Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method. The method comprises the following steps: sending a first synchronous broadcast information block (SSB) on a first time-frequency resource, and sending a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource. Wherein the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first synchronization burst set SS burst set, the first time frequency resource comprises a first time domain resource, the second time frequency resource comprises a second time domain resource, and the first synchronization burst set corresponds to the first system frame. Wherein the first time domain resource is located in the first half frame, the second time domain resource is located in the second half frame, and the first half frame and the second half frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource are located in the first system frame.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In a new radio (NR) system, when a terminal accesses a base station, it synchronizes time and frequency with the base station through a synchronization signal / PBCH block (SSB), and at the same time obtains broadcast information. To improve the coverage performance of the SSB, the base station repeats the transmission of the SSB in different directions using different beams. For a certain beam direction, since the energy is more concentrated, the SSB reception power of the terminal can be higher, thereby improving the coverage performance of the SSB. The set of SSBs in a single beam sweep is called a synchronization signal burst set (SS burst set).

[0003] The maximum number of SSBs in an SS burst set is different for different frequency bands. For frequency bands below 3 gigahertz (GHz), an SS burst set has a maximum of 4 SSBs. For frequency bands between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, an SS burst set has a maximum of 8 SSBs. However, at higher frequency points such as 6 GHz, there are more broadcast beams for cell coverage, and one broadcast beam sends one SSB for terminal access. Currently, there is an unreasonable problem in defining the number of SSBs in an SS burst set. Therefore, how to design the maximum number of SSBs in an SS burst set has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, which can improve the number of SSBs in a cell by expanding the number of SSBs included in an SS burst set, and can provide synchronization resources for more broadcast beams.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a network device, or by a chip or a circuit, etc. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0006] The communication method includes: sending a first Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) on a first time-frequency resource; sending a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource; wherein, the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first Synchronization Signal Burst Set (SS burst set), the first time-frequency resource includes a first time-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time-domain resource, and the first SS burst set corresponds to a first system frame; wherein, the first time-domain resource is located in a first half-frame, the second time-domain resource is located in a second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds (ms), and the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, taking the network device as the execution subject as an example, the network device sends SSBs on the time-frequency resources corresponding to multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set. Specifically, the multiple SSBs in the first SS burst set include a first SSB and a second SSB, and the first time-domain resource of the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the first SSB and the second time-domain resource of the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the second SSB are located in different half-frames of a certain system frame (for example, the first time-domain resource is located in the first half-frame and the second time-domain resource is located in the second half-frame; or, the first time-domain resource is located in the second half-frame and the second time-domain resource is located in the first half-frame); or rather, the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds (for example, the system frame is 10 milliseconds). It can be understood that the multiple SSBs in the first SS burst set can be sent in a time-division manner, and it is not limited that the SSB can only be sent in the half-frame of the system frame. Equivalent to the time-frequency resource positions and quantities of the SSBs in the extended SS burst set can provide more SSBs, thereby increasing the number of SSBs in the cell and being able to provide synchronization resources for more broadcast beams.

[0008] Combined with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first time-frequency resource includes a first frequency-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second frequency-domain resource, and the first frequency-domain resource and the second frequency-domain resource are the same.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: transmitting a third SSB on a third time-frequency resource; transmitting a fourth SSB on a fourth time-frequency resource; wherein, the third SSB and the third SSB are located in the first synchronization burst set, the third time-frequency resource includes a third time domain resource, and the fourth time-frequency resource includes a fourth time domain resource; wherein, the third time domain resource is located in the first half-frame, and the fourth time domain resource is located in the second half-frame; or, the interval between the third time domain resource and the fourth time domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the third time domain resource and the fourth time domain resource are located in the first system frame.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first time domain resource is a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol is located in a first time slot, the second time domain resource is a second orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol, and the second orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol is located in a second time slot.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, the first SSB and the second SSB can be located on OFDM symbols in different time slots. In this technical solution, the time unit granularity corresponding to the time domain resources of the existing SSB can be used, without redefining the time unit granularity, reducing complexity.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first time slot includes 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols numbered sequentially from n to n + 13, the second time slot includes 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols numbered sequentially from n to n + 13, and the number of the first OFDM symbol in the first time slot is the same as the number of the second OFDM symbol in the second time slot, where n is an integer.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel PBCH, the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence, the second PBCH corresponds to a second DMRS sequence, and the first DMRS sequence and the second DMRS sequence are the same.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the DMRS sequences corresponding to the PBCHs of the SSBs located on the same time domain resource can be the same, so that there is no need to design different DMRS sequences for the PBCHs of the SSBs on the same time domain resource, reducing the resource overhead required to determine the DMRS sequence.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel PBCH, the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH includes first indication information, the second PBCH includes second indication information, the first indication information indicates the first SSB, and the second indication information indicates the second SSB.

[0016] Based on the above technical solution, SSBs located in the same time domain resource are distinguished by the indication information carried in the PBCH, so that the user can identify the SSB based on the indication information carried in the PBCH of the SSB. For example, in the case where 5G users and 6G users share the spectrum, 5G users and 6G users can identify the SSB through the indication information in the PBCH, determine the correspondingly deployed SSB, without separately deploying SSB signals, reducing the common overhead of the cell and improving the utilization rate of the spectrum.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information includes a first index, the first index indicates the first SSB, the second indication information includes a second index, and the second index indicates the second SSB.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information is indicated by a first bit in the first PBCH, the second indication information is indicated by a second bit in the second PBCH, the values of the first bit and the second bit are the same, the first bit includes at least one bit, and the second bit includes at least one bit.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first bit is located in a first domain of the first PBCH, the second bit is located in a second domain of the second PBCH, the first domain includes the selection domain or the reserved domain of the first PBCH, and the second domain includes the selection domain or the reserved domain of the second PBCH.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, the above indication information for distinguishing SSBs located in the same time domain resource can be at least one bit in a certain domain of the PBCH. The certain domain in the PBCH includes, but is not limited to: the choice domain, the spare domain, or the reserved bit domain, etc. in the PBCH. That is, information indicating the SSB can be carried in different domains of the PBCH, improving the flexibility of the solution.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first synchronization burst set includes 16 SSBs, numbered sequentially from 0 to 15. The time-domain resources of the time-frequency resources corresponding to two SSBs with a number difference of 8 are located in different half-frames of the first system frame, or the interval is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the numbers of the starting OFDM symbols of the time-domain resources of the time-frequency resources respectively corresponding to the multiple SSBs satisfy the following relationships: {4, 8, 16, 20,} + 28 * n + 140 * m, where m and n take values of 0 or 1; or {2, 8} + 14 * n + 140 * m, where n takes values of 0, 1, 2, or 3 and m takes values of = 0 or 1.

[0023] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or by a chip, a circuit, etc., and the present application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0024] This communication method includes: receiving a first synchronization broadcast information block SSB on a first time-frequency resource; receiving a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource; where the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first synchronization burst set SS burst set, the first time-frequency resource includes a first time-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time-domain resource, and the first synchronization burst set corresponds to a first system frame; where the first time-domain resource is located in a first half-frame, the second time-domain resource is located in a second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

[0025] Exemplarily, for the description of the time-frequency resources respectively corresponding to the multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set in the second aspect, reference can be made to the description of the time-frequency resources respectively corresponding to the multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set in the above first aspect, and details will not be elaborated here. In addition, for the description of the relationship between the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the first SSB and the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the second SSB in the second aspect, reference can also be made to the first aspect, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0026] The technical effects of the method shown in the above second aspect and its possible designs can be referred to the technical effects in the first aspect and its possible designs.

[0027] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is used to execute the first aspect and any of its implementation manners described above. Specifically, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that the communication device executes the first aspect and any of its implementation manners described above.

[0028] In one implementation manner, the communication device is a terminal device. When the communication device is a network device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface. The processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0029] In another implementation manner, the communication device may be a chip, a chip system or a circuit in a network device. At this time, the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit, etc. on the chip, the chip system or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit, etc.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is used to execute the second aspect and any of its implementation manners described above. Specifically, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that the network device executes the second aspect and any of its implementation manners described above.

[0031] In one implementation manner, the communication device is a terminal device. When the communication device is a network device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface. The processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0032] In another implementation manner, the communication device may be a chip, a chip system or a circuit in a terminal device. At this time, the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit, etc. on the chip, the chip system or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit, etc.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run, the methods of any of the implementation manners of the first aspect and the second aspect are executed.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions. When the computer program product is run, the method provided by any one of the implementations of the above first aspect and second aspect is executed.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions through the communication interface and executes the method provided by any one of the implementations of the above first aspect and second aspect.

[0036] Optionally, as an implementation, the chip further includes a memory, and the memory stores a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored on the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to execute the method provided by any one of the implementations of the above first aspect and second aspect.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a communication system, which includes the communication device of the third aspect and the communication device of the fourth aspect.

[0038] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program. When the computer program is run, the method provided by any one of the implementations of the above first aspect and second aspect is executed. Description of the Drawings

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the present application.

[0040] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SSB.

[0041] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the SSB transmission process based on beam scanning.

[0042] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the candidate time domain positions of the SSBs in an SS burst set.

[0043] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the resource allocation of an SS burst set provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Figure 7 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0048] For the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present application, the following explanations are made.

[0049] First, in the present application, "for indicating" may include for directly indicating and for indirectly indicating. When it is described that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it may include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not mean that A must be included in the indication information.

[0050] The information indicated by the indication information is called the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole, or can be divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending periods and / or sending opportunities of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the present application. Among them, the sending periods and / or sending opportunities of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or can be configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. Among them, the configuration information can be, but is not limited to, one or a combination of at least two of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control (MAC) layer signaling, and physical layer signaling. Among them, the MAC layer signaling, for example, includes a MAC control element (CE); the physical layer signaling, for example, includes downlink control information (DCI).

[0051] Second, "at least one" shown in the present application means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second", and various numerical numbers (for example, "#1", "#2", etc.) are only for the convenience of description and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitudes of the serial numbers of the following processes do not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so as to be able to describe the solutions other than the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the words such as "S510" and "S520" are only identifiers made for the convenience of description and do not limit the order of execution steps.

[0052] Third, in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to present examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0053] Fourth, "storage" as involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be separately provided or integrated into an encoder, a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories may also have a part separately provided and a part integrated into a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of the memory may be any form of storage medium, which is not limited in this application.

[0054] Fifth, the "protocol" as involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the communication field, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems, which are not limited in this application.

[0055] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, "in... case", "when...", and "if..." may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, their intended meanings are the same.

[0056] Seventh, in the embodiments of this application, each term and English abbreviation, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC), are exemplary examples given for convenience of description and should not impose any limitation on this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms in existing or future protocols that can achieve the same or similar functions.

[0057] Eighth, the term "and / or" in this article is merely an association relationship describing associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0058] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example: the fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) system or new radio (new radio, NR), long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD), etc. The technical solutions provided in the present application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of things (IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0060] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, firstly, Figure 1 To introduce the communication system to which the present application is applicable. The terminal equipment in the embodiments of the present application may refer to an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a relay station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a user equipment (UE), a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device. The terminal equipment may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile communication network (PLMN) or a terminal device in a future Internet of Vehicles, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0061] Exemplarily, in the embodiments of the present application, a wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable intelligent device, which is a general term for devices developed by applying wearable technologies to the intelligent design of daily wear. Such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, shoes, etc. A wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. A wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also realizes powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable intelligent devices include those with complete functions that can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smart phone. For example: smart watches or smart glasses, etc. In addition, it can also be a portable device that only focuses on a certain type of application function and needs to cooperate with other devices such as smart phones. Such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for physical sign monitoring.

[0062] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technologies, so as to realize an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection. In the embodiments of the present application, IoT technology can achieve massive connection, deep coverage, and power saving of the terminal through, for example, narrow band (NB) technology.

[0063] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also include sensors. The main functions include collecting data (for some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from network devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network devices.

[0064] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be any communication device with wireless transceiver functions for communicating with terminal devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), home evolved Node B (HeNB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It can also be a 5G system, such as gNB in an NR system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system (including multiple antenna panels), or, it can also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0065] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. In the ORAN system, the CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be called O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be called O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the present application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0066] The network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and satellites in the air. In the embodiments of the present application, the scenarios where the network device and the terminal device are located are not limited.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device or a network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also referred to as main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement service processing through processes. For example, operating system, operating system, operating system, operating system or operating system, etc. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software.

[0068] In addition, various aspects or features of the present application can be implemented as a method, an apparatus, or an article of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" used in the present application covers a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (such as hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes, etc.), optical discs (such as compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (such as erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable storage medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0069] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, a communication system shown in Figure 1 will be taken as an example to detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 100 may include at least one network device 101 and at least one terminal device 102 to 107. Among them, the terminal devices 102 to 107 may be mobile or fixed. One or more of the network device 101 and the terminal devices 102 to 107 can communicate through a wireless link. Each network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with the terminal devices located within the coverage area.

[0070] Optionally, direct communication can be achieved between terminal devices. For example, direct communication between terminal devices can be implemented using device-to-device (D2D) technology and the like. As Figure 1 shown, direct communication can be achieved between terminal devices 105 and 106, and between terminal devices 105 and 107 using D2D technology. Terminal device 106 and terminal device 107 can communicate with terminal device 105 individually or simultaneously.

[0071] Terminal devices 105 to 107 can also communicate with network device 101 respectively. For example, they can communicate directly with network device 101. As shown in the figure, terminal devices 105 and 106 can communicate directly with network device 101. They can also communicate indirectly with network device 101. For example, Figure 1 terminal device 107 in the figure communicates with network device 101 via terminal device 105.

[0072] Each communication device can be configured with multiple antennas. For each communication device in communication system 100, the multiple configured antennas can include at least one transmitting antenna for sending signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals. Therefore, communication between the communication devices in communication system 100 can be achieved through multi-antenna technology.

[0073] The interface between the network device and the terminal device can be the Uu interface (or also known as the air interface). Of course, in future communications, the names of these interfaces may remain unchanged, or they can also be replaced with other names. This application does not limit this. Exemplarily, the communication between the network device and the terminal device follows a certain protocol layer structure. Network layering is to perform tasks such as data sending, forwarding, packing or unpacking, and loading or extracting control information of network nodes (such as network devices and terminal devices) by different hardware and software modules respectively. This can make the complex problem of two-way communication and network interconnection become relatively simple.

[0074] It should be understood that Figure 1 only a simplified schematic diagram shown for ease of understanding. Communication system 100 may further include other network devices or may further include other terminal devices ( Figure 1 not shown). For example, communication system 100 may further include core network devices. On the one hand, the access network device provides a wireless access connection for the terminal device and can send data to the terminal device or receive data sent by the terminal device; on the other hand, the access network device is also connected to the core network device and can forward the data received from the terminal device to the core network or receive the data that needs to be sent to the terminal device from the core network.

[0075] Exemplarily, the communication system 100 may further include an application function (AF) network element, which is a control plane network function provided by the operator network and is used to provide application layer information; the communication system 100 may further include a session management function (SMF) network element, which is a control plane network function provided by the operator network. In the embodiments of the present application, when the communication system 100 includes an AF network element and an SMF network element, the AF may send service-related information to the network device through the SMF.

[0076] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, some basic concepts related to the present application are briefly described.

[0077] 1. Synchronization signal / PBCH block (SSB): When a terminal device accesses a base station in an NR system, it can synchronize time and frequency with the base station through the synchronization signal / PBCH block and obtain broadcast information.

[0078] Specifically, the SSB includes a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Among them, the synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The terminal device can complete time and frequency synchronization with the base station through the PSS and SSS and obtain the physical layer cell identify (PCI); the PBCH mainly carries broadcast information, including the master information block (MIB) from the higher layer and timing-related information from the physical layer. The SSB can also be used for channel quality measurement, radio resource management (RRM) measurement, and radio link monitor (RLM).

[0079] Exemplarily, the physical time-frequency resources included in an SSB are shown in Table 1 below:

[0080] Table 1

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] In addition, for the sake of easy understanding, combined with Figure 2 a simple introduction to the structure of an SSB is given. As Figure 2 shown, an SSB includes PSS, SSS, and PBCH.

[0084] 2. Time-domain position of SSB: To improve the coverage performance of SSB, NR introduces a beam sweeping mechanism to transmit SSB. The base station repeats the transmission of SSB in different directions using different beams. For a certain beam direction, since the energy is more concentrated, the SSB reception power of the terminal can be higher, thus improving the coverage performance of SSB. For the above beam-based SSB transmission process, time-division multiplexing is performed between different SSB beams, that is, the base station sends SSB using different beams at different times. The set of SSBs in one beam sweep is called a synchronization burst set (SS burst set).

[0085] Specifically, the NR protocol stipulates that the duration of an SS burst set is 5 milliseconds, that is, all SSB beams are transmitted within 5 milliseconds, and this 5 milliseconds is located in the first half or the second half of a 10-millisecond system frame. Moreover, the SS burst set is periodically transmitted in the time domain. The periodic transmission of the SS burst set can also be considered as the periodic transmission of each SSB in the SS burst set. Therefore, the period of the SS burst set can also be considered as the period of the SSB. In the initial access phase, the terminal defaults the period of the SS burst set to 20 milliseconds.

[0086] For the sake of easy understanding, combined with Figure 3 a simple introduction to the SSB transmission process based on beam sweeping is given. As can be seen from Figure 3 , an SS burst set (such as the synchronization burst set #1 shown in Figure 3 ) includes L SSBs (such as SSB#1, SSB#2,..., SSB#L shown in Figure 3 ), and these L SSBs are transmitted within 5 milliseconds, and the period of the SSB is 20 milliseconds (such as the time interval between the first SSB#1 and the second SSB#1 shown in Figure 3 is 20 milliseconds). In addition, as can be seen from Figure 3 , the L SSBs included in this SS burst set are transmitted on M beams (such as beam #1, beam #2,..., beam #M shown in Figure 3 ), where M and L are positive integers greater than 1.

[0087] 3. Maximum number of SSBs: The maximum number of SSBs included in a synchronization burst set is different for different frequency bands. For frequency bands below 3 GHz, one SS burst set has a maximum of 4 SSBs, and SSB beam scanning is performed on a maximum of 4 beams. For frequency bands between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, one SS burst set has a maximum of 8 SSBs, and SSB beam scanning is performed on a maximum of 8 beams. For frequency bands above 6 GHz, i.e., FR2, one SS burst set has a maximum of 64 SSBs, and SSB beam scanning is performed on a maximum of 64 beams.

[0088] In addition, the time-domain positions of multiple SSBs in one SS burst set are predefined by the protocol within 5 milliseconds and are related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS). For the sake of easy understanding, combined with Figure 4 a simple introduction to the candidate time-domain positions of SSBs in one SS burst set is given. As can be seen from Figure 4 for frequency bands between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, when the SCS is 15 kHz, the positions (starting symbol, i.e., the index of the first symbol) of 8 SSBs are: {2, 8} + 14·n, n = 0, 1.

[0089] It should be noted that the number of SSBs mentioned above is only the maximum number in one SS burst set. In fact, the base station can send all or part of the SSBs according to needs, and the SSBs sent do not have to be at consecutive SSB candidate positions. For example, for Figure 4 the 8 SSB candidate positions in, the base station can select any of these candidate positions to send SSBs.

[0090] 4. Frequency-domain position of SSB: In NR, it is defined that all SSBs are located on the synchronization raster, and the synchronization raster defines the candidate frequency positions of SSBs. In the initial access phase, the terminal device can detect SSBs on the synchronization raster to perform cell search to obtain time and frequency synchronization with the cell and detect the physical cell identifier PCI of the cell.

[0091] For all frequency bands, NR defines a global synchronization raster. The frequency position of the SSB is defined as the SS REF and the corresponding serial number GSCN. The SS REF and GSCN parameters for all frequency bands are shown in Table 2 or Table 3 below:

[0092] Table 2: GSCN parameters of the global frequency raster

[0093]

[0094] Table 3: GSCN Parameters of the Global Frequency Grid

[0095]

[0096] The mapping relationship between the synchronization grid and the corresponding resource units of the SSB is as follows: The RE with an index of 120 of the SSB is located on the synchronization grid.

[0097] It should be noted that the above SSB must be located on the synchronization grid, which is more targeted at the cell-defining SSB (CD-SSB). Correspondingly, there is also a non-cell-defining SSB (NCD-SSB). The CD-SSB is the SSB that can be used for cell search and access. Generally, the CD-SSB is associated with SIB1. After receiving the SSB, the terminal can continue to receive the associated SIB1 for cell residence, access, etc. Therefore, the CD-SSB must be located on the synchronization grid. The NCD-SSB is generally only used for measurement, not for cell search and access, etc., and is not associated with SIB1. Therefore, the NCD-SSB is not required to be located on the synchronization grid. Generally, it is implemented by the base station and can be placed on the synchronization grid or not.

[0098] 5. PBCH Content: The high-layer bit positions of the 5G PBCH are as follows:

[0099]

[0100] In addition, there are another 9 bits in the PBCH payload, including 1 bit of choice bit position and 8 bits of physical layer bit positions. For low-frequency systems, the first 4 bits are the last 4 bits of the system frame number, the 5th bit is the half-frame identifier, the 6th bit is the last bit of Kssb, and the 7th and 8th bits are reserved.

[0101] 6. Number of Extended SSBs: Future communication protocols may adopt higher frequency points, so higher coverage performance is required. For example, 5G systems and 6G systems may be deployed on the same frequency point. The 6G uses more SSBs for coverage, and the 5G also deploys SSB signals. Therefore, two sets of SSB signals may need to be deployed within the same frequency range.

[0102] As described above in combination with Figure 1Briefly introduced the scenarios where the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied, and introduced the basic concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of the present application. Among the basic concepts, the SSB transmission method was introduced. Multiple SSB beams in an SS burst set are transmitted in a time-division multiplexing manner.

[0103] The following problems may exist in this SSB transmission method:

[0104] 1) There are at most 8 SSB bursts in an SSB burst set at sub6GHz frequencies, but there are more broadcast beams for cell coverage at higher frequency points such as 6GHz. Each broadcast beam requires an SSB burst for UE access. Therefore, 8 SSB bursts are not sufficient for cell broadcast coverage in the intermediate frequency band.

[0105] 2) Deploying SSB signals independently for 5G and 6G respectively will increase the common overhead of the cell, which is not conducive to improving the spectrum utilization rate.

[0106] To solve the above problem of insufficient SSB quantity and to share SSB signals between 5G and 6G to reduce system overhead and improve spectrum utilization rate, the present application provides a communication method. By performing frequency-division multiplexing between different SSB beams in the same cell, that is, different SSB beams use different frequency resources for transmission, the number of SSBs in an existing SS burst set is extended.

[0107] It should be understood that the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a system that communicates through multi-antenna technology. For example, Figure 1 the communication system 100 shown in. This communication system may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device.

[0108] It should also be understood that the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is not particularly limited in the embodiments shown below. As long as it can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application by running a program recorded with the code of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. For example, the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application may be a terminal device, or a functional module in the terminal device that can call and execute the program.

[0109] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0110] S510, the network device and the terminal device determine the time-frequency resources corresponding to multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set.

[0111] Before transmitting multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set, the network device and the terminal device may determine the time-frequency resources corresponding to the multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set, or rather, the network device and the terminal device may obtain the time-frequency resources to which the multiple SSBs are respectively mapped.

[0112] It should be understood that the time-frequency resources corresponding to the multiple SSBs included in the first SS burst set may be predefined by the protocol or configured by the management device. For example, the protocol defines the maximum number of SSBs that a corresponding SS burst set can include in different frequency bands, where the time-domain positions of the multiple SSBs in a SS burst set within the system frame are predefined by the protocol and are related to the SCS.

[0113] Specifically, the first SS burst set can be any SS burst set, and the first SS burst set corresponds to (or maps to) the first system frame, and all the SSBs included in the first SS burst set are transmitted on the first system frame.

[0114] The first SS burst set includes multiple SSBs, and each SSB in the multiple SSBs corresponds to a time-frequency resource. For example, for the frequency band between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, the first SS burst set includes 16 SSBs (such as SSB#0, SSB#2, … SSB#14, SSB#15), and the 16 SSBs respectively correspond to 16 time-frequency resources one by one (such as SSB#0 corresponding to time-frequency resource #0, SSB#0 corresponding to time-frequency resource #1, … SSB#14 corresponding to time-frequency resource #14, SSB#15 corresponding to time-frequency resource #15). For example, for the frequency band below 3 GHz, the first SS burst set includes 8 SSBs (such as SSB#0, SSB#2, … SSB#6, SSB#7), and the 8 SSBs respectively correspond to 8 time-frequency resources one by one (such as SSB#0 corresponding to time-frequency resource #0, SSB#0 corresponding to time-frequency resource #1, … SSB#6 corresponding to time-frequency resource #6, SSB#7 corresponding to time-frequency resource #7).

[0115] In this embodiment, that a certain SSB corresponds to a certain time-frequency resource can be understood as that the SSB is carried on the time-frequency resource, or rather, the SSB is transmitted on the time-frequency resource.

[0116] It should be understood that the time-frequency resources involved in this embodiment include time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources. Among them, the time-domain resources can be time units such as time slots, symbols, sub-frames, etc. that can represent time-domain resources, and the frequency-domain resources can be frequency-domain units such as sub-carriers that can represent time-domain resources.

[0117] In this embodiment, the multiple SSBs included in the above first SS burst set include but are not limited to: the first SS burst set includes a first SSB and a second SSB, where the first SSB corresponds to the first time-frequency resource (or the first SSB corresponds to, matches (maps) with the first time-frequency resource), and the second SSB corresponds to the second time-frequency resource (or the second SSB corresponds to, matches with the second time-frequency resource).

[0118] The first time-frequency resource includes a first time-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time-domain resource, the first time-domain resource is located in the first half-frame, the second time-domain resource is located in the second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds (e.g., the first system frame is 10 milliseconds), and the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are located in the first system frame. That is, the multiple SSBs in the first SS burst set are not limited to being sent in a certain half-frame (e.g., the first half-frame or the second half-frame) of the system frame. It is equivalent to that the time-frequency resource positions and quantities of the SSBs in the extended SSB burst set can provide more SSBs, thereby increasing the number of SSBs in the cell and being able to provide synchronization resources for more broadcast beams.

[0119] The "half-frame" in this embodiment can be understood as half of a certain system frame, and can also be called "half", "partial frame", etc. For example, if the first system frame is 10 milliseconds, the first half-frame of the first system frame refers to the first 5 milliseconds in 10 milliseconds, and the second half-frame of the first system frame refers to the last 5 milliseconds in 10 milliseconds.

[0120] For example, for the frequency band between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, when SSB is transmitted in a time-division multiplexing manner within the first half of the system frame (e.g., if the system frame is 10 milliseconds, within the first 5 milliseconds of the first system frame), a maximum of 8 SSBs are included in one SS burst set. If based on the SSB time-frequency resource allocation method in this embodiment, SSB can also be transmitted in other time units outside the first half of the system frame (e.g., the second half frame), then for the frequency band between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, a maximum of 8*n SSBs are included in one SS burst set, where n is an integer greater than 1. For example, for the frequency band between 3 GHz and 6 GHz, the first SS burst set includes 16 SSBs, and the positions (starting symbols, i.e., the indices of the first symbol) of the 16 SSBs are: {4, 8, 16, 20,} + 28*n + 140*m, where m and n take values of 0 or 1; or, {2, 8} + 14*n + 140*m, where n takes values of 0, 1, 2, or 3, and m takes values of 0 or 1.

[0121] Optionally, the first time-domain resource in the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the first SSB may be: the first OFDM symbol in the first time slot, and the second time-domain resource in the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the second SSB may be: the second OFDM symbol in the second time slot. Wherein, the first OFDM symbol includes one or more OFDM symbols, which can be understood that the first time-domain resource occupies one or more OFDM symbols, and these one or more OFDM symbols are collectively referred to as the first OFDM symbol; similarly, the second OFDM symbol includes one or more OFDM symbols, which can be understood that the second time-domain resource occupies one or more OFDM symbols, and these one or more OFDM symbols are collectively referred to as the second OFDM symbol.

[0122] Optionally, the first time slot includes 14 orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing symbols numbered sequentially from n to n + 13, the second time slot includes 14 orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing symbols numbered sequentially from n to n + 13, and the number of the first OFDM symbol in the first time slot is the same as the number of the second OFDM symbol in the second time slot, where n is an integer. For example, the first OFDM symbol is the symbol numbered 4, 5, 6, 7 in the first time slot, and the second OFDM symbol is the symbol numbered 4, 5, 6, 7 in the second time slot.

[0123] In addition, the first time-frequency resource includes a first frequency-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second frequency-domain resource, and the first frequency-domain resource and the second frequency-domain resource are the same or different.

[0124] It should be noted that the above first SSB and second SSB are only examples and do not constitute any limitation to the protection scope of this application, that is, the first SS burst set also includes SSBs. For example, the first SS burst set further includes a third SSB and a fourth SSB. The third SSB corresponds to a third time-frequency resource, and the fourth SSB corresponds to a fourth time-frequency resource. The third time-frequency resource includes a third time-domain resource, and the fourth time-frequency resource includes a fourth time-domain resource. Among them, the third time-domain resource is located in the first half-frame, and the fourth time-domain resource is located in the second half-frame; or, the interval between the third time-domain resource and the fourth time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the third time-domain resource and the fourth time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

[0125] Optionally, the DMRS sequences corresponding to two SSBs with a time-domain interval greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds in the first SS burst set are the same. For example, the first SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel PBCH, the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal DMRS sequence, the second PBCH corresponds to a second DMRS sequence, and the first DMRS sequence and the second DMRS sequence are the same.

[0126] Exemplarily, the first PBCH includes first indication information, the second PBCH includes second indication information, the first indication information indicates the first SSB, and the second indication information indicates the second SSB. For example, the first indication information includes a first index, the first index indicates the first SSB, the second indication information includes a second index, and the second index indicates the second SSB.

[0127] As an example rather than a limitation, the first indication information is indicated by a first bit in the first PBCH, the second indication information is indicated by a second bit in the second PBCH, the values of the first bit and the second bit are the same, the first bit includes at least one bit, and the second bit includes at least one bit. For example, the first bit includes X bit, and the second bit includes X bit. Also for example, the first bit is 1 bit, and the second bit is 1 bit. The value of the first bit is 0, the value of the second bit is 0, or, the value of the first bit is 1, the value of the second bit is 1, or, the value of the first bit is A, and the value of the second bit is A.

[0128] Optionally, the first bit is located in a first domain of the first PBCH, the second bit is located in a second domain of the second PBCH, the first domain includes a choice domain or a reserved domain of the first PBCH, and the second domain includes a choice domain or a reserved domain of the second PBCH. Among them, the reserved domain includes spare or reserved.

[0129] It should be understood that in this embodiment, the first SS burst set may further include SSBs other than the above-mentioned first SSB, second SSB, third SSB, or fourth SSB. For example, the first SSB burst set includes 16 SSBs, and the numbers of these 16 SSBs are sequentially from 0 to 15, and the time-domain resources of the time-frequency resources corresponding to two SSBs with a number difference of 8 are located in different half-frames of the first system frame, or the interval is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds.

[0130] For ease of understanding, the following uses a specific example to illustrate that the SSBs included in the first SS burst set broadcast by the network device are carried on different time-frequency resources.

[0131] As Figure 6 shown, the resource allocation of the SS burst set broadcast by the network device in a TDD cycle is as follows: in the time domain, the 16 SSBs included in this SS burst set are sent in 8 downlink time slots, and there are 2 SSB bursts in each downlink time slot. The numbers of these 16 SSB bursts are from 0 to 15. The SSBs numbered 0 and 1 are located in the first downlink time slot, the SSBs numbered 2 and 3 are located in the second downlink time slot, the SSBs numbered 4 and 5 are located in the third downlink time slot, the SSBs numbered 6 and 7 are located in the fourth downlink time slot, the SSBs numbered 8 and 9 are located in the fifth downlink time slot, the SSBs numbered 10 and 11 are located in the sixth downlink time slot, the SSBs numbered 12 and 13 are located in the seventh downlink time slot, and the SSBs numbered 14 and 15 are located in the eighth downlink time slot.

[0132] Among them, the SSB numbered 0 in the first downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 8 in the fifth downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 milliseconds (or the SSB numbered 0 in the first downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 8 in the fifth downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame). The SSB numbered 1 in the first downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 9 in the fifth downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 1 in the first downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 9 in the fifth downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame); the SSB numbered 2 in the second downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 10 in the sixth downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 2 in the second downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 10 in the sixth downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame). The SSB numbered 3 in the second downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 11 in the sixth downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 3 in the second downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 11 in the sixth downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame); the SSB numbered 4 in the third downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 12 in the seventh downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 4 in the third downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 12 in the seventh downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame); the SSB numbered 5 in the third downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 13 in the seventh downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 5 in the third downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 13 in the seventh downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame); the SSB numbered 6 in the fourth downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 14 in the eighth downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 6 in the fourth downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 14 in the eighth downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame); the SSB numbered 7 in the fourth downlink time slot and the SSB numbered 15 in the eighth downlink time slot have a time domain position difference of 5 ms (or the SSB numbered 7 in the fourth downlink time slot is in the first half of the system frame, and the SSB numbered 15 in the eighth downlink time slot is in the second half of the system frame).

[0133] Optionally, the number of the OFDM symbol occupied by the SSB numbered 0 in the first downlink time slot is the same as the number of the OFDM symbol occupied by the SSB numbered 8 in the fifth downlink time slot; similarly, the number of the OFDM symbol occupied by the SSB numbered 1 in the first downlink time slot is the same as the number of the OFDM symbol occupied by the SSB numbered 9 in the fifth downlink time slot, and so on. For other SSBs with a time domain interval of 5 ms, the numbers of the OFDM symbols they are located in different time slots are the same, which will not be elaborated here.

[0134] It should be understood that Figure 6 The shown resource allocation situation is only an example and does not constitute any limitation to the protection scope of this application. For example, the time domain positions of two SSBs with a number difference of 8 or 16 are 5 ms apart; for another example, the time slots where the SSBs are located can be other time slots (such as flexible time slots, uplink time slots, etc.) except the Figure 6 shown downlink time slots.

[0135] S520, the network device sends multiple SSBs to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives multiple SSBs from the network device.

[0136] Specifically, the network device can send multiple SSBs to the terminal device on the time-frequency resources corresponding to the multiple SSBs respectively. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive multiple SSBs from the network device on the time-frequency resources corresponding to the multiple SSBs respectively. That is, after determining the time-frequency resources corresponding to the multiple SSBs in the first SS burst set in the manner shown in the above step S510, the network device and the terminal device can perform SSB transmission on the determined time-frequency resources.

[0137] For example, the network device sends the first SSB on the first time-frequency resource, and the terminal device receives the first SSB on the first time-frequency resource; for another example, the network device sends the second SSB on the second time-frequency resource, and the terminal device receives the second SSB on the second time-frequency resource; for another example, the network device sends the third SSB on the third time-frequency resource, and the terminal device receives the third SSB on the third time-frequency resource; for another example, the network device sends the fourth SSB on the fourth time-frequency resource, and the terminal device receives the fourth SSB on the fourth time-frequency resource.

[0138] Exemplarily, the network device can use multiple beams to send multiple SSBs in the first SS burst set in different directions. In this embodiment, there is no limitation on the actual process and manner of the network device sending SSBs, and the description of the network device sending SSBs after determining the time-frequency resources corresponding to the SSBs in the current related technologies can be referred to, which will not be elaborated here.

[0139] Figure 5In the communication method shown, by defining the time-frequency resource positions and quantities of the SSBs in the extended SSB burst set, more SSBs can be provided, thereby increasing the number of SSBs in the cell, and synchronization resources can be provided for more broadcast beams, thus enabling better cell coverage. Additionally, different SSBs in the same SSB burst set are distinguished by different half-frames or 5-millisecond cycles they belong to, so that users can identify the SSBs based on the cycles in which the SSBs are located. For example, in the case where 5G users and 6G users share the spectrum, 5G users and 6G users can identify the SSBs by the cycles in which the SSBs are located and determine the corresponding deployed SSBs (e.g., 5G users correspond to the SSBs in the first cycle, and 6G users correspond to the SSBs in the second cycle), without deploying SSB signals separately, reducing the common overhead of the cell and improving the utilization rate of the spectrum.

[0140] It should be noted that Figure 5 The position of the SSB involved in the communication method shown can be understood as the SSB pattern, that is, the position of the SSB can be described by designing the pattern of the SSB, without defining the position of the SSB by the above method of indicating the time-frequency resources corresponding to different SSBs. For example, the position of the SSB (the index of the starting symbol, i.e., the first symbol) can be defined as: {4, 8, 16, 20,} + 28*n + 140*m, where m and n take values of 0 or 1; or, {2, 8} + 14*n + 140*m, where n takes values of 0, 1, 2, or 3, and m takes values of = 0 or 1, directly representing the position of the SSB. It can be understood that this way of defining the SSB pattern can be implemented independently without being based on the above limitations of the time-frequency resources corresponding to different SSBs.

[0141] The positions of different SSBs in the above SSB pattern are only examples and do not constitute any limitation to the protection scope of this application. For example, the above SSB pattern satisfies the following determination method:

[0142] {i1, i2, i3, …, in} + 14*N + 140*M, where i1, i2, i3, …, in represent the positions of different SSBs in a time slot. In this application, the number of SSBs that can be included in a time slot is not limited. 14*N + 140*M represents the number of time slots included in the cycle of the SSB and the number of 5 milliseconds. The above SSB pattern can also have other variations. For example, it can be {i1, i2, i3, …, in} + 14*N + 14*10*M or {i1, i2, i3, …, in} + 14*(N + 10M), etc. Additionally, the SSB pattern can be in the form of a table, which can represent that the time-frequency resource positions of different SSBs satisfy the above Figure 5In the communication methods shown, the SSB patterns that comply with the rules (for example, in a certain SS burst set, the time and position corresponding to two SSBs are greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds) are all within the protection scope of this application, and no further examples will be given here.

[0143] It should be understood that the magnitudes of the serial numbers of the above processes do not imply the sequence of execution. The execution sequence of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and should not impose any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0144] It should also be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced mutually. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0145] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, devices in the existing network architecture are used as examples for illustrative purposes (such as network devices, terminal devices, etc.). It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of the devices. For example, devices that can achieve the same functions in the future are applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0146] It can be understood that in the above method embodiments of each method, the methods and operations implemented by devices (such as network devices, terminal devices) can also be implemented by components of the devices (such as chips or circuits).

[0147] Above, in combination with Figure 5 The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail. The above communication method has been introduced mainly from the perspective of the interaction between the terminal device and the network device. It can be understood that in order for the terminal device and the network device to achieve the above functions, they include the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function.

[0148] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described function for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0149] The following, in combination with Figures 7 to 9 The communication device provided by this application will be described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the content not described in detail can be referred to the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, some content will not be repeated.

[0150] In the embodiments of the present application, the transmitting-end device or the receiving-end device can be divided into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. The following takes the example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function for illustration.

[0151] Figure 7 FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used for data processing. Or, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to reception and transmission, and the processing module 12 is used to perform other operations except reception and transmission. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0152] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, and the storage module 13 can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device can implement the actions of the device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0153] In one design, the device 10 can correspond to the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the terminal device.

[0154] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes executed by the terminal device corresponding to the foregoing method embodiment. Among them, the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform operations related to reception and transmission of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform operations related to processing of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment.

[0155] In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 11 is used to receive a first synchronization signal block (SSB) on a first time-frequency resource. The transceiver module 11 is used to receive a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource; wherein, the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first synchronization signal burst set (SSburst set), the first time-frequency resource includes a first time-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time-domain resource, and the first synchronization signal burst set corresponds to a first system frame; wherein, the first time-domain resource is located in a first half-frame, the second time-domain resource is located in a second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

[0156] When the device 10 is used to execute Figure 5 the method in, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as step S520; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S510.

[0157] It should be understood that the specific processes of each unit executing the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0158] In another design, the device 10 can correspond to the network device in the above method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the network device.

[0159] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes executed by the network device corresponding to the above method embodiment. Among them, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the operations related to sending and receiving of the network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to execute the operations related to processing of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0160] In a possible implementation manner, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module 11 is used to send a first SSB on a first time-frequency resource. The transceiver module 11 is used to send a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource; wherein, the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first synchronization burst set SS burst set, the first time-frequency resource includes a first time-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time-domain resource, and the first synchronization burst set corresponds to a first system frame; wherein, the first time-domain resource is located in a first half-frame, the second time-domain resource is located in a second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

[0161] When the device 10 is used to execute Figure 5 the method in, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as step S520; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S510.

[0162] It should be understood that the specific processes of each unit executing the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0163] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of functional modules. The term "module" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group of processors, etc.) for executing one or more software or firmware programs, and a memory, a combined logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 10 can specifically be the mobile management network element in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the mobile management network element in each of the above method embodiments; or, the device 10 can specifically be the terminal device in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the terminal device in each of the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0164] The device 10 in each of the above solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps executed by the devices (such as terminal devices, network devices) in the above methods. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing module, can be replaced by a processor to respectively execute the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each of the method embodiments.

[0165] In addition, the above transceiver module 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it can include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing module can be a processing circuit.

[0166] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 20 includes a processor 21, and the processor 21 is used to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory 22, or read the data / signaling stored in the memory 22 to execute the methods in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the processor 21 is one or more.

[0167] Optionally, as Figure 8 shown, the device 20 further includes a memory 22, and the memory 22 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 can be integrated with the processor 21 or can also be separately provided. Optionally, the memory 22 is one or more.

[0168] Optionally, as Figure 8As shown, the device 20 further includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 21 is used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0169] As a solution, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0170] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0171] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, the RAM may be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, the RAM includes the following various forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0172] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0173] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0174] Figure 9 FIG. 0 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The chip system 30 (or may also be referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0175] Among them, the logic circuit 31 can be the processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to the storage unit and call the instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 30 can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 32 can be the input / output circuit in the chip system 30, output the information processed by the chip system 30, or input the data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0176] As a solution, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0177] For example, the logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments; the input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0178] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions for implementing the methods performed by the device in the above method embodiments are stored.

[0179] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0180] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including instructions, which when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0181] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned terminal device and network device.

[0182] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the above-mentioned devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0183] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0184] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and conciseness of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0185] In several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0186] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0187] In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0188] When the above-mentioned functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0189] As described above, the above are only specific implementation manners of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by this application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Transmit a first Synchronization Signal and Broadcast Information Block (SSB) on a first time-frequency resource; Transmit a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource; Wherein, the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first Synchronization Signal Burst Set (SS burst set), the first time-frequency resource includes a first time-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time-domain resource, and the first SS burst set corresponds to a first system frame; Wherein, the first time-domain resource is located in a first half-frame, the second time-domain resource is located in a second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the first time-domain resource and the second time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first time-frequency resource includes a first frequency-domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second frequency-domain resource, and the first frequency-domain resource and the second frequency-domain resource are the same.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Transmit a third SSB on a third time-frequency resource; Transmit a fourth SSB on a fourth time-frequency resource; Wherein, the third SSB and the fourth SSB are located in the first SS burst set, the third time-frequency resource includes a third time-domain resource, and the fourth time-frequency resource includes a fourth time-domain resource; Wherein, the third time-domain resource is located in the first half-frame, the fourth time-domain resource is located in the second half-frame; or, the interval between the third time-domain resource and the fourth time-domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the third time-domain resource and the fourth time-domain resource are located in the first system frame.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first time-domain resource is a first Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the first OFDM symbol is located in a first time slot, the second time-domain resource is a second OFDM symbol, and the second OFDM symbol is located in a second time slot.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first time slot includes 14 OFDM symbols numbered sequentially from n to n + 13, and the second time slot includes 14 OFDM symbols numbered sequentially from n to n + 13. The number of the first OFDM symbol in the first time slot is the same as the number of the second OFDM symbol in the second time slot, where n is an integer.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first SSB includes a first Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH corresponds to a first Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) sequence, the second PBCH corresponds to a second DMRS sequence, and the first DMRS sequence and the second DMRS sequence are the same.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first SSB includes a first PBCH, the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH includes first indication information, the second PBCH includes second indication information, the first indication information indicates the first SSB, and the second indication information indicates the second SSB.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first indication information includes a first index, the first index indicates the first SSB, the second indication information includes a second index, and the second index indicates the second SSB.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first indication information is indicated by a first bit in the first PBCH, the second indication information is indicated by a second bit in the second PBCH, the value of the first bit is the same as the value of the second bit, the first bit includes at least one bit, and the second bit includes at least one bit.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first bit is located in a first field of the first PBCH, the second bit is located in a second field of the second PBCH, the first field includes a selection field or a reserved field of the first PBCH, and the second field includes a selection field or a reserved field of the second PBCH.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The numbers of the starting OFDM symbols of the time domain resources corresponding to the multiple SSBs included in the first synchronization burst set satisfy the following relationship: {4, 8, 16, 20,}+28*n+140*m, where m and n take values of 0 or 1; or {2, 8}+14*n+140*m, where n takes values of 0, 1, 2, or 3, and m takes values of =0 or 1.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, including: Receiving a first synchronization broadcast information block SSB on a first time-frequency resource; Receiving a second SSB on a second time-frequency resource; wherein, the first SSB and the second SSB are located in a first synchronization burst set SS burst set, the first time-frequency resource includes a first time domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second time domain resource, and the first synchronization burst set corresponds to a first system frame; wherein, the first time domain resource is located in a first half-frame, the second time domain resource is located in a second half-frame, and the first half-frame and the second half-frame are located in the first system frame; or, the interval between the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the first time domain resource and the second time domain resource are located in the first system frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that,The first time-frequency resource includes a first frequency domain resource, the second time-frequency resource includes a second frequency domain resource, and the first frequency domain resource is the same as the second frequency domain resource.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a third SSB on a third time-frequency resource; Receiving a fourth SSB on a fourth time-frequency resource; wherein, the third SSB and the third SSB are located in the first synchronization burst set, the third time-frequency resource includes a third time domain resource, and the fourth time-frequency resource includes a fourth time domain resource; wherein, the third time domain resource is located in the first half-frame, the fourth time domain resource is located in the second half-frame; or, the interval between the third time domain resource and the fourth time domain resource is greater than or equal to 5 milliseconds, and the third time domain resource and the fourth time domain resource are located in the first system frame.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The first time domain resource is a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbol, the first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol is located in a first time slot, the second time domain resource is a second orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol, and the second orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol is located in a second time slot.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first time slot includes 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols numbered sequentially from n to n+13, and the second time slot includes 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols numbered sequentially from n to n+13. The number of the first OFDM symbol in the first time slot is the same as the number of the second OFDM symbol in the second time slot, where n is an integer.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The first SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel PBCH, the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal DMRS sequence, the second PBCH corresponds to a second DMRS sequence, and the first DMRS sequence and the second DMRS sequence are the same.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The first SSB includes a first physical broadcast channel PBCH, the second SSB includes a second PBCH, the first PBCH includes first indication information, the second PBCH includes second indication information, the first indication information indicates the first SSB, and the second indication information indicates the second SSB.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first indication information includes a first index, the first index indicates the first SSB, the second indication information includes a second index, and the second index indicates the second SSB.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first indication information is indicated by a first bit in the first PBCH, the second indication information is indicated by a second bit in the second PBCH, the values of the first bit and the second bit are the same, the first bit includes at least one bit, and the second bit includes at least one bit.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first bit is located in a first domain in the first PBCH, the second bit is located in a second domain in the second PBCH, the first domain includes a selection domain or a reserved domain of the first PBCH, and the second domain includes a selection domain or a reserved domain of the second PBCH.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that, The numbers of the starting OFDM symbols of the time domain resources of the time-frequency resources respectively corresponding to the multiple SSBs included in the first synchronization burst set satisfy the following relationship: {4, 8, 16, 20,} + 28*n + 140*m, where m and n take values of 0 or 1; or {2, 8} + 14*n + 140*m, where n takes values of 0, 1, 2, or 3, and m takes values of = 0 or 1.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, For implementing the method according to any one of claims 1-11.

24. The communication device according to claim 23, characterized in that, The communication device includes a network device or a chip.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, For implementing the method according to any one of claims 12-22.

26. The communication device according to claim 25, characterized in that, The communication device includes a terminal device or a chip.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are run, the method according to any one of claims 1-22 is executed.

28. A computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is run, the method according to any one of claims 1-22 is executed.

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