Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus, relating to the field of communication technology. For scenarios where cells under different network devices have the same PCI, neighboring network devices can distinguish the measurement results of cells under different network devices based on measurement results reported by the terminal device. The method includes: receiving a measurement report from the terminal device; the measurement report includes measurement results of a first SSB and a second SSB; determining, based on the measurement results of the first SSB, that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is a first network device; and determining, based on the measurement results of the second SSB, that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is a second network device. Wherein, the first network device and the second network device are different network devices, the measurement results of the first SSB may include indication information used to measure the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second SSB may include indication information used to measure the second SSB.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, terminal devices can measure the signal quality of reference signals from neighboring cells and report the measurement results to network devices. The network devices can then select cells with better signal quality based on these results. When reporting measurement results, the terminal devices use the physical cell identifier (PCI) to distinguish between different neighboring cells. In some scenarios of non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems, cells under different satellite base stations may have the same PCI. In these scenarios, the terminal devices may treat cells with the same PCI from different satellite base stations as the same cell for measurement. After receiving the measurement results reported by the terminal devices, the network devices, based on the PCI, cannot distinguish which satellite base station the measurement results belong to, leading to the network devices being unable to complete cell handover or sending cell handover requests to the wrong target network device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus. In the scenario where cells under different satellite base stations have the same PCI in an NTN communication system, the network equipment in the neighboring cell can distinguish the measurement results of cells under different satellite base stations based on the measurement results reported by the terminal device, thereby helping the network equipment to accurately select the cell for the terminal device.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a third network device, or by a component of the third network device, such as the processor, chip, or chip system of the third network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the third network device. The method includes: receiving a measurement report from a terminal device; the measurement report includes measurement results of a first physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) and a second SSB, wherein the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB; based on the measurement results of the first SSB, determining that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is a first network device; and based on the measurement results of the second SSB, determining that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is a second network device, wherein the first network device and the second network device are different network devices; wherein the measurement results of the first SSB include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB; the measurement results of the second SSB include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

[0005] Based on this communication method, the third network device can obtain the indication information used by the SSB (Segment Subsystem for Measurement) from the measurement results reported by the terminal device. This information includes the measurement time window corresponding to the SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the SSB, and the index of the SSB. This allows the third network device to distinguish between measurement results belonging to the first network device and measurement results belonging to the second network device. This helps the third network device accurately select the cell for the terminal device.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first measurement time window from a first network device; receiving a second measurement time window from a second network device; sending a first configuration message to a terminal device; the first configuration message indicating the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window.

[0007] In this technical solution, the third network device can configure the terminal device with the measurement time window corresponding to the first network device and the measurement time window corresponding to the second network device, so that the terminal device can distinguish the cells under different network devices based on the measurement time window.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message also indicates the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window.

[0009] In this technical solution, the third network device configures the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can carry the index of the measurement time window used to obtain the SSB in the measurement results reported to the third network device, thereby improving the efficiency of the terminal device in reporting measurement results.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message further indicates a first activation time and / or a second activation time; the first activation time is the activation time of the first measurement time window, and the second activation time is the activation time of the second measurement time window.

[0011] In this technical solution, the third network device indicates the activation time of the measurement time window to the terminal device, so as to inform the terminal device when it can start using the measurement time window for SSB measurement.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement result of the first SSB includes the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB and the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB and the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0013] In this technical solution, the third network device can accurately distinguish between measurement results belonging to the first network device and measurement results belonging to the second network device based on the first measurement time window received from the first network device, the second measurement time window received from the second network device, and the measurement time window carried in the measurement results of the SSB.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first measurement time window from a first network device; receiving a second measurement time window from a second network device; determining a third measurement time window based on the first and second measurement time windows; sending a second configuration message to a terminal device; and the second configuration message indicating the third measurement time window.

[0015] In this technical solution, the third network device configures a third measurement time window for the terminal device, enabling the terminal device to measure the SSB from different network devices within the third measurement time window.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement result of the first SSB includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB; the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB and the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB are time offsets within a third measurement time window; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB corresponding to the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB corresponding to the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0017] In this technical solution, the third network device can accurately distinguish between measurement results belonging to the first network device and measurement results belonging to the second network device based on the measurement time offset received from the first network device in the first measurement time window, the measurement time offset received from the second network device in the second measurement time window, and the measurement time offset carried in the SSB measurement results.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first index from a first network device; and receiving a second index from a second network device.

[0019] Here, the first index can be understood as the range of SSB indexes used by the first network device, and the second index can be understood as the range of SSB indexes used by the second network device. The first index and the second index may be different.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: sending a third configuration message to the terminal device, the third configuration message indicating that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices.

[0021] In this technical solution, the third network device indicates to the terminal device the range of SSB indexes used by different network devices, so that the terminal device can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the SSB indexes.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement result of the first SSB includes the index of the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the index of the second SSB; in response to the first index including the index of the first SSB, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; in response to the second index including the index of the second SSB, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0023] In this technical solution, the third network device can accurately distinguish between measurement results belonging to the first network device and measurement results belonging to the second network device based on the first index received from the first network device, the second index received from the second network device, and the SSB index carried in the SSB measurement results.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned measurement report also includes measurement results of the first cell and measurement results of the second cell.

[0025] The measurement results of the first cell can be understood as the cell measurement results corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second cell can be understood as the cell measurement results corresponding to the second SSB.

[0026] In this technical solution, the terminal device can distinguish cells under different network devices and calculate the measurement results of different cells, so that the third network device can accurately select a cell for the terminal device based on the cell measurement results.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report further includes a measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and a measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell and the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0028] In this technical solution, the third network device can determine which network device the cell measurement result belongs to based on the measurement time window corresponding to the cell measurement result reported by the terminal device, so as to correctly select the cell for the terminal device.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the second cell; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the first cell corresponding to a first measurement time window, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the second cell corresponding to a second measurement time window, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0030] In this technical solution, the third network device can determine which network device the cell measurement result belongs to based on the measurement time offset corresponding to the cell measurement result reported by the terminal device, so as to accurately select the cell for the terminal device.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report further includes an SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell or the measurement results of the first cell associated with a first index, and an SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell or the measurement results of the second cell associated with a second index; in response to the first index including an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, or in response to the measurement results of the first cell being associated with a first index, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the second index including an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell, or in response to the measurement results of the second cell being associated with a second index, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0032] In this technical solution, the cell measurement results reported by the terminal device can be identified by the SSB index corresponding to the cell measurement results, or by the range of the SSB index corresponding to the cell measurement results, or by the index of the range of the SSB index corresponding to the cell measurement results, so that the third network device can distinguish which network device the cell measurement results belong to, thereby accurately selecting a cell for the terminal device.

[0033] Secondly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device. The method includes: sending a measurement report to a third network device; the measurement report includes measurement results of a first SSB and a second SSB; the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB; wherein the measurement result of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB; the measurement result of the second SSB includes one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

[0034] Based on this communication method, the terminal device can carry indication information used to measure the SSB in the measurement results reported to the third network device, such as the measurement time window corresponding to the SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the SSB, and the index of the SSB, so that the third network device can distinguish which network device the measurement result belongs to, thereby helping the third network device to accurately select the cell for the terminal device.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first configuration message from a third network device; the first configuration message indicating a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window; the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window being used to measure SSBs from different network devices. Thus, the terminal device can distinguish cells from different network devices based on the measurement time windows.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message also indicates the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window.

[0037] In this technical solution, after the terminal device learns the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window, it can carry the index of the measurement time window used to obtain the SSB in the measurement results reported to the third network device, thereby improving the efficiency of the terminal device in reporting measurement results.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message also indicates a first activation time and / or a second activation time; the first activation time is the activation time of a first measurement time window, and the second activation time is the activation time of a second measurement time window. Thus, the terminal device can determine, based on the activation time of the measurement time window, when it can begin using that measurement time window for SSB measurement.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a second configuration message from a third network device; the second configuration message indicating a third measurement time window; the third measurement time window being determined based on a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window; the first and second measurement time windows being used to measure the SSBs from different network devices. Thus, the terminal device can measure the SSBs from different network devices based on a single measurement time window.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a third configuration message from a third network device; the third configuration message indicates that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices. Thus, the terminal device can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the SSB index.

[0041] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell; the measurement results of the first cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the second SSB.

[0042] In this technical solution, the terminal device can distinguish cells under different network devices and calculate the measurement results of different cells, so that the third network device can accurately select a cell for the terminal device based on the cell measurement results.

[0043] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell are time offsets within the third measurement time window.

[0044] In this technical solution, the terminal device reports the measurement time offset corresponding to the cell measurement result, so that the third network device can determine which network device the cell measurement result belongs to based on the measurement time offset, thereby accurately selecting a cell for the terminal device.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell or an association of the measurement results of the first cell with a first index, and an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell or an association of the measurement results of the second cell with a second index.

[0046] In this technical solution, the cell measurement results reported by the terminal device can be identified by the SSB index corresponding to the cell measurement results, or by the range of the SSB index corresponding to the cell measurement results, or by the index of the range of the SSB index corresponding to the cell measurement results, so that the third network device can distinguish which network device the cell measurement results belong to, thereby accurately selecting a cell for the terminal device.

[0047] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, in response to the first index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the second index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0048] In this technical solution, the terminal device can distinguish the cell measurement results of different network devices based on the index of the SSB corresponding to the cell measurement results.

[0049] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first network device, or by a component of the first network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first network device. The method includes: sending a first interactive message to a third network device; the first interactive message indicating a first measurement time window and / or a first index.

[0050] Based on this communication method, after the third network device learns the first measurement time window and / or the first index of the first network device, it can accurately determine the measurement result belonging to the first network device based on the first measurement time window and / or the first index.

[0051] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: sending a first interface message to the second network device; the first interface message indicating a first index; receiving a second interface message from the second network device; the second interface message indicating agreement for the first network device to use the first index. Thus, the first network device and the second network device can negotiate their respective SSB indexes.

[0052] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the second interface message also indicates a second index. Thus, the second network device can use a second index different from the first index and inform the first network device of the second index it is using.

[0053] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first index from a network management center. Thus, the network management center can be responsible for allocating the first index that the first network device is allowed to use.

[0054] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first index from the access network intelligent controller. Thus, the access network intelligent controller can be responsible for allocating the first index that the first network device is permitted to use.

[0055] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second network device, or by a component of the second network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the second network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first network device. The method includes: sending a second interactive message to a third network device; the second interactive message indicating a second measurement time window and / or a second index.

[0056] Based on this communication method, after the third network device learns the second measurement time window and / or the second index of the second network device, it can accurately determine the measurement result belonging to the second network device based on the second measurement time window and / or the second index.

[0057] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes: receiving a first interface message from a first network device; the first interface message indicating a first index; sending a second interface message to the first network device; the second interface message indicating agreement for the first network device to use the first index. Thus, the first network device and the second network device can negotiate their respective SSB indexes.

[0058] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second interface message also indicates a second index. Thus, the second network device can use a second index different from the first index and inform the first network device of the second index it is using.

[0059] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the above method further includes receiving a second index from a network management center. Thus, the network management center can be responsible for allocating the second index that the second network device is permitted to use.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving a second index from the access network intelligent controller. Thus, the access network intelligent controller can be responsible for allocating the second index that the second network device is permitted to use.

[0061] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device. This communication device can be the third network device described in the first aspect above, or a device containing the third network device, or a device included in the third network device, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the method described in the first aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0062] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module and a communication module. The communication module is configured to receive a measurement report from a terminal device; the measurement report includes measurement results of a first SSB and a second SSB, wherein the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB; the processing module is configured to, based on the measurement results of the first SSB, determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is a first network device; and based on the measurement results of the second SSB, determine that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is a second network device, wherein the first network device and the second network device are different network devices; wherein the measurement results of the first SSB include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB; the measurement results of the second SSB include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

[0063] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a first measurement time window from a first network device; receive a second measurement time window from a second network device; send a first configuration message to a terminal device; the first configuration message indicates the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window.

[0064] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message also indicates the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window.

[0065] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message further indicates a first activation time and / or a second activation time; the first activation time is the activation time of the first measurement time window, and the second activation time is the activation time of the second measurement time window.

[0066] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement result of the first SSB includes the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB and the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB and the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0067] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a first measurement time window from the first network device; receive a second measurement time window from the second network device; the processing module is further configured to determine a third measurement time window based on the first and second measurement time windows; the communication module is further configured to send a second configuration message to the terminal device; the second configuration message indicates the third measurement time window.

[0068] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement result of the first SSB includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB; the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB and the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB are time offsets within a third measurement time window; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB corresponding to the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB corresponding to the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0069] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a first index from a first network device and a second index from a second network device.

[0070] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is also used to send a third configuration message to the terminal device, the third configuration message indicating that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices.

[0071] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement result of the first SSB includes the index of the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the index of the second SSB; in response to the first index including the index of the first SSB, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; in response to the second index including the index of the second SSB, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0072] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell.

[0073] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report further includes a measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and a measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell and the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0074] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell corresponding to the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell corresponding to the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0075] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report further includes an SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell or the measurement results of the first cell being associated with a first index, and an SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell or the measurement results of the second cell being associated with a second index; in response to the first index including an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, or in response to the measurement results of the first cell being associated with a first index, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the second index including an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell, or in response to the measurement results of the second cell being associated with a second index, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0076] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the fifth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the fifth aspect.

[0077] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the fifth aspect can perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0078] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device. This communication device can be the terminal device described in the second aspect above, or a device comprising the terminal device, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the method described in the second aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0079] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a communication module. The communication module is configured to send a measurement report to a third network device; the measurement report includes measurement results of a first SSB and measurement results of a second SSB; the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB; wherein the measurement results of the first SSB include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB; the measurement results of the second SSB include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

[0080] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a first configuration message from a third network device; the first configuration message indicates a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window; the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window are used to measure SSBs from different network devices.

[0081] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message also indicates the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window.

[0082] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first configuration message further indicates a first activation time and / or a second activation time; the first activation time is the activation time of the first measurement time window, and the second activation time is the activation time of the second measurement time window.

[0083] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a second configuration message from a third network device; the second configuration message indicates a third measurement time window; the third measurement time window is determined based on a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window; the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window are used to measure SSBs from different network devices.

[0084] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a third configuration message from a third network device; the third configuration message indicates that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices.

[0085] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell; the measurement results of the first cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the second SSB.

[0086] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell are time offsets within the third measurement time window.

[0087] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the measurement report also includes an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell or an association of the measurement results of the first cell with a first index, and an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell or an association of the measurement results of the second cell with a second index.

[0088] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, in response to the first index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; in response to the second index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

[0089] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the sixth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the sixth aspect.

[0090] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the sixth aspect can perform the method described in the second aspect.

[0091] Seventhly, this application provides a communication device. This communication device can be the first network device described in the third aspect above, or a device comprising the first network device, or a device included in the first network device, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the method described in the third aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0092] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a communication module. The communication module is configured to send a first interactive message to a third network device; the first interactive message indicates a first measurement time window and / or a first index.

[0093] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to send a first interface message to the second network device; the first interface message indicates a first index; receive a second interface message from the second network device; the second interface message indicates consent for the first network device to use the first index.

[0094] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the second interface message also indicates a second index.

[0095] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is also used to receive the first index from the network management center.

[0096] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is also used to receive a first index from the access network intelligent controller.

[0097] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the seventh aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the seventh aspect.

[0098] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the seventh aspect can perform the method described in the third aspect.

[0099] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device. This communication device can be the second network device described in the fourth aspect above, or a device comprising the second network device, or a device included in the second network device, such as a chip. The communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for implementing the method described in the fourth aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0100] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a communication module. The communication module is configured to send a second interactive message to a third network device; the second interactive message indicates a second measurement time window and / or a second index.

[0101] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the communication module is further configured to receive a first interface message from the first network device; the first interface message indicates a first index; send a second interface message to the first network device; the second interface message indicates consent for the first network device to use the first index.

[0102] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second interface message also indicates a second index.

[0103] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module is also used to receive a second index from the network management center.

[0104] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication module receives a second index from the access network intelligent controller.

[0105] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the communication module may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in aspect eight, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in aspect eight.

[0106] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a storage module storing programs or instructions. When the processing module executes the program or instructions, the communication device described in the eighth aspect can perform the method described in the fourth aspect.

[0107] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system). The communication device includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0108] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data. A processor is coupled to the memory and is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, such that the communication device performs the method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0109] In conjunction with aspect nine, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in aspect nine and other communication devices.

[0110] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in one possible implementation, the processor can be integrated with the memory.

[0111] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in one possible implementation, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0112] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication device including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used through logic circuits or execution code instructions to implement the method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0113] It is understood that when the communication device provided in either the ninth or tenth aspect is a chip, the aforementioned transmitting action / function can be understood as an output, and the aforementioned receiving action / function can be understood as an input.

[0114] In one aspect, this application provides a communication chip that stores instructions that, when the chip is running on a communication device, cause the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects to be implemented.

[0115] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the methods described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0116] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions, including computer program code, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0117] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a third network device for implementing the method described in the first aspect, a terminal device for implementing the method described in the second aspect, a first network device for implementing the method described in the third aspect, and a second network device for implementing the method described in the fourth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0118] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a transparent satellite architecture provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 2A A schematic diagram of a regenerative satellite architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 2B A schematic diagram of another regenerative satellite architecture provided in this application embodiment;

[0121] Figure 3A A schematic diagram of a quasi-Earth mobile cell scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 3BA schematic diagram of a quasi-Earth fixed cell scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of a base station transmitting an SSB, provided as an embodiment of this application.

[0124] Figure 4B A schematic diagram of a measurement time window provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a satellite communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the determination of a third measurement time window, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 12 A schematic diagram illustrating a process for allocating an SSB index using an RIC, as provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0134] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0135] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of this application is given below.

[0136] I. Terminal Equipment

[0137] Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. Terminal equipment can communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN) to exchange voice and / or data. For example, terminal equipment can be a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. Currently, some examples of terminal devices include: satellite phones, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, machine-type communication devices, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), customer-premises equipment (CPEs), smart point-of-sale (POS) machines, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, communication devices mounted on high-altitude aircraft, wearable devices, drones, robots, terminals in device-to-device (D2D) communication, terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, and remote medical devices. Wireless terminals in medical applications, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, smart homes, or other communication networks evolving after 5G, etc.

[0138] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a chip. This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0139] II. Network Equipment

[0140] A network device is a device used in a network to connect terminal devices to a wireless network. A network device can be a node in a radio access network (RAN), also known as a base station or a RAN node (or device). Network devices can be used to convert received air frames to and from Internet Protocol (IP) packets, and act as routers between terminal devices and the rest of the access network, which may include the IP network. Network devices can also coordinate the management of air interface attributes. For example, network devices can include, but are not limited to: base stations, evolved Node Bs (eNodeBs / eNBs), access points (APs), transmission reception points (TRPs or transmission points (TPs), next-generation Node Bs (gNBs), next-generation base stations in 6G mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in Wi-Fi systems. Optionally, network equipment can be a macro base station, micro base station, indoor station, relay node, donor node, open radio access network (ORAN), or radio controller in a centralized radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Network equipment can also be one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a 5G base station, or it can be a network node constituting a gNB, TRP, TP, or transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio unit (RU), or RSU with base station functionality. Optionally, network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, network equipment in V2X technology can be an RSU.

[0141] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device.

[0142] In this network, CU and DU can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that network equipment can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or a combination of CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as network equipment within the access network (RAN) or within the network network (CN); there are no restrictions on this classification.

[0143] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open RAN (O-RAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0144] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. This apparatus can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. In this embodiment, the example of a network device is used only to illustrate the apparatus for implementing the functions of the network device, and does not constitute a limitation on the solutions of this embodiment.

[0145] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. The network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0146] III. Non-terrestrial Networks (NTN)

[0147] NTN communication can include satellite communication, which has significant advantages such as global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, convenient deployment, and no geographical limitations. It has been widely used in various fields including maritime communication, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and Earth observation. For example, introducing satellites into 5G can provide communication services to areas that are difficult to cover by terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. It can also enhance the reliability of 5G communication, providing more stable and higher-quality communication services for users on trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation. Furthermore, it can provide more data transmission resources and support a greater number of connections.

[0148] Generally speaking, the higher the satellite's orbit, the larger its coverage area, but the longer its communication latency. Currently, satellite mobile communication systems can be divided into four categories according to the satellite's orbit (elliptical orbit, circular orbit) and altitude (high, medium, low):

[0149] (1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems: orbital altitude of 500km to 2000km;

[0150] (2) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite systems: orbital altitude of 2000km to 20000km;

[0151] (3) Highly eccentric orbit (HEO) satellite system: It is an elliptical orbit satellite system with a low perigee and a very high apogee, and its orbital altitude is greater than 20,000 km;

[0152] (4) Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Satellite System: The orbital altitude is 35,800 km. The relative position of satellites operating in this orbit with respect to the Earth is not affected by the Earth's rotation.

[0153] GEO satellites, also known as geostationary satellites, move at the same speed as the Earth's rotation, thus remaining stationary relative to the ground. Correspondingly, the coverage area of ​​a GEO satellite cell is also stationary. GEO satellite cells have a relatively large coverage area, typically with a diameter of 500 kilometers (km). LEO satellites move much faster relative to the ground, at approximately 7 km per second, therefore the service coverage area provided by LEO satellites also shifts accordingly.

[0154] Based on onboard processing capabilities, satellite communication systems can be categorized into transparent satellite architectures and regenerative satellite architectures. Transparent satellite architectures can also be called transparent relay satellite architectures or bend-tube relay transmission satellite architectures, while regenerative satellite architectures can be called non-transparent satellite architectures.

[0155] Taking 5G satellite communication systems as an example, the transparent satellite architecture and regenerative satellite architecture will be introduced below.

[0156] 1. Transparent satellite architecture

[0157] In a transparent satellite architecture, the satellite's role is to filter, convert, and amplify wireless frequencies. In other words, the satellite can relay signals but does not have data processing capabilities. In this architecture, the satellite can be understood as a remote radio unit (RF unit) of a base station. The satellite can provide simple physical signal coverage, but this RF remote function requires a gateway station and a microwave link between the satellite and the gateway station to reach the satellite. However, this process does not involve any protocol layer processing or establish any logical interfaces.

[0158] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a transparent satellite architecture. Figure 1 As shown, a transparent satellite architecture can consist of terminal equipment, satellites, NTN gateways, base stations, a 5G core network (CN), and a data network. The satellite connects to ground base stations via the NTN gateway, and signals between the terminal equipment and the base stations can be transmitted via the satellite. The satellite primarily acts as a signal relay, responsible only for signal forwarding and lacking data processing capabilities.

[0159] 2. Regenerative Satellite Architecture

[0160] In a regenerative satellite architecture, a satellite can possess all the protocol layer processing functions of a base station, forming an onboard base station. In other words, a satellite can integrate the functions of a base station, including data processing, forwarding, and routing. In this scenario, the satellite can also be referred to as a satellite base station.

[0161] Please see Figure 2A , Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of a regenerative satellite architecture. (Example) Figure 2A As shown, the signals from the terminal equipment and the satellite base station can be transmitted back to the NTN gateway station via microwave. The NTN gateway station can connect to the 5G core network, and the 5G core network, as the bearer network, can provide the NG interface to the data network. The link between the satellite base station and the gateway station can be called the Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) or the feedback link.

[0162] Please see Figure 2B , Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of another regenerative satellite architecture. Figure 2A Compared to the regenerative satellite architecture shown, Figure 2BIn the regenerative satellite architecture shown, an inter-satellite link (ISL) can be established between satellite base station 1 and satellite base station 2, i.e., an Xn interface can be established between satellites. Under this architecture, even when satellite base station 1 is not visible to the NTN gateway station, data from satellite base station 1 can be transmitted back to the ground through satellite base station 2.

[0163] The above architecture is merely an example; satellite communication systems may include other architectures, which are not limited in this application.

[0164] Furthermore, in NTN communications, due to the strong mobility of satellites, the cells projected onto the ground can be either relatively fixed to the ground or move with the satellite. Taking the serving cell corresponding to a LEO satellite as an example, the cells projected onto the ground by a LEO satellite typically include two modes: quasi-Earth moving cell and quasi-Earth fixed cell.

[0165] For quasi-Earth mobile cells, satellites can maintain a fixed beam direction for illuminating the ground, thus changing the satellite's coverage area as it moves. For example, ... Figure 3A As shown, at time T1, the beam of satellite 301 can cover cell 1; at time T2, satellite 301 has moved to the right, and the beam of satellite 301 can only cover a part of cell 1.

[0166] For quasi-Earth fixed cells, satellites can dynamically adjust the direction of their beams illuminating the ground, resulting in a fixed coverage area for the ground over a period of time. For example, ... Figure 3B As shown, at time T1, the beam of satellite 302 can cover cell 1; at time T2, although satellite 302 has moved to the right, satellite 302 can still adjust its beam to cover cell 1.

[0167] In this application embodiment, NTN communication is exemplified by satellite communication, or in other words, the NTN communication system is exemplified by a satellite communication system. In some embodiments, NTN communication may also include other NTN communication methods such as drones.

[0168] IV. Satellite Switching with Unchanged PCI

[0169] In some scenarios of quasi-earth fixed cells, if the serving satellite of a cell is switched over, the cell's PCI can remain unchanged if the ground station providing the service does not switch over. In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard release (Rel)-18, for transparent satellite architecture, in quasi-earth fixed cell scenarios, it is supported for two adjacent satellites to forward signals from the same cell (with unchanged PCI). That is, when the terminal device switches satellites, it does not need to switch cells, which can greatly reduce signaling overhead.

[0170] Satellite switching with unchanged PCI can also be called satellite switch with re-sync. In other words, after the terminal device switches to a new satellite, it only needs to perform uplink and downlink synchronization with the new satellite without introducing layer 3 (L3) switching commands.

[0171] Satellite switching with re-sync can include processes such as the following:

[0172] ① The network broadcasts the service termination time (t-service) of the current satellite (i.e., the old satellite) and the service start time (t-start) of the new satellite through the system information block (SIB) 19.

[0173] ② The terminal equipment measures the synchronization signal block (SSB) of the new satellite in advance based on t-start in SIB19, so as to complete downlink synchronization with the new satellite before t-service.

[0174] ③ After the t-service time arrives, i.e. when the old satellite stops providing service, the terminal equipment directly performs uplink synchronization and data transmission on the new satellite.

[0175] As can be seen from step ② above, after the new satellite begins service and before the old satellite ends service, the new and old satellites can relay signals from the same cell. In this case, the terminal device may not be able to distinguish whether the received SSB comes from the old or the new satellite, causing interference with the terminal device's synchronization with the new satellite. To avoid interference, one possible approach is to stagger the time domain positions of the new satellite's SSB and the old satellite's SSB, enabling the terminal device to distinguish between SSBs with the same PCI relayed by the two satellites.

[0176] V. SSB

[0177] The Support Streaming Bus (SSB) includes the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The base station can periodically broadcast the SSB to facilitate downlink synchronization between the terminal device and the base station, as well as to obtain basic cell information (such as PCI). After powering on, the terminal device can search for SSBs on possible frequencies to locate cells. Once the terminal device accesses a cell and enters measurement mode, the base station can configure the terminal device to periodically measure the SSBs of its own cell and neighboring cells. After obtaining the SSB measurement results, the terminal device can report the SSB measurement results and the PCI carried in the SSB to the base station. The base station can then determine whether the terminal device needs to perform a cell handover based on the measurement results reported by the terminal device.

[0178] In NR systems, base stations can periodically transmit synchronization signal burst sets (SS burst sets). An SS burst can include multiple signal beams (SSBs), each corresponding to a different transmit direction beam, thus enabling spatial scanning of the SSB beams. Within a radio frame (10ms), SS burst sets can be transmitted in either the first half (5ms) or the second half (5ms). The number of SSBs included in an SS burst set is related to the subcarrier spacing. For example, with a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, the SS burst set can include a maximum of 4 SSBs; with a subcarrier spacing of 30kHz, the SS burst set can include a maximum of 8 SSBs. Taking an SS burst set containing 8 SSBs as an example... Figure 4A As shown, the base station can transmit an SS burst set within a time length of 5ms. The SS burst set can include 8 SSBs, and the 8 SSBs can correspond to beams in different transmission directions.

[0179] For the time-frequency domain location of SSB transmission, each time slot is allocated a dedicated time-frequency location for SSB transmission, with a maximum of two SSBs transmitted per time slot. Although an SSB location is allocated within each time slot, the meaning of this location is "if an SSB is to be transmitted, this part of the resources will be used." In practical applications, to reduce overhead, SSBs are not transmitted in every time slot. The base station can configure an SSB bitmap (SSB-ToMeasure) indicating the actual location of SSB transmission in the cell for the terminal device via radio resource control (RRC) messages. SSB-ToMeasure can be represented in the form of a bitmap, with lengths including 64 bits (long), 8 bits (medium), and 4 bits (short). The length indicates the number of SSBs in each half frame, and the actual location of the transmitted SSB can be indicated by setting the corresponding bit in the bitmap to 1. For example, assuming the base station's configured bitmap includes 4 bits, corresponding to SSB indices 0, 1, 2, and 3 respectively, if the bitmap value is 1101, it can indicate that the SSB with SSB index 2 has not been transmitted.

[0180] Since the terminal device does not know the specific timeslot location of the SSB actually transmitted by the base station, the base station can configure a measurement time window (SS / PBCH block measurement time configuration, SMTC) for the terminal device via RRC messages, indicating when to measure the SSB. The SMTC can include the SMTC period, offset, and measurement window duration. The SMTC period, offset, and measurement window duration can all be represented by subframes. Based on the SMTC period and offset, the start time of the measurement window can be determined. For example, ... Figure 4B As shown, assuming the base station configures the terminal device with an SMTC period of 10, an offset of 4, and a measurement window duration of 3, then in the first SMTC period, the terminal device can measure the SSB in the 5th to 7th subframes, in the second SMTC period, the terminal device can measure the SSB in the 15th to 17th subframes, and so on.

[0181] VI. Cell handover

[0182] In a communication system, if the signal quality of a terminal device's current serving cell is poor, while the signal quality of a neighboring cell is better, the terminal device can switch to the neighboring cell. The base station of the terminal device's current serving cell can be called the source base station, and the base station of the cell to be switched to can be called the target base station.

[0183] Cell handover can include the following process for example:

[0184] ① The target base station sends neighbor cell information to the source base station. This neighbor cell information may include the SSB-ToMeasure and SMTC of the neighboring cells. This can be understood as the target base station informing the source base station how to configure the measurement time window to measure the SSB broadcast by the target base station.

[0185] ②The source base station receives neighbor cell information from the target base station.

[0186] ③ The source base station configures the SMTC of the terminal equipment based on the neighboring cell information.

[0187] ④ The terminal equipment measures the SSB based on the SMTC configuration of the source base station.

[0188] ⑤ After the terminal equipment measures the SSB, it parses the PCI carried in the SSB and determines the SSB belonging to the same cell based on the PCI.

[0189] ⑥ The terminal device sends a measurement report to the source base station. The measurement report may include the measurement results of the serving cell and / or neighboring cells. Among them, the measurement results of a cell may include the signal strength of each SSB of the cell, and / or the cell signal strength calculated based on PCI.

[0190] ⑦ After receiving the measurement report, the source base station can compare the signal strength of the current serving cell of the terminal device with the signal strength of the neighboring cells based on the measurement report to determine whether to switch cells.

[0191] Currently, measurement reports sent by terminal devices to the source base station can include cell-level measurement results as well as reference signal-level (e.g., SSB level, Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) level) measurement results. Cell-level measurement results can be identified using the PCI, while reference signal-level measurement results can be identified using an SSB index or a CSI-RS index. However, for regenerable satellite architectures, in quasi-Earth fixed-cell scenarios, the PCI of cells under different satellite base stations may be the same. This can cause confusion when terminal devices in neighboring cells measure cells with the same PCI under different satellite base stations.

[0192] For example, see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5As shown, in this satellite communication system, satellite base stations 501 and 502 can simultaneously cover the same area, generating cells with the same PCI. In this scenario, if the base station to which the current serving cell of terminal device 500 belongs is satellite base station 501, one possible implementation is to switch the satellite base station connected to terminal device 500 from satellite base station 501 to satellite base station 502 through resynchronization after satellite handover. However, if the base station to which the current serving cell of the terminal device belongs is base station 503 (base station 503 can be a terrestrial base station or a satellite base station), Figure 5 Taking base station 503 as an example (as a satellite base station), after measuring the SSB from satellite base station 501 and the SSB from satellite base station 502, terminal device 500 will interpret the SSBs generated by these two satellite base stations as SSBs of the same cell, and thus calculate the cell-level measurement result. In the measurement report sent by terminal device 500 to base station 503, the cell-level measurement result is identified by PCI. After receiving the measurement report, base station 503 does not know whether the cell-level measurement result corresponding to the PCI belongs to satellite base station 501 or satellite base station 502, which may cause base station 503 to be unable to correctly select the target base station.

[0193] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that enables neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices to distinguish cells under different network devices for cells with the same PCI under different network devices, thereby helping to improve the accuracy and reliability of cell handover.

[0194] The following is based on Figure 5 Taking the satellite communication system shown as an example, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail. The first network device described in the following embodiments of this application may be, for example, a satellite communication system. Figure 5 In the architecture shown, the satellite base station 501 and the second network device could be, for example, satellite base station 501. Figure 5 In the architecture shown, the satellite base station 502 and the third network device could be, for example, satellite base station 502. Figure 5 The base station 503 is shown in the architecture. Of course, the following embodiments are only for illustrative purposes. Figure 5 The satellite communication system shown is used as an example for illustration. The communication method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to other similar communication systems, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0195] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, this communication method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0196] S601, the first network device sends a first interactive message to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the first interactive message from the first network device.

[0197] The first interaction message may carry a first measurement time window, which may be an SMTC indicated by the first network device and can be used to measure the SSB from the first network device. The first measurement time window may include a first period, a first measurement time offset, and a first duration. The specific forms of the first period, the first measurement time offset, and the first duration can be found above. Figure 4B The descriptions of SMTC period, offset value, and measurement time window are omitted here. Optionally, the first interaction message may also carry the SSB index used by the cell under the first network device.

[0198] For example, the first interaction message can be an Xn interface message, which can be an Xn SETUP REQUEST, an NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE request message (such as a served cell information NR element), or other new design messages. This application does not limit the scope of the message.

[0199] S602, the second network device sends a second interactive message to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the second interactive message from the second network device.

[0200] The second interaction message may carry a second measurement time window, which can be an SMTC indicated by the second network device and can be used to measure the SSB from the second network device. The second measurement time window may include a second period, a second measurement time offset, and a second duration. Similarly, the specific forms of the second period, the second measurement time offset, and the second duration can be found above. Figure 4B The descriptions of SMTC period, offset value, and measurement time window are omitted here. Optionally, the second interaction message may also carry the SSB index used by the cell under the second network device.

[0201] For example, the second interaction message can be an interface message. The Xn interface message can be Xn SETUP REQUEST, or NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE, such as served cell information NR information element, or other new design messages. This application does not limit the types of messages.

[0202] Steps S601 and S602 above can be understood as the first network device and the second network device exchanging SSB information of their respective cells with the third network device. The SSB information of the cell may include the measurement time window (SMTC) of the cell and / or the SSB index used by the cell.

[0203] In this embodiment of the application, the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window can be different measurement time windows, so that the SSB of the first network device and the SSB of the second network device are staggered in the time domain, thereby realizing the differentiation of cells under different network devices based on the measurement time window.

[0204] S603, the third network device configures at least one measurement time window for the terminal device.

[0205] As one implementation, the third network device can configure multiple measurement time windows for the terminal device, such as the first measurement time window in step S601 and the second measurement time window in step S602. Specifically, the third network device can send a first configuration message to the terminal device, which may carry the first and second measurement time windows. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first configuration message from the third network device. By configuring the first and second measurement time windows for the terminal device, the terminal device can perform SSB measurements according to the first and second measurement time windows respectively.

[0206] For example, suppose the first measurement time window includes: a first period of 10ms, a first measurement time offset of 3ms, and a first duration of 2ms; the second measurement time window includes: a second period of 10ms, a second measurement time offset of 0ms, and a second duration of 2ms; then the terminal device can measure the SSB of the network device (first network device) corresponding to the first measurement time window in subframes 4-5, 14-15, 24-25, ...; and can measure the SSB of the network device (second network device) corresponding to the second measurement time window in subframes 1-2, 11-12, 21-22, ...

[0207] As another implementation, the third network device can configure a measurement time window for the terminal device. Specifically, the third network device can determine a third measurement time window based on a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window. Then, the third network device can send a second configuration message to the terminal device, which may carry the third measurement time window. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the second configuration message from the third network device. Here, the third measurement time window can be understood as the result of merging the first and second measurement time windows, or in other words, the third measurement time window includes both the first and second measurement time windows, enabling the terminal device to perform SSB measurements according to the third measurement time window, thus measuring the SSB of the network device corresponding to the first measurement time window as well as the SSB of the network device corresponding to the second measurement time window.

[0208] For example, suppose the first measurement time window includes: a first period of 10ms, a first measurement time offset of 3ms, and a first duration of 2ms; the second measurement time window includes: a second period of 10ms, a second measurement time offset of 0ms, and a second duration of 2ms; the third network device, based on the first and second measurement time windows, can determine that the third measurement time window includes: a third period of 10ms, a third measurement time offset of 0ms, and a third duration of 5ms. Thus, the terminal device can measure the SSB of the network device corresponding to the first measurement time window in subframes 1-5, subframes 11-15, subframes 21-25, ..., and also measure the SSB of the network device corresponding to the second measurement time window.

[0209] In one implementation, the third network device may further send the SSB index (which can be described as a first index) used by the cell under the first network device and the SSB index (which can be described as a second index) used by the cell under the second network device to the terminal device. Specifically, the third network device may receive the first index sent by the first network device and the second index sent by the second network device. The first index may be carried in a first interaction message, and the second index may be carried in a second interaction message. Optionally, the first index and the second index may be different. For example, the first index may include 1 to 64, and the second index may include 65 to 128. After obtaining the first and second indices, the third network device can send the first and second indices to the terminal device, indicating that the first and second indices are associated with different network devices, so that the terminal device can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the SSB index.

[0210] S604, the terminal device performs SSB measurement based on at least one measurement time window to obtain the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB.

[0211] The first SSB and the second SSB can be SSBs from different network devices. The PCI corresponding to the first SSB and the PCI corresponding to the second SSB can be the same. In this embodiment, after the terminal device measures an SSB within the measurement time window, if it finds that the PCI carried in the SSB is the same, it can also distinguish SSBs from different network devices.

[0212] As one implementation, the terminal device can perform SSB measurement based on a first measurement time window configured by the third network device to obtain the measurement result of the first SSB, and then perform SSB measurement based on a second measurement time window configured by the third network device to obtain the measurement result of the second SSB. In this case, the first SSB can be understood as multiple SSBs measured within the first measurement time window, and the second SSB can be understood as multiple SSBs measured within the second measurement time window. That is, if the PCI corresponding to the first SSB and the PCI corresponding to the second SSB are the same, and the third network device configures multiple measurement time windows for the terminal device, then the terminal device can distinguish SSBs from different network devices based on the different measurement time windows used for SSB measurement.

[0213] As another implementation, the terminal device can perform SSB measurements based on a third measurement time window configured by the third network device to obtain the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB. In this case, the first SSB can be understood as multiple SSBs corresponding to the first measurement time offset within the third measurement time window, and the second SSB can be understood as multiple SSBs corresponding to the second measurement time offset within the third measurement time window. That is, if the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB, and if the third network device configures a measurement time window for the terminal device, the terminal device can distinguish SSBs from different network devices based on the different time offsets of the SSBs measured within the measurement time window.

[0214] For example, suppose the third measurement time window includes: a third period of 10ms, a third measurement time offset of 0ms, and a third duration of 5ms. If the terminal device measures an SSB in subframes 1-2, 11-12, 21-22, ... (corresponding to a measurement time offset of 0ms in each period), and in subframes 4-5, 14-15, 24-25, ... (corresponding to a measurement time offset of 3ms in each period), then the terminal device can determine that the SSB with a measurement time offset of 0ms comes from one network device, and the SSB with a measurement time offset of 3ms comes from another network device.

[0215] In one implementation, cells under different network devices may use different SSB indices. A third network device can send the SSB indices used by different network devices to the terminal device. For example, the third network device can send the terminal device a first index used by a cell under a first network device and a second index used by a cell under a second network device, indicating to the terminal device that the first and second indices are associated with different network devices. In this case, the index of the first SSB can be included in the first index, and the index of the second SSB can be included in the second index. That is, if the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB, and the third network device sends the SSB indices used by different network devices to the terminal device, then the terminal device can distinguish the SSBs from different network devices based on the measured SSB indices.

[0216] Optionally, in step S605, the terminal device determines the measurement result of the first cell based on the measurement result of the first SSB; and determines the measurement result of the second cell based on the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0217] Optionally, after obtaining the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB, the terminal device can determine the cell measurement result corresponding to the first SSB based on the measurement result of the first SSB, and determine the cell measurement result corresponding to the second SSB based on the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0218] S606, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the measurement report from the terminal device.

[0219] The measurement report may include the measurement results of the first SSB and the measurement results of the second SSB. The measurement results of the first SSB may carry indication information used to obtain the measurement of the first SSB, such as the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB. The measurement results of the second SSB may carry indication information used to obtain the measurement of the second SSB, such as the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

[0220] Optionally, the measurement result of the first SSB may include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB. The measurement result of the second SSB may include one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

[0221] Optionally, the measurement report may also include the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell. The measurement results of the first cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the second SSB. In other words, after obtaining the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB, the terminal device can calculate the cell measurement results corresponding to both the first and second SSBs.

[0222] For terminal devices that differentiate between cells under different network devices based on the measurement time window of the SSB obtained from measurements, the measurement report may also include the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell. Alternatively, the measurement report may also include the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell.

[0223] For cases where the terminal device distinguishes cells under different network devices based on the measurement time offset of the SSB obtained from the measurement, the measurement report may also include the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the second cell.

[0224] For terminal devices using SSB-based indexes to differentiate between cells under different network devices, the measurement report may also include the SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell. Optionally, the measurement report may also include the measurement results of the first cell associated with a first index and the measurement results of the second cell associated with a second index. That is, the measurement results of the first cell in the measurement report can be identified using the SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, and the measurement results of the second cell can be identified using the SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell. Alternatively, the measurement results of the first cell can be identified using the first index, and the measurement results of the second cell can be identified using the second index. Since the first index can be one set of indexes and the second index can be another set of indexes, the first index can also correspond to a group index (such as group 1), and the second index can also correspond to another group index (such as group 2). Therefore, the measurement result of the first cell can also be identified by the group index of the first index, and the measurement result of the second cell can also be identified by the group index of the second index. Correspondingly, in step S603, the third network device also needs to indicate to the terminal device that the first index corresponds to a group index (such as group 1), and the second index corresponds to another group index (such as group 2). That is, the third network device indicates to the terminal device which SSB indexes correspond to network device 1 (group 1) and which SSB indexes correspond to network device 2 (group 2). For example, when calculating cell measurement results, the terminal device can obtain the cell measurement results of network device 1 based on the SSB index corresponding to network device 1, and indicate that the cell measurement results are associated with network device 1, such as carrying the correspondence between the cell measurement results and the group index (group 1); the terminal device can obtain the cell measurement results of network device 2 based on the SSB index corresponding to network device 2, and indicate that the cell measurement results are associated with network device 2, such as carrying the correspondence between the cell measurement results and the group index (group 2).

[0225] It should be noted that in the measurement report sent by the terminal device to the third network device, for cells with the same PCI, the indication information used to obtain the SSB can be included in the cell measurement results; for cells with different PCI, the indication information used to obtain the SSB can be omitted.

[0226] S607, the third network device determines the network device to which the first SSB belongs as the first network device based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the network device to which the second SSB belongs as the second network device based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0227] In this embodiment, for SSBs carrying the same PCI, the terminal device can distinguish which SSBs come from different network devices, but the terminal device does not know which specific network device each SSB belongs to; that is, the terminal device does not know the identifier of the network device corresponding to the SSB identifier. Since the first and second network devices in steps S601 and S602 can respectively indicate their respective measurement time windows and / or the index of the SSB used to the third network device, the third network device, based on the measurement results of the first SSB carrying the indication information used by the first SSB, the measurement results of the second SSB carrying the indication information used by the second SSB, and the received indication information from the first and second network devices, can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device, and the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device. The first network device and the second network device are different network devices.

[0228] Optionally, in S608, the third network device determines the measurement results of the first cell based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the measurement results of the second cell based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0229] Optionally, if the measurement report reported by the terminal device does not include the measurement results of the first cell and the second cell, the third network device may calculate the measurement results of the first cell based on the measurement results of the first SSB, and calculate the measurement results of the second cell based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0230] Optionally, in S609, the third network device determines the target network device based on the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell.

[0231] Optionally, the target network device can be either the network device belonging to the first SSB or the network device belonging to the second SSB. In other words, the third network device can select the target network device with better cell signal quality from the network devices belonging to the first SSB and the network devices belonging to the second SSB, based on the cell measurement results corresponding to the first SSB and the second SSB.

[0232] Once the third network device identifies the target network device, it can send a handover request message to the target network device. Correspondingly, the target network device can receive the handover request message from the third network device. The handover request message can be used to request a switch from the third network device to the target network device.

[0233] based on Figure 6The communication method shown allows neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices to distinguish cells under different network devices for cells with the same PCI under different network devices, based on the measurement time window, or measurement time offset, or SSB index. This avoids PCI confusion and helps the terminal device to accurately select the target network device with better cell quality for handover, thus improving the reliability of cell handover.

[0234] The above Figure 6 This paper describes the overall implementation process of how neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices distinguish between cells with the same PCI across different network devices. The following sections describe in detail several implementation methods for neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices to distinguish between cells with different network devices.

[0235] Please see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method mainly describes how, for cells with the same PCI under different network devices, neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices distinguish cells under different network devices based on a measurement time window. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0236] S701, the first network device sends a first measurement time window to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the first measurement time window from the first network device.

[0237] The first measurement time window can be used to measure the SSB from the first network device. For example, the first measurement time window can be carried in an Xn interface message sent from the first network device to the third network device.

[0238] S702, the second network device sends a second measurement time window to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the second measurement time window from the second network device.

[0239] The second measurement time window can be used to measure the SSB from the second network device. For example, the second measurement time window can be carried in the Xn interface message sent by the second network device to the third network device.

[0240] S703, the third network device sends a first configuration message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration message from the third network device.

[0241] The first configuration message may include a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window. In other words, the third network device can configure two different measurement time windows for the terminal device, corresponding to the cell under the first network device and the cell under the second network device, respectively.

[0242] In one possible design, the first configuration message may also include the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window. For example, the index of the first measurement time window may be configured as 1, and the index of the second measurement time window may be configured as 2.

[0243] In one possible design, the first configuration message may further include the activation time of a first measurement time window and / or the activation time of a second measurement time window. The activation time of a measurement time window can also be described as the effective time of the measurement time window, which can be understood as the time when SSB measurement can begin using the measurement time window. Carrying the activation time of the measurement time window in the first configuration message is because the first or second network device may not yet cover the same area at the time the third network device sends the first configuration message, but is about to do so. By carrying the activation time of the measurement time window, it can be indicated when the terminal device can begin SSB measurement using the measurement time window. For example, assuming the first configuration message includes an activation time of 5 seconds for the first measurement time window, then the terminal device can begin SSB measurement using the first measurement time window 5 seconds after receiving the first configuration message.

[0244] S704, the terminal device performs SSB measurement based on the first measurement time window to obtain the measurement result of the first SSB; and performs SSB measurement based on the second measurement time window to obtain the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0245] The measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB can be understood as the measurement results obtained by the terminal device using different measurement time windows for SSB measurement. For example, the measurement result of the first SSB can be the measurement result obtained by using the first measurement time window for SSB measurement, and the measurement result of the second SSB can be the measurement result obtained by using the second measurement time window for SSB measurement. The PCI corresponding to the first SSB and the PCI corresponding to the second SSB can be the same.

[0246] Optionally, in S705, the terminal device determines the measurement result of the first cell based on the measurement result of the first SSB; and determines the measurement result of the second cell based on the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0247] Optionally, if the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB, the terminal device can distinguish different cells based on the different measurement time windows of the measured SSB, and then calculate the cell-level measurement results of different cells.

[0248] S706, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the measurement report from the terminal device.

[0249] The measurement report may include the measurement results of the first SSB and the measurement results of the second SSB. The measurement results of the first SSB may carry the measurement time window used to obtain the measurement of the first SSB, or may carry an index of the measurement time window used by the first SSB. The measurement results of the second SSB may carry the measurement time window used to obtain the measurement of the second SSB, or may carry an index of the measurement time window used by the second SSB.

[0250] For example, assuming the index of the first measurement time window is 1, the first measurement time window includes: a first period of 10ms, a first measurement time offset of 2ms, and a first duration of 3ms; the index of the second measurement time window is 2, and the second measurement time window includes: a second period of 10ms, a second measurement time offset of 0ms, and a second duration of 2ms; if the measurement time window used to measure the first SSB is the first measurement time window, and the measurement time window used to measure the second SSB is the second measurement time window, then the measurement result of the first SSB can carry the first measurement time window (including the first period of 10ms, the first measurement time offset of 2ms, and the first duration of 3ms), or it can carry index 1; the measurement result of the second SSB can carry the second measurement time window (including the second period of 10ms, the second measurement time offset of 0ms, and the second duration of 2ms), or it can carry index 2 of the second measurement time window.

[0251] Optionally, the measurement report may also include the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell. Optionally, the measurement report may also include the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell. Alternatively, the measurement report may also include an index of the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and an index of the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell.

[0252] S707, the third network device determines the network device to which the first SSB belongs as the first network device based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the network device to which the second SSB belongs as the second network device based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0253] Specifically, if the measurement result of the first SSB carries the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB carries the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, then if the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB overlaps with the first measurement time window indicated by the first network device to the third network device, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; if the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB overlaps with the second measurement time window indicated by the second network device to the third network device, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0254] If the measurement result of the first SSB carries the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, then if the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the index of the first measurement time window, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; if the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB is the same as the index of the second measurement time window, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0255] For example, suppose a first network device indicates measurement time window 1 to a third network device, and a second network device indicates measurement time window 2 to the third network device. The third network device configures two measurement time windows, namely measurement time window 1 and measurement time window 2, for the terminal device. The terminal device measures the first SSB based on measurement time window 1 and includes measurement time window 1 in the measurement result of the first SSB reported to the third network device. It then measures the second SSB based on measurement time window 2 and includes measurement time window 2 in the measurement result of the second SSB reported to the third network device. Thus, the third network device can determine that the first SSB belongs to the first network device based on measurement time window 1 in the measurement result of the first SSB, and can determine that the second SSB belongs to the second network device based on measurement time window 2 in the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0256] Optionally, when configuring two measurement time windows for the terminal device, the third network device may also indicate the indices of the two measurement time windows, such as index 1 for measurement time window 1 and index 2 for measurement time window 2. In this case, the terminal device may also carry index 1 of measurement time window 1 in the measurement result of the first SSB and index 2 of measurement time window 2 in the measurement result of the second SSB. In this way, the third network device can determine that the first SSB belongs to the first network device based on index 1 carried in the measurement result of the first SSB, and can determine that the second SSB belongs to the second network device based on index 2 carried in the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0257] Optionally, in S708, the third network device determines the measurement results of the first cell based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the measurement results of the second cell based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0258] Optionally, in S709, the third network device determines the target network device based on the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell.

[0259] For details on the implementation of steps S708 and S709, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 The relevant descriptions of steps S608 and S609 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0260] based on Figure 7 The communication method shown allows the third network device to configure multiple different measurement time windows for cells with the same PCI under different network devices. These different measurement time windows can be used to measure the SSB from different network devices. In this way, the terminal device and the third network device can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the measurement time windows, enabling the third network device to correctly select the target network device, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of cell handover.

[0261] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method mainly describes how, for cells with the same PCI under different network devices, neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices distinguish cells under different network devices based on measured time offset. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the method may include, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0262] S801, the first network device sends a first measurement time window to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the first measurement time window from the first network device.

[0263] S802, the second network device sends a second measurement time window to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the second measurement time window from the second network device.

[0264] For details on the implementation of steps S801 and S802, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 The relevant descriptions of steps S701 and S702 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0265] S803, the third network device determines the third measurement time window based on the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window.

[0266] The third measurement time window can be understood as the result of merging the first and second measurement time windows, or in other words, the third measurement time window can cover the first and second measurement time windows.

[0267] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, assuming the first measurement time window includes: a first period of 10ms, a first measurement time offset of 4ms, and a first duration of 3ms; the second measurement time window includes: a second period of 10ms, a second measurement time offset of 0ms, and a second duration of 3ms; then the third measurement time window may include: a third period of 10ms, a third measurement time offset of 0ms, and a third duration of 7ms.

[0268] S804, the third network device sends a second configuration message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second configuration message from the third network device.

[0269] The second configuration message may carry a third measurement time window.

[0270] S805, the terminal device performs SSB measurement based on the third measurement time window to obtain the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB.

[0271] The measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB can be understood as the measurement results obtained by the terminal device performing SSB measurements at different measurement time offsets within the third measurement time window. In other words, the time when the measurement result of the first SSB is obtained and the time when the measurement result of the second SSB is obtained are located in different time domains within the third measurement time window.

[0272] For example, suppose the third measurement time window includes: a third period of 10ms, a third measurement time offset of 0ms, and a third duration of 7ms. Within the third measurement time window, the terminal device measures SSB in subframes 5-7, 15-17, 25-27, ... (corresponding to a measurement time offset of 4ms within each period), and also measures SSB in subframes 1-3, 11-13, 21-23, ... (corresponding to a measurement time offset of 0ms within each period). Then, the measurement result of the first SSB can be obtained by measuring SSB at a time domain position with a measurement time offset of 4ms, and the measurement result of the second SSB can be obtained by measuring SSB at a time domain position with a measurement time offset of 0ms; or, the measurement result of the first SSB can be obtained by measuring SSB at a time domain position with a measurement time offset of 0ms, and the measurement result of the second SSB can be obtained by measuring SSB at a time domain position with a measurement time offset of 4ms.

[0273] Optionally, in S806, the terminal device determines the measurement result of the first cell based on the measurement result of the first SSB; and determines the measurement result of the second cell based on the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0274] Optionally, if the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB, the terminal device can distinguish different cells based on the different measurement time offsets of the SSB measured within the same measurement time window, and then calculate the cell-level measurement results of different cells.

[0275] S807, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the measurement report from the terminal device.

[0276] The measurement report may include the measurement results of the first SSB and the measurement results of the second SSB. The measurement results of the first SSB may carry the measurement time offset of the measurement results obtained from the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second SSB may carry the measurement time offset of the measurement results obtained from the second SSB.

[0277] Optionally, the measurement report may also include the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell. Optionally, the measurement report may also include the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell.

[0278] S808, the third network device determines the network device to which the first SSB belongs as the first network device based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the network device to which the second SSB belongs as the second network device based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0279] Specifically, if the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the measurement time offset included in the first measurement time window, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; if the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB is the same as the measurement time offset included in the second measurement time window, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0280] For example, suppose the first measurement time window includes: a first period of 10ms, a first measurement time offset of 4ms, and a first duration of 3ms; the second measurement time window includes: a second period of 10ms, a second measurement time offset of 0ms, and a second duration of 3ms; if the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB is 4ms and the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB is 0ms, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device, and the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0281] Optionally, in S809, the third network device determines the measurement results of the first cell based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the measurement results of the second cell based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0282] Optionally, S810, the third network device determines the target network device based on the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell.

[0283] For details on the implementation of steps S809 and S810, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 The relevant descriptions of steps S608 and S609 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0284] based on Figure 8 The communication method shown allows the third network device to configure a measurement time window for cells with the same PCI under different network devices. The terminal device can distinguish cells under different network devices by measuring the different measurement time offsets of the SSBs within this time window. Furthermore, by indicating the measured time offsets of the SSBs to the third network device, the terminal device can identify the network device to which each SSB belongs. This allows the third network device to select the target network device based on the measurement results, improving the accuracy and reliability of cell handover.

[0285] Please see Figure 10 , Figure 10This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method mainly describes how, for cells with the same PCI under different network devices, neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the SSB index.

[0286] like Figure 10 As shown, in this communication method, cells with the same PCI under different network devices can use different SSB indices; that is, cells under the first network device and the second network device can use different SSB indices. Specifically, the first network device and the second network device can determine their respective SSB indices as either Mode 1 or Mode 2.

[0287] Method 1 (including steps S1001 and S1002):

[0288] S1001, the first network device sends a first interface message to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first interface message from the first network device.

[0289] The first interface message may carry the SSB index (which may be referred to as the first index) used or expected to be used by the first network device.

[0290] For example, the first interface message can be an Xn interface message, which can be an Xn SETUP REQUEST, an NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE, such as a served cell information NR cell, or other new design messages. This application does not limit the types of messages.

[0291] S1002, the second network device sends a second interface message to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the second interface message from the second network device.

[0292] The second interface message may carry confirmation information, which may indicate agreement to the first network device using the first index. Optionally, the second interface message may also carry a second index used or desired by the second network device. The second index and the first index may be different indexes.

[0293] For example, the second interface message can be an Xn interface message, which can be an Xn SETUP REQUEST, an NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE, such as a served cell information NR cell, or other new design messages. This application does not limit the types of messages.

[0294] In Method 1, the first network device and the second network device can negotiate the SSB index they use so that the SSB indexes between the two network devices can be staggered.

[0295] Method 2 (including steps S1003 and S1004):

[0296] S1003, the network management center sends the first index to the first network device.

[0297] S1004, the network management center sends the second index to the second network device.

[0298] In some scenarios, the Network Management Center (OAM, Operation Administration and Maintenance) can participate in the allocation of the first and second indexes. Specifically, the OAM can configure the first index that can be used by the first network device and the second index that can be used by the second network device. That is, if the PCI of the cells under the first network device and the cells under the second network device is the same, the OAM can configure different SSB indexes for the first and second network devices, meaning that the SSB indexes allowed for use by the first and second network devices are not the same.

[0299] In Method 2, the SSB index used by the first network device and the SSB index used by the second network device can be configured by OAM. OAM can configure different SSB indexes for the two network devices.

[0300] Because the SSB index used by cells under the first network device is different from that used by cells under the second network device, for cells with the same PCI under both the first and second network devices, neighboring terminal devices and / or network devices (i.e., the third network device) can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the SSB index. See also... Figure 10 The communication method also includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0301] S1005, the first network device sends a first index to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the first index from the first network device.

[0302] The first network device may carry the first index in the Xn interface message sent to the third network device, and the Xn interface message may also carry the first measurement time window for measuring the SSB from the first network device.

[0303] S1006, the second network device sends the second index to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the second index from the second network device.

[0304] The second network device may carry the second index in the Xn interface message sent to the third network device. The Xn interface message may also carry a second measurement time window for measuring the SSB from the second network device.

[0305] S1007, the third network device sends a third configuration message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third configuration message from the third network device.

[0306] The third configuration message may include a first index and a second index, as well as information indicating that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices. Optionally, the third configuration message may also include a group index of the first index and a group index of the second index. For example, the first index may be 1 to 64, the group index of the first index may be group 1, the second index may be 65 to 128, and the group index of the second index may be group 2.

[0307] Optionally, the third configuration message may also include a third measurement time window. Before sending the third configuration message to the terminal device, the third network device may determine the third measurement time window based on the first and second measurement time windows. For details on how the third network device determines the third measurement time window, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 8 The description of step S803 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0308] S1008, the terminal device performs SSB measurement based on the third measurement time window, and determines the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB based on the first index and the second index.

[0309] The measurement result of the first SSB can be, for example, the measurement result of the SSB belonging to the first index obtained by the terminal device within the third measurement time window, and the measurement result of the second SSB can be, for example, the measurement result of the SSB belonging to the second index obtained by the terminal device within the third measurement time window. In other words, the index of the first SSB can be included in the first index, and the index of the second SSB can be included in the second index.

[0310] Optionally, in step S1009, the terminal device determines the measurement result of the first cell based on the measurement result of the first SSB; and determines the measurement result of the second cell based on the measurement result of the second SSB.

[0311] Optionally, if the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB, the terminal device can distinguish different cells based on the measured SSB index, and then calculate the cell-level measurement results of different cells.

[0312] S1010, the terminal device sends a measurement report to the third network device. Correspondingly, the third network device receives the measurement report from the terminal device.

[0313] The measurement report may include the measurement results of the first SSB and the measurement results of the second SSB. The measurement results of the first SSB may include the index of the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second SSB may include the index of the second SSB.

[0314] Optionally, the measurement report may also include measurement results from the first cell and measurement results from the second cell.

[0315] Optionally, when the measurement report includes measurement results for both the first and second cells, the terminal device may identify the measurement results for the first and second cells in the measurement report using any of the following methods:

[0316] In method (1), the measurement results of the first cell are identified by the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, and the measurement results of the second cell are identified by the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell. The index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell can be a partial index of the first index, that is, the index of the portion of the SSBs corresponding to the first index that is measured by the terminal device. The index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell can be a partial index of the second index, that is, the index of the portion of the SSBs corresponding to the second index that is measured by the terminal device.

[0317] In method (2), the measurement results of the first cell are identified by the first index, and the measurement results of the second cell are identified by the second index.

[0318] In method (3), the measurement results of the first cell are identified by the group index of the first index, and the measurement results of the second cell are identified by the group index of the second index.

[0319] S1011, the third network device determines the network device to which the first SSB belongs as the first network device based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the network device to which the second SSB belongs as the second network device based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0320] Specifically, if the measurement result of the first SSB carries the index of the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB carries the index of the second SSB, then if the index of the first SSB is included in the first index indicated by the first network device to the third network device, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; if the index of the second SSB is included in the second index indicated by the second network device to the third network device, then the third network device can determine that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0321] For example, suppose a first network device indicates to a third network device that a first index includes 1 to 64, and a second network device indicates to the third network device that a second index includes 65 to 128. The third network device sends the first and second indices, along with information indicating that the first and second indices are associated with different network devices, to the terminal device. By distinguishing whether the index of the measured SSB is included in the first index or the second index, the terminal device can differentiate between SSBs from different network devices, and thus obtain the measurement results of the first and second SSBs. For example, the first SSB may include: SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, SSB4; and the second SSB may include: SSB65, SSB66, SSB67, SSB68. When a terminal device reports the measurement results of the first SSB to a third network device, it carries the index of the first SSB (e.g., SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, SSB4). When it reports the measurement results of the second SSB, it carries the index of the second SSB (e.g., SSB65, SSB66, SSB67, SSB68). Based on the indexes of SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, and SSB4, the third network device can determine that the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device, and based on the indexes of SSB65, SSB66, SSB67, and SSB68, it can determine that the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

[0322] Optionally, in step S1012, the third network device determines the measurement results of the first cell based on the measurement results of the first SSB; and determines the measurement results of the second cell based on the measurement results of the second SSB.

[0323] Optionally, in step S1013, the third network device determines the target network device based on the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell.

[0324] For details on the implementation of steps S1012 and S1013, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 The relevant descriptions of steps S608 and S609 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0325] In some scenarios, Figure 10The illustrated embodiment can also be implemented based on the O-RAN architecture. Compared to the conventional RAN architecture, O-RAN emphasizes further separation of functions and open interfaces between different network elements. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the O-RAN architecture can include an Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC). The RIC can collect network information and perform necessary optimization tasks. The RIC and gNB can communicate via the E2 interface. The gNB can be an O-RAN-enabled gNB and supports CU-DU separation. The RIC can interface with both gNB-CU and gNB-DU, and there is an F1 interface between the gNB-CU and gNB-DU. Optionally, in NTN communication scenarios, the RIC can be deployed on a satellite or on the ground.

[0326] In some embodiments, the RIC can assign SSB indexes to cells with the same PCI under different network devices. See also... Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of allocating an SSB index to the RIC provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 12 As shown, the steps may include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0327] S1201, the RIC sends the first index to the gNB1-DU. Correspondingly, the gNB1-DU receives the first index from the RIC.

[0328] Optionally, the RIC can send the first index directly to the gNB1-DU via the E2 interface. Alternatively, the RIC can send the first index to the gNB1-CU via the E2 interface, and the gNB1-CU can then send the first index to the gNB1-DU via the F1 interface.

[0329] S1202, the RIC sends the second index to the gNB2-DU. Correspondingly, the gNB2-DU receives the second index from the RIC.

[0330] The first and second indices are different. In other words, the RIC can configure the allowed SSB index ranges for gNB1 and gNB2 respectively.

[0331] Optionally, the RIC can send the second index directly to the gNB2-DU via the E2 interface. Alternatively, the RIC can send the second index to the gNB2-CU via the E2 interface, and the gNB2-CU can then send the second index to the gNB2-DU via the F1 interface.

[0332] In some embodiments, steps S1201 and S1202 can be replaced Figure 10Steps S1001 and S1002 in the embodiment can be replaced by steps S1003 and S1004. That is, steps S1201 and S1202 can also be used as method 3 for the first network device and the second network device to determine their respective SSB indexes. In method 3, the RIC can assign different SSB indices to cells with the same PCI under the two network devices.

[0333] exist Figure 10 and Figure 12 In the illustrated embodiment, for cells with the same PCI under different network devices, different SSB indices can be used so that terminal devices and / or network devices in neighboring cells can distinguish cells under different network devices based on the SSB index.

[0334] In the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the third network device can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used in the third network device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the second network device can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used in the second network device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the first network device can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used in the first network device; and the methods and / or steps implemented by the terminal device can also be implemented by components (e.g., processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, logic modules, or software) that can be used in the terminal device.

[0335] The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in this application. Accordingly, this application also provides a communication device for implementing various methods in the above method embodiments. This communication device can be a third network device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a third network device, or a component usable in a third network device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a second network device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a second network device, or a component usable in a second network device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a first network device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a first network device, or a component usable in a first network device, such as a chip or chip system. Alternatively, the communication device can be a terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a device containing a terminal device, or a component usable in a terminal device, such as a chip or chip system.

[0336] In some embodiments, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function in order to achieve the above-described functions. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0337] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0338] Taking a communication device as an example, which is the third network device, the second network device, the first network device, or the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 1300 includes a processing module 1301 and a communication module 1302. The processing module 1301 is used to execute the processing functions of the third network device, the second network device, the first network device, or the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication module 1302 is used to execute the communication functions of the third network device, the second network device, the first network device, or the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0339] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0340] In one possible design, in this embodiment of the application, the communication module 1302 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. Figure 13 (Not shown in the image). The transmitting module and the receiving module are used to implement the transmitting and receiving functions of the communication device 1300, respectively.

[0341] In one possible design, the communication device 1300 may further include a storage module. Figure 13 (Not shown in the image), this storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1301 executes the program or instructions, it enables the communication device 1300 to perform operations. Figures 6-10 The function of the third network device, or the second network device, or the first network device, or the terminal device in any of the methods shown.

[0342] In some embodiments, the processing module 1301 involved in the communication device 1300 may be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and may be a processor or processing unit; the communication module 1302 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and may be a transceiver or transceiver unit.

[0343] Please see Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be a third network device, a second network device, a first network device, or a terminal device as described in the above method embodiments; it can also be a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in a third network device, a second network device, a first network device, or a terminal device. Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1400 may include a processor 1401, a bus 1402, a communication interface 1403, and a memory 1404. The processor 1401, memory 1404, and communication interface 1403 communicate with each other via the bus 1402. The communication device 1400 may be the aforementioned third network device, or a second network device, or a first network device, or a terminal device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the number of processors and memories in the communication device 1400.

[0344] Bus 1402 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 14 The bus 1402 may be represented by a single line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The bus 1402 may include a path for transmitting information between various components of the communication device 1400 (e.g., memory 1404, processor 1401, communication interface 1403).

[0345] Processor 1401 may include any one or more processors such as CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), microprocessor (MP), or digital signal processor (DSP).

[0346] Memory 1404 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM). Processor 1401 may also include non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD).

[0347] The communication interface 1403 uses transceiver modules such as, but not limited to, network interface cards and transceivers to enable communication between the communication device 1400 and other devices or communication networks.

[0348] The memory 1404 stores executable program code, which the processor 1401 executes to implement the functions of the third network device, the second network device, the first network device, or the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. That is, the memory 1404 stores instructions for executing the aforementioned communication method.

[0349] In another aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, including computer program code, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the methods described in any of the above embodiments.

[0350] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the methods described in any of the above embodiments.

[0351] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs).

[0352] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples 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 implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0353] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0354] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0355] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. 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 the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0356] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0357] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as 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 this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or an access network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0358] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0359] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a measurement report from the terminal device; the measurement report includes the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB, wherein the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB; Based on the measurement results of the first SSB, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is determined to be the first network device; and based on the measurement results of the second SSB, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is determined to be the second network device, wherein the first network device and the second network device are different network devices; The measurement result of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB; the measurement result of the second SSB includes one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first measurement time window from the first network device; Receive the second measurement time window from the second network device; A first configuration message is sent to the terminal device; the first configuration message indicates the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first configuration message also indicates the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window.

4. The method as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first configuration message also indicates a first activation time and / or a second activation time; the first activation time is the activation time of the first measurement time window, and the second activation time is the activation time of the second measurement time window.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The measurement result of the first SSB includes the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB; In response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB and the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device. In response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB and the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first measurement time window from the first network device; Receive the second measurement time window from the second network device; A third measurement time window is determined based on the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window; A second configuration message is sent to the terminal device; the second configuration message indicates the third measurement time window.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The measurement result of the first SSB includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB; The measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB and the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB are the time offsets within the third measurement time window; In response to the fact that the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB corresponds to the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device. In response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB being consistent with the second measurement time window, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

8. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first index from the first network device; Receive the second index from the second network device.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third configuration message is sent to the terminal device, the third configuration message indicating that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices.

10. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The measurement result of the first SSB includes the index of the first SSB, and the measurement result of the second SSB includes the index of the second SSB; In response to the first index including the first SSB, the network device to which the first SSB belongs is the first network device; In response to the second index including the index of the second SSB, the network device to which the second SSB belongs is the second network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; In response to the overlap between the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement result of the first cell and the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; The measurement time window corresponding to the measurement result of the second cell overlaps with the second measurement time window, and the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

13. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; In response to the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the first cell being consistent with the first measurement time window, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; The measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement result of the second cell corresponds to the second measurement time window, and the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

14. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell or the measurement results of the first cell associated with the first index, and the SSB index corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell or the measurement results of the second cell associated with the second index; In response to the first index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, or in response to the measurement results of the first cell being associated with the first index, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; In response to the second index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell, or in response to the measurement results of the second cell being associated with the second index, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A measurement report is sent to a third network device; the measurement report includes the measurement results of the first SSB and the second SSB; the PCI corresponding to the first SSB is the same as the PCI corresponding to the second SSB; The measurement result of the first SSB includes one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the first SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the first SSB, and the index of the first SSB; the measurement result of the second SSB includes one or more of the following: the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the index of the measurement time window corresponding to the second SSB, the measurement time offset corresponding to the second SSB, and the index of the second SSB.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a first configuration message from a third network device; the first configuration message indicates a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window; the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window are used to measure SSB from different network devices.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The first configuration message also indicates the index of the first measurement time window and the index of the second measurement time window.

18. The method as described in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first configuration message also indicates a first activation time and / or a second activation time; the first activation time is the activation time of the first measurement time window, and the second activation time is the activation time of the second measurement time window.

19. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second configuration message is received from a third network device; the second configuration message indicates a third measurement time window; the third measurement time window is determined based on a first measurement time window and a second measurement time window; the first measurement time window and the second measurement time window are used to measure SSBs from different network devices.

20. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third configuration message from a third network device; the third configuration message indicates that the first index and the second index are associated with different network devices.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement results of the second cell; the measurement results of the first cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the first SSB, and the measurement results of the second cell are the cell measurement results corresponding to the second SSB.

22. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time window corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell.

23. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell; the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell and the measurement time offset corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell are time offsets within the third measurement time window.

24. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The measurement report also includes an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell or an association between the measurement results of the first cell and the first index, and an index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell or an association between the measurement results of the second cell and the second index.

25. The method as described in claim 24, characterized in that, In response to the first index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the first cell, the network device to which the first cell belongs is the first network device; In response to the second index including the index of the SSB corresponding to the measurement results of the second cell, the network device to which the second cell belongs is the second network device.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one module, said at least one module being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, include: processor; The processor is configured to run computer programs or instructions to enable the method as described in any one of claims 1-25 to be implemented.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

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