Communication method and device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and device, the method comprising: sending first information to a network device corresponding to a current serving cell, the first information being used for instructing the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger a network device corresponding to a target cell to send system information. The communication method and device provided by the embodiments of the present application are used for enabling the network device corresponding to the target cell to send the system information as required, preventing the network device corresponding to the target cell from periodically sending the system information, thereby reducing the static sending energy consumption of the network device corresponding to the target cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical fields of communication and random access, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the energy consumption of network devices accounts for a relatively high proportion of total network energy consumption. The energy consumption of network devices includes static transmission energy consumption, which includes the energy consumption of transmitting synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), the energy consumption of transmitting paging, and the energy consumption of transmitting system information.

[0003] In related technologies, network devices typically send the aforementioned system information periodically, resulting in high energy consumption during static transmission.

[0004] Therefore, how to reduce the static transmission power consumption of network devices has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the static transmission power consumption of network devices.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, including:

[0007] Send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The first information is used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0008] In one possible implementation, sending first information to the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell includes:

[0009] Using the target physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, the first information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The target PRACH resource corresponds to the target cell.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0011] Obtain the SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) transmission period of the network device corresponding to the target cell;

[0012] Using the target PRACH resource, send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, including:

[0013] When the SSB transmission period is greater than and / or equal to the preset period, the first information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell using the target PRACH resource.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0015] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0017] In one possible implementation, at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB.

[0020] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0022] The remaining PRACH resources, excluding M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0024] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0025] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, including:

[0027] Receive the first message;

[0028] Based on the first piece of information, the network device corresponding to the target cell is triggered to send system information.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on the target PRACH resource, which corresponds to the target cell.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0031] In one possible implementation, at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0033] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one synchronization signal block SSB;

[0036] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0038] The remaining PRACH resources, excluding M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0040] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0041] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the network device corresponding to the target cell is triggered to send system information, including:

[0043] The second information is sent to the network device corresponding to the target cell via the Xn interface. The second information instructs the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0044] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, including:

[0045] Receive the second information via the Xn interface;

[0046] Based on the second piece of information, send system information.

[0047] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including:

[0048] The first sending module is used to send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The first information is used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the first sending module is specifically used to: send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell using the target physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, wherein the target PRACH resource corresponds to the target cell.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the device further includes: an acquisition module;

[0051] The acquisition module is used to acquire the synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission period of the network device corresponding to the target cell;

[0052] The first sending module is specifically used to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell using the target PRACH resource when the SSB sending period is greater than and / or equal to a preset period.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0054] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0056] In one possible implementation, at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB.

[0059] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0061] The remaining PRACH resources, excluding M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0063] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0064] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

[0065] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including:

[0066] The second receiving module is used to receive the first information;

[0067] The second sending module is used to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information based on the first information.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on the target PRACH resource, which corresponds to the target cell.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0070] In one possible implementation, at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0072] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one synchronization signal block SSB;

[0075] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0077] The remaining PRACH resources, excluding M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0079] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0080] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the network device corresponding to the target cell is triggered to send system information, including:

[0082] The second information is sent to the network device corresponding to the target cell via the Xn interface. The second information instructs the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0083] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including:

[0084] The third receiving module is used to receive the second information through the Xn interface;

[0085] The third sending module is used to send system information based on the second information.

[0086] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including: a memory and a processor;

[0087] The memory stores the instructions that the computer executes;

[0088] The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in memory, causing the communication device to perform any of the methods provided by the first, second, or third aspect.

[0089] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, are used to implement the method provided in any one of the first, second, or third aspects.

[0090] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a computer, implements the method provided in any one of the first, second, or third aspects.

[0091] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the chip, it implements the method provided in any one of the first, second, or third aspects.

[0092] In the eleventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip module on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the chip module, it implements any one of the methods provided in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0093] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including a terminal device, a network device for a current serving cell, and a network device for a target cell;

[0094] Communication is possible between the terminal device, the network device of the current serving cell, and the network device of the target cell;

[0095] The terminal device is used to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect above;

[0096] The network equipment of the current serving cell is used to perform any of the methods provided in the second aspect above;

[0097] The network equipment in the target cell is used to perform any of the methods provided in the second aspect above;

[0098] This application provides a communication method and apparatus. In the communication method, first information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The first information is used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information. This allows the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information on demand, avoiding the network device corresponding to the target cell from periodically sending system information, thereby reducing the static transmission power consumption of the network device corresponding to the target cell. Attached Figure Description

[0099] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the information transmission process for the random access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 2 This is one of the diagrams illustrating the relationship between SSB and RO;

[0101] Figure 3 This is the second diagram illustrating the relationship between SSB and RO;

[0102] Figure 4 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0103] Figure 5 A second schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating one arrangement provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 7 A third schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0106] Figure 8 A fourth schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0107] Figure 9 Fifth flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0108] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application embodiment is shown in Figure 6.

[0109] Figure 11 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0110] Figure 12 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0111] Figure 13 This is the third schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0112] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0113] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail. When the following description relates to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0114] In this application, the term "comprising" and its variations can refer to non-limiting inclusion; the term "or" and its variations can refer to "and / or". The terms "first", "second", etc., in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. In this application, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0115] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0116] In this application embodiment, the terminal device can be a device that includes wireless transceiver functionality and can cooperate with network devices to provide communication services to users. Specifically, the terminal device can refer to User Equipment (UE), access terminal device, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, user terminal device, terminal device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. For example, the terminal device can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication functionality, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, or terminal device in future 5G networks or networks after 5G, etc.

[0117] In the embodiments of this application, a network device is a device used to communicate with a terminal device. The network device can be a base station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system, a base station B (NodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, or an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system. The network device can also be a relay station, access point, base station in a 5G network or a network after 5G, or a base station in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, etc.

[0118] With the development of 5G technology, reducing network energy consumption has become a hot topic. Network equipment accounts for a significant portion of total network energy consumption; therefore, how to reduce the energy consumption of network equipment is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0119] In related technologies, in order to improve the communication quality of terminal devices, network devices are always in a working state or a semi-sleep state, and cannot be completely shut down or enter a deep sleep mode.

[0120] In 5G networks, there are abundant spectrum resources, such as frequency bands like 1GHz, 2GHz, 4GHz, 6GHz, and 26GHz. When network load is low, some carriers or cells do not need to carry data. Therefore, carriers or cells corresponding to some frequency bands (such as 4GHz, 6GHz, or 26GHz) can be turned off, and carriers or cells corresponding to these frequency bands can be turned on as needed to reduce network power consumption. However, this method of reducing network power consumption can only be applied when network load is low.

[0121] Currently, the energy consumption of network devices can be divided into dynamic energy consumption and static energy consumption. Dynamic energy consumption refers to energy consumption that changes with the volume of services and data, such as data transmission. Static energy consumption, on the other hand, is the inherent energy loss of network devices; it is present regardless of whether the network load increases or decreases.

[0122] Static energy consumption mainly includes static reception energy consumption and static transmission energy consumption. Static reception energy consumption primarily includes the energy consumption of receiving random access request messages (Msg1) on the configured random access resources. Static transmission energy consumption mainly includes the energy consumption of transmitting synchronization signal and PBCH blocks (SSBs), the energy consumption of transmitting paging messages, and the energy consumption of transmitting system information.

[0123] System information is mainly divided into the Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block 1 (SIB1), and Other System Information (OSI). SIB1 is the Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI). This information provides terminal devices with the basic parameters required for network access and basic communication.

[0124] Currently, a random access process is performed between terminal devices and network devices to allow the terminal devices to access the network. During this random access process, the network device sends system information. The following section combines... Figure 1 The example illustrates the information transmission process of the random access procedure.

[0125] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the information transmission process for the random access procedure provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0126] S101, The network device sends an SIB to the terminal device.

[0127] Terminal devices can obtain the configuration related to Random Access Occasion (RO) through the SIB. This configuration includes one or more of the following:

[0128] The cycle size of the RO (Reverse Oscillator);

[0129] The number of Remote Routes (ROs) in the time domain during a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) period.

[0130] Number of frequency-reused ROs (msg1-FDM);

[0131] Number of SSBs;

[0132] The number of SSBs associated with each RO (ssb-perRACH-Occasion), etc.

[0133] An RO is a time-frequency resource block. An RO includes at least one symbol in the time domain and at least one RB in the frequency domain.

[0134] In the current protocol, an SSB is associated with one or more ROs, or an RO is associated with one or more SSBs. The association rule (also known as the mapping rule) between SSB and RO is as follows: the SSB is first mapped to the frequency domain multiplexed RO, and then mapped to the time domain multiplexed RO.

[0135] The following is combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 The relationship between SSB and RO is explained.

[0136] Figure 2 This is one of the diagrams illustrating the relationship between SSB and RO. It should be noted that... Figure 2 This explanation uses an example where SSB number = 16, RO number = 6, ssb-perRACH-Occasion = 2, msg1-FDM = 2, and the total number of ROs is 12. Figure 2 As shown, an example is given of the relationship between 16 SSBs and 12 ROs.

[0137] Among them, there are 16 SSBs including SSB 1, ... SSB 16, and 12 ROs including RO 1, ... RO 12.

[0138] RO 1 is associated with SSB 1 and SSB 2, RO 2 is associated with SSB 3 and SSB 4, RO 3 is associated with SSB 5 and SSB 6, RO 4 is associated with SSB 7 and SSB 8, RO 5 is associated with SSB 9 and SSB 10, RO 6 is associated with SSB 11 and SSB 12, RO 7 is associated with SSB 13 and SSB 14, and RO 8 is associated with SSB 15 and SSB 16.

[0139] Figure 3 This is the second diagram illustrating the relationship between SSB and RO. It should be noted that... Figure 3 This explanation uses an example where SSB number = 4, RO number = 3, ssb-perRACH-Occasion = 1 / 2, msg1-FDM = 2, and the total number of ROs is 12. Figure 3 As shown, an example is given of the relationship between 4 SSBs and 12 ROs.

[0140] Among them, there are 4 SSBs including SSB 1, ... SSB 4, and 12 ROs including RO 1, ... RO 12.

[0141] SSB 1 is associated with RO 1 and RO 2, SSB 2 is associated with RO 3 and RO 4, SSB 3 is associated with RO 5 and RO 6, and SSB 4 is associated with RO 7 and RO 8.

[0142] S102. The terminal device sends a random access request message (Msg1) to the network device.

[0143] S103. The network device sends a random access response message (Msg2) scrambled with the Radio Access Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) to the terminal device.

[0144] The network device detects Msg1 sent by the terminal device on RO, and receives Msg1 in a timely and correct manner. After receiving Msg1, it executes S103.

[0145] Msg2 may include Timing Advance (TA), Temporary Cell Network Temporary Identifier (TC-RNTI), power adjustment, and resource indications sent by the terminal device to Mgs3.

[0146] S104. The terminal device sends a random access completion message (Msg3) to the network device through the uplink scheduling instruction in Msg2.

[0147] The terminal device uses RA-RNTI to monitor Msg2 from the network device, descramble Msg2, and send Msg3 to the network device through the uplink scheduling instruction in Msg2.

[0148] S105. The network device sends a random access completion confirmation message (Msg4) to the terminal device.

[0149] Msg4 contains the key used for encrypted communication.

[0150] After receiving Msg4, the terminal device can use this key to communicate encrypted with the network device.

[0151] If the terminal device does not receive Msg4, it can be determined that the initial access process has failed.

[0152] In the above Figure 1 During the random access process shown, the network device periodically sends system information, resulting in high static transmission power consumption of the network device.

[0153] In view of this, this application provides a communication method in which a network device can send system information based on a trigger, rather than periodically sending system information, thereby reducing the static transmission power consumption of the network device.

[0154] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0155] Figure 4 This is one of the flowcharts illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0156] S401. The terminal device sends first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The first information is used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0157] The currently serving cell is the cell that provides services to the terminal device at the current moment, and it is also the cell where the terminal device is currently residing.

[0158] The network equipment corresponding to the currently serving cell is the base station that covers the currently serving cell.

[0159] The current service area is different from the target area.

[0160] The network equipment corresponding to the target cell is the base station that covers the target cell.

[0161] Optionally, the first information may include the identifier of the target cell. In this application, the cell identifier may be the cell's identity (ID) or index, etc.

[0162] Optionally, the first information may be information sent using a target PRACH resource, which corresponds to a target cell. The target PRACH resource is used by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell to identify the target cell.

[0163] Sending the first information using the target PRACH resource includes: carrying the first information through the RO in the target PRACH resource.

[0164] Optionally, the first information may be an indication that requests or triggers the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information. The first information is carried on the PRACH.

[0165] S402. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends system information based on the first information, or triggers the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0166] The network device corresponding to the current serving cell and the network device corresponding to the target cell can be the same network device or different network devices.

[0167] When serving the same network device, the network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends system information after receiving the first information.

[0168] When serving different network devices, after the network device corresponding to the current serving cell receives the first information, it triggers the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information based on the first information.

[0169] In this embodiment, the terminal device sends first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell triggers the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information based on the first information. This allows the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information on demand, avoiding the periodic sending of system information by the network device corresponding to the target cell, thereby reducing the static transmission power consumption of the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0170] Based on the above embodiments, the following describes the communication method provided in this application embodiment, taking the example that the network device corresponding to the current serving cell and the network device corresponding to the target cell can be different network devices.

[0171] Figure 5 This is a second schematic flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method includes:

[0172] S501. The terminal device sends first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The first information is used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0173] S502. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends the second information to the network device corresponding to the target cell through the Xn interface based on the first information. The second information instructs the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0174] S503. The network device corresponding to the target cell sends system information based on the second information.

[0175] In this embodiment of the application, the system information may be, for example, SIB1.

[0176] It should be noted that sending the second information to the network device corresponding to the target cell through the Xn interface can improve the transmission reliability of the second information.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can also obtain the SSB transmission period of the network device corresponding to the target cell. Further, when the SSB transmission period is greater than and / or equal to a preset period, the terminal device uses the target PRACH resource to send first information to the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0178] Optionally, the terminal device may use the following method to obtain the SSB transmission period of the network device corresponding to the target cell:

[0179] The network device corresponding to the target cell performs SSB measurement, obtains the SSB transmission period, and sends the above SSB transmission period to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0180] The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends the above SSB transmission cycle to the terminal device so that the terminal device can obtain the SSB transmission cycle of the network device corresponding to the target cell.

[0181] Optionally, the preset period can be the (maximum) SSB transmission period specified in the protocol, or the (maximum) SSB transmission period configured for the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0182] In this embodiment, the SSB transmission period being greater than and / or equal to a preset period indicates that the network device corresponding to the target cell is in an idle state (or can be considered as being in a power-saving state). When the terminal device determines that the network device corresponding to the target cell is in an idle state, it uses the target PRACH resource to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, thereby causing the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information, thus putting the network device corresponding to the target cell into a working state.

[0183] In one possible implementation, the target cell is one of at least one first cell. The at least one first cell is a cell configured for the terminal device by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources. M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0186] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to a first cell to send system information. Here, "trigger" means that after the network device of the currently serving cell recognizes a PRACH resource, it can know which network device corresponding to the first cell to trigger to send system information.

[0187] A PRACH resource includes a RO and a preamble. An RO is a time-frequency resource block used to transmit a preamble. In this application, the terminal device uses the target PRACH resource to send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, including: sending the preamble from the target PRACH resource to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell on the RO in the target PRACH resource.

[0188] M PRACH resources can be configured using either method 11 or method 12.

[0189] Method 11: The M PRACH resources are PRACH resources configured based on the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0190] Method 12: The M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell. The remaining PRACH resources other than the M PRACH resources are used for the random access procedure.

[0191] When multiple PRACH resources are configured in the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, the terminal device can identify M resources starting from the first starting index as M PRACH resources. Optionally, the first starting index can be the index configured in the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0192] For example, if multiple PRACH resources include PRACH resource 1 (index 0), PRACH resource 2 (index 1), PRACH resource 3 (index 2), and PRACH resource 3 (index 3), and the first starting index is 1 and M = 2, then it is determined that among the M PRACH resources, PRACH resource 2 and PRACH resource 3 are included.

[0193] The M PRACH resources include the relevant content from methods 21 and 22 below.

[0194] Method 21, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB.

[0195] Method 22, M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources in at least one SSB associated with at least one PRACH resource, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0196] Optionally, at least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0197] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB corresponds to one or more first cells. Alternatively, one first cell may be associated with one or more PRACH resources.

[0198] Based on the above embodiments, the association method (also known as the mapping method) between PRACH resources and the first cell is described by exemplary combination of methods 31 to 34.

[0199] Method 31 includes: acquiring at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB;

[0200] Arrange at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB according to the frequency domain first and then the time domain.

[0201] Arrange the signs of at least one first community in ascending order of size;

[0202] Based on the first mapping rate, at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in the arranged at least one SSB and the identifier of at least one first cell in the arranged at least one SSB are mapped sequentially.

[0203] Optionally, at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB is obtained, including:

[0204] According to the relevant configuration of RO, associate at least one RO with at least one SSB. The relevant configuration of RO includes ssb-perRACH-Occasion (for an explanation of the relevant configuration of RO, see S601 below);

[0205] For each RO, according to ssb-perRACH-Occasion, associate the ssb-perRACH-Occasion SSBs associated with the RO with the multiple preambles corresponding to the RO;

[0206] For each SSB, the RO associated with the SSB and the preamble associated with the SSB in the multiple preambles corresponding to the RO associated with the SSB are combined to obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB.

[0207] The method for associating at least one RO with at least one SSB according to ssb-perRACH-Occasion can be found above. Figure 2 or Figure 3 Related technologies will not be elaborated here.

[0208] For a single RO, when ssb-perRACH-Occasion=2 (i.e., one RO is associated with two SSBs) and the RO corresponds to 64 preambles, the association results of the two SSBs associated with the RO and the 64 preambles associated with the RO are shown in Table 1 below as an example.

[0209] Table 1

[0210]

[0211] Based on Table 1 above, for SSB 1, the 32 PRACH resources associated with SSB 1 include: {(RO 1, Preamble 1), (RO 1, Preamble 2), ... (RO 1, Preamble 32)}; for SSB 2, the 32 PRACH resources associated with SSB 2 include: {(RO 1, Preamble 1), (RO 1, Preamble 2), ... (RO 1, Preamble 32)}.

[0212] In method 31, the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with each SSB is the same. For example, the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with SSB 1 is 4, and the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with SSB 2 is also 4.

[0213] The first mapping rate is equal to the largest integer not greater than the first ratio. The first ratio is the ratio of the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with each SSB in at least one SSB to the total number of at least one first cell.

[0214] For example, the first mapping rate, the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with an SSB, and the total number of at least one first cell satisfy the following expression: Where k1 represents the first mapping rate, X1 represents the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with an SSB, and Y1 represents the total number of at least one first cell. This indicates the floor function.

[0215] Below, in conjunction with Figure 6 Taking at least one PRACH resource associated with an SSB, including PRACH resources 1 to 9, as an example, the aforementioned frequency domain first then time domain and time domain first then frequency domain will be explained.

[0216] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one arrangement method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0217] exist Figure 6 In the case where the frequency domain is arranged first and the time domain is arranged later, PRACH resource 1, PRACH resource 2, and PRACH resource 3 occupy the same time domain resources but different frequency domain resources; PRACH resource 4, PRACH resource 5, and PRACH resource 6 occupy the same time domain resources but different frequency domain resources; and PRACH resource 7, PRACH resource 8, and PRACH resource 9 occupy the same time domain resources but different frequency domain resources.

[0218] exist Figure 6In the case where the arrangement is time domain first and then frequency domain, PRACH resource 1, PRACH resource 2, and PRACH resource 3 occupy different time domain resources but the same frequency domain resources; PRACH resource 4, PRACH resource 5, and PRACH resource 6 occupy different time domain resources but the same frequency domain resources; and PRACH resource 7, PRACH resource 8, and PRACH resource 9 occupy different time domain resources but the same frequency domain resources.

[0219] Next, taking at least one SSB including SSB 1 and SSB 2 as an example, the mapping result obtained based on method 11 will be explained with reference to the following examples:

[0220] The identifiers of at least one first cell after the arrangement are ID 1 and ID 2;

[0221] The SSB 1 after the arrangement is associated with at least one PRACH resource, namely PRACH resource 1, PRACH resource 2, PRACH resource 3, and PRACH resource 4.

[0222] The SSB 2 is associated with at least one PRACH resource, which is PRACH resource 5, PRACH resource 6, PRACH resource 7, or PRACH resource 8.

[0223] Based on this example, the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with an SSB is 4, so X1 = 4. The total number of at least one first cell is 2, so Y1 = 2. Therefore, k1 = 2. k1 = 2 means that a first cell is associated with 2 PRACH resources in the at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB. In view of this, the mapping results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0224] Table 2

[0225] PRACH Resource 1 ID 1 PRACH Resource 2 ID 1 PRACH Resource 3 ID 2 PRACH Resource 4 ID 2 PRACH Resource 5 ID 1 PRACH Resource 6 ID 1 PRACH Resource 7 ID 2 PRACH Resource 8 ID 2

[0226] Method 32 specifically includes: obtaining at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB;

[0227] Arrange at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in a frequency domain-first, time domain-second manner;

[0228] Arrange the identifiers of the first cell associated with each SSB in ascending order of identifier size;

[0229] For each SSB, based on the second mapping rate corresponding to the SSB, at least one PRACH resource associated with the sorted SSB and the identifier of the first cell associated with the sorted SSB are mapped sequentially.

[0230] The "obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" in method 32 is the same as the "obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" in method 31, and will not be repeated here.

[0231] For each SSB, the second mapping rate corresponding to the SSB is equal to the largest integer not greater than the second ratio, which is the ratio of the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with the SSB to the total number of the first cells associated with the SSB.

[0232] For example, for each SSB, the second mapping rate corresponding to the SSB, the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with the SSB, and the total number of first cells associated with the SSB satisfy the following expression: Among them, k2 SSB i X represents the second mapping rate corresponding to SSB i. SSB i Y represents the total number of at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB i. SSB i This represents the total number of the first cells associated with SSB i.

[0233] Next, taking at least one SSB, including SSB 1 and SSB 2, as an example, the mapping results obtained based on method 12 will be explained in conjunction with the following examples:

[0234] The first PRACH resource associated with the arranged SSB 1 is PRACH resource 1 and PRACH resource 2, and the identifiers of the first cell associated with the arranged SSB 1 are ID 1 and ID 2.

[0235] The at least one PRACH resource associated with the arranged SSB 2 includes PRACH resource 3, PRACH resource 4, PRACH resource 5, and PRACH resource 6, and the identifiers of the first cell associated with the arranged SSB 2 are ID 3 and ID 4.

[0236] Based on this example, when i=1, the total number of at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB 1 is 2, therefore X SSB 1 = 2, the number of the first cells associated with SSB 1 is 2, therefore Y SSB 1 = 2, therefore k2 SSB 1 = 1, meaning each first cell associated with SSB 1 is associated with one PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB 1; when i = 2, the total number of at least one PRACH resources associated with SSB 2 is 4, therefore X SSB2 = 4, the number of the first cells associated with SSB 2 is 2, therefore Y SSB 2 = 2, therefore k2 SSB 2 = 2, meaning that each first cell associated with SSB 2 is associated with two PRACH resources in at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB 1; based on this, the mapping results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0237] Table 3

[0238] PRACH Resource 1 ID 1 PRACH Resource 2 ID 2 PRACH Resource 3 ID 3 PRACH Resource 4 ID 3 PRACH Resource 5 ID 4 PRACH Resource 6 ID 4

[0239] Method 33 specifically includes: obtaining at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB;

[0240] Arrange the signs of at least one first community in ascending order of size;

[0241] Perform the following processing for each of at least one SSB:

[0242] Identify N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB, and these N PRACH resources are determined to be the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB.

[0243] Arrange the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB according to the frequency domain first and then the time domain;

[0244] Based on the third mapping rate, the N PRACH resources associated with the sorted SSB and the identifier of at least one first cell are mapped sequentially.

[0245] The phrase "obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" in method 33 is the same as "obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" in method 31, and will not be repeated here.

[0246] In the embodiments of this application, N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1 and less than and / or equal to M.

[0247] Optionally, the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB can be the first N PRACH resources among at least one PRACH resources associated with the SSB, or the last N PRACH resources among at least one PRACH resources associated with the SSB.

[0248] Based on the first starting index configured in the network equipment of the current serving cell, N PRACH resources are determined from at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB. Each of the at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB has its own corresponding index.

[0249] Optionally, based on the first starting index configured in the network device of the current serving cell, N PRACH resources associated with the SSB are determined from at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB, including: determining the N consecutive PRACH resources after the first starting index in the at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB as the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB.

[0250] The third mapping rate is equal to the largest integer not greater than the third ratio, which is the ratio of N to the total number of at least one first cell.

[0251] For example, the third mapping rate, N, and the total number of at least one first cell satisfy the following expression: Where k3 represents the third mapping rate and Y1 represents at least one first cell.

[0252] Next, taking at least one SSB including SSB 1 and SSB 2 as an example, the mapping result obtained based on method 33 will be explained with reference to the following examples:

[0253] The sorted first cell is identified as ID 1 and ID 2;

[0254] The sorted SSB 1 is associated with at least one PRACH resource, namely PRACH resource 1, PRACH resource 2, PRACH resource 3, and PRACH resource 4.

[0255] The sorted SSB 2 is associated with at least one PRACH resource, namely PRACH resource 5, PRACH resource 6, PRACH resource 7, and PRACH resource 8.

[0256] When N=2 and the N PRACH resources are the first two PRACH resources among at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB, the two PRACH resources associated with SSB 1 include PRACH resource 1 and PRACH resource 2, and the two PRACH resources associated with SSB 2 include PRACH resource 5 and PRACH resource 6.

[0257] Based on this example, N=2. Since the total number of at least one first cell is 2, Y1=2, so k3=1. That is, each first cell is associated with one of the two PRACH resources associated with each SSB 1. In view of this, the mapping results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0258] Table 4

[0259] PRACH Resource 1 ID 1 PRACH Resource 2 ID 2 PRACH Resource 5 ID 1 PRACH Resource 6 ID 2

[0260] Method 34 specifically includes: obtaining at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB;

[0261] Perform the following operations for each of at least one SSB:

[0262] Identify N PRACHs in at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB;

[0263] Arrange the above N PRACH resources associated with SSB in a frequency domain first and time domain second order;

[0264] Arrange the identifiers of the first cell associated with the SSB in ascending order of identifier size;

[0265] Based on the fourth mapping rate corresponding to the SSB, the identifiers of the N PRACH resources associated with the sorted SSB and the first cell associated with the sorted SSB are mapped. In this embodiment, the first cell associated with each SSB in at least one SSB is configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0266] The "obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" in method 34 is the same as the "obtain at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" in method 33, and will not be repeated here.

[0267] The step of “determining N PRACH resources in at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB” in method 34 is the same as the step of “determining N PRACH resources in at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB” in method 33, and will not be repeated here.

[0268] In method 34, the fourth mapping rate corresponding to each SSB in at least one SSB may be the same or different.

[0269] For each SSB, the fourth mapping rate corresponding to the SSB is equal to the largest integer not greater than the fourth ratio, which is the ratio of the total number of first cells associated with N and the SSB.

[0270] For example, for each SSB, the fourth mapping rate, N, and the total number of first cells associated with the SSB satisfy the following expression: Among them, k4 SSB i Y represents the fourth mapping rate corresponding to SSB i. SSB i This represents the total number of the first cells associated with SSB i.

[0271] Next, taking at least one SSB including SSB 1 and SSB 2 as an example, the mapping results obtained based on method 34 will be explained with reference to the following examples:

[0272] The sorted SSB 1 is associated with at least one PRACH resource, which is PRACH resource 1, PRACH resource 2, PRACH resource 3, or PRACH resource 4. The first cell associated with the sorted SSB 1 is identified as ID 1 or ID 2.

[0273] At least one PRACH resource associated with SSB 2 includes PRACH resource 5, PRACH resource 6, PRACH resource 7, and PRACH resource 8. The identifiers of the first cell associated with SSB 2 after sorting are ID 3 and ID 4.

[0274] When N=2 and the N PRACH resources are the first N PRACH resources among at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB, the two PRACH resources associated with SSB 1 include PRACH resource 1 and PRACH resource 2, and the two PRACH resources associated with SSB 2 include PRACH resource 5 and PRACH resource 6.

[0275] Based on this example, when N=2, and i=1, the total number of first cells associated with SSB 1 is 2, therefore Y SSB 1 = 2, therefore k4 SSB 1 = 1; when i = 2, the total number of the first cells associated with SSB 2 is 2, Y SSB 2 = 2, therefore k4 SSB 2 = 1; based on this, the mapping results are shown in Table 5 below.

[0276] Table 5

[0277] PRACH Resource 1 ID 1 PRACH Resource 2 ID 2 PRACH Resource 5 ID 3 PRACH Resource 6 ID 4

[0278] In the embodiments of this application, one PRACH resource corresponds to multiple first cells, or multiple PRACH resources correspond to one first cell, or one PRACH resource corresponds to one first cell.

[0279] Based on the above method 31, the following combination Figure 7 The communication method provided in the application embodiments will be described in detail.

[0280] Figure 7 This is the third flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0281] S701. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends the relevant configuration of RO, the first mapping rate, and the identifier of at least one first cell to the terminal device.

[0282] Optionally, the relevant configuration of RO includes the time-domain start position of RO, the period size of RO, the number of ROs in the time domain within one PRACH period (RO number), the number of ROs multiplexed in frequency (msg1-FDM), the number of SSBs (SSBnumber), and the number of SSBs associated with each RO (ssb-perRACH-Occasion), etc.

[0283] Optionally, the identifiers of at least one first cell can be sent to the terminal device in list form.

[0284] S702. The terminal device obtains at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB based on the relevant configuration of RO.

[0285] It should be noted that the method for obtaining at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB based on the relevant RO configuration is the same as the method for "obtaining at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB" involved in method 31, and will not be repeated here.

[0286] In S702, at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB constitutes M PRACH resources obtained based on the relevant configuration of RO.

[0287] S703. The terminal device arranges at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in a frequency domain-first, time domain-second arrangement.

[0288] S704. The terminal equipment arranges the identifiers of at least one first cell in ascending order of identifier size.

[0289] S705. The terminal device maps at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB and the identifier of at least one first cell in sequence according to the first mapping rate.

[0290] S706. The terminal device determines the target PRACH resource associated with the target cell based on the mapping result and the identifier of the target cell.

[0291] Based on Table 2, for example, if the target cell is identified as ID 1, the target PRACH resources associated with the target cell include: PRACH resource 1, PRACH resource 2, PRACH resource 5, and PRACH resource 6.

[0292] S707. The terminal device uses the target PRACH resource to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0293] When there are multiple target PRACH resources associated with a target cell, any one of the target PRACH resources can be used to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0294] For example, based on S706, PRACH resource 1 can be used to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0295] S708. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell triggers the corresponding network device of the target cell to send system information based on the first information.

[0296] Optionally, the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell determines the identifier of the target cell based on the first information; and based on the identifier of the target cell, triggers the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0297] Optionally, when the first information includes the identifier of the target cell, the identifier in the first information is determined as the identifier of the target cell.

[0298] Optionally, when the first information is carried by the RO in the target PRACH resource, the identifier corresponding to the target PRACH resource is determined as the identifier of the target cell.

[0299] Alternatively, the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell can also execute the methods described in S702 to S705 above.

[0300] Based on method 32 above, the following combination Figure 8 The communication method provided in the application embodiments will be described in detail.

[0301] Figure 8 This is the fourth flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 8 As shown, the method includes:

[0302] S801, The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends the relevant configuration of RO, the second mapping rate corresponding to each SSB in at least one SSB, and the identifier of the first cell associated with each SSB to the terminal device.

[0303] S802, The terminal device obtains at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB based on the relevant configuration of RO.

[0304] In S802, at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB constitutes M PRACH resources obtained based on the relevant configuration of RO.

[0305] It should be noted that the execution methods of S801 to S802 are the same as those of S701 to S702, and will not be repeated here.

[0306] S803. The terminal device arranges at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in a frequency domain-first, time domain-second arrangement.

[0307] S804. The terminal equipment arranges the identifiers of the first cell associated with each SSB in ascending order of identifier size.

[0308] S805. For each SSB, the terminal device maps at least one PRACH resource associated with the sorted SSB and the identifier of the first cell associated with the sorted SSB sequentially according to the second mapping rate corresponding to the SSB.

[0309] S806. The terminal device determines the target PRACH resource associated with the target cell based on the mapping result and the identifier of the target cell.

[0310] Based on Table 3, for example, the target cell is identified as ID 2 and the target PRACH resource is PRACH resource 2.

[0311] S807. The terminal device uses the target PRACH resource to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0312] S808: The network device corresponding to the current serving cell triggers the corresponding network device of the target cell to send system information based on the first information.

[0313] It should be noted that the execution methods of S807 to S808 are the same as those of S707 to S708, and will not be repeated here.

[0314] It should be noted that the network devices corresponding to the current serving cell can also execute the methods in S802 to S805.

[0315] Based on the above method 33, the following combination Figure 9 The communication method provided in the application embodiments will be described in detail.

[0316] Figure 9 This is the fifth flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 9 As shown, the method includes:

[0317] S901. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends the relevant configuration of RO, the third mapping rate, the identifier of at least one first cell, and the first starting index to the terminal device.

[0318] S902. The terminal device obtains at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB based on the relevant configuration of the RO.

[0319] It should be noted that the execution methods of S901 to S902 are the same as those of S701 to S702, and will not be repeated here.

[0320] S903. The terminal equipment arranges the identifiers of at least one first cell in ascending order of identifier size.

[0321] S904. For each SSB, the terminal device determines N PRACH resources in at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB based on the first starting index.

[0322] In S904, N PRACH resources in at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB constitute M PRACH resources obtained based on the RO-related configuration.

[0323] S905. The terminal device arranges the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB in a frequency domain-first, time domain-second arrangement.

[0324] S906. The terminal device maps the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB and the identifier of at least one first cell in sequence according to the third mapping rate.

[0325] S907. The terminal device determines the target PRACH resource associated with the target cell based on the mapping result and the identifier of the target cell.

[0326] Based on Table 4, for example, if the target cell is identified as ID 2, the target PRACH resources associated with the target cell include PRACH resource 2 and PRACH resource 6.

[0327] S908: The terminal device uses the target PRACH resource to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0328] S909. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell triggers the corresponding network device of the target cell to send system information based on the transmission of the first information.

[0329] It should be noted that the execution methods of S908 to S909 are the same as those of S707 to S708, and will not be repeated here.

[0330] It should be noted that the network devices corresponding to the current serving cell can also execute the methods in S902 to S906.

[0331] Based on the above method 34, the following combination Figure 10The communication method provided in the application embodiments will be described in detail.

[0332] Figure 10 This is a sixth flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0333] S1001, The network device corresponding to the current serving cell sends the relevant configuration of RO, the fourth mapping rate corresponding to each SSB in at least one SSB, the identifier of the first cell associated with each SSB, and the first starting index to the terminal device.

[0334] S1002. The terminal device obtains at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB based on the relevant configuration of RO.

[0335] It should be noted that the execution methods of S1001 to S1002 are the same as those of S601 to S602, and will not be repeated here.

[0336] In S1003, each SSB is associated with at least one PRACH resource, which constitutes multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the relevant configuration of RO.

[0337] S1003. For each SSB, the terminal device determines N PRACH resources in at least one PRACH resource associated with the SSB based on the first starting index.

[0338] In S1003, N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with SSB constitute M PRACH resources from multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the RO related configuration.

[0339] S1004. The terminal device arranges the N PRACH resources associated with the SSB in a frequency domain-first, time domain-second arrangement.

[0340] S1005. The terminal equipment arranges the identifiers of the first cell associated with the SSB in ascending order of identifier size.

[0341] S1006. The terminal device maps the N PRACH resources associated with the sorted SSB and the identifier of the first cell associated with the sorted SSB according to the fourth mapping rate corresponding to the SSB.

[0342] S1007. The terminal device determines the target PRACH resource associated with the target cell based on the mapping result and the identifier of the target cell.

[0343] Based on Table 5, for example, if the target cell is identified as ID 3, the target PRACH resource associated with the target cell is PRACH resource 5.

[0344] S1008. The terminal device uses the target PRACH resource to send the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0345] S1009. The network device corresponding to the current serving cell triggers the corresponding network device of the target cell to send system information based on the transmission of the first information.

[0346] It should be noted that the execution methods of S1007 to S1008 are the same as those of S607 to S608, and will not be repeated here.

[0347] It should be noted that the network devices corresponding to the current serving cell can also execute the methods in S1002 to S1006.

[0348] Figure 11 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the communication device 10 includes:

[0349] The first sending module 101 is used to send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell. The first information is used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0350] The communication device 10 provided in this application embodiment can execute the method steps executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0351] In one possible implementation, the first sending module 101 is specifically used to: send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell using the target physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, wherein the target PRACH resource corresponds to the target cell.

[0352] In one possible implementation, the device further includes: an acquisition module;

[0353] The acquisition module is used to acquire the synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission period of the network device corresponding to the target cell;

[0354] The first sending module 101 sends first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell using the target PRACH resource when the SSB sending period is greater than and / or equal to a preset period.

[0355] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0356] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

[0357] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0358] In one possible implementation, at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0359] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0360] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB.

[0361] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0362] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0363] The remaining PRACH resources, excluding M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

[0364] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0365] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0366] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

[0367] The communication device 10 provided in this application embodiment can execute the method steps executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0368] Figure 12 This is a second schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 As shown, the communication device 20 includes:

[0369] The second receiving module 201 is used to receive the first information;

[0370] The second sending module 202 is used to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information based on the first information.

[0371] The communication device 20 provided in this application embodiment can execute the method steps executed by the network device of the current serving cell in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0372] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried on a target PRACH resource, which corresponds to a target cell.

[0373] In one possible implementation, the target cell is at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0374] In one possible implementation, at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

[0375] In one possible implementation, the target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1.

[0376] M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

[0377] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0378] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one synchronization signal block SSB;

[0379] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0380] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

[0381] The remaining PRACH resources, excluding M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

[0382] In one possible implementation, the M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N.

[0383] At least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device configured to serve the current serving cell.

[0384] In one possible implementation, each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

[0385] In one possible implementation, the second sending module 202 is further configured to: send second information to the network device corresponding to the target cell via the Xn interface, wherein the second information instructs the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

[0386] The communication device 20 provided in this application embodiment can execute the method steps executed by the network device of the current serving cell in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0387] Figure 13 This is the third schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 30 includes:

[0388] The third receiving module 301 is used to receive the second information through the Xn interface;

[0389] The third sending module 302 is used to send system information based on the second information.

[0390] The communication device 30 provided in this application embodiment can execute the method steps executed by the network device of the target cell in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0391] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 40 may include a memory 401, a processor 402, and a transceiver 403. The transceiver 403 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter port, or transmitter interface, etc., and the receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, receiver port, or receiver interface, etc. Exemplarily, the memory 401, processor 402, and transceiver 403 are interconnected via a bus 404.

[0392] Memory 401 is used to store program instructions.

[0393] The processor 402 is used to execute program instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method in the method embodiment.

[0394] All or part of the steps of the above method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a readable memory. When the program is executed, it performs the steps of the above method embodiments; and the aforementioned memory (storage medium) includes: read-only memory (ROM), RAM, flash memory, hard disk, solid-state drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, and any combination thereof.

[0395] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, are used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments.

[0396] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a computer, can implement the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0397] This application provides a chip that stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the chip, it implements the method shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0398] This application provides a chip module on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the chip module, it implements the method shown in the above-described method embodiment.

[0399] This application provides a communication system, including a terminal device, a network device for the current serving cell, and a network device for the target cell;

[0400] Communication is possible between the terminal device, the network device of the current serving cell, and the network device of the target cell;

[0401] The terminal device is used to execute the method steps executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments;

[0402] The network device of the current serving cell is used to execute the method steps executed by the network device of the current serving cell in the above method embodiments;

[0403] The network device of the target cell is used to execute the method steps executed by the network device of the target cell in the above method embodiments.

[0404] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0405] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0406] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, the first information being used to instruct the network device corresponding to the current serving cell to trigger the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sending the first information to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell includes: Using the target Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resource, first information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, where the target PRACH resource corresponds to the target cell.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain the synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission period of the network device corresponding to the target cell; Using the target PRACH resource, send first information to the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell, including: When the SSB transmission period is greater than and / or equal to a preset period, the first information is sent to the network device corresponding to the current serving cell using the target PRACH resource.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1; The M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The target cell is the first cell among the at least one first cell whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB; The at least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell; The remaining PRACH resources, excluding the M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N; The at least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 10, characterized in that, Each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each of the at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive the first message; Based on the first information, the network device corresponding to the target cell is triggered to send system information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first information is carried on the target PRACH resource, which corresponds to the target cell.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The target cell is at least one of the first cells whose signal quality or signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The at least one first cell is a cell configured by the network device corresponding to the currently serving cell.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The target PRACH resource is the PRACH resource corresponding to the target cell among M PRACH resources, where M is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1; The M PRACH resources are used to trigger at least one network device corresponding to the first cell to send system information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources are PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources include at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB; The at least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources are a portion of the multiple PRACH resources obtained based on the network device configuration corresponding to the current serving cell. The remaining PRACH resources, excluding the M PRACH resources, are used for the random access procedure.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The M PRACH resources include N PRACH resources from at least one PRACH resource associated with each SSB in at least one SSB, where N is an integer greater than and / or equal to 1, and M is greater than and / or equal to N; The at least one SSB is an SSB sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell, or an SSB actually sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 20, characterized in that, Each PRACH resource in at least one PRACH resource associated with each of the at least one SSB corresponds to one or more first cells.

22. The communication method according to any one of claims 12-20, characterized in that, The triggering of the network device corresponding to the target cell to send system information includes: The second information is sent to the network device corresponding to the target cell via the Xn interface, and the second information instructs the network device corresponding to the target cell to send the system information.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive the second information via the Xn interface; Based on the second information, send system information.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Memory and processor; The memory is used to store program instructions; The processor is used to execute program instructions stored in the memory to enable the communication device to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1-23.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, are used to implement the method described in any one of claims 1-23.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-23.

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