parameters for the spatial filter within a measurement period. This can also be understood as the network device using the same transmission beam within a measurement period; that is, the network device can maintain the same transmission beam within a measurement period.

[0028] In one possible design, the network device may also transmit a first downlink reference signal on the first carrier; the network device, within a measurement period, determines the parameters of the spatial filter used to transmit the signal group within the measurement period, assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group transmitted within the measurement period satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship.

[0029] In one possible design, each signal group may consist of multiple signal blocks that are sequential in the time domain; and / or there may be one or more OFDM symbols between two consecutively received signal groups.

[0030] In one possible design, the signal block includes a primary synchronization signal PSS and a secondary synchronization signal SSS; or the signal block includes any one of the following signals: PSS, SSS, channel state information-reference signal CSI-RS, and tracking reference signal TRS.

[0031] In one possible design, the first message may include one or more of the following information: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute frequency, or, index of a signal block or signal.

[0032] In one possible design, after transmitting a group of signals on the second carrier in each measurement cycle, the network device may also receive a second message, the second message including the measurement results of the downlink signals transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

[0033] In one possible design, before transmitting a first message on the first carrier, the network device may also transmit a third message, which is used by the terminal device to determine reception parameters of a received signal group on the second carrier. The reception parameters include at least one of the following: spatial domain relationship, transmission configuration indication (TCI), and associated reference signal information; the TCI is used to indicate the QCL relationship between a first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group, and the QCL relationship is used to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the receive beam used by the terminal device to receive the signal group during the measurement period.

[0034] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing any possible method designed in the first or second aspect described above. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0035] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver, a processor, and a memory; the transceiver is used to send and receive data or information, the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and when the device is running, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the device to perform an implementation method as described in any possible design of the first or second aspect above.

[0036] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: units or means for performing various steps in any possible design of the first or second aspect above.

[0037] A sixth aspect provides a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the methods provided in any possible design of the first or second aspect above. The processor may include one or more processors.

[0038] A seventh aspect provides a communication device including a processor for invoking a program stored in a coupled memory to execute the method in any possible design of the first or second aspect described above. The memory may be located within or outside the device. The processor may include one or more processors.

[0039] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored therein, which, when executed on a computer, cause a processor to perform any of the methods possibly designed in the first or second aspect described above.

[0040] Ninth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first or second aspect described above.

[0041] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising: a processor for performing the method designed in any of the first or second aspects described above.

[0042] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, including a terminal device for performing the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, and a network device for performing the second aspect or any implementation of the second aspect.

[0043] In a twelfth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a transceiver for implementing the functions of a network device in any possible design method of the first aspect described above, or for implementing the functions of a user equipment in any possible design method of the second aspect described above, for example, receiving or transmitting data and / or information involved in the aforementioned methods. In one possible design, the chip system further comprises a memory for storing program instructions and / or data. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0044] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the second to twelfth aspects above, and any possible implementation of any of the aspects above, are described in the description of the technical effects that any of the aspects can bring, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of carrier aggregation;

[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the synchronization signal structure;

[0047] Figure 3 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the synchronization signal scanning process;

[0048] Figure 4A schematic diagram of the transmission pattern of the synchronization signal under each subcarrier spacing;

[0049] Figure 6 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a communication process according to an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a signal pattern according to an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a signal structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 14 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0056] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, the term "exemplary" is used to indicate that it is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0057] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0058] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0059] 1) User equipment (UE), also known as terminal equipment, is a device with wireless transceiver / wireless communication capabilities. It can communicate with one or more core network (CN) devices (or core devices) through access network devices (or access devices) in the radio access network (RAN).

[0060] User equipment can also be referred to as an access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. User equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). User equipment can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, smartphone, mobile phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, tablet computer, wireless modem, laptop computer, machine-type communication (MTC) terminal, etc. Alternatively, the user equipment can also be a handset with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a drone device, or a terminal in the Internet of Things (IoT), the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), a 5th-generation (5G) network, or any form of terminal in future networks, a relay user equipment, or a terminal in a future evolved PLMN, etc. Among these, a relay user equipment can be, for example, a 5G residential gateway (RG). For example, the user equipment can be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. This application does not limit the type or category of the terminal equipment.

[0061] 2) Network equipment refers to devices that can provide wireless access / communication functions for terminals. Network equipment can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR), and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).

[0062] For example, network devices may include access network devices. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to: next-generation base stations or next-generation node Bs (gNBs) in 5G networks, evolved node Bs (eNBs), radio network controllers (RNCs), node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node Bs or home node Bs (HNBs)), baseband units (BBUs), transmitting and receiving points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells), and microcells, etc. Network devices can also be radio controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or network devices can be relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted devices, terminals, wearable devices, and network devices in future mobile communications or in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs).

[0063] For example, network equipment can include core network (CN) equipment, such as AMF.

[0064] In systems employing different wireless access technologies, the names of network devices may differ. For example, a base transceiver station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, an NB in ​​Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and an eNB or eNodeB in LTE.

[0065] 3) Beam: A communication resource. A beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beams. The technology used to form a beam can be beamforming technology or other techniques. Beamforming technology can specifically be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology. Different beams can be considered different resources. The same information or different information can be transmitted through different beams. Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam can include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals, etc. For example, a transmit beam can refer to the signal strength distribution formed in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, and a receive beam can refer to the signal strength distribution in different directions in space of the wireless signal received from the antenna. It is understood that one or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0066] It should be noted that the receiving beam in this application can be a set of receiving parameters of the terminal device, or the spatial filter parameters of the antenna, or spatial correlation, or it can be indirectly indicated by parameters that are the same as those used to indicate the reception of other signals, or it can be other similar definitions adopted by the protocol. This application does not limit these definitions. The receiving beam or spatial receiving filter in this document can be equivalently replaced by the other definitions mentioned above.

[0067] When using low-frequency or mid-frequency bands, signals can be transmitted omnidirectionally or through a wide angle. When using high-frequency bands, thanks to the smaller carrier wavelength of high-frequency communication systems, antenna arrays consisting of many antenna elements can be arranged at the transmitting and receiving ends. The transmitting end transmits signals with a certain beamforming weight, so that the transmitted signal forms a spatially directional beam. At the same time, the receiving end uses an antenna array with a certain beamforming weight to receive the signal, which can improve the received power at the receiving end and counteract path loss.

[0068] Network devices can use spatial filters to receive or transmit signals, which is equivalent to using a receive beam to receive signals or a transmit beam to transmit signals. Terminal devices can also use spatial filters to receive or transmit signals, which is equivalent to using a receive beam to receive signals or a transmit beam to transmit signals. Generally, when the parameters of a spatial filter do not change, the corresponding beam (transmit beam or receive beam) of the spatial filter does not change.

[0069] 4) Quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship refers to a co-location relationship, used to indicate that multiple resources share one or more identical or similar communication characteristics. For multiple resources with a co-location relationship, the same or similar communication configurations can be used. For example, if two antenna ports are co-located, the large-scale channel characteristics of one port transmitting one symbol can be inferred from the large-scale channel characteristics of the other port transmitting one symbol. Large-scale characteristics can include: delay spread, average delay, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, average gain, receiver parameters, receiver beam number of the terminal equipment, transmit / receive channel correlation, receiver angle of arrival (AoA), spatial correlation of receiver antennas, angel-of-arrival (AoA), average AoA spread, etc. Specifically, the co-location indicator is used to indicate whether the at least two sets of antenna ports have a co-location relationship: the co-location indicator is used to indicate whether the channel state information reference signals transmitted by the at least two sets of antenna ports come from the same transmission point, or the co-location indicator is used to indicate whether the channel state information reference signals transmitted by the at least two sets of antenna ports come from the same beam group.

[0070] The quasi-co-location / quasi-in-place assumption (QCL assumption) refers to the assumption that a QCL relationship exists between two ports. The configuration and indication of the quasi-in-place assumption can help the receiver perform signal reception and demodulation. For example, if the receiver can confirm that ports A and B have a QCL relationship, then the large-scale parameters of the signal measured at port A can be used for signal measurement and demodulation at port B.

[0071] Spatial Quasi-Co-location / Quasi-Co-location (SQCL) can be considered a type of QCL. The concept of "spatial" can be understood from two perspectives: the transmitting end and the receiving end. From the transmitting end's perspective, if two antenna ports are spatially quasi-co-located, it means that the corresponding beam directions of these two antenna ports are spatially aligned. From the receiving end's perspective, if two antenna ports are spatially quasi-co-located, it means that the receiving end can receive the signals transmitted by both antenna ports in the same beam direction.

[0072] 5) Reference Signal: According to the LTE / NR protocol, at the physical layer, uplink communication includes the transmission of uplink physical channels and uplink signals. Uplink physical channels include the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), etc. Uplink signals include the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), the PUCCH Demodulation Reference Signal (PUCCH-DMRS), the PUSCH-DMRS, the Phase Noise Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), the Uplink Positioning Reference Signal, etc. Downlink communication includes the transmission of downlink physical channels and downlink signals. The downlink physical channels include the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The downlink signals include the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), the downlink control channel demodulation reference signal PDCCH-DMRS, the downlink data channel demodulation reference signal PDSCH-DMRS, the phase-tracking reference signal (PTRS), the channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), the cell reference signal (CRS) (not present in NR), the time / frequency tracking reference signal (TRS) (not present in LTE), and the LTE / NR positioning signal (positioning RS).

[0073] 6) Carrier aggregation (CA) is a key technology in LTE-A. To meet the requirements of increased peak data rates for single users and improved system capacity, one of the most direct methods is to increase the system transmission bandwidth. Therefore, LTE-Advanced systems introduce a technology to increase transmission bandwidth, namely CA. CA technology can simultaneously allocate multiple carriers, either continuous or discontinuous in the frequency domain, to a single terminal device, increasing the total bandwidth of the terminal device and thus increasing user capacity. NR inherits this feature from LTE, meaning that CA technology can also be applied to increase transmission bandwidth in NR.

[0074] like Figure 1 As shown in (a), each carrier has a bandwidth of 20 MHz. By simultaneously allocating five consecutive carriers to a single terminal device, the total bandwidth of the terminal device can reach 100 MHz. For example... Figure 1 As shown in (b), each carrier has a bandwidth of 20MHz. By configuring five non-contiguous carriers simultaneously for use by a terminal device, the total bandwidth of the terminal device can reach 100MHz.

[0075] The concepts of "scanning", "detection", "search", and "measurement" used in this application can be used interchangeably.

[0076] In this application, "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0077] The term "multiple" in this application refers to two or more.

[0078] In addition, it should be understood that in the description of this application, the words "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0079] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems. Communication systems typically include, but are not limited to, 4th-generation (4G) networks, LTE systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G communication systems or NR, and other future communication systems such as 6G.

[0080] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the application scenarios of the embodiments of this application will be described first.

[0081] In cellular networks, terminal devices typically need to synchronize their time and frequency with network equipment before they can communicate normally. This is because if the terminal device is not synchronized with the network equipment in time, the receiving end will have difficulty processing the received signal accurately and simply during transmission, which will also cause serious interference to other users in the network. If the terminal device is not synchronized with the network equipment in frequency, the receiving signal will be affected by frequency offset, leading to unsatisfactory reception performance or even demodulation failure.

[0082] In LTE, terminal devices achieve synchronization through primary and secondary synchronization sequences broadcast by the base station. In NR, the concept of a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, commonly abbreviated as SSB) is introduced. Figure 2 As shown, the SSB is formed by receiving the primary synchronization sequence PSS, secondary synchronization sequence SSS, physical broadcast signal PBCH, and demodulation reference signal DMRS within four consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The SSB is mainly used for downlink synchronization, and the DMRS exists on a portion of the subcarriers of the PBCH symbol. Figure 2 (not shown in the image) Figure 2 The horizontal axis represents the time domain, and the vertical axis represents the frequency domain. One SSB occupies 4 OFDM symbols in the time domain and 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain.

[0083] Unlike LTE, the SSB period in NR is configured in System Information Block (SIB) 1, and can be 5 milliseconds (ms), 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms, etc. The SSB period indicates the interval at which the terminal device scans for SSBs. If the SSB period is 20ms, the terminal device performs an SSB scan every 20ms. During initial access, if the terminal device does not receive SIB1, it searches for SSBs according to the default 20ms period. Figure 3 As shown, within each SSB period, there may be a series of SSBs, each corresponding to a beam direction (i.e., a beam lobe). According to the standard, the SSBs within an SSB period will be transmitted within one half-frame. Taking one half-frame as 5ms, the terminal device can perform an SSB scan in each beam direction within a maximum of 5ms, completing one round of SSB scanning. If the SSB period is 20ms, the base station will perform a scan every 20ms, and each scan can be completed within a maximum of 5ms.

[0084] NR supports multiple sub-carrier spaces (SCS), and the standard defines the synchronization signal transmission pattern for each sub-carrier space. The pattern refers to the position of the SSB (Synchronization Signal Broadcasting) on ​​a symbol within a time period, i.e., the time-domain position of the SSB. NR divides the time-domain position of the SSB according to the different sub-carrier spaces. Figure 4 Based on the different subcarrier spacings, the time-domain location of the SSB is divided into five different cases: case A, case B, case C, case D, and case E. The number of potential transmission locations for the SSB varies for different subcarrier spacings, and the potential transmission locations of the SSB also differ. Figure 4 The specification defines the potential transmission locations for various numbers of SSBs under each subcarrier spacing. Figure 4 (The text is divided into squares or diagonal lines). Figure 4The time-domain location of a SSB (Secondary Slot Bus) is the potential transmission location allowed within 5ms in the standard. In actual communication, the base station can occupy only some potential transmission locations to transmit some SSBs, meaning the base station can choose not to transmit SSBs in some potential transmission locations. In case A, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 15kHz, and the number of potential SSB transmission locations (L) is 4 or 8. In case B, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 30kHz, and the number of potential SSB transmission locations (L) is 4. In case C, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 30kHz, and the number of potential SSB transmission locations (L) is 8. In case D, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 120kHz, and the number of potential SSB transmission locations (L) is 64. In case E, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 240kHz, and the number of potential SSB transmission locations (L) is 64. Each grid (the square or diagonal grid) represents a time slot or subframe, and a maximum of two SSBs can be transmitted within each grid's time. Figure 4 The grid division in the diagram is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a limitation on the temporal location of the SSB.

[0085] Carrier aggregation (CA) is one of the effective means to increase the transmission bandwidth of terminal devices and improve user transmission capacity. 5G NR also supports a similar carrier aggregation method to LTE. The process includes: the terminal device, based on the base station's configuration information, measures other cells besides the current cell (the cell the terminal device initially accesses is the primary serving cell / primary cell (PCell) by default) and reports the measurement results to the base station; the base station, based on the measurement results, configures the terminal device to add a secondary cell (SCell); the terminal device establishes a connection with the secondary cell based on a random access procedure; after the terminal device completes the addition of the secondary cell, the network device can schedule the terminal device to transmit data on the secondary cell, thereby realizing carrier addition.

[0086] To synchronize with terminal devices on a new carrier, network devices need to continuously keep and broadcast synchronization signals, resulting in significant overhead and energy consumption. If a terminal device accesses an out-of-band carrier (such as adding cells or carriers in other frequency bands or ranges), it needs to reacquire the target cell and re-synchronize timing and frequency, leading to significant latency. Furthermore, since the beams of inter-band carriers (CCs) are not directly related, when a terminal device transmits data across carriers, it needs to re-scan the beams, resulting in large carrier activation delays.

[0087] like Figure 5As shown, in related technologies, the period of the synchronization signal is at least 20ms (and can even be as long as 160ms). In a typical implementation, the terminal device generally fixes its receiving beam within one cycle (such as one SSB cycle mentioned above). After scanning through multiple cycles, the terminal device can find the optimal receiving beam and the SSB with the best reference signal received power (RSRP). That is, the terminal device can only find the optimal receiving beam and the SSB with the best RSRP after several 20ms intervals. Because the NR standard protocol has an associated mapping relationship between random access resources and SSBs, the terminal device, by selecting a specific random access resource, can implicitly tell the base station which SSB is optimal for it. The base station will then send other types of signals to the terminal device based on the beam that sends the optimal SSB, thereby initiating normal communication.

[0088] In summary, carrier aggregation can only be performed within a defined subset of carrier combinations. When the two carriers involved in carrier aggregation come from different frequency ranges (FRs) defined by the standard protocol, the time-frequency synchronization established by the terminal device on one carrier cannot be directly used for carriers in the other frequency range. Although related technologies support the addition of carriers by the terminal device, the process involves numerous signal interactions and procedures, resulting in significant overall latency and making it impossible to quickly add and activate carriers.

[0089] In view of this, to reduce the overhead and energy consumption during carrier addition and to reduce latency, this application provides a communication method. In this method, the terminal device has already established a connection and can communicate normally on the first carrier. The network device can instruct the terminal device on configuration information for receiving signals on the second carrier. The terminal device only needs to search for signals in one or more specific beam directions specified by the network device, eliminating the need for blind searching. This reduces the latency of beam scanning and resynchronization with the network device. The network device also does not need to continuously activate and broadcast synchronization signals on specific carriers, further reducing overhead and energy consumption, as well as latency during carrier addition, thus enabling rapid carrier addition and activation. Furthermore, with a denser arrangement of synchronization signals, the network device can send multiple short-cycle, dense transmissions of synchronization signals within a measurement cycle. This allows the terminal device to repeatedly receive synchronization signals in short cycles within a measurement cycle in each beam direction, thereby quickly completing timing and frequency synchronization between the terminal device and the network device on other carriers.

[0090] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to, for example... Figure 6The diagram illustrates a carrier aggregation scenario. In this scenario, a terminal device accesses the network on a cell (generally the primary cell), and the network equipment configures the terminal device via signaling to add other carriers (or cells) as additional serving cells (generally called secondary cells). The primary cell and secondary cells can be cells in the same frequency band or cells in different frequency bands.

[0091] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to, for example... Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a multi-frequency cooperative transmission scenario. In this scenario, the terminal device is connected in a low-frequency band (e.g., a carrier frequency center point less than 6 GHz, i.e., FR1). The network device issues a command through the low-frequency band cell to configure the terminal device to add a high-frequency cell (e.g., a carrier frequency center point near 28 GHz, or a frequency near 39 GHz, i.e., FR2) as the serving cell, while maintaining the connection in the low-frequency cell. The high-frequency cell also includes cells in other frequency bands, such as those above 6 GHz, or above 52.6 GHz, or above 71 GHz.

[0092] Because high-frequency electromagnetic waves have shorter wavelengths, their transmission loss in free space is greater than that of low-frequency electromagnetic waves. Therefore, at the same power, the coverage distance of a low-frequency cell may be greater than that of a high-frequency cell. This is understandable. Figure 7 This provides an illustrative coverage scenario, which does not limit the actual coverage situation.

[0093] The communication process provided in this application embodiment can be applied to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the scenario shown, such as Figure 8 As shown, the process includes:

[0094] S801: The network device sends a first message on the first carrier, and the terminal device receives the first message on the first carrier. The first message includes configuration information, which is used by the terminal device to receive signals on the second carrier.

[0095] The network device can be an access network device or a core network device. In this embodiment, the example is mainly an access network device (such as a base station).

[0096] Prior to S801, the terminal device has already established a synchronous connection with the network device on the first carrier and can communicate normally. The first carrier can be a low-frequency carrier or a high-frequency carrier. The terminal device can request to add a second carrier for communication, or the network device can determine that the terminal device will add a second carrier for communication. The second carrier can be a low-frequency carrier or a high-frequency carrier. That is, the second carrier can be a carrier located in the same frequency band as the current first carrier, or a carrier located in a different frequency band than the current first carrier.

[0097] The configuration information is specifically used to configure the terminal device to receive signals on the second carrier. The configuration information includes at least one of the following: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute radio-frequency channel number (ARFCN), or, index of signal block or signal, and starting position of measurement period.

[0098] The measurement period is used to indicate the period during which the terminal device performs one signal scan. The measurement period can also be called the reception period, measurement window, scan window, or (synchronization) signal period. Optionally, the terminal device does not change the parameters of the spatial filter within one measurement period; that is, the terminal device fixes the receiving beam within one measurement period. The measurement period can be a period at the time slot level (e.g., X slots) or a period at the millisecond level (e.g., Yms). The measurement period can be carried in the first message or the configuration information, or it can be predefined by the protocol.

[0099] The number of measurement cycles indicates how many signal scans the terminal device performs, or the number of signal cycles the base station will transmit. The terminal device can determine the measurement result within the specified number of measurement cycles. The number of measurement cycles can also be understood as the maximum number of cycle repetitions. Optionally, the terminal device can report the required number of cycles based on the number of receiving beams needed; that is, the terminal device can report the number of measurement cycles. If the terminal device fixes the receiving beam within a measurement cycle, the number of measurement cycles can also be understood as the number of receiving beams scanned by the terminal device. This avoids scanning all beams; scanning only some beams or some signal arrival directions is sufficient.

[0100] The frequency range, the starting frequency, and the offset value relative to the absolute frequency are used by the terminal device to determine the frequency domain information when receiving the first downlink reference signal. In this way, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain position where the first downlink reference signal needs to be received, and thus receive the first downlink reference signal based on the frequency domain position of the first downlink reference signal. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the information of the receiving beam based on the received first downlink reference signal.

[0101] The index of the signal block or signal is used to indicate the location of the signal block or signal. The index of the signal block or signal can be a set of pre-configured indices, a series of consecutive numbers starting from "0", or a series of consecutive or non-consecutive numbers arranged in ascending order. The terminal device can determine whether the network device sends signals sequentially within a measurement cycle, or only sends the signal indicated by the index of the signal block or signal. Each signal block may include one or more signals. The signal block or signal can be considered as a reference signal used to achieve timing and frequency synchronization between the terminal device and the network device.

[0102] Optionally, the network device may also transmit a first downlink reference signal on the first carrier, and the terminal device may receive the first downlink reference signal on the first carrier. The first downlink reference signal is used by the terminal device to determine the parameters of a spatial filter and / or information about the received beam. For example, the terminal device determines the (received) parameters of the spatial filter and / or the received beam based on the first downlink reference signal. Alternatively, within a measurement period, assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group received within the measurement period satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship, the terminal device determines the parameters of the spatial filter used to receive the signal group within the measurement period. The received parameters of the spatial filter can be used by the terminal device for subsequent signal reception. In this way, the terminal device can scan signals on one or several specific beams, avoiding blind searching on all beams.

[0103] Optionally, prior to S801, the network device may also send a third message, which the terminal device receives. This third message is used by the terminal device to determine the reception parameters of the received signal group on the second carrier. The third message can be understood as beam indication information. The reception parameters include at least one of the following: spatial relation, transmission configuration indicator (TCI), or associated reference signal information. The TCI is used to indicate the QCL relationship between the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group. The QCL relationship is used to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the received beam used by the terminal device to receive the signal group during the measurement period. That is, during one measurement period, the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group satisfy the QCL relationship. The signal block may be an SSB (or SS / PBCH), a tracking reference signal (TRS), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), or a DMRS, etc. The first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group satisfy the QCL relationship, which can be simply understood as the terminal device being able to receive one or more signal blocks in the signal group in the beam direction of receiving the first downlink reference signal.

[0104] S802: In each measurement cycle, the network device transmits a signal group on the second carrier, and the terminal device receives a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle based on the configuration information; each signal group includes one or more signal blocks, and each signal block may include one or more signals, the signal blocks being used for timing and frequency synchronization between the terminal device and the network device on the second carrier.

[0105] In each measurement cycle, the terminal device may use the same spatial filter to receive a group of signals on the second carrier.

[0106] The signal group is a collection of multiple signal blocks. Optionally, the signal block can also be a synchronization signal or a tracking reference signal (TRS). For ease of description, this application embodiment mainly uses SSB as an example. The SSB involved in this application embodiment can also be replaced by TRS or other signals that can be used by the terminal device to achieve timing and frequency synchronization with the network device, and is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0107] Multiple signal blocks within each signal group can be consecutive in the time domain, or there can be one or more symbols between them. Two consecutively received signal groups can be separated by one or more symbols, or they can be consecutive in the time domain. The pattern of consecutive or spaced-symbol signal blocks can be arbitrarily combined with the pattern of consecutive or spaced-symbol signal groups. Thus, the network device can configure a dedicated measurement window for the terminal device to perform continuous short-cycle measurements of signals or signal blocks, enabling the terminal device to scan signals or signal blocks.

[0108] In one possible scenario, multiple signal blocks within each received signal group are sequential in the time domain, and the two received signal groups are sequential in the time domain. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the network device continuously transmits synchronization signals (such as SSB signals) for multiple measurement cycles, with each measurement cycle including four synchronization signals. The terminal device uses a fixed receiving beam within one measurement cycle to measure all SSBs within that cycle. Before the start of the next measurement cycle, it changes the receiving beam and uses the next measurement cycle as the current cycle, continuing to measure all SSBs within the current cycle until the measurement is completed on the receiving beam. If the terminal device has four possible receiving beams, it can find the optimal receiving beam after four measurement cycles.

[0109] For example in Figure 9In the illustrated scenario, the terminal device has four possible receiving beams. During the first measurement cycle, the terminal device uses the first beam to measure the four SSBs within that cycle, completing the measurement for the first measurement cycle. Then, the terminal device switches from the first beam to the second beam and uses the second beam to measure the four SSBs within that cycle during the second measurement cycle, completing the measurement for the second cycle. Next, the terminal device switches from the second beam to the third beam and uses the third beam to measure the four SSBs within that cycle during the third measurement cycle, completing the measurement for the third cycle. Finally, the terminal device switches from the third beam to the fourth beam and uses the fourth beam to measure the four SSBs within that cycle during the fourth measurement cycle. In this way, after completing four measurement cycles, the terminal device can find the optimal receiving beam and / or the SSB with the best RSRP (Receiving RSRP).

[0110] In another possible scenario, multiple signal blocks within each received signal group are contiguous in the time domain, with a symbol interval between two received signal groups. For example... Figure 10 As shown, a guard symbol is spaced between every two signal groups. This takes into account the delay when the terminal device switches the receiving beam and / or receiving antenna panel, reserving one or more symbols (such as OFDM symbols) as a switching gap between the SSBs of two measurement cycles. Optionally, the number of symbols can be predefined. Alternatively, the terminal device can report the switching delay requirement to assist the network device in determining the downlink SSB pattern. For example, the terminal device can report the required number of guard symbols or the required switching time, such as a required switching time of 10 microseconds (μs).

[0111] Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the synchronization signal transmission pattern shown, the synchronization signals are arranged more densely, allowing the network device to send multiple short-cycle, continuous synchronization signals to the terminal device, thereby quickly completing timing and frequency synchronization between the terminal device and the network device on other carriers. Figure 9 and Figure 10 This can be understood as proposing a new signal pattern.

[0112] In another possible scenario, the intervals between multiple signal blocks within each received signal group are symbol-spaced, and the intervals between two received signal groups are symbol-spaced. For example... Figure 11As shown, the network device can reuse the time-domain transmission position of the SSB defined in the standard to transmit synchronization signals, that is, periodically transmit synchronization signals at the pattern positions defined in the standard. This is equivalent to defining a new measurement window and measurement behavior for the terminal device based on the signal pattern defined in the standard. In this case, considering the time delay when switching the receiving beam and / or receiving antenna panel between different signal blocks within a measurement cycle, setting an interval symbol / guard symbol between two signal blocks allows the terminal device to receive signals more completely and accurately.

[0113] At this time, the network device can also indicate to the terminal device the number of consecutive synchronization signals being measured, the period of the measurement window, and the offset. The period of the measurement window can be characterized by the number of symbols or time slots, or the number of synchronization signals or groups of synchronization signals. Figure 11 In the synchronization signal transmission pattern shown, the network device can repeatedly transmit synchronization signals in a short period within a synchronization signal cycle, thereby quickly completing the timing and frequency synchronization between the terminal device and the network device on other carriers.

[0114] In one possible implementation, embodiments of this application also provide a simplified synchronization signal for rapid synchronization and beam alignment between terminal devices and network devices. Each signal group may not include the PBCH signal; different signals can be distinguished using, for example, signal time indexing, or by the time-domain OFDM symbols occupied by different signals. The simplified synchronization signal provided in embodiments of this application includes the synchronization signal shown in the following improved structure 1, improved structure 2, and improved structure 3. In improved structure 1, the synchronization signal does not include the PBCH but includes the PSS and SSS; in improved structure 2, the synchronization signal does not include the PBCH but includes the PSS and SSS, with the PSS and SSS placed consecutively in the time domain; and in improved structure 3, the synchronization signal does not include the PBCH and SSS but includes the PSS.

[0115] like Figure 12As shown, the SS / PBCH structure in related technologies includes PSS, SSS, and PBCH. In improved structure 1, the PBCH is removed from the synchronization signal, retaining only PSS and SSS, thus saving the overhead of PBCH. In improved structure 2, based on improved structure 1, the retained PSS and SSS are placed consecutively in the time domain, so that the synchronization signal occupies only 2 OFDM symbols instead of 4, reducing the beam scanning delay of the network device and the terminal device. In improved structure 3, the PBCH and SSS are removed from the synchronization signal, retaining only PSS for timing and frequency offset estimation, so that the synchronization signal occupies only one OFDM symbol in time, further reducing overhead.

[0116] In related technologies, the PBCH contains indexes of signal blocks or signals (such as SSB indexes), and the terminal device can obtain the indexes of signal blocks or signals by detecting the PBCH. However, in the improved structure, the PBCH is removed, and the terminal device can no longer determine the index of the currently received signal block or signal through the PBCH. Therefore, in this implementation, as... Figure 13 As shown, taking the improved structure 3 as an example, the terminal device can determine the starting position of the measurement period within a time slot based on the configuration of the measurement period (e.g., the starting position of the measurement period is the Xth symbol, where X is any integer from 0 to 13). Then, the terminal device determines which signal in the current measurement period the currently received synchronization signal belongs to based on the number of synchronization signals included in the measurement period. For example, in... Figure 13 In this measurement cycle, the starting position is the 0th symbol and the ending position is the 13th symbol. Assuming a measurement cycle includes two synchronization signals, each occupying four symbols in the time domain, if the terminal device receives a signal block or signal PSS with a time index of 5, it can be determined that the received PSS belongs to the first synchronization signal. Alternatively, if the terminal device receives a signal block or signal PSS at the 5th symbol in the time domain, it can be determined that the PSS received at the 5th symbol belongs to the first synchronization signal. The terminal device can indicate the synchronization signal or beam information to the network device in the manner shown in S801. For example, the terminal device can feed back the index within the measurement window of a measurement cycle (e.g., in...) to the network device. Figure 13 In this process, the feedback of the first synchronization signal PSS is achieved through feedback index 5, or the terminal device can feedback the symbol index of the signal in the time slot or time domain (e.g., in...). Figure 13The terminal device uses a feedback symbol index 5 to provide feedback on the first synchronization signal (PSS) corresponding to the fifth symbol, thereby indicating to the network device the index of one or more synchronization signals for optimal RSRP reception. For example, the index numbers can be sequentially arranged starting from 0 within a cycle. Regardless of whether a PBCH provides a frame number, the terminal device can provide feedback on the signal index to the network device either through signal time indexing or through the time-domain OFDM symbols occupied by different signals.

[0117] In this implementation, the transmission overhead on the network device side can be further reduced by changing the design of the synchronization signal. Furthermore, since the number of symbols occupied by a synchronization signal is reduced, the active carrier can be added quickly. The terminal device can also introduce a new symbol indexing method within a measurement period to indicate the synchronization signal or beam signal to the network device.

[0118] S803: The terminal device reports a second message to the network device, and the network device receives the second message, which includes the measurement result of the downlink signal transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

[0119] The second message includes measurement results, which the terminal device can report explicitly or implicitly.

[0120] If the terminal device explicitly reports the measurement result, the second message may include an index of the downlink signal transmitted by the network device on the second carrier. This index indicates a signal (such as the SSB with optimal RSRP). Based on the index, the network device can determine the optimal receiving beam and the optimal SSB for receiving the downlink signal when the terminal device receives the signal, and then communicate with the terminal device using the transmitting beam corresponding to the signal indicated by the index. In this embodiment, the transmitting beam can also be understood as the parameters of a spatial filter when transmitting a reference signal.

[0121] If the terminal device implicitly reports the measurement result, it can send the second message to the network device on the second carrier using pre-configured or pre-acquired uplink resources (such as random access resources, including non-contentionable random access resources). There is an associated mapping relationship between the uplink resources and the synchronization signal index. By receiving the second message at a specific resource location, the network device can determine the synchronization signal index corresponding to that specific resource location, thereby determining the optimal receive beam and the optimal SSB for receiving RSRP when the terminal device receives the downlink signal. Then, it uses the transmit beam corresponding to the index for normal communication. The associated mapping relationship between the uplink resources and the synchronization signal index can be predefined or configured by the network device.

[0122] The optimal receiving beam refers to the receiving beam used by the terminal device when receiving downlink signals on the second carrier during subsequent service communication.

[0123] The method provided in this application allows the terminal device to complete frequency synchronization and beam alignment with the network device in a short time. The network device does not need to periodically broadcast synchronization signals; it only sends signals to a portion of the beams scanned by the terminal device. This short-cycle scanning reduces the terminal device's power consumption and air interface resource overhead, thus enabling rapid addition of active carriers. Alternatively, the terminal device does not need to receive synchronization signals broadcast by the network device; it only needs to receive signals transmitted through a portion of the beams to achieve short-cycle scanning, further reducing the power consumption and resource overhead of the access carrier.

[0124] It is understood that the various embodiments provided in this application can be used individually or in combination.

[0125] like Figure 14 The diagram shown illustrates a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in this application. The communication device 1400 can exist in software or hardware form. The communication device 1400 may include a processing unit 1402 and a transceiver unit 1403. As one implementation, the transceiver unit 1403 may include a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing unit 1402 is used to control and manage the operation of the communication device 1400. The transceiver unit 1403 is used to support communication between the communication device 1400 and other network entities. The communication device 1400 may also include a storage unit 1401 for storing the program code and data of the communication device 1400.

[0126] The processing unit 1402 may be a processor or controller, such as a CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc. The storage unit 1401 may be a memory. The transceiver unit 1403 is an interface circuit of the device for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the transceiver unit 1403 is an interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or devices, or an interface circuit of the chip for sending signals to other chips or devices.

[0127] The communication device 1400 can be a terminal device and / or network device as described in any of the above embodiments, or it can be a chip used in a terminal device and / or network device. For example, when the communication device 1400 is a terminal device and / or network device, the processing unit 1402 can be a processor, and the transceiver unit 1403 can be a transceiver. Optionally, the transceiver can include radio frequency circuitry, and the storage unit can be a memory, for example. For example, when the communication device 1400 is a chip used in a terminal device and / or network device, the processing unit 1402 can be a processor, and the transceiver unit 1403 can be an input / output interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The processing unit 1402 can execute computer execution instructions stored in the storage unit. Optionally, the storage unit can be a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. The storage unit can also be a storage unit located outside the chip within the terminal device and / or network device, such as a ROM or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, such as RAM.

[0128] In the first embodiment, the device 1400 can be applied to a terminal device. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1403 is configured to receive a first message on a first carrier, the first message including configuration information, the configuration information being used by the terminal device to receive signals on a second carrier; the processing unit 1402 is configured to determine the configuration information; the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to, based on the configuration information, receive a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle; each signal group includes multiple signal blocks, the signal blocks being used by the terminal device to synchronize timing and frequency with the network device on the second carrier.

[0129] In one implementation, when the transceiver unit 1403 receives a signal group on the second carrier, it can specifically be used to receive the signal of a signal group on the second carrier using the same spatial filter.

[0130] In one implementation, the terminal device may not change the parameters of the spatial filter within a measurement cycle;

[0131] Alternatively, the terminal device receives a first downlink reference signal within a measurement period, and determines the receiving parameters of the spatial filter based on the assumption that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group satisfy a QCL relationship, wherein the first downlink reference signal is a downlink reference signal on the first carrier. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to allow the terminal device to receive the first downlink reference signal on the first carrier; the processing unit 1402 is further configured to determine the parameters of the spatial filter used to receive the signal group within the measurement period, based on the assumption that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group received within the measurement period satisfy a QCL relationship.

[0132] In one implementation, each signal group comprises multiple signal blocks that are consecutive in the time domain; and / or two consecutively received signal groups are separated by a symbol.

[0133] In one implementation, the signal block may include PSS and SSS; or the signal block may include any one of the following signals: PSS, SSS, CSI-RS, TRS.

[0134] In one implementation, the first message includes one or more of the following information: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute frequency, or, index of a signal block or signal.

[0135] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to report a second message to the network device after receiving a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement period based on the configuration information. The second message includes the measurement results of the downlink signal transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

[0136] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to receive a third message before receiving a first message on the first carrier. The third message is used by the terminal device to determine the reception parameters of the received signal group on the second carrier. The reception parameters include at least one of the following: spatial domain relationship, TCI, and associated reference signal information.

[0137] The TCI is used to indicate the QCL relationship between the first downlink reference signal and one or more signals in the signal group, the QCL relationship being used to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the receive beam for receiving the signal group during the measurement period.

[0138] In another embodiment, the device 1400 can be applied to a network device. Specifically, the processing unit 1402 is configured to determine a first message, the first message including configuration information, the configuration information being used by the terminal device to receive signals on a second carrier; the transceiver unit 1403 is configured to transmit the first message on the first carrier; and in each measurement cycle, to transmit a signal group on the second carrier, each signal group including multiple signal blocks, the signal blocks being used by the terminal device to synchronize timing and frequency with the network device on the second carrier.

[0139] In one implementation, when the transceiver module 1403 transmits a signal group on the second carrier, it is specifically used to transmit a signal group of signals on the second carrier using the same spatial filter.

[0140] In one implementation, the network device may not change the parameters of the spatial filter within a measurement period; or the network device may assume, within a measurement period, that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group satisfy a QCL relationship, where the first downlink reference signal is the downlink reference signal on the first carrier. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to transmit the first downlink reference signal on the first carrier; the processing unit 1402 is further configured to, within a measurement period, determine the parameters of the spatial filter used for transmitting the signal group within the measurement period, assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group transmitted within the measurement period satisfy a QCL relationship.

[0141] In one implementation, each signal group may consist of multiple signal blocks that are consecutive in the time domain; and / or two consecutively received signal groups may be separated by a symbol.

[0142] In one implementation, the signal block may include PSS and SSS; or the signal block may include any one of the following signals: PSS, SSS, CSI-RS, TRS.

[0143] In one implementation, the first message includes one or more of the following information: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute frequency, or, index of a signal block or signal.

[0144] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to receive a second message after transmitting a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle, the second message including the measurement result of the downlink signal transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

[0145] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1403 is further configured to send a third message before sending the first message on the first carrier, the third message being used by the terminal device to determine the reception parameters of the received signal group on the second carrier, the reception parameters including at least one of the following: spatial domain relationship, TCI, associated reference signal information;

[0146] The TCI is used to indicate the QCL relationship between the first downlink reference signal and one or more signals in the signal group, the QCL relationship being used by the terminal device to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the receive beam for receiving the signal group during the measurement period.

[0147] It is understood that the specific implementation process and corresponding beneficial effects of the communication device when used in the above communication method can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0148] like Figure 15 The diagram shown is a schematic of a communication device provided in this application. The communication device can be the aforementioned terminal equipment. The communication device 1500 includes a processor 1501, a memory 1502, and a transceiver 1503. The transceiver 1503 includes a transmitter 1531, a receiver 1532, and an antenna 1533.

[0149] like Figure 16 The diagram shown is a schematic of a communication device provided in the application. This communication device can be the aforementioned network equipment. The communication device 1600 includes a processor 1601, a memory 1602, and a transceiver 1603. The transceiver 1603 includes a transmitter 1631, a receiver 1632, and an antenna 1633.

[0150] Receiver 1532 can be used to receive transmission control information sent by communication device 1600 via antenna 1533, and transmitter 1531 can be used to send transmission feedback information to communication device 1600 via antenna 1533. Transmitter 1631 can be used to send transmission control information to communication device 1500 via antenna 1633, and receiver 1632 can be used to receive transmission feedback information sent by communication device 1500 via antenna 1633.

[0151] Processor 1501 and processor 1601 may be a CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program in this application.

[0152] Transceiver 1503 and transceiver 1603 are used to communicate with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, wireless local area networks (WLAN), wired access networks, etc.

[0153] Memory 1501 and Memory 1601 may be ROM or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via communication lines. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0154] Memory 1501 and memory 1601 are used to store computer execution instructions for executing the scheme of this application, and are respectively controlled by processor 1501 and processor 1601 for execution. Processor 1501 and processor 1601 are respectively used to execute the computer execution instructions stored in memory 1501 and memory 1601, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the above embodiments of this application.

[0155] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0156] This application also provides a computer storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to perform the aforementioned communication method.

[0157] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, enable the computer to execute the communication method described above.

[0158] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device. The network device and the terminal device can execute the communication method provided above.

[0159] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical designations, such as "first," "second," etc., used in this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, nor do they indicate a sequential order. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one" refers to one or more. "At least two" refers to two or more. "At least one," "any one," or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. "Multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar. Furthermore, for elements appearing in the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise, they do not imply "one or only one," but rather "one or more." For example, "a device" implies one or more such devices.

[0160] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0161] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0162] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be housed in an ASIC.

[0163] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0164] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The terminal device receives a first message on a first carrier, the first message including configuration information, the configuration information being used by the terminal device to receive signals on a second carrier; Based on the configuration information, the terminal device receives a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle; each signal group includes multiple signal blocks, and the multiple signal blocks included in each signal group are continuous in the time domain. The signal blocks are used for the terminal device to synchronize timing and frequency with the network device on the second carrier. The signal block includes a primary synchronization signal PSS and a secondary synchronization signal SSS; or The signal block includes any one of the following signals: PSS, SSS, Channel State Information-Reference Signal CSI-RS, Tracking Reference Signal TRS; The index of the signal block is determined based on the time index of the signal block or the time-domain orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol it occupies.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device receives a signal group on the second carrier, including: The terminal device uses the same spatial filter to receive a signal group on the second carrier.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The terminal device receives a first downlink reference signal on the first carrier. Within a measurement period, the terminal device determines the parameters of the spatial filter used to receive the signal group within the measurement period, assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group received within the measurement period satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Two consecutively received signal groups are separated by one symbol.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first message also includes one or more of the following information: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute frequency, and index of the signal block.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Based on the configuration information, after receiving a signal group on the second carrier in each measurement cycle, the terminal device further includes: The terminal device reports a second message to the network device, the second message including the measurement results of the downlink signal transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

7. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Before the terminal device receives the first message on the first carrier, it further includes: The terminal device receives a third message, which is used by the terminal device to determine reception parameters of the received signal group on the second carrier. The reception parameters include at least one of the following: Spatial domain relationships, Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI), and associated reference signal information; The TCI is used to indicate the QCL relationship between the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group, the QCL relationship being used to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the receive beam of the terminal device for receiving the signal group during the measurement period.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The network device sends a first message on a first carrier, the first message including configuration information, the configuration information being used by the terminal device to receive signals on a second carrier; In each measurement cycle, the network device transmits a signal group on the second carrier. Each signal group includes multiple signal blocks, and the multiple signal blocks included in each signal group are continuous in the time domain. The signal blocks are used for the terminal device to synchronize timing and frequency with the network device on the second carrier. The signal block includes a primary synchronization signal PSS and a secondary synchronization signal SSS; or The signal block includes any one of the following signals: PSS, SSS, Channel State Information-Reference Signal CSI-RS, Tracking Reference Signal TRS; The index of the signal block is determined based on the time index of the signal block or the time-domain orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol it occupies.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The network device transmits a group of signals on the second carrier, including: The network device uses the same spatial filter to transmit a group of signals on the second carrier.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: The network device transmits a first downlink reference signal on the first carrier; Within a measurement period, the network device determines the parameters of the spatial filter used to transmit the signal group within the measurement period, assuming that the first downlink reference signal and one or more signal blocks in the signal group transmitted within the measurement period satisfy a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, Two consecutively received signal groups are separated by one symbol.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, The first message also includes one or more of the following information: measurement period, number of measurement periods, frequency range, starting frequency, offset value relative to the absolute frequency, and index of the signal block.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, After transmitting a group of signals on the second carrier in each measurement cycle, the network device further includes: The network device receives a second message, which includes the measurement results of the downlink signal transmitted by the network device on the second carrier.

14. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Before the network device transmits the first message on the first carrier, it further includes: The network device sends a third message, which is used by the terminal device to determine reception parameters of the received signal group on the second carrier. The reception parameters include at least one of the following: Spatial domain relationships, Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI), and associated reference signal information; The TCI is used to indicate the QCL relationship between the first downlink reference signal and one or more signals in the signal group, the QCL relationship being used to determine the parameters of the spatial filter and / or the receive beam of the terminal device for receiving the signal group during the measurement period.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a processor, a transceiver, and a memory; The transceiver is used to send and receive messages; The memory is used to store computer program instructions; The processor is configured to execute some or all of the computer program instructions in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-14, via the transceiver.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-14.

17. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a terminal device that performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, and a network device that performs the method as described in any one of claims 8-14.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8-14.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-14.

20. A chip system, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8-14.

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