Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device. The method comprises the following steps: a first device can send first information; wherein the first information can be used for indicating a first corresponding relation, the first corresponding relation can comprise a one-to-one corresponding relation between P areas and P SSB indexes, and P is an integer greater than 1. The first device may then transmit second information. Wherein the second information can be used for indicating a second corresponding relationship, the second corresponding relationship can comprise a corresponding relationship between M regions and the first SSB index, M can be an integer greater than 1, the M regions can belong to P regions, and the first SSB index can belong to P SSB indexes. Thus, for the M regions, the first device only needs to send one SSB corresponding to the first SSB index, thereby reducing the number of SSBs sent by the first device, reducing the time when the first device is in a sending state for sending the SSBs, reducing the resources occupied by the SSBs, and saving the load power.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In a wireless communication system, an access network device may send measurement configuration information to a terminal. The terminal may measure the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) based on the measurement configuration information to implement mobility management.

[0003] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) provide seamless coverage for terminals by deploying access network equipment, or some of its functionality, on non-terrestrial devices such as high-altitude platforms or satellites. However, satellites, for example, offer greater coverage and a greater number of beams—for example, hundreds or even thousands. Further research is needed to reduce the resources consumed by SSBs in communication systems like NTNs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing resources occupied by SSB in a communication system such as NTN.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be an access network device or a module in the access network device (for example, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor). It can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method may include: the first device can send first information. The first information can be used to indicate a first correspondence. The first correspondence can include a one-to-one correspondence between P areas and P SSB indexes, where P can be an integer greater than 1. Then, the first device can send second information. The second information can be used to indicate a second correspondence. The second correspondence can include a correspondence between M areas and a first SSB index, where M can be an integer greater than 1, the M areas can belong to P areas, and the first SSB index can belong to P SSB indexes.

[0006] Through this method, the first device can indicate, through the second information, that M areas correspond to the first SSB index. In this way, for the M areas, the first device only needs to send one SSB corresponding to the first SSB index, thereby reducing the number of SSBs sent by the first device, reducing the time the first device is in a sending state to send SSBs, reducing the resources occupied by SSBs (for example, power resources), and saving load power. In addition, this method can reduce the total time it takes for the first device to send SSBs to all areas within its coverage area.

[0007] In one possible design, the second information may be used to indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence. In this design, by indicating the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence, the second information may accurately indicate the second correspondence.

[0008] In one possible design, the effective start time of the second correspondence may be: the next SSB scanning cycle after the second information is sent. In this way, there is no need to additionally transmit information indicating the effective time (e.g., the effective start time) between the first device and the second device, thereby reducing signaling overhead. Alternatively, the method may further include: the first device may send first indication information, where the first indication information may be used to indicate the effective start time of the second correspondence. In this way, the first device can accurately indicate the effective start time of the second correspondence to the second device.

[0009] In one possible design, the first device may send the second information within M areas. In this way, the first device may not send the second information in areas outside the M areas, thereby saving transmission resources and reducing transmission overhead.

[0010] In one possible design, the method may further include: the first device may send third information. The third information may be used to instruct devices in the M areas to perform random access according to a random access occasion mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence within a first duration after receiving the second information. This design can reduce or avoid situations where devices in different areas have inconsistent understandings of random access channel (RACH) occasion (RO) mapping rules.

[0011] In one possible design, the random access timing mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: random access timings corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence correspond to one or more regions in the N regions, where the N regions belong to regions other than the M regions among the P regions. Through this method, ROs corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence can be reallocated, thereby improving RO utilization efficiency and avoiding RO waste caused by beam widening.

[0012] In one possible design, the second information may be used to indicate M. For example, if the value of the second information is 00, M may be 2; if the value of the second information is 01, M may be 4. The second correspondence may include a correspondence between multiple groups of regions and SSB indexes, where the number of regions in each group of regions is M, and each group of regions in the multiple groups of regions corresponds to an SSB index. In this design, by indicating M, the second information can accurately indicate the second correspondence, and this design has low signaling overhead.

[0013] In one possible design, the second information may be used to indicate at least one second correspondence, each of the at least one second correspondence may correspond to a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception pattern (cell DTX / DRX pattern). The method may further include: the first device may send fourth information, where the fourth information may be used to indicate activation of one of the at least one second correspondence. In this design, the first device may indicate the at least one second correspondence through the second information and activate one of the at least one second correspondence through the fourth information, thereby enabling flexible activation of the second correspondence.

[0014] In one possible design, the i-th group of regions among the multiple groups of regions may include regions corresponding to SSB indices 0+(i-1)*M to 1+(i-1)*M of the P SSB indices in the first correspondence, where i is an integer from 1 to P / M. This design is easy to implement and can reduce the complexity of determining the multiple groups of regions by the first apparatus and / or the second apparatus.

[0015] In one possible design, the effective time of each second correspondence in at least one second correspondence may include one of the following: the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated, the time period of the on duration corresponding to the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence, or the time period other than the on duration in the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated.

[0016] In one possible design, the first SSB index may be the minimum or maximum SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence. With this design, the first device and / or the second device may quickly and accurately determine the first SSB index.

[0017] In one possible design, the method may further include: the first device may send the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index within M areas according to the second corresponding relationship.

[0018] In one possible design, the method may further include: after receiving the fifth information, the first device may send, according to the first correspondence, the P SSBs corresponding to the P SSB indices. The fifth information may be used to activate the first correspondence. In this manner, the second device may dynamically trigger activation of the first correspondence through the fifth information, thereby enabling random access according to the first correspondence.

[0019] In one possible design, the method may further include: after sending the sixth information, the first device may send P SSBs corresponding to the P SSB indices according to the first correspondence. The sixth information may be used to activate the first correspondence. In this manner, the first device may dynamically trigger activation of the first correspondence, thereby enabling communication with the second device based on the first correspondence.

[0020] In one possible design, the first SSB may include only a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and / or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). Alternatively, the first SSB may include a first PBCH, and each SSB sent according to the first correspondence may include a second PBCH, where the number of bits included in the second PBCH may be greater than the number of bits included in the first PBCH. In this design, the first SSB sent by the first device may be a simplified SSB, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0021] In one possible design, the first SSB may further include resource configuration information, which may be used to configure the first resource and / or the second resource. The first resource may be used to carry fifth information received by the first device, which is used to activate the first correspondence; the second resource may be used to carry sixth information sent by the first device, which is used to activate the first correspondence. With this design, the first device can accurately indicate the resource used to carry the information for activating the first correspondence.

[0022] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be a terminal or a module in the terminal (for example, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor), and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. Among them, the method may include: the second device can receive the first information. The first information can be used to indicate a first correspondence, and the first correspondence may include a one-to-one correspondence between P areas and P SSB indexes, where P may be an integer greater than 1. Then, the second device can receive the second information. The second information can be used to indicate a second correspondence, and the second correspondence may include a correspondence between M areas and the first SSB index, where M may be an integer greater than 1, the M areas may belong to P areas, and the first SSB index may belong to P SSB indexes.

[0023] In one possible design, the second information may be used to indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence.

[0024] In one possible design, the second correspondence relationship may take effect at the next SSB scan cycle after the second information is received. Alternatively, the method may further include: the second device may receive first indication information, where the first indication information may be used to indicate the start time of the second correspondence relationship.

[0025] In one possible design, if the second device is located in M ​​areas, the method may further include: the second device may perform random access according to a random access timing mapping rule corresponding to the first corresponding relationship within a first time period after receiving the second information.

[0026] In one possible design, the method may further include: the second device may receive third information, and the third information may be used to indicate the first duration.

[0027] In one possible design, the random access timing mapping rules corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the random access timings corresponding to some or all of the SSB indices corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence correspond to one or more areas in the N areas, and the N areas may belong to areas other than the M areas in the P areas.

[0028] In one possible design, the second information may be used to indicate M; the second correspondence may include a correspondence between multiple groups of regions and SSB indexes, the number of regions in each group of regions in the multiple groups of regions may be M, and each group of regions in the multiple groups of regions may correspond to an SSB index.

[0029] In one possible design, the second information may be used to indicate at least one second correspondence, each of the at least one second correspondence may correspond to a cell DTX / DRX pattern. The method may also include: the second device may receive fourth information, and the fourth information may be used to indicate activation of one of the at least one second correspondence.

[0030] In one possible design, the i-th group of areas in the multiple groups of areas may include: in the first correspondence, the areas corresponding to the 0th+(i-1)*M to 1st+(i-1)*M SSB indices among the P SSB indices, where i may be an integer from 1 to P / M.

[0031] In one possible design, the effective time of each second correspondence in at least one second correspondence may include one of the following: the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated, the time period of the duration onduration corresponding to the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence, or the time period other than onduration in the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated.

[0032] In one possible design, the first SSB index may be the minimum or maximum SSB index among the SSB indices corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence.

[0033] In one possible design, if the second device is located in M ​​areas, the method may further include: the second device may receive the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index according to the second corresponding relationship.

[0034] In one possible design, the method may further include: after sending the fifth information, the second device may receive, according to the first correspondence, an SSB corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes, wherein the fifth information may be used to activate the first correspondence.

[0035] In one possible design, the method may further include: after receiving the sixth information, the second device may receive, according to the first correspondence, an SSB corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes, wherein the sixth information may be used to indicate activation of the first correspondence.

[0036] In one possible design, the first SSB may include only the PSS and / or the SSS. Alternatively, the first SSB may include a first PBCH, and each SSB sent according to the first correspondence may include a second PBCH, and the number of bits included in the second PBCH may be greater than the number of bits included in the first PBCH.

[0037] In one possible design, the first SSB may further include resource configuration information, which may be used to configure the first resource and / or the second resource. The first resource may be used to carry fifth information received by the first device, the fifth information being used to activate the first correspondence; and the second resource may be used to carry sixth information sent by the first device, the sixth information being used to activate the first correspondence.

[0038] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be an access network device or a module in the access network device (such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor), and may also be a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The communication device has the function of implementing the above-mentioned first aspect. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the above-mentioned first aspect. The module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software implementation may be executed by hardware. Alternatively, the communication device may be a terminal or a module in the terminal (such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor), and may also be a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device has the function of implementing the above-mentioned second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the above-mentioned second aspect. The module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software implementation may be executed by hardware.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication device includes an interface unit. Optionally, the communication device also includes a processing unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations described in any of the above aspects.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor. The processor can execute a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of any of the above aspects.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of any of the above aspects.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of any of the above aspects.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a first device and a second device. The first device may execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the second device may execute the communication method provided in the second aspect. For example, the communication system may include an access network device and a terminal; the access network device is configured to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the terminal is configured to execute the communication method provided in the third aspect.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect of the first to second aspects above is implemented.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect of the first to second aspects is implemented.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip, comprising a processor, wherein the processor can execute the method in any possible design of any one of the first and second aspects. Optionally, the processor can be coupled to a memory to read a computer program stored in the memory to execute the method in any possible design of any one of the first and second aspects.

[0047] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the second to seventh aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in the first aspect mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be discussed here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figures 1A to 1D An architectural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of sending SSB provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 3 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 4A A schematic diagram of a first correspondence relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 4B A schematic diagram of a second corresponding relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figures 5A to 5C A schematic diagram of the effective time of several second correspondences provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figures 6A to 6B Schematic diagrams of several application examples provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0055] Figure 7A A schematic diagram of an RO mapping rule corresponding to a first correspondence relationship provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 7B A schematic diagram of an RO mapping rule corresponding to a second correspondence provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 8 A structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 9 A structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as the new radio (NR) system), or future evolved communication systems (such as the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system). The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a terrestrial network communication system, or to an NTN communication system. The NTN communication system can be, for example, a satellite communication system, or can include a drone, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), and other air access network equipment, which is not limited in this application.

[0060] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features in the context of systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0061] Figure 1AThe architecture of an NTN communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application is shown. The communication system may include a terminal, a first access network device, and a second access network device. The communication link between the first access network device and the second access network device is a feedback link (or feeder link); the communication link between the second access network device and the terminal is a service link.

[0062] The first access network device may be a gateway station (also called a ground station, earth station, gateway, or gateway station) or a base station.

[0063] The second access network device may be a satellite (or satellite base station) or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. The satellite may include at least one of the following: a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite (or a geosynchronous orbit satellite) or a non-geostationary orbit (NGEO). The non-geostationary orbit satellite may include at least one of the following: a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. There is no limitation here.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, the communication mode of the second access network device may include a regenerative mode and a transparent mode (also referred to as a transparent mode). When the communication mode of the second access network device is the regenerative mode, the second access network device may serve as a base station for wireless communication. Exemplarily, the second access network device may include a next generation NodeB (gNB) or a distributed unit (DU). When the communication mode of the second access network device is the transparent mode, the second access network device may perform frequency conversion forwarding on the signal.

[0065] It should be understood that Figure 1A Only one first access network device and one second access network device are shown. In actual use, an architecture with multiple first access network devices and / or multiple second access network devices may be adopted as needed. Each second access network device may provide services to one or more terminals, each second access network device may correspond to one or more first access network devices, and each first access network device may correspond to one or more second access network devices, which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0066] In this application, a terminal may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication device, user agent or user device.

[0067] A terminal can be a device that provides wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connection capabilities. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, satellite mobile terminals, cellular phones, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), vehicle-mounted devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point of sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. The present invention also includes wireless terminals (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electric meters, etc.) in a home, intelligent robots, robotic arms, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, flying devices (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), terminals in 5G networks, or terminals in future-evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal may also be a mobile terminal (MT) in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. When the IAB node faces its parent node, it can be regarded as a terminal. In this case, the IAB node plays the role of an MT.

[0068] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form factor of the terminal. The device used to implement the terminal's functions can be a terminal; it can also be a device that supports the terminal in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0069] In this application, an access network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for a terminal, and the terminal can communicate with a core network device through the access network device. As a node in a wireless access network, an access network device can also be called a base station, a radio access network (RAN) node (or device), or an access point (AP). A communication system may include multiple access network devices, which can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device and the terminal are relative. For example, network element #A can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station and access the RAN through network element #B. For those terminals that access the RAN through network element #A, network element #A is a base station; but for network element #B, network element #A is a terminal.

[0070] In one possible scenario, the access network device may be a base station, a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, an IAB node, a mobile switching center, a high-altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The access network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud RAN (CRAN) scenario. The access network device may also be a device that acts as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, drone communication, and machine communication. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0071] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a centralized unit (CU), DU, CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the access network device can be a CU, or a DU, or a device including a CU and a DU. In addition, the CU can be divided into an access network device in the access network, or the CU can be divided into an access network device in the core network (CN), without limitation here.

[0072] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0073] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the functions of the access network device can be the access network device; it can also be a device that supports the access network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0074] Access network equipment and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; and in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of access network equipment and terminals.

[0075] In this application, core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network that provides service support for terminals. At present, some examples of core network equipment are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, etc., which are not listed here one by one. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to the external network. It should be noted that the entities in this application can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity. For another example, the SMF entity can also be referred to as an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0076] The satellite communication system shown in this application may have multiple possible architectures, for example, any one of Architectures 1 to 3.

[0077] Architecture 1: Figure 1B FIG. 1 shows a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission mode applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1B As shown, terminals and ground base stations can communicate via the air interface (e.g., the Uu interface). Satellites and NTN gateways can be considered the RRUs of the ground base stations, enabling transparent signal forwarding. Ground base stations and the core network can communicate via the NG interface. Satellites support functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification; in other words, they can act as Layer 1 relays, regenerating physical layer signals.

[0078] Architecture 2: Figure 1C FIG. 1 shows a satellite communication system in a regeneration mode applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1C As shown, a satellite has some or all of the functions of an access network device and can be called a satellite base station. The satellite can provide wireless access services and schedule wireless resources for terminal devices that access the network through the satellite. Terminals and satellites can communicate via an air interface (e.g., a Uu interface), satellites and NTN gateways can communicate via an NG interface, and NTN gateways and the core network can communicate via an NG interface. Optionally, there is no inter-satellite link (ISL) between satellites.

[0079] Architecture 3: Figure 1DFIG. 2 shows another satellite communication system in a regeneration mode to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable. Figure 1D As shown, satellites have some or all of the functions of access network equipment and can be called satellite base stations. Satellites can provide wireless access services and schedule wireless resources for terminal devices that access the network through the satellite. Terminals and satellites can communicate via an air interface (e.g., the Uu interface), satellites can communicate with NTN gateways via the NG interface, and NTN gateways can communicate with the core network via the NG interface. Satellites communicate with each other via an ISL, for example, a link on the Xn interface.

[0080] The communication system and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0081] The following first explains the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0082] 1) SSB:

[0083] Currently, SSB may include synchronization signals and PBCH.

[0084] Among them, the synchronization signal can be used by the terminal to perform downlink synchronization and obtain the cell identity (ID). Downlink synchronization may include frequency synchronization and time synchronization. Currently, the synchronization signal may include PSS and SSS. PSS can be used to transmit the cell number, and SSS can be used to transmit the cell group number. The cell number and cell group number together determine the physical cell identity (PCI) in the communication system. Once the terminal successfully searches for the PSS and SSS, it also knows the PCI corresponding to the SSB.

[0085] The PBCH can be used by a terminal to obtain information about the cell it is accessing. For example, the PBCH can be used to indicate the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) that carries the system information block 1 (SIB1). This SIB1 can be used to configure random access resources. The terminal can access the cell based on these random access resources.

[0086] 2) Sending SSB:

[0087] The access network device can transmit different SSBs via different beams at different times. Each beam can be indicated by an SSB, for example, by the index of the SSB transmitted on that beam. Because different beams cover different areas, the term "beam" in "the access network device can transmit different SSBs via different beams at different times" can be replaced with "area."

[0088] For example, the access network device may send SSB according to a certain period; in each period, the access network device may send SSB during a portion of the duration of the period. Figure 2 As shown, the access network device sends SSBs in a period of 20 milliseconds (ms); in each period, the access network device can send 4 SSBs through 4 beams within 5ms.

[0089] It should be understood that Figure 2 This is just an example. The period for sending SSB can also be other values, such as one of the following: 10ms, 40ms, 80ms or 160ms; the duration and number of SSBs sent by the access network device in each period can also be other values, and this application does not limit this.

[0090] 3) Region:

[0091] In this application, a region can be a geographic region, a geographic range, an administrative region, an administrative range, or a wave position, etc. A wave position can be the coverage range of a beam (or the projection range of a beam on the ground). The access network device can adjust the antenna weights so that the beam sent by the access network device can point in different directions and have different coverage ranges. For example, a satellite is configured with 16 beams, each with a different coverage range, and the coverage range of each beam can be a wave position.

[0092] 4) Cell DTX / DRX:

[0093] Cell DTX / DRX is a network energy saving (NES) technology. In this technology, access network equipment can configure a cell DTX / DRX pattern for connected terminals in a cell through radio resource control (RRC) messages. If the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated, the terminal can perform discontinuous transmission and / or reception according to the cell DTX / DRX pattern, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal. The "cell DTX / DRX pattern" in "the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated" can be replaced by at least one of the following: the configuration of the cell DTX / DRX pattern, or the configuration information of the cell DTX / DRX pattern.

[0094] The cell DTX / DRX pattern may involve the following parameters: cell DTX / DRX cycle start offset (cellDTXDRX-CycleStartOffset), cell DTXDRX slot offset (cellDTXDRX-SlotOffset), cell DTXDRX duration timer (cellDTXDRX-onDurationTimer) and cell DTXDRX configuration type (cellDTXDRXconfigType).

[0095] Among them, cellDTXDRX-CycleStartOffset can be used to configure the time window of the cell DTX / DRX pattern, including the length of each time window (also known as the period) and the starting offset of the first time window relative to the system frame, both of which can be in ms.

[0096] cellDTXDRX-SlotOffset may be used to configure the offset of the starting time slot (Slot) of the duration (onduration) relative to the starting subframe, and may be in time slots.

[0097] cellDTXDRX-onDurationTimer can be used to configure the on duration in ms.

[0098] cellDTXDRXconfigType can be used to configure the type of the cell DTX / DRX pattern. In some examples, the type of the cell DTX / DRX pattern is DTX, and the cell DTX / DRX pattern can be referred to as a cell DTX pattern. In this example, if the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated, the terminal can send information during the on duration; during time periods outside the on duration, the terminal does not send information. In other examples, the type of the cell DTX / DRX pattern is DRX, and the cell DTX / DRX pattern can be referred to as a cell DRX pattern. In this example, if the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated, the terminal can receive information during the on duration; during time periods outside the on duration, the terminal does not receive information. In yet other examples, the type of the cell DTX / DRX pattern is DTX / DRX. If the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated, the terminal can receive and transmit information during the on duration; during time periods outside the on duration, the terminal does not receive or transmit information.

[0099] As mentioned above, the cell DTX / DRX pattern can be activated.

[0100] In some possible approaches, the cell DTX / DRX pattern may be implicitly activated. Exemplarily, the RRC message used to configure the cell DTX / DRX pattern also includes an RRC configuration. If the RRC configuration is activated, the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated; if the RRC configuration is deactivated (or released or invalidated), the cell DTX / DRX pattern is deactivated (or invalidated).

[0101] In other possible approaches, the cell DTX / DRX pattern can be explicitly activated. For example, the access network device can activate the cell DTX / DRX pattern via downlink control information (DCI). The format of the DCI is, for example, DCI format 2_9. Since DCI format 2_9 is group-shared signaling, the access network device can activate the cell DTX / DRX pattern for multiple connected terminals within a cell via DCI format 2_9.

[0102] 5) RRC connection status:

[0103] In a communication system, the RRC connection state of a terminal may include: RRC connected state (RRC_connected, referred to as connected state), RRC idle state (RRC_idle, referred to as idle state), and RRC inactive state (RRC_inactive, referred to as inactive state). Among them, the idle state and the inactive state can be collectively referred to as the RRC inactive state.

[0104] When the terminal is in idle state, the RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device is released, the access network device and the terminal no longer save the terminal context, and the terminal can receive broadcast messages (for example, SSB and / or system messages) and paging messages sent by the access network device.

[0105] When a terminal is in an inactive state, the RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device is suspended. However, the access network device and the terminal continue to store the terminal's context, and the connection between the access network device and the core network device remains. When the terminal enters a connected state from an inactive state, the access network device and the terminal can quickly restore the RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device based on the stored terminal context, allowing the terminal to quickly return to a connected state.

[0106] When the terminal is in a connected state, an RRC connection exists between the terminal and the access network device, and the two can communicate based on the RRC connection.

[0107] 6) In this application, SSB index n may represent an SSB index with a value of n. Here, n may be a positive integer or 0; in other words, n is a non-negative integer. For example, SSB index 0 represents an SSB index with a value of 0.

[0108] In this application, the SSB corresponding to SSB index n can be replaced by the SSB indexed as SSB index n. For example, the SSB corresponding to SSB index 0 can be replaced by the SSB indexed as SSB index 0.

[0109] In this application, ROn may represent an RO with an index of n. Where n may be a positive integer or 0; in other words, n is a non-negative integer. For example, R0 represents an RO with an index of 0.

[0110] 7) In this application, "widen" can be replaced by any of the following: "aggregate" or "merge." "activate" can be replaced by "enable." "RO" can be replaced by "RO resource."

[0111] 8) In this application, "sending information to ... (terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, and can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal. "Receiving information from ... (terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal. The information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination of the information, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0112] As mentioned above, the access network device may send SSB according to a certain period; in each period, the access network device may send SSB during a portion of the period. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the access network device transmits SSBs in a 20ms cycle. Within each cycle, the access network device can send four SSBs using four beams within 5ms. If the access network device wants to send eight SSBs, it needs to send them in two cycles. If the access network device wants to send 16 SSBs, it needs to send them in four cycles. Therefore, the more SSBs the access network device needs to send, the longer it takes to send them, and the more resources the SSBs occupy.

[0113] In communication systems such as NTN, access network devices have a large number of beams. For example, if the access network device is a satellite, the number of beams may reach hundreds or even thousands. The greater the number of beams, the more SSBs the access network device must send, the longer it takes to send SSBs, and the more resources SSBs occupy.

[0114] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the NTN scenario. NTN is only one of the application scenarios, and other scenarios (for example, in the future 6G evolution) are still applicable.

[0115] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. Figure 3 A flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 The method is illustrated by taking the first device and the second device as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the first device can be an access network device, or a module applied to the access network device, such as a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core, or a SIP chip), a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network device; the second device can be a terminal, or a module applied to the terminal, such as a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core, or a SIP chip), a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal. As Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0116] S301: The first device sends the first information; correspondingly, the second device receives the first information.

[0117] Among them, the first information can be used to indicate a first correspondence. The first correspondence may include a one-to-one correspondence between P areas and P SSB indexes, and P may be an integer greater than 1; in other words, in the first correspondence, each area in the P areas may correspond to an SSB index in the P SSB indexes, and different areas in the P areas correspond to different SSB indexes. The P areas may include part or all of the areas within the coverage range of the first device. The P SSB indexes may be continuous or discontinuous. Exemplarily, in the first correspondence, the j-th area in the P areas may correspond to the j-th SSB index in the P SSB indexes, where j may be an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to P. For example (hereinafter referred to as Example 1), Figure 4A A possible schematic diagram of the first correspondence is shown. Figure 4A As shown, the P regions may include 8 regions, which may represent region #0 to region #7 respectively; the P SSB indexes may include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7. Region #0 corresponds to SSB index 0, region #1 corresponds to SSB index 1, and so on.

[0118] The present application does not limit the specific manner in which the first information indicates the first corresponding relationship. To facilitate understanding of the following, the manner in which the first information indicates P SSB indexes is described here. Optionally, the first information may include S bits in the SSB position in the burst (ssb-PositionInBurst) parameter, and the S bits may correspond to S SSB indexes, and the S SSB indexes may include the P SSB indexes. The bit states of P bits in the S bits can be used to indicate the P SSB indexes. Among them, the S SSB indexes may be the indexes of some or all SSBs that the first device can send. Exemplarily, bit #1 is any bit in the S bits. If the value of bit #1 is value #1 (for example, 1), it means that the SSB index corresponding to bit #1 belongs to the P SSB indexes; if the value of bit #1 is value #2 (for example, 0), it means that the SSB index corresponding to bit #1 does not belong to the P SSB indexes. For example, if the value of the S bits in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter is 11111111, it means that the P SSB indexes include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7.

[0119] The first information may be carried in a traditional message or in a new message. For example, the first information may be carried in a broadcast message sent by the first device. For example, the broadcast message may be one of the following: SIB1, system information block 19 (SIB19), or other system information (OSI).

[0120] S302: The first device sends the second information; accordingly, the second device may receive the second information.

[0121] The second information may be used to indicate the second corresponding relationship. The specific content of the second corresponding relationship indicated by the second information will be described in the following methods b1 to b3 and will not be expanded here. The second corresponding relationship will be described below.

[0122] The second correspondence may include a correspondence between M regions and a first SSB index, where M is an integer greater than 1. The M regions may belong to P regions; the first SSB index may belong to the P SSB indexes. In other words, the first SSB index may be one of the P SSB indexes. For example, taking Example 1, if the M regions include region #2 and region #5, the second correspondence may include a correspondence between region #2 and region #5 and a first SSB index, and the first SSB index may be one of SSB indexes 0 to SSB index 7.

[0123] Optionally, the first SSB index may be one of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence; in other words, the first SSB index may belong to the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence. For example, still taking Example 1 as an example, if the M regions include region #2 and region #5, the second correspondence may include the correspondence between region #2 and region #5 and the first SSB index, and the first SSB index may be SSB index 2 or SSB index 5.

[0124] Exemplarily, the first SSB index may be the SSB index that satisfies the set conditions among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. For example, the first SSB index may be the minimum or maximum SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. In other words, the first SSB index may be the minimum or maximum SSB index corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. In the following description of this application, the first SSB index is taken as the minimum SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. For example, still taking Example 1 as an example, if the M regions include region #2 and region #5, then as Figure 4B As shown, the second correspondence may include a correspondence between region #2 and region #5 and the first SSB index, and the first SSB index may be SSB index 2. In addition, when region #2 and region #5 correspond to the first SSB index, the first device may cover region #2 and region #5 through one beam, and thus, Figure 4B Merge Area #2 and Area #5 into one area.

[0125] Optionally, “the second information may be used to indicate the second corresponding relationship” may be described in other alternative ways.

[0126] In some examples, in a first correspondence, M regions may correspond to M SSB indexes. Therefore, during the effective period of the first correspondence, the first device may send SSBs in the M regions through M beams. In a second correspondence, M regions may correspond to the first SSB index. Therefore, during the effective period of the second correspondence, the first device may send SSBs in the M regions through one beam. In other words, the M regions may be widened into one region, or the M regions may be widened regions. The beamwidth of the one beam may be greater than the width of any beam in the M beams. Therefore, "the second information may be used to indicate the second correspondence" may be replaced by: the second information may be used to indicate that the M regions are widened into one region; in other words, the second information may be used to indicate that the M regions are widened regions; or, the second information may be used to indicate that the beams corresponding to the M regions are widened beams.

[0127] In other examples, in a first correspondence, M areas may correspond to M SSB indexes. Therefore, during the effective period of the first correspondence, the first device may send M SSBs within the M areas. In a second correspondence, M areas may correspond to a first SSB index. Therefore, during the effective period of the second correspondence, the first device may send one SSB within the M areas. Therefore, "the second information may be used to indicate the second correspondence" may be replaced with: the second information may be used to indicate that some or all of the SSBs corresponding to the M areas are not sent; in other words, the second information may be used to indicate that some or all of the SSBs corresponding to the M areas are turned off. The SSB indexes corresponding to the some or all of the SSBs may include SSB indexes other than the first SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence.

[0128] The second information can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0129] Through this method, the first device can indicate, through the second information, that M areas correspond to the first SSB index. In this way, for the M areas, the first device only needs to send one SSB corresponding to the first SSB index, thereby reducing the number of SSBs sent by the first device, reducing the time the first device is in a sending state to send SSBs, reducing the resources occupied by SSBs (for example, power resources), and saving load power. In addition, this method can reduce the total time it takes for the first device to send SSBs to all areas within its coverage area.

[0130] Optionally, the M areas in the second correspondence may satisfy the following conditions #1 and #2; in other words, if the M areas satisfy the following conditions #1 and #2, the first device may send second information indicating the second correspondence.

[0131] Condition #1: The M regions may be continuous regions; in other words, the M regions may be geographically continuous regions.

[0132] In some examples, the M regions may be geographically adjacent regions. Figure 4A As shown, in the first correspondence, SSB index 2 corresponds to area #2, and SSB index 5 corresponds to area #5. Area #2 and area #5 are geographically adjacent areas, so area #2 and area #5 can be areas that meet condition #1.

[0133] In other examples, the M regions may include geographically continuous regions, and some of the M regions may be geographically adjacent regions. Figure 4AAs shown, in the first correspondence, SSB index 0 to SSB index 3 correspond to area #0 to area #3 respectively, area #0 to area #3 are geographically continuous areas, area #0 and area #1 are geographically adjacent areas, area #1 and area #2 are geographically adjacent areas, and area #2 and area #3 are geographically adjacent areas. Therefore, area #0 to area #3 can be areas that meet condition #1.

[0134] Condition #2: The traffic volume of each of the M areas is less than or equal to the traffic volume threshold.

[0135] For example, still Figure 4A For example, in the first correspondence, SSB index 2 corresponds to area #2, and SSB index 5 corresponds to area #5. If the traffic volume of area #2 is less than or equal to the traffic volume threshold, and the traffic volume of area #5 is less than or equal to the traffic volume threshold, then area #2 and area #5 can be areas that meet condition #2.

[0136] For example, still Figure 4A For example, in the first correspondence, SSB index 0 to SSB index 3 correspond to area #0 to area #3 respectively. If the business volume of each area in area #0 to area #3 is less than or equal to the business volume threshold, then area #0 to area #3 can be the area that meets condition #2.

[0137] Optionally, the traffic volume threshold can be a positive number or 0. If the traffic volume threshold is 0, condition #2 can be replaced by: the traffic volume in each of the M areas is 0; or, there is no traffic in each of the M areas. The value of the traffic volume threshold can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol; or it can be determined by the first device; or it can be determined by another device (for example, a core network device) and notified to the first device.

[0138] Optionally, less than or equal to in condition #2 can be replaced with less than.

[0139] Through this method, if the M areas are continuous areas and the traffic volume of each area in the M areas is less than or equal to the traffic volume threshold, then the M areas can be widened into one area, and the one area corresponds to the first SSB. In this way, without affecting the traffic of the M areas, the number of SSBs sent by the first device can be reduced, the time the first device is in a sending state to send SSBs can be reduced, the resources occupied by SSBs (for example, power resources) can be reduced, and load power can be saved. In addition, this method can reduce the total time the first device sends SSBs to all areas within its coverage area.

[0140] In S302 , the first device may send the second information in various ways, for example, way a1 , way a2 , or way a3 .

[0141] Mode a1: The first device may send the second information within the M areas; correspondingly, if the second device is located within the M areas, the second device may receive the second information.

[0142] For example, if the second correspondence indicated by the second information includes a correspondence between region #2 and region #5 and SSB index 2, i.e., the M regions include region #2 and region #5, then the first device may send the second information within region #2 and region #5. Accordingly, if the second device is located within region #2 and / or region #5, the second device may receive the second information.

[0143] In some possible ways, the first device may broadcast the second information within the M areas; in other words, the second information may be carried in a broadcast message sent within the M areas. The broadcast message is, for example, a system message, and the system message is, for example, a system information block (SIB). Exemplarily, the first device may send a broadcast message including the second information only within the M areas. In this case, the broadcast message may be a regional-level broadcast message. In this way, all devices (for example, all terminals) within the M areas may receive the broadcast message, thereby obtaining the second information. Among them, all terminals may include one or more of connected terminals, idle terminals, and inactive terminals.

[0144] In other possible approaches, the second information may be carried in a unicast message sent within the M regions. For example, the second information may be carried in an RRC message sent within the M regions. Thus, if a second device is within the M regions and is the intended recipient of the RRC message, the second device may obtain the second information in the RRC message. In this approach, the second device may be a connected terminal; in other words, this approach is applicable to connected terminals.

[0145] Through the method a1, the first device may send the second information within the M areas; in areas outside the M areas, the first device may not send the second information, thereby saving transmission resources and reducing transmission overhead.

[0146] Method a2: The first device may send second information within the first cell, where the second information may be carried in information elements (IEs) corresponding to the M areas. Accordingly, if the second device is located within the M areas, the second device may receive and read the second information. The first cell may include the M areas, and optionally, the first cell may include the P areas in S501.

[0147] Exemplarily, a first device may send a broadcast message within a first cell. The broadcast message may be a cell-level broadcast message, and the information elements corresponding to the M regions in the broadcast message may include the second information. For example, if the first cell includes P regions, and the P regions include regions #0 to #7 as shown in Example 1, and the second correspondence indicated by the second information includes the correspondence between regions #2 and #5 and SSB index 2, then the first device may send a broadcast message within regions #0 to #7, and the information elements corresponding to regions #2 and #5 in the broadcast message may include the second information. Accordingly, if a second device is located within region #2 and / or region #5, the second device may receive and read the second information in the broadcast message.

[0148] Through this method a2, all devices (e.g., all terminals) within the M areas can read the second information. These terminals may include one or more of connected, idle, and inactive terminals. Devices outside the M areas do not need to read the second information, thereby reducing reading overhead for these devices.

[0149] Method a3: The first device may send second information within the first cell, where the second information may be carried in an information element corresponding to the first cell. Accordingly, if the second device is located within the first cell, the second device may receive and read the second information. The first cell may include the M areas, and optionally, the first cell may include the P areas in S501.

[0150] Exemplarily, a first device may send a broadcast message within a first cell. The broadcast message may be a cell-level broadcast message, and the information element corresponding to the first cell in the broadcast message may include the second information. For example, if the first cell includes P areas, and the P areas include areas #0 to #7 as shown in Example 1, and the second correspondence indicated by the second information includes the correspondence between areas #2 and #5 and SSB index 2, then the first device may send a broadcast message within areas #0 to #7, and the information elements corresponding to areas #0 to #7 in the broadcast message may include the second information. Accordingly, if a second device is located within areas #0 to #7, the second device may receive and read the second information in the broadcast message.

[0151] Through the method a3, all devices (eg, all terminals) in the first cell can read the second information, wherein all terminals may include one or more of connected terminals, idle terminals, and inactive terminals.

[0152] As mentioned above, the second information can be used to indicate the second corresponding relationship. There are many ways for the second information to indicate the second corresponding relationship, for example, way b1, way b2, or way b3.

[0153] Method b1: The second information may indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence; in other words, the second information may include information indicating the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence. By indicating the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence, the second information may indicate the second correspondence. Thus, after receiving the second information, the second device may determine the second correspondence based on the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence.

[0154] Exemplarily, if the second information indicates SSB index 2 and SSB index 5, and in the first correspondence, area #2 and area #5 correspond to SSB index 2 and SSB index 5, respectively, then the second correspondence indicated by the second information may include: the correspondence between area #2 and area #5 and SSB index 2.

[0155] In some implementations, the second information may explicitly indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence. For example, the second information may include the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence. For example, if the second information includes SSB index 2 and SSB index 5, it indicates that the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence include SSB index 2 and SSB index 5.

[0156] In some other implementations, the second information may implicitly indicate the SSB index corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. Optionally, the second information may include multiple bits corresponding to multiple SSB indexes, and the multiple SSB indexes may include the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship, and the bit states of M bits in the multiple bits can be used to indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. Among them, the multiple SSB indexes may have multiple forms, for example, they may be all SSB indexes that the first device can send, or they may be the P SSB indexes, and this application is not limited to this. Exemplarily, bit #2 is any bit among the multiple bits. If the value of bit #2 is value #3 (for example, 1), it means that the SSB index corresponding to bit #2 belongs to the SSB index corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship; if the value of bit #2 is value #4 (for example, 0), it means that the SSB index corresponding to bit #2 does not belong to the SSB index corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship. For example, the multiple SSB indexes include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7, value #3 is 1, and value #4 is 0. If the values ​​of the multiple bits included in the second information are: 00100100, it means that the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence may include: SSB index 2 and SSB index 5.

[0157] Optionally, in mode b1, the second information may be included in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter. A possible example of the second information being included in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter is shown below:

[0158]

[0159] The combined SSB position (combinedSSBPosition) may be the second information. It should be understood that this application does not limit the naming of the second information. In addition to combinedSSBPosition, the second information may also have other names. As long as they achieve the same function, they are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0160] In mode b1, by indicating the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship, the second information can accurately indicate the second corresponding relationship.

[0161] Optionally, method b1 can be combined with any one of methods a1 to a3; in other words, when the second information indicates the second corresponding relationship in method b1, the first device can send the second information in any one of methods a1 to a3.

[0162] In some possible ways, when way b1 is combined with way a3, the second correspondence indicated by the second information may include a correspondence between at least one group of regions and an SSB index, where each group of regions in the at least one group of regions corresponds to an SSB index; the second information may indicate the SSB index corresponding to each group of regions in the at least one group of regions in the first correspondence. For the correspondence between each group of regions and an SSB index in the at least one group of regions in the second correspondence, reference may be made to the description of "the correspondence between M regions and the first SSB index" in S302 above, except that M regions are replaced by each group of regions in the at least one group of regions, and the first SSB index is replaced by the SSB index corresponding to each group of regions, which will not be repeated here. For the specific content of the SSB index corresponding to each group of regions in the at least one group of regions indicated by the second information in the first correspondence, reference may be made to the description of "the second information may indicate the SSB index corresponding to the M regions in the first correspondence" in way b1, except that M regions are replaced by each group of regions in the at least one group of regions, which will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the number of regions in different groups of regions in the at least one group of regions may be the same or different.

[0163] Another possible example of the second information being included in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter is shown below:

[0164]

[0165] The widened SSB-combined index (wssb-combinedIndex) may be the second information. It should be understood that this application does not limit the naming of the second information. In addition to wssb-combinedIndex, the second information may also have other names. As long as they achieve the same function, they are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0166] Exemplarily, the plurality of SSB indexes may include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7. wssb-combinedIndex includes: List{'01001000','00100100'}. 01001000 may indicate SSB index 1 and SSB index 4 corresponding to the first group of regions in the first correspondence; in the first correspondence, SSB index 1 corresponds to region #1, and SSB index 4 corresponds to region #4, so the first group of regions may include: region #1 and region #4. 00100100 may indicate SSB index 2 and SSB index 5 corresponding to the second group of regions in the first correspondence; in the first correspondence, SSB index 2 corresponds to region #2, and SSB index 5 corresponds to region #5, so the second group of regions may include: region #2 and region #5. The second correspondence indicated by wssb-combinedIndex may include: the correspondence between region #1 and region #4 and SSB index 1, and the correspondence between region #2 and region #5 and SSB index 2.

[0167] There may be at least one group of widened areas in the first cell. In this way, the correspondence between the at least one group of widened areas in the first cell and the SSB index can be accurately indicated.

[0168] Mode b2: The second information can be used to indicate M. In this case, the second correspondence may include a correspondence between multiple groups of regions and SSB indexes, the number of regions in each group of the multiple groups of regions may be M, and each group of regions in the multiple groups of regions may correspond to an SSB index; in other words, the second correspondence may include a correspondence between every M regions (for example, every M regions in the P regions) and an SSB index. Among them, M can also be named in other ways, such as widening level, which is not limited in this application. In this way, after receiving the second information, the second device can determine the second correspondence based on M.

[0169] The i-th group of regions in the multiple groups of regions can be any group of regions in the multiple groups of regions, where i is a positive integer. The correspondence between the i-th group of regions and an SSB index in the second correspondence relationship can refer to the description of the "correspondence between M regions and the first SSB index" in S302 above, except that the M regions are replaced by the i-th group of regions, and the first SSB index is replaced by the SSB index corresponding to the i-th group of regions in the second correspondence relationship. No further details will be given here.

[0170] Optionally, the conditions satisfied by the i-th group of regions may refer to the above conditions #1 and #2, except that the M regions are replaced by the i-th group of regions, which will not be repeated here.

[0171] Exemplarily, the i-th group of areas may include: in the first correspondence, the areas corresponding to the 0th+(i-1)*Mth to 1st+(i-1)*Mth SSB indices among the P SSB indices, where i is an integer from 1 to P / M.

[0172] For example, if M is 2, and in the first correspondence, SSB index 0 to SSB index 7 correspond to regions #0 to #7, respectively, then the multiple groups of regions may include 4 groups of regions, the first group of regions may include region #0 and region #1, the second group of regions may include region #2 and region #3, the third group of regions may include region #4 and region #5, and the fourth group of regions may include region #6 and region #7. Optionally, if the SSB index corresponding to the i-th group of regions in the second correspondence is the smallest SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the i-th group of regions in the first correspondence, then the second correspondence may include: the first group of regions corresponding to SSB index 0, the second group of regions corresponding to SSB index 2, the third group of regions corresponding to SSB index 4, and the fourth group of regions corresponding to SSB index 6.

[0173] For another example, if M is 4, and in the first correspondence, SSB index 0 to SSB index 7 correspond to regions #0 to #7, respectively, then the multiple groups of regions may include two groups of regions, with the first group of regions including regions #0 to #3, and the second group of regions including regions #4 to #7. Alternatively, if the SSB index corresponding to the i-th group of regions in the second correspondence is the smallest SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the i-th group of regions in the first correspondence, then the second correspondence may include: the first group of regions corresponding to SSB index 0, and the second group of regions corresponding to SSB index 4.

[0174] The second information may indicate M in various ways. Optionally, the second information may include at least one bit, and the value of the at least one bit may indicate M. Exemplarily, the value of the at least one bit corresponds to M. For example, the second information may include two bits. If the value of the two bits is 00, M is 2; if the value of the two bits is 01, M is 4.

[0175] In mode b2, by indicating M, the second information can accurately indicate the second corresponding relationship, and this mode has a small signaling overhead.

[0176] Optionally, method b2 may be combined with method a3; in other words, when the second information indicates the second corresponding relationship in method b2, the first device may send the second information in method a3.

[0177] Mode b3: The second information may be used to indicate at least one second correspondence, each of which may correspond to a cell DTX / DRX pattern. The first device may send fourth information, which may be used to indicate activation of one of the at least one second correspondence. In response, the second device may receive the fourth information. Thus, the second device may activate one of the at least one second correspondence based on the second and fourth information.

[0178] The second information is used to indicate a manner of each second correspondence in at least one second correspondence, which may be referred to manner b1 or manner b2 and will not be described in detail here.

[0179] Optionally, the at least one second correspondence may exist with at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern. The correspondence between the at least one second correspondence and the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern may be a one-to-one correspondence, or a many-to-one correspondence, or a one-to-many correspondence. Optionally, in the case where there is a correspondence between the at least one second correspondence and the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern, the second information may be carried in a message including configuration information of the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern, for example, the second information may be included in the configuration information of the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern; or, the second information may be carried in a message including activation information of the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern, for example, the second information may be included in the activation information of the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern.

[0180] The second correspondence #1 may be any second correspondence among the at least one second correspondence. The second correspondence #1 may correspond to the first cell DTX / DRX pattern. Optionally, the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern may indicate whether the second correspondence #1 corresponding to the first cell DTX / DRX pattern is configured. Exemplarily, the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern may include:

[0181]

[0182] The -wssb field may include information suffixed with wssb, for example, dtxdrxwssb, dtxwssb, drxwssb, or wssb. If cellDTXDRXconfigType-r18 includes -wssb, it indicates that the second correspondence #1 corresponding to the first cell DTX / DRX pattern is configured. If cellDTXDRXconfigType-r18 does not include -wssb, it indicates that the second correspondence #1 corresponding to the first cell DTX / DRX pattern is not configured.

[0183] Optionally, the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern may further indicate whether the first cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence #1 are jointly activated or separately activated. Exemplarily, the -wssb in the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern may indicate whether the first cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence #1 are jointly activated or separately activated. For example, dtxdrxwssb indicates that the type of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern is DTX / DRX, and the first cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence #1 can be jointly activated; dtxwssb indicates that the type of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern is DTX, and the first cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence #1 can be jointly activated; drxwssb indicates that the type of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern is DRX, and the first cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence #1 can be jointly activated; wssb indicates that the first cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence #1 can be separately activated.

[0184] Optionally, when the second information indicates at least one second correspondence through mode b1, the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern may further include indication information of the first SSB index. Exemplarily, the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern may include at least one bit corresponding to at least one SSB index, and the at least one SSB index may include the P SSB indexes. The bit states of Q bits in the at least one bit may be used to indicate Q SSB indexes, where Q is a positive integer. The Q SSB indexes may be the indexes of the SSBs that the first device can send within the effective time of the second correspondence #1. The Q SSB indexes include the first SSB index. Exemplarily, bit #3 is any bit in the at least one bit. If the value of bit #3 is value #5 (for example, 1), it indicates that the SSB index corresponding to bit #3 belongs to the Q SSB indexes; if the value of bit #3 is value #6 (for example, 0), it indicates that the SSB index corresponding to bit #3 does not belong to the Q SSB indexes. For example, the at least one SSB index includes SSB index 0 to SSB index 7, value #5 is 1, and value #6 is 0. If the value of the at least one bit is: 11111011, it means that the Q SSB indexes may include: SSB index 0 to SSB index 4, and SSB index 6 to SSB index 7.

[0185] Exemplarily, the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern includes:

[0186]

[0187] The position of the widened SSB in the burst (wssb-positionInBurst-r19) may be the at least one bit, used to indicate the Q SSB indexes. It should be understood that this application does not limit the naming method of wssb-positionInBurst-r19, and as long as the same function is achieved, it is within the scope of protection of this application.

[0188] Optionally, when the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern includes wssb-positionInBurst-r19, the first SSB scanning period for the Q SSB indexes and the second SSB scanning period corresponding to the first correspondence may be the same or different. If the first SSB scanning period is different from the second SSB scanning period, the first device may send information indicating the first SSB scanning period to the second device. The information indicating the first SSB scanning period may be carried in the configuration information of the first cell DTX / DRX pattern, for example.

[0189] In some possible ways, at least one bit for indicating the Q SSB indexes may exist independently of the second information. In this case, the at least one bit may be used to indicate turning off some SSBs or not sending some SSBs. For example, the indexes of the SSBs that the first device can send include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7. If the value of the at least one bit is: 11111011, that is, the Q SSB indexes may include: SSB index 0 to SSB index 4, and SSB index 6 to SSB index 7, then it means turning off the SSB with index SSB index 5, or not sending the SSB with index SSB index 5. This approach can be applied to a beam hopping architecture. For example, if the traffic volume in certain areas within the first cell of the first device is low (for example, below a traffic volume threshold), or the first device wants to call the beam to other areas, resulting in some beams within the first cell of the first device being turned off (that is, the first device does not send signals in some areas within the first cell), the first device may indicate the Q SSB indexes through the at least one bit, thereby indicating turning off some SSBs.

[0190] As previously described, the fourth information may be used to indicate activation of one of the at least one second correspondences. The fourth information may indicate activation of one of the at least one second correspondences in a variety of ways, such as way c1, way c2, way c3, or way c4. The following description uses the fourth information indicating activation of second correspondence #2 as an example.

[0191] Mode c1: The fourth information may indicate activation of the second cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence #2 in the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern, thereby indicating activation of the second correspondence #2. Thus, after receiving the fourth information, the second device may activate the second correspondence #2.

[0192] For example, the second correspondence #a may correspond to cell DTX / DRX pattern #1; the second correspondence #a may include the correspondence between regions #2 and #5 and SSB index 2. The second correspondence #b may correspond to cell DTX / DRX pattern #2; the second correspondence #b may include the correspondence between regions #0 to #3 and SSB index 0. If the fourth information indicates activation of cell DTX / DRX pattern #1, it indicates activation of the second correspondence #a. In this case, the second cell DTX / DRX pattern may be cell DTX / DRX pattern #1, and the second correspondence #2 may be the second correspondence #a.

[0193] Among them, the fourth information indicates the specific content of activating the second cell DTX / DRX pattern. Please refer to the explanation of "the cell DTX / DRX pattern can be activated" in the explanation of terms, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0194] Exemplarily, the fourth information may be information for activating the cell DTX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern. For example, the activation information of the second cell DTX / DRX pattern may include information block #1. Bit #4 in the information block #1 may be used to indicate whether the cell DTX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated. If the value of bit #4 is value #7 (for example, 1), it indicates that the cell DTX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated; if the value of bit #4 is value #8 (for example, 0), it indicates that the cell DTX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern is not activated. If bit #4 is used to indicate the activation of the cell DTX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern, it means that the second correspondence #2 is activated. In this case, bit #4 may be the fourth information.

[0195] Optionally, the manner c1 may be applied to the following scenario: the second cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second corresponding relationship #2 may be jointly activated.

[0196] In mode c1, the fourth information can activate the second correspondence #2 corresponding to the second cell DTX / DRX pattern by indicating activation of the second cell DTX / DRX pattern. In this way, the first device does not need to indicate activation of the cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence separately, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0197] Mode c2: The fourth information may explicitly activate the second correspondence #2; in other words, the second correspondence #2 may be explicitly activated. Thus, after receiving the fourth information, the second device may activate the second correspondence #2.

[0198] In some possible embodiments, if the fourth information may be a DCI in a first format, the fourth information may indicate activation of the second correspondence #2. The first format may be a conventional format, such as DCI format 2_x (DCIformat2_x), where x is, for example, 9; or the first format may be a newly added format.

[0199] In some other possible manners, the fourth information may be activation information of at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern, and may be information for activating the second correspondence #2.

[0200] In some examples, the at least one second correspondence may include a second correspondence. The activation information of the second cell DTX / DRX pattern may include information block #2, and the information block #2 may include 3 bits. The first bit of the 3 bits may be used to indicate whether the cell DTX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated, the second bit of the 3 bits may be used to indicate whether the cell DRX pattern in the second cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated, and the third bit of the 3 bits may be used to indicate whether the second correspondence #2 corresponding to the second cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated. If the third bit of the 3 bits indicates activation of the second correspondence, the third bit of the 3 bits may be fourth information.

[0201] In some other examples, the at least one second correspondence may include multiple second correspondences. The activation information of the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern may include multiple information blocks. Each information block in the multiple information blocks may correspond to one of the at least one second correspondences and may indicate whether the second correspondence corresponding to the information block is activated. The first information block is any information block in the multiple information blocks. The first information block may include 1 bit. If the value of the first information block is value #9 (for example, 1), it indicates that the second correspondence corresponding to the first information block is activated. If the value of the first information block is value #10 (for example, 0), it indicates that the second correspondence corresponding to the first information block is not activated. For example, value #9 is 1 and value #10 is 0. The multiple information blocks include information block #3 and information block #4, information block #3 corresponds to the second correspondence #a, and information block #4 corresponds to the second correspondence #b. If the value of information block #3 is 1 and the value of information block #4 is 0, the fourth information may be information block #3, used to indicate the activation of the second correspondence #a.

[0202] In other examples, the at least one second correspondence may include multiple second correspondences. The activation information for the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern may include information block #5. Information block #5 may include R bits, where R is a positive number. Each of the R bits may correspond to one of the at least one second correspondences and may indicate whether the second correspondence corresponding to the bit is activated. It should be understood that the R bits may be some or all of the bits in information block #5. Exemplarily, bit #5 is any bit in the R bits. If the value of bit #5 is value #11 (e.g., 1), it indicates that the second correspondence corresponding to bit #5 is activated. If the value of bit #5 is value #12 (e.g., 0), it indicates that the second correspondence corresponding to bit #5 is not activated. For example, value #11 is 1 and value #12 is 0. If the values ​​of the R bits are 01, the first bit of the R bits corresponds to the second correspondence #a and the second bit corresponds to the second correspondence #b, then the fourth information may be the second bit, used to indicate the activation of the second correspondence #b.

[0203] The fourth information may be carried in a traditional message or in a new message. For example, the fourth information may be carried in an L1 message (e.g., DCI) or a media access control element (MACCE) or a PBCH or a SIB or an RRC message. The message carrying the fourth information may be group-shared or UE-specific.

[0204] Optionally, mode c2 may be applicable to the following scenario: the second cell DTX / DRX pattern and the second correspondence relationship #2 may be activated separately (or independently).

[0205] Through mode c2, the fourth information may indicate activation of a second correspondence relationship, and activation of the second correspondence relationship may not depend on the cell DTX / DRX pattern. Therefore, this mode can flexibly activate the second correspondence relationship.

[0206] Mode c3: The fourth information may indicate activation of the RRC configuration, thereby activating the second correspondence #2 corresponding to the RRC configuration.

[0207] Exemplarily, the RRC message for configuring the second correspondence #2 includes an RRC configuration. If the RRC configuration is activated, the second correspondence #2 is activated. In this case, the fourth information may be information indicating activation of the RRC configuration. If the RRC configuration is deactivated (or released or invalidated), the second correspondence #2 is deactivated (or invalidated).

[0208] Through this method c3, the fourth information can activate the second correspondence #2 corresponding to the RRC configuration by indicating activation of the RRC configuration. In this way, the first device does not need to indicate activation of the RRC configuration and the second correspondence separately, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0209] Mode c4: If the fourth information is an RRC release message, and the RRC release message includes second information indicating the at least one second correspondence, the fourth information may indicate activation of second correspondence #2. Second correspondence #2 may be a configured second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence, for example, the first second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence.

[0210] Through this mode c4, the terminal in the idle or inactive state can activate the second correspondence #2 according to the RRC release message. In addition, in this mode, the first device implicitly indicates the activation of the second correspondence #2 through the RRC release message, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0211] In mode b3, the first device may indicate at least one second correspondence through the second information, and activate one of the at least one second correspondence through the fourth information, thereby flexibly activating the second correspondence.

[0212] Optionally, method b3 may be combined with method a3; in other words, when the second information indicates the second corresponding relationship in method b3, the first device may send the second information in method a3.

[0213] Additionally, as described above, in mode b3, at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern may exist. Optionally, the at least one cell DTX / DRX pattern may be independent of the at least one second correspondence. In other words, the present application may provide a communication method, in which a first device may transmit configuration information for at least one DTX / DRX pattern; and correspondingly, a second device may receive configuration information for at least one DTX / DRX pattern. This method allows the first device to flexibly configure the DTX / DRX pattern.

[0214] In some implementations, after the second information indicates the second correspondence, the second correspondence may not take effect immediately. The effective time of the second correspondence can be determined in a variety of ways, such as way d1, way d2, or way d3.

[0215] Method d1: The effective start time of the second correspondence can be pre-set, such as specified by the protocol. For example, the effective start time of the second correspondence can be: the next SSB scan cycle after the second information is sent by (the first device); alternatively, the effective start time of the second correspondence can be: the next SSB scan cycle after the second information is received by (the second device). Optionally, the second correspondence can take effect after this effective start time.

[0216] For example, during the Lth SSB scan cycle, the first device sends the second information; correspondingly, the second device receives the second information. L is a positive integer. The second correspondence relationship may take effect at the L+1th SSB scan cycle. Thus, the second correspondence relationship may take effect starting from the L+1th SSB scan cycle.

[0217] Through the manner d1, there is no need to additionally transmit information indicating the effective time (eg, effective start time) between the first device and the second device, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0218] Method d2: The effective start time of the second correspondence may be indicated by the first indication information. The first device may send the first indication information; in response, the second device may receive the first indication information. Optionally, the second correspondence may take effect after the effective start time.

[0219] In some examples, the first indication information may explicitly indicate the effective start time. For example, the first indication information may include an absolute time of the effective start time. Thus, after receiving the first indication information, the second device may determine the effective start time of the second correspondence.

[0220] In other examples, the first indication information may be used to configure timer #1, which may be used to indicate the start time of the second correspondence. For example, the first indication information may be used to configure the duration of timer #1. After receiving the first indication information, the second device may start timer #1, and the expiration time of timer #1 may be the start time of the second correspondence.

[0221] The first indication information may be carried in a traditional message or in a new message. For example, the first indication information may be carried in a broadcast message or an RRC message. The first indication information and the second information may be carried in the same message or in different messages. For example, in mode d2, the first indication information may be included in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter. The following shows a possible example in which the first indication information and the second information are included in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter:

[0222]

[0223] Among them, combinedSSBPosition can be the second information; delay timer (delayTimer) can be the first indication information. It should be understood that this application does not limit the naming method of the first indication information. In addition to delayTimer, the first indication information can also have other names (for example, effective delay timer or effective delay timer, etc.). As long as they achieve the same function, they are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0224] Through this method d2, the first device can accurately indicate the effective start time of the second correspondence to the second device.

[0225] Optionally, any one of the methods d1 and d2 may be combined with any one of the methods b1 and b2.

[0226] Mode d3: If the second information indicates at least one second correspondence using mode b3, the effective time of each second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence may include one of the following:

[0227] 1. The time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated. For example, cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 corresponds to the second correspondence #a. Figure 5A As shown, if cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 is activated after time T0, the effective time of the second correspondence #a may include the time period when cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 is activated.

[0228] 2. The onduration time period corresponding to the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence. For example, cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 corresponds to the second correspondence #a. Figure 5B As shown, if cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 is activated after T0, the effective time of the second correspondence #a may include the time period of onduration corresponding to cell DTX / DRX pattern #1. This method is applicable to the following scenario: the first device does not send SSB in the time period other than onduration during the time period when the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated.

[0229] 3. The time period other than onduration in the time period when the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated. For example, cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 corresponds to the second correspondence #a. Figure 5C As shown, if cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 is activated after time T0, the effective time of the second correspondence #a may include the time period other than the on duration in the time period when cell DTX / DRX pattern #1 is activated. This method is applicable to the following scenario: the first device transmits an SSB in the time period other than the on duration in the time period when the cell DTX / DRX pattern is activated.

[0230] In this way, the first device and the second device can accurately determine the effective time of the second corresponding relationship.

[0231] The following combination Figure 6A ,illustrate Figure 3 An example of a possible application of the method shown.

[0232] S601: The first device may send first information to the second device. The first corresponding relationship indicated by the first information may be as follows: Figure 4A The first information may include S bits in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter, and the value of the S bits may be 11111111, indicating that the indexes of the SSBs that the first device can send include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7.

[0233] S602: In the Lth SSB scanning cycle, the first device may send second information, and the second correspondence indicated by the second information includes: the correspondence between area #2 and area #5 and SSB index 2.

[0234] Assume that the effective start time of the second correspondence (hereinafter referred to as T1) is before the start time of the L+1th SSB scanning period (hereinafter referred to as T2), and the first device sends the second information through mode a1 or mode a2.

[0235] During the time period from T1 to T2, the first device can send SSB according to the second corresponding relationship; in other words, during the time period from T1 to T2, the indexes of SSB that the first device can send include: SSB index 0 to SSB index 4, and SSB index 6 to SSB index 7.

[0236] If the second device is located in area #2 and / or area #5, then during the time period from T1 to T2, the second device may understand the value of the S bits in S601 as 11111011, indicating that the indexes of the SSBs that the first device can send include SSB index 0 to SSB index 4, and SSB index 6 to SSB index 7; and receive the SSB according to the second corresponding relationship.

[0237] If the second device is located in at least one of the following areas: area #0, area #1, area #3, area #4, area #6 or area #7, then during the time period T1 to T2, the second device can receive SSB according to the first correspondence.

[0238] S603: During the L+1th SSB scanning period, the first device may send information #1, and information #1 may indicate a second corresponding relationship. The manner in which information #1 indicates the second corresponding relationship may be the same as the manner in which the first information indicates the first corresponding relationship. Information #1 may include S bits in the ssb-PositionInBurst parameter, and the values ​​of the S bits may be 11111011, indicating that the indexes of the SSBs that the first device can send include SSB index 0 to SSB index 4, and SSB index 6 to SSB index 7. If the second device is located in any area from area #0 to area #7, the second device may receive the SSB according to the second corresponding relationship.

[0239] Through this example, after time T1, the first device can send SSBs according to the second correspondence, thereby reducing the number of SSBs sent by the first device, reducing the time the first device is in a sending state to send SSBs, reducing the resources occupied by SSBs (e.g., power resources), and saving load power. In addition, this method can reduce the total time the first device sends SSBs to all areas within its coverage area.

[0240] The following combination Figure 6B ,illustrate Figure 3 Another possible application example of the method shown.

[0241] like Figure 6B As shown, the first device can send SSBs in two cells, namely cell #1 and cell #2. In the Lth SSB scanning cycle, the number of SSB indexes corresponding to cell #1 is number #a1, and the total duration for the first device to send number #a1 SSBs in cell #1 is duration #1; the number of SSB indexes corresponding to cell #2 is number #a2, and the total duration for the first device to send number #a2 SSBs in cell #2 is duration #2. In the L+1th SSB scanning cycle, multiple areas in cell #1 are widened, the number of SSB indexes corresponding to cell #1 is number #a3, and the total duration for the first device to send number #a3 SSBs in cell #1 is duration #3. Among them, number #a3 is less than number #a1, and duration #3 is less than duration #1.

[0242] Through this example, starting from the L+1th SSB scanning cycle, the first device can send SSBs according to the second correspondence, thereby reducing the number of SSBs sent by the first device, reducing the time the first device is in a sending state to send SSBs, reducing the resources occupied by SSBs (e.g., power resources), and saving load power. In addition, this method can reduce the total time the first device sends SSBs to all areas within its coverage area.

[0243] exist Figure 6A In the example shown, during the time period T1 to T2, devices in different areas may have different understandings of the RO mapping rule, resulting in devices receiving SSBs with different SSB indices using the same RO for random access. This is described in detail below.

[0244] In S601, a device (eg, a terminal) within the coverage of the first device may perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence. For example, if the first correspondence is as follows: Figure 4A As shown, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence relationship can be as follows Figure 7A Specifically, SSB index 0 corresponds to RO0, SSB index 1 corresponds to RO1, and so on.

[0245] In S602, it is assumed that the effective start time of the second correspondence (hereinafter referred to as T1) is before the start time of the L+1th SSB scanning period (hereinafter referred to as T2), and the first device sends the second information through mode a1 or mode a2. If the second device is located in area #2 and / or area #5, then during the time period from T1 to T2, the second device can perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence. The RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence can be as follows: Figure 7B If the second device is located in at least one of the following areas: area #0, area #1, area #3, area #4, area #6, or area #7, then during the time period T1 to T2, the second device may perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence. The RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence may be as follows: Figure 7A shown.

[0246] In S603, the device (eg, terminal) within the coverage of the first device may perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence relationship. The RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence relationship may be as follows: Figure 7B shown.

[0247] This shows that during the time period from T1 to T2, devices in different areas have different understandings of the RO mapping rules, resulting in devices receiving SSBs with different SSB indices potentially using the same RO for random access. For example, during the time period from T1 to T2, terminal #1 in area #4 can perform random access based on RO3 after receiving the SSB corresponding to SSB index 4; terminal #2 in area #3 can perform random access based on RO3 after receiving the SSB corresponding to SSB index 3.

[0248] Among some possible ways, Figure 3 The illustrated method may further include:

[0249] Step A1: Within the first time period after receiving the second information, the second device may perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence; in other words, within the first time period after receiving the second information, the second device may send a preamble according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence.

[0250] The RO mapping rule may also be referred to as an SSB-RO mapping rule. The RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence may include: a mapping rule between P SSBs corresponding to P SSB indexes and P ROs; in other words, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence may include: a mapping rule between P SSB indexes and P ROs. For example, if the first correspondence is as follows Figure 4A As shown, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence relationship can be as follows Figure 7A If, after receiving the second information, the second device receives the SSB corresponding to SSB index 6, then within the first time period after receiving the second information, the second device may send a preamble according to RO6.

[0251] The second device may determine the first duration in various ways, such as way e1 or way e2.

[0252] Method e1: The first device may send third information, which may be used to indicate the first duration; in response, the second device receives the third information. In this way, the second device may determine the first duration based on the third information. The phrase "the third information may be used to indicate the first duration" can be replaced with "the third information is used to instruct the devices in the M areas to perform random access according to the random access opportunity mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence within the first duration after receiving the second information."

[0253] In some implementations, the third information may explicitly indicate the first duration. For example, the third information may include the third duration. For example, if the value of the third information is 3, in milliseconds, then the first duration is 3 milliseconds.

[0254] In other implementations, the third information may implicitly indicate the first duration. For example, the third information may be used to configure Timer #2, where Timer #2 indicates the first duration. For example, the third information may be used to configure the duration of Timer #2, where the duration of Timer #2 is the first duration. It should be understood that Timer #2 and Timer #1 described above may be the same timer or different timers.

[0255] The third information can be carried in a traditional message or a new message. The third information and the second information can be carried in the same message or in different messages. When the third information and the second information are carried in different messages, the order in which the third information and the second information are sent is not restricted.

[0256] Method e2: The first duration is preset, for example, specified in an agreement.

[0257] In some examples, the first duration may be fixed.

[0258] In other examples, the end time of the first duration may be fixed. For example, the end time of the first duration may be the next SSB scanning cycle after the second information is sent by (the first device); in other words, the end time of the first duration may be the next SSB scanning cycle after the second information is received by (the second device); or, the first duration may be the time difference between the sending time of the second information and the start time of the next SSB scanning cycle; or, the first duration may be the time difference between the receiving time of the second information and the start time of the next SSB scanning cycle. In this case, step A1 may be replaced by: before the next SSB scanning cycle after receiving the second information, the second device may perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first corresponding relationship.

[0259] Through this method e2, the second device can quickly determine the first duration.

[0260] Through the method shown in step A1, within the first time period after receiving the second information, the second device can perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the first correspondence, thereby reducing or avoiding the situation where devices in different areas have inconsistent understanding of the RO mapping rule.

[0261] In some possible ways, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the RO corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence corresponds to one or more areas in the N areas, and the N areas belong to areas other than the M areas in the P areas; in other words, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the RO corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence corresponds to the SSB indexes corresponding to one or more areas in the N areas; or, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the RO corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence corresponds to the beams corresponding to one or more areas in the N areas. Wherein, N is a positive integer. In this way, if the second device is located within the N areas, the second device can perform random access according to the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence.

[0262] Optionally, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes corresponds to one or more areas in at least one non-stretched area; in other words, the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes corresponds to the SSB indexes corresponding to one or more areas in at least one non-stretched area; or the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: the RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes corresponds to beams corresponding to one or more areas in at least one non-stretched area. The first group of SSB indexes may include part or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to multiple stretched areas in the first correspondence; the multiple stretched areas and the at least one non-stretched area belong to P areas; the multiple stretched areas may include the M areas; the at least one non-stretched area may include areas other than the multiple stretched areas in the P areas; the at least one non-stretched area may include the N areas. In this way, after changing from the first correspondence to the second correspondence, the first device can reduce the number of SSB indexes corresponding to the SSB to be sent, and the ROs corresponding to the reduced SSB indexes can be allocated to the unstretched area, or in other words, the ROs corresponding to the reduced SSB indexes can correspond to the unstretched area, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the ROs.

[0263] The following explanation is given by taking the example that the first group of SSB indexes may include partial SSB indexes corresponding to multiple widened areas in the first correspondence.

[0264] Exemplarily, the first group of SSB indexes may include SSB indexes other than the second group of SSB indexes in the P SSB indexes, and the second group of SSB indexes may include the indexes of the SSBs that the first device can send within the effective time of the second correspondence. For example (hereinafter referred to as Example 2), the first correspondence is as follows Figure 4A As shown. The P SSB indexes may include SSB index 0 to SSB index 7. If the second correspondence indicated by the second information includes: region #0 and region #1 correspond to SSB index 0, and region #4 and region #5 correspond to SSB index 4, then the second group of SSB indexes may include: SSB index 0, SSB index 2 to SSB index 4, SSB index 6 to SSB index 7. At this time, the first group of SSB indexes may include: SSB index 1 and SSB index 5; SSB index 1 corresponds to RO1, and SSB index 5 corresponds to RO5; the RO mapping rule corresponding to the second correspondence may include: RO1 and RO5 correspond to one or more of the following regions: region #2, region #3, region #6, and region #7.

[0265] Optionally, the ROs corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes may be evenly distributed (or evenly configured) to at least one non-stretched region. For example, each of the at least one non-stretched region may be N corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes. new_RO N ROs correspond to new_RO It can be determined according to formula (1):

[0266] N new_RO =N RO / N SSB_narrow , formula (1)

[0267] Among them, N SSB_narrow N may be the number of at least one unstretched region; RO Indicates the number of ROs corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes.

[0268] Taking Example 2 as an example, the at least one unstretched region may include region #2, region #3, region #6, and region #7. Therefore, N SSB_narrow The first group of SSB indexes may include SSB index 1 and SSB index 5, SSB index 1 corresponds to RO1, SSB index 5 corresponds to RO5, so N RO Can be 2. N new_RO =1 / 2.

[0269] The ROs corresponding to the first set of SSB indices may correspond to at least one non-stretched region in a set order. For example, the ROs corresponding to the first set of SSB indices may correspond to at least one non-stretched region in ascending order of the RO indices. Still taking Example 2 as an example, the first 1 / 2 of the resources of RO1 may correspond to region #2; the last 1 / 2 of the resources of RO1 may correspond to region #3; the first 1 / 2 of the resources of RO5 may correspond to region #6; and the last 1 / 2 of the resources of RO5 may correspond to region #7.

[0270] Optional, if N new_RO <1, then each of the at least one unstretched region may be N in an RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes new_RO In other words, each of the at least one unstretched area can be configured with an N in RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes. new_RO Alternatively, each of the at least one unstretched area may use (or occupy) N in an RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes. new_RO In this case, multiple areas in the at least one unstretched area may share one RO. Different areas in the at least one unstretched area may correspond to different preambles in one RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes; in other words, different areas in the at least one unstretched area may be configured with different preambles in one RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes, or different areas in the at least one unstretched area may use (or occupy) different preambles in one RO corresponding to the first group of SSB indexes.

[0271] Taking Example 2 as an example, if there are 64 preamble codes in an RO, area #2 can correspond to the first 32 preamble codes in RO1, and area #3 can correspond to the last 32 preamble codes in RO1; area #6 can correspond to the first 32 preamble codes in RO5, and area #7 can correspond to the last 32 preamble codes in RO5.

[0272] Through this method, the ROs corresponding to some or all of the SSB indices corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence can be reallocated, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the ROs and avoiding RO waste caused by beam widening. For example, when the traffic volume in the M areas is 0, in the second correspondence, the M areas can correspond to one SSB index. In this case, there may be no terminals or only a small number of terminals in the M areas. Therefore, reallocating the ROs corresponding to some or all of the SSB indices corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence can improve the utilization efficiency of the ROs and avoid RO waste caused by beam widening.

[0273] Among some possible ways, Figure 3 The illustrated method further includes:

[0274] Step B1: The first device may send the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index within M areas according to the second correspondence; correspondingly, if the second device is located within the M areas, the second device may receive the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index according to the second correspondence.

[0275] The first SSB may be a simplified SSB. For example, the first SSB may include only the PSS and / or SSS. For another example, the first SSB may include a first PBCH, and each SSB sent according to the first correspondence may include a second PBCH, where the number of bits included in the second PBCH is greater than the number of bits included in the first PBCH. By simplifying the first SSB, the first SSB may not include information indicating random access resources.

[0276] Exemplarily, the second correspondence includes: a correspondence between area #2 and area #5 and SSB index 2. The first device may send a first SSB corresponding to SSB index 2 in area #2 and area #5, where the first SSB is a simplified SSB.

[0277] Optionally, the first device may send the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index in the M areas within the effective time of the second correspondence. The effective time of the second correspondence may be determined according to at least one of methods d1 to d3, which will not be described in detail here.

[0278] In this manner, the first SSB sent by the first device may be a simplified SSB, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0279] Among some possible ways, Figure 3 The method further includes steps C1 to C2:

[0280] Step C1: The second device sends the fifth information; correspondingly, the first device receives the fifth information.

[0281] The fifth information can be used to activate the first correspondence; in other words, the fifth information can be used to deactivate the second correspondence. Thus, after sending the fifth information, the second device can activate the first correspondence and deactivate the second correspondence; and after receiving the fifth information, the first device can activate the first correspondence and deactivate the second correspondence.

[0282] The fifth information may be conventional information or newly added information. For example, the fifth information may include at least one of the following: a scheduling request (SR), a weakup signal (WUS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a RACH, or an alert message.

[0283] Optionally, the first resource used to transmit the fifth information may be configured by the first device, so that the second device may send the fifth information based on the first resource, and the first device may receive the fifth information based on the first resource. Exemplarily, the first resource may be configured by resource configuration information in the first SSB; in other words, the resource configuration information in the first SSB may be used to configure the first resource. Exemplarily, the first resource may include at least one of the following: a resource for transmitting an SR, a resource for transmitting a WUS, a resource for transmitting a PUCCH, a resource for transmitting a RACH, or a resource for transmitting an Alert message, etc.

[0284] In some implementations, when the second device has a communication or access requirement, for example, when the second device wants to send uplink data or SR, the second device may perform step C1.

[0285] Optionally, step C1 may be performed after step B1.

[0286] Step C2: The first device may send P SSBs corresponding to P SSB indexes according to the first corresponding relationship; correspondingly, the second device may receive (or detect) SSBs corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0287] Each SSB sent according to the first correspondence may include information indicating random access resources. In this way, a device (eg, a terminal) receiving the SSB may perform random access.

[0288] For example, the first correspondence is as follows: Figure 4A As shown. The first device can send 8 SSBs corresponding to SSB index 0 to SSB index 7. If the second device is located in area #5 and the second device is stationary, the second device can receive the SSB corresponding to SSB index 5 and perform random access based on the SSB corresponding to SSB index 5. If the second device is located at the junction of area #2 and area #5, the second device can receive the SSB corresponding to SSB index 5 and the SSB corresponding to SSB index 2, and perform random access based on the SSB corresponding to SSB index 5 or the SSB corresponding to SSB index 2.

[0289] In this way, the second device can dynamically trigger the activation of the first corresponding relationship, so that random access can be performed according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0290] Among some possible ways, Figure 3 The method further includes steps D1 to D2:

[0291] Step D1: The first device sends the sixth information; correspondingly, the second device receives the sixth information.

[0292] The sixth information can be used to activate the first correspondence; in other words, the sixth information can be used to deactivate the second correspondence. Thus, after sending the sixth information, the first device can activate the first correspondence and deactivate the second correspondence; and after receiving the sixth information, the second device can activate the first correspondence and deactivate the second correspondence.

[0293] The sixth information may be traditional information or newly added information. For example, the sixth information may include at least one of the following: a paging message, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the like.

[0294] Optionally, the second resource used to transmit the sixth information may be configured by the first device. Thus, the first device may send the sixth information based on the second resource, and the second device may receive the sixth information based on the second resource. Exemplarily, the second resource may be configured by resource configuration information in the first SSB; in other words, the resource configuration information in the first SSB may be used to configure the second resource. Exemplarily, the second resource may include at least one of the following: a resource used to transmit a paging message, a resource used to transmit a PDCCH, etc.

[0295] In some implementations, the first device may perform step D1 when sending downlink data.

[0296] Optionally, step D1 may be performed after step B1.

[0297] Step D2: The first device may send P SSBs corresponding to P SSB indexes according to the first corresponding relationship; correspondingly, the second device may receive SSBs corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0298] The specific content of step D2 can be referred to step C2 and will not be repeated here.

[0299] In this way, the first device can dynamically trigger the activation of the first corresponding relationship, so that it can communicate with the second device according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0300] Based on the same technical concept as the above-mentioned method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides a corresponding communication device, which can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-mentioned method embodiment. This function can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, or can be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. The communication device can be a terminal, or can be a module in a terminal (such as a circuit or a chip), or can be a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a terminal or access network device; or the communication device can be an access network device or a module in an access network device (such as a circuit or a chip), or can be a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of an access network device.

[0301] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the communication device includes a processing unit 802. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface unit 801. The functions of each unit in the communication device 800 are introduced below.

[0302] The interface unit 801 is used to input and / or output information. Input information can be replaced by receiving information, and output information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, the interface unit 801 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 800, or it can output information to other units in the communication device 800. In some embodiments, the interface unit 801 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, the interface unit 801 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0303] The processing unit 802 can be used to support the communication device 800 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0304] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 is used to Figure 3 The first device in the embodiment of the present application is shown below. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0305] The processing unit 802 is used to: send first information through the interface unit 801, the first information is used to indicate a first correspondence, the first correspondence includes a one-to-one correspondence between P areas and P SSB indexes, and P is an integer greater than 1; send second information through the interface unit 801, the second information is used to indicate a second correspondence, the second correspondence includes a correspondence between M areas and the first SSB index, M is an integer greater than 1, the M areas belong to the P areas, and the first SSB index belongs to the P SSB indexes.

[0306] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 802 is further configured to: send first indication information through the interface unit 801, where the first indication information is used to indicate the start time of effectiveness of the second correspondence.

[0307] Exemplarily, the processing unit 802 may be configured to: send the second information within the M areas through the interface unit 801 .

[0308] In some implementations, the processing unit 802 is further used to: send third information through the interface unit 801, and the third information is used to instruct the devices in the M areas to perform random access according to the random access timing mapping rules corresponding to the first corresponding relationship within a first time period after receiving the second information.

[0309] In some possible embodiments, when the second information is used to indicate at least one second correspondence, and each second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence corresponds to a cell DTX / DRX pattern, the processing unit 802 is further used to: send fourth information through the interface unit 801, and the fourth information is used to indicate the activation of one of the at least one second correspondence.

[0310] Optionally, the processing unit 802 is further used to: send the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index in M ​​areas according to the second corresponding relationship through the interface unit 801.

[0311] In some possible ways, the processing unit 802 is also used to: receive fifth information through the interface unit 801, where the fifth information is used to activate the first corresponding relationship; and send P SSBs corresponding to P SSB indexes through the interface unit 801 according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0312] In other possible modes, the processing unit 802 is also used to: send sixth information through the interface unit 801, the sixth information is used to activate the first corresponding relationship; and send P SSBs corresponding to P SSB indexes through the interface unit 801 according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0313] In another embodiment, the communication device 800 is used to Figure 3 The second device in the embodiment of the present application is shown below. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0314] The processing unit 802 is used to: receive first information through the interface unit 801, the first information is used to indicate a first correspondence, the first correspondence includes a one-to-one correspondence between P regions and P SSB indexes, and P is an integer greater than 1; receive second information through the interface unit 801, the second information is used to indicate a second correspondence, the second correspondence includes a correspondence between M regions and the first SSB index, M is an integer greater than 1, the M regions belong to the P regions, and the first SSB index belongs to the P SSB indexes.

[0315] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 802 is further configured to: receive first indication information through the interface unit 801 , where the first indication information is used to indicate a start time of effectiveness of the second correspondence.

[0316] Optionally, the second device is located in M ​​areas, and the processing unit 802 is further used to: perform random access according to a random access timing mapping rule corresponding to the first corresponding relationship within a first time period after receiving the second information.

[0317] In some implementations, the processing unit 802 is further configured to: receive third information through the interface unit 801, where the third information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0318] Optionally, when the second information is used to indicate at least one second correspondence, and each second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence corresponds to a cell DTX / DRX pattern, the processing unit 802 is further used to: receive fourth information through the interface unit 801, and the fourth information is used to indicate the activation of one of the at least one second correspondence.

[0319] Optionally, the second device is located in M ​​areas, and the processing unit 802 is further used to: receive the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index through the interface unit 801 according to the second corresponding relationship.

[0320] In some possible ways, the processing unit 802 is also used to: send fifth information through the interface unit 801, and the fifth information is used to activate the first corresponding relationship; receive SSBs corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among P SSB indexes through the interface unit 801 according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0321] In other possible embodiments, the processing unit 802 is also used to: receive sixth information through the interface unit 801, where the sixth information is used to indicate activation of the first corresponding relationship; and receive SSBs corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among P SSB indexes through the interface unit 801 according to the first corresponding relationship.

[0322] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 802 and the interface unit 801, please refer to Figure 3 The relevant description in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0323] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0324] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0325] In a possible implementation, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application refers to Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes: a processor 902. Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes: an interface circuit 901 and a memory 903. The interface circuit 901, the processor 902 and the memory 903 are coupled to each other.

[0326] Optionally, the interface circuit 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are coupled to each other via a bus 904. The bus 904 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, Figure 9 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0327] Interface circuit 901 is used to input and / or output information. Inputting information can be replaced by receiving information, and outputting information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, interface circuit 901 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 900, or to other units within communication device 900. Exemplarily, interface circuit 901 can be implemented via at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, and the like.

[0328] Processor 902 can be used to support communication device 900 in executing the processing actions in the above-described method embodiments. When communication device 900 is used to implement the above-described method embodiments, processor 902 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 802. Processor 902 can be a CPU, other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0329] In one embodiment, the communication device 900 is used to Figure 3 The first device in the embodiment of the present application is shown below. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0330] Processor 902 is used to: send first information through interface circuit 901, the first information is used to indicate a first correspondence, the first correspondence includes a one-to-one correspondence between P regions and P SSB indexes, P is an integer greater than 1; send second information through interface circuit 901, the second information is used to indicate a second correspondence, the second correspondence includes a correspondence between M regions and the first SSB index, M is an integer greater than 1, the M regions belong to the P regions, and the first SSB index belongs to the P SSB indexes.

[0331] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is used to Figure 3 The second device in the embodiment of the present application is shown below. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0332] Processor 902 is used to: receive first information through interface circuit 901, the first information is used to indicate a first correspondence, the first correspondence includes a one-to-one correspondence between P regions and P SSB indexes, P is an integer greater than 1; receive second information through interface circuit 901, the second information is used to indicate a second correspondence, the second correspondence includes a correspondence between M regions and the first SSB index, M is an integer greater than 1, the M regions belong to the P regions, and the first SSB index belongs to the P SSB indexes.

[0333] The specific functions of the processor 902 can refer to the description of the communication method provided in the above embodiments and examples of the present application, and Figure 8 The specific functional description of the communication device 800 in the embodiment of the present application is shown and will not be repeated here.

[0334] The memory 903 is used to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. The memory 903 may include RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk storage. The processor 902 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 903 and uses the data stored in the memory 903 to implement the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the above embodiment of the present application. The memory 903 can be integrated with the processor 902, or it can be a memory outside the communication device.

[0335] It is understood that this application Figure 9The memory 903 in the embodiment may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory may be a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). It should be noted that memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0336] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions. When the computer program product is run, the method provided in the above embodiments is executed.

[0337] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0338] The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0339] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0340] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in each device in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0341] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0342] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0343] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0344] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0345] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0346] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

[0347] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first correspondence, where the first correspondence includes a one-to-one correspondence between P regions and P synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block SSB indexes, where P is an integer greater than 1; Send second information, where the second information is used to indicate a second correspondence, where the second correspondence includes a correspondence between M areas and a first SSB index, where M is an integer greater than 1, the M areas belong to the P areas, and the first SSB index belongs to the P SSB indexes.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second information is used to indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first corresponding relationship.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second corresponding relationship takes effect at the next SSB scanning cycle after the second information is sent; or The method further comprises: Sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the start time of effectiveness of the second corresponding relationship.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Send the second message, including: The second information is sent within the M areas.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Also includes: Sending third information, where the third information is used to instruct the devices in the M areas to perform random access according to the random access timing mapping rule corresponding to the first corresponding relationship within a first time period after receiving the second information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The random access timing mapping rules corresponding to the second correspondence include: the random access timings corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence correspond to one or more areas in the N areas, and the N areas belong to the areas of the P areas other than the M areas.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second information is used to indicate M, and the second correspondence includes a correspondence between multiple groups of regions and SSB indexes, the number of regions in each group of the multiple groups of regions is M, and each group of regions in the multiple groups of regions corresponds to an SSB index.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The second information is used to indicate at least one second correspondence, each second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence corresponds to a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception pattern cell DTX / DRX pattern; The method further comprises: Fourth information is sent, where the fourth information is used to indicate activation of one of the at least one second corresponding relationship.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The i-th group of areas among the multiple groups of areas includes: in the first corresponding relationship, the areas corresponding to the 0th+(i-1)*Mth to 1st+(i-1)*Mth SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes, where i is an integer from 1 to P / M.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The effective time of each second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence includes one of the following: the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated, the time period of on duration corresponding to the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence, or the time period other than on duration in the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The first SSB index is the minimum or maximum SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the second corresponding relationship, the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index is sent within the M areas.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving fifth information, where the fifth information is used to activate the first correspondence; and / or sending sixth information, where the sixth information is used to activate the first correspondence; According to the first corresponding relationship, the P SSBs corresponding to the P SSB indexes are sent.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first correspondence, where the first correspondence includes a one-to-one correspondence between P regions and P synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block SSB indexes, where P is an integer greater than 1; Receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate a second correspondence, where the second correspondence includes a correspondence between M regions and a first SSB index, where M is an integer greater than 1, the M regions belong to the P regions, and the first SSB index belongs to the P SSB indexes.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The second information is used to indicate the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first corresponding relationship.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The second corresponding relationship takes effect at the next SSB scanning cycle after the second information is received; or The method further comprises: First indication information is received, where the first indication information is used to indicate a start time when the second correspondence relationship takes effect.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that The second device is located in the M areas, and the method further includes: Within a first time period after receiving the second information, random access is performed according to a random access opportunity mapping rule corresponding to the first corresponding relationship.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein Also includes: Third information is received, where the third information is used to indicate the first duration.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein: The random access timing mapping rules corresponding to the second correspondence include: the random access timings corresponding to some or all of the SSB indexes corresponding to the M areas in the first correspondence correspond to one or more areas in the N areas, and the N areas belong to the areas of the P areas other than the M areas.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein: The second information is used to indicate M, and the second correspondence includes a correspondence between multiple groups of regions and SSB indexes, the number of regions in each group of the multiple groups of regions is M, and each group of regions in the multiple groups of regions corresponds to an SSB index.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate at least one second corresponding relationship, each second corresponding relationship in the at least one second corresponding relationship corresponds to a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception pattern cell DTX / DRX pattern; The method further comprises: Fourth information is received, where the fourth information is used to indicate activation of one of the at least one second corresponding relationship.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The i-th group of areas among the multiple groups of areas includes: in the first corresponding relationship, the areas corresponding to the 0th+(i-1)*Mth to 1st+(i-1)*Mth SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes, where i is an integer from 1 to P / M.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein: The effective time of each second correspondence in the at least one second correspondence includes one of the following: the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated, the time period of on duration corresponding to the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence, or the time period other than on duration in the time period during which the cell DTX / DRX pattern corresponding to the second correspondence is activated.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein The first SSB index is the minimum or maximum SSB index among the SSB indexes corresponding to the M regions in the first corresponding relationship.

25. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that The second device is located in the M areas, and the method further includes: According to the second correspondence, the first SSB corresponding to the first SSB index is received.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The method further comprises: sending fifth information, where the fifth information is used to activate the first correspondence; and / or receiving sixth information, where the sixth information is used to instruct activation of the first correspondence; According to the first corresponding relationship, receive the SSB corresponding to one or more SSB indexes among the P SSB indexes.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: include: An interface unit for receiving and sending information; A processing unit, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26 through the interface unit.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26 is implemented.

30. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor, and the processor is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

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