Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device. When the first network equipment is in the first state, first indication information from a main node of the terminal equipment is received, the first indication information is used for indicating that the first network equipment serves as an auxiliary node of the terminal equipment, and when the first network equipment is in the first state, data interaction between the first network equipment and any terminal equipment is not allowed, and SSB is not allowed to be sent; the first network equipment is switched to the second state, the first network equipment is allowed to perform data interaction with the terminal equipment when in the second state, and the SSB is allowed to be sent, so that the first state is more energy-saving than the second state; and the first network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device for the terminal device to initially access the first network device. The main node selects the first network device in the first state as the auxiliary node of the terminal device, the first network device is switched from the first state to the second state based on triggering of the main node, the terminal device is accessed through the first SSB, and normal service is provided for the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of communication systems, the dual connectivity (DC) technology has been proposed. Dual connectivity means that a terminal device simultaneously accesses two network devices for uplink and downlink communication. For example, downlink data from the core network is divided into two parts and sent to two network devices respectively, and the two network devices send the downlink data to the terminal device. The two network devices jointly serve the terminal device, which can improve the data transmission rate and facilitate load balancing, etc. In the dual connectivity scenario, the two network devices accessed by the terminal device are respectively called the master node and the secondary node. The terminal device first accesses the master node, and then adds the secondary node according to actual needs. During the process of the terminal device accessing any network device, the network device periodically sends synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs), and the terminal device periodically receives the SSBs, and the terminal device accesses the network device through the SSBs. After the network device is powered on, it starts to periodically send SSBs. In the night or in sparsely populated areas, there will be no terminal devices in the coverage area of the network device for a long time, and it is very energy-consuming for the network device to continuously and periodically send SSBs. In the dual connectivity scenario in this case, how to enable the secondary node to normally provide services for the terminal device while considering the energy saving of the network device is a problem that needs to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus thereof, which are used to enable the secondary node to normally provide services for the terminal device while considering network energy saving.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a first network device, or by other devices including the functions of the first network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules that can implement the functions of the first network device. The chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed in the first network device. Taking the example where the method is executed by the first network device: When the first network device is in a first state, it receives first indication information from a second network device; the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device. The first state is a state where the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs); the first network device switches from the first state to a second state; the second state is a state where the first network device is allowed to perform data interaction with the terminal device and is allowed to send SSBs; the first network device sends a first SSB to the terminal device, and the first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the first network device.

[0005] In this embodiment, when the first network device is in the first state, it is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send SSBs; when the first network device is in the second state, it is allowed to perform data interaction with the terminal device and is allowed to send SSBs; the first state is more energy-efficient than the second state. The master node selects the first network device in the first state as the secondary node of the terminal device. The first network device switches from the first state to the second state and starts sending the first SSB only based on the trigger of the master node. Through the first SSB, the terminal device can initially access the first network device, enabling the first network device to provide normal services to the terminal device. Without the trigger of the master node, it remains in the first state, which can better meet the energy-saving requirements of the first network device.

[0006] In a possible implementation, when the first network device monitors the arrival of the starting transmission time point, it starts to send the first SSB to the terminal device; the method further includes: The first network device sends second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0007] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting transmission time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting reception time point. The starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or differ very little. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the power consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late, and can also avoid the power consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Through the constraints of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point, energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved. Further, in this implementation, the first network device determines the starting transmission time point and sends it to the terminal device through the master node.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the second indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point is specifically: the second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, the second indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0009] In this implementation, indicating the starting transmission time point by means of an index is simple and clear, and has a small signaling overhead.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point of sending the second indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, the time point of indicating to the second network device that the first network device agrees to be the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0011] In a possible implementation, when the first network device monitors the arrival of the starting transmission time point, it starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device; the method further includes: receiving third indication information from the second network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point.

[0012] In this implementation manner, the first network device starts to send the first SSB at the starting transmission time point, and the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB at the starting reception time point. The starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or differ very little. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the power consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late, and can also avoid the power consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Through the constraints of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point, energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved. Further, in this implementation manner, the second network device (master node) determines the starting transmission time point and notifies it to the first network device.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the third indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point is specifically: the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the first starting transmission time point; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0014] In this implementation manner, indicating the starting transmission time point by means of an index is simple and clear, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point of receiving the third indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, the time point of indicating to the second network device that it agrees to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the first network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device based on a first period; the method further includes: the first network device receives fourth indication information from the terminal device; where the fourth indication information is used to indicate to send a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; the first network device sends the second SSB to the terminal device based on the second period.

[0017] In this implementation, the period of the first SSB is shorter than that of the second SSB. When the terminal device accesses the first network device based on the first SSB as compared to accessing the first network device based on the second SSB, the time for accessing the first network device can be shortened. This will also increase the time that the first network device is in the first state, which can further reduce the power consumption of the first network device and obtain an energy-saving gain. When the first network device switches from transmitting the first SSB to transmitting the second SSB, it can ensure the effectiveness of the network functions related to the second SSB in the first network device. Also, when the terminal device fails to access the first network device based on the first SSB, it can then access the first network device based on the second SSB, avoiding the situation where the terminal device cannot access the first network device after failing to access the first network device based on the first SSB. When the first network device switches from transmitting the first SSB to transmitting the second SSB based on the indication of the terminal device, it can better meet the service requirements of the terminal device.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a second network device, or by other devices including the functions of the second network device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules that can implement the functions of the second network device. For example, the chip system or functional modules are provided in the second network device. Taking the example where this method is executed by the second network device: The second network device sends first indication information to the first network device in the first state; wherein, the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state where the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs); The second network device sends fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0019] In this embodiment, when the first network device is in the first state, it is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send SSBs; when the first network device is in the second state, it is allowed to perform data interaction with the terminal device and is allowed to send SSBs; the first state is more energy-saving than the second state. The master node selects the first network device in the first state as the secondary node of the terminal device. The first network device switches from the first state to the second state and starts to transmit the first SSB only based on the trigger of the master node, and the terminal device initially accesses the first network device through the first SSB, enabling the first network device to normally provide services for the terminal device. And when not triggered by the master node, it remains in the first state, which can better meet the energy-saving requirements of the first network device.

[0020] In a possible implementation, it further includes: the second network device sends second indication information from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point of the first network device for sending the first SSB, and the starting transmission time point is used by the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0021] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting transmission time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting reception time point. The starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or differ very little. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the power consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late, and can also avoid the power consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Through the constraints of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point, energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved. Further, in this implementation, the first network device determines the starting transmission time point and sends it to the terminal device through the master node.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the second indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point specifically is: the second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, the second indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0023] In this implementation, indicating the starting transmission time point by means of an index is simple and clear, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the second network device sends third indication information to the first network device and sends the third indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB according to the starting transmission time point.

[0025] In this implementation, the first network device starts sending the first SSB at the starting transmission time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting reception time point. The starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or differ very little. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the power consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late, and can also avoid the power consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Through the constraints of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point, energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved. Further, in this implementation, the second network device (master node) determines the starting transmission time point and notifies it to the first network device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point specifically is: the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, the third indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0027] In this implementation, indicating the starting transmission time point by means of an index is simple and clear, and has a small signaling overhead.

[0028] In a possible implementation, before the second network device sends the first indication information to the first network device in the first state, it further includes: receiving sixth indication information from the terminal device; where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirement of the terminal device; and the second network device determines to add a secondary node for the terminal device based on the service requirement.

[0029] In this implementation, the terminal device reporting its own service requirement to the master node can enable the master node to add a secondary node for the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0030] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by other devices including the functions of the terminal device, or by a chip system (which can also be replaced by a chip) or other functional modules, and the chip system or functional module can implement the functions of the terminal device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, provided in the terminal device. Taking the execution of this method by the terminal device as an example for introduction: The terminal device receives fifth indication information from a second network device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate using a first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the second network device is a primary node of the terminal device; the terminal device receives seventh indication information from the second network device, and the seventh indication information is used to indicate a starting transmission time point for the first network device to send a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB; when the monitoring reaches the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB, the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device, and the first SSB is used for the terminal device to perform an initial access process for the first network device, and the starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point.

[0031] In this implementation, the first network device starts to send the first SSB at the starting transmission time point, and the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB at the starting reception time point. The starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or differ very little. The first network device and the terminal device send and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late, and can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device sending the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Through the constraints of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point, energy saving of the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the seventh indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point specifically is: the seventh indication information is used to indicate an index of the starting transmission time point; or, the seventh indication information is used to indicate a time length, wherein the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

[0033] In this implementation, indicating the starting transmission time point by means of an index is simple and clear, and the signaling overhead is small.

[0034] In a possible implementation, when the seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point, the starting reception time point is determined by querying at least one preset correspondence based on the index, and the at least one correspondence includes the correspondence between different indexes and different starting reception time points; when the seventh indication information is used to indicate the time length, the starting reception time point is determined by adding the time length to the second reference time point determined by the terminal device.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point when the fifth indication information is received, the time point when the seventh indication information is received.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives the first SSB from the first network device based on a first period; the method further includes: the terminal device sends fourth indication information to the first network device; wherein, the fourth indication information is used to indicate the first network device to send a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; the terminal device receives the second SSB from the first network device based on the second period.

[0037] In this implementation, the period of the first SSB is shorter than the period of the second SSB. Compared with accessing the first network device based on the second SSB, the terminal device accessing the first network device based on the first SSB can shorten the time to access the first network device, which will also increase the time when the first network device is in the first state, further reducing the energy consumption of the first network device and obtaining an energy-saving gain. The first network device switching from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB can ensure the effectiveness of the network functions related to the second SSB in the first network device, and can also, when the terminal device fails to access the first network device based on the first SSB, access the first network device based on the second SSB to avoid the situation where the terminal device cannot access the first network device after failing to access the first network device based on the first SSB. The first network device switching from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB according to the indication of the terminal device can better meet the service requirements of the terminal device.

[0038] In a possible implementation, before receiving the fifth indication information from the second network device, the terminal device further includes: sending sixth indication information to the second network device, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device, and the service requirements are used by the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0039] In this implementation, the terminal device reporting its own service requirements to the master node can enable the master node to add a secondary node for the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the first network device described in the first aspect above. The communication device has the functions of the first network device described above. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the first network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system, etc. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement a transmission function and a reception function. When the transceiver unit implements the transmission function, it can be referred to as a transmission unit (sometimes also referred to as a transmission module). When the transceiver unit implements the reception function, it can be referred to as a reception unit (sometimes also referred to as a reception module). The transmission unit and the reception unit may be the same functional module, and this functional module is called the transceiver unit, which can implement the transmission function and the reception function; or, the transmission unit and the reception unit may be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module). The processing unit is used to be coupled with the storage unit and execute the programs or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to execute the functions of the first network device described in the first aspect above.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to, when the communication device is in a first state, receive first indication information from a second network device; the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device. The first state is a state in which the communication device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB; the processing unit is configured to switch the communication device from the first state to a second state; the second state is a state in which the communication device is allowed to perform data interaction with the terminal device and is allowed to send an SSB; the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first SSB to the terminal device, and the first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the communication device.

[0043] In a possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device, it is specifically configured to start sending the first SSB to the terminal device when the monitoring reaches the starting transmission time point; the transceiver unit is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0044] In a possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device, it is specifically configured to start sending the first SSB to the terminal device when monitoring reaches the starting transmission time point; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive third indication information from the second network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point.

[0045] In a possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is used to send the first SSB to the terminal device, it is specifically configured to send the first SSB to the terminal device based on a first period; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth indication information from the terminal device; wherein, the fourth indication information is used to indicate sending a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; and to send the second SSB to the terminal device based on the second period.

[0046] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the second network device described in the second aspect above. The communication device has the functions of the second network device above. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the second network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system, etc. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, and this functional module is called the transceiver unit, and this functional module can implement the sending function and the receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is used to be coupled with the storage unit and execute the programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to execute the functions of the second network device described in the second aspect above.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to send first indication information to a first network device in a first state; wherein, the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs); and to send fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send second indication information from the first network device to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the start transmission time point of the first SSB sent by the first network device, and the start transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the start reception time point of receiving the first SSB.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send third indication information to the first network device and send the third indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the start reception time point of receiving the first SSB according to the start transmission time point.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive sixth indication information from the terminal device; wherein, the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirement of the terminal device; the processing unit is configured to determine, based on the service requirement, that a secondary node needs to be added for the terminal device.

[0052] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, and the communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect above. The communication device has the functions of the above terminal device. The communication device is, for example, a functional module in the terminal device, such as a baseband device or a chip system, etc. In an optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, and this functional module is called the transceiver unit, and this functional module can implement the sending function and the receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also referred to as a storage module). The processing unit is used to be coupled with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit, enabling the communication device to perform the functions of the terminal device described in the first aspect above.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to: receive fifth indication information from a second network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate using a first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the second network device is the primary node of the terminal device; and receive seventh indication information from the second network device, where the seventh indication information is used to indicate a starting transmission time point for the first network device to transmit a first synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB; and start receiving the first SSB from the first network device when monitoring reaches the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB, where the first SSB is used for the terminal device to perform an initial access procedure for the first network device, and the starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point.

[0055] In a possible implementation, when the transceiver unit is configured to receive the first SSB from the first network device, it is specifically configured to receive the first SSB from the first network device based on a first period; the transceiver unit is further configured to send fourth indication information to the first network device; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device transmits a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the second SSB from the first network device based on the second period.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send sixth indication information to the second network device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device, and the service requirements are used for the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, including an interface circuit and a processor. Optionally, a memory is further included. The memory is used to store computer programs. The processor is coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer programs or instructions, the communication device is caused to execute the method performed by the first network device in the first aspect above, or execute the method performed by the second network device in the second aspect above, or execute the method performed by the terminal device in the third aspect above. Exemplarily, the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method performed by the first network device in the first aspect above through logic circuits or by executing code instructions, or is used to implement the method performed by the second network device in the second aspect above, or is used to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the third aspect above.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor. Optionally, a memory is further included. The processor is coupled to the memory. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions. The processor is used to execute some or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory. When the some or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the functions of the first network device in the first aspect above, or is used to implement the functions of the second network device in the second aspect above, or is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the third aspect above.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the device may further include a transceiver, which is used to send the signals processed by the processor or receive the signals input to the processor. The transceiver can perform the sending actions or receiving actions performed by the first network device in the first aspect, or the second network device in the second aspect, or the terminal device in the third aspect.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the processing unit in the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and the sixth aspect can be implemented by the processor, the storage unit in the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and the sixth aspect can be implemented by the memory, and the transceiver unit in the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and the sixth aspect can be implemented by the transceiver.

[0061] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, including at least two of a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device. Among them, the first network device is used to execute the method executed by the first network device described in the first aspect above, the second network device is used to execute the method executed by the second network device described in the second aspect above, and the terminal device is used to execute the method executed by the terminal device described in the third aspect above. For example, the first network device can be implemented by the communication device described in the fourth aspect, the second network device can be implemented by the communication device described in the fifth aspect, and the terminal device can be implemented by the communication device described in the sixth aspect.

[0062] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instructions, and when it runs, the methods in the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect above are implemented.

[0063] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided. When it runs on a computer, the methods in the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect above are implemented. Description of the Drawings

[0064] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by this application;

[0065] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the access process of the secondary node of the 5G NR dual-connection technology in the prior art;

[0066] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided by this application;

[0067] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the state transition of a network device provided by this application;

[0068] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a communication method process provided by this application;

[0069] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a communication method process provided by this application;

[0070] Figure 7a It is a pattern of a first SSB provided by this application;

[0071] Figure 7b It is a pattern of a second SSB provided by this application;

[0072] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of a communication method process provided by this application;

[0073] Figure 9A structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

[0074] Figure 10 A structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0075] The technical solution of this application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, including but not limited to the 4th generation (4G) mobile communication technology (also known as the long term evolution (LTE) system), the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology (also known as the new radio (NR) system), or can also be applied to the next generation mobile communication system or other similar communication systems (such as the 6th generation (6G) mobile communication technology), etc., without specific limitations. In addition, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this application can be applied to the device-to-device (D2D) scenario, such as the NR-D2D scenario, etc., or can be applied to the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication scenario, such as the NR-V2X scenario, etc. For example, it can be used in the fields of intelligent driving, assisted driving, or intelligent connected vehicles. Also, for example, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this application can also be applied to the factory manufacturing scenario, etc. In addition, the scenarios to which the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this application can be applied include but are not limited to: terrestrial cellular communication, non-terrestrial network (NTN), satellite communication, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication, etc.

[0076] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applied in the embodiments of this application. The terminal device accesses two network devices, and the two network devices jointly serve the terminal device. The terminal device is connected to the network device wirelessly. The network devices can be connected to each other by wired or wireless means. The network device is connected to the core network by wireless or wired means. The core network device and the network device can be independent different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device can be integrated on the same physical device, or the functions of part of the core network device and part of the network device can be integrated on a physical device.

[0077] The network device is a node in a radio access network (RAN), also referred to as an access network device, and can also be called a RAN node (or device). The network device is used to assist the terminal device in achieving wireless access. Multiple network devices in the communication system 1000 can be of the same type of node or different types of nodes.

[0078] In a possible scenario, the network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access point (AP) in a satellite, an integrated access and backhaul IAB node, a network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, that is, it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The network device can be a macro base station (such as Figure 1 110a in Figure 1 ), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as

[0079] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices cooperate to assist a terminal device in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement some functions of a base station. For example, a network device may be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU may be separately provided, or may also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the network device may be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as a network device in the radio access network (RAN), or the CU may be classified as a network device in the core network (CN), which is not limited herein.

[0080] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0081] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver functions that can send signals to a network device or receive signals from a network device. The terminal device includes, but is not limited to, a terminal unit, a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied to various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, etc. Specifically, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver functions, a wearable device, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the terminal device.

[0082] The network device and the terminal device can be fixed in position or movable. The network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the terminal device.

[0083] In Figure 1 a communication system, two network devices that jointly serve a terminal device are respectively referred to as a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN). The master node and the secondary node can be connected through a backhaul line, which can be an optical fiber link or a microwave link. Among the master node and the secondary node, the master node is connected to the core network. The secondary node can be connected to the core network or not connected to the core network, but transmits data through the master node as an intermediary.

[0084] The communication system can be applicable to the Standalone (SA) mode, i.e., the master node and the secondary node are of the same radio access technology. For example, both the master node and the secondary node are 4G nodes. The master node can be called MeNB (Master eNodeB), and the secondary node can be called SeNB (Secondary eNodeB). The interface between the master node and the secondary node is the X2 interface (X2 interface). Another example is that both the master node and the secondary node are 5G nodes. The master node can be called MgNB (Master gNodeB), and the secondary node can be called SgNB (Secondary gNodeB). The interface between the master node and the secondary node is the Xn interface (Xn interface). Still another example is that both the master node and the secondary node are 6G nodes.

[0085] The communication system can be applicable to the Non-Standalone (NSA) mode, i.e., the master node and the secondary node are of different radio access technologies. For example, the master node is a 4G node and the secondary node is a 5G node. Another example is that the master node is a 5G node and the secondary node is a 6G node.

[0086] In the dual connectivity (DC) scenario, the terminal device first accesses the master node, and then adds the secondary node according to actual requirements. The initial access process of the secondary node is initiated by the master node. The secondary node periodically sends SSB, and the terminal device periodically receives SSB to achieve the access of the terminal device to the secondary node.

[0087] As Figure 2 shown, a schematic diagram of the access process of the secondary node for the 5G NR dual connectivity technology is provided, including the following steps:

[0088] Step 21: The master node sends a secondary node addition request signaling (SgNB Addition Request) to the secondary node, requesting resources for a specific radio bearer. In this signaling, the master node informs the secondary node of the capabilities of the terminal device and provides recent communication environment measurement data for the secondary node to configure.

[0089] Step 22: The secondary node returns a secondary node addition acknowledgment signaling (SgNB Addition Request Acknowledge) to the master node. This signaling contains necessary RRC configuration information. The secondary node also prepares the radio resources for the access of the terminal device.

[0090] Step 23: The master node sends an RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRC Connection Reconfiguration) to the terminal device. This signaling contains the RRC configuration information in the secondary node addition acknowledgment signaling.

[0091] Step 24: The terminal device performs RRC connection reconfiguration based on the RRC configuration information and sends an RRC connection reconfiguration complete signaling (RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete) to the master node.

[0092] Step 25: The master node sends a secondary node reconfiguration complete signaling (SgNBReconfigurationComplete) to the secondary node, indicating that the terminal device has completed the reconfiguration.

[0093] Step 26: The terminal device and the secondary node perform an initial access process.

[0094] In step 26, the secondary node periodically sends SSBs, and the terminal device periodically receives SSBs to enable the terminal device to access the secondary node. For any network device, after power-on, it starts to periodically send SSBs. For the secondary node, before step 21, it continuously and periodically sends SSBs.

[0095] At night or in sparsely populated areas, there will be no terminal devices in the coverage area of the network device for a long time, and continuously and periodically sending SSBs by the network device is very energy-consuming.

[0096] In the dual-connection scenario of this application, considering the energy saving of the network device, a communication method for enabling the secondary node to normally provide services for the terminal device is proposed.

[0097] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to Figure 1 the network architecture shown or other network architectures. Taking the application to Figure 1 as an example, for example, the terminal devices involved in the embodiments of this application can be the terminal devices in Figure 1 The first network devices involved in the embodiments of this application can be the secondary nodes in Figure 1 The second network devices involved in the embodiments of this application can be the master nodes in Figure 1 .

[0098] Hereinafter, some terms or concepts in the embodiments of this application are explained to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0099] 1), The first SSB in the embodiments of this application can be referred to as an on-demand SSB. An on-demand SSB means that the SSB is not a cell-level periodic broadcast signal that is continuously sent, but a user-level signal triggered by a specific indication, and can be sent by broadcast or unicast. Optionally, the on-demand SSB can stop being sent according to specific rules.

[0100] The first SSB can be a normal SSB (i.e., traditional SSB) or a compact SSB. When there is a second SSB, the first SSB can be referred to as a compact SSB, and the second SSB can be referred to as a normal SSB.

[0101] Differences between the first SSB and the second SSB: The lengths of the periods of the first SSB and the second SSB are different, and the SSB patterns are different. The length of the period of the first SSB is less than the length of the period of the second SSB, and the idle transmission intervals in the first SSB pattern are fewer than those in the second SSB pattern. Under the same environmental factors, the latency of accessing the secondary node based on the first SSB is lower than that based on the second SSB.

[0102] The network device sends the SSB by means of beam scanning, that is, the SSB is sent on different beams through time division multiplexing. The multiple SSBs sent in one beam scanning can be called an SSB Burst Set or an SSB set or an SSB sample. The length of the period of the SSB refers to the time interval between sending two SSB Burst Sets / SSB sets / SSB samples or the time interval between two beam scannings.

[0103] The internal structures of the first SSB and the second SSB can be the same or different. In an example of being the same, both the first SSB and the second SSB occupy 4 consecutive symbols. The first symbol carries the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the third symbol carries the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the second symbol and the fourth symbol carry the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In an example of being different, the second SSB occupies 4 consecutive symbols. The first symbol carries the primary synchronization signal PSS, the third symbol carries the secondary synchronization signal SSS, and the second symbol and the fourth symbol carry the physical broadcast channel PBCH. The first SSB occupies 2 consecutive symbols. The first symbol carries the primary synchronization signal PSS, and the second symbol carries the secondary synchronization signal SSS. This design of the first SSB only retains the synchronization function, and the system information carried by the PBCH will be provided by other signals, which can reduce the transmission overhead of the first SSB.

[0104] In the embodiments of the present application, "transmitting the first SSB" means transmitting the first SSB in units of one period, or one SSB burst set / SSB set / SSB sample, so that the network device transmits an integer number of periods, or an integer number of SSB burst sets / SSB sets / SSB samples of the first SSB. Similarly, in the embodiments of the present application, "transmitting the second SSB" means transmitting the second SSB in units of one period or one SSB burst set, so that the network device transmits an integer number of periods or an integer number of SSB burst sets / SSB sets / SSB samples of the second SSB.

[0105] 2) The master node and the secondary node are defined with respect to the terminal device. The master node of UE1 may be the master node of UE2 or the secondary node of UE2; the secondary node of UE1 may be the master node of UE2 or the secondary node of UE2.

[0106] The first network device (i.e., the secondary node) and the second network device (i.e., the master node) involved in the embodiments of the present application may be network devices of the same system, such as 4G network devices, or 5G network devices, or 6G network devices. The first network device (i.e., the secondary node) and the second network device (i.e., the master node) involved in the embodiments of the present application may be network devices of different systems. For example, the first network device is a 5G network device and the second network device is a 4G network device. For another example, the first network device is a 6G network device and the second network device is a 5G network device.

[0107] 3) Beams: divided into analog beams and digital beams. Analog beams are generated by multiple phase shifters of an analog filter. By configuring the phases of the multiple phase shifters, the signals generated by the superposition of the multiple phases have different signal gains in different directions, thus forming a beam in space. In the process of forming digital beams, the participation of phase shifters is not required. Instead, digital beams are formed by digitally weighting the multiple signals sent from the baseband to the antenna.

[0108] 4) When the network device is in the first state, it means that the network device is not allowed to interact with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB. The first state can be referred to as the micro sleep state, or the light sleep state, or the deep sleep state, or the sleep state, or the deactivation state, or the energy saving state, or the non-transmission state, etc.

[0109] When the network device is in the second state, it means that the network device is allowed to interact with the terminal device and is allowed to send SSB. The second state can be referred to as the wake state, or the activation state, or the transmission state, or the non-energy saving state, or the energy-consuming state.

[0110] The energy consumption of the network device when it is in the second state is greater than the energy consumption of the network device when it is in the first state.

[0111] To better introduce the embodiments of the present application, the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application will be introduced below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following text, if there is no special description, in the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of the present application, the steps indicated by the dashed lines are all optional steps.

[0112] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided by an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0113] Step 300: The first network device is in the first state. The first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs).

[0114] Step 301: The second network device (master node) sends first indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0115] The first indication information may be carried in a secondary node addition request signaling or other signaling. A possible scenario is that when there is a large-bandwidth downlink service requirement or other necessary requirements in the network, the capacity of the second network device is insufficient to support the communication service needs of the terminal device, and the second network device adds a secondary node for the terminal device to share the communication service requirements of the terminal device.

[0116] Optionally, after receiving the first indication information, the first network device may send eighth indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information; the eighth indication information is used to indicate consent to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0117] Step 302: The second network device sends fifth indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0118] The fifth indication information may be carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) or other signaling.

[0119] Optionally, the second network device may execute step 302 after step 301 (sending the first indication information to the first network device). Or, the second network device executes step 302 after receiving the eighth indication information.

[0120] Step 303: After receiving the first indication information, the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0121] The second state is a state where the first network device allows data interaction with the terminal device and allows the transmission of SSB. The first network device is in the first state when receiving the first indication information, and switches its state after receiving the first indication information, switching from the first state to the second state.

[0122] Step 304: The first network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device when in the second state. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first SSB. The first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the first network device.

[0123] In this embodiment, when the first network device is in the first state, it does not allow data interaction with any terminal device and does not allow the transmission of SSB; when in the second state, it allows data interaction with the terminal device and allows the transmission of SSB; the first state is more energy-efficient than the second state. The master node selects the first network device in the first state as the secondary node of the terminal device. The first network device switches from the first state to the second state and starts sending the first SSB only based on the trigger of the master node. The terminal device initially accesses the first network device through the first SSB, enabling the first network device to provide normal services to the terminal device. When not triggered by the master node, it remains in the first state, which can better meet the energy-saving requirements of the first network device.

[0124] Specifically, as Figure 4 shown, a schematic diagram of the state transition of the network device is provided. If the network device is always in the transmission state (i.e., the second state above), it will continuously send the SSB set. This application proposes energy-saving for the network device. The network device does not send the SSB set in the sleep state (i.e., the first state above) and sends the SSB set after switching to the transmission state. Thus, the energy-saving requirements of the first network device can be better met.

[0125] In the above step 304, when the first network device sends the first SSB to the terminal device, in a possible implementation, a starting transmission time point can be set. The first network device starts sending the first SSB to the terminal device when it monitors that the starting transmission time point is reached. Optionally, the starting transmission time point is later than the time point when the first network device switches to the second state. The starting transmission time point can be determined by the first network device, or by the second network device, or jointly determined by the first network device and the second network device.

[0126] In a possible implementation, to further achieve energy saving for the terminal device and the network device, the starting transmission time point can be indicated to the terminal device, and the terminal device determines the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB based on the starting transmission time point. The starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or the difference between the two is less than a set threshold. In this implementation, the first network device starts transmitting the first SSB at the starting transmission time point, and the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB at the starting reception time point. The starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same or have a very small difference. The first network device and the terminal device transmit and receive the first SSB at the same or almost the same time point, which can avoid the energy consumption of the first network device caused by the first network device transmitting the first SSB too early and the terminal device receiving the first SSB too late, and can also avoid the energy consumption of the terminal device caused by the first network device transmitting the first SSB too late and the terminal device starting to monitor the first SSB too early. Through the constraints of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point, energy saving for the network device and the terminal device can be further achieved.

[0127] In addition, it should be noted that the starting transmission time point is a possible name for the time point when the first network device starts transmitting the first SSB, and it does not limit the name of the time point when the first network device starts transmitting the first SSB. The time point when the first network device starts transmitting the first SSB can also be called the first time point, or other time points or other names. Similarly, the starting reception time point is a possible name for the time point when the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB, and it does not limit the name of the time point when the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB. The time point when the terminal device starts receiving the first SSB can also be called the second time point, or other time points or other names.

[0128] The following introduces the relevant content of the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point through multiple examples:

[0129] Example 1: The first network device determines the starting transmission time point and indicates it to the terminal device through the second network device.

[0130] Exemplarily, the first network device sends second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device. The second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

[0131] Example 1.1: The second indication information is used to indicate that the specific start transmission time point is: the second indication information is used to indicate the index of the start transmission time point. The start transmission time point can be a certain time slot, or a certain sub-frame, etc., and the index can be the index of the time slot, or the index of the sub-frame, etc. Indicating the start transmission time point in the way of index is simple and clear, and has small signaling overhead.

[0132] The start reception time point of the terminal device receiving the first SSB can be the time point of this index, that is, the start transmission time point and the start reception time point are the same. The start reception time point can also be determined by querying at least one preset corresponding relationship based on the index. The at least one corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between different indexes and different start reception time points. This corresponding relationship can exist in the form of a table or in the form of a mathematical formula.

[0133] Example 1.2: The second indication information is used to indicate that the specific start transmission time point is: the second indication information is used to indicate the time length. Based on the first reference time point determined by the first network device, adding the time length to obtain the start transmission time point. The unit of this time length can be a time slot, a sub-frame, a millisecond, etc. For example, the time length is P time slots, or N sub-frames, or Q milliseconds, etc., where P and N are positive integers and Q is a positive real number. In a possible implementation manner, the time length is the configured time of the timer. The first network device starts the timer at the first reference time point, and when the timer ends, it reaches the start transmission time point and starts to transmit the first SSB.

[0134] The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point when the first network device sends the second indication information to the second network device, the time point when the first network device receives the first indication information (refer to step 301), the time point when the first network device sends the eighth indication information to the second network device, and the eighth indication information is used to indicate consent to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device (refer to the eighth indication information described in step 301). In one example, the first network device uses any one of the time points as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses the time point when sending the second indication information as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses the time point when receiving the first indication information as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses the time point when indicating consent to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device to the second network device as the first reference time point. In one example, the first network device uses the first, or second, or a certain symbol, or a period of time after any one of the time points as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses 1 ms after the time point when sending the second indication information as the first reference time point.

[0135] When the first network device sends the second indication information to the second network device, the second indication information may be carried in the secondary node addition confirmation signaling or other signaling sent by the first network device to the second network device; when the second network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information may be carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) or other signaling.

[0136] When the second indication information is used to indicate the time length, the starting reception time point of the terminal device to receive the first SSB may be determined by adding the time length to the second reference time point determined by the terminal device. In a possible implementation manner, the time length is the configured time of the timer. The terminal device starts the timer at the second reference time point and reaches the starting reception time point when the timer expires, and starts to receive the first SSB.

[0137] The second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information (refer to step 302), the time point when the terminal device receives the second indication information. In one example, the terminal device uses any one of the time points as the second reference time point. For example, the terminal device uses the time point when it receives the fifth indication information as the second reference time point. For example, the terminal device uses the time point when it receives the second indication information as the second reference time point. In one example, the first, or second, or a certain symbol, or a period of time after any one of the time points is used as the second reference time point. For example, the terminal device uses 0.5 ms after the time point when it receives the second indication information as the second reference time point.

[0138] Combined with Example 1, as Figure 5 shown, a schematic diagram of a communication process is introduced, including the following steps:

[0139] Step 500: The first network device is in the first state.

[0140] Step 501: The second network device sends the first indication information to the first network device in the first state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0141] For example, the first indication information is carried in the secondary node addition request signaling.

[0142] Step 502: After the first network device receives the first indication information (step 501), it sends the second indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0143] Optionally, after receiving the first indication information (step 501), the first network device sends eighth indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information, and the eighth indication information is used to indicate consent to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0144] The eighth indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same signaling. For example, the eighth indication information and the second indication information are carried in a secondary node addition confirmation signaling. The eighth indication information and the second indication information may also be carried in different signaling.

[0145] Step 502a: After or when sending the second indication information, the first network device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0146] Step 503: After receiving the first indication information (step 501), the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0147] In Figure 5 the example, step 503 is after step 502. In other examples, the order of step 502 and step 503 is not restricted. In Figure 5 the example, step 503 is after step 502a. In other examples, the order of step 502a and step 503 is not restricted.

[0148] Step 504: After receiving the second indication information (step 502), the second network device sends fifth indication information and the second indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the second indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0149] In Figure 5 the example, the fifth indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling. For example, the fifth indication information and the second indication information are carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration signaling. In other examples, the fifth indication information and the second indication information may also be carried in different signaling.

[0150] Optionally, after step 504, the terminal device also sends confirmation information or reconfiguration completion information to the second network device to inform the terminal device that it has received the content in step 504. Optionally, after receiving this information from the terminal device, the second network device may also send confirmation information or secondary node addition completion information to the first network device to inform the first network device that the terminal device already knows that the first network device is a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0151] Step 504a: After receiving the fifth indication information and the second indication information or when receiving the fifth indication information and the second indication information, the terminal device starts a timer, and the timer measures time based on this configuration information.

[0152] Step 505a: When the first network device determines that the timer ends (i.e., reaches the starting transmission time point for sending the first SSB), it starts to send the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0153] Step 505b: When the terminal device determines that the timer ends (i.e., reaches the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB), it starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device.

[0154] Step 506: The terminal device performs an initial access procedure to the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0155] Example 2: The second network device respectively indicates the starting transmission time point of the first SSB to the first network device and the terminal device.

[0156] Exemplarily, the second network device sends third indication information to the first network device and sends the third indication information to the terminal device; the third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission point.

[0157] Example 2.1: The third indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point specifically is: the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the first starting transmission time point. This starting transmission time point can be a certain time slot, or a certain subframe, etc., and this index can be the index of the time slot, or the index of the subframe, etc. Indicating the starting transmission time point in the way of index is simple and clear, and has small signaling overhead.

[0158] The starting reception time point for the terminal device to receive the first SSB can be the time point of this index, that is, the starting transmission time point and the starting reception time point are the same. The starting reception time point can also be determined by querying at least one preset corresponding relationship based on the index, and the at least one corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between different indexes and different starting reception time points. This corresponding relationship can exist in the form of a table or in the form of a mathematical formula.

[0159] Example 2.2: The third indication information is used to indicate that the specific start transmission time point is: The third indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the start transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to the first reference time point determined by the first network device. The unit of the time length can be a time slot, a subframe, a millisecond, etc. For example, the time length is P time slots, or N subframes, or Q milliseconds, etc., where P and N are positive integers and Q is a positive real number. In a possible implementation, the time length is the configured time of a timer. The first network device starts the timer at the first reference time point and reaches the start transmission time point when the timer ends, and starts to transmit the first SSB.

[0160] The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point when the first network device receives the third indication information, the time point when the first network device receives the first indication information (refer to step 301), the time point when the first network device sends the eighth indication information to the second network device, and the eighth indication information is used to indicate consent to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device (refer to the eighth indication information described in step 301). In one example, the first network device uses any one of the time points as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses the time point when it receives the third indication information as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses the time point when it receives the first indication information as the first reference time point. For example, the first network device uses the time point when it indicates to the second network device consent to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device as the first reference time point. In one example, the first network device uses the first, or second, or a certain symbol or a period of time after any one of the time points as the first reference time point.

[0161] When the second network device sends the third indication information to the first network device, the third indication information can be carried in a secondary node addition request signaling or other signaling sent by the second network device to the first network device; when the second network device sends the third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information can be carried in an RRC connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) or other signaling.

[0162] When the third indication information is used to indicate a time length, the start reception time point for the terminal device to receive the first SSB can be determined by adding the time length to the second reference time point determined by the terminal device. In a possible implementation, the time length is the configured time of a timer. The terminal device starts the timer at the second reference time point and reaches the start reception time point when the timer ends, and starts to receive the first SSB.

[0163] The second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: the time point when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information (refer to step 302), or the time point when the terminal device receives the third indication information. In one example, the terminal device uses any one of the time points as the second reference time point. For example, the terminal device uses the time point when it receives the fifth indication information as the second reference time point. For example, the terminal device uses the time point when it receives the third indication information as the second reference time point. In one example, the terminal device uses the first, or second, or a certain symbol, or a period after any one of the time points as the second reference time point.

[0164] Combined with Example 2, as Figure 6 shown, a schematic diagram of a communication process is introduced, including the following steps:

[0165] Step 600: The first network device is in the first state.

[0166] Step 601: The second network device sends the first indication information and the third indication information to the first network device in the first state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information and the third indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0167] In Figure 6 the example, the first indication information and the third indication information are carried in the same signaling. For example, the first indication information and the third indication information are carried in the secondary node addition request signaling. In other examples, the first indication information and the third indication information can also be carried in different signalings.

[0168] Step 602: After receiving the first indication information (step 601), the first network device sends the eighth indication information to the second network device. The eighth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device agrees to be used as the secondary node of the terminal device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information.

[0169] For example, the eighth indication information is carried in the secondary node addition confirmation signaling.

[0170] Step 602a: After or when sending the eighth indication information, the first network device starts a timer, and the timer times based on the configuration information.

[0171] Step 603: After receiving the first indication information (step 601), the first network device switches from the first state to the second state.

[0172] In Figure 6In the example, step 603 is after step 602. In other examples, the order of step 602 and step 603 is not restricted. In Figure 6 the example, step 603 is after step 602a. In other examples, the order of step 602a and step 603 is not restricted.

[0173] Step 604: After receiving the eighth indication information (step 602), the second network device sends the fifth indication information and the third indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the third indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is the secondary node of the terminal device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer.

[0174] In Figure 6 the example, the fifth indication information and the third indication information are carried in the same signaling. For example, the fifth indication information and the third indication information are carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration signaling. In other examples, the fifth indication information and the third indication information can also be carried in different signaling.

[0175] Optionally, after step 604, the terminal device also sends an acknowledgment message or a reconfiguration complete message to the second network device to inform the second network device that the terminal device has received the content in step 604. Optionally, after receiving these messages from the terminal device, the second network device can also send an acknowledgment message or a secondary node addition complete message to the first network device to inform the first network device that the terminal device already knows that the first network device is the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0176] Step 604a: When the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the third indication information or upon receiving the fifth indication information and the third indication information, the terminal device starts a timer, and the timer counts based on the configuration information.

[0177] Step 605a: When the first network device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., reaches the starting transmission time point of sending the first SSB), the first network device starts to send the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0178] Step 605b: When the terminal device determines that the timer has ended (i.e., reaches the starting reception time point of receiving the first SSB), the terminal device starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device.

[0179] Step 606: The terminal device performs an initial access procedure to the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0180] It is introduced in the above step 304, step 505a and step 505b, and step 605a and step 605b that: the first network device sends the first SSB, and the terminal device receives the first SSB. Exemplarily, the first network device sends the first SSB based on the first period, and then the terminal device receives the first SSB based on the first period.

[0181] The first SSB can be a traditional SSB, also known as a normal SSB, or the first SSB is an on-demand SSB, a compact SSB, etc. The period of the compact SSB is less than that of the normal SSB. In the case of the same environmental factors, the access delay of the terminal device to the secondary node based on the compact SSB is lower than that based on the normal SSB.

[0182] In a possible implementation manner, the embodiments of the present application involve two types of SSBs, which are respectively referred to as the first SSB and the second SSB. The first network device sends the first SSB for the initial access of the terminal device. Next, the first network device sends the second SSB to ensure the effectiveness of the network function associated with the second SSB. Then, after step 304, step 505a and step 505b, and step 605a and step 605b, the first network device sends the second SSB, and the terminal device receives the second SSB. Exemplarily, the first network device sends the second SSB based on the second period, and the terminal device receives the second SSB based on the second period. The first period is less than the second period. In this implementation manner, the period of the first SSB is shorter than that of the second SSB. The access time of the terminal device to the first network device based on the first SSB can be shortened compared with that based on the second SSB. This will also increase the time when the first network device is in the first state, which can further reduce the energy consumption of the first network device and obtain an energy-saving gain. The first network device switches from sending the first SSB to sending the second SSB, which can ensure the effectiveness of the network function associated with the second SSB in the first network device, and can also enable the terminal device to access the first network device based on the second SSB when the access of the terminal device to the first network device based on the first SSB fails, avoiding the situation where the terminal device cannot access the first network device after the access of the terminal device to the first network device based on the first SSB fails.

[0183] The first network device switches from transmitting the first SSB to transmitting the second SSB. The switching timing can be determined by the first network device, by the terminal device, or specified by the protocol. For example, the protocol specifies the duration of transmitting the first SSB. After the first network device starts transmitting the first SSB for the corresponding duration, it can switch to transmitting the second SSB. By the protocol specification, signaling overhead can be reduced. Taking the terminal device to determine the switching timing as an example, the terminal device sends the fourth indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the fourth indication information from the terminal device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device transmits the second SSB based on the second period. After receiving the fourth indication information from the terminal device, the first network device transmits the second SSB based on the second period. The first network device switches from transmitting the first SSB to transmitting the second SSB through the indication of the terminal device, which can better meet the service requirements of the terminal device. The fourth indication information can be carried on the Channel State Information (CSI) Report signaling, or the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), or the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), or the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH).

[0184] As Figure 7a shown, a possible pattern of the first SSB is introduced. One time slot includes 3 first SSBs, and one first SSB occupies 4 consecutive symbols. The period of the first SSB is determined based on the number of first SSBs included in one period. For example, if one SSB period includes 64 first SSBs, 64 first SSBs need 21 time slots to be transmitted. If the length of one symbol is about 8.3 us, then the length of one time slot is about 0.12 ms (14 × 8.3 us = 0.12 ms), and the length of one period is about 2.52 ms (21 × 0.12 ms = 2.5 ms). Another example is that if one SSB period includes 32 first SSBs, 32 first SSBs need 10 time slots to be transmitted, then the length of one period is about 1.2 ms.

[0185] As Figure 7b shown, a possible pattern of the second SSB is introduced. The period of the second SSB is 20 ms. Within one period, the SSB set is restricted to be transmitted within 5 ms (5 ms is a half-frame), and no SSB is transmitted in the remaining 15 ms.

[0186] When the first network device sends the first SSB and the second SSB, it will send them on certain resources. The terminal device learns the resource configuration information of the first SSB and the resource configuration information of the second SSB, and accurately and completely receives the first SSB and the second SSB from the first network device on the corresponding resources. The resource configuration information of the first SSB can be determined by the first network device and informed to the terminal device through the second network device; the resource configuration information of the first SSB can also be determined by the second network device and notified to the terminal device and the first network device respectively. The resource configuration information of the first SSB includes at least one of the following information: the first period, the index of the symbol occupied by each first SSB in a period, and the number of first SSBs in a period. Similarly, the resource configuration information of the second SSB can be determined by the first network device and informed to the terminal device through the second network device; the resource configuration information of the second SSB can also be determined by the second network device and notified to the terminal device and the first network device respectively. The resource configuration information of the second SSB includes at least one of the following information: the second period, the index of the symbol occupied by each second SSB in a period, and the number of second SSBs in a period. The number of SSBs in a period depends on the number of transmit beams of the first network device.

[0187] In the embodiments of this application, the master node adds a secondary node for the terminal device. The master node can decide by itself whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device and when to add a secondary node for the terminal device, or the terminal device can report the service requirements to the master node, and the master node determines whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device based on the service requirements of the terminal device. In a possible implementation manner, before performing step 31, step 501, and step 601 (the second network device sends the first indication information to the first network device to indicate that the first network device is used as the secondary node of the terminal device), the following process is further included: the terminal device sends the sixth indication information to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the sixth indication information; the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device; the service requirements are used for the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device. The second network device determines that it is necessary to add a secondary node for the terminal device based on the service requirements, and then performs step 31, step 501, and step 601. When there is a large-bandwidth uplink service requirement or other necessary requirements in the network, and the network capacity of the network device currently accessed by the terminal device is insufficient to support the communication service needs of the terminal device, the terminal device reports the current service requirements to the network device currently accessed. After receiving the service requirements of the terminal device, the network device currently accessed determines to add a secondary node for the terminal device. By the terminal device reporting the service requirements, the master node can add a secondary node for the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0188] Combined with Figure 5Examples of the configuration of the time-domain resources of the first SSB, the first network device switching from transmitting the first SSB to transmitting the second SSB, and the terminal device reporting service requirements, etc., such as Figure 8 As shown, a specific communication process will be introduced, including the following steps:

[0189] Step 800: The first network device is in the first state.

[0190] Step 801: The terminal device sends sixth indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the sixth indication information. The sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirements of the terminal device. The service requirements are used by the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

[0191] In this example, it is introduced by taking the second network device determining to add a secondary node for the terminal device based on the service requirements of the terminal device as an example.

[0192] Step 802: The second network device sends first indication information to the first network device in the first state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device.

[0193] For example, the first indication information is carried in a secondary node addition request signaling.

[0194] Step 803: After the first network device receives the first indication information (step 802), it sends eighth indication information and second indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the eighth indication information and the second indication information. The eighth indication information is used to indicate agreeing to use the first network device as a secondary node of the terminal device. The second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer. In this step 803, the first network device also indicates the resource configuration information of the first SSB to the second network device.

[0195] In Figure 8 the example, the eighth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the SSB are carried in the same signaling. For example, they are carried in a secondary node addition confirmation signaling. In other examples, the eighth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the first SSB can also be carried in different signalings.

[0196] Step 803a: After or when sending the content of step 803, the first network device starts a timer, and the timer times based on this configuration information.

[0197] Step 804: After the first network device receives the first indication information (step 802), it switches from the first state to the second state.

[0198] In Figure 8 the example of, step 804 is after step 803 and step 803a. In other examples, the sequence of step 804, step 803, and step 803a is not restricted.

[0199] Step 805: After the second network device receives the second indication information (step 803), it sends the fifth indication information and the second indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information and the second indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device is the secondary node of the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the timer. In this step 805, the second network device also indicates the resource configuration information of the first SSB to the terminal device.

[0200] In Figure 8 the example of, the fifth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the first SSB are carried in the same signaling. For example, they are carried in the RRC connection reconfiguration signaling. In other examples, the fifth indication information, the second indication information, and the resource configuration information of the first SSB can also be carried in different signalings.

[0201] Optionally, after step 804, the terminal device also sends an acknowledgement information or a reconfiguration complete information to the second network device to inform the second network device that the terminal device has received the content in step 804. Optionally, after the second network device receives these information from the terminal device, it can also send an acknowledgement information or a secondary node addition complete information to the first network device to inform the first network device that the terminal device already knows that the first network device is the secondary node of the terminal device.

[0202] Step 805a: When the terminal device receives the content of step 805 or at the time of receiving the content of step 805, it starts a timer, and the timer times based on this configuration information.

[0203] Step 806a: When the first network device determines that the timer ends (i.e., reaches the start transmission time point of sending the first SSB), it starts to send the first SSB to the terminal device based on the resource configuration information of the first SSB.

[0204] Step 806b: When the terminal device determines that the timer ends (i.e., reaches the start reception time point of receiving the first SSB), it starts to receive the first SSB from the first network device based on the resource configuration information of the first SSB.

[0205] Step 807: The terminal device performs an initial access procedure to the first network device based on the first SSB.

[0206] Step 808: The terminal device sends fourth indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the fourth indication information from the terminal device; the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first network device to send a second SSB.

[0207] Step 809: After receiving the fourth indication information, the first network device sends the second SSB. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second SSB.

[0208] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device and the network device include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0209] Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device and the network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be, for example, Figure 1 the terminal device shown, or can be, for example, Figure 1 the network device shown (such as the first network device, the second network device), or can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal device or the network device.

[0210] Such as Figure 9 shown, the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920.

[0211] For example, the communication device 900 is used to implement the above Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 shown in the method embodiments of the functions of the terminal device or the first network device or the second network device. The transceiver unit 920 can perform the receiving and sending actions performed by the terminal device or the first network device or the second network device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 910 can perform other actions except the sending and receiving actions performed by the terminal device or the first network device or the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0212] Exemplarily, when the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 3When implementing the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments shown, the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive the fifth indication information and receive the first SSB. The processing unit 910 is used to parse the fifth indication information.

[0213] Exemplarily, when the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 3 the functions of the first network device in the method embodiments shown, the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive the first indication information and send the first SSB. The processing unit 910 is used to parse the first indication information and switch from the first state to the second state.

[0214] Exemplarily, when the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 3 the functions of the second network device in the method embodiments shown, the transceiver unit 920 is used to send the first indication information and send the fifth indication information. The processing unit 910 is used to generate the first indication information and generate the fifth indication information.

[0215] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 910 and transceiver unit 920, reference can be directly made to Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown, which will not be elaborated here. The processing unit 910 can be implemented by a processor, and the transceiver unit 920 can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0216] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010 or storing input data required for the processor 1010 to run the instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1010 runs the instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1020 can also be understood as a part of the processor 1010. In this case, the communication device 1000 includes the processor 1010.

[0217] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the above Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 shown methods, the processor 1010 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 920.

[0218] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from a network device, which can be understood as the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device and then sent by these modules to the terminal device chip. The terminal device chip sends information to the network device, which can be understood as the information is first sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device and then sent by these modules to the network device.

[0219] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from a terminal device, which can be understood as the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device and then sent by these modules to the network device chip. The network device chip sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information is sent to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device and then sent by these modules to the terminal device. Here, the network device module can be the baseband chip of the network device, or a DU or other module. Here, the DU can be a DU under the open radio access network O-RAN architecture.

[0220] In this application, entity A sending information to entity B can be that A directly sends to B, or A indirectly sends to B through other entities. Similarly, entity B receiving information from entity A can be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Here, entity A and B can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules inside network devices or terminal devices. The sending and receiving of information can be the information interaction between a network device and a terminal device, or the information interaction between two network devices, such as the information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be the information interaction between different modules within a device, for example, the information interaction between a terminal device chip and other modules of the terminal device, or the information interaction between a network device chip and other modules in the network device.

[0221] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0222] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which when executed by a computer, can cause the computer to execute the above-mentioned communication method. Or rather: the computer program includes instructions for implementing the above-mentioned communication.

[0223] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, including: computer program code, which when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the above-provided communication method.

[0224] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which includes at least two of the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device that execute the above-mentioned communication method.

[0225] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a hardware manner or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions may be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules may be stored in a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, register, hard disk, removable hard disk, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) (also known as read-only optical disc), or any other form of storage medium well-known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may also exist as discrete components in a base station or a terminal.

[0226] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in the form of a computer program product in whole or in part. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, a user equipment, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it may also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or it may be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0227] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0228] In the embodiments of the present application, for the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, it means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Among them, A or B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. Expressions such as "at least one of the following" or "one or more of them" refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, or one or more of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0229] In the embodiments of this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects, etc. Moreover, such names do not indicate differences in the content, sender / receiver, sending order, size, application scenario, priority, or importance, etc. included in these two pieces of information. Additionally, the numbering of steps in each of the embodiments described in this application is only for distinguishing different steps and does not limit the sequence of steps.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, including: When the first network device is in a first state, receiving first indication information from a second network device; the second network device is the master node of a terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB; Switching the first network device from the first state to a second state; the second state is a state in which the first network device is allowed to perform data interaction with a terminal device and is allowed to send an SSB; Sending a first SSB to the terminal device, where the first SSB is used for the terminal device to initially access the first network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending the first SSB to the terminal device includes: When monitoring reaches the starting transmission time point, starting to send the first SSB to the terminal device; The method further includes: Sending second indication information to the terminal device through the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point specifically as: The second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The second indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: The time point of sending the second indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, the time point of indicating to the second network device to agree to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The sending the first SSB to the terminal device includes: When monitoring reaches the starting transmission time point, starting to send the first SSB to the terminal device; The method further includes: Receiving third indication information from the second network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The third indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point specifically as: The third indication information is used to indicate the index of the first starting transmission time point; or, The third indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The first reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: The time point of receiving the third indication information, the time point of receiving the first indication information, the time point of indicating to the second network device to agree to use the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The sending the first SSB to the terminal device includes: Sending the first SSB to the terminal device based on a first period; The method further includes: Receive fourth indication information from the terminal device; wherein, the fourth indication information is used to indicate sending a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; Send the second SSB to the terminal device based on the second period.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second network device, including: Send first indication information to a first network device in a first state; wherein, the second network device is the master node of the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the first state is a state in which the first network device is not allowed to perform data interaction with any terminal device and is not allowed to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks SSB; Send fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate using the first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein Further includes: Send second indication information from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point for the first network device to send a first SSB, and the starting transmission time point is used for the terminal device to determine the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The second indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point is specifically: The second indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The second indication information is used to indicate a time length, and the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein Further includes: Send third indication information to the first network device and send the third indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB according to the starting transmission time point.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The third indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point is specifically: The third indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The third indication information is used to indicate a time length, and the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, Before sending the first indication information to the first network device in the first state, further includes: Receive sixth indication information from the terminal device; wherein, the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirement of the terminal device; Determine that a secondary node needs to be added for the terminal device based on the service requirement.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, including: Receive fifth indication information from a second network device; wherein, the fifth indication information is used to indicate using a first network device as the secondary node of the terminal device, and the second network device is the master node of the terminal device; Receive seventh indication information from the second network device, and the seventh indication information is used to indicate the starting transmission time point for the first network device to send a first synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block SSB; When monitoring reaches the starting reception time point for receiving the first SSB, start receiving the first SSB from the first network device, where the first SSB is used by the terminal device to perform the initial access procedure for the first network device, and the starting reception time point is determined based on the starting transmission time point.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The seventh indication information is used to indicate that the starting transmission time point is specifically: The seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point; or, The seventh indication information is used to indicate a time length, where the starting transmission time point is obtained by adding the time length to a first reference time point determined by the first network device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein When the seventh indication information is used to indicate the index of the starting transmission time point, the starting reception time point is determined by querying at least one preset corresponding relationship based on the index, and the at least one corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between different indexes and different starting reception time points; When the seventh indication information is used to indicate the time length, the starting reception time point is determined by adding the time length to a second reference time point determined by the terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The second reference time point is determined based on any one of the following: The time point of receiving the fifth indication information, the time point of receiving the seventh indication information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized in that, The receiving of the first SSB from the first network device includes: Receiving the first SSB from the first network device based on a first period; The method further includes: Sending fourth indication information to the first network device; where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the first network device sends a second SSB based on a second period, and the second period is greater than the first period; Receiving the second SSB from the first network device based on the second period.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized in that, Before receiving the fifth indication information from the second network device, it further includes: Sending sixth indication information to the second network device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate the service requirement of the terminal device, and the service requirement is used by the second network device to determine whether to add a secondary node for the terminal device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, and the processor is coupled to a memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute some or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the some or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor and a memory; The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is used to execute some or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the some or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, it is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor uses logic circuits or executes code instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instruction is stored in the storage medium. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1-20 is implemented.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer instructions. When the computer instructions run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1-20 is implemented.

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