Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method and a communication device, the method relating to the technical field of communications, the method comprising: a terminal device sending a first signal, the first signal being used for requesting a first common signal; the terminal equipment detects a second signal within a first duration, wherein the second signal indicates the first public signal to be sent; and if the second signal is not detected in the first duration, the terminal device resends the first signal. Based on the method, the energy consumption of the network equipment can be saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] With the evolution of communication technology, the spectrum used by wireless communication is getting wider and wider, the number of transmitting antennas of base stations is increasing, and the power consumption is getting higher and higher. At the same time, the frequency band of network deployment during communication increases, and the coverage area becomes smaller, resulting in more dense deployment of base stations and higher power consumption of the entire network. For example, the power consumption of a single 5G base station is generally 2-3 times that of a typical 4G base station. Therefore, "low carbon" has received more and more attention in communication networks. Among them, how to reduce the energy consumption of network equipment has received more and more attention.

[0003] In current communication systems, base stations need to periodically send some public signals so that terminal devices can identify network devices and access the network. For cells with no service transmission requirements or low service transmission requirements, base stations still need to periodically send public information, which results in high base station overhead. Therefore, how to achieve energy saving in base stations has received increasing attention. One of the main technical means to reduce base station energy consumption is to reduce the transmission of signals by base stations. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, which are helpful to save energy consumption of network equipment.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal, and the method can be executed by the terminal or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal. The following method is described as an example of execution by a terminal, and the method includes: the terminal sends a first signal, and the first signal is used to request a first common signal; the terminal detects a second signal within a first time length, and the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent; the terminal detects the second signal within the first time length.

[0006] Based on the method described in the first aspect, the network device can send a common signal based on the request of the terminal without frequently and periodically sending the common signal. In other words, before receiving the first signal, the network device may not need to send the first common signal, thereby saving energy consumption.

[0007] In a possible implementation manner, if the terminal does not detect the second signal within the first time period, the first signal is resent.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, if the terminal detects the second signal within the first time period, the first common signal is received.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent, and specifically, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, after the terminal resends the first signal, the method further includes: the terminal detecting a second signal within a first time period.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the starting time of the first time length and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0013] In a possible implementation, before the terminal sends the first signal, the method further includes: the terminal receives first configuration information, the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a resource used to send the first signal. In this implementation, the network device instructs the terminal device to send the first signal on the first resource through the configuration information, and the corresponding network device detects the first signal on the first resource, and other resources other than the first resource do not need to detect the first signal, which is conducive to saving energy consumption of the network device.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the terminal receives the first configuration information, specifically in the following manner: the terminal receives the first configuration information in the first cell; the terminal sends the first signal, specifically in the following manner: the terminal sends the first signal in the second cell. Based on this approach, the terminal can receive the first configuration information in the first cell, and the network device corresponding to the second cell does not need to send the configuration information indicating the first resource, which is conducive to saving energy consumption of the network device corresponding to the second cell.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the first common signal is a system message block 1, and the method further includes: the terminal receives synchronization information.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the first signal is a random access request message.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal is downlink control information DCI.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) in the network device. The following method is described as an example of being executed by a network device, and is applied to a network device, and the method includes: the network device receives a first signal, the first signal is used to request first public information; the network device sends a second signal, the second signal indicates that the first public signal is sent; the network device sends the first public signal.

[0019] Among them, the beneficial effects corresponding to the second aspect and its possible implementation methods can be found in the description of the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent, and specifically, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives the first signal, the network device is in a dormant state.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives the first signal, the network device does not send the first common signal.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner, the first common signal is a system message block 1, and before the network device receives the first signal, the method further includes: the network device sends synchronization information.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, after receiving the first signal, the network device wakes up.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the network device sends the second signal, and the specific implementation manner is: the network device sends the second signal within a first time period.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the starting time of the first time length and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0028] In a possible implementation, before the network device receives the first signal from the terminal, the method further includes: the network device sends first configuration information, the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a time-frequency resource for sending the first signal.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the first signal is a random access request message.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal is downlink control information DCI.

[0031] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal, and the method can be executed by the terminal or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal. The following method is executed by the terminal as an example, and the method includes: the terminal sends a first signal, and the first signal is used to request a first common signal; the terminal detects the first common signal within a first time length.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, if the terminal does not detect the first common signal within the first time period, the terminal resends the first signal after the first time period ends.

[0033] Based on the method described in the third aspect, the network device can send a common signal based on the request of the terminal without frequently and periodically sending the common signal. In other words, before receiving the first signal, the network device may not need to send the first common signal, thereby saving energy consumption.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, after the network device resends the first signal, the method further includes: detecting a first common signal within a first time period.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the first common signal is a synchronization signal block.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first signal is also used to request a second common signal; the method further includes: after the network device detects the first common signal within a first time period, the network device receives information for scheduling the second common signal.

[0037] In a possible implementation manner, the second common signal is system message block 1.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the starting time of the first time length and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network device, and the method can be executed by the network device or a module (such as a chip) in the network device. The following method is described as being executed by a network device, and the method includes: the network device receives a first signal, and the first signal is used to request a first common signal; the network device sends the first common signal.

[0041] The beneficial effects corresponding to the fourth aspect can be found in the description of the third aspect and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives the first signal, the network device is in a dormant state.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner, before the network device receives the first signal, the network device does not send the first common signal.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the first common signal is a synchronization signal block.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner, the first signal is also used to request the second common signal; before the network device receives the first signal, the network device does not send the second common signal.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the second common signal is system message block 1.

[0047] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, wherein the communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the method described in the first aspect or the third aspect. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions. The unit or module may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the first aspect or the third aspect above, and the repetitive parts will not be repeated.

[0048] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, wherein the communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the method described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions. The unit or module may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above, and the repetitive parts will not be repeated.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, and when the processor calls a computer program in a memory, the method as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect and its possible implementation method are executed.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory, and the memory and the processor are coupled to each other. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0051] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to send and receive data and / or signaling.

[0052] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect and its possible implementation method through a logic circuit or execution code instructions.

[0053] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, any one of the methods in the first aspect to the fourth aspect and its possible implementation methods are implemented.

[0054] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program or a computer program product, including codes or instructions. When the codes or instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the method described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect and its possible implementation method.

[0055] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of first configuration information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of sending a first signal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of resending a first signal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 6 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The specific embodiments of the present application are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0066] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0067] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0068] In the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the corresponding relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0069] The following is an introduction to the system architecture of the embodiment of the present application:

[0070] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, the system architecture of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application is briefly described below. It is understandable that the system architecture described in the embodiment of the present application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0071] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as satellite communication systems and traditional mobile communication systems. Among them, the satellite communication system can be integrated with the traditional mobile communication system (i.e., ground communication system). Communication systems such as wireless local area network (WLAN) communication system, wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), and other future communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) system, etc., also support communication systems that integrate multiple wireless technologies, for example, it can also be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) such as drones, satellite communication systems, high altitude platform stations (HAPS) communications, and systems that integrate ground mobile communication networks.

[0072] Figure 1 The communication system is an example of a communication system applicable to the embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes at least one network device and at least one terminal device. Figure 1 In the example, a network device and a plurality of terminal devices are used. The plurality of terminal devices may be cellular phones, smart phones, portable computers, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radio devices, global positioning systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and / or any other suitable devices for communicating on a wireless communication system, and may be connected to the network device. The plurality of terminal devices may all be capable of communicating with the network device. Of course, Figure 1 The number of terminal devices and network devices is just an example, and can be less or more.

[0073] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application, which may also be referred to as a terminal, is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals. The terminal device may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal device may also be other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device may communicate with a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device may also be referred to as a wireless terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or a UE, etc. The terminal device may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or a "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges language and / or data with a wireless access network. For example, the terminal device may also be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. Common terminal devices include, for example, mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc., but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0074] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The device for implementing the function of the terminal may be a terminal; or it may be a device that can support the terminal to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. For the convenience of description, the following description is taken as an example of a terminal.

[0075] A network device is an entity on the network side that is used to send signals, or receive signals, or both send and receive signals. A network device may be a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions for terminals.

[0076] In one possible scenario, the network device may be a device with base station functions, such as an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a non-ground network device, that is, a device that can be deployed on a high altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The network device may be a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station, or various forms of control nodes. For example, a network controller, a wireless controller, etc. Specifically, the network device may be various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations) in heterogeneous network (HetNet) scenarios, relay stations, access points (APs), radio network controllers (RNCs), node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node Bs, or home node Bs, HNBs), baseband units (BBUs) and remote radio units (RRUs) in distributed base station scenarios, transmission points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, etc., and may also be antenna panels of base stations. The control node may connect to multiple base stations and configure resources for multiple terminals covered by multiple base stations. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may be different. For example, it may be the gNB in ​​5G, or the network side equipment in the network after 5G, or the network equipment in the future evolved public land mobile (communication) network (publicland mobile network, PLMN) network, or the equipment that performs the base station function in device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and Internet of Vehicles communication, etc. This application does not limit the specific name of the network equipment.The network equipment may also be an open access network (openRAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a baseband pool (BBU pool) and RRU under a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc.

[0077] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be set separately, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It is understandable that the network device may be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU may be divided into a network device in the core network CN, without limitation here.

[0078] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are described as examples in this application. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the network device is not limited. The device for realizing the function of the network device can be the network device; or it can be a device that can support the network device to realize the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in combination with the network device.

[0080] Before introducing the embodiments, some terms involved in the present application are explained.

[0081] (1) Public signal

[0082] It can be called public information or non-dedicated information, or it can be understood as information sent by one communication device to multiple communication devices. Taking downlink communication as an example, public information can be understood as information sent by a network device to multiple terminals or a terminal group in a cell, or it can be understood as information sent by a network device to a certain terminal or a certain terminal group in a cell, or it can be understood as information that can be used by multiple terminals or a terminal group in a cell. For example, public information can be system information, synchronization signals or paging messages.

[0083] The common signal may be used, for example, for processes such as terminal identification of a cell, initial access of a terminal to a cell, neighboring cell measurement, or cell switching.

[0084] (2) Network equipment energy saving

[0085] In some scenarios, the network device may distinguish a cell into a "normal mode" and one or more "energy-saving modes". In normal mode, the network device sends all data and all control information normally in each cell. In energy-saving mode, for cells without data services or light-load services, the network device turns off data signal transmission and partial control signal transmission in the cell. In energy-saving mode, the network device needs to send a first common signal upon the request of the terminal. In other scenarios, the network device does not need to distinguish between "normal mode" and "energy-saving mode" for a cell. The network device may send signals in each cell according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, that is, the first common signal of each cell is sent by the network device based on the request of the terminal. Energy-saving mode may also be referred to as sleep state or sleep mode, energy-saving state, etc.

[0086] (3) Co-site deployment scenario

[0087] Co-site deployment can be understood as the same base station having two (or more) carriers. These two (or more) carriers are co-site deployed carriers. The two carriers may belong to different cells respectively, such as the first carrier may be the first cell, and the second carrier may be the second cell. In one possible way, the two carriers may belong to the same communication system or to communication systems with different indications, such as carrier 1 is an LTE carrier and carrier 2 is an NR carrier. Similarly, for non-co-site deployment scenarios, that is, the two (or more) carriers are carriers of different base stations, and the cells to which the two carriers belong are also different.

[0088] (4) Time unit

[0089] A time unit is a time domain unit used for signal transmission. It is a granularity in the time domain. A time unit consists of multiple symbols. Alternatively, a time unit can be a radio frame, a subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol.

[0090] With the gradual evolution of communication systems, "low carbon" has received more and more attention in communication networks, especially how to reduce the energy consumption of network equipment.

[0091] Because the terminal needs to receive the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block) and the system information block (SIB) before the initial access, the synchronization signal / broadcast signal block can also be referred to as the synchronization signal block. The network equipment sends SSB and SIB1 in a periodic manner. However, when there is no terminal in the cell, the network equipment still periodically sends SSB and SIB1, which will waste a lot of energy. Therefore, how to save the energy consumption of network equipment is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0092] In order to save energy consumption of network devices, the present application embodiment proposes a communication method, such as Figure 2 As shown, the communication method includes steps 201 to 203. Figure 2 The execution subject of the method shown is a terminal. Or, Figure 2 The method execution subject shown may be a chip in a terminal. Figure 2 The terminal is used as an example for explanation. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution subject of the communication method. The terminal can be Figure 2 The terminal shown can be Figure 1 A terminal in the communication system shown.

[0093] 201. A terminal sends a first signal, where the first signal is used to request a first common signal.

[0094] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to save energy consumption of the network device, the network device sends a common signal based on the request of the terminal, which can reduce the power consumption of the network device compared to periodically sending the common signal.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the network device may be in a dormant state, and the network device in the dormant state will not send the first common signal. For example, when there is no terminal in the cell of the network device, the network device enters a dormant state and does not send the first common signal to save energy. The network device may send configuration information to the terminal, and the configuration information indicates that the network device is now in a dormant state, such as the network device may indicate through configuration information that the first common signal is not broadcast. The first common signal is a common signal that carries system information, or the first common signal is a common signal that carries the remaining minimum system information. Optionally, the first common signal is SIB1. Further optionally, when the network device is in a dormant state, the network device sends a signal for synchronization, such as an SSB, or a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and / or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

[0096] When the terminal needs to obtain the first common signal, it can send the first signal to request the network device to send the first common signal. Before sending the first signal, the network device is in a dormant state. The first signal for requesting the first common signal can also be understood as the first signal for triggering or waking up the sending of the first common signal, or it can also be understood as the first signal for waking up or triggering the network device that sends the first common signal, or it can also be understood as the first signal for waking up the cell that sends the first common signal, or the first signal for waking up the network device to send the first common signal in a certain cell. After the network device receives the first signal, the network device wakes up. Among them, the state of the network device after waking up from the dormant state can be referred to as an activated state or an activated mode, etc., wherein the network device after waking up will send the first common signal. Before receiving the first signal, the network device can save energy consumption by entering a dormant state.

[0097] Optionally, the terminal may send the first signal by broadcasting the first signal.

[0098] Optionally, the first signal is a random access request message, the random access request message is used to request access to a cell, the random access request message carries a random access preamble, and the random access preamble is sent on a physical random access channel (PRACH). In a two-step random access scenario, the random access request message is MsgA, and in a four-step random access scenario, the random access request message is Msg1.

[0099] In a possible implementation, before the terminal sends the first signal, the terminal receives the first configuration information, the first configuration information indicates the first resource, the first resource is a resource for the first signal, or the first resource is a resource for the terminal to send the first signal. Correspondingly, the network device detects the first signal on the first resource, and the detection signal can also be understood as monitoring the first signal. If the network device detects the first signal on the first resource, the network device wakes up. If the first signal is not detected on the first resource, that is, the network device does not receive the first signal on the first resource, the network device continues to remain in a dormant state. Further optionally, the network device will not detect the first signal on other resources other than the first resource. Based on this method, the network device instructs the terminal device to send the first signal on the first resource through configuration information. Compared with the situation where the terminal device can send the first signal at any time, the network device only needs to detect the signal on the first resource configured by it, and other resources other than the first resource do not need to detect the first signal, which is conducive to saving the energy consumption of the network device. In the case where the first signal is a random access request message, the first configuration information can be PRACH configuration information, and the first resource is a PRACH resource.

[0100] The terminal may receive the first configuration information and send the first signal in one of the following two implementation modes:

[0101] Mode 1: A terminal receives first configuration information in a first cell, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, where the first resource is a resource used to send a first signal, and the first resource includes a first frequency domain resource.

[0102] In optional mode 1, the first frequency domain resources may be included in the frequency domain resources of the first cell; the terminal sends the first signal in the first frequency domain resources of the first cell. The first signal is used to request the second cell to send the first common signal. In optional mode 1, after receiving the first signal in the first cell, the network device sends an indication message to the second cell, and the indication message is used to wake up the second cell, or in other words, the indication message is used to instruct the second cell to send the first common signal. In optional mode 1, the cell in which the terminal sends the first signal is different from the cell in which the terminal requests to receive the first common signal, or in other words, the cell in which the network device receives the first signal is different from the cell in which the network device sends the first common signal.

[0103] In optional mode 2, the first frequency domain resource may be included in the frequency domain resource of the second cell; the terminal device sends the first signal in the first frequency domain resource of the second cell. The first signal is used to request the second cell to send the first common signal. In optional mode 2, the cell in which the terminal sends the first signal is the same as the cell in which the terminal requests to receive the first common signal, or in other words, the cell in which the network device receives the first signal is the same as the cell in which the network device sends the first common signal.

[0104] For the sake of distinction, the network device corresponding to the first cell may be referred to as the first network device, the first configuration information comes from the first network device, the network device corresponding to the second cell may be referred to as the second network device, and the first signal is used to request the second network device to send the first common signal. The first cell may be a cell in a non-energy-saving function mode, and the second cell may be a cell in an energy-saving mode. In the present application, the first network device and the second network device may be the same network device or different network devices.

[0105] Compared with Option 2, in Option 1, the second cell can be completely dormant without monitoring the first signal, further reducing the energy consumption of the second cell. Compared with Option 1, in Option 2, the second cell can be awakened faster. For example, the scenario where the first cell and the second cell are not co-located, that is, the first network device and the second network device are different network devices, and the second network device can be directly awakened after receiving the first signal, and the first network device and the second network device then interact with each other in terms of wake-up commands. Therefore, Option 1 is more suitable for the scenario where the first cell and the second cell are co-located, that is, the first network device and the second network device are the same network device.

[0106] For example, Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 As an example of optional method 2, the first network device sends the first configuration information at time 1, time 2, time 3 and time 4 respectively. At time 2, the terminal receives the first configuration information sent by the first network device in the first cell, and the first configuration information indicates the first resource for sending the first signal. After receiving the first configuration information, the terminal moves from the first cell to the second cell. In the second cell, the terminal sends the first signal on the first resource to request to wake up the second network device corresponding to the second cell to send the first common signal. After sending the first signal, the terminal detects the first common signal from the second network device for a first duration.

[0107] Optionally, the network device configures the first frequency domain resource in the frequency domain resource of the first cell or the second cell according to the network situation, so that the terminal executes optional method 1 or optional method 2. Specifically, if the first frequency domain resource is configured by the network device in the first cell, the terminal sends the first signal in the first cell (optional method 1), and if the first frequency domain resource is configured by the network device in the second cell, the terminal sends the first signal in the second cell (optional method 2). The network device can configure the terminal to send the first signal in the first cell or the second cell according to the deployment of the first cell and the second cell. Alternatively, the network device does not need to configure the first frequency domain resource in the frequency domain resource of the first cell or the second cell, but pre-sets the first frequency domain resource in the first cell, or the first frequency domain resource is in the frequency domain resource of the second cell, and the terminal directly sends the first signal in the corresponding cell according to the pre-setting. The first signal is used to request the transmission of the first common signal of the second cell.

[0108] Based on the implementation described in the first method, the terminal can receive the first configuration information in the first cell, and the network device corresponding to the second cell may not need to send the configuration information indicating the first resource. Compared with the method of receiving the first configuration information in the second cell and sending the first signal in the second cell, in the above implementation method, the network device corresponding to the second cell may not need to (optionally, periodically) send the configuration information of the first resource, and the network device of the second cell can be in the energy-saving or dormant or inactive mode for a longer period of time, which is conducive to saving the energy consumption of the network device corresponding to the second cell.

[0109] Optionally, the first network device may periodically send the first configuration information, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the first configuration information periodically sent from the first network device. In this manner, it is beneficial for the terminal to obtain the first configuration information as soon as possible when necessary. Alternatively, the terminal may send a request message to the first network device to request the first network device to send the first configuration information, and after the first network device receives the request message, it sends the first configuration information to the terminal. In this manner, it is beneficial to save the energy of the first network device, and at the same time, when the terminal needs it, it can also obtain it through the request message.

[0110] Optionally, the first configuration information may be included in the system information of the first cell; or, the first configuration information may be included in the minimum remaining system information of the first cell, that is, the first configuration information is included in SIB1 of the first cell; or, the first configuration information may be included in other system information of the first cell.

[0111] Method 2: The terminal receives first configuration information in the second cell. The first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a resource for sending a first signal. The first resource includes a first frequency domain resource, and the first frequency domain resource is included in the frequency domain resources of the second cell; the terminal sends a first signal in the first frequency domain resource of the second cell. The first signal is used to request the sending of a first common signal in the second cell. In method 2, the cell in which the terminal receives the first configuration information, the cell in which the first signal is sent, and the cell in which the terminal requests to receive the first common signal are the same, or in other words, the cell in which the network device sends the first configuration information, receives the first signal, and the cell in which the network device sends the first common signal are different.

[0112] Optionally, the network device corresponding to the second cell periodically sends the first configuration information, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the first configuration information periodically sent by the network device. In this manner, compared with the implementation manner in which the terminal needs to obtain the first configuration information through other cells, such as the first manner, it is possible to reduce the difficulty for the terminal to obtain the first configuration information, which is conducive to making it easier for the terminal to obtain the first configuration information.

[0113] 202. The terminal detects a second signal in a first duration.

[0114] Specifically, the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent. The second signal indicating the sending of the first common signal can be understood in many ways. In one possible way, the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent, which can be replaced by describing that the second signal is a feedback signal of the first signal, or the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal, or the second signal is an access-related signal. The second signal can indicate that the network device has been awakened, or indicates that the network device has been triggered to send the first common signal, or indicates the configuration of the first common signal, or indicates that the network device allows the terminal to access.

[0115] In a possible implementation, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal, and the terminal can receive the first common signal on the resources scheduled by the second signal according to the second signal. Optionally, the second signal is downlink control information (DCI). Further optionally, the downlink control information is DCI 1_0 scrambled by system information-radio network temporary identity (SI-RNTI), and the first common signal is SIB1. The DCI includes a system information indication field. When the value of the system information indication field is 0, the second signal is used to schedule SIB1, and when the value of the system information indication field is 1, the second signal is used to schedule non-SIB1 system information. When the terminal receives that the second signal is DCI 1_0 scrambled by SI-RNTI, and the value of the system information indication field included in the DCI is 0, the terminal determines that the second signal is detected within the first time length, otherwise, the terminal determines that the second signal is not detected within the first time length.

[0116] In another possible implementation, the second signal may be a random access response (RAR), for example, a RAR in a specific format or a RAR in a newly added format. The network device may send a third signal to the terminal after sending the second signal, and correspondingly, the terminal receives the third signal from the network device after receiving the second signal. The third signal is used to schedule the first common signal, and the terminal may receive the first common signal on the resources scheduled by the third signal according to the third signal. Among them, the third signal may be sent at the same time as the second signal, or the third signal may be sent after the second signal, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the timing of sending the third signal. Optionally, the third signal is DCI. Further optionally, the downlink control information is DCI 1_0 scrambled by SI-RNTI, and the first common signal is SIB1. Optionally, after receiving the second signal, the terminal may receive the third signal within the first duration, or may receive the third signal within another duration, or may directly start receiving the third signal.

[0117] The first signal and the first common signal are introduced in detail above. The first duration is described in detail below.

[0118] The first duration is a period of time after the terminal sends the first signal, which can also be understood as a time period, wherein the terminal detecting the second signal in the first duration can also be understood as the terminal monitoring the second signal within the first duration. Figure 4As shown, the terminal detects the second signal from the start time to the end time of the first duration, but after the end time of the first duration, the terminal no longer detects the second signal. The first duration may be pre-set or configured by the network device. Further, optionally, when the first duration is configured by the network device, the information indicating the first duration may be carried in the first configuration information described above.

[0119] It should also be noted that the terminal may detect the second signal in the first duration by means of a time window, that is, the first duration may be referred to as the first time window, and the terminal may detect the second signal in the first time window. Alternatively, the terminal may detect the second signal in the first duration by means of a timer, for example, the terminal starts timing at the start time of the first duration, the terminal starts detecting the second signal, and if the duration of the timer exceeds the first duration, it is determined to be a timeout, and when the timer times out, the terminal will not detect the second signal.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the start time of the first duration is related to the sending time of the first signal, and the sending time of the first signal refers to the time when the terminal sends the first signal. Optionally, the following provides several optional ways for the start time of the first duration:

[0121] Mode A: The starting time of the first duration is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal. It can be understood that the first duration starts from the earliest time unit after the time unit where the sending time of the first signal is located. Specifically, the starting time of the first duration is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time unit where the starting time of the first duration is located is adjacent to the time unit where the sending time of the first signal is located.

[0122] Mode B: The start time of the first duration is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set (Control Resource Set, CORESET) after the sending time of the first signal. Optionally, the CORESET is used to transmit DCI 1_0 scrambled by SI-RNTI.

[0123] Mode C: The start time of the first duration is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the start time of the first duration and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer. It can be understood that the first duration starts from the Kth time unit after the time unit where the sending time of the first signal is located. Further optionally, the value of K can be pre-set or configured by the network device, for example, the first configuration information received by the terminal indicates the value of K. Alternatively, the terminal can report the value of K to the network device when entering the connected state.

[0124] Several optional methods are provided below for the length of the first duration:

[0125] Mode D: The time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer. Optionally, the value of L may be preset or configured by the network device, for example, the first configuration information received by the terminal indicates the value of L. Alternatively, the terminal may report the value of L to the network device when entering the connected state.

[0126] Mode E: The time length of the first duration is the time length of N CORESETs, where N is a positive integer. Optionally, the value of N may be pre-set or configured by the network device, for example, the first configuration information received by the terminal indicates the value of N. Alternatively, the terminal may report the value of N to the network device when entering the connected state. The N CORESETs are N consecutive COERSETs. The time length of N CORESETs may be understood as the interval between the time unit where the first CORESET is located and the time unit where the last CORESET is located among the N CORESETs. For example, taking N=2 as an example, assuming that the start time of the first duration is the earliest CORESET used to transmit DCI 1_0 encrypted by SI-RNTI after the sending time of the first signal, the first CORESET corresponding to the start time is located in time slot 0, and the adjacent CORESET after the first CORESET is located in time slot 4, then the length of the first duration is 5 time slots, from time slot 0 to time slot 4.

[0127] Mode F, the time length of the first duration is the sending period of M first common signals, and M is a positive integer. Among them, when the network device wakes up, the network device will periodically send the first common signal, and the sending period of the first common signal refers to the time interval between two first common signals sent continuously after the network device wakes up. Optionally, the value of M can be pre-set or configured by the network device, for example, the first configuration information received by the terminal indicates the value of M. Alternatively, the terminal can report the value of M to the network device when entering the connected state.

[0128] It should also be noted that the network device may or may not sense the first duration. In the case of sensing the first duration, after receiving the first signal, the network device will send the second signal within the first duration. In the case of not needing to sense the first duration, the network device may send the second signal immediately after receiving the first signal. In this case, the network device may configure the first duration based on the delay between the terminal and the network device, where the delay refers to the time required for the signal to travel from the sending end to the receiving end. For example, assuming that the minimum delay between the terminal and the network device is T min , the maximum delay is Tmax Therefore, the length of the first duration is less than or equal to 2×(T max -T min ), the time when the terminal sends the first signal is T1, and the starting time of the first duration is T1+2×T min , or the start time of the first duration is T1+2×T min After that, the end time of the first duration is T1+2×T max , or the end time of the first duration is T1+2×T max Before.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the terminal receives the second signal in the second cell. The terminal may receive the first common signal in the second cell. In combination with the two different implementations of the terminal receiving the first configuration information and sending the first signal, whether the terminal receives the first configuration information in the first cell or the second cell, and the first signal sent in the first cell or the second cell, the first signal described in the embodiment of the present application is used to request the second cell to send the first common signal, so the terminal device can detect the second signal in the second cell after sending the first signal.

[0130] 203. If the second signal is not detected within the first time period, the terminal resends the first signal.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, in some cases, the network device may not receive the first signal sent by the terminal. For example, when the terminal sends the first signal, the network device is affected by an obstruction from receiving the first signal. The failure of the terminal to detect the second signal within the first time period can also be understood as the terminal not receiving the second signal within the first time period. In the case where the terminal does not receive the second signal, the terminal cannot know the time-frequency resources where the first common signal is located. Therefore, after determining that the second signal is not detected, the terminal resends the first signal to wake up the network device to send the first common signal, which is beneficial for the terminal to receive the first common signal as soon as possible, or in other words, it is beneficial for the terminal to successfully wake up the network device.

[0132] It should be further explained that if the terminal detects the second signal within the first duration, the terminal will receive the first common signal based on the second signal, thereby accessing the cell. In this case, the terminal may not need to repeatedly send the first signal.

[0133] In a possible implementation, after resending the first signal, the terminal detects the second signal within a first time period. Figure 5As shown, after sending the first signal for the first time, the terminal will detect the second signal within the first time period. If the second signal is not detected, the terminal will resend the first signal, and after resending the first signal, the terminal will also detect the second signal within the first time period after sending the first signal. If the second signal is not detected, the first signal is continued to be sent in the same manner until the second signal is received. Based on this implementation, it is beneficial to enable the terminal to receive the first common signal as soon as possible.

[0134] After resending the first signal, the terminal can determine the specific time position of the first duration according to the sending time of the first signal and the duration of the first duration, and detect the second signal within the first duration. In the case of resending the first signal, the duration of the first duration is still the same as that defined in step 202, and the start time of the first duration is also the same as that defined in step 202, which will not be described in detail.

[0135] In order to save energy consumption of network devices, the present application embodiment proposes a communication method, such as Figure 6 As shown, the communication method includes steps 601 to 603. Figure 6 The execution subject of the method shown is a terminal. Or, Figure 6 The method execution subject shown may be a chip in a terminal. Figure 6 The terminal is used as an example for explanation. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution subject of the communication method. The terminal can be Figure 6 The terminal shown can be Figure 1 A terminal in the communication system shown.

[0136] 601. A terminal sends a first signal, where the first signal is used to request a first common signal.

[0137] In an embodiment of the present application, in order to save energy consumption of the network device, the network device sends a common signal based on the request of the terminal, which can reduce the power consumption of the network device compared to periodically sending the common signal. Optionally, the first common signal may include one or more of the following: PSS, SSS, physical broadcast channel (physical broadcast channel, PBCH). Alternatively, the first common signal is SSB.

[0138] Among them, the network device in the dormant state, the first signal and Figure 2 The contents described in the corresponding embodiments are the same, and reference may be made to the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0139] For the definition and description of the first signal, please refer to the above Figure 2 The description in the corresponding embodiment.

[0140] In a possible implementation, before the terminal sends the first signal, the terminal receives first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, where the first resource is a time-frequency resource used to send the first signal. Figure 2 The description in the corresponding embodiment.

[0141] In a possible implementation, the first signal is also used to request a second common signal. Correspondingly, before the network device receives the first signal, the network device does not send the second common signal. For example, when the network device is in a dormant state, the network device does not send the second common signal, and after the network device receives the first signal, the network device will send the second common signal. The second common signal is a common signal that carries system information, or the first common signal is a common signal that carries the remaining minimum system information. Optionally, the second common signal is SIB1.

[0142] 602. The terminal detects a first common signal within a first time period.

[0143] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal receives a first common signal in the second cell. The first duration is a period of time after the terminal sends the first signal, wherein the terminal detecting the first common signal in the first duration can also be understood as the terminal monitoring the first common signal within the first duration. The terminal detects the first common signal from the start time to the end time of the first duration, but after the end time of the first duration, the terminal will not detect the first common signal. Among them, the first duration can be pre-set, or it can be configured by the network device. Further optionally, when the first duration is configured by the network device, the information used to indicate the first duration can be carried in the first configuration information described above.

[0144] It should also be noted that the terminal may detect the first common signal in the first duration by means of a time window, that is, the first duration may be referred to as the first time window, and the terminal may detect the first common signal in the first time window. Alternatively, the terminal may detect the first common signal in the first duration by means of a timer, for example, the terminal starts timing at the start time of the first duration, the terminal starts detecting the first common signal, and if the duration of the timer exceeds the first duration, it is determined to be a timeout, and when the timer times out, the terminal will not detect the first common signal.

[0145] In a possible implementation, the definition of the start time and duration of the first duration can refer to the above Figure 2 The description in the corresponding embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0146] 603. If the first common signal is not detected within the first time period, the terminal resends the first signal after the first time period ends.

[0147] In an embodiment of the present application, in some cases, the network device may not receive the first signal sent by the terminal. For example, when the terminal sends the first signal, the network device is affected by an obstruction that prevents the network device from receiving the first signal. The failure of the terminal to detect the first common signal within the first time period can also be understood as the failure of the terminal to receive the first common signal within the first time period. In the case where the terminal does not receive the first common signal, the terminal cannot know the time-frequency resources where the first common signal is located. Therefore, after determining that the first common signal is not detected, the terminal resends the first signal to wake up the network device to send the first common signal, which is conducive to enabling the terminal to receive the first common signal as soon as possible.

[0148] In a possible implementation, after resending the first signal, the terminal detects the first common signal within a first duration. After sending the first signal, the terminal will detect the first common signal within the first duration. If the first common signal is not detected, the terminal will resend the first signal, and after resending the first signal, the terminal will detect the first common signal in the first duration. If the first common signal is not detected, the first signal is continued to be sent in the same manner until the first common signal is received. Based on this implementation, it is beneficial to enable the terminal to receive the first common signal as soon as possible.

[0149] After resending the first signal, the terminal may determine the specific time position of the first duration according to the sending time of the first signal and the duration of the first duration, and detect the first common signal within the first duration. In the case of resending the first signal, the duration of the first duration is still the same as that defined in step 602, and the start time of the first duration is also the same as that defined in step 602, which will not be described in detail.

[0150] It should also be noted that if the terminal detects the first common signal within the first time period, it can also be understood that the terminal receives the first common signal in the first time period, then the terminal will synchronize with the network device and / or obtain the main system information block based on the first common signal.

[0151] In a possible implementation, when the first signal is also used to request the second common signal, the terminal will receive information for scheduling the second common signal after detecting the first common signal for the first time duration. The terminal can receive the second common signal based on the information for scheduling the second common signal. Optionally, the first common signal is SSB, the second common signal is SIB1, and the information for scheduling the second common signal is DCI. It can be understood that the SSB carries the indication information of the CORESET and search space of the PDCCH for scheduling SIB1. After receiving the SSB, the terminal can monitor the DCI carried on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that schedules the SIB according to the CORESET and search space indicated by the SSB. After receiving the DCI, the terminal can receive SIB1 based on the DCI. Based on this implementation, it is beneficial for the terminal to obtain the second common signal faster.

[0152] In order to implement the functions of the method provided in the above embodiment of the present application, the terminal device and the network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether a function of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0153] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 The structure diagram of a communication device of an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication device may be a terminal device or a network device. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include executing the above Figure 2 or Figure 6 The modules or units corresponding to the methods / operations / steps / actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the method embodiment shown may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0154] Figure 7 The communication device shown may include a processing unit 701 and a communication unit 702. The processing unit 701 is used to perform data processing. The communication unit 702 integrates a receiving unit and a sending unit. The communication unit 702 may also be called a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the communication unit 702 may also be split into a receiving unit and a sending unit.

[0155] Figure 7 The communication device shown may be a terminal device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device. The communication device may also be a chip system.

[0156] The communication device is used to perform the above Figure 2 When part or all of the functions of the terminal device in the described method embodiment are implemented, the communication unit 702 is used to send a first signal, and the first signal is used to request a first common signal; the communication unit 702 is also used to detect a second signal within a first time period, and the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent.

[0157] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 702 is further configured to resend the first signal if the second signal is not detected within the first time period.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 702 is further configured to receive the first common signal if the second signal is detected within the first time period.

[0159] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent, and specifically, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal.

[0160] In a possible implementation, after the communication unit 702 resends the first signal, the communication unit 702 is further configured to detect the second signal within a first time period.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the starting time of the first time length and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0163] In a possible implementation, before sending the first signal, the communication unit 702 is further used to receive first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a time-frequency resource used to send the first signal.

[0164] In a possible implementation, when the communication unit 702 receives the first configuration information, it is specifically used to: receive the first configuration information in the first cell; when the communication unit 702 sends the first signal, it is specifically used to send the first signal in the second cell.

[0165] In a possible implementation manner, the first common signal is system message block 1.

[0166] In a possible implementation manner, the first signal is a random access request message.

[0167] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal is downlink control information DCI.

[0168] The communication device is used to perform the above Figure 6 In the described method embodiment, when part or all of the functions of the terminal device are activated, the communication unit 702 is used to send a first signal, which is used to request a first common signal; the communication unit 702 is also used to detect the first common signal within a first time period; the communication unit 702 is also used to resend the first signal after the first time period ends if the first common signal is not detected within the first time period.

[0169] In a possible implementation, after the communication unit 702 resends the first signal, the communication unit 702 is further configured to detect the first common signal within a first time period.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the first common signal is a synchronization signal block.

[0171] In a possible implementation, the first signal is further used to request the second common signal; the communication unit 702 is further used to receive information for scheduling the second common signal after detecting the first common signal within the first time period.

[0172] In a possible implementation manner, the second common signal is system message block 1.

[0173] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0174] In a possible implementation, before sending the first signal, the communication unit 702 is further used to receive first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a time-frequency resource used to send the first signal.

[0175] In a possible implementation, when the communication unit 702 receives the first configuration information, it is specifically used to: receive the first configuration information in the first cell; when the communication unit 702 sends the first signal, it is specifically used to send the first signal in the second cell.

[0176] In a possible implementation, before sending the first signal, the communication unit 702 is further used to receive first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a time-frequency resource used to send the first signal.

[0177] In a possible implementation, when the communication unit 702 receives the first configuration information, it is specifically used to: receive the first configuration information in the first cell; when the communication unit 702 sends the first signal, it is specifically used to send the first signal in the second cell.

[0178] Figure 7 The communication device shown may be a communication device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the communication device. The communication device may also be a chip system.

[0179] The communication device is used to perform the above Figure 2 When part or all of the functions of the communication device in the described method embodiment are performed, the communication unit 702 is used to receive a first signal, the first signal is used to request first public information; the communication unit 702 is also used to send a second signal, the second signal indicates that the first public signal is sent; the communication unit 702 is also used to send the first public signal.

[0180] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent, and specifically, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal.

[0181] In a possible implementation manner, before the communication unit 702 receives the first signal, the communication device is in a dormant state.

[0182] In a possible implementation manner, before the communication unit 702 receives the first signal, the communication device does not send the first common signal.

[0183] In a possible implementation, before receiving the first signal, the communication unit 702 is further configured to send a synchronization signal block, where the first common signal is system message block 1.

[0184] In a possible implementation manner, after the communication unit 702 receives the first signal, the communication device wakes up.

[0185] In a possible implementation, when the communication unit 702 sends the second signal, it is specifically configured to: send the second signal within a first duration;

[0186] In one possible implementation, the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the starting time of the first time length and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0188] In a possible implementation, before receiving the first signal from the terminal device, the communication unit 702 is further used to: send first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a time-frequency resource for sending the first signal.

[0189] In a possible implementation manner, the first signal is a random access request message.

[0190] In a possible implementation manner, the second signal is downlink control information DCI.

[0191] The communication device is used to perform the above Figure 6 When part or all of the functions of the network device in the described method embodiment are performed, the communication unit 702 is used to receive a first signal, and the first signal is used to request a first common signal; the communication unit 702 is also used to send the first common signal.

[0192] In a possible implementation manner, before receiving the first signal, the network device is in a dormant state.

[0193] In a possible implementation manner, before receiving the first signal, the network device does not send the first common signal.

[0194] In a possible implementation, the first common signal is a synchronization signal block.

[0195] In a possible implementation manner, the first signal is also used to request the second common signal; before the communication unit 702 receives the first signal, the communication unit 702 does not send the second common signal.

[0196] In a possible implementation manner, the second common signal is system message block 1.

[0197] In one possible implementation, the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, or the starting time of the first time length is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the starting time of the first time length and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is the time length of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; or, the time length of the first duration is M first public signal sending periods, where M is a positive integer.

[0199] In a possible implementation, before receiving the first signal from the terminal device, the communication unit 702 is further used to: send first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a time-frequency resource for sending the first signal.

[0200] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device is given. The communication device 800 may be a terminal device in the above method embodiment, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal device to implement the above method. The communication device may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0201] Alternatively, the communication device 800 may be a network device in the above method embodiment, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the network device to implement the above method. The communication device may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0202] The communication device 800 may include one or more processors 801. The processor 801 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a software program, and process the data of the software program.

[0203] Optionally, the communication device 800 may include one or more memories 802, on which instructions 804 may be stored, and the instructions may be executed on the processor 801, so that the communication device 800 performs the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 802. The processor 801 and the memory 802 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0204] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver 805 and an antenna 806. The transceiver 805 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., for implementing a transceiver function. The transceiver 805 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for implementing a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for implementing a transmitting function.

[0205] The communication device 800 is a terminal device: the processor 801 is used to perform the data processing operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver 805 is used to perform the data transceiving operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0206] Alternatively, the communication device 800 is a network device: the processor 801 is used to perform the data processing operation of the network device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver 805 is used to perform the data transceiving operation of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0207] In another possible design, the processor 801 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0208] In another possible design, optionally, the processor 801 may store an instruction 803, and the instruction 803 runs on the processor 801, so that the communication device 800 can execute the method described in the above method embodiment. The instruction 803 may be solidified in the processor 801, in which case the processor 801 may be implemented by hardware.

[0209] In another possible design, the communication device 800 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc.

[0210] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a terminal device or a network device, but the scope of the communication device described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited thereto. Figure 8 The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0211] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0212] (2) having a set of one or more ICs, and optionally, the IC set may also include a storage component for storing data and instructions;

[0213] (3) ASIC, such as modem (Mobile Station Modem, MSM);

[0214] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0215] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, first network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

[0216] (6)Others

[0217] For the case where the communication device may be a chip or a chip system, see Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the chip structure shown. Fig. 9 The chip shown includes a processor 901 and an interface 902. Optionally, it may also include a memory 903. The number of the processors 901 may be one or more, and the number of the interfaces 902 may be multiple.

[0218] In one design, for a case where a chip is used to implement the functions of a terminal device in an embodiment of the present application:

[0219] The interface 902 is used to input or output signals;

[0220] The processor 901 is used to execute the data processing operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0221] In another design, for the case where the chip is used to implement the function of the network device in the embodiment of the present application:

[0222] The interface 902 is used to input or output signals;

[0223] The processor 901 is used to execute the data processing operation of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0224] It is understandable that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0225] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or an instruction in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components.

[0226] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0227] The present application also provides a computer-readable medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0228] The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0229] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive (SSD)).

[0230] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending a first signal, where the first signal is used to request a first common signal; detecting a second signal within a first duration, wherein the second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent; If the second signal is not detected within the first time period, the first signal is resent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the second signal is detected within the first time period, the first common signal is received.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second signal indicates that the first common signal is sent, and specifically, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: After resending the first signal, the method further includes: The second signal is detected within the first time period.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The starting time of the first duration is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, Alternatively, the starting time of the first duration is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, Alternatively, the start time of the first duration is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the start time of the first duration and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration of the first duration is the duration of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; Alternatively, the first duration is M times the sending period of the first common signal, where M is a positive integer.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Before sending the first signal, the method further includes: First configuration information is received, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, where the first resource is a time-frequency resource used to send the first signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The receiving first configuration information comprises: In the first cell, receiving first configuration information; Sending a first signal, comprising: In the second cell, a first signal is sent.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first common signal is system information, and the method further includes: Receive synchronization information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first signal is a random access request message.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The second signal is downlink control information DCI.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a first signal, wherein the first signal is used to request first public information; sending a second signal, where the second signal is used to indicate that the first common signal is sent; The first common signal is sent.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The second signal is used to instruct the first common signal to be sent. Specifically, the second signal is used to schedule the first common signal.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that Before receiving the first signal, the network device is in a dormant state.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that Before receiving the first signal, the network device does not send the first common signal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The first common signal is system information. Before receiving the first signal, the method further includes: Send synchronization information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that: After said receiving the first signal, said network device wakes up.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that: Sending a second signal, comprising: A second signal is sent within a first duration.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The starting time of the first duration is the first time unit after the sending time of the first signal, Alternatively, the starting time of the first duration is the first time unit of the earliest control resource set after the sending time of the first signal, Alternatively, the start time of the first duration is after the sending time of the first signal, and the time interval between the start time of the first duration and the sending time of the first signal is K time units, where K is a positive integer.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The time length of the first duration is L time units, where L is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration of the first duration is the duration of N control resource sets, where N is a positive integer; Alternatively, the first duration is M times the sending period of the first common signal, where M is a positive integer.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that: Before receiving the first signal, the method further includes: First configuration information is sent, where the first configuration information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is a resource for sending the first signal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that: The first signal is a random access request message.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that: The second signal is downlink control information DCI.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a module or unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the communication device includes a module or unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 23.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 12 to 23 is executed.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 23.

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