A method, device, apparatus, chip and storage medium for communication

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, which comprises the following steps: obtaining a first timing advance (TA) between a terminal device and a first cell, wherein the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission. The method discloses how the terminal device synchronizes with the secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment, chip and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and specifically to a communication method, apparatus, device, chip, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] An SSB-less cell is a cell that does not send a synchronization signal block (SSB), or in other words, a cell without SSB transmission. Currently, when an SSB-less cell is an SSB-less secondary cell (SCell), it is not clear how a terminal device communicates with the SSB-less secondary cell.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, device, chip, and storage medium.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: obtaining a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and a first cell, the first TA being used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0006] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network device, the method comprising: sending fourth indication information to a terminal device, the fourth indication information comprising a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and a first cell, and / or a second TA between the terminal device and a second cell, the second cell being a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell, the second TA being used to determine the first TA, and the first TA being used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0007] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell, the reference signal or the downlink data signal being used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; wherein the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network device, and the method includes: sending a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell to a terminal device, the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; wherein the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving a first media access control control unit MAC CE from a network device, the first MAC CE being used to indicate a reporting method of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method applied to a network device, the method comprising: sending a first media access control control unit MAC CE to a terminal device, the first MAC CE being used to indicate a reporting method of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0011] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving fifth indication information from a network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate a first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when a third condition is met; the first operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; the terminal device executes or starts to execute conditional switching CHO; and the terminal device evaluates the execution conditions of CHO.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a network device, the method comprising: sending a fifth indication information to a terminal device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate a first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when a third condition is met; the first operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; the terminal device executes conditional switching CHO; the terminal device starts to execute CHO; and the terminal device evaluates the execution conditions of CHO.

[0013] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a first acquisition unit, configured to acquire a first timing advance TA between the device and a first cell, the first TA being used for the device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0014] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a first sending unit, configured to send fourth indication information to a terminal device, the fourth indication information including a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and the first cell, and / or a second TA between the terminal device and the second cell, the second cell being a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; the second TA is used to determine the first TA, and the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0015] On the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a first receiving unit, configured to receive a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell, the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; wherein the second cell is a cell used for the device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0016] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a second sending unit, configured to send a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell to a terminal device, the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; wherein the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0017] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a second receiving unit, configured to receive a first media access control control unit MAC CE from a network device, the first MAC CE being used to indicate a reporting method of a first SCI report with a sub-configuration.

[0018] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a third sending unit, configured to send a first media access control control unit MAC CE to a terminal device, the first MAC CE being used to indicate a reporting method of a first SCI report with a sub-configuration.

[0019] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a third receiving unit, configured to receive fifth indication information from a network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate a first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when a first condition is met; the first operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the device enters the network energy saving NES; the device executes or starts to execute conditional switching CHO; and the device evaluates the execution conditions of CHO.

[0020] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a fourth sending unit, configured to send fifth indication information to a terminal device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate a first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when a first condition is met; the first operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; the terminal device executes or starts to execute conditional switching CHO; and the terminal device evaluates the execution conditions of CHO.

[0021] In the seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a memory and a processor; wherein the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions; the processor is connected to the memory and is used to implement the method described in any one of aspects one to eight by executing the computer-executable instructions.

[0022] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor configured to call and execute a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0023] In the nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by at least one processor, it implements the method described in any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0024] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, chip, device, and storage medium that clarify how to synchronize or time a terminal device with a secondary cell without SSB transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG3 is a second flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG4 is a third flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG5 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG6 is a first structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG7 is a second structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG8 is a third structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG9 is a fourth structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG10 is a fifth structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG11 is a sixth structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG12 is a seventh structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG13 is a structural diagram eight of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG16 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following will describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0043] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, a communication system 100 may include a terminal device 110 and a network device 120. The network device 120 may communicate with the terminal device 110 via an air interface. The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 support multi-service transmission.

[0045] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are only illustrative of the communication system 100, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. That is, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Internet of Things (IoT) system, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, enhanced Machine-Type Communications (eMTC) system, 5G communication system (also known as New Radio (NR) communication system), B5G communication system, 6G communication system, or future communication system, etc.

[0046] In the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1, the network device 120 may be an access network device that communicates with the terminal device 110. The access network device may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and may communicate with the terminal device 110 (eg, UE) located within the coverage area.

[0047] The network device 120 may be an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG RAN) device, or a base station (gNB) in an NR system, or a wireless controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), or the network device 120 may be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, or a network device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0048] The terminal device 110 may be any terminal device, including but not limited to a terminal device connected to the network device 120 or other terminal devices by wire or wireless connection.

[0049] For example, the terminal device 110 may refer to an access terminal, user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. An access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, an IoT device, a satellite handheld terminal, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolution network, etc.

[0050] The terminal device 110 can be used for device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0051] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a core network device 130 that communicates with the network device 120. The core network device 130 may be a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) device, such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a User Plane Function (UPF), or a Session Management Function (SMF). In some embodiments, the core network device 130 may also be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) device of an LTE network, such as a Session Management Function + Core Packet Gateway (SMF+PGW-C) device. It should be understood that SMF+PGW-C can simultaneously implement the functions that can be implemented by SMF and PGW-C. During the network evolution process, the above-mentioned core network device may also be called other names, or a new network entity may be formed by dividing the functions of the core network, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0052] The functional units in the communication system 100 may also establish connections and implement communication via next generation (NG) network interfaces.

[0053] For example, the terminal device establishes an air interface connection with the access network device through the NR interface for transmitting user plane data and control plane signaling; the terminal device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the NG interface 1 (referred to as N1); the access network device, such as the next generation wireless access base station (gNB), can establish a user plane data connection with the UPF through the NG interface 3 (referred to as N3); the access network device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the NG interface 2 (referred to as N2); the UPF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through the NG interface 4 (referred to as N4); the UPF can exchange user plane data with the data network through the NG interface 6 (referred to as N6); the AMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through the NG interface 11 (referred to as N11); the SMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the PCF through the NG interface 7 (referred to as N7).

[0054] Figure 1 exemplarily shows a network device, a core network device and two terminal devices. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple network devices and each network device may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0055] It should be noted that Figure 1 is merely an example of a system applicable to this application. Of course, the methods described in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other systems. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" herein simply describes an association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association relationship. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that A and B have an association relationship. It should also be understood that the "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can mean that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two objects, or that there is an association relationship between the two objects, or a relationship between an indicator and the indicated, a configuration and the configured, and so on. It should also be understood that the “predefined” or “predefined rules” mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in devices (for example, including terminal devices and network devices), and the present application does not limit its specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as LTE protocols, NR protocols, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

[0056] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following relevant technologies can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0057] 1. Main application scenarios of 5G

[0058] With the increasing demand for speed, latency, high-speed mobility, and energy efficiency, coupled with the increasing diversity and complexity of future services, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an international standards organization, has begun developing 5G. The main application scenarios for 5G are enhanced mobile ultra-broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC).

[0059] On the one hand, eMBB still aims to provide users with multimedia content, services, and data, and demand for this is growing rapidly. On the other hand, since eMBB can be deployed in different scenarios, such as indoors, in urban areas, and in rural areas, its capabilities and requirements vary significantly. Therefore, it cannot be generalized and requires detailed analysis based on specific deployment scenarios. Typical applications of URLLC include industrial automation, power automation, remote medical operations (surgery), and traffic safety. Typical characteristics of mMTC include high connection density, small data volumes, latency-insensitive services, low module costs, and long service life.

[0060] 2. Radio Resource Control (RRC) Status in 5G Network Environment

[0061] NR can be deployed independently. In order to reduce air interface signaling, quickly restore wireless connections, and quickly resume data services in the 5G network environment, a new RRC state is defined, namely the RRC inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state. This state is different from the RRC idle (RRC_IDLE) state and the RRC active (RRC_ACTIVE) state. The following describes the three RRC states in the 5G network environment:

[0062] 1) RRC_IDLE state: Mobility is based on UE cell selection and reselection. Paging is initiated by the Core Network (CN), and the paging area is configured by the CN. There is no UE Access Stratum (AS) context on the base station side, and no RRC connection exists.

[0063] 2) RRC_CONNECTED state: An RRC connection exists, and a UE AS context exists between the base station and the UE. The network knows the UE's location at the cell level. Mobility is controlled by the network. Unicast data can be transmitted between the UE and the base station.

[0064] 3) RRC_INACTIVE state: Mobility is based on UE cell selection and reselection, a CN-NR connection exists, the UE AS context exists on a certain base station, paging is triggered by the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the RAN-based paging area is managed by the RAN. The network side knows the UE location based on the RAN paging area level.

[0065] 3. Network energy-saving projects.

[0066] Energy consumption has become a significant component of operators' operating costs. According to reports, mobile network energy costs account for approximately 23% of operators' total costs. The majority of energy consumption comes from the radio access network, particularly the active antenna unit (AAU), while data centers and fiber optic transmission contribute only a smaller share. Power consumption comes from two sources:

[0067] 1) Dynamic part: such as consumption during data transmission / reception

[0068] 2) Static part: For example, the consumption required to maintain the operation of the necessary wireless access device even when there is no continuous data transmission / reception.

[0069] The study should not only evaluate potential network energy savings but also assess and balance the impact on network and user performance. For example, the study should not significantly impact key performance indicators (KPIs), such as spectrum efficiency, capacity, user-perceived throughput (UPT), latency, UE power consumption, complexity, handover performance, call drop rate, and initial access performance.

[0070] 4. SSB-less cells

[0071] Currently, an SCell can be a cell that does not transmit SSBs. This cell, along with a special cell (SpCell) or other SCells, is an intra-band cell. As an SSB-less SCell, the UE synchronizes with it, currently through the SpCell or other SCell.

[0072] In network energy-saving projects, we consider extending the intra-band scenario to the inter-band scenario, that is, the SSB-less SCell is an inter-band cell with the primary cell (PCell) or other SCells. Possible scenarios are as follows:

[0073] Scenario 1: SCell has no SSB transmission but has Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) transmission.

[0074] Scenario 2a: The SCell has no SSB transmission and no other downlink (DL) transmission, but has uplink (UL) reception on the network (NW) side.

[0075] Scenario 2: SCell has no SSB transmission and no TRS transmission.

[0076] Scenario 1 is supported in Release 18. Scenario 2a is not supported in Release 18, but may be supported in Release 19. Regarding Scenario 1, Release 4 has reached the following conclusions on how to achieve DL synchronization. However, there is no conclusion yet for Scenario 2a. Conclusions for Scenario 1 include:

[0077] To enable SSB-less SCell operation, RAN4 agreed to introduce an indication from the NW to the UE to indicate which cell is the reference cell. If no indication is provided, RAN4 defines the "by default cell" as the reference cell. The reference cell means that it is the timing reference and automatic gain control (AGC) source for the SSB-less SCell. If the reference cell is an SCell or a Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell), it should be an activated SCell or an activated PSCell. RAN4 also reached an agreement on SSB-less SCell. If the UE is not provided with an SSB configuration (absoluteFrequencySSB) in the SCell (FrequencyInfoDL) and is not provided with an SSB measurement timing configuration (SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration, SMTC) for the SCell, the cell is considered to be an SSB-less SCell.

[0078] The above briefly explains the relevant technologies / terms involved in this application, which will not be repeated in the following embodiments.

[0079] In related technologies, an SSB-less cell can function as an Scell ​​or as an independent cell. When an SSB-less cell is an SSB-less SCell, how the terminal device and the SSB-less SCell work, such as synchronization, is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.

[0080] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method in which a terminal device can obtain a timing advance (TA) with a first cell, and the first TA can be used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell. The first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission (i.e., SSB-less SCell).

[0081] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, "TA" may be replaced by "TA advance" or "UL timing synchronization." "Performing uplink synchronization" may be replaced by "performing timing advance" or "performing UL timing."

[0082] It should also be noted that the "first TA between the terminal device and the first cell" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as the "TA of the first cell"; the "second TA between the terminal device and the second cell" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as the "TA of the second cell".

[0083] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies can be combined arbitrarily with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0084] FIG2 shows a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which may include:

[0085] S201, the terminal device obtains a first TA between the terminal device and a first cell, where the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without SSB transmission.

[0086] In this embodiment, the terminal device may obtain a first TA with the first cell, and then may perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA.

[0087] As examples, several possible implementation methods for a terminal device to obtain the first TA are introduced below.

[0088] In a first possible implementation, the first TA may be included in first indication information from the network device. The first indication information is a response to first request information, and the first request information is used to request the first TA. In other words, the first request information is request information sent by the terminal device to the network device to request the first TA.

[0089] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be any one of the following: a random access response (RAR); a timing advance command (TAC); a media access control element (MAC Control Element, MAC CE); and a DL message carrying the first TA. The DL message carrying the first TA may be, for example, a DL message other than an RAR and a TAC MAC CE.

[0090] Exemplarily, the first request information may be any one of the following: a Scheduling Request (SR) (or a dedicated SR); Uplink Control Information (UCI) (or a dedicated UCI); a UL MAC CE (which may be carried via a PUSCH); a UL Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (which may be carried via a PUSCH); UL resources of the first cell; and UL resources of the second cell. The UL resources may, for example, refer to a PUSCH at a specific time-frequency location.

[0091] In this embodiment, the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell. The second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell, or it can be understood that the TA of the second cell can be used to determine the TA of the first cell (that is, the second TA can be used to determine the first TA), or it can be understood that the second cell is a cell with the same or similar TA as the first cell (that is, the second TA is the same or similar to the first TA).

[0092] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device can request the network device to send the first TA by sending a first request message to the network device. Thus, the network device can carry the first TA in the first indication message based on the first request message from the terminal device and send it to the terminal device.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first indication information may further include a second TA, which may be used to determine the first TA. Thus, upon receiving the first indication information from the network device, the terminal device may perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA included in the first indication information, or may determine the first TA based on the second TA included in the first indication information, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined first TA.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first indication information may carry the second TA instead of the first TA. That is, after receiving the first request information for the first TA from the terminal device, the network device may carry the second TA in the first indication information and send it to the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device may determine the first TA based on the second TA carried in the first indication information, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined first TA.

[0095] In a second possible manner, the first TA is obtained through a random access (RA) process (for example, recorded as a first RA process); wherein the first RA process is executed by the terminal device on the first cell or the second cell.

[0096] In some embodiments, before the terminal device performs the first RA process, the method may further include: the terminal device obtains configuration information of a first reference signal, the first reference signal is a reference signal of the first cell or a reference signal of the second cell, and the first reference signal is used to perform the first RA process.

[0097] Exemplarily, a manner in which the terminal device obtains the configuration information of the first reference signal is exemplified as follows:

[0098] In one example, before the terminal device performs the first RA process, the network device may send configuration information of the first reference signal to the terminal device, and accordingly, the terminal device may receive the configuration information of the first reference signal from the network device. In another example, before the terminal device performs the first RA process, the terminal device may read the configuration information of the first reference signal from the first cell or the second cell. For example, the terminal device may read the configuration information of the reference signal of the first cell from the first cell; for another example, the terminal device may read the configuration information of the reference signal of the second cell from the second cell. In another example, before the terminal device performs the first RA process, the network device may send at least part of the configuration information of the first reference signal to the terminal device, in which case, the terminal device may read the remaining at least part of the configuration information of the first reference signal from the first cell or the second cell.

[0099] Exemplarily, the type of the reference signal of the first cell may be, for example, TRS or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS); the type of the reference signal of the second cell may be, for example, any one of SSB, TRS, and CSI-RS.

[0100] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may obtain configuration information of the first reference signal, and then the terminal device may perform a first RA process on the first cell or the second cell based on the first reference signal configured by the configuration information. For example, after obtaining the configuration information of the first reference signal, the terminal device may determine a preamble and / or RO corresponding to the first reference signal, and then perform the first RA process based on the determined preamble and / or RO.

[0101] Through the first RA process, the terminal device can obtain the first TA. For example, in the first RA process, the network device can carry the first TA in the RAR and send it to the terminal device. In some embodiments, the network device can also carry the second TA in the RAR and send it to the terminal device. In this way, after receiving the RAR, the terminal device can perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA carried therein, or can determine the first TA based on the second TA carried therein, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined first TA. In some embodiments, the RAR can carry the second TA instead of the first TA. In this way, after receiving the RAR, the terminal device can determine the first TA based on the second TA carried therein, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined first TA.

[0102] In some embodiments, the type of reference signal used to perform the first RA procedure is indicated by the network device. That is, the type of the first reference signal used by the terminal device when performing the first RA procedure is indicated by the network device. In other words, the network device may indicate to the terminal device which reference signal (s) to use for performing the first RA procedure. For example, the network device may indicate to the terminal device whether to use SSB, TRS, or CSI-RS for performing the first RA procedure.

[0103] In a third possible implementation, the first TA is determined based on the UL data signal of the first cell. That is, the terminal device may obtain the first TA based on the UL data signal of the first cell, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA.

[0104] In a fourth possible implementation, the first TA is determined based on a second TA between the terminal device and the second cell. For example, the terminal device may obtain the second TA and then determine the first TA based on the obtained second TA.

[0105] In one example, the first TA is equal to the second TA, that is, the second cell has the same TA as the first cell. In this case, the terminal device may use the second TA as the first TA, that is, the terminal device may perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the second TA.

[0106] In another example, the second cell has a similar TA to the first cell. In this case, the terminal device can derive the first TA based on the second TA. For example, an offset can be added / subtracted / multiplied / divided from the second TA to obtain the first TA. In another example, the first TA is the result of a function whose input includes the second TA, such as: first TA = f(second TA).

[0107] As examples, several possible implementation methods for the terminal device to obtain the second TA are introduced below.

[0108] In a first possible manner, the second TA may be included in a second indication message from the network device. The second indication message is a response to a second request message, and the second request message is used to request the second TA. In other words, the second request message is a request message sent by the terminal device to the network device to request the second TA.

[0109] Exemplarily, the second indication information may be any one of the following: RAR; TAC MAC CE; and a DL message carrying the second TA. The DL message carrying the second TA may be, for example, a DL message other than RAR and TAC MAC CE.

[0110] Exemplarily, the second request information may be any one of the following: SR (or dedicated SR); UCI (or dedicated UCI); UL MAC CE (which may be carried via PUSCH); UL RRC message (which may be carried via PUSCH); UL resources of the first cell; and UL resources of the second cell. The UL resources may, for example, refer to a PUSCH at a specific time-frequency location.

[0111] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device can request the network device to send a second TA by sending a second request message to the network device. Thus, the network device can carry the second TA in the first indication message based on the second request message from the terminal device and send it to the terminal device.

[0112] In some embodiments, the second indication information may further include a first TA. Thus, upon receiving the second indication information from the network device, the terminal device may perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA included in the second indication information, or may determine the first TA based on the second TA included in the second indication information, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined first TA.

[0113] In some embodiments, the second indication information may carry the first TA but not the second TA. That is, after receiving the second request information for the second TA from the terminal device, the network device may carry the first TA in the first indication information and send it to the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device may perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA carried in the second indication information.

[0114] In a second possible manner, the second TA is obtained through a random access process (for example, recorded as a second RA process); wherein the second RA process is executed by the terminal device on the first cell or the second cell.

[0115] In some embodiments, before the terminal device performs the second RA process, the method may further include: the terminal device obtains configuration information of a first reference signal, the first reference signal is a reference signal of the first cell or a reference signal of the second cell, and the first reference signal is used to perform the second RA process.

[0116] Among them, the way in which the terminal device obtains the configuration information of the first reference signal, the type of the reference signal of the first cell, and the type of the reference signal of the second cell can refer to the aforementioned description of the first RA process and will not be repeated here.

[0117] According to the above technical solution, the terminal device may obtain configuration information of the first reference signal, and then the terminal device may perform the second RA process on the first cell or the second cell based on the first reference signal configured by the configuration information. For example, after obtaining the configuration information of the first reference signal, the terminal device may determine the preamble and / or RO corresponding to the first reference signal, and then perform the second RA process based on the determined preamble and / or RO.

[0118] Through the second RA process, the terminal device can obtain the second TA. For example, in the second RA process, the network device can carry the second TA in the RAR and send it to the terminal device. In some embodiments, the network device can also carry the first TA in the RAR and send it to the terminal device. In this way, after receiving the RAR, the terminal device can perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA carried therein, or can determine the first TA based on the second TA carried therein, and then perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined first TA. In some embodiments, the RAR can carry the first TA but not the second TA. In this way, after receiving the RAR, the terminal device can perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the first TA carried therein.

[0119] In some embodiments, the type of reference signal used to perform the second RA procedure is indicated by the network device. That is, the type of the first reference signal used by the terminal device when performing the second RA procedure is indicated by the network device. In other words, the network device may indicate to the terminal device which reference signal (s) to use for performing the second RA procedure. For example, the network device may indicate to the terminal device whether to use SSB, TRS, or CSI-RS for performing the second RA procedure.

[0120] In some embodiments, the network device may carry the first TA and / or the second TA in the fourth indication information and send it to the terminal device, wherein the second TA is used to determine the first TA, and the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell.

[0121] As an example, the fourth indication information is the first indication information or the second indication information.

[0122] As another example, the fourth indication information is a response to the third request information, and the third request information is used to request the first TA and / or the second TA, or in other words, the third request information is a request information sent by the terminal device to the network device to request the first TA and / or the second TA.

[0123] Exemplarily, the fourth indication information may be any one of the following: RAR; TAC MAC CE; and a DL message carrying the first TA and / or the second TA. The DL message carrying the first TA and / or the second TA may be, for example, a DL message other than RAR and TAC MAC CE.

[0124] Exemplarily, the third request information may be any one of the following: SR (or dedicated SR); UCI (or dedicated UCI); UL MAC CE (which may be carried via PUSCH); UL RRC message (which may be carried via PUSCH); UL resources of the first cell; and UL resources of the second cell. The UL resources may, for example, refer to a PUSCH at a specific time-frequency location.

[0125] As another example, the fourth indication information is a RAR sent by the network device to the terminal device during an RA process. The RA process may be, for example, the first RA process or the second RA process described above. That is, the fourth indication information may be a RAR sent by the network device to the terminal device during the first RA process; or, alternatively, the fourth indication information may be a RAR sent by the network device to the terminal device during the second RA process.

[0126] The second cell in this embodiment is introduced below.

[0127] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device; or the second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device; or the second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or the second cell is predefined (such as predefined by a protocol); or the second cell is determined / selected by the terminal device. In other words, which cell is used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell (or, which cell's TA can be used to determine the TA of the first cell, or which cell has the same or similar TA as the first cell) is indicated by the network device, or is preconfigured by the terminal device or the network device, or is predefined (such as predefined by a protocol), or is determined / selected by the terminal device.

[0128] According to the above technical solution, the method for determining the second cell is clarified, that is, it is clarified which cell can be used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell.

[0129] In some embodiments, the second cell is determined / selected based on the first information. For example, the second cell is determined / selected by the terminal device based on the first information sent by the network device. The first information may, for example, include at least one of the following: location information of the network device; location information of the adjacent network devices of the network device (that is, the network devices adjacent to the network device); location information of a third cell included in the network device, the third cell being the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-located information between each network device; co-located information between each cell; Quasi Co-Location (QCL) information between reference signals; QCL information between channels; and positioning information.

[0130] Taking the network device as a base station as an example, the first information may, for example, include at least one of the following: location information of this base station (i.e., location information of the network device); location information of neighboring base stations (i.e., location information of neighboring network devices of the network device); location information of the cell / this cell where the terminal device is located (i.e., location information of the third cell included in the network device); location information of neighboring cells (i.e., location information of cells adjacent to the third cell); information on which base stations are co-located base stations (i.e., co-location information between various network devices); information on which cells are co-located cells (i.e., co-location information between various cells); QCL information between reference signals; QCL information between channels; and positioning information.

[0131] For example, the second cell may be any of the following cells: PCell; PSCell; PCell or PSCell in the same cell group as the first cell; any cell in the same cell group as the first cell; the cell with the smallest cell index in the same cell group as the first cell; the cell with the largest cell index in the same cell group as the first cell; any cell in the same TA group as the first cell; the cell with the smallest cell index in the same TA group as the first cell; the cell with the largest cell index in the same TA group as the first cell.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information. For example, the network device may send the third indication information to the terminal device, and the terminal device may correspondingly receive the third indication information from the network device. Thus, the terminal device may know, based on the third indication information, that the second cell is the cell used for the terminal device to perform UL synchronization with the first cell.

[0133] Exemplarily, the third indication information may include, for example: the frequency and / or cell identifier of the second cell. The frequency may be a frequency index (index), such as an index of an adjacent frequency in SIB3 / 4 / 5, or a frequency index of SIB2 (frequency index of the serving cell). Alternatively, the frequency may be a frequency value (ARFCN-ValueNR), or the frequency may be a frequency value corresponding to SIB2 (frequency value of the serving cell). The cell identifier may be, for example, a physical cell identifier (Physical Cell Identity, PCI) or a global cell identifier. In some embodiments, the frequency value may be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, or other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency value can be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency may be the frequency of the current serving cell, or the frequency of a reference cell or a cell for obtaining downlink timing (such as when an SSB-less SCell obtains downlink timing from another cell, the frequency of another cell or the SSB of the cell is given).

[0134] In some embodiments, the third indication information is configured under the first condition. The first condition may, for example, include at least one of the following: the condition of SCellAdd; the condition of SCellAddMod; the condition of SCellOnly; and the condition of SCelladdOnly. That is, the third indication information may be configured under at least one of the conditions of SCellAdd, SCellAddMod, SCellOnly, and SCelladdOnly. As an implementation method, the third indication information may be configured under the condition of SCellAdd, or may be configured under the condition of SCellAddMod, or may be configured under the condition of SCellOnly, or may be configured under the condition of SCelladdOnly. For a description of the above conditions, please refer to Table 1 below.

[0135] In some embodiments, if the third indication information appears, or in other words, if the network device sends the third indication information to the terminal device, then the terminal device may perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the second cell indicated by the third indication information; if the third indication information does not appear, or in other words, if the network device does not send the third indication information to the terminal device, then the terminal device may use the default cell as the second cell, and perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the default cell; or, the terminal device may autonomously determine / select a cell as the second cell, and perform UL synchronization with the first cell based on the determined / selected cell.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell belong to the same TA group and / or cell group. Since the TAs of the cells belonging to the same TA group are the same and there is an association between the TAs of the cells belonging to the same cell group, when the first cell and the second cell belong to the same TA group and / or cell group, the second TA can be used to determine the first TA.

[0137] In one possible manner, the TA group and / or cell group is determined by the network device based on the second information. Exemplarily, the second information may include at least one of the following: a measurement result of a reference signal; positioning information (such as the location information of the terminal device, and / or the location information of a network device adjacent to the terminal device); movement trajectory information of the terminal device; the location information of the network device; the location information of the network device's adjacent network devices; the location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; the location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between various network devices; and co-site information between various cells.

[0138] The at least one of the reference signal measurement result, positioning information, and movement trajectory information of the terminal device may be, for example, sent by the terminal device to the network device. That is, the terminal device may send the at least one of the reference signal measurement result, positioning information, and movement trajectory information of the terminal device to the network device for the network device to determine the TA group and / or cell group.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second cell is activated by the terminal device by instructing the network device to activate the second cell; or, the second cell is activated by the terminal device under the second condition.

[0140] In one possible scenario, the second cell is activated by the terminal device by instructing the network device. In one example, the network device may instruct the terminal device to activate the second cell through RRC configuration. For example, the network device may set the scellState in the RRC configuration (such as in SCellConfig) to activated to indicate the activation of the second cell. In another example, the network device may instruct the terminal device to activate the second cell through MAC CE (such as SCell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE, enhanced Sell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE, or new SCell activation / deactivation MAC CE).

[0141] Another possible scenario is that the second cell is activated by the terminal device under the second condition.

[0142] Exemplarily, the second condition may include at least one of the following: the deactivation timer of the second cell times out; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; the terminal device obtains indication information for indicating the second cell; the terminal device obtains the reference signal of the second cell; the terminal device performs uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell; the terminal device obtains the configuration of the first cell; the first cell is activated; and, the first cell needs to be activated.

[0143] According to the method of this embodiment, it is clarified how the terminal device performs UL synchronization with the first cell (SSB-less Scell).

[0144] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following describes possible implementation solutions (including solutions 2A to 2C) applicable to the method shown in Figure 2, with reference to examples. Solutions 2A to 2C may be targeted at the aforementioned scenario 2a, for example.

[0145] Option 2A

[0146] In scheme 2A, the network (network device) may configure the SSB-less SCell (an example of the first cell) and the specific cell (an example of the second cell) to belong to the same cell group and / or TA group. In this embodiment, the specific cell is a cell used for the UE to perform uplink synchronization with the SSB-less SCell, or the specific cell can also be understood as a cell with the same / similar TA as the SSB-less SCell. The TA between the UE and the specific cell (corresponding to the second TA in the aforementioned embodiment) can be used to determine the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell (corresponding to the first TA in the aforementioned embodiment). In this embodiment, the specific cell may be, for example, a reference cell, or the specific cell may also be replaced by a reference cell.

[0147] For example, if the UE knows which cell the specific cell is (e.g., the cell identifier, frequency, etc. of the specific cell), the UE may consider that the UL timing synchronization (or TA) between the UE and the specific cell and the UL timing synchronization (or TA) between the UE and the SSB-less SCell are the same / similar. In this case, the UE may determine the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell based on the TA between the UE and the specific cell, and then perform UL synchronization with the SSB-less SCell.

[0148] In some embodiments, the UE may report at least one of the following information to the network for the network to configure a cell group or a TA group of cells: reference signal measurement results, positioning information (such as the location of the UE and / or the location of the base station adjacent to the UE), and the UE's motion trajectory information.

[0149] In some embodiments, which cell is the specific cell, or which cell the SSB-less SCell belongs to in the same cell group and / or TA group, or which cell's TA the UE can use to determine the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell, can be indicated to the UE by the network or determined by any of the following methods: pre-configured to the UE; determined / selected by the UE itself; predefined (such as predefined by a protocol). For example, the specific cell can be any of the following cells: a PCell in the same cell group as the SSB-less SCell, a PSCell, a cell with the smallest cell index, or a cell with the largest cell index.

[0150] Exemplarily, the network may indicate auxiliary information (corresponding to the first information in the aforementioned embodiment) to the UE for the UE to determine / select a specific cell, or in other words, for the UE to determine a cell having the same / similar TA as the SSB-less SCell. The auxiliary information may include, for example, at least one of the following: location information of the current base station (current network / network device), location information of a neighboring base station (a neighboring network / network device of the current network / network device); location information of the current area (the cell where the UE is located); location information of a neighboring area (a neighboring cell of the cell where the UE is located); information on which base stations are co-located with the current base station (or co-location information between base stations); information on which cells are co-located cells; information on which base stations are co-located base stations; QCL information between reference signals; QCL information between channels; and positioning information.

[0151] Exemplarily, the UE may autonomously determine / select a specific cell based on some preset criteria, or in other words, autonomously determine / select a cell with the same / similar TA as the SSB-less SCell. In one example, the UE may determine / select a specific cell based on at least one of the following information: cell identification, UE location information, network location information (for example, may include cell coverage information, quasi-Co-Location (QCL) information), positioning information, co-site information, co-located information. In another example, the UE may determine / select a specific cell by judging a threshold value. For example, if the distance between the UE and a certain cell is less than a preset threshold, the cell may be determined / selected as a specific cell; for another example, assuming that the distance between the UE and the SSB-less SCell is d1, and the distance between the UE and another cell is d2, then if the difference between d1 and d2 is less than the preset threshold, the other cell may be determined as a specific cell.

[0152] One possible scenario is that the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell is equal to the TA between the UE and the specific cell, that is, the specific cell and the SSB-less SCell have the same TA. In this case, when the UE performs UL synchronization with the SSB-less SCell based on the TA of the specific cell, the TA between the UE and the specific cell can be used as the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell.

[0153] In another possible scenario, the specific cell and the SSB-less SCell have similar TAs. In this case, when the UE performs UL synchronization with the SSB-less SCell based on the TA of the specific cell, the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell can be derived based on the TA between the UE and the specific cell. For example, an offset can be added / subtracted / multiplied / divided based on the TA between the UE and the specific cell to obtain the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell. For another example, the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell is the result of a function whose input includes the TA between the UE and the specific cell.

[0154] In some embodiments, when a UE needs to perform UL synchronization with an SSB-less SCell, the UE may use the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell to determine the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell, and then perform UL synchronization with the SSB-less SCell based on the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell. In some embodiments, if the specific cell is not yet activated, the UE may request activation of the specific cell.

[0155] In some embodiments, to obtain the TA between the UE and a specific cell, the UE may perform an UL synchronization procedure in the specific cell, such as performing a random access procedure, triggering a random access procedure, or requesting the network to send a TAC MAC CE or RAR. In some embodiments, new random access triggering conditions may be added, such as triggering a random access procedure when the UE needs to perform UL synchronization with an SSB-less SCell. Through the random access procedure, the UE may obtain the TA between the UE and the specific cell and / or the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell.

[0156] For example, when the UE requests the network to send a TAC MAC CE or RAR, the request message used may be a UL MAC CE, a UL RRC message, or a UCI. That is, the UE may request the network to send a TAC MAC CE or a RAR to the UE by sending a UL MAC CE, a UL RRC message, or a UCI to the network. For example, the TAC MAC CE or RAR may carry the TA between the UE and a specific cell, and / or the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell.

[0157] Option 2B

[0158] In scheme 2B, when the UE knows the specific cell of the SSB-less SCell, the UE can perform RA on the specific cell or SSB-less SCell based on the configuration information of the reference signal (such as SSB / TRS / CSI-RS) of the specific cell.

[0159] Taking the reference signal as SSB / TRS / CSI-RS as an example, the UE can obtain the RACH / PRACH configuration for the SSB-less SCell corresponding to the SSB- / TRS / CSI-RS of a specific cell. Among them, the RACH / PRACH configuration includes a preamble and / or RO. The preamble and / or RO are used by the UE when performing RA in a specific cell for the SSB-less SCell (that is, the RA process is performed to obtain the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell); or, the preamble and / or RO are used by the UE when performing RA on the SSB-less SCell. In some embodiments, the UE can also know whether to perform UL synchronization (or DL ​​synchronization, or RA) through SSB, TRS or CSI-RS. In some embodiments, the UE can select the preamble and / or RO corresponding to the reference signal based on the SSB / TRS / CSI-RS of the specific cell.

[0160] The UE may obtain the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell and / or the TA between the UE and the specific cell by performing the RA process in a specific cell or SSB-less SCell using RACH / PRACH resources. For example, in the RA process, the network may carry the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell and / or the TA between the UE and the specific cell in the RAR and send it to the UE. The TA between the UE and the specific cell may be used to determine the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell. In one example, the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell is equal to the TA between the UE and the specific cell; in another example, the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell is derived based on the TA of the specific cell. After determining the TA between the UE and the SSB-less SCell, the UE may perform UL synchronization with the SSB-less SCell based on the TA.

[0161] Option 2C

[0162] In solution 2C, when the UE needs to perform data transmission and / or UL synchronization on the SSB-less SCell, or when the UE is out of UL synchronization on the SSB-less SCell, the UE may request TA from the network using first request information. The first request information may be, for example, UL resources or a UL request message.

[0163] The UL resources may be resources on an SSB-less SCell or resources on a specific cell. For example, the UL resources may be a PUSCH (e.g., a PUSCH at a specific time-frequency location). The UL request message may be, for example, any of the following: an SR (or a dedicated SR); a specific UL MAC CE carried on the PUSCH; specific RRC signaling carried on the PUSCH; or UCI (or a dedicated UCI).

[0164] Exemplarily, the network may determine the TA between the UE and the SSB-less cell and / or the TA between the UE and the specific cell based on the first request information, and then send first indication information to the UE to indicate the TA information (including the TA between the UE and the SSB-less cell and / or the TA between the UE and the specific cell) to the UE, and then the UE may perform UL synchronization with the SSB-less SCell based on the first indication information. The first indication information may be, for example, an RAR, a TAC MAC CE, or other message carrying the TA. In some embodiments, the network may use DL information (such as a DL boundary) of a specific cell as a reference for the TA.

[0165] It should be understood that the specific cell in Scheme 2A to Scheme 2C may be, for example, a reference cell, that is, the specific cell may also be replaced by a reference cell.

[0166] Examples of implementation methods for Schemes 2A to 2C are as follows:

[0167] Implementation method a: The network indicates that the SSB-less SCell (denoted as cell #1) and cell #2 (an example of a specific cell) are cells in the same TA group. Then, the UE can perform UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1 based on the TA with cell #2.

[0168] For example, if the UE has a valid TA with cell #2, the UE may use the valid TA with cell #2 to perform UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1.

[0169] As another example, if the UE does not have a valid TA with cell #2, the UE may send a request message (such as the first request message / second request message / third request message described above) to the network in cell #2 or cell #1 to request a valid TA. Furthermore, the network may indicate the valid TA to the UE for UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1.

[0170] As another example, if the UE does not have a valid TA with cell #2, the UE may trigger an RA procedure in cell #2 or cell #1, and / or send msg1 to the network in cell #2 or cell #1 to obtain a valid TA, and then perform UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1 based on the valid TA.

[0171] Exemplarily, cell #2 may be a specific cell indicated by the network, or may be another specific cell, such as a cell in the same cell group as the SSB-less SCell.

[0172] Implementation b: The UE determines a cell (cell #2) that uses or has the same or similar TA as the SSB-less SCell (cell #1). This determination may be made by any of the following methods: UE autonomous determination / selection; UE pre-configuration; or pre-definition (as specified in the protocol). The UE performs UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1 based on the TA with cell #2.

[0173] As an example, if the UE has a valid TA with cell #2, the UE uses the valid TA value with cell #2 to perform UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1.

[0174] In another example, if the UE does not have a valid TA with cell #2, the UE may send a request message (such as the first request message / second request message / third request message described above) to the network in cell #2 or cell #1 to request a valid TA. The network may then indicate the valid TA to the UE for UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1.

[0175] As another example, if the UE does not have a valid TA with cell #2, the UE may trigger an RA procedure in cell #2 or cell #1, and / or send msg1 to the network in cell #2 or cell #1 to obtain a valid TA, and then perform UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1 based on the valid TA.

[0176] Implementation c: If the UE loses uplink synchronization in the SSB-less SCell (cell #1), has UL data to send, or needs to perform UL synchronization, the UE may request a valid TA from the network using specific resources or resource locations. Accordingly, the network sends the valid TA to the UE, which is used for the UE to perform UL synchronization (or timing advance) with cell #1.

[0177] Implementation d: If the UE loses uplink synchronization in the SSB-less SCell (cell #1), has UL data to send, or needs to perform UL synchronization, the UE may trigger an RA procedure in cell #2 or cell #1. As an example, the UE may select a reference signal to use based on the reference signal (e.g., SSB / TRS / CSI-RS) configuration of cell #2 and / or the channel quality information of the reference signal, and perform the RA procedure using the resources of cell #1 (e.g., preamble and / or RO). As an implementation, the UE may send MSG3 / MSG4A in cell #1 and receive MSG2 or 4 in cell #2.

[0178] Implementation method e: If the UE loses uplink synchronization in the SSB-less SCell (cell #1), or has UL data to send, or needs to perform UL synchronization, the UE triggers the RA process in cell #2 or cell #1.

[0179] In one example, the UE can obtain the TA between the UE and cell #2 through the RA process, and the TA between the UE and cell #2 can be used to determine the TA between the UE and cell #1 (the TA between the UE and cell #1 is equal to the TA between the UE and cell #2, or the TA between the UE and cell #1 is derived based on the TA between the UE and cell #2).

[0180] In another example, the UE may obtain (eg, directly obtain) the TA between the UE and cell #1 through the RA process.

[0181] As another example, the UE can simultaneously obtain the TA between the UE and cell #2 and the TA between the UE and cell #1 through the RA process.

[0182] In some embodiments, during the RA process, the UE may indicate to the network that it needs to obtain the TA between the UE and cell #2, or to synchronize with the UL of cell #2. As an implementation method, the UE may indicate this information via msg1 / msgA / msg3. For example, this information may be carried or indicated to the network via a specific preamble, RO, or information in the PUSCH (such as the Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), MAC CE, etc.).

[0183] The UL synchronization scheme for the aforementioned scenario 2a is described above. In some embodiments, for the aforementioned scenario 1, when the UE performs UL synchronization on the SSB-less SCell, the RA process may be performed based on the TRS / CSI-RS of the SSB-less SCell (e.g., replacing the relevant operation for the SSB with the relevant operation for the TRS). Alternatively, when the UE performs UL synchronization on the SSB-less SCell, the RA process may be performed based on the reference signal of a specific cell (e.g., a reference cell) of the SSB-less SCell (similar to the methods for scenario 2a in schemes 2A to 2C).

[0184] In some embodiments, for the aforementioned scenario 2, for an SSB-less SCell, the UE may perform timing based on the DL or UL data signal of the SSB-less SCell. For example, the UE may perform DL timing or DL ​​synchronization based on the DL data signal of the SSB-less SCell. For another example, the UE may perform UL timing or obtain TA based on the UL data signal of the SSB-less SCell.

[0185] According to the above technical solution, it is clarified how a UE in a connected state or a non-connected state communicates with an SSB-less SCell (such as UL synchronization).

[0186] Another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with FIG3 .

[0187] FIG3 shows another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which may include:

[0188] S301, the terminal device receives the reference signal of the second cell or the DL data signal of the first cell, and the reference signal or DL ​​data signal is used for the terminal device to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell; wherein, the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without SSB transmission.

[0189] In one possible manner, the terminal device may receive a DL data signal of the first cell (eg, receive a DL data signal of the first cell from a network device), so that the terminal device may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell based on the DL data signal.

[0190] In another possible manner, the terminal device may receive a reference signal of the second cell (for example, receive a reference signal of the second cell from a network device), so that the terminal device may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell based on the reference signal.

[0191] Exemplarily, the type of the reference signal may be any one of SSB, TRS, and CSI-RS. That is, the terminal device may use any one of SSB, TRS, and CSI-RS reference signals to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell.

[0192] Exemplarily, at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal (i.e., the reference signal used for the terminal device to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell) may be indicated by the network device; and / or, at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal may be read by the terminal device from the second cell.

[0193] In one example, the network device may send (indicate) at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal to the terminal device, and accordingly, the terminal device may receive the at least part of the configuration information from the network device. In this case, the terminal device may not need to read the at least part of the configuration information from the second cell. In another example, the terminal device may read at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal from the second cell. In yet another example, the network device may send (indicate) at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal to the terminal device, and at the same time, the terminal device may read the remaining at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal from the second cell.

[0194] As an example, when the type of the reference signal is SSB, at least part of the configuration information of the SSB may be, for example, at least part of the information in the MIB and / or SIB1 (for example, ssb-SubcarrierOffset and / or systemFrameNumber); when the reference signal is CSI-RS or TRS, at least part of the configuration information of the CSI-RS or TRS may be, for example, at least part of the information of the CSI-RS or TRS (for example, at least one of scellActivationRS-Id, SCellActivationRS-ConfigId-r17, resourceSet, NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId, gapBetweenBursts, and qcl-Info-r17).

[0195] In some embodiments, when the reference signal of the second cell is used for the terminal device to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell, the type of the reference signal is indicated by the network device. That is, when the terminal device performs DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell, the type of reference signal used by the terminal device is indicated by the network device. In other words, the network device may indicate to the terminal device which reference signal (s) to use for performing DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell. For example, the network device may indicate to the terminal device whether to use SSB, TRS, or CSI-RS for performing DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell.

[0196] The second cell in this embodiment is introduced below.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device; or the second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device or the network device; or the second cell is predefined (such as predefined by a protocol); or the second cell is determined / selected by the terminal device. In other words, which cell is used for the terminal device to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell is indicated by the network device, or is preconfigured by the terminal device or the network device, or is predefined (such as predefined by a protocol), or is determined / selected by the terminal device.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second cell is determined / selected by the terminal device based on first information from the network device, and the first information may, for example, include at least one of the following: location information of the network device; location information of adjacent network devices of the network device; location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-located information between each network device; co-located information between each cell; QCL information between reference signals; QCL information between channels; and positioning information.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information. For example, the network device may send the third indication information to the terminal device, and the terminal device may correspondingly receive the third indication information from the network device. Thus, the terminal device may know, based on the third indication information, that the second cell is the cell used for the terminal device to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell.

[0200] Exemplarily, the third indication information may include, for example: the frequency and / or cell identifier of the second cell. The frequency may be a frequency index (index), such as an index of an adjacent frequency in SIB3 / 4 / 5, or a frequency index of SIB2 (frequency index of the serving cell). Alternatively, the frequency may be a frequency value (ARFCN-ValueNR). Alternatively, the frequency may be a frequency value of SIB2 (frequency value of the serving cell). The cell identifier may be, for example, a physical cell identity (PCI) or a global cell identity. In some embodiments, the frequency value may be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, or other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency value may be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency may be the frequency of the current serving cell, or the frequency of a reference cell or a cell for obtaining downlink timing (such as when an SSB-less SCell obtains downlink timing from another cell, the frequency of another cell or the SSB of the cell is given).

[0201] In some embodiments, the third indication information is configured under the first condition. The first condition may, for example, include at least one of the following: the condition of SCellAdd; the condition of SCellAddMod; the condition of SCellOnly; and the condition of SCelladdOnly. That is, the third indication information may be configured under at least one of the conditions of SCellAdd, SCellAddMod, SCellOnly, and SCelladdOnly. As an implementation method, the third indication information may be configured under the condition of SCellAdd, or may be configured under the condition of SCellAddMod, or may be configured under the condition of SCellOnly, or may be configured under the condition of SCelladdOnly. For a description of the above conditions, please refer to Table 1 below.

[0202] In some embodiments, the third indication information is optionally configured when an SCell is added.

[0203] In some embodiments, if the third indication information appears, or in other words, if the network device sends the third indication information to the terminal device, then the terminal device may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell based on the second cell indicated by the third indication information; if the third indication information does not appear, or in other words, if the network device does not send the third indication information to the terminal device, then the terminal device may use the default cell as the second cell, and perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell based on the default cell; or, the terminal device may autonomously determine / select a cell as the second cell, and perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell based on the determined / selected cell.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell belong to the same TA group and / or cell group.

[0205] In one possible manner, the TA group and / or cell group is determined by the network device based on the second information. Exemplarily, the second information may include at least one of the following: a measurement result of a reference signal; positioning information (such as the location information of the terminal device, and / or the location information of a network device adjacent to the terminal device); movement trajectory information of the terminal device; the location information of the network device; the location information of the network device's adjacent network devices; the location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; the location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between various network devices; and co-site information between various cells.

[0206] The at least one of the reference signal measurement result, positioning information, and movement trajectory information of the terminal device may be, for example, sent by the terminal device to the network device. That is, the terminal device may send the at least one of the reference signal measurement result, positioning information, and movement trajectory information of the terminal device to the network device for the network device to determine the TA group and / or cell group.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second cell is activated by the terminal device by instructing the network device to activate the second cell; or, the second cell is activated by the terminal device under the second condition.

[0208] In one possible scenario, the second cell is activated by the terminal device by instructing the network device. In one example, the network device may instruct the terminal device to activate the second cell through RRC configuration. For example, the network device may set the scellState in the RRC configuration (such as in SCellConfig) to activated to indicate the activation of the second cell. In another example, the network device may instruct the terminal device to activate the second cell through MAC CE (such as SCell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE, enhanced Sell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE, or new SCell activation / deactivation MAC CE).

[0209] Another possible scenario is that the second cell is activated by the terminal device under the second condition.

[0210] Exemplarily, the second condition may include at least one of the following: the deactivation timer of the second cell times out; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; the terminal device obtains indication information for indicating the second cell; the terminal device obtains the reference signal of the second cell; the terminal device performs uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell; the terminal device obtains the configuration of the first cell; the first cell is activated; and, the first cell needs to be activated.

[0211] According to the method of this embodiment, it is clarified how the terminal device performs DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the first cell (SSB-less Scell).

[0212] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following introduces possible implementation solutions applicable to the method shown in FIG3 with reference to examples, for example, for the aforementioned scenario 2a.

[0213] In some embodiments, to achieve DL synchronization or DL ​​timing between a UE and an SSB-less SCell, a specific cell needs to be activated. The specific cell is a cell used for DL ​​synchronization or DL ​​timing between the UE and the first cell. In this embodiment, the specific cell may be, for example, a reference cell, or the specific cell may be replaced by a reference cell.

[0214] As an example, for a specific cell, the network may set scellState (e.g., in SCellConfig) to activated to activate the specific cell; alternatively, the network may activate the specific cell via a MAC CE (e.g., SCell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE, enhanced SCell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE, or a new SCell Activation / Deactivation MAC CE); alternatively, the UE may start or restart the sCellDeactivationTimer when it is determined that the specific cell is a specific SCell or when synchronization with an SSB-less SCell is performed based on the specific cell; alternatively, the UE may activate the specific cell under a second condition. The second condition may include, for example, at least one of the following: obtaining indication information indicating the specific cell; obtaining a reference signal (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS / TRS) of the specific cell; performing uplink or downlink synchronization with the SSB-less SCell; obtaining the configuration of the SSB-less SCell; or the SSB-less SCell being activated or requiring activation.

[0215] It should be understood that the above-mentioned solution for activating a specific cell can also be applied to other embodiments in the embodiments of the present application.

[0216] In some embodiments, for an SSB-less SCell, the network may indicate to the UE which cell (such as indicating a cell identifier, an SSB frequency, etc.) is a specific cell of the SSB-less SCell. Thus, the UE may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell according to the SSB of the specific cell. In some embodiments, the network may simultaneously indicate to the UE the SSB configuration information of the specific cell, such as at least part of the information in the MIB and / or SIB1 (for example, ssb-SubcarrierOffset and / or systemFrameNumber). It will be understood that if the network indicates the SSB configuration information of a specific cell, the UE may not need to read the SSB configuration information of the specific cell (such as MIB and / or SIB1) from the specific cell.

[0217] In some embodiments, for SSB-less SCell, the network may indicate to the UE which cell (such as indicating the cell identifier, SSB frequency, etc.) is the specific cell of the SSB-less SCell. Thus, the UE can perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell according to the CSI-RS or TRS of the specific cell. In some embodiments, the network may simultaneously indicate to the UE at least part of the configuration information of the CSI-RS or TRS of the specific cell, such as at least part of the information of the CSI-RS or TRS (for example, at least one of scellActivationRS-Id, SCellActivationRS-ConfigId-r17, resourceSet, NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId, gapBetweenBursts, and qcl-Info-r17). It can be understood that if the network indicates the configuration information of the CSI-RS or TRS of a specific cell, the UE may not need to access the specific cell to obtain the configuration information of the CSI-RS or TRS.

[0218] In some embodiments, for an SSB-less SCell, if the network does not indicate to the UE which cell (e.g., does not indicate a cell identifier, SSB frequency, etc.) is a specific cell of the SSB-less SCell, the UE may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell based on a reference signal (e.g., SSB / CSI-RS / TRS) of a default cell. That is, the UE may use the default cell as a specific cell of the SSB-less SCell. Exemplarily, the UE may obtain information about which cell is the default cell by any of the following methods: network indication; UE autonomous determination / selection; pre-definition (e.g., protocol pre-definition); or UE pre-configuration. As an example, the default cell can be any of the following cells: PCell; PSCell; PCell or PSCell in the same cell group as the SSB-less SCell; any cell in the same cell group as the SSB-less SCell; the cell with the smallest cell index (index) in the same cell group as the SSB-less SCell; the cell with the largest cell index in the same cell group as the SSB-less SCell; any cell in the same TA group as the SSB-less SCell; the cell with the smallest cell index in the same TA group as the SSB-less SCell; the cell with the largest cell index in the same TA group as the SSB-less SCell.

[0219] In some embodiments, the network may indicate the configuration information of the reference signal (such as SSB / CSI-RS / TRS) of the default cell of the UE. For example, for SSB, the network may indicate at least part of the information in MIB and / or SIB1 (for example, ssb-SubcarrierOffset and / or systemFrameNumber). In this case, the UE may not need to read the SSB configuration information (such as MIB and / or SIB1) of the default cell from the default cell. For example, for CSI-RS or TRS, the network may indicate at least part of the information of CSI-RS or TRS (for example, at least one of scellActivationRS-Id, SCellActivationRS-ConfigId-r17, resourceSet, NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId, gapBetweenBursts, and qcl-Info-r17). In this case, the UE may not need to access the default cell to obtain the configuration information of CSI-RS or TRS.

[0220] In some embodiments, the UE may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell based on the SSB / CSI-RS / TRS of the specific cell / default cell. For example, the UE may receive or measure the SSB / CSI-RS / TRS of the specific cell / default cell to obtain synchronization information, and may consider this synchronization information as synchronization information of the SSB-less SCell. Furthermore, the UE may perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell based on this synchronization information.

[0221] In some embodiments, for a specific cell / default cell, the network may instruct the UE on which reference signal(s) of the specific cell / default cell to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell. For example, the network may instruct the UE to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing based on SSB, CSI-RS, or TRS.

[0222] Examples of implementations of the above DL synchronization or DL ​​timing solutions are as follows:

[0223] As an example, the network configures the configuration of an SSB-less SCell (denoted as cell #1) to the UE and / or indicates that the SCell (denoted as cell #2) is a specific cell of cell #1. The network can then instruct the UE to activate cell #2 through a MAC CE or RRC configuration (e.g., scellState). Accordingly, the UE can activate cell #2 and perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with cell #1 based on the SSB configuration of cell #2 (e.g., the network instructs the UE to perform DL synchronization or DL ​​timing based on the SSB of cell #2).

[0224] The above describes the DL synchronization / DL timing solution for scenario 2a. In some embodiments, for scenario 2, for an SSB-less SCell, the UE may perform timing based on the DL or UL data signal of the SSB-less SCell. For example, the UE may perform DL timing or DL ​​synchronization based on the DL data signal of the SSB-less SCell. For another example, the UE may perform UL timing or obtain TA based on the UL data signal of the SSB-less SCell.

[0225] In some embodiments, the network may indicate a specific cell and / or a default cell to the UE through a first parameter (corresponding to the third indication information in the aforementioned embodiment). That is, the first parameter may be used to indicate which cell the specific cell and / or the default cell is. As an example, the first parameter may include information about the specific cell and / or the default cell (such as frequency, cell identifier, etc.). That is, the network may indicate the specific cell and / or the default cell to the UE by indicating information about the specific cell and / or the default cell (such as frequency, cell identifier, etc.). The frequency may be a frequency index (index), such as an index of an adjacent frequency in SIB3 / 4 / 5, or a frequency index of SIB2 (frequency index of the serving cell). Alternatively, the frequency may be a frequency value (ARFCN-ValueNR). Alternatively, the frequency may be a frequency value of SIB2 (frequency value of the serving cell). The cell identifier may be, for example, a PCI, or a global cell identifier. In some embodiments, the frequency value may be provided using the absoluteFrequencySSB, or provided by other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency value can be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency can be the frequency of the current serving cell, or the frequency of the reference cell or the cell for obtaining downlink timing (such as when the SSB-less SCell obtains downlink timing from another cell, the frequency of the other cell or the SSB of the cell is given).

[0226] Exemplarily, the first parameter may be configured under a first condition. The first condition may include, for example, at least one of the following: a condition for SCellAdd; a condition for SCellAddMod; a condition for SCellOnly; and a condition for SCelladdOnly. That is, the first parameter may be configured under at least one of the conditions of SCellAdd, SCellAddMod, SCellOnly, and SCelladdOnly. As an implementation, the first parameter may be configured under the condition of SCellAdd, or under the condition of SCellAddMod, or under the condition of SCellOnly, or under the condition of SCelladdOnly. For a description of the above conditions, see Table 1.

[0227] Table 1

[0228] Exemplarily, the first parameter may be included in at least one of the following information: RRC reconfiguration, ReconfigurationWithSync; ScellConfig; ServingCellConfigCommon; downlinkConfigCommon; FrequencyInfoDL.

[0229] In one possible approach, the first parameter is used to indicate a specific cell. In this case, if the first parameter is present, or if the network indicates the first parameter to the UE, the UE may acquire a timing reference based on the specific cell indicated by the first parameter; if the first parameter is not present, or if the network does not indicate the first parameter to the UE, the UE may acquire a timing reference based on a default cell or a cell autonomously determined by the UE.

[0230] In another possible manner, the first parameter is used to indicate a default cell. In this case, if the first parameter is present, or if the network indicates the first parameter to the UE, the UE may acquire a timing reference based on the default cell indicated by the first parameter; if the first parameter is not present, or if the network does not indicate the first parameter to the UE, the UE may acquire a timing reference based on a cell determined autonomously by the UE.

[0231] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned usage of the first parameter by the UE may be supported in the case where the SCell for which the UE obtains the timing reference is in the different frequency band as the cell from which the UE obtains the timing reference; and / or; may be supported in the case where the SCell for which the UE obtains the timing reference is in the inter-band and co-located as the cell from which the UE obtains the timing reference.

[0232] In some embodiments, when an SSB-less SCell is configured for a UE, and the UE needs to obtain a timing reference for the SCell from another cell on a different frequency band, the network may add a new indication in the FrequencyInfoDL IE to indicate which cell is the specific cell (or reference cell) for the SCell. In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) includes at least the SSB frequency and / or PCI. The SSB frequency may be represented as ARFCN ValueNR, and the PCI may be represented as PhysCellId. In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) may include only the SSB frequency or both the SSB frequency and PCI. In some embodiments, the SSB frequency or frequency value may be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, or other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency value may be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency may be the frequency of the current serving cell, or the frequency of the reference cell or the cell that obtains downlink timing (e.g., if the SSB-less SCell obtains downlink timing from another cell, the frequency of the SSB of the other cell or cell is provided). In some embodiments, when absoluteFrequencySSB is present, or when absoluteFrequencySSB is present and PCI is configured, the UE obtains the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell from another cell (such as a specific cell or a reference cell). In some embodiments, when adding a new SCell, the specific cell (or reference cell) information exists.(For example, when configuring a SSB-less SCell for a UE and in the case that the UE needs to obtain the timing reference for this SCell from another cell on a different frequency band, the network would add a new indication in the FrequencyInfoDL IE to indicate which is the reference cell of this SCell. As required by RAN4, the information of the reference cell would at least include the SSB frequency and PCI. In our view, the SSB frequency would be represented as ARFCN-ValueNR and the PCI would be represented as PhysCellId. Similarly, the information of the reference cell would be optionally present upon adding a new SCell.)。

[0233] In some embodiments, when absoluteFrequencySSB does not exist and / or the UE obtains the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell from a specific cell (or reference cell) on a different frequency band, the FrequencyInfoDL IE is extended to indicate the information of the specific cell (or reference cell). In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) includes the ARFCN ValueNR and / or PhysCellId of the specific cell (or reference cell). In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) can be given only the SSB frequency, or the SSB frequency and PCI. In some embodiments, the SSB frequency or frequency point value can be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, or other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency point value can be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency point can be the frequency point of the current serving cell, or the frequency point of the reference cell or the cell that obtains the downlink timing (for example, if the SSB-less SCell obtains downlink timing from another cell, the frequency point of the SSB of the other cell or cell is given). In some embodiments, in the case that absoluteFrequencySSB is absent, or in the case that absoluteFrequencySSB is present and PCI is configured, the UE obtains the timing reference for the SSB-less SCell from another cell (such as a specific cell or a reference cell). (For example, in the case that absoluteFrequencySSB is absent and / or the UE obtains the timing reference for SSB-less SCell from the reference cell that is on the different frequency band, FrequencyInfoDL IE is extended to indicate the information of the reference cell. Optionally, the information of the reference cell includes ARFCN-ValueNR and PhysCellId of the reference cell.)

[0234] In some embodiments, when the absoluteFrequencySSB does not exist and / or the UE is configured with a specific cell (or reference cell), or when the absoluteFrequencySSB does not exist and / or the UE is configured with a specific cell (or reference cell) to obtain the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell, the UE obtains the timing reference through the specific cell (or reference cell), or obtains the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell. In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) is included in the FrequencyInfoDL IE. In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) includes the ARFCN ValueNR and / or PhysCellId of the specific cell (or reference cell).

[0235] In some embodiments, if absoluteFrequencySSB does not exist and / or information of a specific cell (or reference cell) exists, the UE obtains the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell from the specific cell (or reference cell). In some embodiments, this solution can be supported when the SCell from which the UE obtains the timing reference and the cell from which the UE obtains the timing reference (i.e., the specific cell) are in different frequency bands. In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) can be given only the SSB frequency, or the SSB frequency and PCI. In some embodiments, the SSB frequency or frequency point value can be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, or other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency point value can be provided using absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency point can be the frequency point of the current serving cell, or the frequency point of the reference cell or the cell for obtaining downlink timing (e.g., if the SSB-less SCell obtains downlink timing from another cell, the frequency point of the SSB of another cell or cell is given). In some embodiments, in the presence of absoluteFrequencySSB, or in the presence of absoluteFrequencySSB and PCI configuration, the UE obtains the timing reference for the SSB-less SCell from another cell (e.g., a specific cell or a reference cell). (For example: If absoluteFrequencySSB is absent and / or the information of the reference cell is present, the UE obtains the timing reference for SSB-less SCell from the reference cell. Optionally, this is only supported in case the SCell for which the UE obtains the timing reference is in the different frequency band as the cell (i.e., the reference cell) from which the UE obtains the timing reference.)

[0236] In some embodiments, if the absoluteFrequencySSB does not exist and / or the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) does not exist, the UE follows the traditional behavior, that is, the UE obtains the timing reference from the SpCell or SCell (if applicable). In some embodiments, this scheme can be supported when the SCell from which the UE obtains the timing reference and the cell from which the UE obtains the timing reference (i.e., the SpCell or SCell, respectively) are in the same frequency band. In some embodiments, the information of the specific cell (or reference cell) can be given only the SSB frequency, or the SSB frequency and PCI. In some embodiments, the SSB frequency or frequency point value can be provided using the absoluteFrequencySSB, or other IEs. In some embodiments, when the frequency point value can be provided using the absoluteFrequencySSB, the frequency point can be the frequency point of the current serving cell, or the frequency point of the reference cell or the cell that obtains the downlink timing (for example, if the SSB-less SCell obtains the downlink timing from another cell, the frequency point of the SSB of the other cell or cell is given). In some embodiments, in the presence of absoluteFrequencySSB, or in the presence of absoluteFrequencySSB and PCI configuration, the UE obtains the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell from another cell (e.g., a specific cell or a reference cell). (For example: If absoluteFrequencySSB is absent and / or the information of the reference cell is absent, the UE follows the legacy behavior, i.e., the UE obtains timing reference from the SpCell or an SCell if applicable. Optionally, this is only supported in case the SCell for which the UE obtains the timing reference is in the same frequency band as the cell (i.e., the SpCell or the SCell, respectively) from which the UE obtains the timing reference.)

[0237] In some embodiments, if absoluteFrequencySSB is absent and / or the information of the reference cell is absent, the UE obtains the timing reference for SSB-less SCell from the intra-band cell or Pcell or default cell. Optionally, whether the obtaining is from the intra-band cell or Pcell or default cell depends on the UE implementation or the network indication.

[0238] In some embodiments, if the absoluteFrequencySSB does not exist and / or the information of a specific cell (or reference cell) is not configured, the UE obtains the timing reference of the SSB-less SCell from an in-band cell or Pcell or other Scell ​​or a default cell. In some embodiments, the cell from which the UE obtains the timing reference is determined by the UE implementation, or is predefined, or is preconfigured by the network, or is otherwise indicated by the network.

[0239] According to the above technical solution, it is clarified how the UE performs DL synchronization or DL ​​timing with the SSB-less SCell.

[0240] It should be understood that the above-mentioned scheme regarding the third indication information (first parameter) can be applied, for example, to a scenario of how the UE determines DL timing or how the UE determines a timing reference; or, it can be applied to a scenario of how to indicate or determine a specific cell or a timing reference cell.

[0241] It should also be understood that the above-mentioned solution regarding the third indication information (first parameter) is applicable to the aforementioned scenario 1, scenario 2, and scenario 2a, for example.

[0242] It should also be understood that the above scenarios regarding how the UE determines DL timing, or how the UE determines a timing reference; or, may be applicable to scenarios regarding how to indicate or determine a specific cell or a timing reference cell, and may be applicable to the aforementioned scenarios 1, 2, and 2a.

[0243] It should also be understood that the above-mentioned scheme regarding the third indication information (first parameter) can be implemented in combination with the method shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, or can also be implemented separately, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. That is, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication method, in which the third indication information (first parameter) can be used to indicate the second cell (such as a specific cell and / or a default cell). Among them, the introduction of the third indication information (first parameter) can be found in the description of the aforementioned embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0244] FIG4 shows another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which may include:

[0245] S401, a terminal device receives a first MAC CE from a network device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting method of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0246] The reporting method may also be referred to as an activation method.

[0247] In this embodiment, the network device may send a first MAC CE to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first MAC CE from the network device, wherein the first MAC CE is at least used to indicate a reporting mode of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0248] As an implementation manner, the first MAC CE may, for example, include indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, and when the indication or position of any sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report. For example, assuming that the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of four sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, then, among the indications or positions of the four sub-reporting configurations, if any one of the indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations (such as any one of the indications or positions of the first to fourth sub-reporting configurations) is set to activated, it indicates that the terminal device needs to report the first CSI report.

[0249] In one possible manner, when the value of the indication or position (such as the bitmap position) of a sub-reporting configuration is set to a first specific value (such as 1), it indicates that the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to be activated; when the value of the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to a second specific value (such as 0), it indicates that the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to be deactivated.

[0250] Exemplarily, when the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report, the number of indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations that are set to be activated among the indications or positions of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report is greater than or equal to 1. For example, assuming that the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of 4 sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, then if the MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report, then among the indications or positions of the 4 sub-reporting configurations, at least one indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration may be set to be activated, for example, the indications or positions of the 1st and 4th sub-reporting configurations are set to be activated.

[0251] In some embodiments, if the number of indications or positions of sub-reporting configurations set to be activated among the indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report is greater than 1, it can be known that the first CSI report is a CSI report with sub-reporting configurations.

[0252] In some embodiments, for each sub-reporting configuration of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, when the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE is further used to instruct the terminal device to report the sub-report report corresponding to the sub-reporting configuration in the first CSI report. For example, assuming that the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of four sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, then if the indication or position of the first sub-reporting configuration and the indication or position of the third sub-reporting configuration are set to activated, then in addition to instructing the terminal device to report the first CSI report, the first MAC CE is also used to further instruct the terminal device to report the sub-report reports corresponding to the first sub-reporting configuration and the third sub-reporting configuration in the first CSI report.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is also used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration. In other words, the first MAC CE can be used to indicate the reporting mode of the first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration, and can also be used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

[0254] As an implementation manner, the first MAC CE may, for example, include indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report, and when the indication or position of any sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report. For example, assuming that the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of four sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report, then, among the indications or positions of the four sub-reporting configurations, if any one of the indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations (such as any one of the indications or positions of the first to fourth sub-reporting configurations) is set to activated, it indicates that the terminal device needs to report the second CSI report.

[0255] Exemplarily, when the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report, the number of indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations that are set to be activated among the indications or positions of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report is 1. For example, assuming that the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of 4 sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report, then if the MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report, then among the 4 sub-reporting configurations, the indication or position of 1 sub-reporting configuration is set to be activated, for example, the indication or position of the 1st sub-reporting configuration is set to be activated, and at this time, the indications or positions of the other 3 sub-reporting configurations may not need to be configured.

[0256] In one possible embodiment, when the first MAC CE is used to indicate the reporting method of the first CSI report with sub-reporting configuration and to indicate the reporting method of the second CSI report without sub-reporting configuration, the length of the first MAC CE is fixed. In this way, the terminal device may no longer need to determine the length of the first MAC CE, so as to facilitate implementation.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is not used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration. In other words, the first MAC CE can be used to indicate the reporting mode of the first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration, but not to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

[0258] In some embodiments, when the first MAC CE is not used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration, the second CSI report may be indicated by a second MAC CE. The second MAC CE may be, for example, an existing MAC CE, such as the SP CSI reporting on PUCCH Activation / Deactivation MAC CE. The second MAC CE is used to indicate at least the reporting mode of the second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

[0259] In one possible approach, when a first MAC CE is used to indicate the reporting mode of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration, but is not used to indicate the reporting mode of a second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration, the length of the first MAC CE is fixed or variable. When the length of the first MAC CE is fixed, the terminal device may not need to determine the length of the first MAC CE, which facilitates implementation. When the length of the first MAC CE is variable, the length of the first MAC CE can be flexibly adjusted.

[0260] In some embodiments, a new logical channel identifier (LCID) may be used to identify the MAC CE, such as E-LCID.

[0261] In some embodiments, when the network device sends the first MAC CE to the terminal device, the terminal device does not use a traditional MAC CE, where the traditional MAC CE is used to indicate the reporting mode of a CSI report with a reporting configuration, but is not used to indicate the reporting mode of a CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0262] In some embodiments, when the network device sends the first MAC CE to the terminal device, the terminal device may still use the traditional MAC CE. In this case, if the indication or position of a reporting configuration included in the traditional MAC CE is set to activated, it is considered that the indications or positions of all sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the reporting configuration are set to activated.

[0263] According to the method of this embodiment, it is clarified how the network device indicates the reporting mode of the CSI report to the terminal device through the MAC CE. In this embodiment, the CSI report (such as the first CSI report; such as the second CSI report) can be, for example, a semi-persistent (SP) CSI report.

[0264] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, possible implementation schemes (including Scheme 4A and Scheme 4B) applicable to the method shown in FIG. 4 are introduced below with reference to examples.

[0265] Option 4A

[0266] The MAC CE includes: indication information for a CSI report (CSI report) with a sub-config (i.e., the aforementioned sub-reporting configuration) (corresponding to the first CSI report in the aforementioned embodiment), and indication information for a CSI report without a sub-configuration (corresponding to the second CSI report in the aforementioned embodiment). The indication information for a CSI report with a sub-configuration is used to indicate to the UE whether the CSI report with the sub-configuration needs to be reported; the indication information for a CSI report without a sub-configuration is used to indicate to the UE whether the CSI report without a sub-configuration needs to be reported. In other words, the MAC CE can be used to indicate to the UE whether a CSI report with a sub-configuration needs to be reported, and can also be used to indicate to the UE whether a CSI report without a sub-configuration needs to be reported.

[0267] As an implementation, the MAC CE may not explicitly distinguish whether a CSI report has a subconfiguration. In this case, if a CSI report has a subconfiguration, the bitmap corresponding to the subconfiguration may have more than one position with a specific value (e.g., 1). If a CSI report does not have a subconfiguration, the bitmap corresponding to the subconfiguration may have 0 or 1 position with a specific value (e.g., 1). A value of 0 indicates that the CSI report does not need to be reported, and a value of 1 indicates that the CSI report needs to be reported.

[0268] In solution 4A, the length of the MAC CE may be, for example, a fixed length.

[0269] In some embodiments, a new LCID may be used to identify the MAC CE, such as E-LCID.

[0270] Option 4B

[0271] The MAC CE includes indication information for CSI reports with sub-configurations (corresponding to the first CSI report in the aforementioned embodiment), but does not include indication information for CSI reports without sub-configurations (corresponding to the second CSI report in the aforementioned embodiment). The indication information for CSI reports with sub-configurations is used to indicate to the UE whether the CSI reports with sub-configurations need to be reported. In other words, the MAC CE can be used to indicate to the UE whether CSI reports with sub-configurations need to be reported, but is not used to indicate to the UE whether CSI reports without sub-configurations need to be reported.

[0272] As an implementation manner, if a CSI report has a sub-configuration, there may be more than one position in the bitmap corresponding to the sub-configuration with a specific value (such as 1).

[0273] In solution 4B, the length of the MAC CE may be, for example, a fixed length or a variable length.

[0274] In some embodiments, a new LCID may be used to identify the MAC CE, such as E-LCID.

[0275] In some embodiments, since the MAC CE does not include indication information for CSI reporting without sub-configuration, another MAC CE (corresponding to the second MAC CE in the aforementioned embodiment) may be used to carry at least indication information for CSI reporting with sub-configuration. The other MAC CE may be, for example, an existing MAC CE, such as SP CSI reporting on PUCCH Activation / Deactivation MAC CE.

[0276] Examples of implementations of Solution 4A and Solution 4B are as follows:

[0277] See Table 2 and Table 3, which show examples of how the network indicates CSI reporting to the UE via MAC CE. Table 2 is applicable to Solution 4A and Solution 4B, and Table 3 is applicable to Solution 4B.

[0278] Table 2

[0279] Table 3

[0280] In Table 2 and Table 3, R represents a reserved bit; Serving Cell ID is used to indicate the identity of the serving cell to which the MAC CE is applied; BWP ID is used to indicate the identity of the UL BWP to which the MAC CE is applied; S i Used to indicate the activation / deactivation status of the semi-persistent CSI reporting configuration in csi-ReportConfigToAddModList; N i,x Used to indicate the activation / deactivation status of the semi-persistent CSI reporting subconfiguration (SubConfiguration) x in the csi-ReportSubConfigList with CSI-ReportConfigId i.

[0281] In some embodiments, S iUsed to indicate the activation / deactivation status of the semi-persistent CSI reporting configuration within csi-ReportConfigToAddModList. S0 refers to the report configuration which includes PUCCH resources for SP CSI reporting in the indicated BWP and has the lowest CSI-ReportConfigId within the list with type set to semiPersistentOnPUCCH; S1 refers to the report configuration which includes PUCCH resources for SP CSI reporting in the BWP and has the second lowest CSI ReportConfigId, and so on.

[0282] If the number of report configurations in the list with type set to semi-PersistentOnPUCCH in the BWP is less than i+1, the MAC entity shall ignore the Si field. i When the field is set to 1, it is used to indicate the activation of the corresponding semi-persistent CSI reporting configuration; i When the field is set to 0, it indicates that the corresponding semi-persistent CSI reporting configuration is deactivated. i If the field is set to 1, the UE can further check N i,x In some embodiments, if S i If the field is set to 0, the UE does not check N i,x , or think that this S i N does not exist i,x In some embodiments, if the Si field is set to 0, the corresponding N i,x In some embodiments, if S i If the field is set to 0, the corresponding N i,x field.

[0283] In some embodiments, N i,x Used to indicate the activation / deactivation status of the semi-persistent CSI reporting subconfiguration (SubConfiguration) x in the csi-ReportSubConfigList with CSI-ReportConfigId i.

[0284] In one possible approach, N 0,0 Refers to the reporting subconfiguration that includes the PUCCH resources for the activated SP CSI reporting in the BWP and has the lowest CSI ReportSubConfigID (N 0,0 refers to the report SubConfiguration which includes PUCCH resources for the activated SP CSI reporting in the indicated BWP and has the lowest csi-ReportSubConfigID within the list with type set to csi-ReportSubConfigList); N 0,1 refers to the reporting subconfiguration that includes the PUCCH resources for activated SP CSI reporting in the BWP and has the second lowest CSI ReportSubConfigID, and so on.

[0285] In one possible approach, N 0,0 Refers to the reporting subconfiguration that includes the PUCCH resources for SP CSI reporting in the BWP and has the lowest CSI ReportSubConfigID within the list with type set to CSIReportSubConfigList; N 0,1 Refers to the reporting subconfiguration that includes the PUCCH resources for SP CSI reporting in the BWP and has the second lowest CSIReportSubConfigID, and so on.

[0286] In some embodiments, if the number of report configurations in the list with type set to csi-ReportSubConfigList in the BWP is greater than 4, the MAC entity ignores N i,x field.

[0287] In some embodiments, if the number of report configurations in the list with type set to csi-ReportSubConfigList in the BWP is greater than 4, the MAC entity ignores N with x greater than or equal to 4. i,x field.

[0288] Optionally, if the number of report configurations in the list with type set to csi-ReportSubConfigList in the BWP is less than x+1, the MAC entity shall ignore Ni,x field.

[0289] N i,x When the field is set to 1, it indicates the activation of the corresponding sub-configuration x in the semi-persistent CSI report i; N i,x When the field is set to 0, it indicates that the corresponding sub-configuration x in the semi-persistent CSI report i is deactivated.

[0290] According to the above technical solution, it is clarified how the network instructs the UE on the reporting method of the CSI report through the MAC CE, and the design details of the MAC CE are clarified.

[0291] FIG5 shows another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which may include:

[0292] S501, the terminal device receives fifth indication information from the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate a first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when a third condition is met.

[0293] In this embodiment, the network device may send fifth indication information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the fifth indication information from the network device. The fifth indication information may be used to indicate the first operation; alternatively, the fifth indication information may be used to indicate the first operation if the third condition is met.

[0294] In some embodiments, the fifth indication information may be, for example, downlink control information (DCI) or MAC CE, wherein the DCI may be, for example, a specific RNTI (such as NES RNTI) or a specific DCI format (such as DCI format 2_9).

[0295] In some embodiments, the first operation may, for example, include at least one of the following: a source cell of the terminal device enters Network Energy Saving (NES); the terminal device performs Conditional Handover (CHO); the terminal device starts to perform CHO; and the terminal device evaluates the execution conditions of CHO.

[0296] In some embodiments, when the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation (that is, when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information, or when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information that satisfies the third condition), the method may further include: the terminal device executes CHO based on the fifth indication information; or, the terminal device starts to execute CHO based on the fifth indication information; or, the terminal device evaluates the execution conditions of CHO based on the fifth indication information; or, the terminal device determines / believes that the candidate target cell satisfies the CHO switching conditions; or, when the first CHO event (such as A3 or A4 or A5) is satisfied, the terminal device determines / believes that the candidate target cell meets the CHO switching conditions; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, the terminal device determines / believes that the CHO execution conditions are satisfied; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, the terminal device determines / believes that the CHO event is satisfied; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, the terminal device determines / believes that the candidate target cell is a triggered cell.

[0297] In some embodiments, the method may also include: when the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation, within the first time period, the terminal device performs any of the following operations: the terminal device does not expect to receive new fifth indication information; the terminal device does not expect to receive new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition; when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information, ignores the new fifth indication information; when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, ignores the new fifth indication information.

[0298] The first duration may be, for example, a timer duration.

[0299] In some embodiments, the starting moment of the first duration is the moment when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information; or, the starting moment of the first duration is the moment when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information that satisfies the third condition; or, the starting moment of the first duration is the result of adding the moment when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information to the first offset (that is, the starting moment of the first duration = the moment when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information + the first offset); or, the starting moment of the first duration is the result of adding the moment when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information that satisfies the third condition to the first offset (that is, the starting moment of the first duration = the moment when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information that satisfies the third condition + the first offset).

[0300] The first duration and / or the first offset may be, for example, predefined or preconfigured; or, the first duration and / or the first offset may be configured by a network device; or, the first duration and / or the first offset may be configured by an RRC; or, the first duration and / or the first offset may be included in the fifth indication information. In other words, the first duration is predefined, preconfigured, configured by a network device, configured based on a radio resource control, or included in the fifth indication information; and the first offset is predefined, preconfigured, configured by a network device, configured based on a radio resource control, or included in the fifth indication information.

[0301] In some embodiments, the method may further include: the network device sends new fifth indication information to the terminal device, the new fifth indication information is used to indicate the third operation, or the new fifth indication information is used to indicate the third operation when the third condition is not met.

[0302] In some embodiments, the third operation may, for example, include at least one of the following: the source cell of the terminal device leaves the NES; stops executing CHO; determines / believes that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching conditions; determines / believes that the CHO execution conditions are not met; determines / believes that the CHO event is not met; determines / believes that the CHO execution conditions are not available; determines / believes that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and stops CHO evaluation.

[0303] In some embodiments, when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information, or when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, the second operation may be performed.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second operation may, for example, include at least one of the following: stopping executing CHO; stopping CHO evaluation; deleting CHO configuration; indicating CHO stop to the network device; indicating switching stop to the network device; determining / assuming that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching conditions; determining / assuming that the CHO execution conditions are not met; determining / assuming that the CHO event is not met; determining / assuming that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and determining / assuming that the source cell leaves the NES.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second operation is performed, for example, after the first time period. That is, after the first time period, if the terminal device receives new fifth indication information, or if the terminal device receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, the second operation may be performed.

[0306] In some embodiments, the third condition may include, for example, indicating a specific value (i.e., the first bit in the fifth indication information is set to a specific value). In other words, if the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) indicates a specific value, it indicates that the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) satisfies the third condition; otherwise, it indicates that the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) does not satisfy the third condition.

[0307] As an example, the specific value may be 1. In this case, if the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) indicates 1, it indicates that the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) satisfies the third condition; if the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) indicates a non-specific value (such as 0), it indicates that the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) does not satisfy the third condition.

[0308] As another example, the specific value may be 0. In this case, if the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) indicates 0, it indicates that the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) satisfies the third condition; if the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) indicates a non-specific value (such as 1), it indicates that the fifth indication information (or new fifth indication information) does not satisfy the third condition.

[0309] In some embodiments, if a CHO event related to NES and a CHO event not related to NES are configured at the same time, the terminal device performs CHO if one of the CHO events is met. In some embodiments, the CHO event related to NES and the CHO event not related to NES are associated with the same CondReconfigId. That is, if the CHO event related to NES is met (including receiving the fifth indication information, or receiving the fifth indication information that meets the third condition), the terminal device considers the target candidate cell to be a triggered cell, and / or performs CHO. If the CHO event not related to NES is met, or the CHO event not related to NES is met (regardless of whether the fifth indication information is received, or regardless of whether the fifth indication information that meets the third condition is received), the terminal device considers the target candidate cell to be a triggered cell, and / or performs CHO.

[0310] In one example, if one of the events associated to the measIds within condTriggerConfig for a target candidate cell within the stored condRRCReconfig is not configured with nesEvent and fulfilled, and the other event associated to the measIds within condTriggerConfig for a target candidate cell within the stored condRRCReconfig is configured with nesEvent (for example, the measIDs associated with the nes event may or may not be satisfied), then perform the following 1) or 2):

[0311] 1) consider the target candidate cell within the stored condRRCReconfig, associated to that condReconfigId, as a triggered cell;

[0312] 2) Initiate the conditional reconfiguration execution (initiate the conditional reconfiguration execution, as specified in 5.3.5.13.5).

[0313] As another example, if one of the events associated with the measIds within condTriggerConfig for a target candidate cell within the stored condRRCReconfig is configured with nesEvent and fulfilled, and the other event associated with the measIds within condTriggerConfig for a target candidate cell within the stored condRRCReconfig is not configured with nesEvent, then execute 3) or 4) below:

[0314] 3) consider the target candidate cell within the stored condRRCReconfig, associated to that condReconfigId, as a triggered cell;

[0315] 4) Initiate the conditional reconfiguration execution (initiate the conditional reconfiguration execution, as specified in 5.3.5.13.5).

[0316] According to the method of this embodiment, it is clarified how the terminal device uses the CHO switching command.

[0317] It should be noted that the methods shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented individually, or two or more methods can be implemented in combination, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0318] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present application, the technical solution of the present application can be subjected to a variety of simple modifications, and these simple modifications all fall within the scope of protection of the present application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present application will no longer describe the various possible combinations separately. For another example, the various different embodiments of the present application can also be arbitrarily combined, as long as they do not violate the idea of ​​the present application, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed in the present application. For another example, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments and / or the technical features in each embodiment described in the present application can be arbitrarily combined with the prior art, and the technical solution obtained after the combination should also fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0319] It should also be understood that in the various method embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not imply a precedence in the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "downlink," "uplink," and "sidelink" are used to indicate the transmission direction of signals or data, where "downlink" is used to indicate the first direction of transmission of signals or data from a site to a user equipment in a cell, "uplink" is used to indicate the second direction of transmission of signals or data from a user equipment in a cell to a site, and "sidelink" is used to indicate the third direction of transmission of signals or data from user equipment 1 to user equipment 2. For example, "downlink signal" indicates that the transmission direction of the signal is the first direction. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. Specifically, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0320] Based on the aforementioned embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide corresponding communication devices.

[0321] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG6 , the communication apparatus 600 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 600 ) includes:

[0322] The first acquisition unit 601 is configured to acquire a first timing advance TA between the apparatus 600 and a first cell, where the first TA is used for uplink synchronization between the apparatus 600 and the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first TA is included in first indication information from the network device, the first indication information is a response to first request information, and the first request information is used to request the first TA.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first indication information is any one of the following: a random access response; a timing advance command medium access control unit; and a downlink message carrying the first TA.

[0325] In some embodiments, the first request information is any one of the following: a scheduling request; uplink control information; an uplink media access control control unit; an uplink wireless resource control message; uplink resources of the first cell; and, uplink resources of the second cell, the second cell being a cell used for the device 600 to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first TA is obtained through a random access process; wherein the random access process is performed by the apparatus 600 on the first cell or the second cell; the second cell is a cell used for the apparatus 600 to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell.

[0327] In some embodiments, the first TA is determined based on a second TA between the apparatus 600 and a second cell; the second cell is a cell used for the apparatus 600 to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell.

[0328] In some embodiments, the second TA is included in second indication information from the network device, the second indication information is a response to second request information, and the second request information is used to request the second TA.

[0329] In some embodiments, the second indication information is any one of the following: a random access response; a timing advance command medium access control unit; and a downlink message carrying the second TA.

[0330] In some embodiments, the second request information is any one of the following: a scheduling request; uplink control information; an uplink media access control control unit; an uplink radio resource control message; uplink resources of the first cell; and uplink resources of the second cell.

[0331] In some embodiments, the second TA is obtained through a random access procedure; wherein the random access procedure is performed by the apparatus 600 on the first cell or the second cell.

[0332] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 further includes: a second acquisition unit configured to acquire configuration information of a first reference signal, where the first reference signal is a reference signal of the first cell or a reference signal of the second cell, and the first reference signal is used to perform a random access process.

[0333] In some embodiments, the reference signal type of the first cell is a tracking reference signal or a channel state information reference signal; the reference signal type of the second cell is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

[0334] In some embodiments, the type of the first reference signal is indicated by the network device.

[0335] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the apparatus 600; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or, the second cell is predefined; or, the second cell is determined by the apparatus 600.

[0336] In some embodiments, the second cell is determined by the device 600 based on first information from the network device, and the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the network device; location information of a network device adjacent to the network device; location information of a third cell included in the network device, the third cell being the cell where the device 600 is located; location information of a cell adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; co-site information between each cell; quasi-co-site information between reference signals; quasi-co-site information between channels; and positioning information.

[0337] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information; the third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

[0338] In some embodiments, the third indication information is configured under the first condition.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

[0340] In some embodiments, the timing advance group and / or cell group is determined by the network device based on second information, and the second information includes at least one of the following: measurement results of the reference signal; positioning information; movement trajectory information of the device 600; location information of the network device; location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; location information of a third cell included in the network device, the third cell being the cell where the device 600 is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; and co-site information between each cell.

[0341] In some embodiments, the second cell is activated by the apparatus 600 instructed by the network device; or, the second cell is activated by the apparatus 600 under the second condition.

[0342] In some embodiments, the second condition includes at least one of the following: the deactivation timer of the second cell times out; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; indication information for indicating the second cell is obtained; the reference signal of the second cell is obtained; uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell is performed; the configuration of the first cell is obtained; the first cell is activated; and the first cell needs to be activated.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first TA is determined based on an uplink data signal of the first cell.

[0344] FIG7 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a network device. As shown in FIG7 , the communication apparatus 700 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 700 ) includes:

[0345] The first sending unit 701 is configured to send fourth indication information to the terminal device, where the fourth indication information includes a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and the first cell, and / or a second TA between the terminal device and the second cell, where the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell, and the second TA is used to determine the first TA, and the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; wherein the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0346] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information is a response to the third request information, where the third request information is used to request the first TA and / or the second TA.

[0347] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information is any one of the following: a random access response; a timing advance command media access control unit; and a downlink message carrying the first TA and / or the second TA.

[0348] In some embodiments, the third request information is any one of the following: a scheduling request; uplink control information; an uplink media access control control unit; an uplink radio resource control message; uplink resources of the first cell; and uplink resources of the second cell.

[0349] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information is a random access response sent to the terminal device during a random access procedure, and the random access procedure is performed by the terminal device on the first cell or the second cell.

[0350] In some embodiments, the apparatus 700 further includes: a second sending unit configured to send configuration information of a first reference signal to the terminal device, where the first reference signal is a reference signal of the first cell or a reference signal of the second cell, and the first reference signal is used to perform a random access process.

[0351] In some embodiments, the reference signal type of the first cell is a tracking reference signal or a channel state information reference signal; the reference signal type of the second cell is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

[0352] In some embodiments, the type of the first reference signal is indicated by the apparatus 700 .

[0353] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the apparatus 700; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the apparatus 700; or, the second cell is predefined; or, the second cell is determined by the terminal device.

[0354] In some embodiments, the second cell is determined based on the first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the device 700; location information of the network equipment adjacent to the device 700; location information of the third cell included in the device 700, the third cell is the cell where the terminal equipment is located; location information of the cell adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network equipment; co-site information between each cell; quasi-co-site information between reference signals; quasi-co-site information between channels; and positioning information.

[0355] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the apparatus 700 through third indication information; the third indication information includes: a frequency point and / or a cell identifier of the second cell.

[0356] In some embodiments, the third indication information is configured under the first condition.

[0357] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

[0358] In some embodiments, the timing advance group and / or cell group is determined by the device 700 based on second information, and the second information includes at least one of the following: measurement results of the reference signal; positioning information; movement trajectory information of the terminal device; location information of the device 700; location information of network devices adjacent to the device 700; location information of the third cell included in the device 700, the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of the cell adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; and co-site information between each cell.

[0359] In some embodiments, the second cell is activated by the terminal device as instructed by the apparatus 700; or, the second cell is activated by the terminal device under the second condition.

[0360] In some embodiments, the second condition includes at least one of the following: the deactivation timer of the second cell times out; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; indication information for indicating the second cell is obtained; the reference signal of the second cell is obtained; uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell is performed; the configuration of the first cell is obtained; the first cell is activated; and the first cell needs to be activated.

[0361] FIG8 is a third schematic diagram of the structure of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG8 , the communication apparatus 800 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 800 ) includes:

[0362] The first receiving unit 801 is configured to receive a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of the first cell, where the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the device 800 to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; wherein the second cell is a cell used for the device 800 to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0363] In some embodiments, the type of the reference signal is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

[0364] In some embodiments, at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal is indicated by the network device; and / or, at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal is read by the apparatus 800 from the second cell.

[0365] In some embodiments, when the reference signal is used for the apparatus 800 to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, the type of the reference signal is indicated by the network device.

[0366] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the apparatus 800; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or, the second cell is predefined; or, the second cell is determined by the apparatus 800.

[0367] In some embodiments, the second cell is determined based on the first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the network device; location information of a network device adjacent to the network device; location information of a third cell included in the network device, the third cell being the cell where the device 800 is located; location information of a cell adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; co-site information between each cell; quasi-co-site information between reference signals; quasi-co-site information between channels; and positioning information.

[0368] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information; the third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

[0369] In some embodiments, the third indication information is configured under the first condition.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

[0371] In some embodiments, the timing advance group and / or cell group is determined by the network device based on second information, and the second information includes at least one of the following: measurement results of the reference signal; positioning information; movement trajectory information of the device 800; location information of the network device; location information of adjacent network devices of the network device; location information of a third cell included in the network device, the third cell being the cell where the device 800 is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; and co-site information between each cell.

[0372] In some embodiments, the second cell is activated by the apparatus 800 instructing the network device; or, the second cell is activated by the apparatus 800 under the second condition.

[0373] In some embodiments, the second condition includes at least one of the following: the deactivation timer of the second cell expires; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; indication information for indicating the second cell is obtained; a reference signal of the second cell is obtained; uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell is performed; the configuration of the first cell is obtained; and the first cell is activated or needs to be activated.

[0374] FIG9 is a fourth structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a network device. As shown in FIG9 , the communication apparatus 900 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 900 ) includes:

[0375] The second sending unit 901 is configured to send a reference signal of the second cell or a downlink data signal of the first cell to the terminal device, where the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; wherein the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

[0376] In some embodiments, the type of the reference signal is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

[0377] In some embodiments, at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell is indicated by the device 900; and / or, at least part of the configuration information of the reference signal used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell is read by the terminal device from the second cell.

[0378] In some embodiments, when the reference signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, the type of the reference signal is indicated by the apparatus 900 .

[0379] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the apparatus 900; or, the second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device or the apparatus 900; or, the second cell is predefined; or, the second cell is determined by the terminal device.

[0380] In some embodiments, the second cell is determined based on the first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the device 900; location information of a network device adjacent to the device 900; location information of a third cell included in the device 900, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of a cell adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; co-site information between each cell; quasi-co-site information between reference signals; quasi-co-site information between channels; and positioning information.

[0381] In some embodiments, the second cell is indicated by the apparatus 900 through third indication information; the third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

[0382] In some embodiments, the third indication information is configured under the first condition.

[0383] In some embodiments, the first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

[0384] In some embodiments, the timing advance group and / or cell group is determined by the device 900 based on second information, and the second information includes at least one of the following: measurement results of the reference signal; positioning information; movement trajectory information of the terminal device; location information of the device 900; location information of adjacent network devices of the device 900; location information of the third cell included in the device 900, the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; co-site information between each network device; and co-site information between each cell.

[0385] In some embodiments, the second cell is activated by the terminal device as instructed by the apparatus 900; or, the second cell is activated by the terminal device under the second condition.

[0386] In some embodiments, the second condition includes at least one of the following: the deactivation timer of the second cell times out; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; the deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; indication information for indicating the second cell is obtained; the reference signal of the second cell is obtained; uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell is performed; the configuration of the first cell is obtained; the first cell is activated; and the first cell needs to be activated.

[0387] FIG10 is a fifth structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG10 , the communication apparatus 1000 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 1000 ) includes:

[0388] The second receiving unit 1001 is configured to receive a first media access control element MAC CE from a network device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting mode of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, and when the indications or positions of any of the sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the device 1000 to report the first CSI report.

[0390] In some embodiments, when the first MAC CE indicates that the device 1000 reports the first CSI report, the number of indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations set to be activated among the indications or positions of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report is greater than 1.

[0391] In some embodiments, for each sub-reporting configuration in multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, when the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE is also used to instruct the device 1000 to report the sub-reporting report corresponding to the sub-reporting configuration in the first CSI report.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is further used to indicate a reporting mode of a second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

[0393] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report, and when the indications or positions of any of the sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the device 1000 to report the second CSI report.

[0394] In some embodiments, when the first MAC CE instructs the device 1000 to report the second CSI report, the number of indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations set to be activated is 1 among the indications or positions of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report.

[0395] In some embodiments, the length of the first MAC CE is fixed.

[0396] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is not used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without sub-reporting configuration.

[0397] In some embodiments, the second CSI report is indicated by a second MAC CE.

[0398] In some embodiments, the length of the first MAC CE is fixed or variable.

[0399] FIG11 is a sixth structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a network device. As shown in FIG11 , a communication apparatus 1100 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 1100 ) includes:

[0400] The third sending unit 1101 is configured to send a first media access control control element MAC CE to the terminal device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting mode of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

[0401] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report. When the indications or positions of any one of the sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report.

[0402] In some embodiments, when the first MAC CE indicates that the terminal device reports the first CSI report, the number of indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations set to be activated among the indications or positions of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report is greater than 1.

[0403] In some embodiments, for each sub-reporting configuration of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, when the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE is also used to instruct the terminal device to report the sub-reporting report corresponding to the sub-reporting configuration in the first CSI report.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is further used to indicate a reporting mode of a second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

[0405] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report. When the indications or positions of any one of the sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report.

[0406] In some embodiments, when the first MAC CE indicates that the terminal device reports the second CSI report, the number of indications or positions of the sub-reporting configurations set to be activated among the indications or positions of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report is 1.

[0407] In some embodiments, the length of the first MAC CE is fixed.

[0408] In some embodiments, the first MAC CE is not used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without sub-reporting configuration.

[0409] In some embodiments, the second CSI report is indicated by a second MAC CE.

[0410] In some embodiments, the length of the first MAC CE is fixed or variable.

[0411] FIG12 is a seventh structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG12 , the communication apparatus 1200 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 1200 ) includes:

[0412] The third receiving unit 1201 is configured to receive fifth indication information from the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when the third condition is met; the first operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the device 1200 enters the network energy saving NES; the device 1200 performs conditional handover CHO; the device 1200 starts to execute CHO; and the device 1200 evaluates the execution conditions of CHO.

[0413] In some embodiments, the device 1200 also includes: a first processing unit, configured to, when the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation, execute CHO based on the fifth indication information; start executing CHO based on the fifth indication information; or, evaluate the execution condition of CHO based on the fifth indication information; or, determine that the candidate target cell satisfies the CHO switching condition; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, determine that the candidate target cell satisfies the CHO switching condition; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, determine that the CHO execution condition is satisfied; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, determine that the CHO event is satisfied; or, when the first CHO event is satisfied, determine that the candidate target cell is a triggered cell.

[0414] In some embodiments, the device 1200 also includes: a second processing unit, configured to, when the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation, within a first time period, the device 1200 does not expect to receive new fifth indication information; or, within the first time period, the device 1200 does not expect to receive new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition; or, within the first time period, when the device 1200 receives new fifth indication information, ignore the new fifth indication information; or, within the first time period, when the device 1200 receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, ignore the new fifth indication information.

[0415] In some embodiments, the starting moment of the first duration is the moment when the device 1200 receives the fifth indication information; or, the starting moment of the first duration is the moment when the device 1200 receives the fifth indication information that satisfies the third condition; or, the starting moment of the first duration is the result of adding the moment when the device 1200 receives the fifth indication information to the first offset; or, the starting moment of the first duration is the result of adding the moment when the device 1200 receives the fifth indication information that satisfies the third condition to the first offset.

[0416] In some embodiments, the first duration is predefined, preconfigured, configured by the network device, based on the wireless resource control configuration, or included in the fifth indication information; the first offset is predefined, preconfigured, configured by the network device, based on the wireless resource control configuration, or included in the fifth indication information.

[0417] In some embodiments, the device 1200 also includes: a third processing unit, configured to perform a second operation when the device 1200 receives new fifth indication information, or when the device 1200 receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, the second operation includes at least one of the following: stopping executing CHO; stopping CHO evaluation; deleting CHO configuration; indicating CHO stop to the network device; indicating switching stop to the network device; determining that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; determining that the CHO execution condition is not met; determining that the CHO event is not met; determining that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and determining that the source cell leaves the NES.

[0418] In some embodiments, the device 1200 also includes: a fourth processing unit, configured to perform a second operation after the first time period, when the device 1200 receives new fifth indication information, or when the device 1200 receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, the second operation includes at least one of the following: stop executing CHO; stop CHO evaluation; delete CHO configuration; indicate CHO stop to the network device; indicate switching stop to the network device; determine that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; determine that the CHO execution condition is not met; determine that the CHO event is not met; determine that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and determine that the source cell leaves the NES.

[0419] In some embodiments, the new fifth indication signal is used to indicate a third operation, or the new fifth indication signal is used to indicate a third operation when the third condition is not met; the third operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the device 1200 leaves the NES; stops executing CHO; determines that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; determines that the CHO execution condition is not met; determines that the CHO event is not met; determines that the CHO execution condition is not available; determines that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and stops CHO evaluation.

[0420] In some embodiments, the third condition includes: the first bit in the fifth indication information is set to a specific value.

[0421] FIG13 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus is applied to a network device. As shown in FIG13 , the communication apparatus 1300 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 1300 ) includes:

[0422] The fourth sending unit 1301 is configured to send fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when the third condition is met; the first operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; the terminal device executes the conditional handover CHO; the terminal device starts to execute the conditional handover CHO; and the terminal device evaluates the execution conditions of the CHO.

[0423] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1200 further includes: a fifth sending unit, configured to send new fifth indication information to the terminal device, the new fifth indication information being used to indicate the third operation, or the new fifth indication information being used to indicate the third operation when the third condition is not met; the third operation includes at least one of the following: the source cell of the terminal device leaves the NES; stopping executing CHO; determining that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; determining that the CHO execution condition is not met; determining that the CHO event is not met; determining that the CHO execution condition is unavailable; determining that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and stopping CHO evaluation.

[0424] In some embodiments, the third condition includes: the first bit in the fifth indication information is set to a specific value.

[0425] Those skilled in the art should understand that the relevant description of the above-mentioned communication device in the embodiment of the present application can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the communication method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0426] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a terminal device or a network device. The communication device 1400 shown in Figure 14 includes a processor 1410, which can call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0427] Optionally, as shown in FIG14 , the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1420. The processor 1410 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1420 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0428] The memory 1420 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1410 , or may be integrated into the processor 1410 .

[0429] Optionally, as shown in FIG14 , the communication device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1430 , and the processor 1410 may control the transceiver 1430 to communicate with other devices, specifically, to send information or data to other devices, or to receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0430] The transceiver 1430 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1430 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0431] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may specifically be a network device in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1400 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in each method in the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0432] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may specifically be a terminal device of an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1400 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0433] Optionally, the transceiver 1430 can be the first acquisition unit 601 in the device 600, the first sending unit 701 in the device 700, the first receiving unit 801 in the device 800, the second sending unit 901 in the device 900, the second receiving unit 1001 in the device 1000, the third sending unit 1101 in the device 1100, the third receiving unit 1201 in the device 1200, or the fourth sending unit 1301 in the device 1300.

[0434] Optionally, the processor 1410 may be, for example, the first acquiring unit 601 in the device 600 .

[0435] Figure 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 1500 shown in Figure 15 includes a processor 1510, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0436] Optionally, as shown in FIG15 , the chip 1500 may further include a memory 1520. The processor 1510 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1520 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0437] The memory 1520 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1510 , or may be integrated into the processor 1510 .

[0438] Optionally, the chip 1500 may further include an input interface 1530. The processor 1510 may control the input interface 1530 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0439] Optionally, the chip 1500 may further include an output interface 1540. The processor 1510 may control the output interface 1540 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0440] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in each method of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0441] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0442] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0443] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium, which stores one or more programs. The one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0444] FIG16 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 1600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG16 , the communication system 1600 includes a terminal device 1610 and a network device 1620 .

[0445] Among them, the terminal device 1610 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the terminal device in the above method, and the network device 1620 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the network device in the above method. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0446] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or software instructions. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0447] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0448] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memories in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memories in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0449] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program.

[0450] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0451] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0452] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions.

[0453] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0454] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program instructions enable the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0455] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program.

[0456] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they are not described here.

[0457] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application. When the computer program runs on the computer, the computer executes the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0458] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel 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.

[0459] 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 units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0460] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0461] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0462] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0463] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0464] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to a terminal device, comprising: Acquire a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and the first cell, where the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; The first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first TA is included in first indication information from a network device, the first indication information is a response to first request information, and the first request information is used to request the first TA.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The first indication information is any one of the following: Random access response; a timing advance command media access control control unit; and, A downlink message carrying the first TA.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The first request information is any one of the following: Scheduling requests; Uplink control information; Uplink media access control control unit; Uplink radio resource control message; uplink resources of the first cell; and The uplink resources of the second cell, where the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first TA is obtained through a random access process; The random access process is performed by the terminal device on the first cell or the second cell; the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first TA is determined based on a second TA between the terminal device and a second cell; the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The second TA is included in second indication information from the network device, the second indication information is a response to second request information, and the second request information is used to request the second TA.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The second indication information is any one of the following: Random access response; a timing advance command media access control control unit; and, A downlink message carrying the second TA.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The second request information is any one of the following: Scheduling requests; Uplink control information; Uplink media access control control unit; Uplink radio resource control message; uplink resources of the first cell; and The uplink resources of the second cell.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The second TA is obtained through a random access process; The random access process is performed by the terminal device on the first cell or the second cell.

11. The method according to claim 5 or 10, wherein: The method further comprises: Configuration information of a first reference signal is acquired, where the first reference signal is a reference signal of the first cell or a reference signal of the second cell, and the first reference signal is used to perform the random access process.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: A type of the reference signal of the first cell is a tracking reference signal or a channel state information reference signal; The type of the reference signal of the second cell is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The type of the first reference signal is indicated by a network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or, The second cell is predefined; or, The second cell is determined by the terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein: The second cell is determined based on first information, where the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-site information between various network devices; Co-site information between various cells; Quasi-co-location information between reference signals; Quasi-co-location information between channels; and, Positioning information.

16. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information; The third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The third indication information is configured under the first condition.

18. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 17, wherein: The first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The timing advance group and / or the cell group is determined by the network device based on second information, where the second information includes at least one of the following: Measurement results of reference signals; Location information; Movement trajectory information of the terminal device; location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-location information between various network devices; and, Co-site information between cells.

20. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 19, wherein: The second cell is activated by the terminal device instructed by the network device; or, The second cell is activated by the terminal device under a second condition.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The second condition includes at least one of the following: A deactivation timer of the second cell times out; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; Acquire indication information used to indicate the second cell; acquiring a reference signal of the second cell; performing uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell; Acquire the configuration of the first cell; The first cell is activated; as well as, The first cell needs to be activated.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first TA is determined based on an uplink data signal of the first cell.

23. A communication method, applied to a network device, the method comprising: Sending fourth indication information to the terminal device, the fourth indication information including a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and the first cell, and / or a second TA between the terminal device and the second cell, the second cell being a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell, the second TA being used to determine the first TA, and the first TA being used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; The first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The fourth indication information is a response to third request information, where the third request information is used to request the first TA and / or the second TA.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The fourth indication information is any one of the following: Random access response; a timing advance command media access control control unit; and, A downlink message carrying the first TA and / or the second TA.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein: The third request information is any one of the following: Scheduling requests; Uplink control information; Uplink media access control control unit; Uplink radio resource control message; uplink resources of the first cell; and The uplink resources of the second cell.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The fourth indication information is a random access response sent to the terminal device during a random access procedure, and the random access procedure is performed by the terminal device on the first cell or the second cell.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The method further comprises: Configuration information of a first reference signal is sent to the terminal device, where the first reference signal is a reference signal of the first cell or a reference signal of the second cell, and the first reference signal is used to perform the random access process.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: A type of the reference signal of the first cell is a tracking reference signal or a channel state information reference signal; The type of the reference signal of the second cell is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein: The type of the first reference signal is indicated by the network device.

31. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or, The second cell is predefined; or, The second cell is determined by the terminal device.

32. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein: The second cell is determined based on first information, where the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-site information between various network devices; Co-site information between various cells; Quasi-co-location information between reference signals; Quasi-co-location information between channels; and, Positioning information.

33. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information; The third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein: The third indication information is configured under the first condition.

35. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 34, wherein: The first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein: The timing advance group and / or the cell group is determined by the network device based on second information, where the second information includes at least one of the following: Measurement results of reference signals; Location information; Movement trajectory information of the terminal device; location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-location information between various network devices; and, Co-site information between cells.

37. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 36, wherein: The second cell is activated by the terminal device instructed by the network device; or, The second cell is activated by the terminal device under a second condition.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein: The second condition includes at least one of the following: A deactivation timer of the second cell times out; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; Acquire indication information used to indicate the second cell; acquiring a reference signal of the second cell; performing uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell; Acquire the configuration of the first cell; The first cell is activated; as well as, The first cell needs to be activated.

39. A communication method, applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell, wherein the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; The second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein: The type of the reference signal is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

41. The method according to claim 39 or 40, wherein: At least part of the configuration information of the reference signal is indicated by the network device; and / or, At least part of the configuration information of the reference signal is read by the terminal device from the second cell.

42. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein: In the case where the reference signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, the type of the reference signal is indicated by a network device.

43. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or, The second cell is predefined; or, The second cell is determined by the terminal device.

44. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein: The second cell is determined based on first information, where the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-site information between various network devices; Co-site information between various cells; Quasi-co-location information between reference signals; Quasi-co-location information between channels; and, Positioning information.

45. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information; The third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

46. ​​The method of claim 45, wherein: The third indication information is configured under the first condition.

47. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 46, wherein: The first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein: The timing advance group and / or the cell group is determined by the network device based on second information, where the second information includes at least one of the following: Measurement results of reference signals; Location information; Movement trajectory information of the terminal device; location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-location information between various network devices; and, Co-site information between cells.

49. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 48, wherein: The second cell is activated by the terminal device instructed by the network device; or, The second cell is activated by the terminal device under a second condition.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein: The second condition includes at least one of the following: A deactivation timer of the second cell times out; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; Acquire indication information used to indicate the second cell; acquiring a reference signal of the second cell; performing uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell; acquiring the configuration of the first cell; and, The first cell is activated or needs to be activated.

51. A communication method, applied to a network device, the method comprising: Sending a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; The second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein: The type of the reference signal is any one of a synchronization signal block, a tracking reference signal, and a channel state information reference signal.

53. The method according to claim 51 or 52, wherein: At least part of the configuration information of the reference signal used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell is indicated by the network device; and / or, At least part of the configuration information of the reference signal used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell is read by the terminal device from the second cell.

54. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 53, wherein: In the case where the reference signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, the type of the reference signal is indicated by the network device.

55. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 54, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the terminal device; or, The second cell is preconfigured by the network device; or, The second cell is predefined; or, The second cell is determined by the terminal device.

56. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 54, wherein: The second cell is determined based on first information, where the first information includes at least one of the following: location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-site information between various network devices; Co-site information between various cells; Quasi-co-location information between reference signals; Quasi-co-location information between channels; and, Positioning information.

57. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 54, wherein: The second cell is indicated by the network device through third indication information; The third indication information includes: the frequency point and / or cell identifier of the second cell.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein: The third indication information is configured under the first condition.

59. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 58, wherein: The first cell and the second cell belong to the same timing advance group and / or cell group.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein: The timing advance group and / or the cell group is determined by the network device based on second information, where the second information includes at least one of the following: Measurement results of reference signals; Location information; Movement trajectory information of the terminal device; location information of the network device; Location information of network devices adjacent to the network device; The location information of a third cell included in the network device, where the third cell is the cell where the terminal device is located; location information of cells adjacent to the third cell; Co-location information between various network devices; and, Co-site information between cells.

61. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 60, wherein: The second cell is activated by the terminal device instructed by the network device; or, The second cell is activated by the terminal device under a second condition.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein: The second condition includes at least one of the following: A deactivation timer of the second cell times out; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be started; The deactivation timer of the second cell needs to be restarted; Acquire indication information used to indicate the second cell; acquiring a reference signal of the second cell; performing uplink synchronization or downlink synchronization with the first cell; Acquire the configuration of the first cell; The first cell is activated; as well as, The first cell needs to be activated.

63. A communication method, applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: A first media access control control element MAC CE is received from a network device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting mode of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein: The first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report. When the indications or positions of any one of the sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein: In a case where the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report, among the indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, the number of indications or positions of sub-reporting configurations set to be activated is greater than 1.

66. The method of claim 64 or 65, wherein: For each sub-reporting configuration of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, when the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE is also used to instruct the terminal device to report a sub-report report corresponding to the sub-reporting configuration in the first CSI report.

67. The method according to any one of claims 63 to 66, wherein: The first MAC CE is also used to indicate a reporting method for a second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein: The first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report. When the indications or positions of any sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein: In the case where the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report, among the indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report, the number of indications or positions of sub-reporting configurations set to be activated is 1.

70. The method according to any one of claims 67 to 69, wherein: The length of the first MAC CE is fixed.

71. The method of any one of claims 63 to 66, wherein: The first MAC CE is not used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without sub-reporting configuration.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein: The second CSI report is indicated by a second MAC CE.

73. The method of claim 71 or 72, wherein: The length of the first MAC CE is fixed or variable.

74. A communication method, applied to a network device, the method comprising: A first media access control control unit MAC CE is sent to the terminal device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting method of a first CSI report with a sub-reporting configuration.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein: The first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report. When the indications or positions of any one of the sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein: In a case where the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the first CSI report, among the indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, the number of indications or positions of sub-reporting configurations set to be activated is greater than 1.

77. The method of claim 74 or 75, wherein: For each sub-reporting configuration of the multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the first CSI report, when the indication or position of the sub-reporting configuration is set to activated, the first MAC CE is also used to instruct the terminal device to report a sub-report report corresponding to the sub-reporting configuration in the first CSI report.

78. The method of any one of claims 74 to 77, wherein: The first MAC CE is also used to indicate a reporting method for a second CSI report without a sub-reporting configuration.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein: The first MAC CE includes indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report. When the indications or positions of any sub-reporting configurations are set to activated, the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein: In the case where the first MAC CE instructs the terminal device to report the second CSI report, among the indications or positions of multiple sub-reporting configurations corresponding to the second CSI report, the number of indications or positions of sub-reporting configurations set to be activated is 1.

81. The method of any one of claims 78 to 80, wherein: The length of the first MAC CE is fixed.

82. The method of any one of claims 74 to 77, wherein: The first MAC CE is not used to indicate the reporting mode of the second CSI report without sub-reporting configuration.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein: The second CSI report is indicated by a second MAC CE.

84. The method of claim 82 or 83, wherein: The length of the first MAC CE is fixed or variable.

85. A communication method, applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: Receiving fifth indication information from the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when the third condition is met; The first operation includes at least one of the following: The source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; The terminal device performs conditional handover CHO; The terminal device starts to execute CHO; and The terminal device evaluates the execution condition of CHO.

86. [Corrected 16.11.2023 according to Rule 91] A method according to claim 85, characterized in that In a case where the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation, the method further includes: Based on the fifth indication information, executing CHO; or, Based on the fifth indication information, start executing CHO; or, Based on the fifth indication information, evaluating the execution condition of CHO; or, Determine that the candidate target cell meets the CHO switching condition; or, When the first CHO event is satisfied, determining that the candidate target cell satisfies the CHO switching condition; or, In the case where the first CHO event is satisfied, determining that the CHO execution condition is satisfied; or, In the case where the first CHO event is satisfied, determining that the CHO event is satisfied; or, When the first CHO event is satisfied, it is determined that the candidate target cell is a triggered cell.

87. The method according to claim 85 or 86, characterized in that In a case where the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation, the method further includes: During the first time period, the terminal device does not expect to receive new fifth indication information; or, Within the first time period, the terminal device does not expect to receive new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition; or, Within the first time period, when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information, ignore the new fifth indication information; or, Within the first time period, when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, it ignores the new fifth indication information.

88. The method according to claim 87, characterized in that The starting time of the first duration is the time when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information; or, The starting time of the first duration is the time when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information that meets the third condition; or, The starting time of the first duration is the result of adding the time when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information to the first offset; or, The starting time of the first duration is the result of adding the time when the terminal device receives the fifth indication information that meets the third condition to the first offset.

89. The method according to claim 87 or 88, characterized in that The first duration is predefined, preconfigured, configured by the network device, configured based on radio resource control, or included in the fifth indication information; The first offset is predefined, preconfigured, configured by the network device, configured based on radio resource control, or included in the fifth indication information.

90. The method according to any one of claims 85 to 89, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the terminal device receives new fifth indication information, or when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, a second operation is performed, where the second operation includes at least one of the following: Stop executing CHO; Stop CHO assessment; Delete CHO configuration; Instructing the network device to stop CHO; Instructing the network device to stop switching; Determining that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; Determining that the CHO execution conditions are not met; Determine that the CHO event is not satisfied; determining that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and, It is determined that the source cell leaves the NES.

91. The method according to any one of claims 85 to 89, characterized in that After the first duration, the method further includes: When the terminal device receives new fifth indication information, or when the terminal device receives new fifth indication information that does not meet the third condition, a second operation is performed, where the second operation includes at least one of the following: Stop executing CHO; Stop CHO assessment; Delete CHO configuration; Instructing the network device to stop CHO; Instructing the network device to stop switching; Determining that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; Determining that the CHO execution conditions are not met; Determine that the CHO event is not satisfied; determining that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and, It is determined that the source cell leaves the NES.

92. The method according to any one of claims 87 to 91, characterized in that The new fifth indication information is used to indicate the third operation, or the new fifth indication information is used to indicate the third operation when the third condition is not met; The third operation includes at least one of the following: The source cell of the terminal device leaves the NES; Stop executing CHO; Determining that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; Determining that the CHO execution conditions are not met; Determine that the CHO event is not satisfied; Determine that the CHO execution condition is not available; determining that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and, CHO evaluation was stopped.

93. The method according to any one of claims 85 to 92, characterized in that The third condition includes: the first bit in the fifth indication information is set to a specific value.

94. A communication method, applied to a network device, the method comprising: Sending fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when the third condition is met; The first operation includes at least one of the following: The source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; The terminal device performs conditional handover CHO; The terminal device starts to execute CHO; and The terminal device evaluates the execution condition of CHO.

95. The method according to claim 94, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending new fifth indication information to the terminal device, where the new fifth indication information is used to indicate a third operation, or, when the third condition is not met, the new fifth indication information is used to indicate the third operation; The third operation includes at least one of the following: The source cell of the terminal device leaves the NES; Stop executing CHO; Determining that the candidate target cell does not meet the CHO switching condition; Determining that the CHO execution conditions are not met; Determine that the CHO event is not satisfied; Determine that the CHO execution condition is not available; determining that the candidate target cell is not a triggered cell; and, CHO evaluation was stopped.

96. The method according to claim 94 or 95, characterized in that The third condition includes: the first bit in the fifth indication information is set to a specific value.

97. A communication device, the device comprising: A first acquisition unit is configured to acquire a first timing advance TA between the device and a first cell, where the first TA is used for the device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; The first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

98. A communication device, the device comprising: A first sending unit is configured to send fourth indication information to a terminal device, where the fourth indication information includes a first timing advance TA between the terminal device and a first cell, and / or a second TA between the terminal device and a second cell, where the second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; the second TA is used to determine the first TA, and the first TA is used for the terminal device to perform uplink synchronization with the first cell; The first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

99. A communication device, the device comprising: A first receiving unit is configured to receive a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell, wherein the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the apparatus to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; The second cell is a cell used for the device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

100. A communication device, the device comprising: A second sending unit is configured to send a reference signal of a second cell or a downlink data signal of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the reference signal or the downlink data signal is used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell; The second cell is a cell used for the terminal device to perform downlink synchronization or downlink timing with the first cell, and the first cell is a secondary cell without synchronization signal block transmission.

101. A communication device, the device comprising: The second receiving unit is configured to receive a first media access control control element MAC CE from a network device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting method of a first SCI report with a sub-configuration.

102. A communication device, the device comprising: The third sending unit is configured to send a first media access control control unit MAC CE to the terminal device, where the first MAC CE is used to indicate a reporting method of a first SCI report with a sub-configuration.

103. A communication device, the device comprising: a third receiving unit, configured to receive fifth indication information from the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when the first condition is met; The first operation includes at least one of the following: The source cell of the device enters the network energy saving NES; The device performs conditional switching CHO; The device begins to perform CHO; and, The device evaluates the execution condition of CHO.

104. A communication device, the device comprising: a fourth sending unit, configured to send fifth indication information to the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation; or, the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first operation when the first condition is met; The first operation includes at least one of the following: The source cell of the terminal device enters the network energy saving NES; The terminal device executes or starts to execute conditional handover CHO; and The terminal device evaluates the execution condition of CHO.

105. A communication device, the communication device comprising: A memory for storing computer executable instructions; A processor, connected to the memory, for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 22, or the method of any one of claims 23 to 38, or the method of any one of claims 39 to 50, or the method of any one of claims 51 to 62, or the method of any one of claims 63 to 73, or the method of any one of claims 74 to 84, or the method of any one of claims 85 to 93, or the method of any one of claims 94 to 96 by executing the computer-executable instructions.

106. A chip, comprising: A processor, used to call and run a computer program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes a method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 23 to 38, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 39 to 50, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 51 to 62, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 63 to 73, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 74 to 84, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 85 to 93, or executes a method as described in any one of claims 94 to 96.

107. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by at least one processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 22, or implements the method of any one of claims 23 to 38, or implements the method of any one of claims 39 to 50, or implements the method of any one of claims 51 to 62, or implements the method of any one of claims 63 to 73, or implements the method of any one of claims 74 to 84, or implements the method of any one of claims 85 to 93, or implements the method of any one of claims 94 to 96.

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