A communication method and related device

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and related equipment, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method is applied to an electronic device and includes the following steps: sending retransmission information of a first system information block (SIB1) physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); determining available time-frequency domain positions of initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and sending the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain positions of the initial transmission and / or retransmission. In this way, the SIB1 PDCCH can be repeatedly sent multiple times at the determined available time-frequency domain positions, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, the loss of wireless communication can be reduced, the downlink coverage can be enhanced, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

Description

A communication method and related equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 9, 2024, with application number 202410034432.8 and invention name “A communication method and related equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related equipment. Background Art

[0003] Since traditional terrestrial networks cannot provide seamless coverage, especially in places where base stations cannot be deployed, such as the sea, desert, and air, satellite communication technology has emerged with the development of communication technology, especially the continuous development of new-generation mobile communication technologies such as the fifth generation mobile networks (5G).

[0004] Satellite communication technology refers to communications technology in which terrestrial radio communication equipment uses satellites as relays. A satellite communication system consists of a satellite segment and a ground segment. The ground segment includes network equipment such as base stations and terminals, including user equipment (UE). Base stations can communicate with terminals via downlinks or uplinks. Specifically, an uplink refers to the link from a terminal to a base station, while a downlink refers to the link from a base station to a terminal. Each base station typically has a coverage area, also known as a coverage area.

[0005] In related technologies, achieving seamless network coverage through satellite communications requires base stations to simultaneously transmit multiple downlink beams. However, base stations are unable to concentrate energy in a few beams, which in turn limits signal energy. This results in significant wireless communication losses and limited downlink coverage. Therefore, enhancing downlink coverage and improving communication efficiency have become key concerns in the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a communication method and related equipment that can enhance downlink coverage and improve communication efficiency.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, applicable to network equipment such as a base station, comprising: transmitting retransmission information of a first system information block (SIB1) physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); determining an available time-frequency domain location for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain location for initial transmission and / or retransmission. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available time-frequency domain location, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0008] In some specific implementations, the retransmission information includes one or more of information indicating whether to retransmit, transmission cycle information, and maximum retransmission number information.

[0009] In some specific implementations, the length of the transmission period is the sum of the target number of time units; determining the set of available time domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: determining whether the starting time unit in the transmission period satisfies the following formula, (2 μ ×10n f +n s )modT=Offset

[0010] Among them, μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter, n f is the system frame number, n s Where, is the time unit number within the radio frame, T is the transmission period, the unit of T is the time unit, and offset is the offset value of the time unit. The transmission period that satisfies the above formula is determined as the SIB1 PDCCH transmission period. Within the SIB1 PDCCH transmission period, the set of time domain locations for initial and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH is determined. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available time domain locations, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0011] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain location of the initial transmission includes: using the first time unit within the transmission period as the time unit for the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; or using the first configured time unit of the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the transmission period as the time unit for the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available time domain location, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0012] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: using N1 consecutive OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit as the initial transmission timing of the SIB1 PDCCH, where the relative position of the initial transmission timing within the initial transmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission timing specified by the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, pre-agreing on the relative position of the initial transmission timing within the initial transmission time unit through a protocol. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available time domain position, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0013] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position set of retransmissions includes: determining the retransmission time unit index, where the retransmission time unit index in each transmission cycle is the sum of the initial transmission time unit index and the time unit offset, and the time unit offset is a sequence value; or, pre-agreeing on the retransmission time unit index in each transmission cycle through a protocol.

[0014] In some specific implementations, the retransmission time unit index corresponds to the retransmission time unit, and the method for determining the position of the transmission opportunity in the retransmission time unit includes: using consecutive OFDM symbols within the retransmission time unit as a retransmission opportunity for the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the retransmission opportunity within the retransmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission opportunity specified by the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, pre-agreing on the relative position of the retransmission opportunity within the retransmission time unit through a protocol. Therefore, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available time-frequency domain position, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0015] In some specific implementations, sending the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH includes: sending the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a master information block MIB message.

[0016] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the available frequency domain position of the initial transmission includes: determining the frequency domain position corresponding to CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message as the frequency domain position of the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0017] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the set of available frequency domain positions for retransmission includes: determining the configuration of CORESET#0A for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission according to the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message; and confirming the set of available frequency domain positions for retransmission according to the configuration of the retransmitted CORESET#0A.

[0018] In some specific implementations, determining the configuration of CORESET#0A includes: determining a starting physical resource block index (PRB index) of CORESET#0A as the sum of a Start PRB index of CORESET#0 and a physical resource block (RB) offset; and / or determining a starting subcarrier index (SC index) of CORESET#0A as the sum of a Start SC index of CORESET#0 and a subcarrier (SC) offset. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available frequency domain location, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0019] In some specific implementations, the RB offset and / or SC offset is pre-agreed upon by a protocol or configured by a network.

[0020] In some specific implementations, transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at an available time-domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission includes transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at a set of available time-domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available frequency-domain positions, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0021] In some specific implementations, sending the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH includes: sending the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a primary synchronization signal PSS or a secondary synchronization signal SSS.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method for use in terminal devices such as mobile phones and computers, the method comprising: receiving retransmission information of a first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH; determining an available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain position and by combining and detecting the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0023] In some specific implementations, receiving the SIB1 PDCCH includes: receiving the initially transmitted PDCCH at the initially transmitted time-frequency domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH; and if the downlink signal quality is less than or equal to a quality threshold, receiving the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH at the retransmitted time-frequency domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain positions and combining and detecting the information of the initially transmitted and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCHs, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0024] In some specific implementations, the quality threshold is pre-agreed upon through a protocol or configured by the network.

[0025] In some specific implementations, the length of the transmission period is the sum of the target number of time units; determining the set of available time domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: determining whether the starting time unit in the transmission period satisfies the following formula, (2 μ ×10n f +n s )modT=Offset

[0026] Among them, μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter, n f is the system frame number, n sis the time unit number within the radio frame, T is the transmission period, the unit of T is the time unit, and offset is the offset value of the time unit; if satisfied, the time window determined by the starting time unit and the duration T is determined as the SIB1 PDCCH transmission period; within the SIB1 PDCCH transmission period, the set of available time domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH is determined. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain positions and by combining and detecting the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0027] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: using the first time unit within the transmission period as the time unit for the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; or using the first configured time unit of the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the transmission period as the time unit for the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time and frequency domain positions, and by combining and detecting the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCHs, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0028] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: using N1 consecutive OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit as an initial transmission opportunity of the SIB1 PDCCH, where the relative position of the initial transmission opportunity within the initial transmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission opportunity specified by the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, pre-agreing on the relative position of the initial transmission opportunity within the initial transmission time unit through a protocol. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain position, and by combining and detecting the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0029] In some specific implementations, a method for determining a set of retransmission time domain locations includes: determining a retransmission time unit index, where the retransmission time unit index within each transmission cycle is the sum of the initial transmission time unit index and a time unit offset, where the time unit offset is a sequence value; or, pre-agreing on the retransmission time unit index within each transmission cycle through a protocol. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at the determined available retransmission time and frequency domain locations and combining and detecting the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCHs, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0030] In some specific implementations, the retransmission time unit index corresponds to the retransmission time unit, and the method for determining the position of the transmission opportunity in the retransmission time unit includes: using N2 consecutive OFDM symbols within the retransmission time unit as a retransmission opportunity for the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the retransmission opportunity within the retransmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission opportunity specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, pre-agreing on the relative position of the retransmission opportunity within the retransmission time unit through a protocol. Therefore, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain position, and by combining and detecting the information of the initial transmission and retransmission SIB1 PDCCH, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, the loss of wireless communication can be reduced, the downlink coverage can be enhanced, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0031] In some specific implementations, receiving the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH includes: receiving the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a master information block MIB message.

[0032] In some specific implementations, a method for determining the frequency domain position of an initial transmission includes determining the frequency domain position corresponding to CORESET#0 indicated in the MIB message as the frequency domain position of the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time frequency domain position and combining and detecting the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCHs, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0033] In some specific implementations, a method for determining a set of available frequency domain locations for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission includes: using the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0A indicated in the MIB message as the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0A for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission; and determining the set of available frequency domain locations for retransmission based on the frequency domain configuration information of the retransmitted CORESET#0A. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission frequency domain locations and combining and detecting the information of the initially transmitted and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCHs, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0034] In some specific implementations, a method for determining a set of available frequency domain locations for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission includes: determining the starting physical resource block index (PRB index) of CORESET#0A for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission to be the sum of the Start PRB index of CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message and the physical resource block (RB) offset; and / or determining the starting subcarrier index (SC index) of CORESET#0A to be the sum of the Start SC index of CORESET#0 and the subcarrier (SC) offset. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency locations and combining and detecting the information of the initially transmitted and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCHs, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0035] In some specific implementations, the RB offset and / or SC offset is pre-agreed upon by a protocol or configured by a network.

[0036] In some specific implementations, receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at an available time-domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission includes receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at a set of available time-domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH. Thus, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-domain positions and combining and detecting the information of the initial transmission and retransmission SIB1 PDCCH, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0037] In some specific implementations, receiving retransmission information of a first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH includes: receiving the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a primary synchronization signal PSS or a secondary synchronization signal SSS.

[0038] In a third aspect, the present application provides a network device, the electronic device comprising: a memory for storing computer programs or computer instructions; a processor for executing the computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the electronic device performs the method of the first aspect.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a terminal device, the electronic device comprising: a memory for storing computer programs or computer instructions; a processor for executing the computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the electronic device executes the method as in the second aspect.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device, the network device is used to execute the method as in the first aspect, and the terminal device is used to execute the method as in the second aspect.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed, is used to implement the methods of the first and second aspects.

[0042] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to electronic devices such as base stations, and includes: an information sending module, a position determination module, and a repeated sending module; wherein the information sending module is used to send retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH; the position determination module is used to determine the available time-frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; the repeated sending module is used to send the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission. Therefore, by repeatedly sending the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available time-frequency domain position, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, the loss of wireless communication can be reduced, the downlink coverage can be enhanced, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers, and includes: a signal receiving module, a position determination module, and a repeated receiving module; wherein the signal receiving module is used to receive the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH; the position determination module is used to determine the available time-frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; the repeated receiving module is used to receive the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission. Therefore, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain position, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, the loss of wireless communication can be reduced, the downlink coverage can be enhanced, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0044] Based on the above technical solution, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0045] The present application provides a communication method and related equipment, which includes transmitting retransmission information of a first system information block (SIB1) physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); determining an available time-frequency domain location for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain location for initial transmission and / or retransmission. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at the determined available time-frequency domain location, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG1 is an example diagram of a scenario of communication between a base station and a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG3 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the hardware composition of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the hardware composition of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The terms "first", "second" and "third" in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects rather than to limit a specific order.

[0054] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0055] The embodiments of the present application are applied to a communication system. The communication system may be a second-generation (2G) communication system, a third-generation (3G) communication system, an LTE system, a fifth-generation (5G) communication system, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G hybrid architecture, a 5G New Radio (5G NR) system, or any new communication system that may emerge in future communication developments.

[0056] The communication system includes network equipment and terminal equipment. The network equipment can be a device used to provide network communication functions on the network side, and in some cases it is also called a network device or a network element. The network equipment can generally be a base station (including a functional unit of a base station, or a combination of functional units of a base station) or a core network unit, wherein the core network unit can be a functional unit in the core network, including but not limited to an access and mobility management function (AMF) unit or a session management function (SMF) unit. The terminal device can be a device for accessing the network, and can generally be a terminal. See Figure 1, which is an example diagram of a scenario of communication between a base station and a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 includes base station 1 and terminal 2.

[0057] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the base station can be any device with wireless transceiver functions, including but not limited to: an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutionary Node B) in long term evolution (LTE), a base station (gNodeB or gNB) or a transmission receiving point (TRP) in new radio (NR), a base station of subsequent evolution of 3GPP, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. The base station can be: a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, or a balloon station, etc. The base station can include one or more co-site or non-co-site transmission points (Transmission Reception Point, TRP). The base station can also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The base station can communicate with the terminal, or communicate with the terminal through a relay station. The terminal can communicate with multiple base stations of different technologies. For example, the terminal can communicate with a base station that supports the LTE network, and can also communicate with a base station that supports the 5G network. It can also establish dual connections with a base station that supports the LTE network and a base station that supports the 5G network.

[0058] In the embodiments provided herein, the terminal may be in various forms, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a wearable terminal device, etc. The terminal may also be sometimes referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), access terminal device, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, UE terminal device, terminal device, wireless communication device, UE agent or UE device, etc. The terminal may also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0059] As mentioned earlier, satellite communication technology came into being because traditional terrestrial networks cannot provide seamless coverage, especially in places where base stations cannot be deployed, such as the sea, desert, and air.

[0060] Satellite communication technology has the following characteristics. First, it has a wide communication range. Communication is possible between any two points within the range of the satellite's radio waves. Satellite communication can address communication issues in areas where current cellular communication systems are inaccessible or costly to cover. Second, satellite communication technology is not susceptible to land-based disasters and is highly reliable. In extreme situations such as disasters (such as earthquakes) that render cellular communication infrastructure unavailable, satellite communication can quickly establish a communication connection. Third, satellite communication technology offers low latency, making it suitable for industry applications. For example, for latency-sensitive services transmitted over long distances, satellite communication can be used to reduce transmission latency.

[0061] In related technologies, during the project discussions for 3GPP Release 19 NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) proposed by standardization organizations such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), considering the need to utilize satellite communication technology to achieve seamless network coverage, base stations are required to generate multiple downlink beams simultaneously. A beam is a communication resource. A beam can be wide, narrow, or other types of beams, and the beam formation technology can be beamforming or other techniques.

[0062] However, since the base station cannot concentrate energy on a few beams, signal aggregation cannot be achieved, which causes huge losses in wireless communications and limits downlink coverage.

[0063] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and related equipment, which transmits retransmission information of a first system information block (SIB1) physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); determines an available time-frequency domain location for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and transmits the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain location for initial transmission and / or retransmission. Thus, by repeatedly transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at the determined available time-frequency domain location, corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, wireless communication losses can be reduced, downlink coverage can be enhanced, and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0064] In order to make the technical solution of the present application clearer and easier to understand, the communication method of the present application is introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] See Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method can be executed by a network device in a communication system, and the network device can be a base station, etc. The method includes the following steps:

[0066] S201: The network device sends retransmission information of SIB1 PDCCH.

[0067] The first System Information Block 1 (SIB1) message is carried on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Therefore, the network device must first search the Common Search Space (CSS) for the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) that schedules the SIB1 PDSCH, namely the SIB1 PDCCH. Subsequently, the network device sends the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH to the terminal device. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a computer, etc.

[0068] In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the retransmission information may include one or more of a message indicating whether to retransmit, a transmission period T agreed upon by the network device through a protocol, and a maximum number of retransmissions. The length of the transmission period T can be represented by the sum of one or more time units, for example, by the number of radio frames (T=10ms), or subframes (T=1ms), or time slots (T=125ns). For example, a transmission period T can be 32 time slots, i.e., T=1us.

[0069] That is, after the network device obtains the message indicating whether to retransmit, the transmission period T and the maximum number of retransmissions agreed upon by the protocol, the retransmission information consisting of the three can be sent to the terminal device.

[0070] In the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the retransmission information may further include one or more of information indicating retransmission, a transmission period T indicated by the network device, and a maximum number of retransmissions. The retransmission information indicating retransmission is more detailed than the message indicating whether to retransmit, and may include, for example, information about a time slot offset value, etc., which is not limited in this application. The transmission period T indicated by the network device is similar to the transmission period T agreed upon by the network device through a protocol, and its length may also be represented by the sum of one or more time units, such as the number of radio frames, subframes, or time slots.

[0071] That is, after the network device obtains the retransmission instruction information, the transmission period T and the maximum number of retransmissions, the retransmission information consisting of the three can be sent to the terminal device.

[0072] In some specific implementations, the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH may be sent via a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), or a Master Information Block (MIB).

[0073] The PSS and SSS are special physical layer signals used for radio frame synchronization. MIB messages carry the most basic information, which is relevant for decoding the PDSCH channel. After the network device sends the SIB PDCCH retransmission information to the terminal device via the MIB message, the terminal device must first decode the MIB message before using the parameters in the MIB message to continue decoding the SIB1 message.

[0074] S202: The network device determines a set of available time-frequency domain positions for initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0075] Determining the available time-domain position set for initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH is divided into confirming the available time-domain position set and the available frequency-domain position set for initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0076] In some specific implementations, the frequency domain position corresponding to CORESET#0 indicated in the MIB message may be determined as the initial transmission frequency domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH. CORESET#0 refers to the PDCCH information required by the terminal device for the initial decoding of the SIB1 message, i.e., the initial CORESET configuration corresponding to the SIB1 PDCCH sent to the terminal device for the first time.

[0077] In some specific implementations, there are several ways to determine the initial transmission time domain position set of the initial transmitted SIB1 PDCCH, that is, the initial transmission opportunity set of the SIB1 PDCCH:

[0078] Method 1: Use the initial transmission opportunity set of the Type0-PDCCH search space specified in the R18 protocol (or the previous 3GPP NR protocol) as the initial transmission opportunity set for the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0079] Method 2: A new initial transmission opportunity set is agreed upon through a protocol as the initial transmission opportunity set for initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0080] Method 3: Use the initial transmission opportunity set of the Type0-PDCCH search space specified in the R18 protocol (or the previous 3GPP NR protocol) and the new initial transmission opportunity set agreed upon by the protocol as the initial transmission opportunity set for the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0081] It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, the above embodiment is described using an example of sending SIB1 PDCCH retransmission information via an MIB message. The method for sending SIB1 PDCCH retransmission information via the PSS or SSS is similar to the above method and will not be described in detail here. This application does not limit the specific method for determining the CORESET configuration and initial transmission opportunity set of the initially transmitted SIB1 PDCCH.

[0082] It should be noted that this application does not limit the number of initial transmission opportunities in the initial transmission opportunity set, and it can be one or more.

[0083] S203: The network device determines a set of available time-frequency domain positions for retransmission of the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH.

[0084] The available time-domain position set for retransmission of the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH is determined, and is divided into an available time-domain position set and an available frequency-domain position set for confirming retransmission of the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH.

[0085] In some specific implementations, a method for confirming the available time domain location set for retransmitting the SIB1 PDCCH may be to agree on a new PMO set as the PMO set for retransmitting the SIB1 PDCCH through a protocol according to CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message.

[0086] In some specific implementations, a method for confirming the set of available frequency domain locations for retransmitting the SIB1 PDCCH may be, first, determining the configuration of CORESET#0A for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission according to the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message; and then confirming the set of available frequency domain locations for retransmission according to the configuration of the retransmitted CORESET#0A. Specifically, one or more of the following CORESET#0A configurations may be agreed upon by the protocol:

[0087] First, the starting PRB index is determined to be equal to the starting PRB index of the first transmission CORESET#0 + RB_Offset. That is, the starting physical resource block (PRB) identifier (index) is updated to the sum of the PRB index of CORESET#0 and the radio bearer (RB) offset.

[0088] Second, the starting subcarrier index is determined to be equal to the starting subcarrier index of the initial transmission CORESET#0 + SC_Offset. That is, the starting subcarrier (Single Carrier, SC) identifier index is updated to the sum of the SC index of CORESET#0 and the SC offset.

[0089] Third, the number of OFDM symbols is agreed to be the number of OFDM symbols initially transmitted by CORESET#0 + Delta. That is, the OFDM index, which identifies the number of OFDM symbols, is updated to the sum of the OFDM index of CORESET#0 and the OFDM offset Delta.

[0090] It should be noted that the above-mentioned RB_Offset, SC_Offset, and Delta are all agreed upon through protocols or configured by the network.

[0091] It can be understood that the above S203 and S204 are the process of obtaining the available time-frequency domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH within the transmission period.

[0092] S204: The network device determines the actual time-frequency domain position of the initially transmitted SIB1 PDCCH in the set of available time-frequency domain positions for the initial transmission.

[0093] In some specific implementations, the actual time domain position of the initially transmitted SIB1 PDCCH is determined as follows:

[0094] If the transmission period T of the retransmission information in step S201 is based on the time slot, then the time slot must satisfy the following formula (1): (2 μ 10n f +n s )modT=Offset slot (1)

[0095] Among them, μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter, n f is the system frame number, n s is the time slot number in the wireless frame, T is the transmission period, offset slot is the periodic offset value. Specifically, offset slot Configured by the network or agreed upon through a protocol.

[0096] If the slot in the transmission period T satisfies the above formula (1), the transmission period satisfying the above formula is determined as the transmission period of the SIB1 PDCCH, thereby determining the available time domain position set for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH in the transmission period of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0097] Then, the first time unit (eg, time slot) in the transmission cycle is used as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH; or the first configured time unit of the PDCCH Type 0 search space in the transmission cycle is used as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0098] Subsequently, N1 consecutive OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit are used as the initial transmission opportunities of the SIB1 PDCCH. The relative positions of the N1 OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit are the same as the relative positions of the transmission opportunities specified by the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, the relative positions of the N1 OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit are pre-agreed upon through a protocol.

[0099] It should be noted that the above embodiment is described based on the transmission period T in slots. If the transmission period T of the retransmission information in step S201 is in radio frames or subframes, it is similar to the above formula and will not be repeated here.

[0100] S205: The network device sends the SIB1 PDCCH for the first time at the actual time-frequency domain position of the initial transmission SIB1 PDCCH.

[0101] After the actual time-frequency domain position of the actually initially transmitted SIB1 PDCCH is determined, the SIB1 PDCCH may be initially transmitted at the actual time-frequency domain position.

[0102] S206: The network device confirms the actual time-frequency domain position of the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH in the set of available time-frequency domain positions for retransmission.

[0103] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position set of retransmissions is as follows: determine the retransmission time unit index, where the retransmission time unit index in each transmission cycle is the sum of the initial transmission time unit index and the time unit offset, and the time unit offset is a sequence value; or, pre-agree on the retransmission time unit index in each transmission cycle through a protocol.

[0104] Furthermore, each retransmission time unit index has a corresponding retransmission time unit. The specific method for determining the transmission opportunity within a retransmission time unit is as follows: N2 consecutive OFDM symbols within the retransmission time unit are used as a retransmission opportunity for the SIB1 PDCCH, with the relative position of the retransmission opportunity within the retransmission time unit being the same as the relative position of the transmission opportunity specified in the PDCCH Type 0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, the relative position of the retransmission opportunity within the retransmission time unit is pre-agreed through a protocol.

[0105] S207: The network device repeatedly sends the SIB1 PDCCH at the actual time-frequency domain position of the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH.

[0106] At the actual time-frequency domain position of the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH, the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH is sent sequentially from front to back until the maximum number of retransmissions is reached.

[0107] It should be noted that, in order to reduce the complexity of blind detection by subsequent terminal devices and save blind detection resources, the network device may also constrain the PDCCH candidate set (candidate PDCCH) in the search space before repeatedly sending the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0108] In some specific implementations, the retransmission PDCCH candidate set can be constrained to be consistent with the initial transmission PDCCH candidate set, thereby reducing the complexity of subsequent terminal equipment blind detection. For example, if the initial transmission PDCCH candidate set is 1, the retransmission PDCCH candidate set can also be constrained to 1.

[0109] In other specific implementations, the retransmission PDCCH candidate set may be constrained to be associated with the initial transmission PDCCH candidate set, so that a unique corresponding retransmission PDCCH candidate set can be inferred from the initial transmission PDCCH candidate set. It should be noted that this application does not limit the specific inference rules.

[0110] In summary, the present application discloses a communication method, which is applied to network equipment such as base stations. The method includes: sending retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH; determining the available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and sending the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission. Therefore, by repeatedly sending the SIB1 PDCCH at the determined available time-frequency domain position, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, the loss of wireless communication can be reduced, the downlink coverage can be enhanced, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0111] See Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method can be executed by a terminal device in a communication system, and the terminal device may include a mobile phone, a computer, etc. The method includes the following steps:

[0112] S301: The terminal device receives retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH.

[0113] S302: The terminal device determines whether the downlink signal quality is less than or equal to the quality threshold, and if so, executes S303. If not, executes S305.

[0114] It can be understood that the quality threshold is the threshold value for judging whether the signal quality meets the requirements. It is a threshold configured in advance by the terminal device through the protocol or configured by the network. This application does not limit the specific size of the quality threshold.

[0115] In some specific implementations, signal quality metrics include Synchronization Signals Reference Signal Received Power (SS-RSRP) and Synchronization Signals Reference Signal Received Quality (SS-RSRQ). RSRP is used to assess the signal strength between a terminal device and network equipment such as a base station. A higher RSRP value indicates a stronger received signal, and is measured in dBm (decibel milliwatts). RSRQ measures the quality of the received reference signal. A higher RSRP value indicates better received signal quality, and is measured in dB (decibels).

[0116] S303: The terminal device determines the available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0117] S304: The terminal device receives the SIB1 PDCCH at an available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission.

[0118] Only when the downlink signal quality is less than or equal to the preset quality threshold, it is necessary to repeatedly receive the SIB1 PDCCH. Therefore, by repeatedly receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain position and combining the information of the initial and retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH for detection, the corresponding transmission performance requirements can be met, the loss of wireless communication can be reduced, the downlink coverage can be enhanced, and the communication efficiency can be improved.

[0119] S305: The terminal device only receives the initially transmitted SIB1 PDCCH.

[0120] If the downlink signal quality is higher than a preset quality threshold, only the initially transmitted SIB1 PDCCH may be received.

[0121] It should be noted that the above S302 and S305 are optional steps of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication method of the embodiment of the present application may not execute the above S302 and S305.

[0122] In some specific implementations, the length of the transmission period is the sum of the target number of time units; determining the set of available time domain positions for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: determining whether the starting time unit in the transmission period satisfies the following formula (2): (2 μ ×10n f +n s )modT=Offset(2)

[0123] Among them, μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter, n f is the system frame number, n s is the time slot number in the wireless frame, T is the transmission period, offset slot is the period offset value; if satisfied, the time window determined by the starting time unit and the duration T is determined as the SIB1 PDCCH transmission period; in the SIB1 PDCCH transmission period, the available time domain position set for SIB1 PDCCH initial transmission and / or retransmission is determined.

[0124] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: using the first time unit in the transmission period as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH; or using the first configured time unit of the PDCCH Type0 search space in the transmission period as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0125] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: taking N1 consecutive OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit as an initial transmission opportunity of the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the initial transmission opportunity within the initial transmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission opportunity specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space within the corresponding time unit; or, pre-agreeing on the relative position of the initial transmission opportunity within the initial transmission time unit through a protocol.

[0126] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the time domain position set of retransmissions includes: determining the retransmission time unit index, where the retransmission time unit index in each transmission cycle is the sum of the initial transmission time unit index and the time unit offset, and the time unit offset is a sequence value; or, pre-agreeing on the retransmission time unit index in each transmission cycle through a protocol.

[0127] In some specific implementations, the retransmission time unit index corresponds to the retransmission time unit, and the method for determining the position of the transmission opportunity in the retransmission time unit includes: taking N2 consecutive OFDM symbols in the retransmission time unit as a retransmission opportunity of the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the retransmission opportunity in the retransmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission opportunity specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space in the corresponding time unit; or, pre-agreeing on the relative position of the retransmission opportunity in the retransmission time unit through a protocol.

[0128] In some specific implementations, receiving the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH includes: receiving the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a master information block MIB message.

[0129] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the frequency domain position of the initial transmission includes: determining the frequency domain position corresponding to CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message as the frequency domain position of the initial transmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0130] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the available frequency domain position set for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission includes: using the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0A indicated by the MIB message as the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0A for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission; and confirming the available frequency domain position set for retransmission based on the frequency domain configuration information of the retransmitted CORESET#0A.

[0131] In some specific implementations, the method for determining the available frequency domain position set for SIB1 PDCCH retransmission includes: the starting physical resource block index Start PRB index of SIB1 PDCCH retransmission CORESET#0A is the sum of the Start PRB index of CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message and the physical resource block RB offset; and / or, the starting subcarrier index Start SC index of CORESET#0A is the sum of the Start SC index of CORESET#0 and the subcarrier SC offset.

[0132] In some specific implementations, the RB offset and / or SC offset is pre-agreed upon by a protocol or configured by a network.

[0133] In some specific implementations, receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at an available time-frequency domain position for initial transmission and / or retransmission includes: receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at an available time-domain position set for initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

[0134] In some specific implementations, receiving retransmission information of a first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH includes: receiving the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a primary synchronization signal PSS or a secondary synchronization signal SSS.

[0135] In summary, the present application discloses a communication method, which is applied to terminal devices such as mobile phones and computers. This method can meet the corresponding transmission performance requirements, reduce the loss of wireless communication, enhance downlink coverage, and improve communication efficiency by repeatedly receiving SIB1PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain positions.

[0136] Based on the aforementioned communication method, the present application also provides an electronic device for executing the aforementioned communication method, which will be described below in conjunction with embodiments.

[0137] Refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the hardware composition of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The electronic device can be a network device, including but not limited to a base station and a core network unit. Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the base station structure. The base station includes parts 410, 420, and 430. Part 410 is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the base station, etc.; Part 410 is usually the control center of the base station, which can usually be called a processor, which is used to control the base station to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiment. Part 420 is mainly used to store computer program code and data. Part 430 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals; Part 430 can usually be called a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, etc. The transceiver module of part 430, which can also be called a transceiver or transceiver, includes an antenna 433 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), wherein the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Alternatively, the device for implementing the receiving function in section 430 may be considered a receiver, and the device for implementing the transmitting function may be considered a transmitter, that is, section 430 includes receiver 432 and transmitter 431. The receiver may also be referred to as a receiving module, receiver, or receiving circuit, and the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitting module, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0138] Sections 410 and 420 may include one or more boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control the base station. If multiple boards are present, the boards may be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an optional implementation, multiple boards may share one or more processors, multiple boards may share one or more memories, or multiple boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.

[0139] For example, in one implementation, the transceiver module in section 430 is used to execute the transceiver-related processes executed by the base station (network device) in the aforementioned method embodiment. The processor in section 410 is used to execute the processing-related processes executed by the base station in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0140] It should be understood that FIG4 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the network device including the processor, memory, and transceiver may not rely on the structure shown in FIG4 .

[0141] Referring to Figure 5, this figure is a schematic diagram of the hardware composition of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The electronic device can be a terminal device, which can be a terminal, including but not limited to mobile phones, smart wearable devices (such as smart watches), and other electronic devices. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the electronic device may include a processor 510, an external memory interface 520, an internal memory 521, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 530, and a wireless communication module 540, etc.

[0142] It should be understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the electronic device. In other embodiments, the electronic device may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components may be combined or separated, or the components may be arranged differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0143] The processor 510 may include one or more processing units. For example, the processor 510 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU). Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0144] It is understood that the interface connection relationship between the modules illustrated in this embodiment is only a schematic illustration and does not constitute a structural limitation of the electronic device. In other embodiments of the present application, the electronic device may also adopt different interface connection methods in the above embodiments, or a combination of multiple interface connection methods.

[0145] The external memory interface 520 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the storage capacity of the electronic device. The external memory card communicates with the processor 510 via the external memory interface 520 to implement data storage functions. For example, files such as music and videos can be stored on the external memory card.

[0146] The internal memory 521 can be used to store computer executable program code, and the executable program code includes instructions. The processor 510 executes various functional applications and data processing of the electronic device by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 521. The internal memory 521 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area can store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. The data storage area can store data created during the use of the electronic device (such as audio data, a phone book, etc.), etc. In addition, the internal memory 521 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, a universal flash storage (UFS), etc. The processor 510 executes various functional applications and data processing of the electronic device by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 521, and / or the instructions stored in the memory provided in the processor.

[0147] The wireless communication function of the electronic device can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 530, wireless communication module 540, modem processor and baseband processor.

[0148] Antenna 1 and Antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in an electronic device can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be reused to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be reused as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with a tuning switch.

[0149] The mobile communication module 530 can provide solutions for wireless communications including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G applied to electronic devices. The mobile communication module 530 may include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The mobile communication module 530 can receive electromagnetic waves from the antenna 1, and filter, amplify, and process the received electromagnetic waves, and transmit them to the modulation and demodulation processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 530 can also amplify the signal modulated by the modulation and demodulation processor, and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 1. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 530 can be set in the processor 510. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 530 can be set in the same device as at least some of the modules of the processor 510.

[0150] In some embodiments, the electronic device initiates or receives a call request through the mobile communication module 530 and the antenna 1 .

[0151] Furthermore, an operating system runs on the aforementioned components, such as the iOS operating system, the Android operating system, and the Windows operating system. Application programs can be installed and run on the operating system. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for ease of description and brevity, the explanation and beneficial effects of any of the aforementioned electronic devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be further elaborated here.

[0152] The present application also provides a communication system, which may include a network device as shown in FIG4 (for example, a network device such as a base station) and a terminal device as shown in FIG5 (for example, a terminal such as a mobile phone).

[0153] In this application, a terminal or network device may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system of the operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as the Linux operating system, Unix operating system, Android operating system, iOS operating system, or Windows operating system. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0154] 6 , which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication device 600 is applied to an electronic device such as a base station, and includes an information sending module 601 , a location determination module 602 , and a retransmission module 603 .

[0155] Among them, the information sending module 601 is used to send the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH; the position determination module 602 is used to determine the available time and frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and the repeated sending module 603 is used to send the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time and frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission.

[0156] In summary, the present application discloses a communication device that can meet corresponding transmission performance requirements, reduce wireless communication losses, enhance downlink coverage, and improve communication efficiency by repeatedly sending SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at determined available time-frequency domain positions.

[0157] 7 , which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication device 700 is applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers, and includes a signal receiving module 701 , a position determination module 702 , and a repeated receiving module 703 .

[0158] Among them, the signal receiving module 701 is used to receive the retransmission information of the first system information block SIB1 physical downlink control channel PDCCH; the position determination module 702 is used to determine the available time and frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; and the repeated receiving module 703 is used to receive the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time and frequency domain position for the initial transmission and / or retransmission.

[0159] In summary, the present application discloses a communication device that can meet the corresponding transmission performance requirements, reduce the loss of wireless communication, enhance downlink coverage, and improve communication efficiency by repeatedly receiving SIB1 PDCCH multiple times at the determined available retransmission time-frequency domain position and combining the information of the initial transmission and retransmission SIB1 PDCCH for detection.

[0160] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and apparatuses described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0161] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, ordinary technicians in this field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a network device, the method includes: Sending retransmission information of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the first system information block (SIB1); Determining available time-frequency domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; Sending the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The retransmission information includes one or more of information indicating whether retransmission is performed, transmission period information, and maximum retransmission times information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The length of the transmission period is the sum of a target number of time units; determining the available time domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: Judging whether the starting time unit in the transmission period satisfies the following formula, (2 μ × 10n f + n s ) mod T = Offset where μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter, n f is the system frame number, n s is the time unit number within the radio frame, T is the transmission period, the unit of T is time unit, and offset is the offset value of the time unit; If it is satisfied, the time window determined by the starting time unit and the duration T is determined as the transmission period of the SIB1 PDCCH; In the transmission period of the SIB1 PDCCH, determining a set of available time domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: Taking the first time unit within the transmission period as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH; Or, taking the first configured time unit of the PDCCH Type0 search space within the transmission period as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: Taking N1 consecutive OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit as an initial transmission occasion of the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the initial transmission occasion within the initial transmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission occasion specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space within the corresponding time unit; Or, pre-agreeing on the relative position of the initial transmission occasion within the initial transmission time unit through a protocol.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method for determining the set of time domain positions of the retransmission includes: Determining a retransmission time unit index, and the retransmission time unit index within each transmission period is the sum of the initial transmission time unit index and a time unit offset, and the time unit offset is a sequence value; Or, pre-agreeing on the retransmission time unit index within each transmission period through a protocol.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The retransmission time unit index corresponds to a retransmission time unit, and the method for determining the position of the transmission occasion within the retransmission time unit includes: Taking N2 consecutive OFDM symbols within the retransmission time unit as a retransmission occasion of the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the retransmission occasion within the retransmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission occasion specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space within the corresponding time unit; Or, pre-agreeing on the relative position of the retransmission occasion within the retransmission time unit through a protocol.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein Sending the retransmission information of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the first system information block (SIB1) includes: Sending the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through a master information block (MIB) message.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method for determining the frequency domain position of the initial transmission includes: Determine the frequency-domain position corresponding to CORESET #0 indicated by the MIB message as the initial transmission frequency-domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The method for determining the set of available frequency-domain positions for retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: Use the frequency-domain configuration information of CORESET #0 indicated by the MIB message as the frequency-domain configuration information of CORESET #0A for retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; Based on the frequency-domain configuration information of the retransmitted CORESET #0A, confirm the set of available frequency-domain positions for the retransmission.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein The method for determining the set of available frequency-domain positions for retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: The starting physical resource block index Start PRB index of the retransmitted CORESET #0A of the SIB1 PDCCH is the sum of the Start PRB index of CORESET #0 indicated by the MIB message and the physical resource block RB offset; And / or, the starting subcarrier index Start SC index of the CORESET #0A is the sum of the Start SC index of the CORESET #0 and the subcarrier SC offset.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The RB offset and / or the SC offset are pre-agreed by the protocol or configured by the network.

13. The method according to claim 3, wherein Transmitting the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission includes: Transmit the SIB1 PDCCH at the set of available time-domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Transmitting the retransmission information of the physical downlink control channel PDCCH of the first system information block SIB1 includes: Transmit the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through the primary synchronization signal PSS or the secondary synchronization signal SSS.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive the retransmission information of the physical downlink control channel PDCCH of the first system information block SIB1; Determine the available time-frequency domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH; Receive the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Receiving the SIB1 PDCCH includes: Receive the initial transmission PDCCH at the initial transmission time-frequency domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH; If the downlink signal quality is less than or equal to the quality threshold, receive the retransmitted SIB1 PDCCH at the retransmission time-frequency domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The quality threshold is pre-agreed by the protocol or configured by the network.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The retransmission information includes one or more of the information indicating whether retransmission is performed, the transmission period information, and the maximum retransmission times information.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The length of the transmission period is the sum of a target number of time units; determining the set of available time-domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH includes: Judge whether the starting time unit in the transmission period satisfies the following formula, (2 μ × 10n f + n s ) mod T = Offset where μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter, n f is the system frame number, n s is the time unit number within the radio frame, T is the transmission period, the unit of T is time unit, and offset is the offset value of the time unit; If it is satisfied, determine the time window determined by the starting time unit and the duration T as the transmission period of the SIB1 PDCCH; During the transmission period of the SIB1 PDCCH, determine the set of available time domain positions for the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: Taking the first time unit within the transmission period as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH; Or, taking the first configured time unit of the PDCCH Type0 search space within the transmission period as the initial transmission time unit of the SIB1 PDCCH.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The method for determining the time domain position of the initial transmission includes: Taking N1 consecutive OFDM symbols within the initial transmission time unit as an initial transmission occasion of the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the initial transmission occasion within the initial transmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission occasion specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space within the corresponding time unit; Or, pre-agreeing the relative position of the initial transmission occasion within the initial transmission time unit through a protocol.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method for determining the set of time domain positions of the retransmission includes: Determining the retransmission time unit index, and within each transmission period, the retransmission time unit index is the sum of the initial transmission time unit index and the time unit offset, and the time unit offset is a sequence value; Or, pre-agreeing the retransmission time unit index within each transmission period through a protocol.

23. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The retransmission time unit index corresponds to the retransmission time unit, and the method for determining the position of the transmission occasion within the retransmission time unit includes: Taking N2 consecutive OFDM symbols within the retransmission time unit as a retransmission occasion of the SIB1 PDCCH, and the relative position of the retransmission occasion within the retransmission time unit is the same as the relative position of the transmission occasion specified by the PDCCH Type0 search space within the corresponding time unit; Or, pre-agreeing the relative position of the retransmission occasion within the retransmission time unit through a protocol.

24. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Receiving the retransmission information of the physical downlink control channel PDCCH of the first system information block SIB1 includes: Receiving the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through the master information block MIB message.

25. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method for determining the frequency domain position of the initial transmission includes: Determining the frequency domain position corresponding to the CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message as the initial transmission frequency domain position of the SIB1 PDCCH.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The method for determining the set of available frequency domain positions for the SIB1 PDCCH retransmission includes: Taking the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0A indicated by the MIB message as the frequency domain configuration information of CORESET#0A for the SIB1 PDCCH retransmission; Confirming the set of available frequency domain positions for the retransmission according to the frequency domain configuration information of the retransmission CORESET#0A.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The method for determining the set of available frequency domain positions for the SIB1 PDCCH retransmission includes: The starting physical resource block index (Start PRB index) of the SIB1 PDCCH retransmission CORESET#0A is the sum of the Start PRB index of CORESET#0 indicated by the MIB message and the physical resource block (RB) offset; and / or, the starting subcarrier index (Start SC index) of the CORESET#0A is the sum of the Start SC index of the CORESET#0 and the subcarrier (SC) offset.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein The RB offset and / or the SC offset are pre-agreed by the protocol or configured by the network.

29. The method according to claim 19, wherein Receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at the available time-frequency domain positions of the initial transmission and / or retransmission includes: Receiving the SIB1 PDCCH at the set of available time-domain positions of the initial transmission and / or retransmission of the SIB1 PDCCH.

30. The method according to claim 15, wherein Receiving the retransmission information of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the first system information block (SIB1) includes: Receiving the retransmission information of the SIB1 PDCCH through the primary synchronization signal (PSS) or the secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

31. A network device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: A memory for storing a computer program or computer instructions; A processor for executing the computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the electronic device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

32. A terminal device, characterized in that The electronic device includes: A memory for storing a computer program or computer instructions; A processor for executing the computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the electronic device executes the method according to any one of claims 15 to 30.

33. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a network device and the terminal device. The network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and the terminal device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 15 to 30.

34. A computer storage medium for storing a computer program, which is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 30 when the computer program is executed.

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