Communication method, communication device, chip and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method, a communication device, a chip and a computer readable storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: receiving configuration information; wherein the configuration information is used for configuring M first SMTC windows; the configuration information comprises periods of M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to a plurality of SSBs in N continuous SSB burst sets, wave positions corresponding to the plurality of SSBs are different, and the plurality of SSBs comprise SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; the N continuous SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied in one period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to one period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. By implementing the application, the power consumption of the user equipment for measuring the SSB during non-uniform scanning can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a chip and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communications have the advantages of being fast, stable, and having wide coverage, and can be widely used in various application scenarios with high access requirements, such as the Internet of Things (IoT). However, as IoT technology matures in the future, IoT devices may experience explosive growth. In order to meet the access needs of more and more IoT devices, higher requirements are required for the system access capabilities of NTN devices (such as satellite base stations, etc.). In addition, due to the wide coverage of NTN devices, the traffic load imbalance of services in different geographical areas under a single NTN device is more serious. Therefore, the beam scanning of NTN devices must be able to meet the needs of service differences.

[0003] At present, NTN equipment can send more SSBs corresponding to hotspot areas and less SSBs corresponding to non-hotspot areas by non-uniformly scanning synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), thereby increasing system access and meeting the needs of service differentiation. For example, among the four wave positions (such as wave position A, wave position B, wave position C and wave position D) of a cell, there are three wave positions (such as wave position A, wave position B and wave position C) with a large number of access users, and the number of access users in the other two wave positions (such as wave position D) is small. If the NTN equipment needs to send two SSB burst sets in a cycle of non-uniform scanning, each SSB burst set includes four SSBs, when the four SSBs in the first SSB burst set correspond to wave position A, wave position B, wave position C, and wave position D respectively, and the four SSBs in the second SSB burst set correspond to wave position A, wave position B, wave position C, and wave position A respectively. Then, in one cycle of this non-uniform scanning, wave position A is scanned three times, wave position B and wave position C are scanned twice, and wave position D is scanned once.

[0004] Based on the synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SSB measurement timing configuration, SMTC) window, the user equipment (UE) can measure the SSB sent by the NTN device during the cell access process. Among them, the SMTC window indicates the time window for the UE to measure the SSB, and the period of an SMTC window is the same as the period of an SSB burst set. Therefore, when the SSB burst set periodically appears, the SMTC window also appears periodically. For example, if the two SSB burst sets sent by the above-mentioned NTN device in a non-uniform scanning period, the first SSB burst set corresponds to an SMTC window and the second SSB burst set also corresponds to an SMTC window. It can be seen that the UE will measure the SSBs corresponding to wave position A, wave position B and wave position C multiple times in these two SMTC windows, resulting in increased power consumption. How to reduce the power consumption of the UE when using non-uniform scanning has become one of the urgent problems to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a communication device, a chip, and a computer-readable storage medium, which can reduce the power consumption of a UE when non-uniform scanning is adopted.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0007] Receive configuration information; wherein, the configuration information is used to configure M first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration SMTC windows; the configuration information includes the periods of the M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N consecutive synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, the wave positions corresponding to these multiple SSBs are different, and these multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; N consecutive SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied within a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0008] Based on the method described in the first aspect, first, within one period of non-uniform SSB scanning, the multiple SSBs corresponding to the M first SMTC windows are all different and can cover all wave positions of a cell. In this way, when the UE performs SSB measurement according to the M first SMTCs, it can not only measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in a cell, but also avoid repeated measurement of the SSBs corresponding to some wave positions. Second, since the period of each first SMTC window is the same as one period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, which is equivalent to the period of each first SMTC window being the sum of the periods of N consecutive SSB burst sets, these M first SMTC windows also appear periodically, and the period of each first SMTC window is shorter than the period in the current SMTC window configuration method (in the current method, the period of one SMTC window is equal to the period of one SSB burst set). Based on the above two points, this method can effectively reduce the power consumption of the UE during non-uniform scanning.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information further includes the offsets of the M first SMTC windows. The offset of each first SMTC window among the M first SMTC windows is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T - 1, where T is the period of one SSB burst set.

[0010] Since the period of each first SMTC window is extended to the sum of the periods of N consecutive SSB burst sets, when configuring the offset of each first SMTC window, this offset also needs to be configured as a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T - 1.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner, M is 1 and one first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0012] If the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets can cover all wave positions of a cell and are all different, then within one period of non-uniform scanning, the UE can measure the SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of this cell by measuring this first SSB burst set; correspondingly, the number of first SMTC windows configured by the network device for the UE is one (i.e., M is 1). In this way, when the network device sends N consecutive SSB burst sets, it only needs to send one first SMTC window, which can effectively reduce the transmission overhead of the network device. Correspondingly, when N consecutive SSB burst sets appear, the UE only needs to measure the first SSB burst set among them to measure the SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell, which can effectively reduce the power consumption of the UE.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes a duration of a first SMTC window, the duration of the first SMTC window is a value in a first set, and the durations in the first set are predefined by the protocol.

[0014] Since this first SMTC window can correspond to the first SSB burst set, and the current SMTC window configuration method also has one SMTC window corresponding to one SSB burst set, the duration of this first SMTC window can use the configuration of the duration of the protocol pre-defined in the current SMTC window configuration method, thereby eliminating the need to modify the duration in the protocol.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure a second SMTC window, the configuration information also includes a period of the second SMTC window, a cell corresponding to the second SMTC window is a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the first SMTC window, the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the first SMTC window, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window.

[0016] When the UE measures the SSB of the neighboring cells of the service cell, the measurement can be performed according to the second SMTC window. Since the network equipment uses the first SSB burst set of N consecutive SSB burst sets to cover all the wave positions of a cell when non-uniformly scanning the SSBs corresponding to each cell, the number of the second SMTC window is also configured as one for the measurement of the neighboring cells, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window do not need to be configured again, and the duration and offset of the first SMTC window can be used. By separately reconfiguring the period of the second SMTC window to be smaller than the period of the first SMTC window, the measurement frequency of the neighboring cell SSB can be increased, thereby speeding up the measurement of the neighboring cells.

[0017] In one possible implementation, M is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in N consecutive SSB burst sets, the configuration information also includes the duration of the M first SMTC windows, and the duration of each first SMCT window in the M first SMTC windows is a value in the second set; the duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0018] If at least two SSB burst sets among N consecutive SSB burst sets can cover all wave positions in a cell, it means that the SSB measurement corresponding to all wave positions in a cell requires at least two first SMTC windows for indication (i.e., M is a positive integer greater than 1). In this case, the network equipment needs to configure at least two discrete first SMTC windows for the UE, and the period of each first SMTC window is extended to the sum of the periods of N consecutive SSB burst sets, and the offset of each first SMTC window needs to be configured as a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1. In addition, since these discrete first SMTC windows correspond to part of the SSBs in an SSB burst set, the measurement duration of an SSB under different subcarrier intervals is not exactly the same, so the duration of these first SMTC windows can be redefined according to different subcarrier intervals.

[0019] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.5ms*Y, and Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 10.

[0020] Because at the same frequency, the measurement time corresponding to one SSB when the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz is twice the measurement time corresponding to one SSB when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, and 0.5ms is the measurement time corresponding to one SSB at 15kHz, and it is also the measurement time corresponding to two SSBs at 30kHz. Therefore, the duration of an SMTC window is Y times of 0.5ms. This 0.5ms*Y is not only compatible with the next discrete first SMTC window of 15kHz corresponding to at least one SSB, but also compatible with the next discrete first SMTC of 30kHz corresponding to at least two and an even number of SSBs.

[0021] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.0625ms*Y; Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 80.

[0022] Because at the same frequency, the measurement time corresponding to one SSB when the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz is twice the measurement time corresponding to one SSB when the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz, and 0.0625ms is the measurement time corresponding to one SSB at 120kHz, and it is also the measurement time corresponding to two SSBs at 240kHz. Therefore, the duration of an SMTC window is Y times of 0.625ms. The 0.625ms*Y is not only compatible with the next discrete first SMTC window of 120kHz corresponding to at least one SSB, but also compatible with the next discrete first SMTC of 240kHz corresponding to at least two and an even number of SSBs.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure multiple second SMTC windows, and the configuration information also includes the period, offset and duration of each SMTC window in the multiple second SMTC windows. The cells corresponding to the multiple second SMTC windows are neighboring cells of the cells corresponding to the M first SMTC windows.

[0024] When the UE measures the SSB of the neighboring cell of the service cell, the measurement can be performed according to the second SMTC window. Since the network equipment cannot cover all the wave positions of a cell (or neighboring cell) with the first SSB burst set of N consecutive SSB burst sets when non-uniformly scanning the SSB corresponding to each cell, the number of the second SMTC windows is also configured to be multiple for the measurement of the neighboring cells. In addition, due to the differences in the services of the service cell and the neighboring cells, the scanning frequency of each wave position in the service cell is very likely to be different from the scanning frequency of each wave position in the neighboring cell. Therefore, when configuring the second SMTC window, the second SMTC window can be decoupled from the first SMTC window, and the configuration information of the first SMTC window is not used, that is, the network equipment sends the period, duration, and offset of the second SMTC window separately. In this way, the service needs of different cells can be better met.

[0025] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0026] Send configuration information; wherein, the configuration information is used to configure M first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration SMTC windows; the configuration information includes the periods of the M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N consecutive synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, the wave positions corresponding to these multiple SSBs are different, and these multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; N consecutive SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied within a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes offsets of M first SMTC windows, and the offset of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, where T is the period of an SSB burst set.

[0028] In one possible implementation, M is 1 and a first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes a duration of a first SMTC window, the duration of the first SMTC window is a value in a first set, and the durations in the first set are predefined by the protocol.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure a second SMTC window, the configuration information also includes a period of the second SMTC window, a cell corresponding to the second SMTC window is a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the first SMTC window, the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the first SMTC window, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window.

[0031] In one possible implementation, M is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in N consecutive SSB burst sets, the configuration information also includes the duration of the M first SMTC windows, and the duration of each first SMCT window in the M first SMTC windows is a value in the second set; the duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0032] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.5ms*Y, and Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 10.

[0033] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.0625ms*Y; Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 80.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure multiple second SMTC windows, and the configuration information also includes the period, offset and duration of each SMTC window in the multiple second SMTC windows. The cells corresponding to the multiple second SMTC windows are neighboring cells of the cells corresponding to the M first SMTC windows.

[0035] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a network device or a user device, or a device in a network device or a user device, or a device that can be used in combination with a network device or a user device. Among them, the communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the method described in the first aspect or the second 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 in the first aspect or the second aspect above, and the repetitive parts will not be repeated.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising a processor, when the processor calls a computer program in a memory, a method as described in any one of the first to second aspects is executed.

[0037] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor and the memory are coupled; the processor is used to implement a method as described in any one of the first to second aspects.

[0038] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor being used to implement a method as described in any one of the first to second aspects through a logic circuit or by executing code instructions.

[0039] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is called by a computer, the computer executes a method as described in any one of the first to second aspects.

[0040] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer executes the method of any one of the first to second aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the number of users who successfully accessed and the number of users who requested access, provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a uniform scanning / non-uniform synchronization signal block provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5 Schematic diagrams of two types of non-uniform scanning patterns provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a configuration diagram of a type of SMTC window provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 7 It is a configuration diagram of a type II lower SMTC window provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of synchronization signal blocks between a serving cell and a neighboring cell under a type II embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig. 9 It is a configuration diagram of a second SMTC window of type II provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.10 It is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the software structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0053] The terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0054] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can 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.

[0055] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following first introduces the professional terms involved in the embodiments of the present application:

[0056] 1. Beam and wave position

[0057] A beam is an electromagnetic wave emitted by a network device using a radio frequency module such as a phased array or parabolic antenna to a specific angle range. A beam can be used to carry information used by network devices for communication, for example, a beam can carry a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB).

[0058] A beam position refers to the coverage range of a beam in space. For example, the coverage range corresponding to a cell can be divided into one or more beam positions, and the beam positions are matched one-to-one. That is to say, each beam position in a cell requires a corresponding beam to cover it.

[0059] 2. Synchronous Signal Block Burst Set (SSB Burst Set)

[0060] The synchronization signal block (SSB) consists of the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal block (SSS) and the PBCH block, and is used for uplink synchronization and mobility management such as cell selection / switching. Among them, the SSB can correspond to the wave position, and the corresponding relationship between the SSB and the wave position can be obtained based on the corresponding relationship between the number of random access preamble codes (preamble codes) and the requested access amount of users under the wave position:

[0061] For example, the relationship between the number of users who successfully access a single time-frequency resource (such as a single RACH opportunity, RO) and the number of users who request access can be expressed as Figure 1 :like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the number of users who successfully access the network shows a nonlinear relationship with the number of users who request access: when the number of users who request access is small, the number of users who successfully access the network increases with the number of users who request access; when the number of users who request access is large, the number of users who successfully access the network decreases with the number of users who request access due to the increase in the probability of collision between users. Therefore, in order to increase the number of users who successfully access the network and not waste the configured preamble codes, the number of users who request access needs to match the number of preamble codes in a single RO. For example, according to Figure 1 , if the number of users requesting access is 20, when the number of preamble codes in a single RO is configured as 20 (i.e. Figure 1 When P = 20, the number of users who successfully access can reach the maximum value when the number of preamble codes is configured as 20; if the number of users requesting access is 60 (i.e. Figure 1 When P=60 in a single RO, when the number of preamble codes in a single RO is configured as 64, the number of users successfully accessed can reach the maximum value when the number of preambles is configured as 64, and so on.

[0062] The above preamble code corresponds to one or more SSBs sent by the network device to the user equipment (UE), so the SSB can be matched with the wave position. For example, one SSB can correspond to one wave position in a cell. After the UE receives the SSBs corresponding to all the wave positions in a cell, the UE can measure the SSBs corresponding to all the wave positions in the cell, thereby obtaining the measurement results of all the wave positions in the cell. The measurement results of all the wave positions in the cell will be used to determine whether the UE stays in / switches the cell.

[0063] A synchronization signal block burst set (SSB burst set) refers to a set of SSBs sent by a network device to a UE in a half frame (i.e., 5ms). An SSB burst set may include one or more SSBs, and the maximum number of SSBs in an SSB burst set may be 4, 8, or 64. The period of occurrence of an SSB burst set may be 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms. Optionally, the duration of an SSB burst set is related to the number of SSBs in an SSB burst set and the corresponding subcarrier spacing (SCS). The duration of an SSB burst set is limited to within 5ms. For example, the duration of an SSB burst set is 1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, or 5ms.

[0064] 3. Scanning method of SSB burst set

[0065] When the network device sends an SSB burst set to the UE, the network device may scan all the beam positions in a cell in a uniform scanning or non-uniform scanning manner.

[0066] Among them, uniform scanning means that the frequency of each of all the wave positions in a cell is scanned equally. Non-uniform scanning means that some of all the wave positions in a cell are scanned with high frequencies, while some are scanned with low frequencies. For example, the wave positions scanned with high frequencies may be wave positions with more traffic / more users in the cell, and the wave positions scanned with low frequencies may be wave positions with less traffic / less users in the cell.

[0067] For example, a cell includes 8 beam bits, which are beam bit A, beam bit B, beam bit C, beam bit D, beam bit E, beam bit F, beam bit G, and beam bit H, and each SSB burst set includes 8 SSBs:

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, SSB index is the serial number of SSB, and one SSB index corresponds to one SSB and one wave position. In the case of uniform scanning and non-uniform scanning, the period of each SSB burst set is 20ms. Taking the first SSB burst set and the second SSB burst set as examples, in the case of uniform scanning, the 8 wave positions are scanned twice, and the scanning frequencies corresponding to these 8 wave positions are equal; in the case of non-uniform scanning, wave positions A and B are scanned four times, wave position C is scanned three times, wave positions D, E, F, G, and H are scanned once, and the scanning frequencies corresponding to these 8 wave positions are not equal.

[0069] Optionally, the period of uniform scanning may be equal to the period of one SSB burst set. The period of non-uniform scanning may include at least the periods of two SSB burst sets. For example, Figure 2 The uniform scanning cycle shown can be equal to 20ms. If two SSB burst sets need to be sent to complete a non-uniform scanning, and the wave positions corresponding to the two SSB burst sets to be sent for non-uniform scanning are respectively Figure 1 The corresponding wave positions in the first SSB burst set and the second SSB burst set are the same, then Figure 2 The non-uniform scanning period shown is equal to 40 ms. It can be understood that if the non-uniform scanning period is equal to 40 ms, then Figure 2 In the non-uniform scan, the third SSB burst set not shown should be the same as the first SSB burst set, the fourth SSB burst set not shown should be the same as the second SSB burst set, and so on.

[0070] SMTC window and its configuration in the current protocol

[0071] The network equipment configures the synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) window to the UE, thereby instructing the UE to measure the SSB time. The SMTC window needs to cover all the beam positions in a cell, and then the UE can obtain the measurement results of this cell when measuring according to the SMTC window.

[0072] Optionally, the configuration information of SMTC includes but is not limited to one or more of a period, a duration, and an offset of the SMTC window, where the offset is equivalent to the start time of the SMTC window.

[0073] Currently, in the defined protocol, the period of the SMTC window is equal to the period of the SSB burst set, that is, one SMTC window corresponds to one SSB burst set. When an SSB burst set appears, the UE will measure each SSB in this SSB burst set.

[0074] Optionally, the SMTC window configured by the network device to the UE may include the main measurement timing configuration SMTC1 window (hereinafter referred to as the first SMTC window). The UE may measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in the serving cell and the SSB corresponding to each wave position in each neighboring cell of the serving cell according to SMCT1.

[0075] Optionally, the SMTC window configured by the network device to the UE may include a main measurement timing configuration SMTC1 window and an auxiliary measurement timing configuration SMTC2 window (hereinafter referred to as the second SMTC window). The UE can measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in the service cell according to the SMTC1 window, and measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in each neighboring area of ​​the service cell according to the SMTC2 window.

[0076] Optionally, in the currently defined protocol, the duration and offset of the SMTC2 window are equal to the duration and offset of the SMTC1 window, and the period of the SMTC2 window is less than the period of the SMTC1 window. Therefore, when the network device sends the configuration information of the SMTC window, it does not need to send the duration and offset of the SMTC2 window, but only needs to send the period of the SMTC2 window.

[0077] Due to the wide coverage of non-terrestrial networks (NTN), there are characteristics such as high user access demand and obvious differences in access demand in different regions. In order to adapt to these characteristics of NTN communication, network equipment can use the above-mentioned non-uniform scanning method to perform beam scanning. However, when the configuration of the SMTC window in the currently defined protocol is applied to non-uniform scanning, the UE will measure the SSB corresponding to the high-frequency wave position being scanned multiple times, thereby increasing the power consumption of the UE.

[0078] The present application can effectively reduce the power consumption of UE measuring SSB during non-uniform scanning. The communication system of the present application is first introduced below: Taking the NTN communication system as an example Figure 3 Taking the satellite communication system shown as an example, the satellite communication system includes at least one user equipment (UE), at least one network device, a ground station and a core network. Among them, the UE and the network device exchange user service data through the NR new air interface technology, the network devices exchange signaling and transmit user service data through the XN port, and the network device and the ground station exchange core network signaling and transmit service data between users through the NG port.

[0079] Optionally, the ground station is connected to the core network, which includes functional entities of the user plane and the control plane. For example, the functional entities of the user plane include a user plane function (UPF) and a data network, etc. The UPF is responsible for managing the transmission of user business data and traffic statistics, etc. The functional entities of the control plane include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), security authentication, billing, etc. AMF is responsible for user access management, and SMF is responsible for session establishment, modification, and release, etc.

[0080] The above-mentioned UE may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone, mobile phone), computer and data card, for example, it may be 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, personal communication service (PCS) phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer (Pad), computer with wireless transceiver function and other equipment. The wireless terminal device may also be called a system, a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a subscriber station (subscriber station), a mobile station (mobile station), a mobile station (mobile station, MS), a remote station (remote station), an access point (access point, AP), a remote terminal device (remote terminal), an access terminal device (access terminal), a user terminal device (user terminal), a user agent (user agent), a subscriber station (SS), a customer premises equipment (customer premises Equipment (CPE), terminal (terminal), user equipment (UE), mobile terminal (MT), drone, etc. The terminal device may also be a wearable device and a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 5G communication system or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN).

[0081] The above-mentioned network device can be a satellite base station, which refers to a base station whose base station function is deployed on a satellite. The satellite can be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, etc.

[0082] It can be understood that the above communication system is only an example, and the present application can also be applied to other NTN communication systems other than the above communication system, and in other NTN communication systems, the network equipment can also include high altitude platform station (HAPS) equipment, drones, etc.

[0083] The following introduces the hardware structure of the above network equipment and UE.

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 is a hardware structure diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 can be the above Figure 3 A user device or network device in the network.

[0085] For example, the communication device 400 includes one or more processors 110 and one or more memories 120. One or more memories 120 are coupled to one or more processors 110. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules.

[0086] The processor 110 may include one or more processing units, for example, the processor 110 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processor (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU), etc. Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0087] In some embodiments, the processor 110 may include one or more interfaces. The interface may include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a subscriber identity module (SIM) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface, etc.

[0088] The memory 120 is used to store program codes and data. In some embodiments, the memory 120 is a cache memory. The memory can store program codes or data that have just been used or are cyclically used by the processor 110. If the processor 110 needs to use the program code or data again, it can be directly called from the memory 120. This avoids repeated access, reduces the waiting time of the processor 110, and thus improves the efficiency of the system.

[0089] The processor 110 may operate in conjunction with the memory 120 , or at least one of the one or more memories 120 may be included in the processor 110 .

[0090] The device may also include a communication interface 130, which may optionally include a standard wired interface, a wireless interface (such as Wi-Fi, a mobile communication interface, etc.), and the communication interface 130 is controlled by the processor 110 to send and receive data; the communication interface 130 may optionally also realize data or signal communication between internal devices of the device.

[0091] It is to be understood that the structure illustrated in the embodiment of the present application does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication device 400. In other embodiments of the present application, the communication device 400 may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0092] This application divides the non-uniform scanning patterns into two types, and proposes corresponding configuration methods for the SMTC windows under these two types. The following first introduces these two types:

[0093] Among them, assuming that in one cycle of non-uniform scanning SSB, the network device needs to send N consecutive SSB burst sets to the UE, N is a positive integer greater than 1, then the arrangement of each SSB in these N consecutive SSB burst sets constitutes a non-uniform scanning pattern, and one cycle corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern needs to occupy N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0094] Type 1: In type 1, the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets includes SSBs corresponding to all wave positions in a cell. In addition, the Ith SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets includes SSBs corresponding to hotspot wave positions, which refers to wave positions corresponding to hotspot areas in a cell, and I is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N.

[0095] For example, if N is 2, a cell includes 8 beams, which are beams A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Among the 8 beams, beams A, B, and C are hotspot beams, and each SSB burst set includes 8 SSBs. Then the network device can send a burst burst of 8 SSBs to the UE. Figure 5 Two consecutive SSB burst sets are shown: Figure 5 As shown, in type one, the first SSB burst set sent by the network device to the UE includes SSBs corresponding to wave position A, wave position B, wave position C, wave position D, wave position E, wave position F, wave position G, and wave position H, and the second SSB burst set includes SSBs corresponding to wave position A, wave position B, and wave position C. Therefore, in type one, the wave position corresponding to the first SSB burst set sent by the network device to the UE can cover all wave positions in a cell.

[0096] Type 2: In type 2, the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets includes SSBs corresponding to some wave positions in a cell. The wave positions corresponding to all SSBs included in J SSB burst sets among N consecutive SSB burst sets can cover all wave positions in a cell, and J is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N. In addition, there are at least two different SSB burst sets among the N consecutive SSB burst sets, and there is at least one first wave position in the N consecutive SSB burst sets whose scanned frequency is higher than the scanned frequency of at least one second wave position.

[0097] For example, Figure 5As shown, in type two, the first SSB burst set sent by the network device to the UE includes SSBs corresponding to wave position A, wave position B, wave position C, wave position D, wave position G, and wave position H, and wave position A and wave position B are scanned twice, and wave position B, wave position C, wave position D, wave position G, and wave position H are scanned once. The second SSB burst set includes SSBs corresponding to wave position A, wave position B, wave position C, wave position E, and wave position F, and wave position A, wave position B, and wave position C are scanned three times, and wave position E and wave position F are scanned once. Therefore, in type two, the wave position corresponding to the first SSB burst set sent by the network device to the UE cannot cover all wave positions in a cell, and the wave position corresponding to the first SSB burst set and the wave position corresponding to the second SSB burst set must be combined to cover all wave positions in a cell.

[0098] It should be noted that the above N may be indicated by a protocol, or may be indicated by a network device through a broadcast message.

[0099] The following describes the configuration methods proposed by this application for these two types of SMTC windows:

[0100] Configuration method of SMTC window in type 1:

[0101] In the above description of type one, the wave position corresponding to the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets can cover all wave positions in a cell. Therefore, in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, the UE can obtain the SSB measurement results of all wave positions in a cell by measuring the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0102] For type 1, in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, the network device may configure a first SMTC window for the UE, where the first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set in N consecutive SSB burst sets. Figure 5 Type 1: The network device can configure the UE Figure 6 A first SMTC window is shown, where the dotted box represents the first SMTC window. Within the dotted box, the UE can measure the SSBs corresponding to the 8 wave positions included in a cell.

[0103] Specifically, when the network device can configure a first SMTC window for the UE, the period, offset and duration of the first SMTC window need to be configured:

[0104] Since there is a first SMTC window in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, the period of this first SMTC window is equal to the period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, and accordingly, the offset value of this first SMTC window should be the value at each moment in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern. In addition, since this first SMTC window corresponds to a complete SSB burst set, and in the current protocol, an SMTC window also corresponds to a complete SSB burst set, the configuration method of the duration of this first SMTC can follow the configuration method of the duration of the SMTC window in the current protocol.

[0105] For example, the configuration of the first SMTC window in type 1 is as follows:

[0106] SSB-MTC::= SEQUENCE{

[0107] periodicityAndOffset CHOICE{

[0108] sf5*N INTEGER(0..5*N-1),

[0109] sf10*N INTEGER(0..10*N-1),

[0110] sf20*N INTEGER(0..20*N-1),

[0111] sf40*N INTEGER(0..40*N-1),

[0112] sf80*N INTEGER(0..80*N-1),

[0113] sf160*N INTEGER(0..160*N-1)

[0114] },

[0115] duration ENUMERATED{sf5, sf10, sf20, sf40, sf80, sf160}

[0116] }

[0117] Wherein, sf5, sf10, sf20, sf40, sf80, and sf160 respectively refer to 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, and 160ms. The periodicityAndOffset field is used to indicate the period and offset of the first SMTC window, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the first SMTC window.

[0118] When configured in the above manner, the period of the first SMTC window can be configured to sf5*N, sf10*N, sf20*N, sf40*N, sf80*N or sf160*N, and accordingly, the offset of the first SMTC window can be configured to a value from 0 to N*T-1, where T is sf5, sf10, sf20, sf40, sf80 or sf160. For example, in type one, if the period of a first SMTC window corresponding to the first SSB burst set is configured as sf5*N (equivalent to N*5ms), the offset of this first SMTC window can be configured as a natural number between 0 and 5*N-1; if the period of a first SMTC window corresponding to the first SSB burst set is configured as sf10*N (equivalent to N*10ms), the offset of this first SMTC window can be configured as a natural number between 0 and 10*N-1; if the period of a first SMTC window corresponding to the first SSB burst set is configured as sf20*N (equivalent to N*20ms), the offset of this first SMTC window can be configured as a natural number between 0 and 20*N-1. number; if the period of a first SMTC window corresponding to the first SSB burst set is configured as sf40*N (equivalent to N*40ms), the offset of this first SMTC window can be configured as a natural number between 0 and 40*N-1; if the period of a first SMTC window corresponding to the first SSB burst set is configured as sf80*N (equivalent to N*80ms), the offset of this first SMTC window can be configured as a natural number between 0 and 80*N-1; if the period of a first SMTC window corresponding to the first SSB burst set is configured as sf160*N (equivalent to N*160ms), the offset of this first SMTC window can be configured as a natural number between 0 and 160*N-1.

[0119] When the above configuration is adopted, the duration of the SMTC window can be a value within a half frame (i.e., 5ms). For example, in the current protocol, a half frame is set to correspond to the first set of {1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms} with a unit interval of 1ms. The duration of the first SMTC window is a value in the first set.

[0120] It should be noted that after configuring the above-mentioned first SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in the service cell and each neighboring cell according to the above-mentioned first SMTC window.

[0121] Optionally, for type one, in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, the network device may further configure a second SMTC window for the UE.

[0122] Among them, since in type one of non-uniform scanning, the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets covers all wave positions of a cell, the second SMTC window also corresponds to the first SSB burst set, and the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the above-mentioned first SMTC window, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the above-mentioned first SMTC window. In other words, on the premise that the network device has configured the period, offset and duration of the above-mentioned first SMTC window to the UE, the network device also needs to configure the period of the second SMTC window to the UE, and there is no need to configure the duration and offset of the second SMTC window to the UE.

[0123] For example, the configuration of the second SMTC window in type one is as follows:

[0124] SSB-MTC2::= SEQUENCE{

[0125] pci-List SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofPCIsPerSMTC))OF PhysCellId

[0126] OPTIONAL--NEED M

[0127] periodicity ENUMERATED{sf5*N, sf10*N, sf20*N, sf40*N, sf80*N, spare1, spare2, spare3}}

[0128] Wherein, pci-List is the cell identifier (pci) of the neighboring cell corresponding to the second SMTC window. When configured in this way, the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as sf5*N, sf10*N, sf20*N, sf40*N or sf80*N, and the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the first SMTC window. For example, when the period of the first SMTC window is configured as sf10*N, the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as sf5*N; when the period of the first SMTC window is configured as sf20*N, the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as sf10*N; when the period of the first SMTC window is configured as sf40*N, the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as sf20*N; when the period of the first SMTC window is configured as sf80*N, the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as sf40*N; when the period of the first SMTC window is configured as sf160*N, the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as sf80*N. When the period of the first SMTC window is configured as sf5*N, the second SMTC window cannot be configured.

[0129] It should be noted that after configuring the above-mentioned first SMTC window and the second SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in the service cell according to the above-mentioned first SMTC window, and measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in each neighboring cell according to the second SMTC window.

[0130] Configuration method of SMTC window in type 2:

[0131] In the above description of type 2, the wave positions corresponding to J SSB burst sets among N consecutive SSB burst sets can cover all wave positions in a cell. Therefore, in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, the UE can obtain the SSB measurement results of all wave positions in a cell by measuring all / part of the SSBs under the J SSB burst sets.

[0132] For type 2, in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, the network device may configure multiple discrete first SMTC windows for the UE, where the multiple discrete first SMTC windows correspond to J SSB burst sets in N consecutive SSB burst sets, and each of the multiple discrete first SMTC windows corresponds to a different SSB. Figure 5 Type 2: The network device can configure the UE Figure 7The three discrete first SMTC windows shown in the figure, where the dotted boxes represent the three discrete first SMTC windows. Within the range of the first first SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the four wave positions from wave position A to wave position D in the cell. Within the range of the second first SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the two wave positions from wave position G to wave position H in the cell. Within the range of the third first SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the two wave positions from wave position E to wave position F in the cell. Based on these three discrete first SMTC windows, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the eight wave positions included in a cell.

[0133] Specifically, when the network device can configure the multiple discrete first SMTC windows for the UE, it is necessary to configure the period, offset and duration of each first SMTC window.

[0134] Period and offset: Since there are multiple discrete first SMTC windows in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, and the SSB corresponding to each first SMTC window is different, the period of each first SMTC window is equal to the period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern. Accordingly, the value of the offset of each first SMTC window should be the value at each moment in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern. Therefore, for type 2, the configuration method of the period and offset of each first SMTC window in multiple discrete first SMTC windows is the same as the configuration method of the period and offset of a first SMTC window in type 1.

[0135] Duration: Since any SMTC window in the plurality of discrete first SMTC windows may correspond to a complete SSB burst set or may correspond to a part of a complete SSB burst set (e.g. Figure 7 As shown), the duration of each first SMTC window in type 2 can be configured as follows:

[0136] Optionally, the duration of each first SMTC window in type two can follow the configuration method of the duration of the SMTC window in the current protocol, that is, a value in the first set, the first set is {1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms} (that is, the unit interval of the duration value is 1ms).

[0137] Optionally, since each first SMTC window corresponds to a partial wave position of one SSB burst set among J SSB burst sets, and in the current protocol, one SMTC window corresponds to a complete SSB burst set, thus, the unit interval of the duration value can also be adjusted according to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the SSB burst set to obtain a second set, and the duration value of each first SMTC window in type two is one value in the second set. Among them, the unit interval of the duration value in the second set can be smaller than the unit interval of the duration value in the first set. In this way, the duration values included in the second set can correspond to the partial wave positions in a complete SSB burst set, rather than a complete SSB burst set.

[0138] The possible ways of the second set are introduced below:

[0139] First, the duration required to measure a single SSB under different subcarrier spacings (SCS) is introduced:

[0140] When SCS = 15 kHz, if F ≤ 3 GHz, then there are at most 4 SSBs in 2 subframes (i.e., 2 ms), if 3 GHz < F ≤ 6 GHz, then there are at most 8 SSBs in 4 subframes (i.e., 4 ms). Therefore, for SCS = 15 kHz, the duration required to measure a single SSB is greater than or equal to 0.5 ms.

[0141] When SCS = 30 kHz, if F ≤ 3 GHz, then there are at most 4 SSBs in 1 subframe (i.e., 1 ms), if 3 GHz < F ≤ 6 GHz, then there are at most 8 SSBs in 2 subframes (i.e., 2 ms). Therefore, for SCS = 30 kHz, the duration required to measure a single SSB is greater than or equal to 0.25 ms.

[0142] When SCS = 120 kHz, if F > 6 GHz, then there are at most 64 SSBs in 4 subframes (i.e., 4 ms). Therefore, for SCS = 120 kHz, the duration required to measure a single SSB is greater than or equal to 0.0625 ms.

[0143] When SCS = 240 kHz, if F > 6 GHz, then there are at most 64 SSBs in 2 subframes (i.e., 2 ms). Therefore, for SCS = 240 kHz, the duration required to measure a single SSB is greater than or equal to 0.03125 ms.

[0144] According to the shortest duration required to measure a single SSB under the above different SCSs, the second set corresponding to different SCSs can be preset:

[0145] Method 1: Optionally, a corresponding second set can be set for SCS=15kHz, 30kHz, 120kHz or 240kHz respectively: for example, when SCS=15kHz, the duration in the second set all satisfies 0.5ms*Y, 1≤Y≤10; when SCS=30kHz, the duration in the second set all satisfies 0.25ms*Y, 1≤Y≤20; when SCS=120kHz, the duration in the second set all satisfies 0.0625ms*Y, 1≤Y≤80; when SCS=240kHz, the duration in the second set all satisfies 0.03125ms*Y, 1≤Y≤160.

[0146] It should be noted that when the duration in the second set satisfies the formulas in method one, the unit intervals of two adjacent duration values ​​in the second set may be equal or different, and this application does not limit this. For example, when the durations in the second set all satisfy 0.5ms*Y, the unit intervals of two adjacent duration values ​​in the second set may all be equal to 0.5ms, then the second set may be {0.5ms, 1ms, 1.5ms, 2ms, 2.5ms, 3ms, 3.5ms, 4ms, 4.5ms, 5ms}; or, the unit intervals of two adjacent duration values ​​in the second set may be different (the values ​​may be 0.5ms or 1ms), then the second set may be {0.5ms, 1ms, 1.5ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms}.

[0147] Method 2: Optional: Since the shortest time required to measure a single SSB when SCS=15kHz is twice the shortest time required to measure a single SSB when SCS=30kHz, and the shortest time required to measure a single SSB when SCS=120kHz is twice the shortest time required to measure a single SSB when SCS=240kHz, a corresponding second set may be set for SCS=15kHz or 30kHz, and another corresponding second set may be set for SCS=120kHz or 240kHz. Based on this method, the number of second sets to be set may be reduced.

[0148] For example, assuming that when SCS=15kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least X SSBs, and when SCS=30kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least 2X SSBs, then the duration in the second set corresponding to SCS=15kHz or 30kHz satisfies 0.5ms*Y, 1≤Y≤10. For example, taking that when SCS=15kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least 1 SSB (i.e., X is 1), and when SCS=30kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least 2 SSBs, and the unit interval of the duration values ​​in the second set is equal to 0.5ms, the second set can be {0.5ms, 1ms, 1.5ms, 2ms, 2.5ms, 3ms, 3.5ms, 4ms, 4.5ms, 5ms}.

[0149] Similarly, assuming that when SCS=120kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least X SSBs, and when SCS=240kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least 2X SSBs, then the duration in the second set corresponding to SCS=120Hz or 240kHz satisfies 0.0625ms*Y, 1≤Y≤80. For example, taking the case where when SCS=120kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least 1 SSB (i.e., X is 1), and when SCS=240kHz, a first SMTC window measures at least 2 SSBs, and the unit interval of the duration values ​​in the second set is equal to 0.0625ms, the second set can be {0.0625ms, 0.125ms, 0.1875ms, 0.25ms, 0.3125ms, 0.375ms, 0.4375ms, 0.5ms, 0.5625ms}. ms, 0.6875ms, 0.75ms, 0.8125ms, 0.875ms, 0.9375ms, 1ms, 1.0625ms, 1.125ms, 1.1875ms, 1.25ms, 1.3125ms, 1 .375ms, 1.4375ms, 1.5ms, 1.5625ms, 1.6875ms, 1.75ms, 1.8125ms, 1.875ms, 1.9375ms, 2ms, 2.0625ms, 2.125m s, 2.1875ms, 2.25ms, 2.3125ms, 2.375ms, 2.4375ms, 2.5ms, 2.5625ms, 2.6875ms, 2.75ms, 2.8125ms, 2.875ms, 2.9375ms, 3ms, 3.0625ms, 3.125ms, 3.1875ms, 3.25ms, 3.3125ms, 3.375ms, 3.4375ms, 3.5ms, 3.5625ms, 3.687 5ms, 3.75ms, 3.8125ms, 3.875ms, 3.9375ms, 4ms, 4.0625ms, 4.125ms, 4.1875ms, 4.25ms, 4.3125ms, 4.375ms, 4.4375ms, 4.5ms, 4.5625ms, 4.6875ms, 4.75ms, 4.8125ms, 4.875ms, 4.9375ms, 5ms} (that is, each duration is a multiple of 0.0625*1).Alternatively, by way of example, when SCS = 120 kHz, at least 4 SSBs are measured in a first SMTC window (i.e., X takes the value of 4), and when SCS = 240 kHz, at least 8 SSBs are measured in a first SMTC window. Taking the unit interval of the duration values in the second set being equal to 0.0625 ms * 8 as an example, the second set can be {0.25 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.75 ms, 1 ms, 1.25 ms, 1.5 ms, 1.75 ms, 2 ms, 2.25 ms, 2.5 ms, 2.75 ms, 3 ms, 3.25 ms, 3.5 ms, 3.75 ms, 4 ms, 4.25 ms, 4.5 ms, 4.75 ms, 5 ms} (i.e., each duration is a multiple of 0.0625 * 8).

[0150] It should be noted that when the durations in the second set satisfy these formulas in Method 2, the unit intervals between the values of two adjacent durations in the second set can be equal or different (the above examples are all of the same case), and the form of the above second set is only for example. In specific implementation, it can be adaptively extended, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0151] Optionally, for Type 2, in a cycle corresponding to a non-uniform scanning pattern, the network device may also configure multiple discrete second SMTC windows for the UE.

[0152] Among them, due to the large service differences between the serving cell and each neighboring cell, the hot spots and non-hot spots in the serving cell and each neighboring cell are not exactly the same. Correspondingly, the scanning frequencies, orders, etc. of the hot spots and non-hot spots are also not exactly the same. And, since in Type 2 of non-uniform scanning, the SSBs corresponding to all the wave positions in a cell are distributed in multiple SSB burst sets among N consecutive SSB burst sets, therefore, the distribution of the SSBs corresponding to each wave position in the serving cell among N consecutive SSB burst sets is not exactly the same as the distribution of the SSBs corresponding to each wave position in each neighboring cell among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0153] By way of example, if N takes the value of 2, the serving cell includes 8 wave positions, namely Wave Position A, Wave Position B, Wave Position C, Wave Position D, Wave Position E, Wave Position F, Wave Position G, and Wave Position H. Among the 8 wave positions, Wave Position A, Wave Position B, and Wave Position C are hot spots. If each SSB burst set includes 8 SSBs, then the network device may send Figure 8 the 2 consecutive SSB burst sets of the serving cell shown. The description of the 2 consecutive SSB burst sets of the serving cell can refer to Figure 5 the description of Type 2 in

[0154] Neighboring cell 1 includes 8 wave positions, namely wave position I, wave position J, wave position K, wave position L, wave position M, wave position N, wave position O, and wave position P. Wave position I, wave position J, and wave position K among the 8 wave positions are hot wave positions. Each SSB burst set includes 8 SSBs. The network device can send Figure 8 Two consecutive SSB burst sets of neighboring cell 1 are shown, wherein the first SSB burst set of neighboring cell 1 includes SSBs corresponding to wave position I, wave position J, wave position K, wave position L and wave position M, and wave position I is scanned three times, wave position J is scanned twice, and wave position K, wave position L and wave position M are all scanned once; the first SSB burst set of neighboring cell 1 includes SSBs corresponding to wave position I, wave position J, wave position K, wave position N, wave position O and wave position P, and wave position K and wave position J are all scanned twice, and wave position I, wave position N, wave position O and wave position P are all scanned once.

[0155] Depend on Figure 8 It can be seen that the SSB distribution corresponding to the service cell and the neighboring cell is not exactly the same. Therefore, when configuring the second SMTC window to measure the SSB corresponding to the neighboring cell, the second SMTC window cannot use the configuration of the above-mentioned multiple discrete first SMTC windows. The second SMTC window needs to be decoupled from the first SMTC window, that is, multiple discrete second SMTC windows need to be configured separately to meet the business needs of different cells.

[0156] For example, for the above Figure 8 The network device can configure the UE to send two SSB burst sets in neighboring cell 1. Fig. 9 The three discrete first SMTC windows are shown, where the dotted boxes are the three discrete second SMTC windows. Within the range of the first second SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the three wave positions, namely wave position I, wave position J and wave position K in the neighboring cell 1. Within the range of the second second SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the two wave positions, namely wave position L and wave position M in the neighboring cell 1. Within the range of the third second SMTC window, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the three wave positions, namely wave position N, wave position O and wave position P in the neighboring cell 1. Based on these three discrete second SMTC windows, the UE can measure the SSB corresponding to the eight wave positions included in the neighboring cell.

[0157] Specifically, when configuring multiple discrete second SMTC windows, the period, offset and duration of each second SMTC window need to be configured, that is, the network device needs to send the period, offset and duration of each second SMTC window to the UE.

[0158] Period and offset: The period of each second SMTC window is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern. Accordingly, the value of the offset of each second SMTC window should be the value at each moment in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern. Therefore, for type 2, the configuration method of the period and offset of each second SMTC window in multiple discrete second SMTC windows is the same as the configuration method of the period and offset of a first SMTC window in type 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0159] Duration: Optionally, the duration of each second SMTC window in type two can follow the configuration method of the duration of the SMTC window in the current protocol, that is, a value in the first set, which is {1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms} (that is, the unit interval of the duration value is 1ms). Optionally, the duration of each second SMTC window in type two can be a value in the above second set. The duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing. Please refer to the corresponding description of the above second set.

[0160] Based on the configuration methods of the above two types of SMTC windows, the following describes the interaction between the network device and the user device when configuring the SMTC window:

[0161] like Fig.10 As shown, Fig.10 1001 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 The method shown may be performed by a network device, or the subject may be a chip in the network device. Fig.10 The method shown may also be performed by other types of products, and those skilled in the art may further expand the method based on the contents disclosed in the specification. Fig.10 The method execution subject shown takes a network device as an example.

[0162] 1001. A network device sends configuration information to a user device, where the configuration information is used to configure M first SMTC windows; the configuration information includes periods of the M first SMTC windows, where the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N continuous synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, where the multiple SSBs correspond to different wave positions, and the multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; the period of each of the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. Accordingly, the user device receives the configuration information.

[0163] In the first possible implementation method, if the network device is non-uniformly scanning each cell (including the service cell and each neighboring cell), and the non-uniform scanning pattern is the above-mentioned type one, then the value of M is 1, that is, the configuration information sent by the network device to the user equipment is used to configure a first SMTC window, and this first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0164] Specifically, the configuration information includes the period, offset, and duration of the first SMTC window. The configuration method of the period, offset, and duration of the first SMTC window can be configured according to the configuration method of the SMTC window in type 1 in the above content, that is:

[0165] The period of a first SMTC window is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the offset of a first SMTC window is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, T is the period of an SSB burst set, and the duration of a first SMTC window is a value in the first set, and the duration in the first set is pre-determined by the protocol.

[0166] For example, if N is 2, the period of an SSB burst set is sf20, the period of this first SMTC window can be configured as 2*sf20=40ms, the offset can be configured as 0ms between 0 and 40ms, and the duration can be configured as 4ms among {1ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms}.

[0167] Based on the configuration information of the first SMTC window, there is only one first SMTC window in a period corresponding to the non-uniform scanning pattern, and this first SMTC window can cover the SSB corresponding to all wave positions of a cell without repetition. Accordingly, the user equipment can measure the SSB corresponding to all wave positions of a cell without repetition based on this first SMTC window, and the period for the user equipment to measure SSB is shorter than the period in the current SMTC window configuration method (in the current method, the period of an SMTC window is equal to the period of an SSB burst set). Based on the above two points, this method can effectively reduce the power consumption of the user equipment measuring SSB during non-uniform scanning. In addition, in this method, the network equipment does not need to send multiple SMTC windows, and the transmission overhead of the network equipment can also be effectively reduced.

[0168] Optionally, the network device may also configure a second SMTC window for the user device, and the configuration information also includes a period of the second SMTC window, the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the first SMTC window, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window. The second SMTC window can be used to measure the SSB corresponding to all wave positions of each neighboring cell, and by controlling the period of the second SMTC window to be less than the period of the first SMTC window, the measurement efficiency of the neighboring cell can be improved.

[0169] For example, the configuration information further includes a period of a second SMTC window, and the period of the second SMTC window can be configured as 2*sf10=20ms.

[0170] In a second possible implementation, if the network device is non-uniformly scanning each cell (including the service cell and each neighboring cell), and the non-uniform scanning pattern is the above-mentioned type two, then the value of M is a positive integer greater than 1, that is, the configuration information sent by the network device to the user equipment is used to configure multiple discrete first SMTC windows, and the multiple discrete first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in N consecutive SSB burst sets, and the wave positions corresponding to the SSBs in these at least two SSB burst sets are not repeated.

[0171] Specifically, the configuration information includes the period, offset, and duration of each first SMTC window in a plurality of discrete first SMTC windows. The configuration method of the period, offset, and duration of each first SMTC window can be configured according to the configuration method of the SMTC window in type 2 in the above content, that is:

[0172] The period of each of the multiple discrete first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the offset of each first SMTC window is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, T is the period of an SSB burst set, and the duration of each first SMTC window is a value in the first set / second set. The duration in the first set is pre-specified by the protocol, and the duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0173] For example, if N is 2, the period of an SSB burst set is sf20, the subcarrier interval is 30, and the second set is {0.5ms, 1ms, 1.5ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms}, a total of three discrete first SMTC windows need to be configured. The period of these three discrete first SMTC windows is 2*sf20=40ms, and the offset can be configured to 0ms, 10ms, 18ms in 0 to 40ms, respectively, and the duration can be configured to 1.5ms, 1.5ms, 1ms in {0.5ms, 1ms, 1.5ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms}, respectively.

[0174] Based on the configuration information of the multiple discrete first SMTC windows, the multiple discrete first SMTC windows can cover the SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell without repetition. Accordingly, the user equipment can measure the SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell without repetition based on the multiple discrete first SMTC windows, and the period of the user equipment measuring SSB is shorter than the period in the current SMTC window configuration method (in the current method, the period of an SMTC window is equal to the period of an SSB burst set). Based on the above two points, this method can effectively reduce the power consumption of the user equipment measuring SSB during non-uniform scanning.

[0175] Optionally, the network device can also configure multiple discrete second SMTC windows for the user device, and the configuration information also includes the period, duration, and offset of each second SMTC window in the multiple discrete second SMTC windows. This second SMTC window can be used to measure the SSB corresponding to all wave positions in each neighboring area. Since the SSB distribution of each neighboring area is not exactly the same as the SSB distribution of the service cell, the network device decouples the second SMTC window from the first SMTC window, and sends the period, duration, and offset of the second SMTC window separately, which can better meet the service needs of different cells.

[0176] For example, the configuration information also includes three periods of the second SMTC windows, and the periods of the three second SMTC windows can be configured as 2*sf20=40ms, the offsets can be configured as 5ms, 20ms, 30ms in the range of 0 to 40ms, respectively, and the durations can be configured as 1ms, 1.5ms, 1ms in {0.5ms, 1ms, 1.5ms, 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms}, respectively.

[0177] based on Fig.10The described method, first, within a cycle of non-uniform scanning, the multiple SSBs corresponding to the M first SMTC windows are different and can cover all the wave positions of a cell, so that when the UE performs SSB measurement according to the M first SMTCs, it can not only measure the SSB corresponding to each wave position in a cell, but also will not repeatedly measure the SSB corresponding to certain wave positions. Secondly, since the period of each first SMTC window is the same as a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, which is equivalent to the period of each first SMTC window being equivalent to the sum of the periods of N consecutive SSB burst sets, the M first SMTC windows also appear periodically, and the period of each first SMTC window is shorter than the period in the current SMTC window configuration method (in the current method, the period of an SMTC window is equal to the period of an SSB burst set). Moreover, if the second SMTC window needs to be configured, the configuration of each second SMTC window may not repeatedly cover all the wave positions of the cell, and the period of each second SMTC window is extended. Therefore, this method can effectively reduce the power consumption of UE measuring SSB during non-uniform scanning.

[0178] See also Fig.11 , Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the software structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Fig.11 The communication device 1100 shown may include a sending unit 1101 and a receiving unit 1102. Optionally, the communication device may further include a processing unit.

[0179] In one example, Fig.11 The communication device 1100 shown can be used to perform part or all of the functions of the user equipment in the above content. The communication device 1100 can be a user equipment, or a device in the user equipment, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the user equipment.

[0180] The communication device 1100 may also be a chip system.

[0181] Receiving unit 1102 is used to receive configuration information; wherein, the configuration information is used to configure M first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration SMTC windows; the configuration information includes the periods of the M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N consecutive synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, the wave positions corresponding to these multiple SSBs are different, and these multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; N consecutive SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied within a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes offsets of M first SMTC windows, and the offset of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, where T is the period of an SSB burst set.

[0183] In one possible implementation, M is 1 and a first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0184] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes a duration of a first SMTC window, the duration of the first SMTC window is a value in a first set, and the durations in the first set are predefined by the protocol.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure a second SMTC window, the configuration information also includes a period of the second SMTC window, a cell corresponding to the second SMTC window is a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the first SMTC window, the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the first SMTC window, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window.

[0186] In one possible implementation, M is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in N consecutive SSB burst sets, the configuration information also includes the duration of the M first SMTC windows, and the duration of each first SMCT window in the M first SMTC windows is a value in the second set; the duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0187] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.5ms*Y, and Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 10.

[0188] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.0625ms*Y; Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 80.

[0189] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure multiple second SMTC windows, and the configuration information also includes the period, offset and duration of each SMTC window in the multiple second SMTC windows. The cells corresponding to the multiple second SMTC windows are neighboring cells of the cells corresponding to the M first SMTC windows.

[0190] In another example, Fig.11 The communication device 1100 shown can be used to perform part or all of the functions of the network device in the above content. The communication device 1100 can be a network device, or a device in a network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a network device.

[0191] The communication device 1100 may also be a chip system.

[0192] The sending unit 1101 is used to send configuration information; wherein the configuration information is used to configure M first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration SMTC windows; the configuration information includes the periods of the M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N consecutive synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, the wave positions corresponding to these multiple SSBs are different, and these multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; the N consecutive SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied within a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0193] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes offsets of M first SMTC windows, and the offset of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, where T is the period of an SSB burst set.

[0194] In one possible implementation, M is 1 and a first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0195] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes a duration of a first SMTC window, the duration of the first SMTC window is a value in a first set, and the durations in the first set are predefined by the protocol.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure a second SMTC window, the configuration information also includes a period of the second SMTC window, a cell corresponding to the second SMTC window is a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the first SMTC window, the period of the second SMTC window is less than the period of the first SMTC window, and the duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window.

[0197] In one possible implementation, M is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in N consecutive SSB burst sets, the configuration information also includes the duration of the M first SMTC windows, and the duration of each first SMCT window in the M first SMTC windows is a value in the second set; the duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

[0198] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.5ms*Y, and Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 10.

[0199] In one possible implementation, if the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.0625ms*Y; Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 80.

[0200] In a possible implementation, the configuration information is also used to configure multiple second SMTC windows, and the configuration information also includes the period, offset and duration of each SMTC window in the multiple second SMTC windows. The cells corresponding to the multiple second SMTC windows are neighboring cells of the cells corresponding to the M first SMTC windows.

[0201] It should be noted that the specific implementation methods and beneficial effects of the operations performed by the communication device 1100 can be found in the corresponding descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0202] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed on a processor, the method flow of the above method embodiment is implemented.

[0203] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method flow of the above method embodiment is implemented.

[0204] It should be noted that, for the aforementioned method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that the present application is not limited by the described order of actions, because according to the present application, certain operations can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily required by the present application.

[0205] The descriptions of the various embodiments provided in this application can refer to each other, and the descriptions of the various embodiments have their own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments. For the convenience and simplicity of description, for example, the functions of the various devices and equipment provided in the embodiments of this application and the operations performed can refer to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments of this application, and the various method embodiments and the various device embodiments can also refer to, combine or quote each other.

[0206] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by 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 program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present invention is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive Solid State Drive (SSD)), etc.

Claims

1. A communication method, It is characterized in that The method comprises: Receive configuration information; Among them, the configuration information is used to configure M first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration SMTC windows; the configuration information includes the periods of the M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N consecutive synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, the wave positions corresponding to the multiple SSBs are different, and the multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; the N consecutive SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied within a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The configuration information also includes offsets of the M first SMTC windows, and the offset of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, where T is the period of an SSB burst set.

3. The method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The M is 1 and a first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

4. The method according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The configuration information also includes the duration of the first SMTC window, and the duration of the first SMTC window is a value in the first set; the duration in the first set is pre-defined by the protocol.

5. The method according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The configuration information is also used to configure a second SMTC window, and the configuration information also includes the period of the second SMTC window. The cell corresponding to the second SMTC window is a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the first SMTC window. The period of the second SMTC window is smaller than the period of the first SMTC window. The duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window.

6. The method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The M is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in the N consecutive SSB burst sets, and the configuration information further includes the duration of the M first SMTC windows, and the duration of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a value in the second set; The duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

7. The method according to claim 6, It is characterized in that If the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, and X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.5ms*Y, and Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 10.

8. The method according to claim 6, It is characterized in that If the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, and X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.0625ms*Y; Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 80.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, It is characterized in that The configuration information is also used to configure multiple second SMTC windows, and the configuration information also includes the period, offset and duration of each SMTC window in the multiple second SMTC windows. The cells corresponding to the multiple second SMTC windows are neighboring cells of the cells corresponding to the M first SMTC windows.

10. A communication method, It is characterized in that The method comprises: Send configuration information; Among them, the configuration information is used to configure M first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration SMTC windows; the configuration information includes the periods of the M first SMTC windows, the M first SMTC windows correspond to multiple SSBs in N consecutive synchronization signal block SSB burst sets, the wave positions corresponding to the multiple SSBs are different, and the multiple SSBs include SSBs corresponding to all wave positions of a cell; the N consecutive SSB burst sets are all SSB burst sets occupied within a period corresponding to a non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the period of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is equal to a period corresponding to the non-uniform SSB scanning pattern, the N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

11. The method according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The configuration information also includes offsets of the M first SMTC windows, and the offset of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a natural number greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to N*T-1, where T is the period of an SSB burst set.

12. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The M is 1 and a first SMTC window corresponds to the first SSB burst set among the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

13. The method according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The configuration information also includes the duration of the first SMTC window, and the duration of the first SMTC window is a value in the first set; the duration in the first set is pre-defined by the protocol.

14. The method according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The configuration information is also used to configure a second SMTC window, and the configuration information also includes the period of the second SMTC window. The cell corresponding to the second SMTC window is a neighboring cell of the cell corresponding to the first SMTC window. The period of the second SMTC window is smaller than the period of the first SMTC window. The duration and offset of the second SMTC window are the same as the duration and offset of the first SMTC window.

15. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The M is a positive integer greater than 1, and the M first SMTC windows correspond to at least two SSB burst sets in the N consecutive SSB burst sets, and the configuration information further includes the duration of the M first SMTC windows, and the duration of each first SMTC window in the M first SMTC windows is a value in the second set; The duration in the second set is related to the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the N consecutive SSB burst sets.

16. The method according to claim 15, It is characterized in that If the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, and X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.5ms*Y, and Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 10.

17. The method according to claim 15, It is characterized in that If the subcarrier spacing is 120kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is X, or the subcarrier spacing is 240kHz and the minimum value of the measured number of SSBs corresponding to a first SMTC window is 2X, and X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, then the value of each element in the second set satisfies 0.0625ms*Y; Y is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 80.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, It is characterized in that The configuration information is also used to configure multiple second SMTC windows, and the configuration information also includes the period, offset and duration of each SMTC window in the multiple second SMTC windows. The cells corresponding to the multiple second SMTC windows are neighboring cells of the cells corresponding to the M first SMTC windows.

19. A communication device, It is characterized in that Comprising units for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or claims 10 to 18.

20. A communication device, It is characterized in that The method comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the processor and the memory are coupled, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or claims 10 to 18.

21. A chip, It is characterized in that The chip comprises a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to receive or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions, so that the chip implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or claims 10 to 18.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, It is characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is called by the computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or claims 10 to 18.

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