Wireless communication method and device, terminal equipment and network equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a wireless communication method and device, terminal equipment and network equipment, and the method comprises the steps that the terminal equipment executes initial access to a first cell, the first cell is covered by a plurality of beam layers, and different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

Description

Wireless communication method and device, terminal equipment, and network equipment Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of mobile communication technology, and specifically to a wireless communication method and apparatus, terminal equipment, and network equipment. Background Art

[0002] Beam-based cells can effectively meet coverage requirements. Currently, the beam distribution of a cell has limitations, which means that terminal devices located in different areas of the cell may be covered by the same beam. For example, terminal devices located at the center of the cell and at the edge of the cell are covered by the same beam. However, the coverage strength of terminal devices in different areas is different. Generally, the closer the terminal device is to the cell center, the stronger the coverage, and the farther the terminal device is from the cell center, the weaker the coverage. The network side generally identifies the location of the terminal device based on the beam used by the terminal device, which makes it impossible for the network side to more precisely identify the area where the terminal device is located.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method and apparatus, terminal equipment, network equipment, chip, computer-readable storage medium, computer program product, and computer program.

[0005] The wireless communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0006] The terminal device performs initial access to a first cell, wherein the first cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0007] The wireless communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0008] The network device performs beam scanning to cover the first cell through multiple beam layers, where different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0009] The wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application is applied to a terminal device, and the device includes:

[0010] A communication unit is configured to perform initial access to a first cell, wherein the first cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0011] The wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application is applied to a network device, and the device includes:

[0012] The communication unit is configured to perform beam scanning to achieve coverage of a first cell through multiple beam layers, where different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0013] The terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0014] The network device provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0015] The chip provided in the embodiment of the present application is used to implement the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0016] Specifically, the chip includes: a processor, which is used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0017] The computer-readable storage medium provided in an embodiment of the present application is used to store a computer program, which enables a computer to execute the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0018] The computer program product provided in the embodiments of the present application includes computer program instructions, which enable a computer to execute the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0019] The computer program provided in the embodiment of the present application, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the above-mentioned wireless communication method.

[0020] Through the above technical solution, a new beam distribution model is proposed. Specifically, a cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the cell. Since the beams within a beam layer can be regarded as beams scanned in a two-dimensional direction, and the beams between beam layers can be regarded as beams scanned in another direction, beams scanned in three dimensions (i.e., 3D beams) are realized. The beam distribution is more flexible. The network side can more finely identify the area where the terminal device is located based on the 3D beam, thereby providing a basis for guaranteeing different wireless resources for terminal devices in different areas, thereby improving wireless communication performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0022] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2-1 is a schematic diagram of a cell based on omnidirectional antennas;

[0024] Figure 2-2 is a schematic diagram of a beam-based cell;

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a cell based on multiple beam layers provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG5-1 is a first schematic diagram of the coverage of a beam layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG5-2 is a second schematic diagram of the coverage of the beam layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG5-3 is a third schematic diagram of the coverage of the beam layer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the first structure of a wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG7 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following will describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, a communication system 100 may include a terminal device 110 and a network device 120. The network device 120 may communicate with the terminal device 110 via an air interface. The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 support multi-service transmission.

[0038] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are only illustrative of the communication system 100, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. That is, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Internet of Things (IoT) system, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, enhanced Machine-Type Communications (eMTC) system, 5G communication system (also known as New Radio (NR) communication system), or future communication systems.

[0039] In the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1, the network device 120 may be an access network device that communicates with the terminal device 110. The access network device may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and may communicate with the terminal device 110 (eg, UE) located within the coverage area.

[0040] The network device 120 may be an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG RAN) device, or a base station (gNB) in an NR system, or a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), or the network device 120 may be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, or a network device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0041] The terminal device 110 may be any terminal device, including but not limited to a terminal device connected to the network device 120 or other terminal devices by wire or wireless connection.

[0042] For example, the terminal device 110 may refer to an access terminal, user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. An access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, an IoT device, a satellite handheld terminal, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolution network, etc.

[0043] The terminal device 110 can be used for device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0044] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a core network device 130 for communicating with the base station. The core network device 130 may be a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) device, such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a User Plane Function (UPF), or a Session Management Function (SMF). Optionally, the core network device 130 may also be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) device of an LTE network, such as a Session Management Function + Core Packet Gateway (SMF+PGW-C) device. It should be understood that SMF+PGW-C can simultaneously implement the functions that can be implemented by SMF and PGW-C. During the network evolution process, the above-mentioned core network device may also be called other names, or a new network entity may be formed by dividing the functions of the core network, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0045] The functional units in the communication system 100 may also establish connections and implement communication via next generation (NG) network interfaces.

[0046] For example, the terminal device establishes an air interface connection with the access network device through the NR interface for transmitting user plane data and control plane signaling; the terminal device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the NG interface 1 (referred to as N1); the access network device, such as the next generation wireless access base station (gNB), can establish a user plane data connection with the UPF through the NG interface 3 (referred to as N3); the access network device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the NG interface 2 (referred to as N2); the UPF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through the NG interface 4 (referred to as N4); the UPF can exchange user plane data with the data network through the NG interface 6 (referred to as N6); the AMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through the NG interface 11 (referred to as N11); the SMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the PCF through the NG interface 7 (referred to as N7).

[0047] Figure 1 exemplarily shows a base station, a core network device and two terminal devices. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple base station devices and each base station may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0048] It should be noted that Figure 1 is merely an example of a system applicable to this application. Of course, the methods described in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other systems. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" herein simply describes an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association relationship. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that A and B have an association relationship. It should also be understood that the "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can mean that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two objects, or that there is an association relationship between the two objects, or a relationship between an indicator and the indicated, a configuration and the configured, and so on. It should also be understood that the “predefined” or “predefined rules” mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (for example, including a terminal device and a network device), and the present application does not limit its specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to a definition in a protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it can include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

[0049] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following relevant technologies can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2-1, in 4G LTE, the cell antenna is omnidirectional. Public information (such as paging and system broadcasts) and public signals (such as the Cell Reference Signal (CRS)) sent by the network are transmitted in one packet over the air interface, occupying one radio resource.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2-2, in 5G NR, cell antennas are beam-based. Considering the high frequency band and poor coverage of 5G, different beams are transmitted in different directions, achieving complete coverage of a cell through the transmission of multiple beams. Public information (such as paging and system broadcasts) and public signals (such as synchronization signal blocks (SSBs)) sent from the network are sent in multiple copies over the air interface, that is, per beam. Terminal devices at different locations receive public information and public signals on the corresponding beams.

[0052] In 5G NR, random access resources are associated with beams in different directions (i.e., different SSBs). The network uses random access resources (including preamble and random access opportunity (RO)) to identify the good downlink beam for the terminal device. Based on the beam correspondence, the uplink beam direction is determined according to the downlink beam direction.

[0053] During the initial access process of 5G NR, the network can only distinguish which beam the terminal device is in, but cannot identify whether the terminal device is at the center or edge of the cell. In this case, for downlink scheduling during the initial access process, the network cannot obtain sufficient information, such as the power headroom report (PHR), and therefore cannot perform effective scheduling, such as channel coding, modulation method, and number of repetitions.

[0054] Furthermore, the size of MSG3 is related to coverage. In the LTE phase, the size of MSG3 is limited to 56 bits. However, in RRC resume scenarios, the size of MSG3 needs to be expanded to 72 bits. However, increasing the size of MSG3 to 72 bits results in a 0.6dB coverage loss; reduced coverage means adding new sites to compensate, increasing network construction costs. Using a 40-bit I-RNTI in the RRC Resume Request message requires a 72-bit MSG3, while using a 24-bit truncated I-RNTI prevents the target base station from addressing the anchor base station. To address this, two I-RNTIs are introduced: a 40-bit I-RNTI and a 24-bit truncated I-RNTI. The network indicates via system broadcast (i.e., SIB1) whether the 40-bit I-RNTI is permitted to initiate the RRC resume process. Specifically, this can be indicated via the useFullResumeID command.

[0055] In summary, beam-based cells can effectively meet coverage requirements. However, the beam distribution of a cell has limitations, which may result in terminal devices located in different areas of the cell being within the coverage of the same beam. For example, terminal devices located at the center of the cell and at the edge of the cell are within the coverage of the same beam, and the coverage strength of terminal devices in different areas is different. Generally, the closer the terminal device is to the cell center, the stronger the coverage obtained, and the farther the terminal device is from the cell center, the weaker the coverage obtained. The network side generally identifies the location of the terminal device based on the beam used by the terminal device, which will result in the network side being unable to identify the area where the terminal device is located more finely. In future mobile communication systems (such as 6G), the types of terminal devices will be diverse, and it is beneficial for the performance of initial access for the network side to identify the area where the terminal device is located during the initial access process (for example, distinguishing whether the terminal device is a cell edge user or a cell center user). To this end, the following technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are proposed.

[0056] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to mobile communication systems such as 5G, increased 5G, and 6G.

[0057] It should be noted that the “beam layer” in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a “beam group”.

[0058] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies can be combined arbitrarily with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0059] When a station (such as a base station) performs beam scanning, it creates multiple beam layers, which are used to achieve cell coverage. Different beam layers correspond to different cell coverage areas. Beams within a beam layer can be considered two-dimensional beams, while beams between beam layers can be considered beams scanned in another direction. This achieves three-dimensional beam scanning. The beam distribution achieved by multiple beam layers is therefore called a 3D beam.

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a cell based on multiple beam layers provided in an embodiment of the present application. Two beam layers are used as an example for illustration. The first beam layer is a beam layer close to the center of the cell, which can be called the cell center beam layer. The second beam layer is a beam layer far from the center of the cell, which can be called the cell edge beam layer. The coverage of the first beam layer and the second beam layer can overlap, as shown in (a) in Figure 3. The coverage of the first beam layer and the second beam layer can also not overlap, as shown in (b) in Figure 3. It should be noted that when the coverage of the first beam layer and the second beam layer overlaps, part of the first beam layer may overlap with part of the second beam layer, part of the first beam layer may overlap with all of the second beam layer, or all of the first beam layer may overlap with part of the second beam layer.

[0061] FIG4 is a flow chart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the wireless communication method includes the following steps:

[0062] Step 401: A terminal device performs initial access to a first cell, wherein the first cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device performs beam scanning to achieve coverage of the first cell through multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0064] In some implementations, the network device is a site, such as a base station.

[0065] In some embodiments, the multiple beam layers in the first cell include a first beam layer and a second beam layer, where the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center and may be referred to as a cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer far from the cell center and may be referred to as a cell edge beam layer.

[0066] In some embodiments, there are at least two beam layers among the multiple beam layers whose coverage areas overlap; and / or there are at least two beam layers among the multiple beam layers whose coverage areas do not overlap.

[0067] As an example: take three beam layers as an example. Figure 5-1 shows the first schematic diagram of the coverage of the three beam layers. The coverage of beam layer 1, beam layer 2, and beam layer 3 do not overlap with each other. Figure 5-2 shows the second schematic diagram of the coverage of the three beam layers. The partial coverage of beam layer 3 overlaps with the full coverage of beam layer 2, and the partial coverage of beam layer 2 overlaps with the full coverage of beam layer 1. Figure 5-3 shows the third schematic diagram of the coverage of the three beam layers. The partial coverage of beam layer 3 overlaps with the full coverage of beam layer 2, and the partial coverage of beam layer 3 overlaps with the full coverage of beam layer 1. The coverage of beam layer 2 does not overlap with that of beam layer 2.

[0068] In some embodiments, the plurality of beam layers have at least one of the following characteristics:

[0069] Different beam layers correspond to different beam tilt angles;

[0070] Different beam layers correspond to different horizontal beam widths;

[0071] Different beam layers correspond to different vertical beam widths;

[0072] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same beam tilt angle;

[0073] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same horizontal beamwidth;

[0074] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same vertical beamwidth.

[0075] In some embodiments, different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use independent index spaces; and indices in the index space are used to number beams in the beam layer.

[0076] Here, when different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use independent index spaces, a beam is identified by a first index and a second index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space, and the second index is the index of the beam layer to which the beam belongs in the multiple beam layers.

[0077] For example, a cell is covered by beam layer 1 and beam layer 2. Beam layer 1 includes beams 11, 12, and 13, while beam layer 2 includes beams 21, 22, and 23. Beam layers 1 and 2 use independent index spaces. The indexes for beams 11, 12, and 13 are SSB index 0, SSB index 1, and SSB index 2, respectively. The indexes for beams 21, 22, and 23 are SSB index 0, SSB index 1, and SSB index 2, respectively. Beam 11 is identified by SSB index 0 and beam layer 1 index layer 1. The same applies to other beams.

[0078] In some other embodiments, different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use a unified index space; the indices in the index space are used to number the beams in the beam layer. Here, the index space is an SSB index space.

[0079] Here, when different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use a unified index space, a beam is identified by a first index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space.

[0080] For example, a cell is covered by beam layer 1 and beam layer 2. Beam layer 1 includes beams 11, 12, and 13, while beam layer 2 includes beams 21, 22, and 23. Beam layers 1 and 2 use the same index space: beam 11, beam 12, and beam 13 have indexes of SSB index 0, SSB index 1, and SSB index 2, respectively. Beam 21, beam 22, and beam 23 have indexes of SSB index 3, SSB index 4, and SSB index 5, respectively. Beam 11 is identified by SSB index 0, and the same applies to other beams.

[0081] It should be noted that different SSBs are sent on different beams, and the beam number can be represented by the SSB index.

[0082] Beam layers enable cell stratification. Different beam layers correspond to different cell layers in terms of coverage area. This cell stratification is visible to both terminal devices and network equipment. A cell can have two or more beam layers, depending on network implementation.

[0083] In some embodiments, the network device sends first configuration information and / or second configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first configuration information and / or second configuration information sent by the network device, where the first configuration information is used to configure the number of beam layers included in the first cell, and the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell. Here, the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information are carried in RRC signaling or system broadcast.

[0084] Here, the network device can configure the number of beam layers included in the first cell; further, it can also configure which beams are included in each beam layer, that is, configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer. The SSB index can be repeated in different beam layers. For example, the SSB index of the beam in the first beam layer is 0 to 7, and the SSB index of the beam in the second beam layer can also be 0 to 7, that is, different beam layers use independent index spaces. Alternatively, the SSB index can be non-repeated in different beam layers. For example, the SSB index of the beam in the first beam layer is 0 to 7, and the SSB index of the beam in the second beam layer can also be 8 to 15, that is, different beam layers use a unified index space.

[0085] The total number of SSB indexes actually transmitted by a cell is related to the frequency band in which the cell's frequency resources are located. In one example, the SSB index actually transmitted in the cell can be configured through RRC signaling. In view of this, the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell can be configured through RRC signaling, where the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer can be configured through the contents shown in Table 1 below. ssb-PositionsInBurst can be a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to an SSB index, and the value of the bit is used to indicate whether the SSB index corresponding to the bit is the SSB index actually transmitted. For example: 1001 means that SSB index 0 and SSB index 3 are the SSB indexes actually transmitted.

[0086]

[0087] Table 1

[0088] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell according to the cell level, and to configure the correspondence between the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell and the beam layer. In this way, the terminal device can determine the SSB index actually transmitted for each beam layer in the first cell.

[0089] Here, when different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use a unified index space, the corresponding SSB index actually transmitted can be uniformly configured for the multiple beam layers (that is, the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell is configured). Here, the network device needs to configure the correspondence between the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell and the beam layer. In this way, the terminal device can determine the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell.

[0090] In some other embodiments, the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0091] Here, when different beam layers among the multiple beam layers use independent index spaces, each beam layer can be configured with its corresponding SSB index for actual transmission.

[0092] On the basis of the first cell based on multiple beam layers, the terminal device performs initial access to the first cell.

[0093] Option 1

[0094] In some embodiments, the terminal device selects the first beam in the first cell and initiates a random access process to the first cell based on a first random access resource associated with the first beam; the first random access resource is used to indicate the first beam selected by the terminal device and / or the beam layer where the first beam is located.

[0095] Here, the random access resources include a preamble and / or RO resources.

[0096] Here, the beam is associated with the random access resource, and one beam can be associated with one or more random access resources. Based on this, the random access resource can implicitly indicate the beam it is associated with.

[0097] For a corresponding network device, the network device receives a random access procedure initiated by a terminal device based on a first random access resource; the first random access resource is used to indicate a first beam selected by the terminal device and / or a beam layer in which the first beam is located. In this way, the network device can determine the beam and / or beam layer in which the terminal device is located based on the first random access resource.

[0098] In some embodiments, the terminal device selects the first beam in the first cell, including: the terminal device measures the beam in the first cell; the terminal device selects the first beam based on the measured signal quality of the beam and / or the beam layer to which the beam belongs.

[0099] In some embodiments, the terminal device selects the first beam based on the measured signal quality of the beam and / or the beam layer to which the beam belongs, which can be achieved by one of the following options:

[0100] Option 1) The terminal device selects a beam belonging to the first beam layer and having a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a first threshold value from the measured beams as the first beam.

[0101] Option 2) The terminal device selects a beam belonging to the first beam layer and having the best signal quality from the measured beams as the first beam.

[0102] Option 3) The terminal device selects a beam belonging to the first beam layer from the measured beams as the first beam.

[0103] Option 4) The terminal device selects a beam with a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a second threshold value from the measured beams as the first beam.

[0104] Option 5) The terminal device selects a beam with the best signal quality from the measured beams as the first beam.

[0105] It should be noted that the "beam signal quality" described in the embodiments of the present application refers to the "signal quality of the SSB transmitted on the beam." The signal quality can be Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

[0106] As an example: a cell includes two beam layers, namely the first beam layer and the second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center, which can be called the cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer away from the cell center, which can be called the cell edge beam layer. If the terminal device detects a beam in the cell center beam layer, and the RSRP and / or RSRQ of the beam is greater than the threshold value configured by the network device, the terminal device preferentially selects the preamble code and / or RO resource corresponding to the beam to initiate a random access process.

[0107] As an example: a cell includes two beam layers, namely the first beam layer and the second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center, which can be called the cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer far away from the cell center, which can be called the cell edge beam layer. Whether it is the first beam layer or the second beam layer, the SSB index of each beam therein is associated with at least one preamble code and / or RO. By receiving the preamble code on the RO, the network device can obtain the beam and / or beam layer corresponding to the terminal device, thereby knowing whether the terminal device is a cell center user (corresponding to the cell center beam layer) or a cell edge user (corresponding to the cell edge beam layer).

[0108] Option 2

[0109] In some embodiments, the network device sends third configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the third configuration information sent by the network device, where the third configuration information is used to configure the random access parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0110] In some embodiments, the random access parameters include at least one of the following: preamble target received power (preambleReceivedTargetPower), preamble power ramping step (powerRampingStep), maximum preamble transmission times (preambleTransMax), random access response window size (ra-ResponseWindow), random access conflict resolution timer (ra-ContentionResolutionTimer), maximum retransmission times of MSG3 (max-HARQ-Msg3Tx), and power offset of MSG3 relative to the last preamble sent.

[0111] When configuring random access parameters (i.e., RACH parameters), some parameters can be configured at the beam layer level. For example, the cell center beam layer and the cell edge beam layer are configured with the following parameters: preambleReceivedTargetPower, preambleTransMax, powerRampingStep, ra-ResponseWindow, ra-ContentionResolutionTimer, and MSG3 power offset. It should be noted that the above parameters are only examples and are not limited to these parameters.

[0112] As an example: Whether it is a terminal device located in the cell center beam layer or a terminal device located in the cell edge beam layer, the power climbing process is adopted in the random access process, but the preamble power climbing step length used by the terminal device located in the cell center beam layer and the preamble power climbing step length used by the terminal device located in the cell edge beam layer can be configured differently. For example, the preamble power climbing step length used by the terminal device located in the cell center beam layer is smaller, and the preamble power climbing step length used by the terminal device located in the cell edge beam layer is larger.

[0113] For example, the power offset for MSG3 is the offset between the uplink transmit power of the terminal device's last preamble transmission and the power for transmitting MSG3. The power offset for MSG3 used by a terminal device located in the cell center beam layer can be configured differently from that used by a terminal device located in the cell edge beam layer. For example, the power offset for MSG3 used by a terminal device located in the cell center beam layer can be smaller, while the power offset for MSG3 used by a terminal device located in the cell edge beam layer can be larger.

[0114] Option 3

[0115] In some embodiments, the network device sends fourth configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the fourth configuration information sent by the network device, where the fourth configuration information is used to configure the uplink transmission parameters and / or downlink reception parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0116] In some implementations, the uplink transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel coding rate, a modulation mode, and a number of repeated transmissions.

[0117] In some implementations, the downlink reception parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel decoding rate and a demodulation mode.

[0118] As an example: a cell includes two beam layers, namely the first beam layer and the second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center, which can be called the cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer far from the cell center, which can be called the cell edge beam layer. During the initial access process, the network device can determine whether the terminal device is within the coverage of the first beam layer (i.e., at the cell center) or within the coverage of the second beam layer (i.e., at the cell edge) through the beam used by the terminal device during the random access process, so that different uplink transmission parameters and / or downlink reception parameters can be configured for terminal devices in different beam layers. For example: for terminal devices within the coverage of the second beam layer (i.e., at the cell edge), the network device can improve uplink coverage and downlink coverage through effective scheduling and measures, such as reducing channel coding efficiency, low-order modulation mode, increasing the number of repetitions, etc. to improve uplink coverage. For example: for terminal devices within the coverage range of the first beam layer (i.e., at the center of the cell), for uplink transmission, the network equipment can use high-order modulation to improve spectrum efficiency; for downlink reception, the network equipment can use high-order modulation to improve spectrum efficiency, and can also use directional antennas, such as specific downlink beam directions to further improve downlink coverage.

[0119] Option 4

[0120] In some embodiments, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first cell allows the terminal device to use a random access message having a first size, or whether the first cell allows the terminal device within the coverage of the first beam layer to use a random access message having a first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a beam layer having a random access message having a first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a maximum or minimum beam layer index for a random access message having a first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a boundary beam layer index for a random access message having a first size.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terminal device measures the beams in the first cell; if there is a beam in the beams measured by the terminal device that belongs to the first beam layer and / or has a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a third threshold value, or if the terminal device measures the signal quality of the first cell to be greater than and / or equal to a fourth threshold, the terminal device determines that a random access message with a first size can be used; otherwise, the terminal device determines that a random access message with a first size cannot be used.

[0122] Here, the random access message is, for example, MSG3 in a 4-step random access process, or a PUSCH in MSG2 in a 2-step random access process.

[0123] Here, the first size is, for example, 72 bits.

[0124] In one example, a cell includes two beam layers, namely a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center, which can be called a cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer far from the cell center, which can be called a cell edge beam layer. During the initial access process, if the terminal device is within the coverage of the first beam layer (i.e., at the center of the cell), a large-size MSG3 can be used, otherwise, a normal-size MSG3 needs to be used. An indication message can be broadcast in the system broadcast of the cell, and the indication message is used to indicate whether the cell allows the terminal device within the coverage of the first beam layer (i.e., at the center of the cell) to send a large-size MSG3. Here, the large-size MSG3 can be a 72-bit MSG3, and the normal-size MSG3 can be a 56-bit MSG3. This indication can be explicit or implicit.

[0125] In one scenario, the cell is a traditional cell, and a threshold value, such as an RSRP and / or RSRQ threshold value, is configured in the system broadcast of the cell. If the signal quality of the cell measured by the terminal device is greater than and / or equal to the threshold value, it indicates that the terminal device is in the center area of ​​the cell and the terminal device can send a large-sized MSG3. Otherwise, the terminal device cannot send a large-sized MSG3.

[0126] In another scenario, the cell is a cell based on multiple beam layers. The system broadcast of the cell indicates which SSB indexes correspond to beams within the cell center beam layer. If the terminal device measures that the signal quality of any beam within the cell center beam layer is greater than and / or equal to the threshold value configured by the network device, it means that the terminal device is in the cell center area and the terminal device can send a large-size MSG3. Otherwise, the terminal device cannot send a large-size MSG3.

[0127] Plan 5

[0128] In scenarios where cells are based on multiple beam layers, the method for measuring cell signal quality needs to be clarified. It is necessary to clarify whether the cell signal quality is determined using the measurement results of all beams or the measurement results of a subset of beam layers.

[0129] In some embodiments, the terminal device measures the signal quality of a beam of a first beam layer in the first cell; and the terminal device determines the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer. Further, if the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer or based on the signal quality of the first cell is less than and / or equal to a fifth threshold, the terminal device initiates neighboring cell measurement or initiates measurement of the second beam layer.

[0130] Here, the terminal device measures the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer in the first cell; the terminal device determines the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer, which can be achieved through any of the following options:

[0131] Option 1) The terminal device measures the signal quality of the beams in the first beam layer in the first cell; and takes the signal quality of the beam with the best signal quality as the signal quality of the first cell.

[0132] Option 2) The terminal device measures the signal quality of beams in the first beam layer in the first cell; and uses the offline average of the signal qualities of n beams whose signal quality is greater than and / or equal to a threshold value as the signal quality of the first cell. Here, the threshold value and n are configured via system broadcast.

[0133] In one example, a cell includes two beam layers, namely a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center, which can be called a cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer far from the cell center, which can be called a cell edge beam layer. In the cell reselection measurement, the neighboring area measurement or the measurement of the second beam layer can be started only when and only when the measurement result of the first beam layer or the cell measurement result obtained based on the measurement result of the first beam layer is lower than a certain threshold. Here, the measurement result refers to the measured signal quality, such as RSRP and / or RSRQ.

[0134] In some embodiments, the terminal device measures the signal quality of a beam of a second beam layer in the first cell; and the terminal device determines the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer. Further, if the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer or the signal quality based on the first cell is less than and / or equal to a sixth threshold, the terminal device initiates neighboring cell measurement.

[0135] Here, the terminal device measures the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer in the first cell; and the terminal device determines the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer, which can be achieved through any of the following options:

[0136] Option 1) The terminal device measures the signal quality of the beams in the second beam layer in the first cell; and takes the signal quality of the beam with the best signal quality as the signal quality of the first cell.

[0137] Option 2) The terminal device measures the signal quality of beams in the second beam layer in the first cell; and uses the offline average of the signal qualities of m beams whose signal quality is greater than and / or equal to a threshold value as the signal quality of the first cell. Here, the threshold value and m are configured via system broadcast.

[0138] In one example, a cell includes two beam layers, namely a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer. Here, the first beam layer is a beam layer close to the cell center, which can be called a cell center beam layer, and the second beam layer is a beam layer far from the cell center, which can be called a cell edge beam layer. In the cell reselection measurement, the neighboring area measurement can be initiated only when and only when the measurement result of the second beam layer or the cell measurement result obtained based on the measurement result of the second beam layer is lower than a certain threshold. Here, the measurement result refers to the measured signal quality, such as RSRP and / or RSRQ.

[0139] It should be noted that each of the above solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented separately or in combination with each other.

[0140] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present application, the technical solution of the present application can be subjected to a variety of simple modifications, and these simple modifications all fall within the scope of protection of the present application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present application will no longer describe the various possible combinations separately. For another example, the various different embodiments of the present application can also be arbitrarily combined, as long as they do not violate the idea of ​​the present application, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed in the present application. For another example, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments and / or the technical features in each embodiment described in the present application can be arbitrarily combined with the prior art, and the technical solution obtained after the combination should also fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0141] It should also be understood that in the various method embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not imply a precedence in the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "downlink," "uplink," and "sidelink" are used to indicate the transmission direction of signals or data, where "downlink" is used to indicate the first direction of transmission of signals or data from a site to a user equipment in a cell, "uplink" is used to indicate the second direction of transmission of signals or data from a user equipment in a cell to a site, and "sidelink" is used to indicate the third direction of transmission of signals or data from user equipment 1 to user equipment 2. For example, "downlink signal" indicates that the transmission direction of the signal is the first direction. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. Specifically, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0142] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG6 , the wireless communication device includes:

[0143] The communication unit 601 is configured to perform initial access to a first cell, where the first cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0144] In some embodiments, the plurality of beam layers have at least one of the following characteristics:

[0145] Different beam layers correspond to different beam tilt angles;

[0146] Different beam layers correspond to different horizontal beam widths;

[0147] Different beam layers correspond to different vertical beam widths;

[0148] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same beam tilt angle;

[0149] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same horizontal beamwidth;

[0150] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same vertical beamwidth.

[0151] In some embodiments, there are at least two beam layers among the multiple beam layers whose coverage areas overlap; and / or there are at least two beam layers among the multiple beam layers whose coverage areas do not overlap.

[0152] In some embodiments, different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use independent index spaces; or different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use a unified index space;

[0153] The indices in the index space are used to number the beams in the beam layer.

[0154] In some embodiments, when different beam layers among the multiple beam layers use independent index spaces, a beam is identified by a first index and a second index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space, and the second index is the index of the beam layer to which the beam belongs in the multiple beam layers.

[0155] In some embodiments, when different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use a unified index space, a beam is identified by a first index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space.

[0156] In some implementations, the index space is an SSB index space.

[0157] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is used to receive first configuration information and / or second configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the number of beam layers included in the first cell, and the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell according to the cell level, and configure the correspondence between the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell and the beam layer; or, the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0159] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a processing unit 602, configured to select a first beam in the first cell;

[0160] The communication unit 601 is used to initiate a random access process to the first cell based on a first random access resource associated with the first beam; the first random access resource is used to indicate the first beam selected by the terminal device and / or the beam layer where the first beam is located.

[0161] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to measure a beam in the first cell; and the processing unit 602 is configured to select the first beam based on a signal quality of the measured beam and / or a beam layer to which the beam belongs.

[0162] In some embodiments, the processing unit 602 is used to select a beam from the measured beams that belongs to the first beam layer and has a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a first threshold value as the first beam; or, select a beam from the measured beams that belongs to the first beam layer and has the best signal quality as the first beam; or, select a beam from the measured beams that belongs to the first beam layer as the first beam; or, select a beam from the measured beams that has a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a second threshold value as the first beam; or, select a beam from the measured beams that has the best signal quality as the first beam.

[0163] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is used to receive third configuration information sent by a network device, where the third configuration information is used to configure random access parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell at a beam layer level.

[0164] In some embodiments, the random access parameters include at least one of the following: preamble target received power, preamble power climbing step, maximum number of preamble transmissions, size of random access response window, random access conflict resolution timer, maximum number of retransmissions of MSG3, and power offset of MSG3 relative to the last preamble sent.

[0165] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is used to receive fourth configuration information sent by a network device, and the fourth configuration information is used to configure the uplink transmission parameters and / or downlink reception parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0166] In some implementations, the uplink transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel coding rate, a modulation mode, and a number of repeated transmissions.

[0167] In some implementations, the downlink reception parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel decoding rate and a demodulation mode.

[0168] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is used to receive first indication information sent by a network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first cell allows the terminal device to use a random access message having a first size, or whether the first cell allows the terminal device within the coverage of the first beam layer to use a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a beam layer with a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use the maximum or minimum beam layer index for a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a boundary beam layer index for a random access message having the first size.

[0169] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to measure a beam in the first cell;

[0170] The processing unit 602 is used to determine that a random access message with a first size can be used if there is a beam in the measured beam that belongs to the first beam layer and / or has a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a third threshold value, or if the measured signal quality of the first cell is greater than and / or equal to a fourth threshold; otherwise, determine that a random access message with the first size cannot be used.

[0171] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to measure a signal quality of a beam of a first beam layer in the first cell;

[0172] The processing unit 602 is configured to determine the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer.

[0173] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is used to start neighboring cell measurement or start measurement of the second beam layer if the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer or the signal quality based on the first cell is less than and / or equal to a fifth threshold value.

[0174] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to measure a signal quality of a beam of a second beam layer in the first cell;

[0175] The processing unit 602 is configured to determine the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer.

[0176] In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to initiate neighboring cell measurement if the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer or the signal quality based on the first cell is less than and / or equal to a sixth threshold value.

[0177] In some embodiments, the multiple beam layers in the first cell include a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer.

[0178] Those skilled in the art should understand that the relevant description of the above-mentioned wireless communication device in the embodiment of the present application can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the wireless communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0179] FIG7 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a network device. As shown in FIG7 , the wireless communication device includes:

[0180] The communication unit 701 is configured to perform beam scanning to achieve coverage of a first cell through multiple beam layers, where different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

[0181] In some embodiments, the plurality of beam layers have at least one of the following characteristics:

[0182] Different beam layers correspond to different beam tilt angles;

[0183] Different beam layers correspond to different horizontal beam widths;

[0184] Different beam layers correspond to different vertical beam widths;

[0185] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same beam tilt angle;

[0186] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same horizontal beamwidth;

[0187] Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same vertical beamwidth.

[0188] In some embodiments, there are at least two beam layers among the multiple beam layers whose coverage areas overlap; and / or there are at least two beam layers among the multiple beam layers whose coverage areas do not overlap.

[0189] In some embodiments, different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use independent index spaces; or different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use a unified index space;

[0190] The indices in the index space are used to number the beams in the beam layer.

[0191] In some embodiments, when different beam layers among the multiple beam layers use independent index spaces, a beam is identified by a first index and a second index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space, and the second index is the index of the beam layer to which the beam belongs in the multiple beam layers.

[0192] In some embodiments, when different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use a unified index space, a beam is identified by a first index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space.

[0193] In some implementations, the index space is an SSB index space.

[0194] In some embodiments, the communication unit 701 is used to send first configuration information and / or second configuration information to the terminal device, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the number of beam layers included in the first cell, and the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell.

[0195] In some embodiments, the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell according to the cell level, and configure the correspondence between the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell and the beam layer; or, the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0196] In some embodiments, the communication unit 701 is used to receive a random access process initiated by a terminal device based on a first random access resource; the first random access resource is used to indicate the first beam selected by the terminal device and / or the beam layer where the first beam is located.

[0197] In some embodiments, the communication unit 701 is used to send third configuration information to the terminal device, where the third configuration information is used to configure random access parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell at a beam layer level.

[0198] In some embodiments, the random access parameters include at least one of the following: preamble target received power, preamble power climbing step, maximum number of preamble transmissions, size of random access response window, random access conflict resolution timer, maximum number of retransmissions of MSG3, and power offset of MSG3 relative to the last preamble sent.

[0199] In some embodiments, the communication unit 701 is used to send fourth configuration information to the terminal device, and the fourth configuration information is used to configure the uplink transmission parameters and / or downlink reception parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

[0200] In some implementations, the uplink transmission parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel coding rate, a modulation mode, and a number of repeated transmissions.

[0201] In some implementations, the downlink reception parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel decoding rate and a demodulation mode.

[0202] In some embodiments, the communication unit 701 is used to send first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first cell allows the terminal device to use a random access message having a first size, or whether the first cell allows the terminal device within the coverage of the first beam layer to use a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a beam layer with a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use the maximum or minimum beam layer index for a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a boundary beam layer index for a random access message having the first size.

[0203] In some embodiments, the multiple beam layers in the first cell include a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer.

[0204] Those skilled in the art should understand that the relevant description of the above-mentioned wireless communication device in the embodiment of the present application can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the wireless communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0205] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a terminal device or a network device. The communication device 800 shown in Figure 8 includes a processor 810, which can call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0206] Optionally, as shown in Figure 8, the communication device 800 may further include a memory 820. The processor 810 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 820 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0207] The memory 820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 810 , or may be integrated into the processor 810 .

[0208] Optionally, as shown in FIG8 , the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver 830 , and the processor 810 may control the transceiver 830 to communicate with other devices, specifically, to send information or data to other devices, or to receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0209] The transceiver 830 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 830 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0210] Optionally, the communication device 800 may specifically be a network device in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 800 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in each method in the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0211] Optionally, the communication device 800 may specifically be a mobile terminal / terminal device in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 800 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in each method in the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0212] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 900 shown in Figure 9 includes a processor 910, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0213] Optionally, as shown in FIG9 , the chip 900 may further include a memory 920 , wherein the processor 910 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 920 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0214] The memory 920 may be a separate device independent of the processor 910 , or may be integrated into the processor 910 .

[0215] Optionally, the chip 900 may further include an input interface 930. The processor 910 may control the input interface 930 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0216] Optionally, the chip 900 may further include an output interface 940. The processor 910 may control the output interface 940 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0217] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0218] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0219] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0220] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the communication system 1000 includes a terminal device 1010 and a network device 1020 .

[0221] Among them, the terminal device 1010 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the terminal device in the above method, and the network device 1020 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the network device in the above method. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0222] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or software instructions. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0223] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0224] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memories in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memories in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0225] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program.

[0226] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0227] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0228] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions.

[0229] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0230] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0231] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program.

[0232] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not described here.

[0233] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal device in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program runs on the computer, the computer executes the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0234] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0235] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0236] In the 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 schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as 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 mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0237] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0238] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0239] If the 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 the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0240] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, the method comprising: The terminal device performs initial access to a first cell, wherein the first cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of beam layers have at least one of the following characteristics: Different beam layers correspond to different beam tilt angles; Different beam layers correspond to different horizontal beam widths; Different beam layers correspond to different vertical beam widths; Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same beam tilt angle; Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same horizontal beamwidth; Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same vertical beamwidth.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Among the multiple beam layers, there are at least two beam layers with overlapping coverage areas; and / or, Among the multiple beam layers, there are at least two beam layers whose coverage areas do not overlap.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use independent index spaces; or, Different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use a unified index space; The indices in the index space are used to number the beams in the beam layer.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein When different beam layers among the multiple beam layers use independent index spaces, a beam is identified by a first index and a second index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space, and the second index is the index of the beam layer to which the beam belongs in the multiple beam layers.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein: When different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use a unified index space, a beam is identified by a first index, where the first index is an index of the beam in the index space.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein The index space is an SSB index space.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The method further comprises: The terminal device receives first configuration information and / or second configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information is used to configure the number of beam layers included in the first cell, and the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell according to the cell level, and configure the correspondence between the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell and the beam layer; or, The second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The terminal device performing initial access to the first cell includes: The terminal device selects the first beam in the first cell and initiates a random access process to the first cell based on a first random access resource associated with the first beam; the first random access resource is used to indicate the first beam selected by the terminal device and / or the beam layer where the first beam is located.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The terminal device selecting the first beam in the first cell includes: The terminal device measures the beam in the first cell; The terminal device selects the first beam based on the measured signal quality of the beam and / or the beam layer to which the beam belongs.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The terminal device selects the first beam based on the measured signal quality of the beam and / or the beam layer to which the beam belongs, including: The terminal device selects, from the measured beams, a beam belonging to the first beam layer and having a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a first threshold value as the first beam; or, The terminal device selects a beam belonging to the first beam layer and having the best signal quality from the measured beams as the first beam; or, The terminal device selects a beam belonging to the first beam layer from the measured beams as the first beam; or, The terminal device selects a beam with a signal quality greater than and / or equal to a second threshold value from the measured beams as the first beam; or, The terminal device selects a beam with the best signal quality from the measured beams as the first beam.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein The method further comprises: The terminal device receives third configuration information sent by the network device, where the third configuration information is used to configure random access parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The random access parameters include at least one of the following: preamble target received power, preamble power climbing step, maximum number of preamble transmissions, size of random access response window, random access conflict resolution timer, maximum number of retransmissions of MSG3, and power offset of MSG3 relative to the last preamble sent.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein The method further comprises: The terminal device receives fourth configuration information sent by the network device, where the fourth configuration information is used to configure uplink transmission parameters and / or downlink reception parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The uplink transmission parameters include at least one of the following: channel coding rate, modulation mode, and number of repeated transmissions.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The downlink receiving parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel decoding rate and a demodulation mode.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein The method further comprises: The terminal device receives first indication information sent by the network device, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first cell allows the terminal device to use a random access message having a first size, or whether the first cell allows the terminal device located within the coverage range of the first beam layer to use a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a beam layer with a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a maximum or minimum beam layer index for a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a boundary beam layer index for a random access message having the first size.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein The terminal device performing initial access to the first cell includes: The terminal device measures the beam in the first cell; If there is a beam belonging to the first beam layer and / or a beam with a signal quality greater than and / or equal to the third threshold value among the beams measured by the terminal device, or if the terminal device measures that the signal quality of the first cell is greater than and / or equal to the fourth threshold, the terminal device determines that a random access message with the first size can be used; otherwise, the terminal device determines that a random access message with the first size cannot be used.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein The method further comprises: Measuring, by the terminal device, a signal quality of a beam of a first beam layer in the first cell; The terminal device determines the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The method further comprises: If the signal quality of the beam of the first beam layer or the signal quality based on the first cell is less than and / or equal to a fifth threshold value, the terminal device initiates neighboring cell measurement or initiates measurement of the second beam layer.

22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein The method further comprises: Measuring, by the terminal device, a signal quality of a beam of a second beam layer in the first cell; The terminal device determines the signal quality of the first cell based on the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The method further comprises: If the signal quality of the beam of the second beam layer or the signal quality based on the first cell is less than and / or equal to a sixth threshold value, the terminal device initiates neighboring cell measurement.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein The multiple beam layers in the first cell include a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer.

25. A wireless communication method, the method comprising: The network device performs beam scanning to cover the first cell through multiple beam layers, where different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The plurality of beam layers have at least one of the following characteristics: Different beam layers correspond to different beam tilt angles; Different beam layers correspond to different horizontal beam widths; Different beam layers correspond to different vertical beam widths; Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same beam tilt angle; Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same horizontal beamwidth; Beams in the same beam layer correspond to the same vertical beamwidth.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein Among the multiple beam layers, there are at least two beam layers with overlapping coverage areas; and / or, Among the multiple beam layers, there are at least two beam layers whose coverage areas do not overlap.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein Different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use independent index spaces; or, Different beam layers in the plurality of beam layers use a unified index space; The indices in the index space are used to number the beams in the beam layer.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein When different beam layers among the multiple beam layers use independent index spaces, a beam is identified by a first index and a second index, where the first index is the index of the beam in the index space, and the second index is the index of the beam layer to which the beam belongs in the multiple beam layers.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein When different beam layers in the multiple beam layers use a unified index space, a beam is identified by a first index, where the first index is an index of the beam in the index space.

31. The method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein The index space is an SSB index space.

32. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein The method further comprises: The network device sends first configuration information and / or second configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information is used to configure the number of beam layers included in the first cell, and the second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein The second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell according to the cell level, and configure the correspondence between the SSB index actually transmitted in the first cell and the beam layer; or, The second configuration information is used to configure the SSB index actually transmitted by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

34. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein The method further comprises: The network device receives a random access process initiated by a terminal device based on a first random access resource; the first random access resource is used to indicate a first beam selected by the terminal device and / or a beam layer where the first beam is located.

35. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein The method further comprises: The network device sends third configuration information to the terminal device, where the third configuration information is used to configure random access parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein The random access parameters include at least one of the following: preamble target received power, preamble power climbing step, maximum number of preamble transmissions, size of random access response window, random access conflict resolution timer, maximum number of retransmissions of MSG3, and power offset of MSG3 relative to the last preamble sent.

37. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein The method further comprises: The network device sends fourth configuration information to the terminal device, where the fourth configuration information is used to configure uplink transmission parameters and / or downlink reception parameters used by each beam layer in the first cell according to the beam layer level.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein: The uplink transmission parameters include at least one of the following: channel coding rate, modulation mode, and number of repeated transmissions.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein: The downlink receiving parameter includes at least one of the following: a channel decoding rate and a demodulation mode.

40. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 39, wherein The method further comprises: The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first cell allows the terminal device to use a random access message having a first size, or whether the first cell allows the terminal device located within the coverage of the first beam layer to use a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a beam layer with a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use the maximum or minimum beam layer index of a random access message having the first size, or indicates that the first cell allows the terminal device to use a boundary beam layer index of a random access message having the first size.

41. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 40, wherein The multiple beam layers in the first cell include a first beam layer and a second beam layer, and the first beam layer is closer to the cell center of the first cell than the second beam layer.

42. A wireless communication device, applied to a terminal device, comprising: A communication unit is configured to perform initial access to a first cell, wherein the first cell is covered by multiple beam layers, and different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

43. A wireless communication device, applied to a network device, comprising: The communication unit is configured to perform beam scanning to achieve coverage of a first cell through multiple beam layers, where different beam layers in the multiple beam layers correspond to different coverage ranges in the first cell.

44. A terminal device comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the terminal device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

45. A network device comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory so as to enable the network device to perform the method according to any one of claims 25 to 41.

46. ​​A chip comprising: A processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, or the method according to any one of claims 25 to 41.

47. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein the computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, or the method according to any one of claims 25 to 41.

48. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions, the computer program instructions causing a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24, or any one of claims 25 to 41.

49. A computer program, the computer program causing a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24, or any one of claims 25 to 41.

Images