Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of communication, and discloses a communication method and device. The method comprises: a network device determining energy-saving information of a first cell, the energy-saving information being used for indicating a compensation value corresponding to a first energy-saving state; wherein when the first cell is in a first energy-saving state, the compensation value is used for compensating the measurement value of the SSB associated with the compensation value; and sending the energy-saving information to a terminal device. By adopting the method, the network equipment can perform energy-saving operation on the SSB (such as reducing the sending power of the SSB), and send the energy-saving information of the first cell to the terminal equipment, so that when the first cell is in the first energy-saving state, the terminal equipment can compensate the measurement value of the SSB associated with the compensation value according to the compensation value, and the energy-saving performance of the SSB is improved. And the compensated measurement value of the SSB is used for determining the quality of the cell, so that the accuracy of the quality of the cell determined by the terminal equipment can be improved while the power consumption of the network equipment is reduced.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the application number 202210678317.5 and the original application date is June 13, 2022. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] As networks grow larger, equipment energy consumption increases, and the high energy consumption of network equipment has gradually become one of the main reasons for the high operating costs of operators. Further research is needed on how to reduce the power consumption of network equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the power consumption of network devices by performing energy-saving operations on the SSB.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network device or a module (such as a chip) in a network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, the network device determines energy-saving information of a first cell, the energy-saving information being used to indicate a compensation value corresponding to a first energy-saving state; wherein, when the first cell is in a first energy-saving state, the compensation value is used to compensate for the measurement values ​​of the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block (SSB) associated with the compensation value; and the energy-saving information is sent to a terminal device.

[0006] Using the above method, network devices can perform energy-saving operations on SSBs (such as reducing the transmission power of SSBs) and send energy-saving information of the first cell to terminal devices. Then, when the first cell is in the first energy-saving state, the terminal devices can compensate the SSB measurement value associated with the compensation value according to the compensation value. The compensated SSB measurement value can be used to determine the cell quality, thereby improving the accuracy of the cell quality determined by the terminal devices while reducing the power consumption of network devices.

[0007] In one possible design, the first energy-saving state is either a mild energy-saving state or a deep energy-saving state.

[0008] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a first indication message to the terminal device, the first indication message indicating that the first cell is in the first energy-saving state.

[0009] In one possible design, sending the first indication information to the terminal device includes: after determining that the load of the first cell meets preset conditions, sending the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0010] In one possible design, the first indication information includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first energy-saving state; start time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; duration of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; end time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; and frequency range information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state.

[0011] In one possible design, the first indication information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

[0012] In one possible design, the DCI is used to page the terminal device.

[0013] In one possible design, the energy-saving information is carried in the system messages of the first cell.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, the terminal device receives energy-saving information from a first cell of a network device. The energy-saving information is used to indicate a compensation value corresponding to a first energy-saving state. When the first cell is in the first energy-saving state, the measured value of the SSB associated with the compensation value is compensated according to the compensation value.

[0015] In one possible design, the first energy-saving state is either a mild energy-saving state or a deep energy-saving state.

[0016] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving first indication information from the network device, the first indication information indicating that the first cell is in the first energy-saving state.

[0017] In one possible design, the first indication information includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first energy-saving state; start time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; duration of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; end time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; and frequency range information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state.

[0018] In one possible design, the first indication information is carried in the DCI.

[0019] In one possible design, the DCI is used to page the terminal device.

[0020] In one possible design, the energy-saving information is carried in the system messages of the first cell.

[0021] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network device or a module (such as a chip) in a network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, the network device determines third indication information, which indicates that M SSBs of a first cell are in a deactivated state, where M is a positive integer; and sends the third indication information to a terminal device.

[0022] Using the above method, the network device can shut down M SSBs of the first cell, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network device; and the network device can send a third indication message to the terminal device, the third indication message indicating that the M SSBs of the first cell are in a shut-down state. Then, the terminal device can, according to the third indication message, not measure the M SSBs when they are in a shut-down state, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, or even if the M SSBs are measured, the measurement result is considered invalid, thereby effectively avoiding inaccurate cell quality determination by the terminal device.

[0023] In one possible design, after determining that the load of the first cell meets the preset conditions, the third indication information is sent to the terminal device.

[0024] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a fourth indication message to the terminal device, the fourth indication message indicating N SSBs of the first cell that are allowed to be dynamically shut down, the N SSBs including the M SSBs, where N is a positive integer.

[0025] In one possible design, the fourth indication information is carried in the system message of the first cell.

[0026] In one possible design, the third indication information includes the indices of the M SSBs; or, the third indication information includes at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB among the M SSBs, the value of M, and the index of the last SSB among the M SSBs; wherein the indices of the M SSBs are consecutive.

[0027] In one possible design, the third indication information also indicates a first time period during which the M SSBs are in the off state.

[0028] In one possible design, the first time period includes at least one of the following: a first synchronization burst set period, wherein the first synchronization burst set period is the synchronization burst set period in which the reception time of the first indication information is located; K consecutive synchronization burst set periods, wherein the first synchronization burst set period in the K synchronization burst set periods is the next synchronization burst set period of the first synchronization burst set period, and K is a positive integer.

[0029] In one possible design, the third indication information is carried in the DCI.

[0030] In one possible design, the DCI is used to page the terminal device.

[0031] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a PDSCH to the terminal device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein the first time-frequency resource includes time-frequency resources corresponding to at least one of the M SSBs that are turned off.

[0032] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, the terminal device receives third indication information from a network device, the third indication information indicating that M SSBs of a first cell are in a deactivated state, where M is a positive integer; based on the third indication information, it is determined that the M SSBs are in a deactivated state.

[0033] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving fourth indication information from the network device, the fourth indication information indicating N SSBs of the first cell that are allowed to be dynamically shut down, the N SSBs including the M SSBs, where N is a positive integer.

[0034] In one possible design, the fourth indication information is carried in the system message of the first cell.

[0035] In one possible design, the third indication information includes the indices of the M SSBs; or, the third indication information includes at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB among the M SSBs, the value of M, and the index of the last SSB among the M SSBs; wherein the indices of the M SSBs are consecutive.

[0036] In one possible design, the third indication information also indicates a first time period during which the M SSBs are in the off state.

[0037] In one possible design, the first time period includes at least one of the following: a first synchronization burst set period, wherein the first synchronization burst set period is the synchronization burst set period in which the reception time of the first indication information is located; K consecutive synchronization burst set periods, wherein the first synchronization burst set period in the K synchronization burst set periods is the next synchronization burst set period of the first synchronization burst set period, and K is a positive integer.

[0038] In one possible design, the third indication information is carried in the DCI.

[0039] In one possible design, the DCI is used to page the terminal device.

[0040] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving a PDSCH from the network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein the first time-frequency resource includes time-frequency resources corresponding to at least one of the M SSBs that are turned off.

[0041] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network device or a module (such as a chip) within a network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, the network device sends configuration information for multiple SSB transmission modes to a terminal device. The multiple SSB transmission modes include a first SSB transmission mode, and the configuration information for the first SSB transmission mode is used to configure the first SSB transmission mode. The network device also sends fifth indication information to the terminal device, indicating that the first SSB transmission mode is used in a first cell. Finally, based on the first SSB transmission mode, an SSB is transmitted in the first cell.

[0042] Using the above method, network devices can be configured with multiple SSB transmission modes and dynamically switch between them, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network devices. Furthermore, the network devices can indicate the SSB transmission mode used in the first cell to the terminal devices, enabling the terminal devices to receive SSBs according to the corresponding SSB transmission mode.

[0043] In one possible design, the configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode; the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode.

[0044] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, the terminal device receives configuration information of multiple SSB transmission modes from a network device. The multiple SSB transmission modes include a first SSB transmission mode, and the configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode is used to configure the first SSB transmission mode. The terminal device also receives fifth indication information from the network device, which indicates that the first SSB transmission mode is used on the first cell. Finally, the terminal device receives an SSB from the network device according to the first SSB transmission mode.

[0045] In one possible design, the configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode; the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the functions of implementing the first, third, or fifth aspects described above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first, third, or fifth aspects described above. The modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0047] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, wherein the communication unit can be used to transmit and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit may correspond to the operations involved in the first, third, or fifth aspects described above.

[0048] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor that can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first, third, or fifth aspects above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first, third, or fifth aspects above, when the computer programs or instructions are executed.

[0049] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory of which may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first, third, or fifth aspects described above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first, third, or fifth aspects described above.

[0050] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to execute the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first, third, or fifth aspect described above.

[0051] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device that has the functions involved in the second, fourth or sixth aspects described above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second, fourth or sixth aspects described above. The functions, units or means can be implemented by software or by hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented by hardware.

[0052] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices, such as sending system information to a terminal device. The processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit can correspond to the operations involved in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects described above.

[0053] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor that can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above, when the computer programs or instructions are executed.

[0054] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory of which may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects described above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second, fourth, or sixth aspects described above.

[0055] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and execute the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second, fourth, or sixth aspects described above.

[0056] Understandably, in the seventh and eighth aspects mentioned above, the processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. Furthermore, there can be one or more processors, and one or more memories. The memory can be integrated with the processor or separated from it. In specific implementations, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the arrangement of the memory and processor.

[0057] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system that may include the communication device provided in the seventh aspect and the communication device provided in the eighth aspect.

[0058] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first to sixth aspects described above.

[0059] In the eleventh aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first to sixth aspects described above.

[0060] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a chip including a processor coupled to a memory for reading and executing a software program stored in the memory to implement the method in any of the possible designs of the first to sixth aspects described above. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2a A schematic diagram of the SSB provided for an embodiment of this application; Figure 2b A schematic diagram of a synchronous burst set provided for an embodiment of this application; Figures 2c-2d A schematic diagram of the time-domain pattern of the SSB provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the SSB coverage area provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of sending PDSCH using resources of a disabled SSB provided for an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 8 The following are possible exemplary block diagrams of the apparatus involved in the embodiments of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system used in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 1000 includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device, such as... Figure 1 110a and 110b may also include at least one terminal device, such as Figure 1 The numbers 120a-120j are listed below. Specifically, 110a is a base station, 110b is a micro-station, 120a, 120e, 120f, and 120j are mobile phones, 120b is a car, 120c is a fuel dispenser, 120d is a home access point (HAP) deployed indoors or outdoors, 120g is a laptop, 120h is a printer, and 120i is a drone.

[0064] Figure 1 In this system, terminal devices can connect to network devices, and network devices can connect to core network devices in the core network. Core network devices and network devices can be independent physical devices, or they can integrate the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of network devices onto the same physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some core network device functions and some network device functions. Terminal devices and network devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 1 This is just an illustration; the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless repeaters and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 It is not shown in the middle.

[0065] The following section introduces network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0066] (1) Network equipment

[0067] Network equipment includes wireless access network equipment (also known as access network equipment). Network equipment can be base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, base stations in 6G mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems; it can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station, for example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Network equipment can be macro base stations (such as...) Figure 1 (e.g., 110a), or it can be a micro base station or an indoor station (such as...) Figure 1 The node in question (110b) can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device embodiments.

[0068] In this application embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the function of the network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0069] (2) Terminal equipment

[0070] Terminal devices can also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. This application does not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0071] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided by this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided by this application embodiment.

[0072] Furthermore, the same terminal device or network device can provide different functions in different application scenarios. For example, Figure 1 The mobile phones included are 120a, 120e, 120f, and 120j. Among them, mobile phone 120a can access base station 110a, connect to car 120b, communicate directly with mobile phone 120e, and access HAP; mobile phone 120e can access HAP and communicate directly with mobile phone 120a; mobile phone 120f can access micro-station 110b, connect to laptop 120g, and connect to printer 120h; mobile phone 120j can control drone 120i.

[0073] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, Figure 1 The helicopter or drone 120i in the diagram can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Alternatively, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol; in this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, both the wireless access network and the terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 The 110a and 110b in the text can be referred to as communication devices with base station functions. Figure 1 The 120a-120j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal equipment functions.

[0074] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0075] Communication between network devices and terminal devices, between network devices, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0076] The above Figure 1 The communication system shown can support various radio access technologies (RATs), such as Figure 1 The illustrated communication system can be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (also known as a long term evolution (LTE) communication system), a 5G communication system (also known as a new radio (NR) communication system), a 6G communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. The communication systems and service scenarios described in this application's embodiments are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application's embodiments and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application's embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that, with the evolution of communication systems and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application's embodiments are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0077] The relevant technical features involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0078] (1) The composition of SSB

[0079] The synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB) can include the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the PBCH. For example... Figure 2a As shown, in the time domain, one SSB occupies four orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, designated as symbols 0 to 3. In the frequency domain, one SSB occupies 20 resource blocks (RBs) (each RB contains 12 subcarriers), totaling 240 subcarriers, numbered 0 to 239. The PSS is located on the middle 127 subcarriers of symbol 0, and the SSS is located on the middle 127 subcarriers of symbol 2. To protect the PSS and SSS, different guard subcarriers are used. These guard subcarriers are not used to carry signals. Subcarriers are reserved on both sides of the SSS as guard subcarriers, as shown below. Figure 2a The blank areas on both sides of the SSS are the guard subcarriers. The PBCH occupies all the subcarriers of symbols 1 and 3, as well as a portion of the remaining subcarriers of symbol 2, excluding the subcarriers occupied by the SSS (i.e., the remaining subcarriers excluding the guard subcarriers).

[0080] The PSS (Physical Cell Sequence) can be used to transmit the cell number, and the SSS (Square Cell Sequence) can be used to transmit the cell group number. The cell number and cell group number together determine multiple physical cell identities (PCIs) in the 5G communication system. Once the terminal device successfully finds the PSS and SSS, it knows the physical cell number of the 5G carrier and thus has the ability to parse the system messages contained in the SSS.

[0081] System messages in the SSB are carried by the PBCH channel. Since this information is essential for terminal devices to access the network, it can be called the main information block (MIB). The MIB may contain the system frame number, the initial subcarrier spacing for access, and other information.

[0082] Because the information contained in the MIB is limited, it is insufficient to support terminal devices accessing a 5G cell. Therefore, the terminal device must also obtain some essential system messages, such as System Information Block (SIB) 1. SIB1 is transmitted on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) with a period of 160 milliseconds. Since the terminal device has already obtained the parameters used for SIB1 transmission and the distribution of control resources scheduling it from the MIB carried in the PBCH, it can receive SIB1. In this way, the terminal device can obtain the necessary system messages to access the 5G cell, and subsequently access the 5G cell.

[0083] (2) SSB transmission

[0084] In 5G communication systems, network devices use more antennas to enhance coverage. However, using more antennas results in very narrow antenna beams, which are insufficient to cover an entire cell. Furthermore, due to hardware limitations, network devices often cannot simultaneously transmit signals through multiple beams to cover the entire cell. Therefore, 5G communication systems introduce beam scanning technology, allowing network devices to transmit signals through different beams at different times. For example, for a single cell, network devices can transmit SSBs (Special Signal Broadcast Beams) through different beams at different times to achieve broadcast beam coverage of the cell. Figure 2b As shown.

[0085] The set of SSBs transmitted by a network device during a single beam scan can be called a synchronization signal burst set (SS burst set). The period of the SS burst set is equivalent to the period of an SSB corresponding to a specific beam, and can be configured to 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms, etc. Since terminal devices cannot wait too long on a single frequency point during cell search, the default is 20ms. If a terminal device waits for 20ms on a frequency point without finding an SSB, it assumes that there is no 5G cell on that frequency point and can then switch to the next frequency point to try again.

[0086] Currently, a single SS burst set period can contain a maximum of 4, 8, or 64 SSBs. When the carrier frequency band is less than or equal to 3 GHz, a single SS burst set period can contain a maximum of 4 SSBs. Each SS burst set always occurs within a 5 ms time interval. For an illustration of an SS burst set, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 2b , Figure 2b Taking an SS burst set with a period of 20ms and an SS burst set consisting of P SSBs as an example.

[0087] (3) Time-frequency position of SSB

[0088] The time-domain location of the SSB can be protocol-defined, which specifies the relationship between different subcarrier spaces (SCS) and the time-domain pattern of the SSB. See also Figure 2c , Figure 2d These two figures represent the time-domain pattern of the SSB.

[0089] Figure 2c This represents a time-domain pattern of SSBs included in a time slot when the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz. It can be seen that one time slot includes two SSBs. Figure 2c The square with a diagonal line in the middle represents the symbol occupied by SSB.

[0090] Figure 2d This represents a time-domain pattern of SSBs included in a time slot when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz. It can be seen that one time slot includes two SSBs. Figure 2d The square with a diagonal line in the middle represents the symbol occupied by SSB.

[0091] In 4G communication systems, the SSB (Signal Segment Bus) can be located at the center of the carrier. However, because 5G communication systems have a much larger system bandwidth (e.g., high frequencies reaching 400MHz, far exceeding the 4G system bandwidth (maximum 20MHz), placing the SSB at the center of the carrier as in 4G would require terminal devices to search for the SSB across the entire system bandwidth, resulting in significantly longer search times and higher power consumption. Therefore, 5G communication systems no longer place the SSB at the center of the carrier, but rather at some possible locations within each frequency band. Furthermore, each frequency band can correspond to multiple frequency points, and each frequency point can correspond to multiple possible locations (the network device will transmit the SSB at one of these possible locations). For a given frequency point, the terminal device can blindly detect multiple possible locations according to the synchronization grid to receive the SSB.

[0092] As networks grow larger, equipment energy consumption increases, making high energy consumption a major reason for operators' high operating costs. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently discussing energy-saving measures for network equipment (such as base stations). For example, network equipment can determine whether to perform energy-saving operations based on load information, such as shutting down cells. Load information can include the usage of radio resources, the number of users, and the number of RRC connections. For instance, network equipment can shut down cells covering office buildings at night based on load information. However, shutting down cells to reduce power consumption is a relatively coarse-grained energy-saving operation. Typically, the conditions for shutting down cells are quite stringent, making it difficult for network equipment to effectively reduce power consumption through cell shutdown.

[0093] Based on this, embodiments of this application will study the relevant implementations of energy saving in network devices. For example, embodiments of this application consider introducing fine-grained energy-saving operations. For instance, for a given cell, the network device can perform some energy-saving operations on the SSB of the cell to reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0094] Example 1

[0095] In Embodiment 1, the network device can perform energy-saving operations on the SSB of the first cell (e.g., reducing the transmit power and / or antenna gain of the SSB of the first cell) to reduce power consumption. However, the energy-saving operations performed by the network device on the SSB of the first cell will affect the measurement results of the SSB by the terminal device, thereby causing inaccurate measurement of the quality of the first cell by the terminal device.

[0096] Specifically, cell quality can refer to the quality of communication between a terminal device and a network device on that cell. For example, cell quality can be obtained by the terminal device by measuring the signals transmitted by the network device on that cell. Cell quality can include at least one of reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), and signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR). For instance, for terminal devices in RRC_IDLE or RRC_Inactive states, the cell quality can be obtained by measuring the SSB transmitted by the network device on the cell. For terminal devices in RRC_CONNECTED states, the cell quality can be obtained by measuring the SSB or channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RS) transmitted by the network device on the cell. In this embodiment, the method of obtaining cell quality by measuring SSB will be described as an example.

[0097] For example, the terminal device can obtain the cell quality based on the average RSRP of the SSB measured at one or more time points. For instance, the terminal device can obtain the cell quality based on the average of the RSRP of the first SSB measured at a first time point (referred to as RSRP1) and the RSRP of the second SSB measured at a second time point (referred to as RSRP2), i.e., the cell quality is equal to (RSRP1 + RSRP2) / 2.

[0098] However, when network devices perform energy-saving operations on SSBs (e.g., reducing the transmission power of a cell's SSB), it affects the RSRP of the SSB measured by the terminal device, leading to inaccurate cell quality determination by the terminal device. For example, when the network device does not perform energy-saving operations on the first SSB, the transmission power of the first SSB transmitted by the network device is 1. In this case, the coverage area of ​​the first SSB is as follows: Figure 3 As shown in (a); when the network device performs energy-saving operation on the first SSB, the transmission power of the network device sending the first SSB is transmission power 2 (transmission power 2 is less than transmission power 1), and the coverage area of ​​the first SSB is as follows. Figure 3As shown in (b), energy-saving operations reduce the coverage area of ​​the first SSB, resulting in a lower RSRP measured by the terminal device. Specifically, when the network device does not perform energy-saving operations on the first SSB, the RSRP measured by the terminal device is RSRP1. However, when the network device performs energy-saving operations on the first SSB, the RSRP measured by the terminal device is RSRP1', which is less than RSRP1. In this case, the cell quality determined by the terminal device is equal to (RSRP1' + RSRP2) / 2. Therefore, when the terminal device determines the cell quality based on the average of RSRP1' and RSRP2, the cell quality will be inaccurate.

[0099] Based on this, the embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which will be described below in conjunction with... Figure 4 The method is described.

[0100] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in Embodiment 1 of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes: S401, the network device determines the energy-saving information of the first cell, and the energy-saving information of the first cell is used to indicate the compensation value corresponding to the first energy-saving state.

[0101] Here, the first cell can be any one of the multiple cells managed by the network device.

[0102] The energy-saving information of the first community is described below in conjunction with implementation method 1 and implementation method 2.

[0103] (1) Implementation method 1

[0104] The first cell can be configured with an energy-saving state, which is called the first energy-saving state. The energy-saving information of the first cell can be used to indicate at least one compensation value corresponding to the first energy-saving state. Each compensation value can be associated with at least one SSB of the first cell. The compensation value is used to compensate for the measured value of the SSB associated with that compensation value, and the unit of the compensation value can be decibels (dB).

[0105] For example, in scenario 1, all SSBs in the first cell can be associated with the same compensation value (referred to as compensation value a). In this case, the first energy-saving state can correspond to one compensation value (i.e., compensation value a). Here, "all SSBs in the first cell" can refer to all SSBs in the synchronization signal burst set of the first cell, or all SSBs actually transmitted by the network device on the first cell (the actually transmitted SSBs can be some or all of the SSBs in the synchronization signal burst set). As another example, in scenario 2, each SSB in the first cell can be associated with one compensation value. In this case, the first energy-saving state can correspond to multiple compensation values.

[0106] Referring to Table 1, taking the SSBs of the first cell, including SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3, as an example, in scenario 1, SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3 are all associated with compensation value 'a'; in scenario 2, SSB0 is associated with compensation value 'b0', SSB1 with compensation value 'b1', SSB2 with compensation value 'b2', and SSB3 with compensation value 'b3'. Any two of the compensation values ​​b0, b1, b2, and b3 can be the same or different.

[0107] Table 1: Compensation values ​​corresponding to a certain energy-saving state

[0108] It is understood that the above scenarios 1 and 2 are merely illustrative examples, and other possible scenarios may exist, such as SSB0 and SSB1 being associated with the same compensation value, and SSB2 and SSB3 being associated with the same compensation value.

[0109] (2) Implementation method 2

[0110] The first cell can be configured with multiple energy-saving states, including a first energy-saving state. The energy-saving information of the first cell can be used to indicate at least one compensation value corresponding to each of the multiple energy-saving states. Each compensation value can be associated with at least one Service Block (SSB) of the first cell. For example, if the multiple energy-saving states include a deep energy-saving state and a light energy-saving state, then the first energy-saving state can be either a deep energy-saving state or a light energy-saving state. Specifically, for a given SSB (e.g., SSB0), the compensation value associated with SSB0 in the light energy-saving state can be less than the compensation value associated with SSB0 in the deep energy-saving state; or, in other words, the transmission power of SSB0 in the light energy-saving state is greater than the transmission power of SSB0 in the deep energy-saving state.

[0111] Referring to Table 2, taking the SSBs of the first community, including SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3, as an example: For the deep energy-saving state, in scenario 1, SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3 are all associated with compensation value 'a'; in scenario 2, SSB0 is associated with compensation value 'b0', SSB1 with compensation value 'b1', SSB2 with compensation value 'b2', and SSB3 with compensation value 'b3'. For the light energy-saving state, in scenario 1, SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3 are all associated with compensation value 'c'; in scenario 2, SSB0 is associated with compensation value 'd0', SSB1 with compensation value 'd1', SSB2 with compensation value 'd2', and SSB3 with compensation value 'd3'.

[0112] Table 2: Compensation values ​​for various energy-saving states

[0113] S402, the network device sends energy-saving information of the first cell to the terminal device.

[0114] Here, there are several ways for the network device to send the energy-saving information of the first cell to the terminal device. For example, the network device can send the system message of the first cell to the terminal device, and the system message includes the energy-saving information.

[0115] S403, the terminal device receives energy-saving information from the first cell, and then when the first cell is in the first energy-saving state, it can compensate the measured value of SSB according to the compensation value corresponding to the first energy-saving state.

[0116] Here, taking the compensation value associated with SSB0 as compensation value 'a' as an example, the terminal device compensates the measured value of SSB0 according to the compensation value corresponding to the first energy-saving state. This can mean that the terminal device adds the measured value of SSB0 to the compensation value 'a'; that is, the compensated measured value of SSB0 is equal to the sum of the measured value of SSB0 and the compensation value 'a'. For example, the terminal device can compensate the measured values ​​of multiple SSBs, and then obtain the quality of the first cell based on the average of the compensated measured values ​​of multiple SSBs. Furthermore, the terminal device can also send the quality of the first cell to the network device (if the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device can determine whether to switch the terminal device to a cell other than the first cell based on the quality of the first cell reported by the terminal device).

[0117] There are several ways for the terminal device to determine that the first cell is in the first energy-saving state. As one possible implementation, after S502, the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device, indicating that the first cell is in the first energy-saving state. The terminal device can then determine that the first cell is in the first energy-saving state based on this first indication message. For example, the network device can send the first indication message to the terminal device after determining that the load of the first cell meets preset conditions. The preset conditions for the load of the first cell can refer to the usage of radio resources in the first cell being less than or equal to a first threshold, or it can refer to the number of RRC connections in the first cell being less than or equal to a second threshold. The first and second thresholds can be predefined by the protocol and are not specifically limited.

[0118] For example, the first indication information may include at least one of the following: an identifier of a first energy-saving state; start time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; duration of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; end time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; and frequency range information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state. These items of information will be described in detail below.

[0119] (1) Identification of the first energy-saving state

[0120] When the first cell is configured with multiple energy-saving states, the first indication information may include an identifier for the first energy-saving state. When the first cell is configured with only one energy-saving state (i.e., the first energy-saving state), the first indication information may not include the identifier for the first energy-saving state.

[0121] (2) Start time information of the first community in the first energy-saving state

[0122] The first indication information may include the start time information of the first cell entering the first energy-saving state, so that the terminal device can determine when the first cell enters the first energy-saving state based on the start time information. Alternatively, the first indication information may not include the start time information of the first cell entering the first energy-saving state. In this case, the terminal device can determine when the first cell enters the first energy-saving state based on the reception time of the first indication information, for example, the reception time of the first indication information is the start time of the first cell entering the first energy-saving state.

[0123] For example, the start time information of the first cell entering the first energy-saving state is used to indicate the start time slot and / or start symbol of the first cell entering the first energy-saving state. For example, the start time information includes the number of the start time slot and / or the number of the start symbol.

[0124] (3) The duration of the first energy-saving state of the first community and the end time of the first energy-saving state of the first community.

[0125] The first indication information may include the duration of the first cell's first energy-saving state and / or the end time of the first cell's first energy-saving state, so that the terminal device can determine when the first cell ends the first energy-saving state. Alternatively, the first indication information may not include the duration of the first cell's first energy-saving state and the end time of the first cell's first energy-saving state. In this case, the network device may send second indication information to the terminal device, and the terminal device can determine when the first cell ends the first energy-saving state based on the reception time of the second indication information. For example, the reception time of the second indication information may be the end time of the first cell's first energy-saving state.

[0126] For example, the unit for the duration of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state can be a time slot, a symbol, or other possible time unit, without specific limitation. The end time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state is used to indicate the end time slot and / or end symbol of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state. For example, the end time information includes the number of the end time slot and / or the number of the end symbol.

[0127] (4) Frequency range information of the first cell in the first energy-saving state

[0128] The frequency range information of the first cell in the first energy-saving state is used to indicate the frequency range in which the first cell is in the first energy-saving state. For example, the frequency range information may include the number of the starting physical resource block (PRB) and the number of the ending PRB corresponding to the frequency range.

[0129] The first indication information may include frequency range information of the first cell in a first energy-saving state. In this case, if the terminal device receives the SSB of the first cell within this frequency range, it can compensate the measured value of the SSB according to the compensation value associated with the SSB. If the terminal device receives the SSB of the first cell outside this frequency range, it does not need to compensate the measured value of the SSB. Alternatively, the first indication information may not include frequency range information of the first cell in a first energy-saving state. In this case, if the terminal device receives the SSB of the first cell, it can compensate the measured value of the SSB according to the compensation value associated with the SSB.

[0130] It is understandable that there are multiple ways for a network device to send the first indication information to a terminal device. For example, the network device can send a DCI to the terminal device, which may include all the information of the first indication information, or the DCI may include only part of the information of the first indication information. In this case, the network device can send another part of the first indication information to the terminal device through a system message. In one example, the part of the first indication information may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the first energy-saving state, and the start time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; the other part of the first indication information may include at least one of the following: the duration of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; the end time information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state; and the frequency range information of the first cell being in the first energy-saving state. In addition, if the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, the above-mentioned DCI may be a DCI used for paging the terminal device; that is, the network device can notify the terminal device that the first cell is in the first energy-saving state by paging the terminal device.

[0131] Using the method in Embodiment 1 above, the network device can send energy-saving information of the first cell to the terminal device. The energy-saving information of the first cell is used to indicate the compensation value corresponding to the first energy-saving state. Then, when the first cell is in the first energy-saving state, the terminal device can compensate the SSB measurement value associated with the compensation value according to the compensation value. The compensated SSB measurement value can be used to determine the cell quality, thereby improving the accuracy of the cell quality determined by the terminal device while reducing the power consumption of the network device.

[0132] Example 2

[0133] In Embodiment 2, the network device can shut down some SSBs of the first cell to reduce power consumption. However, if the terminal device still measures these SSBs after the network device shuts them down, it will result in unnecessary measurements by the terminal device. Furthermore, if the terminal device determines the quality of the first cell based on the measurement results of these SSBs, the quality of the first cell will be inaccurate.

[0134] Based on this, the embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which will be described below in conjunction with... Figure 5 The method is described.

[0135] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in Embodiment 2 of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method includes: S501, the network device determines the third indication information, which indicates that M SSBs of the first cell are in the off state, where M is a positive integer.

[0136] Here, the M SSBs can be some or all of the SSBs of the first cell. For example, the third indication information may include the indices of the M SSBs; in this case, the indices of the M SSBs may be consecutive or non-consecutive. Alternatively, the third indication information may include at least one of the following: the index of the first SSB among the M SSBs, the value of M, and the index of the last SSB among the M SSBs; in this case, the indices of the M SSBs are consecutive. Wherein, the first SSB among the M SSBs refers to the SSB with the smallest index value among the M SSBs, and the last SSB among the M SSBs refers to the SSB with the largest index value among the M SSBs.

[0137] For example, the third indication information may also indicate a first time period, during which M SSBs are in an off state. For instance, the first time period may include at least one of the following: a first synchronization burst set period, where the first synchronization burst set period is the synchronization burst set period in which the third indication information is received; K consecutive synchronization burst set periods, where the first synchronization burst set period among the K synchronization burst set periods is the next synchronization burst set period, and K is a positive integer. The third indication information may indicate the first time period in various ways, and no specific limitation is imposed.

[0138] S502, the network device sends a third instruction message to the terminal device.

[0139] For example, after determining that the load of the first cell meets preset conditions, the network device can determine the M SSBs that need to be shut down (i.e., determine the third indication information) and send the third indication information to the terminal device. The description of the load of the first cell meeting the preset conditions can be found in Embodiment 1.

[0140] There are several ways for a network device to send third indication information to a terminal device. One possible implementation is that the network device can send a DCI (Distributed Indication Code) to the terminal device; that is, the third indication information can be carried within a DCI. Furthermore, if the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, the DCI can be a DCI used for paging the terminal device. In other words, the network device can notify the terminal device that M SSBs are in a disabled state by paging the terminal device.

[0141] As one possible implementation, the SSBs of the first cell can be divided into two types: the first type of SSB is the SSB that is not allowed to be dynamically turned off, and the second type of SSB is the SSB that is allowed to be dynamically turned off. In this case, the M SSBs can be some or all of the SSBs of the second type. There can be multiple criteria for dividing the SSBs into the first and second types, and this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0142] Optionally, prior to S501, the network device may send a fourth indication message to the terminal device. This fourth indication message indicates N SSBs of the first cell that are allowed to be dynamically shut down, where M SSBs belong to the N SSBs, and N is a positive integer. In other words, the network device can first indicate to the terminal device via the fourth indication message that N SSBs are allowed to be dynamically shut down, and then dynamically indicate to the terminal device via the third indication message that the M SSBs are actually shut down. The network device can send the fourth indication message to the terminal device in several ways. For example, the network device can send a system message of the first cell to the terminal device, and the system message includes the fourth indication message; that is, the fourth indication message can be carried within the system message of the first cell.

[0143] S503, the terminal device receives the third indication information and does not measure the M SSBs when the M SSBs are in the off state, or even if the M SSBs are measured, the terminal device considers the measurement result to be invalid.

[0144] For example, a network device can send a PDSCH to a terminal device on a first time-frequency resource, which includes the time-frequency resource corresponding to at least one of the M disabled SSBs; that is, the network device can use the time-frequency resource corresponding to the disabled SSB to send the PDSCH to the terminal device, thereby improving resource utilization. Further, before sending the PDSCH to the terminal device on the first time-frequency resource, the network device can first send a DCI to the terminal device. The DCI is used to indicate the first time-frequency resource, and then the terminal device can receive the PDSCH on the first time-frequency resource according to the DCI. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 6 As shown. It is understandable that if the SSB is not turned off, the terminal device receives the SSB on the resources of the SSB, but will not receive the PDSCH.

[0145] Using the method in Embodiment 2 above, the network device can shut down M SSBs of the first cell, thereby reducing the power consumption of the network device; and the network device can send a third indication message to the terminal device, the third indication message indicating that the M SSBs of the first cell are in a shut-down state. Then, the terminal device can, according to the third indication message, not measure the M SSBs when they are in a shut-down state, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, or even if the M SSBs are measured, the measurement result is considered invalid, thereby effectively avoiding inaccurate cell quality determined by the terminal device.

[0146] Example 3

[0147] In Embodiment 3, the network device can be configured with multiple SSB transmission modes and dynamically switch between them to reduce power consumption. The following section will further elaborate on this. Figure 7Provide a detailed description.

[0148] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in Embodiment 3 of this application. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes: S701, the network device determines the configuration information of multiple SSB transmission modes of the first cell.

[0149] S702, the network device sends configuration information for various SSB transmission modes to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive configuration information for various SSB transmission modes.

[0150] For example, the multiple SSB transmission modes include a first SSB transmission mode, and the configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode; and the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode. It is understood that the configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode may also include other possible information, without specific limitations.

[0151] For example, multiple SSB transmission modes include a first SSB transmission mode and a second SSB transmission mode. The SSB indexes for the first SSB transmission mode can include SSB0 and SSB1, and the synchronization burst set period for the second SSB transmission mode is 20ms. The SSB indexes for the second SSB transmission mode can include SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3, and the synchronization burst set period for the second SSB transmission mode is 10ms.

[0152] S703, the network device sends a fifth instruction message to the terminal device, the fifth instruction message indicating that a first SSB transmission mode is adopted in the first cell, and then the network device can send an SSB in the first cell according to the first SSB transmission mode; correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the fifth instruction message and receive an SSB in the first cell according to the first SSB transmission mode.

[0153] For example, there are several ways for a network device to send the fifth indication information to a terminal device. As one possible implementation, the network device can send a DCI to the terminal device, meaning the fifth indication information can be carried within a DCI. Furthermore, if the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, the DCI can be a DCI used for paging the terminal device; that is, the network device can notify the terminal device of the SSB transmission mode used in the first cell by paging the terminal device.

[0154] The fifth indication information indicates that there are multiple ways to use the first SSB transmission mode on the first cell. For example, the fifth indication information may include the identifier of the first SSB transmission mode.

[0155] For example, when a network device sends an SSB to a terminal device using the second SSB transmission mode, if the network device determines that the load of the first cell meets preset conditions, it can send a fifth indication message to the terminal device. This fifth indication message instructs the network device to switch from the SSB transmission mode used in the first cell to the first SSB transmission mode. Since the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode is longer than that corresponding to the second SSB transmission mode, and the number of SSBs corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode is less than that corresponding to the second SSB transmission mode, switching from the second SSB transmission mode to the first SSB transmission mode can effectively reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0156] Regarding the above embodiments one to three, it can be understood that: (1) The step numbers of the flowcharts described in Embodiments 1 to 3 are only examples of the execution flow and do not constitute a restriction on the order of execution of the steps. There is no strict execution order between steps that have no temporal dependency relationship in the embodiments of this application. In addition, not all steps shown in the flowcharts are mandatory steps. Some steps can be added or deleted based on the actual needs of each flowchart.

[0157] (2) The above focuses on describing the differences between different embodiments in Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3. Except for the differences, Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3 can be referred to each other. In addition, different implementations or different examples in the same embodiment can also be referred to each other.

[0158] The above primarily describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of communication device interaction. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, network devices and terminal devices may include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0159] This application embodiment can divide network devices and terminal devices into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0160] When using integrated units, Figure 8 A possible exemplary block diagram of the apparatus involved in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the device 800 may include a processing unit 802 and a communication unit 803. The processing unit 802 is used to control and manage the operation of the device 800. The communication unit 803 is used to support communication between the device 800 and other devices. Optionally, the communication unit 803 is also called a transceiver unit, and may include a receiving unit and / or a transmitting unit, respectively used to perform receiving and transmitting operations. The device 800 may also include a storage unit 801 for storing the program code and / or data of the device 800.

[0161] The device 800 can be a network device in the above embodiments. The processing unit 802 can support the device 800 in performing the actions of the network device in the method examples above. Alternatively, the processing unit 802 mainly performs the internal actions of the network device in the method examples, and the communication unit 803 can support communication between the device 800 and other devices.

[0162] For example, in one embodiment, the processing unit 802 is used to: determine energy-saving information of a first cell, the energy-saving information being used to indicate a compensation value corresponding to a first energy-saving state; wherein, when the first cell is in a first energy-saving state, the compensation value is used to compensate for the measurement values ​​of the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel block (SSB) associated with the compensation value; the communication unit 803 is used to: send the energy-saving information to a terminal device.

[0163] The device 800 can be the terminal device in the above embodiments. The processing unit 802 can support the device 800 in performing the actions of the terminal device in the method examples above. Alternatively, the processing unit 802 mainly performs the internal actions of the terminal device in the method examples, and the communication unit 803 can support communication between the device 800 and other devices.

[0164] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 803 is configured to: receive energy-saving information from a first cell of a network device, the energy-saving information being used to indicate a compensation value corresponding to a first energy-saving state; and the processing unit 802 is configured to: when the first cell is in the first energy-saving state, compensate the measured value of the SSB associated with the compensation value according to the compensation value.

[0165] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, all units in the device can be implemented entirely through software calls from processing elements; all units can be implemented entirely in hardware; or some units can be implemented through software calls from processing elements, and some units can be implemented in hardware. For example, each unit can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated into a chip within the device. Alternatively, it can be stored as a program in memory, called and executed by a processing element of the device. Moreover, these units can be fully or partially integrated together, or implemented independently. The processing element mentioned here can also be called a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the operations of the above methods or the various units mentioned above can be implemented through integrated logic circuits in the processor element or through software calls from processing elements.

[0166] In one example, a unit in any of the above devices can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the methods described above, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these forms of integrated circuits. As another example, when a unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor capable of calling programs. Furthermore, these units can be integrated together to implement a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0167] The receiving unit described above is an interface circuit of the device, used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the receiving unit is an interface circuit for the chip to receive signals from other chips or devices. The transmitting unit described above is an interface circuit of the device, used to transmit signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit for the chip to transmit signals to other chips or devices.

[0168] See Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. This terminal device can be applied to, for example... Figure 1The communication system shown is used to implement the operation of the terminal device in the above embodiments. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the terminal device includes an antenna 910, a radio frequency (RF) section 920, and a signal processing section 930. The antenna 910 is connected to the RF section 920. In the downlink direction, the RF section 920 receives information sent by the network device through the antenna 910 and sends the information to the signal processing section 930 for processing. In the uplink direction, the signal processing section 930 processes the information from the terminal device and sends it to the RF section 920, which then processes the information and sends it to the network device through the antenna 910.

[0169] The signal processing section 930 may include a modem subsystem for processing data at various communication protocol layers; it may also include a central processing subsystem for processing the terminal device's operating system and application layers; furthermore, it may include other subsystems, such as a multimedia subsystem and a peripheral subsystem, wherein the multimedia subsystem controls the terminal device's camera, screen display, etc., and the peripheral subsystem enables connectivity with other devices. The modem subsystem may be a separately configured chip.

[0170] The modem subsystem may include one or more processing elements 931, such as a main control CPU and other integrated circuits. Furthermore, the modem subsystem may also include a storage element 932 and an interface circuit 933. The storage element 932 is used to store data and programs; however, the program used to execute the methods performed by the terminal device in the above methods may not be stored in the storage element 932, but rather in a memory outside the modem subsystem, which loads and uses it when needed. The interface circuit 933 is used for communication with other subsystems.

[0171] The modulation and demodulation subsystem can be implemented using a chip, which includes at least one processing element and an interface circuit. The processing element is used to execute the various steps of any of the methods executed by the terminal device described above, and the interface circuit is used to communicate with other devices. In one implementation, the unit of the terminal device that implements the various steps of the above methods can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the device for the terminal device includes a processing element and a storage element. The processing element calls a program stored in the storage element to execute the method executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The storage element can be a storage element located on the same chip as the processing element, i.e., an on-chip storage element.

[0172] In another implementation, the program used to execute the method performed by the terminal device in the above method can be located on a storage element on a different chip than the processing element, i.e., an off-chip storage element. In this case, the processing element calls or loads the program from the off-chip storage element onto the on-chip storage element to call and execute the method executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0173] In another implementation, the units in the terminal device that implement the steps of the above methods can be configured as one or more processing elements located on the modem subsystem. These processing elements can be integrated circuits, such as one or more ASICs, one or more DSPs, one or more FPGAs, or combinations of these types of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits can be integrated together to form a chip.

[0174] The units implementing each step of the above method in the terminal device can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a System-on-Chip (SoC). This SoC chip is used to implement the above method. The chip can integrate at least one processing element and a storage element, with the processing element calling a stored program in the storage element to implement the method executed by the terminal device; alternatively, the chip can integrate at least one integrated circuit to implement the method executed by the terminal device; or, a combination of the above implementation methods can be used, with the function of some units implemented by the processing element calling a program, and the function of some units implemented by the integrated circuit.

[0175] As can be seen, the above-described apparatus for a terminal device may include at least one processing element and an interface circuit, wherein the at least one processing element is used to execute any of the methods provided by the terminal device in the above-described method embodiments. The processing element may execute part or all of the steps executed by the terminal device in a first manner: that is, by calling a program stored in a storage element; or in a second manner: that is, by combining instructions with the integrated logic circuits of the hardware in the processor element; of course, it may also combine the first and second methods to execute part or all of the steps executed by the terminal device.

[0176] The processing element here is the same as described above and can be implemented using a processor. The function of the processing element can be the same as... Figure 8 The processing unit described herein has the same function. Exemplarily, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more microprocessors (DSPs), or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. The storage element can be implemented using a memory, and the function of the storage element can be the same as... Figure 8The storage units described herein have the same function. A storage element can be a single memory or a collective term for multiple memory units.

[0177] Figure 9 The terminal device shown can implement the various processes involving the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Figure 9 The operations and / or functions of each module in the terminal device shown are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0178] See Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. This network device (or base station) can be applied to, for example... Figure 1 In the communication system shown, the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments are performed. For example... Figure 10 As shown, network device 100 may include one or more DU 1001 and one or more CU 1002. DU 1001 may include at least one antenna 10011, at least one radio frequency unit 10012, at least one processor 10013, and at least one memory 10014. The DU 1001 is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals, converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals, and performing some baseband processing. CU 1002 may include at least one processor 10022 and at least one memory 10021.

[0179] The CU 1002 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling network devices. The DU 1001 and CU 1002 can be physically installed together or separately, i.e., a distributed base station. The CU 1002 is the control center of the network device, also known as a processing unit, and is mainly used to complete baseband processing functions. For example, the CU 1002 can be used to control the network device to execute the operation procedures of the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0180] Additionally, optionally, the network device 100 may include one or more radio frequency units, one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. The DU may include at least one processor 10013 and at least one memory 10014, the radio frequency unit may include at least one antenna 10011 and at least one radio frequency unit 10012, and the CU may include at least one processor 10022 and at least one memory 10021.

[0181] In one example, the CU1002 can be composed of one or more single boards. Multiple single boards can collectively support a single access indication wireless access network (such as a 5G network, 6G network, or other networks), or they can each support wireless access networks with different access standards (such as LTE networks, 5G networks, 6G networks, or other networks). The memory 10021 and processor 10022 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry. Similarly, the DU1001 can be composed of one or more single boards. Multiple single boards can collectively support a single access indication wireless access network (such as a 5G network, 6G network, or other networks), or they can each support wireless access networks with different access standards (such as LTE networks, 5G networks, 6G networks, or other networks). The memory 10014 and processor 10013 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry.

[0182] Figure 10 The network device shown can implement the various processes involved in the network device in the above method embodiments. Figure 10 The operations and / or functions of each module in the network device shown are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0183] The terms "system" and "network" in this application embodiment are used interchangeably. "At least one" refers to one or more, and "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 alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in this application embodiment are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0184] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0185] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0186] 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.

[0187] 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.

[0188] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The system receives configuration information for multiple synchronization signals and Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) transmission modes from network devices. The multiple SSB transmission modes include a first SSB transmission mode, and the configuration information for the first SSB transmission mode is used to configure the first SSB transmission mode. Receive a fifth indication message from a network device, the fifth indication message indicating the use of a first SSB transmission mode in a first cell; According to the first SSB transmission mode, the SSB from the network device is received.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode, or the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fifth indication information is carried in the downlink control information (DCI).

4. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send configuration information of multiple synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) transmission modes to terminal devices. The multiple SSB transmission modes include the first SSB transmission mode. The configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode is used to configure the first SSB transmission mode. Send a fifth indication message to the terminal device, the fifth indication message indicating the use of the first SSB transmission mode in the first cell; According to the first SSB transmission mode, an SSB is transmitted on the first cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode, or the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The fifth indication information is carried in the downlink control information (DCI).

7. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory storing a computer program; the processor is used to invoke the computer program in the memory, causing the communication device to execute: The system receives configuration information for multiple synchronization signals and Physical Broadcast Channel Block (SSB) transmission modes from network devices. The multiple SSB transmission modes include a first SSB transmission mode, and the configuration information for the first SSB transmission mode is used to configure the first SSB transmission mode. Receive a fifth indication message from a network device, the fifth indication message indicating the use of a first SSB transmission mode in a first cell; According to the first SSB transmission mode, the SSB from the network device is received.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode, or the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The fifth indication information is carried in the downlink control information (DCI).

10. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory storing a computer program; the processor is used to invoke the computer program in the memory, causing the communication device to execute: Send configuration information of multiple synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) transmission modes to terminal devices. The multiple SSB transmission modes include the first SSB transmission mode. The configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode is used to configure the first SSB transmission mode. Send a fifth indication message to the terminal device, the fifth indication message indicating the use of the first SSB transmission mode in the first cell; According to the first SSB transmission mode, an SSB is transmitted on the first cell.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The configuration information of the first SSB transmission mode includes at least one of the following: the index of the SSB corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode, or the synchronization burst set period corresponding to the first SSB transmission mode.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The fifth indication information is carried in the downlink control information (DCI).

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