A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device for a terminal device with a maximum processing bandwidth smaller than the frequency domain width occupied by a broadcast channel to acquire the broadcast channel. In the method, the terminal device receives a first SSB part of a first SSB on a first resource. The first resource is a part of the resource used by the first SSB. The first information in the SSB burst window where the first SSB is located is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB part. The resource occupied by the first information and the first resource have the following relationship: different time domain resource positions; the same frequency domain resource position or the same frequency domain resource center. The frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The frequency range occupied by the first SSB is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. Through the method, the terminal device with a maximum processing bandwidth smaller than the bandwidth of the broadcast channel can acquire the physical broadcast channel, the synchronization signal, the master information block, and the like.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] After powering on, terminal devices obtain downlink time-frequency synchronization by receiving a synchronization signal block (SS / PBCH block, SSB). Currently, the SSB occupies 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain, which is equivalent to the transmission bandwidth of 20 resource blocks (RBs). For example, for a subcarrier spacing of 30kHz, the frequency bandwidth occupied by the SSB is 7.2MHz. Therefore, in order to successfully receive the SSB in one go, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device needs to be greater than or equal to the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the SSB. For terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the SSB, such as bandwidth-limited terminal devices, the current SSB configuration may cause a series of problems due to the smaller bandwidth. For example, because the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is relatively small, the terminal device cannot receive the SSB completely. Therefore, how to obtain the broadcast channel for terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the maximum frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the SSB is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain broadcast channels, etc.

[0004] In this embodiment, "processing bandwidth" can also be referred to as transmission bandwidth, channel bandwidth, frequency domain range, frequency domain bandwidth, number of resource blocks, etc. Therefore, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device can be understood as the maximum transmission bandwidth of the terminal device, or the maximum supported transmission bandwidth, or the maximum channel bandwidth, or the maximum frequency domain range, or the maximum frequency domain bandwidth, or the maximum number of resource blocks, or the maximum number of resource elements, or the maximum number of subcarriers, etc. For example, a maximum processing bandwidth of 5MHz for the terminal device can also be understood as a maximum processing bandwidth of 11 RBs or 12 RBs, or as a maximum processing bandwidth of 121 subcarriers or 144 subcarriers.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a terminal device. The execution entity of this method can be a terminal device, a chip, or a circuit. The method includes: the terminal device receiving a first SSB portion on a first resource, and acquiring one or more of a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block based on the first SSB portion. The first resource is a portion of the resources used by the first SSB. The first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion; the first SSB is an SSB within an SSB burst window; the first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion; the time-domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is different from the time-domain resource location of the first resource; the frequency-domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency-domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource; the frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB portion transmission is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0006] The method provided in this application embodiment enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain physical broadcast channels, synchronization signals, master information blocks, etc. through the first SSB part. This allows the terminal device to perform cell search, time-frequency synchronization, etc., based on the synchronization signals, master information blocks, etc., and also to perform radio resource management (RRM), measure beam selection, obtain bandwidth part (BWP) information, obtain neighbor cell information, and complete initial random access, etc., based on the physical broadcast channel.

[0007] Furthermore, this method includes first information in the SSB burst window, allowing the terminal device to obtain unreceived information (i.e., the second SSB portion) from the SSB (or PBCH) based on the first information. This enables the terminal device to determine the SSB based on the received first SSB portion and the first information, facilitating successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. Moreover, both the first SSB portion and the first information are mapped within the terminal device's capabilities, eliminating the need for frequency hopping to receive SSB resources exceeding its capacity. This reduces latency, power consumption, and performance losses associated with frequency hopping.

[0008] Furthermore, the format of the SSB is not changed in this embodiment, thereby enabling terminal devices with different maximum processing bandwidths to share the SSB.

[0009] In one possible design, the terminal device can obtain one or more of the following based on the first SSB portion and the first information: physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block.

[0010] In one possible design, the terminal device can determine the first SSB based on the first SSB portion and the first information, and perform cell search and time-frequency synchronization based on the first SSB. In this design, the terminal device can obtain information not previously acquired in the first SSB through the first information, thereby determining the first SSB based on the received portion (i.e., the first SSB portion) and the first information, which helps the terminal device to successfully demodulate and decode the SSB.

[0011] In one possible design, the terminal device obtains one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block only based on the first SSB portion within the SSB burst window.

[0012] In one possible design, the first information and the second SSB portion contain the same information, including: the first information and the second SSB portion contain some or all of the same information.

[0013] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to two time-domain units.

[0014] In one possible design, the first SSB portion includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH) portion, and a second PBCH portion. The second SSB portion includes a third PBCH portion and a fourth PBCH portion. The first information includes a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information and the third PBCH portion contain the same information, and the second sub-information and the fourth PBCH portion contain the same information.

[0015] Specifically, PSS corresponds to the first time-domain unit, the first PBCH portion corresponds to the second time-domain unit, SSS corresponds to the third time-domain unit, the second PBCH portion corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit, the first sub-information corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit, and the second sub-information corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit. The third and fourth PBCH portions correspond to the second, third, and fourth time-domain units, respectively.

[0016] The above design transmits first information in the fifth and sixth time domain units, enabling terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain information of the first SSB by acquiring information occupying the first to sixth time domain units, or to acquire one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and main information block.

[0017] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of the third PBCH section and the frequency domain resources of the PSS do not overlap; and / or, the frequency domain resources of the fourth PBCH section and the frequency domain resources of the PSS do not overlap.

[0018] In one possible design, the first to fourth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain symbols, while the fifth and sixth time-domain units are either consecutive or discontinuous time-domain symbols. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0019] In one possible design, the first to sixth time-domain units belong to the same time slot, or they belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0020] In one possible design, the positions of the first to fourth time-domain units are predefined; the method further includes: the terminal device acquiring indication information, which is used to determine the positions of the fifth and sixth time-domain units. Through this method, the terminal device can determine the time-domain position for receiving the first information, which helps the terminal device acquire information about the first SSB.

[0021] In one possible design, the indication information is also used to determine the positions of the seventh and eighth time-domain units corresponding to the second information; the second information and the fourth SSB part include the same information, the third SSB part and the fourth SSB part are used to determine the second SSB, the time-domain resources corresponding to the second information and the second SSB are different, the time-domain resources mapped by the second SSB are located after the time-domain resources mapped by the first SSB, and the time-domain resources corresponding to the second SSB are predefined.

[0022] In one possible design, the indication information is specifically used to determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0023] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB.

[0024] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0025] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0026] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0027] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0028] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time-domain resources corresponding to the second SSB, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB.

[0029] The flexible deployment of the time-domain location of the first information through the above design helps adapt to terminal devices with different performance requirements or capabilities. For terminal devices with low performance requirements, only a portion of the PBCH information may be needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first and second SSBs, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB. In this case, the terminal device may only need to use the information of the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information when acquiring the first SSB. Placing the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information before the first SSB helps the terminal device quickly obtain the PBCH information, thereby quickly acquiring the SSB (or acquiring the PBCH) and completing time-frequency synchronization, etc. For terminal devices with high performance requirements, the entire PBCH of the first SSB is needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine other deployment schemes for the time-domain location of the first information. Through the method provided in the embodiments of this application, different terminal devices can negotiate the deployment location of the time domain unit of the first information with the network device according to their own capabilities, thereby adapting to their own performance requirements.

[0030] In one possible design, the instruction information is predefined, or the instruction information comes from the network device.

[0031] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to three time-domain units.

[0032] In one possible design, the first SSB part includes PSS, SSS, the first PBCH part and the second PBCH part, the second SSB part includes the fifth PBCH part, the sixth PBCH part and the seventh PBCH part; the first information includes the third sub-information, the fourth sub-information and the fifth sub-information, wherein the third sub-information is the same as the fifth PBCH part, the fourth sub-information is the same as the sixth PBCH part, and the fifth sub-information is the same as the seventh PBCH part.

[0033] Wherein, PSS corresponds to the first time domain unit, the first PBCH part corresponds to the second time domain unit, SSS corresponds to the third time domain unit, the second PBCH part corresponds to the fourth time domain unit, the third sub-information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, the fourth sub-information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit, and the fifth sub-information is mapped to the ninth time domain unit.

[0034] The fifth, sixth, and seventh PBCH sections correspond to the second, third, and fourth time domain units, respectively.

[0035] The above design transmits first information in the fifth, sixth, and ninth time domain units, so that terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel can obtain the first SSB by acquiring information occupying the first to sixth time domain units and the ninth time domain units, or obtain one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and main information block.

[0036] In one possible design, the first information is obtained by mapping the second SSB part according to a first order, which is: first according to the frequency index in ascending order, and then according to the time index in ascending order.

[0037] The above design allows for the use of existing resource mapping rules, making the design simpler, while also ensuring compatibility with existing SSB resource mapping rules to a certain extent.

[0038] In one possible design, the first information is obtained by randomly mapping the information of the second SSB part in the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0039] In one possible design, the first information is obtained as follows: Information corresponding to the same time-domain units in the second SSB portion is sorted according to a first order to obtain the sorted information for each time-domain unit. The first order is either an ascending order of carrier indices or a descending order of carrier indices. The sorted information for each time-domain unit is then sorted according to a second order to obtain the first information. The second order is either an ascending order of time-domain unit indices or a descending order of time-domain unit indices.

[0040] In one possible design, the first information is obtained as follows: the information corresponding to the first carrier index range and the information corresponding to the second carrier index range in the second SSB part are sorted according to a third order to obtain the sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range and the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range. The third order is either the order of time-domain cell indices from smallest to largest, or the order of time-domain cell indices from largest to smallest.

[0041] The sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range and the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range are sorted according to the fourth order to obtain the first information. The fourth order is that the sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range comes first and the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range comes last, or the fourth order is that the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range comes first and the sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range comes last.

[0042] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to the fifth and sixth time-domain units, specifically including:

[0043] The first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0044] Alternatively, the first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit. In this case, the information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0045] Alternatively, the first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0046] Through the above design, information with the same frequency range or the same subcarrier index can be mapped onto the same time domain unit, which helps the terminal device to demodulate and decode the first information. At the same time, it also helps the terminal device to quickly recover the information included in the first SSB by combining the first SSB part and the first information.

[0047] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit, the sixth time-domain unit, and the ninth time-domain unit. Specifically, the first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit and the sixth time-domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit and the ninth time-domain unit. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0048] Through the above design, information with the same frequency range or the same subcarrier index can be mapped onto the same time domain unit, which helps the terminal device to demodulate and decode the first information. At the same time, it also helps the terminal device to quickly recover the information included in the first SSB by combining the first SSB part and the first information.

[0049] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of any of the PBCH sections in the fifth, sixth, and seventh PBCH sections do not overlap with the frequency domain resources of the first PSS.

[0050] In one possible design, the first to fourth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain symbols, while the fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units are either consecutive or discontinuous time-domain symbols. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0051] In one possible design, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units belong to the same time slot. Alternatively, they may belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0052] In one possible design, the period of the first information is greater than or equal to the period of the first SSB. This design can improve the flexibility of the first information.

[0053] In one possible design, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs or 12 RBs.

[0054] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to terminal devices. The method can be executed by the terminal device, a chip, or a circuit. The method includes: the terminal device receiving a first SSB, and acquiring one or more of a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block based on the first SSB. The frequency range of the first SSB is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0055] Since the current SSB frequency range is 20 RBs (as in the first SSB method described in the first aspect), and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is less than 20 RBs, the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the SSB when receiving it. In the second aspect of this application, the SSB frequency range is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. This allows terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to acquire one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signals, and master information blocks. This facilitates cell search, time-frequency synchronization, RRM, measurement beam selection, acquisition of BWP information, acquisition of neighbor cell information, and completion of initial random access. It also facilitates successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. Furthermore, the second SSB is mapped within the terminal device's capability range, eliminating the need for the terminal device to perform frequency hopping to receive SSB resources exceeding its own capability range, thereby reducing the latency, power consumption, and performance loss caused by frequency hopping. Additionally, the frequency range of the SSB transmitted by the network device is within the terminal device's capability range, avoiding or reducing additional resource consumption by the network device.

[0056] In one possible design, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 resource blocks (RBs) or 12 RBs.

[0057] In one possible design, the first SSB corresponds to 6 time-domain units.

[0058] In one possible design, the first SSB includes a PSS, an SSS, a first PBCH section, a second PBCH section, a third PBCH section, and a fourth PBCH section; the PSS corresponds to the first time-domain unit, the first PBCH section corresponds to the second time-domain unit, the SSS corresponds to the third time-domain unit, the second PBCH section corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit, the third PBCH section corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit, and the fourth PBCH section corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit.

[0059] The above design enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to acquire the SSB (or acquire the PBCH) by sending the first SSB in six time-domain units, which helps the terminal device to successfully demodulate and decode the SSB.

[0060] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of each PBCH section in the first, second, third, and fourth PBCH sections all overlap with the frequency domain resources of the PSS, either fully or partially.

[0061] In one possible design, the first to sixth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain units; alternatively, the first to sixth time-domain units are discontinuous time-domain units. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0062] In one possible design, the first to sixth time-domain units belong to the same time slot; alternatively, the first to sixth time-domain units belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0063] In one possible design, the positions of the first to fourth time-domain units are predefined; the method further includes: the terminal device acquiring indication information, which is used to determine the positions of the fifth and sixth time-domain units. Through this method, the terminal device can determine the time-domain positions of the fifth and sixth time-domain units, which helps the terminal device acquire information about the first SSB.

[0064] In one possible design, the indication information is also used to determine the positions of the seventh and eighth time domain units corresponding to the second SSB; the seventh and eighth time domain units are two of the six time domain units corresponding to the second SSB, the frequency range of the second SSB is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device, and the four time domain units other than the seventh and eighth time domain units of the six symbols corresponding to the second SSB are located after the first to fourth time domain units, and the positions of the four time domain units are predefined.

[0065] In one possible design, the indication information is specifically used to determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB section;

[0066] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that the fifth time domain unit, the sixth time domain unit, the seventh time domain unit, and the eighth time domain unit are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section;

[0067] Alternatively, the indication information is specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB section;

[0068] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that the fifth time domain unit, the sixth time domain unit, the seventh time domain unit, and the eighth time domain unit are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB part and the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB part;

[0069] Alternatively, the instruction information is specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section and the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB section;

[0070] Alternatively, the indication information is specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB part and the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB part, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB part;

[0071] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB section, the sixth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB section, the seventh time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the third SSB section, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the third SSB section.

[0072] The flexible deployment of the time-domain location of the first information through the above design helps adapt to terminal devices with different performance requirements or capabilities. For terminal devices with low performance requirements, only a portion of the PBCH information may be needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first and second SSBs, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB. In this case, the terminal device may only need to use the information of the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information when acquiring the first SSB. Placing the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information before the first SSB helps the terminal device quickly obtain the PBCH information, thereby quickly acquiring the SSB (or acquiring the PBCH) and completing time-frequency synchronization, etc. For terminal devices with high performance requirements, the entire PBCH of the first SSB is needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine other deployment schemes for the time-domain location of the first information. Through the method provided in the embodiments of this application, different terminal devices can negotiate the deployment location of the time domain unit of the first information with the network device according to their own capabilities, thereby adapting to their own performance requirements.

[0073] In one possible design, the instruction information is predefined, or the instruction information comes from the network device.

[0074] In one possible design, the first SSB corresponds to 7 time-domain units.

[0075] In one possible design, the first SSB includes a PSS, an SSS, a first PBCH section, a second PBCH section, a third PBCH section, a fourth PBCH section, and a fifth PBCH section; the PSS corresponds to the first time-domain unit, the first PBCH section corresponds to the second time-domain unit, the SSS corresponds to the third time-domain unit, the second PBCH section corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit, the third PBCH section corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit, the fourth PBCH section corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit, and the fifth PBCH section corresponds to the ninth time-domain unit.

[0076] The above design enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to acquire the SSB (or acquire the PBCH) by sending the first SSB in seven time-domain units, which helps the terminal device to successfully demodulate and decode the SSB.

[0077] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of each PBCH section from the first to the fifth PBCH section all overlap with the frequency domain resources of the PSS, either fully or partially.

[0078] In one possible design, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain symbols; alternatively, they are non-consecutive time-domain symbols. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0079] In one possible design, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units belong to the same time slot; or, they belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0080] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applicable to network devices. The execution entity of this method can be a network device, a chip, or a circuit. The method includes: the network device transmitting a first SSB. The first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion. The first SSB portion is transmitted on a first resource, where the first resource is a portion of the resource used by the first SSB. The first SSB is an SSB within an SSB burst window. The first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion. The time-domain resource location of the resource used for transmitting the first information is different from the time-domain resource location of the first resource. The frequency-domain resource location of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource. The frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB portion is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0081] The method provided in this application embodiment enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain physical broadcast channels, synchronization signals, master information blocks, etc. through the first SSB part. This allows the terminal devices to perform cell search, time-frequency synchronization, etc., based on synchronization signals, master information blocks, etc., and also to perform RRM, measurement beam selection, obtain BWP information, obtain neighbor cell information, and complete initial random access, etc., based on the physical broadcast channel.

[0082] Furthermore, this method includes first information in the SSB burst window, allowing the terminal device to obtain unreceived information (i.e., the second SSB portion) from the SSB (or PBCH) based on the first information. This enables the terminal device to determine the SSB based on the received first SSB portion and the first information, facilitating successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. Moreover, both the first SSB portion and the first information are mapped within the terminal device's capabilities, eliminating the need for frequency hopping to receive SSB resources exceeding its capacity, thus reducing latency, power consumption, and performance losses associated with frequency hopping. Furthermore, this embodiment does not alter the SSB format, enabling terminal devices with different maximum processing bandwidths to share the SSB.

[0083] In one possible design, the first information and the second SSB portion contain the same information, including: the first information and the second SSB portion contain some or all of the same information.

[0084] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to two time-domain units.

[0085] In one possible design, the first SSB part includes PSS, SSS, the first PBCH part and the second PBCH part, the second SSB part includes the third PBCH part and the fourth PBCH part, and the first information includes the first sub-information and the second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information and the third PBCH part include the same information, and the second sub-information and the fourth PBCH part include the same information.

[0086] Wherein, PSS corresponds to the first time domain unit, the first PBCH part corresponds to the second time domain unit, SSS corresponds to the third time domain unit, the second PBCH part corresponds to the fourth time domain unit, the first sub-information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, and the second sub-information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit.

[0087] The third and fourth PBCH sections correspond to the second, third, and fourth time-domain units, respectively.

[0088] The above design transmits first information in the fifth and sixth time domain units, enabling terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain information about the first SSB, or to obtain one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and main information block, by acquiring information occupying the first to sixth time domain units. In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of the third PBCH portion and the frequency domain resources of the PSS do not overlap; and / or, the frequency domain resources of the fourth PBCH portion and the frequency domain resources of the PSS do not overlap.

[0089] In one possible design, the first to fourth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain symbols, while the fifth and sixth time-domain units are either consecutive or discontinuous time-domain symbols. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0090] In one possible design, the first to sixth time-domain units belong to the same time slot, or they belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0091] In one possible design, the positions of the first to fourth time domain units are predefined; the method further includes: the network device determining the fifth and sixth time domain units based on indication information, whereby the indication information is used to determine the positions of the fifth and sixth time domain units. Through this method, the network device can determine the time domain position for sending the first information, which helps the terminal device obtain information from the first SSB.

[0092] In one possible design, the indication information is also used to determine the positions of the seventh and eighth time-domain units corresponding to the second information; the second information and the fourth SSB part include the same information, the third SSB part and the fourth SSB part are used to determine the second SSB, the time-domain resources corresponding to the second information and the second SSB are different, the time-domain resources mapped by the second SSB are located after the time-domain resources mapped by the first SSB, and the time-domain resources corresponding to the second SSB are predefined.

[0093] In one possible design, the indication information is specifically used to determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0094] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB.

[0095] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0096] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0097] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0098] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the second SSB.

[0099] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first SSB and the time-domain resources corresponding to the second SSB, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB.

[0100] The flexible deployment of the time-domain location of the first information through the above design helps adapt to terminal devices with different performance requirements or capabilities. For terminal devices with low performance requirements, only a portion of the PBCH information may be needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first and second SSBs, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB. In this case, the terminal device may only need to use the information of the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information when acquiring the first SSB. Placing the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information before the first SSB helps the terminal device quickly obtain the PBCH information, thereby quickly acquiring the SSB (or acquiring the PBCH) and completing time-frequency synchronization, etc. For terminal devices with high performance requirements, the entire PBCH of the first SSB is needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine other deployment schemes for the time-domain location of the first information. Through the method provided in the embodiments of this application, different terminal devices can negotiate the deployment location of the time domain unit of the first information with the network device according to their own capabilities, thereby adapting to their own performance requirements.

[0101] In one possible design, the instruction information is predefined, or the instruction information is determined by the network device.

[0102] In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device sending indication information to the terminal device. This design ensures that the network device and the terminal device have a consistent understanding of the temporal location of the first information, thereby helping the terminal device obtain the information of the first SSB.

[0103] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to three time-domain units.

[0104] In one possible design, the first SSB part includes PSS, SSS, the first PBCH part and the second PBCH part, the second SSB part includes the fifth PBCH part, the sixth PBCH part and the seventh PBCH part; the first information includes the third sub-information, the fourth sub-information and the fifth sub-information, wherein the third sub-information is the same as the fifth PBCH part, the fourth sub-information is the same as the sixth PBCH part, and the fifth sub-information is the same as the seventh PBCH part.

[0105] Wherein, PSS corresponds to the first time domain unit, the first PBCH part corresponds to the second time domain unit, SSS corresponds to the third time domain unit, the second PBCH part corresponds to the fourth time domain unit, the third sub-information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, the fourth sub-information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit, and the fifth sub-information is mapped to the ninth time domain unit.

[0106] The fifth, sixth, and seventh PBCH sections correspond to the second, third, and fourth time domain units, respectively.

[0107] The above design transmits first information in the fifth, sixth, and ninth time domain units, enabling terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain the first SSB, or obtain one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and main information block, by acquiring information occupying the first to sixth and ninth time domain units. In one possible design, the first information is obtained by mapping the second SSB portion according to a first order, which is: first according to the frequency index in ascending order, and then according to the time index in ascending order.

[0108] The above design allows for the use of existing resource mapping rules, making the design simpler, while also ensuring compatibility with existing SSB resource mapping rules to a certain extent.

[0109] In one possible design, the first information is obtained by randomly mapping the second SSB portion in the time and / or frequency domains.

[0110] In one possible design, the first information is obtained as follows: Information corresponding to the same time-domain units in the second SSB portion is sorted according to a first order to obtain the sorted information for each time-domain unit. The first order is either an ascending order of carrier indices or a descending order of carrier indices. The sorted information for each time-domain unit is then sorted according to a second order to obtain the first information. The second order is either an ascending order of time-domain unit indices or a descending order of time-domain unit indices.

[0111] In one possible design, the first information is obtained in the following way:

[0112] The information corresponding to the first carrier index range and the information corresponding to the second carrier index range in the second SSB part are sorted according to a third order, resulting in sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range and sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range. The third order is either ascending order of time-domain cell indices or descending order of time-domain cell indices.

[0113] The sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range and the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range are sorted according to a fourth order to obtain the first information. The fourth order is: the sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range first, and the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range last. Alternatively, the fourth order is: the sorted information corresponding to the second carrier index range first, and the sorted information corresponding to the first carrier index range last.

[0114] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to the fifth and sixth time-domain units, specifically including:

[0115] The first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same; the first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0116] Alternatively, the first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the sixth time domain unit. In this case, the information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0117] Alternatively, the first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0118] Through the above design, information with the same frequency range or the same subcarrier index can be mapped onto the same time domain unit, which helps the terminal device to demodulate and decode the first information. At the same time, it also helps the terminal device to quickly recover the information included in the first SSB by combining the first SSB part and the first information.

[0119] In one possible design, the first information corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit, the sixth time-domain unit, and the ninth time-domain unit. Specifically, the first information portion of the first information corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit and the sixth time-domain unit, and the second information portion of the first information corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit and the ninth time-domain unit. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in the first information portion and the second SSB portion is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second information portion and the second SSB portion is the same. The first frequency range and the second frequency range do not overlap.

[0120] Through the above design, information with the same frequency range or the same subcarrier index can be mapped onto the same time domain unit, which helps the terminal device to demodulate and decode the first information. At the same time, it also helps the terminal device to quickly recover the information included in the first SSB by combining the first SSB part and the first information.

[0121] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of any of the PBCH sections in the fifth, sixth, and seventh PBCH sections do not overlap with the frequency domain resources of the first PSS.

[0122] In one possible design, the first to fourth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain symbols, while the fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units are either consecutive or discontinuous time-domain symbols. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0123] In one possible design, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units belong to the same time slot. Alternatively, they may belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of the transmission location of the first information.

[0124] In one possible design, the period of the first information is greater than or equal to the period of the first SSB. This design can improve the flexibility of the first information.

[0125] In one possible design, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 resource blocks (RBs) or 12 RBs.

[0126] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to network devices. The method can be executed by a network device, a chip, or a circuit. The method includes: the network device determining a first SSB and sending the first SSB to a terminal device, wherein the frequency range of the first SSB is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0127] Since the current SSB frequency range is 20 RBs (as in the first SSB method described in the first aspect), and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is less than 20 RBs, the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the SSB when receiving it. In the fourth aspect of this application, the SSB frequency range is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device, enabling terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to acquire the SSB (or acquire the PBCH), which helps the terminal device to successfully demodulate and decode the SSB. Furthermore, the second SSB is mapped within the terminal device's capability range, eliminating the need for the terminal device to perform frequency hopping to receive SSB resources exceeding its own capability range, thereby reducing the latency, power consumption, and performance loss caused by frequency hopping. Additionally, the frequency range of the SSB transmitted by the network device is within the terminal device's capability range, which can avoid or reduce the additional resource consumption of the network device.

[0128] In one possible design, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 resource blocks (RBs) or 12 RBs.

[0129] In one possible design, the first SSB corresponds to 6 time-domain units.

[0130] In one possible design, the first SSB includes a PSS, an SSS, a first PBCH section, a second PBCH section, a third PBCH section, and a fourth PBCH section; the PSS corresponds to the first time-domain unit, the first PBCH section corresponds to the second time-domain unit, the SSS corresponds to the third time-domain unit, the second PBCH section corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit, the third PBCH section corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit, and the fourth PBCH section corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit.

[0131] The above design enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to acquire the SSB (or acquire the PBCH) by sending the first SSB in six time-domain units, which helps the terminal device to successfully demodulate and decode the SSB.

[0132] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of each PBCH section in the first, second, third, and fourth PBCH sections all overlap with the frequency domain resources of the PSS, either fully or partially.

[0133] In one possible design, the first to sixth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain units; alternatively, the first to sixth time-domain units are discontinuous time-domain units. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0134] In one possible design, the first to sixth time-domain units belong to the same time slot; alternatively, the first to sixth time-domain units belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0135] In one possible design, the positions of the first to fourth time-domain units are predefined; the method further includes: the network device determining the fifth and sixth time-domain units based on indication information, whereby the indication information is used to determine the positions of the fifth and sixth time-domain units. Through this method, the network device can determine the time-domain positions of the fifth and sixth time-domain units, which helps the terminal device obtain information about the first SSB.

[0136] In one possible design, the indication information is also used to determine the positions of the seventh and eighth time domain units corresponding to the second SSB; the seventh and eighth time domain units are two of the six time domain units corresponding to the second SSB, the frequency range of the second SSB is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device, and the four time domain units other than the seventh and eighth time domain units of the six symbols corresponding to the second SSB are located after the first to fourth time domain units, and the positions of the four time domain units are predefined.

[0137] In one possible design, the indication information is specifically used to determine that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB section;

[0138] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that the fifth time domain unit, the sixth time domain unit, the seventh time domain unit, and the eighth time domain unit are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section;

[0139] Alternatively, the indication information is specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB section;

[0140] Alternatively, the indication information may specifically determine that the fifth time domain unit, the sixth time domain unit, the seventh time domain unit, and the eighth time domain unit are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB part and the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB part;

[0141] Alternatively, the instruction information is specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB section and the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB section;

[0142] Alternatively, the indication information is specifically used to determine that: the fifth and sixth time domain units are located between the time domain resources corresponding to the first SSB part and the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB part, and the seventh and eighth time domain units are located after the time domain resources corresponding to the third SSB part;

[0143] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB section, the sixth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB section, the seventh time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the third SSB section, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the third SSB section.

[0144] The flexible deployment of the time-domain location of the first information through the above design helps adapt to terminal devices with different performance requirements or capabilities. For terminal devices with low performance requirements, only a portion of the PBCH information may be needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first and second SSBs, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB. In this case, the terminal device may only need to use the information of the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information when acquiring the first SSB. Placing the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information before the first SSB helps the terminal device quickly obtain the PBCH information, thereby quickly acquiring the SSB (or acquiring the PBCH) and completing time-frequency synchronization, etc. For terminal devices with high performance requirements, the entire PBCH of the first SSB is needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine other deployment schemes for the time-domain location of the first information. Through the method provided in the embodiments of this application, different terminal devices can negotiate the deployment location of the time domain unit of the first information with the network device according to their own capabilities, thereby adapting to their own performance requirements.

[0145] In one possible design, the instruction information is predefined, or the instruction information is determined by the network device.

[0146] In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device sending indication information to the terminal device. This design ensures that the network device and the terminal device have a consistent understanding of the fifth and sixth time-domain units, which helps the terminal device receive the first SSB.

[0147] In one possible design, the frequency domain resources of each PBCH section from the first to the fifth PBCH section all overlap with the frequency domain resources of the PSS, either fully or partially.

[0148] In one possible design, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units are consecutive time-domain symbols; alternatively, they are non-consecutive time-domain symbols. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0149] In one possible design, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth time-domain units belong to the same time slot; or, they belong to different time slots. This design improves the flexibility of transmitting the first SSB.

[0150] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a terminal device. The execution entity of this method can be a terminal device, a chip, or a circuit. The method includes: the terminal device acquiring indication information and receiving a signal at a time-domain position indicated by the indication information. The indication information is used to determine the positions of a first time-domain unit and a second time-domain unit, and the first and second time-domain units are used to determine a first SSB with a first set of time-domain unit symbols. The first set of time-domain units includes four time-domain unit symbols, and the positions of the first set of time-domain units are predefined.

[0151] In this embodiment, the terminal device and network device define the positions of the newly added symbols (i.e., the first time domain unit and the second time domain unit), enabling them to transmit SSB information at the corresponding symbol positions. Particularly for terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs, the network device can send SSB information on the newly added symbols, and the terminal device can receive SSB information on the newly added symbols. This allows the terminal device to obtain as much complete SSB (or PBCH) information as possible, facilitating successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. This, in turn, helps the terminal device quickly complete processes such as cell search and random access, reducing network access latency and improving user experience. Furthermore, by reducing the time spent by the terminal device in cell search or random access processes, power consumption can be further reduced, extending battery life.

[0152] In one possible design, the indication information is also used to determine the positions of the third and fourth time-domain units, which are used to determine the second SSB with the second group of time-domain units, wherein the second group of time-domain units includes four time-domain units, and the positions of the second group of time-domain units are predefined.

[0153] In one possible design, the indication information is specifically used to determine that the first time domain unit, the second time domain unit, the third time domain unit, and the fourth time domain unit are located after the second group of time domain units.

[0154] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that the first time domain unit, the second time domain unit, the third time domain unit, and the fourth time domain unit are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first group of time domain units.

[0155] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first and second time domain units are located before the first group of time domain units, and the third and fourth time domain units are located after the second group of time domain units.

[0156] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that the first time domain unit, the second time domain unit, the third time domain unit, and the fourth time domain unit are located between the first group of time domain units and the second group of time domain units.

[0157] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first and second time domain units are located before the first group of time domain units, and the third and fourth time domain units are located between the first and second groups of time domain units.

[0158] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first time domain unit and the second time domain unit are located between the first group of time domain units and the second group of time domain units, and the third time domain unit and the fourth time domain unit are located after the second group of time domain units.

[0159] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first time domain unit is located before the first group of time domain units, the second and third time domain units are located between the first and second groups of time domain units, and the fourth time domain unit is located after the second group of time domain units.

[0160] The flexible deployment of the time-domain location of the first information through the above design helps adapt to terminal devices with different performance requirements or capabilities. For terminal devices with low performance requirements, only a portion of the PBCH information may be needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first and second SSBs, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB. In this case, the terminal device may only need to use the information of the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information when acquiring the first SSB. Placing the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information before the first SSB helps the terminal device quickly obtain the PBCH information, thereby quickly acquiring the SSB (or acquiring the PBCH) and completing time-frequency synchronization, etc. For terminal devices with high performance requirements, the entire PBCH of the first SSB is needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine other deployment schemes for the time-domain location of the first information. Through the method provided in the embodiments of this application, different terminal devices can negotiate the deployment location of the time domain unit of the first information with the network device according to their own capabilities, thereby adapting to their own performance requirements.

[0161] In one possible design, the instruction information is predefined, or the instruction information comes from the network device.

[0162] Sixthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to network devices. The execution entity of this method can be a network device, a chip, or a circuit. The method includes: the network device acquiring indication information and transmitting a signal at a time-domain position indicated by the indication information. The indication information is used to determine the positions of a first time-domain unit and a second time-domain unit, and the first and second time-domain units are used to determine a first SSB with a first set of time-domain unit symbols, wherein the first set of time-domain units includes four time-domain unit symbols, and the positions of the first set of time-domain units are predefined.

[0163] In this embodiment, the terminal device and network device define the positions of the newly added symbols (i.e., the first time domain unit and the second time domain unit), enabling them to transmit SSB information at the corresponding symbol positions. Particularly for terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs, the network device can send SSB information on the newly added symbols, and the terminal device can receive SSB information on the newly added symbols. This allows the terminal device to obtain as much complete SSB (or PBCH) information as possible, facilitating successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. This, in turn, helps the terminal device quickly complete processes such as cell search and random access, reducing network access latency and improving user experience. Furthermore, by reducing the time spent by the terminal device in cell search or random access processes, power consumption can be further reduced, extending battery life.

[0164] In one possible design, the indication information is also used to determine the positions of the third and fourth time-domain units, which are used to determine the second SSB with the second group of time-domain units, wherein the second group of time-domain units includes four time-domain units, and the positions of the second group of time-domain units are predefined.

[0165] In one possible design, the indication information is specifically used to determine that the first time domain unit, the second time domain unit, the third time domain unit, and the fourth time domain unit are located after the second group of time domain units.

[0166] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that the first time domain unit, the second time domain unit, the third time domain unit, and the fourth time domain unit are located before the time domain resources corresponding to the first group of time domain units.

[0167] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first and second time domain units are located before the first group of time domain units, and the third and fourth time domain units are located after the second group of time domain units.

[0168] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that the first time domain unit, the second time domain unit, the third time domain unit, and the fourth time domain unit are located between the first group of time domain units and the second group of time domain units.

[0169] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first and second time domain units are located before the first group of time domain units, and the third and fourth time domain units are located between the first and second groups of time domain units.

[0170] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first time domain unit and the second time domain unit are located between the first group of time domain units and the second group of time domain units, and the third time domain unit and the fourth time domain unit are located after the second group of time domain units.

[0171] Alternatively, the indication information may be specifically used to determine that: the first time domain unit is located before the first group of time domain units, the second and third time domain units are located between the first and second groups of time domain units, and the fourth time domain unit is located after the second group of time domain units.

[0172] The flexible deployment of the time-domain location of the first information through the above design helps adapt to terminal devices with different performance requirements or capabilities. For terminal devices with low performance requirements, only a portion of the PBCH information may be needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine that: the fifth time-domain unit is located before the time-domain resource corresponding to the first SSB, the sixth and seventh time-domain units are located between the time-domain resources corresponding to the first and second SSBs, and the eighth time-domain unit is located after the time-domain resource corresponding to the second SSB. In this case, the terminal device may only need to use the information of the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information when acquiring the first SSB. Placing the fifth time-domain unit occupied by the first information before the first SSB helps the terminal device quickly obtain the PBCH information, thereby quickly acquiring the SSB (or acquiring the PBCH) and completing time-frequency synchronization, etc. For terminal devices with high performance requirements, the entire PBCH of the first SSB is needed to acquire the SSB. In this case, the above-mentioned indication information can be used to determine other deployment schemes for the time-domain location of the first information. Through the method provided in the embodiments of this application, different terminal devices can negotiate the deployment location of the time domain unit of the first information with the network device according to their own capabilities, thereby adapting to their own performance requirements.

[0173] In one possible design, the instruction information is predefined, or the instruction information is determined by the network device.

[0174] In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device sending indication information to the terminal device. This design ensures that the network device and the terminal device have a consistent understanding of the fifth and sixth time-domain units, which helps the terminal device receive the first SSB.

[0175] Seventhly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device. This communication device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the first, second, or fifth aspects described above. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0176] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0177] For example, a communication device has the functionality to implement the method provided in the first aspect above. An interface circuit can be used to: receive a first SSB portion on a first resource, wherein the first resource is a portion of the resource used by the first SSB; the first SSB includes the first SSB portion and a second SSB portion, and the first SSB is an SSB burst. Window A single SSB within the first SSB burst window; wherein the first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion; the time-domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is different from the time-domain resource location of the first resource; the frequency-domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency-domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource; the frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB portion transmission is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The processor can be used to: acquire one or more of the following based on the first SSB portion: physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block.

[0178] For example, the communication device has the functionality to implement the method provided in the second aspect above. The interface circuit can be used to: receive a first SSB, the frequency range of which is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the processor can be used to: acquire one or more of a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block based on the first SSB.

[0179] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the fifth aspect above. The processor can be used to: acquire indication information; the interface circuit can be used to: receive a signal at the time domain position indicated by the indication information.

[0180] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0181] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing module) and a communication unit (or communication module) that can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the first, second, or fifth aspects.

[0182] For example, a communication device has the functionality to implement the method provided in the first aspect above. A communication unit may be configured to: receive a first SSB portion on a first resource, wherein the first resource is a portion of the resource used by the first SSB; the first SSB includes the first SSB portion and a second SSB portion, the first SSB being an SSB within an SSB burst window; wherein the first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion; the time-domain resource position of the resource used for transmitting the first information is different from the time-domain resource position of the first resource; the frequency-domain resource position of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource position of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource; the frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the transmission of the second SSB portion is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. A processing unit may be configured to: acquire at least one or more of a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block based on the first SSB portion within the SSB burst window.

[0183] For example, the communication device has the functionality to implement the method provided in the second aspect above. The communication unit can be used to: receive a first SSB, the frequency range of the first SSB being less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the processing unit can be used to: acquire one or more of a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block based on the first SSB.

[0184] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the fifth aspect above. The processing unit can be used to: acquire indication information; the communication unit can be used to: receive a signal at the time domain position indicated by the indication information.

[0185] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a network device or a chip of the network device. This communication device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the third, fourth, or sixth aspects above. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0186] In one possible design, the communication device includes an interface circuit for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to a processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above.

[0187] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the third aspect above. The interface circuit can be used to: transmit a first SSB, the first SSB including a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion, the first SSB portion being transmitted on a first resource, the first resource being a portion of the resource used by the first SSB, the first SSB being an SSB within an SSB burst window; wherein, the first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion; the time-domain resource position of the resource used for transmitting the first information is different from the time-domain resource position of the first resource; the frequency-domain resource position of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource position of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource; the frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the transmission of the second SSB portion is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0188] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the fourth aspect above. The processor can be used to: determine a first SSB, the frequency range of which is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The interface circuit can be used to: transmit the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0189] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the sixth aspect above. The processor can be used to: acquire indication information. Wherein the indication information is used to determine the positions of a first time-domain unit and a second time-domain unit, the first and second time-domain units are used to determine a first SSB with a first set of time-domain unit symbols, wherein the first set of time-domain units includes four time-domain unit symbols, and the positions of the first set of time-domain units are predefined. The interface circuit can be used to: transmit a signal at the time-domain position indicated by the indication information.

[0190] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0191] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing module) and a communication unit (or processing unit) that can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the third, fourth, or sixth aspects.

[0192] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the third aspect above. The processing unit can be used to: determine first information, wherein the first information and the second SSB portion include the same information, the first SSB portion and the second SSB portion are used to determine the first SSB, and the time-domain resources corresponding to the first information and the first SSB portion are different. The communication unit can be used to: send the first SSB and the first information to the terminal device.

[0193] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the fourth aspect above. The processing unit can be used to: determine a first SSB, the frequency range of which is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The communication unit can be used to: transmit the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0194] For example, the communication device has the function of implementing the method provided in the sixth aspect above. The processing unit can be used to: acquire indication information. Wherein, the indication information is used to determine the positions of a first time-domain unit and a second time-domain unit, the first and second time-domain units are used to determine a first SSB with a first set of time-domain unit symbols, wherein the first set of time-domain units includes four time-domain unit symbols, and the positions of the first set of time-domain units are predefined. The communication unit can be used to: transmit a signal at the time-domain position indicated by the indication information.

[0195] A ninth aspect provides a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the methods of the first, second, or fifth aspects and any possible design thereof via logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0196] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the aforementioned third, fourth, or sixth aspects and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0197] Eleventhly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible design.

[0198] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements any of the first to sixth aspects and any possible design methods described above.

[0199] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any of the first to sixth aspects and any possible designs described above. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0200] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the first aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the third aspect (such as a network device).

[0201] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the second aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the fourth aspect (such as a network device).

[0202] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the fifth aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the sixth aspect (such as a network device). Attached Figure Description

[0203] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the SSB format in an NR according to an embodiment of this application;

[0204] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0205] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0206] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion according to an embodiment of this application;

[0207] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a drilling method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0208] Figure 6 This is another schematic diagram of drilling according to an embodiment of this application;

[0209] Figure 7 This is another schematic diagram of drilling according to an embodiment of this application;

[0210] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of first information according to an embodiment of this application;

[0211] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of second information according to an embodiment of this application;

[0212] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0213] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0214] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a first frequency range and a second frequency range according to an embodiment of this application;

[0215] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another first frequency range and second frequency range according to an embodiment of this application;

[0216] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0217] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0218] Figure 16A This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0219] Figure 16B This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0220] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of a mapping embodiment of this application;

[0221] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of a cycle according to an embodiment of this application;

[0222] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0223] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of an SSB format according to an embodiment of this application;

[0224] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of an SSB format according to an embodiment of this application;

[0225] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of an SSB format according to an embodiment of this application;

[0226] Figure 23 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0227] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of a newly added symbol according to an embodiment of this application;

[0228] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0229] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0230] Figure 27 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0231] Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0232] Figure 29 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0233] Figure 30 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0234] Figure 31 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of another newly added symbol in an embodiment of this application;

[0235] Figure 32 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0236] Figure 33 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0237] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0238] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0239] 1) The terminal device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities or a chip that can be installed in any device. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in video surveillance, and wearable terminal device, etc.

[0240] A network device can be a means for implementing the functions of an access network device. An access network device can refer to a device in the access network that communicates with wireless terminal equipment via one or more cells over the air interface. Examples include a next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR system and an evolved node B (eNB) in an LTE system. A network device can also be a means that enables the network device to implement the functions of the access network device, such as a chip system, which can be installed within the network device.

[0241] 2) A REDCAP (Reduced Capability) UE may have at least one of the following characteristics:

[0242] 1. The maximum bandwidth during initial access in the low-frequency band (frequency range 1, FR1) and / or after initial access shall not exceed 20MHz. Further, the maximum bandwidth may be set to not exceed 5MHz. The maximum bandwidth during initial access in the high-frequency band (frequency range 1, FR2) and / or after initial access shall not exceed 100MHz.

[0243] 2. The minimum number of supported receive antenna (Rx) branches is 1.

[0244] 3. The protocol version is NR Rel-17 or above.

[0245] 4. Only half-duplex frequency division duplex (FDD) is supported.

[0246] 5. If there is 1 Rx branch, it supports 1 downlink (DL) maximum multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) layer. If there are 2 Rx branches, it supports 2 DL MIMO layers.

[0247] A terminal device with reduced capabilities can be understood as a terminal device with reduced capabilities compared to a legacy UE. These capabilities include, but are not limited to, the five features mentioned above. A legacy terminal device can be, for example, an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) terminal device, a massive machine-type communication (MMT) terminal device, or an ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) terminal device.

[0248] 3) SSB: In an NR system, an SSB includes the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The format of an SSB in NR can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown, in the time domain, one SSB occupies four consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) time units. In the frequency domain, one SSB occupies 240 consecutive subcarriers, and these 240 subcarriers are numbered sequentially from 0 to 239 in ascending frequency order. Specifically, as shown... Figure 1 As shown, the first OFDM time domain unit carries the PSS, and the subcarriers numbered 56, 57, ..., 182 are the subcarriers occupied by the PSS. That is, the PSS is mapped to the subcarriers numbered 56, 57, ..., 182 of the first OFDM time domain unit.

[0249] The second and fourth OFDM time domain units carry the PBCH. That is, the PBCH can be mapped to subcarriers numbered 0 to 239 in the second and fourth OFDM time domain units.

[0250] The third OFDM time-domain unit carries the SSS and PBCH. Subcarriers numbered 56, 57, ..., 182 carry the SSS, and subcarriers numbered 0, 1, ..., 47, 192, 193, ..., 239 carry the PBCH. That is, the SSS is mapped to subcarriers numbered 56, 57, ..., 182 in the third OFDM time-domain unit. The PBCH can be mapped to subcarriers numbered 0, 1, ..., 47, 192, 193, ..., 239 in the third OFDM time-domain unit.

[0251] 4) Resource block (RB)

[0252] N consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain can be referred to as a resource block. For example, a resource block may include 12 subcarriers. As the system evolves, a resource block may also include other numbers of subcarriers, and this application does not limit this. For example, in the embodiments of this application, for a communication system in which a resource block includes 12 subcarriers, 240 subcarriers may also be referred to as 20 RBs.

[0253] 5)Subcarrier

[0254] In wireless communication systems, frequency domain resources can be divided into several sub-resources, and each sub-resource in the frequency domain can be called a subcarrier. Alternatively, a subcarrier can also be called the smallest granularity of frequency domain resources.

[0255] 6) Symbols

[0256] In wireless communication systems, the smallest unit of time in the time domain is called a time-domain symbol. The symbol can be an OFDM symbol or an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) symbol based on the discrete Fourier transform.

[0257] 7) Time slot

[0258] Different time slot lengths can be used for different subcarrier spacings. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz, a time slot can be 1 millisecond (ms); when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, a time slot can be 0.5 milliseconds (ms). A time slot can include one or more symbols. For example, a time slot under a normal cyclic prefix (CP) can include 14 time-domain symbols, and a time slot under an extended CP can include 12 time-domain symbols.

[0259] 8) SSB burst window

[0260] An SSB burst window includes at least one SSB contained within a beam sweep. An SSB burst window can be understood as a set of one or more SSBs within a certain period. An SSB burst window occupies multiple consecutive symbols in the time domain. An SSB burst window contains N SSBs, where N is greater than or equal to 1. The N SSBs reside within one half-frame. The N SSBs are associated with different SSB indices.

[0261] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0262] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, "first resource" and "second resource" are only used to distinguish different resources, and do not indicate that the two resources are different in terms of position, size, priority, or importance.

[0263] The preceding text introduced some terms and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application. The following text introduces the technical features involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0264] It can be seen that, for Figure 1 The SSB configuration shown occupies 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain, which is equivalent to 20 RBs. Figure 1 The SSB configuration shown requires the terminal device to support a maximum processing bandwidth of at least 20 RBs to successfully receive an SSB in one go. Therefore, for terminal devices that support a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs, such as bandwidth-limited terminal devices, the bandwidth is too small, and if... Figure 1 The SSB shown may bring a series of problems. For example, due to the limited bandwidth, the terminal device cannot fully receive the SSB. Therefore, for terminal devices that support a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs, how to quickly obtain the broadcast channel is the technical problem that this application aims to solve.

[0265] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus for enabling terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to acquire broadcast channels, etc. The method and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve problems are similar, the implementations of the apparatus and method can be mutually referred to, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0266] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), long term evolution (LTE), fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, hybrid LTE and 5G architectures, 5G new radio (NR) systems, and new communication systems emerging in 6G or future communication developments. The 5G communication system described in this application can include at least one of non-standalone (NSA) 5G communication systems and standalone (SA) 5G communication systems. The communication system can also be a machine-to-machine (M2M) network or other networks.

[0267] See Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a communication system provided in this application embodiment. This system includes a network device and six terminal devices, namely UE1 to UE6. In this communication system, UE1 to UE6 can send uplink data to the network device, and the network device can receive uplink data sent by UE1 to UE6. Furthermore, UE4 to UE6 can also form a sub-communication system. The network device can send downlink information to UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE5. UE5 can send downlink information to UE4 and UE6 based on device-to-device (D2D) technology. Figure 2 This is merely a schematic diagram and does not specify the type of communication system, or the number and type of devices included in the communication system.

[0268] 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.

[0269] Optionally, in this embodiment, a terminal device with a maximum processing bandwidth greater than or equal to 20 RBs can be referred to as a broadband terminal device, and a terminal device with a maximum processing bandwidth less than 20 RBs can be referred to as a narrowband terminal device. It is understood that this embodiment uses a communication system where one resource block occupies 12 subcarriers as an example for illustration. In this communication system, 240 subcarriers can also be referred to as 20 RBs. This embodiment can also be applied to other communication systems. In other communication systems, the transmission bandwidth occupied by the SSB and the maximum processing bandwidth supported by the terminal device can be converted accordingly, which will not be listed here.

[0270] The embodiments of this application can be applied to REDCAP UEs of Release 18, UEs operating in a specific frequency domain of less than 3.6MHz, etc.

[0271] In this embodiment, "processing bandwidth" can also be referred to as transmission bandwidth, channel bandwidth, frequency domain range, frequency domain bandwidth, number of resource blocks, etc. Therefore, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device can be understood as the maximum transmission bandwidth of the terminal device, or the maximum supported transmission bandwidth, or the maximum channel bandwidth, or the maximum frequency domain range, or the maximum frequency domain bandwidth, or the maximum number of resource blocks, or the maximum number of resource elements, or the maximum number of subcarriers, etc. For example, a maximum processing bandwidth of 5MHz for the terminal device can also be understood as a maximum processing bandwidth of 11 RBs or 12 RBs, or as a maximum processing bandwidth of 121 subcarriers or 144 subcarriers.

[0272] It should be noted that the time-domain unit in the embodiments of this application can be a symbol, a time slot, a subframe, a half-frame, or other units that will emerge in future communication developments; no specific limitation is made here. For ease of understanding of the scheme, the following description uses the time-domain unit as a symbol.

[0273] In the embodiments of this application, the frequency index can be a subcarrier index, an RB index, or a resource element (RE) index; no specific limitation is made here. For ease of understanding, the following description uses the subcarrier index as the frequency index.

[0274] In the embodiments of this application, "resources" may include time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources.

[0275] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0276] See Figure 3This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application. The method is described using a network device and a terminal device as examples. It is understood that the functions of the network device can also be implemented using a chip applied to the network device, or supported by other devices. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can also be implemented using a chip applied to the terminal device, or supported by other devices. The method includes:

[0277] S301, the network device sends a first SSB to the terminal device. The first SSB includes a first SSB portion, which is transmitted on the first resource. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first SSB portion on the first resource.

[0278] In one exemplary embodiment, the broadcast channel received on the first resource may be at least one or more of the following: SSB, PBCH, and control resource set (CORESET).

[0279] The first resource is a portion of the resources used by the first SSB, and the frequency range occupied by the first resource does not exceed the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The frequency range can be the length of a continuous frequency domain resource, and the unit can be RB, subcarrier count, Hertz (Hz), RE, etc. For example, taking the number of subcarriers as the unit, the frequency range can consist of multiple consecutive subcarriers. Optionally, the first resource can be continuous in the frequency domain.

[0280] In one example, when the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 30 kHz and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 5 MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs. In this example, the first resource is less than or equal to 11 RBs.

[0281] In another example, when the SCS is 30kHz and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 5MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs. In this example, the first resource is less than or equal to 12 RBs.

[0282] In another example, when the SCS is 15 kHz and the terminal device operates in a specific spectrum less than 3.6 MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs. In this example, the first resource is less than or equal to 11 RBs.

[0283] In another example, when the SCS is 15 kHz and the terminal device operates in a specific spectrum less than 3.6 MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs. In this example, the first resource is less than or equal to 12 RBs.

[0284] It should be understood that in other scenarios, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device may also be different, which will not be listed here.

[0285] The first SSB also includes a second SSB portion, which can be used to determine the first SSB. For example, the first SSB portion may be a partial piece of information carried by the first SSB. For instance, the first SSB portion might be partial information carried by the PBCH of the first SSB. The second SSB portion is also a partial piece of information carried by the first SSB. For instance, the second SSB portion might be partial information carried by the PBCH of the first SSB. The first SSB portion and the second SSB portion are different parts of the first SSB.

[0286] The sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB transmission is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0287] For example, the frequency range occupied by the first resource is 11 RBs, the frequency range occupied by the second SSB part of the transmission is 9 RBs, and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs.

[0288] For example, the first resource occupies a frequency range of 11 RBs, the second SSB part of the transmission occupies a frequency range of 9 RBs, and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs.

[0289] For example, the frequency range occupied by the first resource is 12 RBs, the frequency range occupied by the second SSB part of the transmission is 8 RBs, and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs.

[0290] Optionally, the first SSB can occupy 4 symbols in the time domain and 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain, such as... Figure 1 As shown. For ease of description, the following explanation will use the example of the first SSB occupying 4 symbols in the time domain and 240 subcarriers in the frequency domain.

[0291] The first SSB is an SSB within an SSB burst window. Specifically, the first information within the SSB burst window shares the same SSB index as the first SSB portion. It should be noted that the association of the first information with the first SSB portion using the same SSB index does not imply a relationship between the content of the first information and the content of the first SSB portion.

[0292] The temporal resource location of the resource used in the first information transmission differs from the temporal resource location of the first resource. For example, the symbol index associated with the temporal resource location of the first resource is 0-3, while the symbol index associated with the temporal resource location of the resource used in the first SSB part transmission is 4-5. Another example: the symbol index associated with the temporal resource location of the first resource is 2-5, while the symbol index associated with the temporal resource location of the resource used in the first SSB part transmission is 0-1. Yet another example: the symbol index associated with the temporal resource location of the first resource is 1-4, while the symbol index associated with the temporal resource location of the resource used in the first SSB part transmission is 0 and 5, and so on.

[0293] The frequency domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency domain resource location of the first resource. In one exemplary embodiment, the frequency domain resource of the resource used for the first information transmission is completely identical to the frequency domain resource of the first resource.

[0294] Alternatively, the frequency domain resource center of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency domain resource center of the first resource. The size of the frequency domain resource used for the first information transmission and the size (or bandwidth) of the frequency domain resource of the first resource may be the same or different.

[0295] In one exemplary description, the first information and the second SSB portion include all or part of the same information.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain resources of the second SSB portion do not overlap with the frequency domain resources of the first resource.

[0297] In one possible example, the first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion. The first SSB portion corresponds to symbols 1 to 4. The second SSB portion corresponds to symbols 2 to 4. For example, the first SSB portion is the part of the first SSB that is received by the terminal device. The second SSB portion is the part of the first SSB that is not received by the terminal device. For example, as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0298] Understandably, in the embodiments of this application, symbol 1 corresponds to the first time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention. Symbol 2 corresponds to the second time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention. Symbol 3 corresponds to the third time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention. Symbol 4 corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention.

[0299] Since the frequency range of the first SSB is 20 RBs, while the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is less than 20 RBs, the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the first SSB when receiving it; it can only receive the first SSB portion and not the second SSB portion. In this application, the information included in the second SSB portion is remapped to one or more time-domain units for reception by the terminal device, enabling the terminal device to obtain the information of the second SSB portion in the first SSB. This helps the terminal device obtain the information of the first SSB. The remapped information of the second SSB portion is the first information. The specific method of remapping the information included in the second SSB portion to one or more time-domain units—that is, remapping the unreceived information in the first SSB to one or more time-domain units—will be described in detail below.

[0300] In the above implementation, after sending the first SSB, the network device can resend the information carried in the SSB portion that cannot be received by the terminal device (i.e., the first information) to the terminal device. Correspondingly, after receiving the first SSB portion, the terminal device can cache the information included in the first SSB portion, and after receiving the first information, determine the information of the first SSB based on the first information and the information included in the first SSB portion.

[0301] In another possible implementation, the frequency domain resources of the second SSB portion partially or completely overlap with the frequency domain resources of the first resource. For example, the first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion. The first SSB portion corresponds to symbols 1 to 4, and is the portion of the first SSB received by the terminal device. The second SSB portion corresponds to symbols 2 to 4, and is the PBCH within the first SSB.

[0302] Since the frequency range of the first SSB is 20 RBs, while the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is less than 20 RBs, the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the first SSB when receiving it; it can only receive the first SSB portion, and the PBCH information in the first SSB cannot be received completely. In this application, the PBCH information in the first SSB is remapped to one or more time-domain units for reception by the terminal device, enabling the terminal device to obtain the PBCH information in the first SSB. This helps the terminal device acquire the information of the first SSB. The information of the second SSB portion after remapping, i.e., the PBCH information of the first SSB, is the first information. The method of remapping the PBCH information of the first SSB to one or more time-domain units is similar to the method of remapping the unreceived information in the first SSB to one or more time-domain units. For details, please refer to the relevant description below regarding the remapping of unreceived information in the first SSB to one or more time-domain units; repeated descriptions will not be repeated here.

[0303] Based on this implementation, after sending the first SSB, the network device can resend the PBCH information (i.e., the information included in the first information) from the first SSB to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can first receive the PSS and SSS information included in the first SSB portion. After receiving the first information, it determines the information of the first SSB based on the first information and the information included in the first SSB portion.

[0304] Optionally, before step S301, the network device may determine the first information, which can also be understood as determining the second SSB portion.

[0305] S302, the terminal device obtains one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block according to the first SSB part.

[0306] The synchronization signal may include a primary synchronization signal and / or a secondary synchronization signal.

[0307] In one alternative approach, the terminal device may obtain one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block based solely on the first SSB portion.

[0308] Optionally, the terminal device may also obtain all or part of the information of the second SSB based on the first information.

[0309] For example, the terminal device can obtain one or more of the following based on the first SSB portion and the first information: physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block.

[0310] In one implementation, the terminal device can perform cell search and time-frequency synchronization based on the first SSB portion and the first information.

[0311] Specifically, the terminal device can determine the first SSB based on the first SSB portion and the first information, and perform cell search and time-frequency synchronization based on the first SSB.

[0312] In addition, the terminal device can also perform RRM measurement, uplink beam selection, measurement beam selection, obtain BWP information, obtain neighbor cell information, and complete initial random access based on the first SSB part and the first information. The terminal device can also perform other operations based on the first SSB part and the first information, which are not limited here.

[0313] The method provided in this application embodiment enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth less than the frequency domain width occupied by the broadcast channel to obtain physical broadcast channels, synchronization signals, master information blocks, etc. through the first SSB part.

[0314] Furthermore, this method includes first information in the SSB burst window, allowing the terminal device to obtain unreceived information (i.e., the second SSB portion) from the SSB (or PBCH) based on the first information. This enables the terminal device to determine the SSB based on the received first SSB portion and the first information, facilitating successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. Moreover, both the first SSB portion and the first information are mapped within the terminal device's capabilities, eliminating the need for frequency hopping to receive SSB resources exceeding its capacity. This reduces latency, power consumption, and performance losses associated with frequency hopping.

[0315] Furthermore, the format of the SSB is not changed in this embodiment, thereby enabling terminal devices with different maximum processing bandwidths to share the SSB.

[0316] The following example illustrates the first information by taking the case where the frequency domain resources of the second SSB part do not overlap with those of the first resource, i.e., the first information is the information carried by the SSB part of the first SSB that cannot be received by the terminal device. The first information is explained in conjunction with the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0317] Example 1: Assume the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs.

[0318] In Example 1, since the frequency range of the first SSB is 20 RBs, while the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs, the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the first SSB when receiving it; it can only receive the first SSB portion, which has a frequency range of 11 RBs. The second SSB portion within the first SSB is then remapped to 2 or 3 symbols and received by the terminal device as the first information, which also has a frequency range of 11 RBs.

[0319] It should be understood that this application only illustrates the case where the first information corresponds to 2 or 3 symbols. The first information may also correspond to more or fewer symbols, and this application does not specifically limit the number of symbols corresponding to the first information. The following are exemplary descriptions for 2 symbols and 3 symbols respectively.

[0320] The first information will be illustrated below using examples with 2 symbols and 3 symbols respectively.

[0321] Example 1.1: The first piece of information corresponds to two symbols, namely symbol 5 and symbol 6.

[0322] In Example 1.1, the information mapped to symbols 5 and 6 can be considered as the first information. It is understood that in Example 1.1, symbol 5 corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention, and symbol 6 corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention.

[0323] In the first SSB, the PBCH occupies 48 RBs of resources. When receiving the first SSB, the terminal device can only receive the PBCH information of 11 RBs in symbol 2 and 11 RBs in symbol 4. The PBCH information of the remaining 26 RBs cannot be received by the terminal device during the transmission of the first SSB. In Example 1.1, the PBCH information of the remaining 26 RBs can be remapped to symbols 5 and 6, and the frequency domain resources occupied by symbols 5 and 6 are within the range of 11 RBs. The information remapped to symbols 5 and 6 can be regarded as the first information.

[0324] In Example 1.1, the PBCH information of 4 out of the remaining 26 RBs can be punched, which can also be understood as not remapping the PBCH information of the remaining 4 RBs. Then, the PBCH information of the remaining 22 RBs is remapped onto symbols 5 and 6.

[0325] For example, the PBCH information with a higher subcarrier index of the first SSB and / or the PBCH information with a lower subcarrier index of the traditional SSB can be punched.

[0326] One example is, such as Figure 5 As shown, the PBCH information of symbol 3 in the first SSB is sorted from high to low according to the subcarrier index, which is the PBCH information of the first 4 RBs. Figure 5 Drill holes in the middle diagonal section.

[0327] In another example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the PBCH information of symbol 3 in the first SSB is sorted from low to high according to the subcarrier index, which is the PBCH information of the first 4 RBs.Figure 6 Drill holes in the middle diagonal section.

[0328] In another example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the PBCH information of symbol 3 in the first SSB is sorted from low to high according to the subcarrier index, including the PBCH information of the first two RBs and the PBCH information of the last two RBs. Figure 7 Drill holes in the middle diagonal section.

[0329] It should be noted that the above Figure 5 to Figure 7 This is merely one exemplary puncturing method; other puncturing methods can be used in specific embodiments. For example, the PBCH information of the first three RBs in the first SSB, sorted by subcarrier index from high to low, can be punctured; and the PBCH information of the first RB in the first SSB, sorted by subcarrier index from low to high, can be punctured, and so on. This application does not limit the position of the four punctured RBs.

[0330] In Example 1.1, the first SSB portion may include PSS, SSS, a first PBCH portion, and a second PBCH portion. The second SSB portion includes a third PBCH portion and a fourth PBCH portion. The first information includes a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information and the third PBCH portion contain the same information, and the second sub-information and the fourth PBCH portion contain the same information. Specifically, PSS corresponds to symbol 1, the first PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 2, SSS corresponds to symbol 3, and the second PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 4. The third PBCH portion and the fourth PBCH portion correspond to symbols 2 to 4. The first sub-information corresponds to symbol 5, and the second sub-information corresponds to symbol 6.

[0331] Example 1.2: The first information corresponds to three symbols, namely symbol 5, symbol 6 and symbol 7.

[0332] Understandably, in Example 1.2, symbol 5 corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention, symbol 6 corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention, and symbol 7 corresponds to the ninth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention.

[0333] In the first SSB, the PBCH occupies 48 RBs. When receiving the first SSB, the terminal device can only receive the PBCH information of 11 RBs in symbol 2 and 11 RBs in symbol 4. The PBCH information of the remaining 26 RBs cannot be received by the terminal device during the transmission of the first SSB. In Example 1.2, the PBCH information of the remaining 26 RBs can be remapped to symbols 5, 6, and 7, where the information remapped to symbols 5, 6, and 7 can be considered as the first information.

[0334] In Example 1.2, the remaining PBCH information of the 26 RBs can be completely remapped onto symbols 5 to 7, or only a portion of the remaining 26 RBs' PBCH information can be remapped onto symbols 5 to 7. For example, the PBCH information of m RBs out of the remaining 26 RBs can be punched, which can also be understood as not remapping the PBCH information of m RBs, where m is an integer greater than 0 and less than 4. Then, the remaining PBCH information is remapped onto symbols 5 to 7.

[0335] For example, PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices in the first SSB and / or PBCH information with lower subcarrier indices in the traditional SSB can be punctured. For instance, the PBCH information of the RB with the highest subcarrier index of symbol 2 in the first SSB and the PBCH information of the RB with the highest subcarrier index of symbol 4 in the first SSB can be punctured.

[0336] It should be noted that this is only an exemplary puncturing method. In specific embodiments, other puncturing methods can also be used. For example, the PBCH information of the first three RBs in the first SSB, sorted by subcarrier index from high to low, can be punctured, etc. This application does not limit the position and number of RBs to be punctured.

[0337] Understandably, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the first information on each of symbols 5 to 7 can be the same or different. For example, if the remaining 26 RBs of PBCH information are all remapped on symbols 5 to 7, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the first information on symbols 5 and 6 are 11 RBs, and the frequency domain resources corresponding to the first information on symbol 7 are 4 RBs. Figure 8 As shown. For example, the first information has 10 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbol 5, and 8 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbols 6 and 7.

[0338] In Example 1.2, the first SSB portion includes PSS, SSS, the first PBCH portion, and the second PBCH portion; the second SSB portion includes the fifth PBCH portion, the sixth PBCH portion, and the seventh PBCH portion; the first information includes the third sub-information, the fourth sub-information, and the fifth sub-information, wherein the third sub-information is the same as the fifth PBCH portion, the fourth sub-information is the same as the sixth PBCH portion, and the fifth sub-information is the same as the seventh PBCH portion. Specifically, PSS corresponds to symbol 1, the first PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 2, SSS corresponds to symbol 3, the second PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 4, the third sub-information corresponds to symbol 5, the fourth sub-information corresponds to symbol 6, and the fifth sub-information is mapped to symbol 7. The fifth PBCH portion, the sixth PBCH portion, and the seventh PBCH portion correspond to symbols 2 to 4.

[0339] Example 2: Assume the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs.

[0340] In Example 2, since the frequency range of the first SSB is 20 RBs, while the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs, the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the first SSB when receiving the first SSB. It can only receive the first SSB portion of the first SSB, which has a frequency range of 12 RBs. The second SSB portion of the first SSB is remapped to two symbols and received by the terminal device as the first information, which also has a frequency range of 12 RBs.

[0341] It should be understood that this application only uses the example of the first information corresponding to 2 symbols for illustration. The first information may also correspond to more or fewer symbols. This application does not specifically limit the number of symbols corresponding to the first information.

[0342] For ease of description, Example 2 uses the remapping of the second SSB portion onto symbols 5 and 6 as an example. It can be understood that in Example 2, symbol 5 corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention, and symbol 6 corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit in the first or third aspect of the invention.

[0343] In the first SSB, the PBCH occupies 48 RBs of resources. When receiving the first SSB, the terminal device can only receive the PBCH information of 12 RBs in symbol 2 and 12 RBs in symbol 4. The PBCH information of the remaining 24 RBs cannot be received by the terminal device during the transmission of the first SSB. In Example 2, the PBCH information of the remaining 24 RBs can be remapped to symbols 5 and 6, and the frequency domain resources occupied by symbols 5 and 6 are within the range of 12 RBs. The information remapped to symbols 5 and 6 can be regarded as the first information.

[0344] In one possible example, the first SSB portion may include PSS, SSS, a first PBCH portion, and a second PBCH portion; the second SSB portion includes a third PBCH portion and a fourth PBCH portion. The first information includes a first sub-information and a second sub-information, wherein the first sub-information and the third PBCH portion contain the same information, and the second sub-information and the fourth PBCH portion contain the same information. Specifically, PSS corresponds to symbol 1, the first PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 2, SSS corresponds to symbol 3, and the second PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 4. The third PBCH portion and the fourth PBCH portion correspond to symbols 2 to 4. The first sub-information corresponds to symbol 5, and the second sub-information corresponds to symbol 6. For example... Figure 9 As shown.

[0345] The time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and included information corresponding to the first information have been described above in conjunction with the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The following describes the correspondence of the first information with the newly added symbols, that is, the method of remapping the second SSB portion to the newly added symbols. It should be understood that "newly added symbols" here is merely a naming convention to distinguish them from the symbols corresponding to the first SSB, and does not limit the symbols corresponding to the first information to being newly added. Specifically, the "newly added symbols" mentioned in this application refer to the symbols corresponding to the first information, such as symbols 5 and 6 in Example 1.1, symbols 5, 6, and 7 in Example 1.2, and symbols 5 and 6 in Example 2, etc.

[0346] The following provides two exemplary implementations of remapping the second SSB portion onto the newly added symbol.

[0347] In a first possible implementation, the remapping of the second SSB portion to the new symbol can be achieved as follows: the information included in the second SSB portion is remapped to the new symbol in ascending order of time domain index, wherein the information in the second SSB portion corresponding to the same time domain index is mapped in ascending order of subcarrier index.

[0348] In the first implementation, the first information is obtained by mapping (or sorting) the second SSB portion according to the following order: first, by ascending order of subcarrier index, and then by ascending order of time index. Specifically, the information corresponding to the same symbol in the second SSB portion can be sorted by ascending order of subcarrier index to obtain the sorted information for each symbol. Then, the sorted information for each symbol is sorted by ascending order of time index to obtain the first information.

[0349] In the first embodiment, the order in which the information corresponding to the resource element (k, l) in the second SSB part is remapped on the newly added symbol can be: first k increments, then l increments, where k is the subcarrier index and l is the time domain index.

[0350] For example, taking the first information in Example 1.1 corresponding to symbols 5 and 6, i.e., the newly added symbols being symbols 5 and 6, as an example, assuming k = {0~55, 183~239}, l = {1, 2, 3}, if the second SSB part adopts... Figure 5 The punching method shown, the information included in the second SSB part is remapped in the order of symbols 5 and 6 as follows: Figure 10 As shown.

[0351] In other punching methods, the information included in the second SSB section is remapped in the order of symbols 5 and 6. Figure 10 Similarly, I will not go into detail here.

[0352] For example, taking the first information in Example 2 corresponding to symbols 5 and 6, i.e., the newly added symbols being symbols 5 and 6, assuming k = {0~47, 192~239}, l = {1, 2, 3}, the information included in the second SSB part can be remapped to the order of symbols 5 and 6 as follows: Figure 11 As shown.

[0353] It should be understood that the above implementation is only illustrated by taking the order of subcarrier index from smallest to largest and the order of time index from smallest to largest as examples. In specific implementations, the order of subcarrier index from largest to smallest and the order of time index from largest to smallest can also be used for sorting (or mapping).

[0354] The mapping method of the first possible implementation is the same as that of PBCH in the first SSB. Therefore, the first possible implementation allows the terminal device to reuse the mapping method of the first SSB, thereby reducing the complexity of the terminal device.

[0355] In a second possible implementation, the remapping of the second SSB portion to the new symbol can be achieved as follows: first, map the information corresponding to the first frequency range in the second SSB portion, and then map the information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second SSB portion. The first and second frequency ranges do not overlap. The frequency range can be a subcarrier index range. For example, in Example 1, the first and second frequency ranges can be as follows: Figure 12 As shown. In Example 2, the first frequency range and the second frequency range can be as follows: Figure 13 As shown.

[0356] Taking the example of the first information corresponding to symbols 5 and 6 in Example 1.1, i.e., the newly added symbols being symbols 5 and 6, as an example, let's illustrate this. Assume the first information includes a first information part and a second information part, where the information corresponding to the first frequency range is the same in both the first information part and the second SSB part, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range is the same in both the second information part and the second SSB part. The way the first information corresponds to the newly added symbols can be one of the following three examples (a to c):

[0357] Example a: The first information part corresponds to symbol 5, and the second information part corresponds to symbol 6. That is, the information mapped by the first information on symbol 5 (i.e., the first sub-information) is the same as the information in the second SSB part corresponding to the first frequency range, and the information mapped by the first information on symbol 6 (i.e., the second sub-information) is the same as the information in the second SSB part corresponding to the second frequency range.

[0358] Understandably, if the second SSB portion is punched, it includes 11 RBs in the first frequency range and 11 RBs in the second frequency range, for example, as... Figure 7 As shown, the way the first information corresponds to symbols 5 and 6 can be as illustrated in example a. Combined with... Figure 7 The drilling method shown, example a, can be as follows: Figure 14 As shown.

[0359] Example b: The third sub-information corresponds to symbols 5 and 6, and the fourth information corresponds to symbol 5. That is, the information mapped by the first information on symbol 5 (i.e., the first sub-information) is the same as a portion of the information in the second SSB part corresponding to the first frequency range. The information mapped by the first information on symbol 6 (i.e., the second sub-information) includes information A and information B. Information A is the same as the remaining portion of the information in the second SSB part corresponding to the first frequency range, and information B is the same as the information in the second SSB part corresponding to the second frequency range.

[0360] Understandably, if the second SSB portion is punched, the number of RBs included in the first frequency range is greater than 11, and the number of RBs included in the second frequency range is less than 11. For example, ... Figure 5 As shown, the way the first information corresponds to symbols 5 and 6 can be as illustrated in example b. Combined with... Figure 5 The drilling method shown, example a, can be as follows: Figure 15 As shown.

[0361] Example c: Information A corresponds to symbol 5, and information B corresponds to symbols 5 and 6. That is, the information mapped to symbol 5 (i.e., the first sub-information) includes information C and information D. Information C is identical to the information in the first frequency range corresponding to the second SSB portion, and information D is identical to a portion of the information in the second frequency range corresponding to the second SSB portion. The information mapped to symbol 6 (i.e., the second sub-information) is identical to the remaining portion of the information in the second frequency range corresponding to the second SSB portion.

[0362] Understandably, if the second SSB portion is punched, the number of RBs included in the first frequency range is less than 11, while the number of RBs included in the second frequency range is greater than 11. For example, ... Figure 6 As shown, the way the first information corresponds to symbols 5 and 6 can be as illustrated in example c. Combined with... Figure 6 The drilling method shown, example a, can be as follows: Figure 16A As shown.

[0363] Taking the example of symbols 5 to 7 corresponding to the first information in Example 1.2, i.e., the newly added symbols being symbols 5 to 7, as an example, let's illustrate this. Assume the first information includes a first information part and a second information part. The information corresponding to the first frequency range in both the first information part and the second SSB part is the same, and the information corresponding to the second frequency range in both the second information part and the second SSB part is the same. The way the first information corresponds to the newly added symbols can be: the first information part corresponds to symbols 5 and 6, and the second information part corresponds to symbols 6 and 7. That is, the information mapped to symbol 5 (i.e., the third sub-information) is partially the same as the information corresponding to the first frequency range in the second SSB part. The information mapped to symbol 6 (i.e., the fourth sub-information) includes information E and information F. Information E is the same as the remaining information corresponding to the first frequency range in the second SSB part, and information F is the same as the remaining information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second SSB part. The information mapped to symbol 7 (i.e., the fifth sub-information) is the same as the remaining information corresponding to the second frequency range in the second SSB part.

[0364] Understandably, assuming the second SSB portion includes 26, the first frequency range includes 13 RBs, and the second frequency range includes 13 RBs, the way the first information corresponds to symbols 5 to 7 can be as follows: Figure 16B As shown.

[0365] Taking the first information corresponding to symbols 5 and 6 in Example 2, i.e., the newly added symbols being symbols 5 and 6, as an example, the way the first information corresponds to the newly added symbols can be: information in the first information that corresponds to the same information in the second SSB part corresponding to the first frequency range corresponds to symbol 5; information in the first information that corresponds to the same information in the second SSB part corresponding to the second frequency range corresponds to symbol 6. For example... Figure 17 As shown.

[0366] It should be understood that the above embodiments are only illustrated by the example that the highest frequency (or the largest subcarrier index) of the first frequency range is less than the lowest frequency (or the smallest subcarrier index) of the second frequency range. In specific implementations, the lowest frequency (or the smallest subcarrier index) of the first frequency range may also be greater than the highest frequency (or the largest subcarrier index) of the second frequency range.

[0367] The second possible implementation allows information with the same frequency range to be mapped onto the same symbol, which helps the terminal device demodulate and decode the first information.

[0368] The above examples illustrate two mapping orders. In specific implementations, the order in which the second SSB part is remapped to the new symbol can also be other orders, such as random mapping of information in the time domain, random mapping of information in the frequency domain, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0369] In this embodiment, the newly added symbols can be consecutive symbols. For example, taking symbols 5 and 6 as examples, symbol 5 occupies the Nth time-domain resource, and symbol 6 occupies the (N+1)th time-domain resource. As another example, taking symbols 5, 6, and 7 as examples, symbol 5 occupies the Nth time-domain resource, symbol 6 occupies the (N+1)th time-domain resource, and symbol 7 occupies the (N+2)th time-domain resource, where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0370] Alternatively, the newly added symbols can be non-contiguous. For example, if the newly added symbols are symbols 5 and 6, symbol 5 occupies the Nth time-domain resource, and symbol 6 occupies the (N+5)th time-domain resource. Another example is if the newly added symbols are symbols 5, 6, and 7; in this case, symbol 5 occupies the Nth time-domain resource, symbol 6 occupies the (N+5)th time-domain resource, and symbol 7 occupies the (N+6)th time-domain resource, where N is a positive integer.

[0371] Optionally, the newly added symbols can belong to the same time slot or different time slots.

[0372] In this embodiment, the newly added symbols may all precede the symbol corresponding to the first SSB. Alternatively, the newly added symbols may all follow the symbol corresponding to the first SSB. Or, some of the newly added symbols may precede the symbol corresponding to the first SSB, while the remaining symbols may follow the symbol corresponding to the first SSB.

[0373] The location and / or number of newly added symbols can be predetermined, such as by a protocol. Alternatively, the location and / or number of newly added symbols can be configured by network devices or terminal devices via signaling.

[0374] The signaling for configuring the location of newly added symbols can be control information, such as downlink control information (DCI) configured by network devices, or uplink control information (UCI) configured by terminal devices. This method results in a short transmission cycle and high frequency for the signaling for configuring the location of newly added symbols, allowing for timely configuration and enabling terminal devices to promptly obtain SSB (or PBCH) information.

[0375] Alternatively, the signaling configuring the location of newly added symbols can also be higher-level signaling, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. This method allows for the transmission of large amounts of data and offers high reliability.

[0376] Alternatively, the signaling for configuring the location of new symbols can also be Media Access Control (MAC) control element (MAC CE) signaling. In this way, the transmission frequency of the signaling for configuring the location of new symbols is higher than that of RRC signaling, and the transmission reliability is higher than that of DCI or UCI.

[0377] The symbol corresponding to the first SSB and the newly added symbol can appear synchronously within one SSB period, that is, the period X of the symbol corresponding to the first SSB and the period Y of the newly added symbol are the same, for example, as Figure 18 As shown. Alternatively, the period Y of the newly added symbol can also be greater than the period X of the symbol corresponding to the first SSB, that is, Y is greater than X.

[0378] For example, the period Y of the newly added symbol can be predefined, such as by a protocol. Alternatively, the period Y of the newly added symbol can also be configured by the network device or terminal device through signaling. The method of configuring the period Y of the newly added symbol is similar to the method of configuring the position of the newly added symbol, and can be referred to the previous text for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0379] The above describes a method that enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to quickly obtain SSB (or PBCH) information without changing the SSB format. Below is another method that enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to quickly obtain SSB (or PBCH) information. Specifically, it provides a new SSB format whose frequency range is less than or equal to the terminal device's maximum processing bandwidth, thus enabling the terminal device to obtain SSB (or PBCH) information.

[0380] See Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application. The method is described using a network device and a terminal device as examples. It is understood that the functions of the network device can also be implemented using a chip applied to the network device, or supported by other devices. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can also be implemented using a chip applied to the terminal device, or supported by other devices. The method includes:

[0381] S1901, the network device sends a second SSB to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second SSB. Figure 19 In the method, the second SSB corresponds to the first SSB in the second or fourth aspect of the invention.

[0382] The frequency range of the second SSB is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The structure of the second SSB will be described in detail below.

[0383] In one example, when the SCS is 30kHz and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 5MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs. In this example, the frequency range of the first information is less than or equal to 11 RBs, and the first SSB portion is less than or equal to 11 RBs.

[0384] In one example, when the SCS is 30kHz and the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 5MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs. In this example, the frequency range of the first information is less than or equal to 12 RBs, and the first SSB portion is less than or equal to 12 RBs.

[0385] In another example, when the SCS is 15 kHz and the terminal device operates in a specific spectrum less than 3.6 MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs. In this example, the frequency range of the first information is less than or equal to 11 RBs, and the first SSB portion is less than or equal to 11 RBs.

[0386] In another example, when the SCS is 15 kHz and the terminal device operates in a specific spectrum less than 3.6 MHz, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs. In this example, the frequency range of the first information is less than or equal to 12 RBs, and the first SSB portion is less than or equal to 12 RBs.

[0387] It should be understood that in other scenarios, the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device may also be different, which will not be listed here.

[0388] Optionally, the network device may determine the second SSB before step S1901.

[0389] S1902, the terminal device obtains one or more of the physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block according to the second SSB.

[0390] Optionally, the terminal device can perform cell search and time-frequency synchronization based on the second SSB.

[0391] In addition, the terminal equipment can also perform RRM measurement, uplink beam selection, etc. based on the second SSB. The terminal equipment can also perform other operations based on the second SSB, which are not limited here.

[0392] Because the current frequency range of SSB is 20 RBs (e.g. Figure 3 In the aforementioned method, the first SSB is used, but the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is less than 20 RBs, therefore the terminal device cannot receive all the information of the SSB when receiving it. In this application, the frequency range of the SSB is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device, enabling terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to acquire the SSB (or acquire the PBCH), which helps the terminal device to successfully demodulate and decode the SSB. Furthermore, the second SSB is mapped within the terminal device's capability range, eliminating the need for the terminal device to perform frequency hopping to receive SSB resources exceeding its own capability range, thereby reducing latency, power consumption, and performance loss caused by frequency hopping. Additionally, the frequency range of the SSB transmitted by the network device is within the terminal device's capability range, avoiding or reducing additional resource consumption by the network device.

[0393] The first piece of information will now be explained in conjunction with the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0394] Example 3: Assume the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 11 RBs.

[0395] In Example 3, the second SSB can correspond to 6 or 7 symbols. It should be understood that this application only illustrates the example of the second SSB corresponding to 6 or 7 symbols; the second SSB can also correspond to more or fewer symbols, and this application does not specifically limit the number of symbols corresponding to the second SSB. The following examples illustrate 6 and 7 symbols respectively.

[0396] Example 3.1: The second SSB corresponds to 6 symbols, namely symbol 1 to symbol 6.

[0397] Understandably, in Example 3.1, symbol 1 corresponds to the first time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 2 corresponds to the second time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 3 corresponds to the third time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 4 corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 5 corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, and symbol 6 corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention.

[0398] In Example 3.1, the PBCH information of 4 RBs can be punched out from the PBCH information of 48 RBs, that is, the second SSB includes the PBCH information of 44 RBs. The PBCH information of 44 RBs corresponds to 4 symbols, and each symbol corresponds to 11 RBs. For example, the second SSB may include PSS, SSS, first PBCH part, second PBCH part, third PBCH part, and fourth PBCH part, wherein PSS corresponds to symbol 1, first PBCH part corresponds to symbol 2, SSS corresponds to symbol 3, second PBCH part corresponds to symbol 4, third PBCH part corresponds to symbol 5, and fourth PBCH part corresponds to symbol 6.

[0399] Optionally, the frequency domain resources of each PBCH section in the first, second, third, and fourth PBCH sections overlap with the frequency domain resources of the PSS, for example, as Figure 20 As shown.

[0400] In one exemplary illustration, the relative positions of PSS and SSS can be predefined; for example, there can be a symbol separating PSS and SSS.

[0401] Example 3.2, the second SSB corresponds to 7 symbols, namely symbol 1 to symbol 7.

[0402] Understandably, in Example 3.2, symbol 1 corresponds to the first time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 2 corresponds to the second time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 3 corresponds to the third time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 4 corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 5 corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 6 corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, and symbol 7 corresponds to the ninth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention.

[0403] In Example 3.2, the second SSB includes PBCH information for 48 RBs. The PBCH information for the 48 RBs corresponds to 5 symbols. For example, the second SSB may include a PSS, an SSS, a first PBCH portion, a second PBCH portion, a third PBCH portion, a fourth PBCH portion, and a fifth PBCH portion, wherein the PSS corresponds to symbol 1, the first PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 2, the SSS corresponds to symbol 3, the second PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 4, the third PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 5, the fourth PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 6, and the fifth PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 7.

[0404] Optionally, the frequency domain resources of each PBCH section in the first, second, third, and fourth PBCH sections overlap with the frequency domain resources of the PSS.

[0405] Optionally, the frequency domain resources corresponding to each of the five symbols (symbols 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7) of the PBCH information in the second SSB can be the same or different. For example, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the PBCH information in symbols 2, 4, 5, and 6 are 11 RBs, while the frequency domain resources corresponding to symbol 7 are 4 RBs. Figure 21 As shown. For example, the PBCH information has 11 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbols 2, 4, 5, and 6, and 8 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbol 7. For another example, the PBCH information has 11 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbols 2 and 4, 11 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbols 5 and 6, and 6 RBs in the frequency domain corresponding to symbol 7. These are just some examples; the number of RBs corresponding to the PBCH information on each symbol is not limited. As long as the total number of RBs for the PBCH information across the 5 symbols is 48, it can be considered a scheme of this application.

[0406] In one exemplary illustration, the relative positions of PSS and SSS can be predefined; for example, there can be a symbol separating PSS and SSS.

[0407] Example 4: Assume the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device is 12 RBs.

[0408] In Example 4, the second SSB can correspond to 6 symbols, such as symbols 1 to 6. It should be understood that this application only uses 6 symbols as an example for illustration; the second SSB can also correspond to more or fewer symbols, and this application does not specifically limit the number of symbols corresponding to the second SSB. The following example illustrates 6 symbols.

[0409] Understandably, in Example 4, symbol 1 corresponds to the first time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 2 corresponds to the second time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 3 corresponds to the third time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 4 corresponds to the fourth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, symbol 5 corresponds to the fifth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention, and symbol 6 corresponds to the sixth time-domain unit in the second or fourth aspect of the invention.

[0410] In Example 4, the second SSB includes PBCH information for 48 RBs, each corresponding to 4 symbols, with each symbol corresponding to 12 RBs. For example, the second SSB may include a PSS, an SSS, a first PBCH portion, a second PBCH portion, a third PBCH portion, and a fourth PBCH portion, where the PSS corresponds to symbol 1, the first PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 2, the SSS corresponds to symbol 3, the second PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 4, the third PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 5, and the fourth PBCH portion corresponds to symbol 6, as shown below. Figure 22 As shown.

[0411] In one exemplary illustration, the relative positions of PSS and SSS can be predefined; for example, there can be a symbol separating PSS and SSS.

[0412] The above describes the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and included information corresponding to the first information in conjunction with the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0413] In this embodiment, the correspondence of PBCH information in the second SSB on the corresponding symbols can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 3 The method by which the first information corresponds to the newly added symbol will not be repeated here.

[0414] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB can be consecutive. For example, taking 3.1 or Example 4 above, symbol 2 occupies the Nth time domain resource, symbol 4 occupies the (N+1)th time domain resource, symbol 5 occupies the (N+2)th time domain resource, and symbol 6 occupies the (N+3)th time domain resource. As another example, taking 3.2 above, symbols 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be consecutive; for example, symbol 2 occupies the Nth time domain resource, symbol 4 occupies the (N+1)th time domain resource, symbol 5 occupies the (N+2)th time domain resource, symbol 6 occupies the (N+3)th time domain resource, and symbol 7 occupies the (N+4)th time domain resource.

[0415] Alternatively, the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB can also be discontinuous. For example, taking 3.1 or Example 4 above, symbol 2 occupies the Nth time-domain resource, symbol 4 occupies the (N+2)th time-domain resource, symbol 5 occupies the (N+5)th time-domain resource, and symbol 6 occupies the (N+7)th time-domain resource. As another example, taking 3.2 above, symbol 2 occupies the Nth time-domain resource, symbol 4 occupies the (N+2)th time-domain resource, symbol 5 occupies the (N+5)th time-domain resource, symbol 6 occupies the (N+7)th time-domain resource, and symbol 7 occupies the (N+8)th time-domain resource.

[0416] The symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB may or may not be in the same time slot.

[0417] In one possible example, the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB are all located before the PSS, i.e., symbol 1.

[0418] In another possible example, the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB are all located after the SSS, which is symbol 3.

[0419] In another possible example, in the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB, the first part of the symbols is before the PSS, which is symbol 1; the second part of the symbols is after the SSS, which is symbol 3; and the third part of the symbols is between the PSS and SSS, which is between symbol 1 and symbol 3.

[0420] In another possible example, some symbols in the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB are before the PSS, which is symbol 1, and the remaining symbols are between the PSS and SSS, which is between symbol 1 and symbol 3.

[0421] In another possible example, some symbols in the symbols corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB are after the SSS, which is symbol 3, and the remaining symbols are between the PSS and SSS, which is between symbol 1 and symbol 3.

[0422] The position of the symbol corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB can be predetermined or configured by the terminal device or network device via signaling. For specific configuration methods, please refer to the previous text. Figure 3 The method for configuring the position of newly added symbols is repeated here, so it will not be repeated.

[0423] In one exemplary embodiment, the symbol corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB can appear within a single conventional SSB cycle. Alternatively, the symbol corresponding to the PBCH information in the second SSB can be distributed across different conventional SSB cycles. The conventional SSB can be an SSB configured for a broadband terminal device, such as... Figure 3 The method includes a first SSB, etc. The following uses the first SSB as an example to describe the difference between the traditional SSB and the second SSB.

[0424] The period of the second SSB can be the same as or greater than the period of the first SSB. For example, the period of the first SSB is 20ms and the period of the second SSB is 40ms.

[0425] The period of the second SSB can be predefined or configured by the terminal device or network device via signaling. For specific configuration methods, please refer to the previous text. Figure 3 The method for configuring the position of newly added symbols is repeated here, so it will not be repeated.

[0426] pass Figure 3 or Figure 19 The provided method enables terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to acquire the SSB (or acquire the PBCH), which facilitates the successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB by the terminal device. Figure 3 or Figure 19 The provided method requires less time to obtain SSB (or PBCH) information, thus reducing latency for communication activities such as time-frequency synchronization and cell search. It also helps save energy in terminal devices and improves user experience. Furthermore, through... Figure 3 or Figure 19 The method provided eliminates the need for terminal devices to hop frequencies to receive SSB resources beyond their own capabilities, thereby reducing latency, power consumption, and performance loss caused by frequency hopping.

[0427] The preceding text introduced two methods that enable terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs to obtain SSB (or PBCH) information. From Figure 3 and Figure 19As can be seen from the method described, compared to the current method of transmitting SSB information using four symbols, the terminal device in this application requires more symbols to obtain SSB (or PBCH) information, such as symbols 5 to 6, or symbols 5 to 7. For these newly added symbols, the terminal device and network device need to determine their positions. Therefore, this application also provides a method for determining the positions of these newly added symbols.

[0428] It should be understood that the term "new symbols" here is merely a designation to distinguish them from the four symbols currently required for SSB transmission, and does not imply that these symbols are entirely new. Specifically, the "new symbols" mentioned in this application can refer to... Figure 3 The symbols corresponding to the first information in the method, such as symbols 5 and 6 in Example 1.1, symbols 5, 6, and 7 in Example 1.2, symbols 5 and 6 in Example 2, etc., or Figure 19 In the method described, symbols 5 to 6 are involved in Example 3.1 or Example 4, or... Figure 19 Symbols 5 to 7 are involved in Example 3.2 of the method.

[0429] It should be noted that the methods provided below can be applied to... Figure 3 or Figure 19 The method can also be applied to other scenarios where symbols have been added. As long as the network device and terminal device need more than 4 symbols when transmitting SSB, the method provided in this application can be used to determine the position of the excess symbol portion.

[0430] See Figure 23 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application. The method is illustrated with the example of adding two symbols. If the added symbols are more or fewer, the indication information can indicate the position of the added symbols in a similar way.

[0431] It should be understood that the indication information is only an exemplary name. In this application, the indication information can also be described as configuration information, time and frequency resource information, new symbol information, time domain information, etc. The naming of this information is not specifically limited here.

[0432] This method is described using network devices and terminal devices as examples. It is understood that the functions of a network device can also be implemented through a chip applied to the network device, or through other devices supporting the implementation of the network device; similarly, the functions of a terminal device can also be implemented through a chip applied to the terminal device, or through other devices supporting the implementation of the terminal device. The method includes:

[0433] S2301, Network device obtains instruction information.

[0434] S2302, the terminal device obtains this instruction information.

[0435] The indication information is used to determine the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1.

[0436] In one exemplary description, S2301 can also be understood as the network device obtaining the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB (or obtaining PBCH) 1, and S2302 can also be understood as the terminal device obtaining the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB (or obtaining PBCH) 1.

[0437] Optionally, the indication information is also used to determine the location of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2. Alternatively, it can be understood that network devices and terminal devices can also determine the location of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2.

[0438] The following explanation uses the example of newly added symbol 1 including symbol a and symbol b, and newly added symbol 2 including symbol c and symbol d. Here, SSB1 can correspond to... Figure 3 In the method, the first SSB, symbol a, and symbol b can respectively correspond to... Figure 3 Symbols 5 and 6 in the method described. Alternatively, SSB1 can correspond to... Figure 19 In the method, the second SSB, symbol a and symbol b can correspond to Figure 19 In the method, symbols 5 and 6. SSB2 can correspond to the second SSB described in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, and symbols c and d can respectively correspond to the seventh and eighth time-domain units described in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention.

[0439] For details regarding the relationship between SSB1 and the newly added symbol 1, and the relationship between SSB2 and the newly added symbol 2, please refer to the preceding text. Figure 3 The relationship between the first SSB and the newly added symbols (i.e., symbols 5 and 6) in the method described above, or refer to the preceding text. Figure 19 The relationship between the second SSB and the newly added symbols (i.e., symbols 5 and 6) in the method described herein will not be repeated here.

[0440] One possible implementation is that the indication information can be predefined, meaning that network devices and terminal devices can obtain the indication information through predefined information. This can also be understood as the positions of newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and / or newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2 being predefined. Alternatively, it can be understood as the position determination rules being predefined, where the position determination rules are used to determine the positions of newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and / or newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2.

[0441] Another possible implementation is that the network device obtains the indication information by determining the indication information, which can also be understood as the network device determining the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and / or the position of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2. Optionally, the network device can indicate the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and / or the position of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2 to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device obtains the indication information by receiving the indication information from the network device.

[0442] Another possible implementation is that the terminal device obtains the indication information by determining the indication information. This can also be understood as the terminal device determining the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and / or the position of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2. Optionally, the terminal device can also indicate the position of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and / or the position of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2 to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device obtains the indication information by receiving the indication information from the terminal device.

[0443] It should be noted that the indication information of the newly added symbol 1 corresponding to SSB1 and the indication information of the newly added symbol 2 corresponding to SSB2 can be the same or different indication information; no specific limitation is made here.

[0444] Optionally, the position of the SSB corresponding to the newly added symbol can be predefined. For example, the position of SSB1 corresponding to the newly added symbol 1 is predefined, and the position of SSB2 corresponding to the newly added symbol 2 is also predefined. Here, the position of SSB1 can be understood as the position of the other four symbols of SSB1 (excluding the newly added symbol 1), as described above. Figure 3 The symbols 1 to 4 of the first SSB in the method are as described above. Figure 19 The symbols 1 to 4 of the first SSB in the method are as follows. The remaining four symbols corresponding to SSB1 can correspond to the first group of time-domain units in the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention. The position of SSB2 can be understood as the position of the remaining four symbols of SSB2 (excluding the newly added symbol 2). The remaining four symbols of SSB2 are similar to the remaining four symbols of SSB1, and will not be described again here. The remaining four symbols corresponding to SSB2 can correspond to the second group of time-domain units in the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention.

[0445] Specifically, the positions of newly added symbol 1 and newly added symbol 2 will be explained in detail below.

[0446] It should be noted that S2301 and / or S2302 may be optional steps.

[0447] S2303, the network device sends a signal at the location of the newly added symbol 1. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the signal at the location of the newly added symbol 1.

[0448] Optionally, the network device transmits a signal at the location of the newly added symbol 2. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives a signal at the location of the newly added symbol 2.

[0449] It should be understood that the process of network devices and terminal devices transmitting signals at the location of newly added symbol 1, and the process of network devices and terminal devices transmitting signals at the location of newly added symbol 2, can be referred to the previous text. Figure 3 The method describes the process by which network devices and terminal devices transmit the first SSB and the first information. Alternatively, refer to the preceding text. Figure 19 The process of transmitting the second SSB between the network device and the terminal device in the method described herein will not be repeated here.

[0450] In this embodiment, the terminal device and network device explicitly define the location of the newly added symbol, enabling them to transmit SSB information at the corresponding symbol location. Particularly for terminal devices with a maximum processing bandwidth of less than 20 RBs, the network device can send SSB information on the newly added symbol, and the terminal device can receive SSB information on the newly added symbol. This allows the terminal device to obtain as much complete SSB (or PBCH) information as possible, facilitating successful demodulation and decoding of the SSB. This, in turn, helps the terminal device quickly complete processes such as cell search and random access, reducing network access latency and improving user experience. Furthermore, by reducing the time spent on cell search or random access processes, the terminal device's power consumption can be further reduced, extending its battery life.

[0451] The positions of newly added symbol 1 and newly added symbol 2 are explained below using the SSB pattern.

[0452] When SCS is 30kHz, there are two SSB modes: Case B and Case C.

[0453] For SSB mode Case B, the index of the first symbol of the candidate SSB is {4,8,16,20}+18*n, where n is 0 when the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 3GHz, and index 0 corresponds to the first symbol in the first slot within a half-frame. For SSB mode Case C, the index of the first symbol of the candidate SSB is {2,8}+14*n, where n is {0,1} when performing non-shared spectrum channel access, unpaired spectrum operation, and when the carrier frequency is less than or equal to 1.88GHz.

[0454] For Case B, there are 4 SSBs within a half-frame. The indices of the 4 SSBs are {0, 1, 2, 3}. The first symbol of the SSB with index 0 has an index of 4, the first symbol of the SSB with index 1 has an index of 8, the first symbol of the SSB with index 2 has an index of 16, and the first symbol of the SSB with index 3 has an index of 20. There is a 4-symbol interval between the SSB with index 0 and the SSB with index 1. There is an 8-symbol interval between the SSB with index 1 and the SSB with index 2.

[0455] Example 1: Taking Case B as an example, SSB1 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 4, 5, 6, and 7; SSB2 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 8, 9, 10, and 11; SSB3 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 16, 17, 18, and 19; and SSB4 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 20, 21, 22, and 23.

[0456] For Case C, there are 4 SSBs within a half-frame. The indices of the first symbol of the 4 SSBs are {2, 8, 16, 22}. The first symbol of the SSB with SSB index 0 is index 2, the first symbol of the SSB with SSB index 1 is index 8, the first symbol of the SSB with SSB index 2 is index 16, and the first symbol of the SSB with SSB index 3 is index 22. There is a 6-symbol interval between the SSBs with SSB index 0 and SSB index 1. There is an 8-symbol interval between the SSBs with SSB index 1 and SSB index 2. There is a 6-symbol interval between the SSBs with SSB index 2 and SSB index 3.

[0457] Example 2, taking Case C as an example, SSB1 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 2, 3, 4, and 5; SSB2 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 8, 9, 10, and 11; SSB3 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 16, 17, 18, and 19; and SSB4 corresponds to four symbols with symbol indices 22, 23, 24, and 25.

[0458] The positions of newly added symbol 1 and newly added symbol 2 will be explained below, taking Case B and Case C as examples respectively.

[0459] In one possible implementation, there are 4 SSBs in Case B or Case C. The indication information can indicate the positional relationship between the first SSB and the newly added symbol, as well as the positional relationship between the second SSB and the newly added symbol. The positional relationship between the third SSB and the newly added symbol, as well as the positional relationship between the fourth SSB and the newly added symbol, can be respectively referenced to the positional relationship between the first SSB and the newly added symbol, and the positional relationship between the second SSB and the newly added symbol.

[0460] In Example 5, newly added symbol 1 consists of two consecutive symbols, and newly added symbol 2 consists of two consecutive symbols. In Example 5.1, newly added symbol 1 and newly added symbol 2 can be placed after SSB2.

[0461] Referring to Example 1 above, newly added symbols 1 and 2 can be placed after SSB2, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 11, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 11 and the symbol with symbol index 16. Newly added symbol 3 corresponding to SSB3 and newly added symbol 4 corresponding to SSB4 can be placed after SSB4, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 23. For example, as... Figure 24 As shown.

[0462] In Example 6, the two symbols in New Symbol 1 are consecutive, and the two symbols in New Symbol 2 are also consecutive. In Example 5.2, New Symbol 1 can be placed before SSB1, and New Symbol 2 can be placed after SSB2.

[0463] Referring to Example 1 above, the newly added symbol 1 can be placed before SSB1, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 4. The newly added symbol 2 can be placed after SSB2, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 11, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 11 and the symbol with symbol index 16. The newly added symbol 3 corresponding to SSB3 can be placed before SSB3, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 16, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 11 and the symbol with symbol index 16. The newly added symbol 4 corresponding to SSB4 can be placed after SSB4, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 23. For example, as... Figure 25 As shown.

[0464] Referring to Example 2 above, the newly added symbol 1 can be placed before SSB1, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 2. The newly added symbol 2 can be placed after SSB2, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 11, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 11 and the symbol with symbol index 16. The newly added symbol 3 corresponding to SSB3 can be placed before SSB3, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 16, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 11 and the symbol with symbol index 16. The newly added symbol 4 corresponding to SSB4 can be placed after SSB4, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 25. For example, as... Figure 26 As shown.

[0465] In Example 6, the first and second rules can be understood to be used alternately. The first rule states that the newly added symbol is positioned before its corresponding SSB, while the second rule states that the newly added symbol is positioned after its corresponding SSB. For example, within a half-frame, the newly added symbol corresponding to the SSB with index 0 is before that SSB, the newly added symbol corresponding to the SSB with index 1 is after that SSB, the newly added symbol corresponding to the SSB with index 2 is before that SSB, and the newly added symbol corresponding to the SSB with index 3 is after that SSB.

[0466] In Example 7, the two symbols included in New Symbol 1 are consecutive, and the two symbols included in New Symbol 2 are consecutive. In Example 6.1, New Symbol 1 can be placed after SSB1, specifically between SSB1 and SSB2, and New Symbol 2 can be placed after SSB2.

[0467] Referring to Example 2 above, the newly added symbol 1 can be placed after SSB1, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 5, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 5 and the symbol with symbol index 8. The newly added symbol 2 can be placed after SSB2, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 11. The newly added symbol 3 corresponding to SSB3 can be placed after SSB3, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 19, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 19 and the symbol with symbol index 22. For example, as... Figure 27 As shown.

[0468] In Example 8, the two symbols in New Symbol 1 are consecutive, and the two symbols in New Symbol 2 are also consecutive. In Example 6.2, New Symbol 1 can precede SSB1, and New Symbol 2 can precede SSB2.

[0469] Referring to Example 2 above, the newly added symbol 1 can be placed before SSB1, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 2. The newly added symbol 2 can be placed before SSB2, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 8, specifically between the symbols with symbol index 5 and 8. The newly added symbol 3 corresponding to SSB3 can be placed before SSB3, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 16. The newly added symbol 4 corresponding to SSB4 can be placed after SSB4, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 22, specifically between the symbols with symbol index 19 and 22. For example, as... Figure 28 As shown.

[0470] In Example 9, the two symbols in newly added symbol 1 are not consecutive, and the two symbols in newly added symbol 2 are also not consecutive. In Example 6.4, in newly added symbol 1, symbol 'a' can be placed before SSB1, and symbol 'b' can be placed after SSB1, specifically between SSB1 and SSB2. In newly added symbol 2, symbol 'c' can be placed before SSB2, specifically between SSB1 and SSB2, and symbol 'd' can be placed after SSB2.

[0471] Referring back to Example 2 above, symbol 'a' can be placed before SSB1, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 2. Symbol 'b' can be placed after SSB1, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 5, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 5 and the symbol with symbol index 8. Symbol 'c' can be placed before SSB2, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 8. Symbol 'd' can be placed after SSB2, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 22.

[0472] In the newly added symbol 3, the symbol 'e' can be placed before SSB3, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 16. In the newly added symbol 3, the symbol 'f' can be placed after SSB3, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 19, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 19 and the symbol with symbol index 22. In the newly added symbol 4, the symbol 'g' can be placed before SSB4, that is, before the symbol with symbol index 22, specifically between the symbol with symbol index 19 and the symbol with symbol index 22. In the newly added symbol 4, the symbol 'h' can be placed after SSB4, that is, after the symbol with symbol index 25. For example, as... Figure 29 As shown.

[0473] Example 10: New symbol 1 and new symbol 2 can also be placed before SSB1, such as... Figure 30 As shown.

[0474] Example 11: New symbol 1 and new symbol 2 can also be located between SSB1 and SSB2, such as... Figure 31 As shown.

[0475] In the method provided in this application, SSB1 and the newly added symbol 1 can share the PSS and SSS included in SSB1, wherein the PSS occupies the symbol with symbol index 4 and the SSS occupies the symbol with symbol index 6. By receiving partial information of SSB1 and information carried by the newly added symbol 1, the terminal device can better demodulate and / or decode the corresponding SSB1.

[0476] Similarly, SSB2 and the newly added symbol 2 can share the PSS and SSS included in SSB2, where the PSS occupies the symbol with symbol index 8 and the SSS occupies the symbol with symbol index 10. By receiving partial information from SSB2 and the information carried by the newly added symbol 2, the terminal device can better demodulate and / or decode the corresponding SSB2.

[0477] SSB3 and the newly added symbol 3 can share the PSS and SSS included in SSB3. The PSS occupies the symbol with symbol index 16, and the SSS occupies the symbol with symbol index 18. By receiving partial information from SSB3 and the information carried by the newly added symbol 3, the terminal device can better demodulate and / or decode the corresponding SSB3.

[0478] SSB4 and the newly added symbol 4 can share the PSS and SSS included in SSB4, where the PSS occupies the symbol at symbol index 20 and the SSS occupies the symbol at symbol index 11. By receiving partial information from SSB4 and information carried by the newly added symbol 4, the terminal device can better demodulate and / or decode the corresponding SSB4.

[0479] The preceding text introduced six possible positional relationships between SSBs and their corresponding newly added symbols. In Case B or Case C modes based on a 30kHz SCS, if a rule for determining the position of the newly added symbol is required, the rule described in one of Examples 5 to 11 above can be used. This allows the terminal device and network device to determine the positions of newly added symbol 1 and / or newly added symbol 2 according to the rule. If a rule for determining the position of the newly added symbol is not required, the network device can determine the position of the newly added symbol itself; this behavior can be implemented by the network device. In one possible implementation, candidate positions for the newly added symbol can be predefined, and the network device can select (or determine) the positions of newly added symbol 1 and / or newly added symbol 2 from these candidate positions.

[0480] It should be understood that the "rules for determining the position of newly added symbols" can be understood as "the positions of newly added symbols need to be predefined", and correspondingly, the "rules for determining the position of newly added symbols not needed" can be understood as "the positions of newly added symbols not need to be predefined".

[0481] In one possible implementation, the network device can instruct the terminal device whether a new symbol location determination rule is needed, or the terminal device can instruct the network device whether a new symbol location determination rule is needed. The methods by which the network device instructs the terminal device whether a new symbol location determination rule is needed are similar; the following explanation uses the method of the network device instructing the terminal device whether a new symbol location determination rule is needed. For details on the method of the terminal device instructing the network device whether a new symbol location determination rule is needed, please refer to the relevant description.

[0482] In one specific implementation, the network device can use one bit to indicate whether a new symbol needs to be added to the position determination rule. For example, a bit state of 0 indicates that a new symbol needs to be added to the position determination rule, while a bit state of 1 indicates that a new symbol does not need to be added. As another example, a bit state of 1 indicates that a new symbol needs to be added to the position determination rule, while a bit state of 0 indicates that a new symbol does not need to be added.

[0483] In one specific implementation, the network device can determine the location rules for adding symbols by whether or not a specific field is included in the signaling. For example, including the specific field in the signaling indicates that a location rule for adding symbols is required, while not including it indicates that a location rule for adding symbols is not required. Conversely, not including the specific field in the signaling indicates that a location rule for adding symbols is required, while including it indicates that a location rule for adding symbols is not required.

[0484] Network devices can also indicate the location of new symbols to determine the rules in other ways, which are not specifically limited here.

[0485] If a new rule for determining the location of a symbol needs to be added, the network device can instruct the terminal device on the rule, or the terminal device can instruct the network device on the rule. The methods for the network device and the terminal device to instruct the rule are similar. The following explanation uses the example of the network device instructing the rule; for details on the terminal device instructing the rule, please refer to the relevant description.

[0486] In one possible implementation, the network device can determine the rule by using one or more bits to indicate the position of the newly added symbol.

[0487] For example, the rule is determined by using 1 bit to indicate the position of the newly added symbol in Case B mode. If the bit state is 0, it means that the rule described in Example 5 is used for Case B. If the bit state is 1, it means that the rule described in Example 6 is used for Case B.

[0488] For example, the rule is determined by using two bits to indicate the position of the newly added symbol under Case C. If the bit state is 00, it indicates that the rule described in Example 7 applies to Case C. If the bit state is 01, it indicates that the rule described in Example 8 applies to Case C. If the bit state is 10, it indicates that the rule described in Example 6 applies to Case C. If the bit state is 11, it indicates that the rule described in Example 9 applies to Case C.

[0489] The above analysis pertains to the placement rules for adding two new symbols. The same rules apply to placing three, four, or more new symbols. For example, based on different SSB modes, we analyze the available symbol positions and then determine the placement rules for the new symbols; these will not be elaborated upon here.

[0490] This application embodiment reduces the number of blind attempts by the terminal device by pre-determining the position of the newly added symbol, thus facilitating UE energy saving. Furthermore, the network device can dynamically adjust the position of the newly added symbol based on the current symbol occupancy, avoiding collisions with other channels, signals, or resources. For example, other channels include the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0491] The above describes methods for transmitting SSBs between network devices and terminal devices. In these methods, terminal devices can reduce processing time. Specifically, terminal devices can reduce uplink processing time and / or downlink processing time. For example, the terminal device can reduce at least one of the following processing times: PUCCH processing time, PUSCH processing time, channel estimation time, modulation time, coding time, SRS processing time, etc. For example, the terminal device can reduce at least one of the following processing times: PDCCH processing time, PDSCH processing time, channel estimation time, demodulation time, decoding time, CSI calculation time, etc.

[0492] In one exemplary illustration, "relaxed processing time" can be understood as extending processing time. This method, by consuming more time-domain resources, can save resources in other areas, such as frequency resources. It can also save costs, simplify manufacturing processes, reduce chip area, and so on.

[0493] Different SCSs can correspond to different relaxation methods. That is, the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is different from the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS. Assuming the processing time before relaxation under the first SCS is the same as the processing time before relaxation under the second SCS, the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is that the processing time after relaxation is X1 times the processing time before relaxation. The relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS is that the processing time after relaxation is X2 times the processing time before relaxation. Here, X1 and X2 can be different.

[0494] For example, suppose the first SCS is 15kHz and the second SCS is 30kHz. For example, X1 might be 2 and X2 might be 3. Or, for example, X1 might be 3 and X2 might be 4. Or, for example, X1 might be 2 and X2 might be 4. Or, for example, X1 might be 4 and X2 might be 2.

[0495] For example, X1 and X2 can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the network device, or be capabilities of the terminal device.

[0496] Optionally, if X1 and X2 are capabilities of the terminal device, the terminal device can report X1 and / or X2 to the network device. In one exemplary embodiment, the terminal device can report X1 and / or X2 via one or more bits. Alternatively, X1 and / or X2 can also be reported via one or more fields.

[0497] Optionally, the terminal device can also report to the network device whether X1 and X2 are the same. That is, the terminal device can report to the network device whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS.

[0498] In one specific implementation, the terminal device can report whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS using one or more bits. For example, the terminal device can report whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS using one bit. A bit state of 1 indicates that the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS. A bit state of 0 indicates that the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is different from the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS.

[0499] Alternatively, one or more fields can be used to indicate whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS. For example, a single field can be used to indicate whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS.

[0500] One example illustrates this by using a field to explicitly indicate whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS.

[0501] Another example illustrates this: a field value of 'y' indicates that the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS. A field value of 'n' indicates that the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is different from the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the second SCS.

[0502] In another example, a field implicitly indicates whether the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as that under the second SCS. If this field is included, it means that the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is the same as that under the second SCS. If this field is not included, it means that the relaxation method corresponding to the processing time under the first SCS is different from that under the second SCS.

[0503] It should be noted that the above-mentioned method for relaxing processing time can also be implemented without relying on the above-mentioned method for transmitting SSB.

[0504] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device, the structure of which can be as follows: Figure 32 As shown, it includes a communication unit 3201 and a processing unit 3202.

[0505] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 3 In the embodiments, the method executed by the terminal device may be the terminal device itself, or a chip or chipset within the terminal device, or a part of a chip used to execute the relevant method function. Specifically, the communication unit 3201 is configured to receive a first SSB portion on a first resource. The processing unit 3202 is configured to acquire one or more of the following based at least on the first SSB portion within the SSB burst window: a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block.

[0506] The first resource is a portion of the resources used by the first SSB. The first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion, and the first SSB is one SSB within an SSB burst window. The first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion. The time-domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is different from the time-domain resource location of the first resource. The frequency-domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency-domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource. The frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB portion transmission is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0507] Optionally, the positions from the first time domain unit to the fourth time domain unit are predefined; the processing unit 3202 is further configured to: acquire indication information, the indication information being used to determine the positions of the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit.

[0508] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 3 In the embodiments, the method executed by the network device can be the network device itself, or a chip or chipset within the network device, or a part of a chip used to execute related method functions. The communication unit 3201 is used to transmit a first SSB. The first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion. The first SSB portion is transmitted on a first resource, where the first resource is a portion of the resource used by the first SSB. The first SSB is an SSB within an SSB burst window. The first information within the SSB burst window is associated with the same SSB index as the first SSB portion. The time-domain resource location of the resource used for transmitting the first information is different from the time-domain resource location of the first resource. The frequency-domain resource location of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency-domain resource center of the resource used for transmitting the first information is the same as the frequency-domain resource center of the first resource. The frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB portion is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0509] Optionally, the positions from the first time domain unit to the fourth time domain unit are predefined; the processing unit 3202 is further configured to: determine the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit according to the indication information, wherein the indication information is used to determine the positions of the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit.

[0510] Optionally, the communication unit 3201 is further configured to: send the indication information to the terminal device.

[0511] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 19 In the embodiments, the method executed by the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip or chipset within the terminal device, or a part of the chip used to execute the relevant method function. Specifically, the communication unit 3201 is used to receive a first SSB, the frequency range of which is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the processing unit 3202 is used to acquire one or more of a physical broadcast channel, a synchronization signal, and a master information block based on the first SSB.

[0512] Optionally, the positions from the first time domain unit to the fourth time domain unit are predefined. The processing unit 3202 is further configured to: the terminal device acquire indication information, the indication information being used to determine the positions of the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit.

[0513] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 19 In the embodiments, the method executed by the network device can be the network device itself, or a chip or chipset within the network device, or a part of the chip used to perform the relevant method function. Specifically, the processing unit 3202 is used to determine a first SSB, the frequency range of which is less than or equal to the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device; the communication unit 3201 is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0514] Optionally, the positions from the first time domain unit to the fourth time domain unit are predefined; the processing unit 3202 is further configured to: determine the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit according to the indication information, wherein the indication information is used to determine the positions of the fifth time domain unit and the sixth time domain unit.

[0515] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 23In the embodiments, the terminal device executes a method. This device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip or chipset within the terminal device, or a part of a chip used to execute related method functions. Specifically, the processing unit 3202 is used to acquire indication information, wherein the indication information is used to determine the positions of a first time-domain unit and a second time-domain unit. The first and second time-domain units are used to determine a first SSB with a first set of time-domain unit symbols, wherein the first set of time-domain units includes four time-domain unit symbols, and the positions of the first set of time-domain units are predefined. The communication unit 3201 is used to receive a signal at the time-domain position indicated by the indication information.

[0516] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 23 In the embodiments, the method executed by the network device can be the network device itself, or a chip or chipset within the network device, or a part of a chip used to perform related method functions. The processing unit 3202 is used to acquire indication information, wherein the indication information is used to determine the positions of a first time-domain unit and a second time-domain unit. The first and second time-domain units are used to determine a first SSB with a first set of time-domain unit symbols, wherein the first set of time-domain units includes four time-domain unit symbols, and the positions of the first set of time-domain units are predefined. The communication unit 3201 is used to transmit a signal at the time-domain position indicated by the indication information.

[0517] Optionally, the communication unit 3201 is also used to send instruction information to the terminal device.

[0518] The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of the modules in the embodiments of this application can be further described in the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0519] In one possible approach, the communication device can be as follows: Figure 33 As shown, the device can be a communication device or a chip within a communication device, wherein the communication device can be the terminal device in the above embodiments or the network device in the above embodiments. The device includes a processor 3301 and a communication interface 3302, and may also include a memory 3303. The processing unit 3202 can be the processor 3301. The communication unit 3201 can be the communication interface 3302.

[0520] The processor 3301 can be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or something similar. The communication interface 3302 can be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, etc. The device also includes a memory 3303 for storing the program executed by the processor 3301. The memory 3303 can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory 3303 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0521] The processor 3301 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 3303, specifically to perform the actions of the aforementioned processing unit 3202, which will not be described in detail here. The communication interface 3302 is specifically used to perform the actions of the aforementioned communication unit 3201, which will not be described in detail here.

[0522] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 3302, processor 3301, and memory 3303. This application embodiment... Figure 33 The memory 3303, processor 3301, and communication interface 3302 are connected via a bus 3304. Figure 33 The connections between other components are shown in bold lines only and are not intended to be limiting. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 33 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0523] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to execute the processor, including a program required to execute the processor.

[0524] This application also provides a communication system, including methods for implementing... Figure 3 In the embodiments, a communication device for implementing terminal device functions and a communication device for implementing terminal device functions are provided. Figure 3 The embodiment is a communication device that functions as a network device.

[0525] This application also provides a communication system, including methods for implementing... Figure 19 In the embodiments, a communication device for implementing terminal device functions and a communication device for implementing terminal device functions are provided. Figure 19 The embodiment is a communication device that functions as a network device.

[0526] This application also provides a communication system, including methods for implementing... Figure 23 In the embodiments, a communication device for implementing terminal device functions and a communication device for implementing terminal device functions are provided. Figure 23 The embodiment is a communication device that functions as a network device.

[0527] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0528] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0529] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0530] 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.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device or a chip of the terminal device, and the method includes: The first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) portion is received on the first resource; the first resource is a portion of the resources used by the first SSB, and the frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. Based on the first SSB portion, one or more of the following can be obtained: physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block; The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier index and the PBCH information with lower index of the first SSB.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices and the PBCH information with lower indices of the first SSB, and includes: The PBCH information of the first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information of the four RBs with higher subcarrier indices and the four RBs with lower indices of the first SSB.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices and the PBCH information with lower indices of the first SSB, and includes: The first SSB portion consists of PSS, SSS, a first PBCH portion and a second PBCH portion; The first PBCH portion is the PBCH information of 12 RBs in the second symbol of the first SSB portion, and the second PBCH portion is the PBCH information of 12 RBs in the fourth symbol of the first SSB portion.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices and the PBCH information with lower indices of the first SSB, and includes: The PBCH information of the third symbol in the first SSB is sorted from high to low according to the subcarrier index. The PBCH information of the first four RBs is then punctured. The PBCH information of the third symbol in the first SSB is sorted from low to high according to the subcarrier index. The PBCH information of the first four RBs is then punched.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The PBCH information of the first SSB portion occupies 12 RBs in the frequency domain.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device is a terminal device that operates in a specific frequency domain of less than 3.6MHz.

7. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first SSB occupies 4 symbols in the time domain and 240 carriers in the frequency domain.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first SSB is an SSB within an SSB burst window; The first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion; Wherein, the first information within the SSB burst window is the same SSB index associated with the first SSB portion; The temporal resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is different from the temporal resource location of the first resource; The frequency domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency domain resource center of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency domain resource center of the first resource. The sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB part of the transmission is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device or a chip of the network device, and the method includes: Send a first synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), the first SSB includes a first SSB portion, the first SSB portion is transmitted on a first resource; the first resource is a portion of the resources used by the first SSB, and the frequency range occupied by the first resource is not greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device. The first SSB portion carries one or more of the following: physical broadcast channel, synchronization signal, and master information block; The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier index and the PBCH information with lower index of the first SSB.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices and the PBCH information with lower indices of the first SSB, and includes: The PBCH information of the first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information of the four RBs with higher subcarrier indices and the four RBs with lower indices of the first SSB.

11. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices and the PBCH information with lower indices of the first SSB, and includes: The first SSB portion consists of PSS, SSS, a first PBCH portion and a second PBCH portion; The first PBCH portion is the PBCH information of 12 RBs in the second symbol of the first SSB portion, and the second PBCH portion is the PBCH information of 12 RBs in the fourth symbol of the first SSB portion.

12. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first SSB portion is obtained by punching holes in the PBCH information with higher subcarrier indices and the PBCH information with lower indices of the first SSB, and includes: The PBCH information of the third symbol in the first SSB is sorted from high to low according to the subcarrier index. The PBCH information of the first four RBs is then punctured. The PBCH information of the third symbol in the first SSB is sorted from low to high according to the subcarrier index. The PBCH information of the first four RBs is then punched.

13. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The PBCH information of the first SSB portion occupies 12 RBs in the frequency domain.

14. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The terminal device is a terminal device that operates in a specific frequency domain of less than 3.6MHz.

15. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first SSB occupies 4 symbols in the time domain and 240 carriers in the frequency domain.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, The first SSB is an SSB within an SSB burst window; The first SSB includes a first SSB portion and a second SSB portion; Wherein, the first information within the SSB burst window is the same SSB index associated with the first SSB portion; The temporal resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is different from the temporal resource location of the first resource; The frequency domain resource location of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency domain resource location of the first resource, or the frequency domain resource center of the resource used for the first information transmission is the same as the frequency domain resource center of the first resource. The sum of the frequency range occupied by the first resource and the frequency range occupied by the second SSB part of the transmission is greater than the maximum processing bandwidth of the terminal device.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being coupled, the processor being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being coupled, the processor being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 9-16.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-8, or cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-16.

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