A communication method, a communication system and related devices

Abstract

This application discloses a communication method, communication system, and related apparatus. The communication method includes: a first communication device sending first information to a second communication device at a first frequency position; the first information indicating that the first communication device has a first signal to send; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, which includes multiple frequency positions, wherein the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold; and the first communication device sending the first signal to the second communication device. Embodiments of this application can reduce the power consumption of network devices and terminal devices while ensuring a good network access experience for terminal devices.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In communication systems, in order for terminal devices to recognize and access network devices, network devices must transmit certain always-on signals, such as the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) and System Information Block 1 (SIB1) in New Radio (NR) systems. Existing protocols define the transmission period of SSB and SIB1 by network devices to ensure that terminal devices can detect the NR carrier. This transmission period affects both the terminal device's network access experience and the power consumption of the network device. Therefore, reducing the power consumption of network devices while ensuring a good network access experience for terminal devices is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method, communication system, and related apparatus that can reduce the energy consumption of network devices and terminal devices while ensuring the network access experience of terminal devices.

[0004] Firstly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the first communication device in this application can refer to the first communication device itself (e.g., a terminal device or network device), or it can refer to a module within the first communication device. For example, the module can be a communication module within the first communication device, or a circuit or chip within the first communication device responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. Alternatively, it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. For ease of description, the following uses a first communication device as an example. The method includes:

[0005] Send first information to the second communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0006] Send the first signal to the second communication device.

[0007] As can be seen from the embodiments of this application, when the first communication device has a first signal to send, it sends first information to the second communication device at a first frequency position to indicate to the second communication device that it needs to receive the first signal. This ensures that the first and second communication devices only interact when needed, which helps avoid the transmission of always-on signals and thus reduces the power consumption of network devices. After transmitting the first information, the first and second communication devices can perform synchronization, access, and other operations without affecting the network access experience of the terminal device. In addition, the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions in the multiple frequency positions included in the first frequency grid is greater than a first threshold, indicating that the first frequency grid is very sparse. The first communication device sends the first information at the very sparse first frequency positions, which helps reduce transmission overhead compared to the transmission of always-on signals. The second communication device detects the first information at the very sparse first frequency positions, which helps reduce detection overhead compared to the detection of always-on signals, thereby achieving the goal of reducing power consumption at both ends.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

[0009] In this implementation, the first communication device can indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal through the first information, so that the second communication device can receive the first signal based on the time-domain window. Furthermore, within this time-domain window, both the first and second communication devices can activate a high-power, high-performance second operating mode to ensure the reliability of the first signal transmission.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0011] In this implementation, for the scenario of network wake-up terminal, the first communication device can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal through the first information, so that the second communication device can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0013] Send a second signal to the second communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device;

[0014] Sending a first signal to a second communication device includes:

[0015] The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0016] In this implementation, for scenarios involving network wake-up of terminals (e.g., the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal device), after sending the first message, the first communication device sends a second signal to the second communication device to facilitate synchronization between them. This eliminates the need for periodic synchronization signals in the communication system; instead, synchronization signals are sent only when a signal needs to be transmitted, reducing the power consumption of the network device. Once the second communication device has completed synchronization with the first communication device, the first communication device can send the first signal at a second frequency position, allowing the second communication device to receive the first signal at that second frequency position.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0018] The system receives second information from a second communication device at a first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate a second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] Receive a third signal from the second communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices.

[0021] Sending a first signal to a second communication device includes:

[0022] The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0023] In this implementation, for scenarios where the terminal wakes up the network (e.g., the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a network device), after sending the first message, the second communication device can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal to the terminal device via second information at the first frequency position, and send a third signal to the first communication device to facilitate synchronization between the first and second communication devices. This eliminates the need for periodic transmission of synchronization signals in the communication system; instead, synchronization signals are only sent when a signal needs to be transmitted, which helps reduce the power consumption of the network device. Once the first communication device has completed synchronization with the second communication device, the first communication device can send the first signal at the second frequency position so that the second communication device can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

[0025] In this implementation, the first communication device can send the first information without synchronization with the second communication device. The two communicate asynchronously, which helps to save the transmission overhead of the synchronization signal. Since the synchronization signal is usually sent by the network device, it helps to reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the second communication device in this application can refer to the second communication device itself (e.g., a terminal device or network device), or it can refer to a module within the second communication device. For example, the module can be a communication module within the second communication device, or a circuit or chip within the second communication device responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core. Alternatively, it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. For ease of description, the following uses a second communication device as an example. The method includes:

[0027] The system receives first information from a first communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to be transmitted; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0028] Receive the first signal from the first communication device.

[0029] As can be seen from the embodiments of this application, when the first communication device has a first signal to send, the second communication device can receive first information from the first communication device at a first frequency position to indicate to the second communication device that it needs to receive the first signal. This ensures that the first and second communication devices only interact when needed, which helps avoid the transmission of always-on signals and thus reduces the power consumption of network devices. After transmitting the first information, the first and second communication devices can perform synchronization, access, and other operations without affecting the network access experience of the terminal device. In addition, the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions in the multiple frequency positions included in the first frequency grid is greater than a first threshold, indicating that the first frequency grid is very sparse. The first communication device sends the first information at very sparse first frequency positions, which helps reduce transmission overhead compared to the transmission of always-on signals. The second communication device detects the first information at very sparse first frequency positions, which helps reduce detection overhead compared to the detection of always-on signals, thereby achieving the goal of reducing power consumption at both ends.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

[0031] In this implementation, the first communication device can indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal through the first information, so that the second communication device can receive the first signal based on the time-domain window. Furthermore, within this time-domain window, both the first and second communication devices can activate a high-power, high-performance second operating mode to ensure the reliability of the first signal transmission.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0033] In this implementation, for the scenario of network wake-up terminal, the first communication device can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal through the first information, so that the second communication device can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0035] Receive a second signal from the first communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device;

[0036] Receiving a first signal from a first communication device includes:

[0037] The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

[0038] In this implementation, for scenarios involving network wake-up of terminals (e.g., the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal device), after sending the first message, the first communication device sends a second signal to the second communication device to facilitate synchronization between them. This eliminates the need for periodic synchronization signals in the communication system; instead, synchronization signals are sent only when a signal needs to be transmitted, reducing the power consumption of the network device. Once the second communication device has completed synchronization with the first communication device, the first communication device can send the first signal at a second frequency position, allowing the second communication device to receive the first signal at that second frequency position.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0040] The second information is sent to the first communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0042] Send a third signal to the first communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices.

[0043] Receiving a first signal from a first communication device includes:

[0044] The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

[0045] In this implementation, for scenarios where the terminal wakes up the network (e.g., the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a network device), after sending the first message, the second communication device can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal to the terminal device via second information at the first frequency position, and send a third signal to the first communication device to facilitate synchronization between the first and second communication devices. This eliminates the need for periodic transmission of synchronization signals in the communication system; instead, synchronization signals are only sent when a signal needs to be transmitted, which helps reduce the power consumption of the network device. Once the first communication device has completed synchronization with the second communication device, the first communication device can send the first signal at the second frequency position so that the second communication device can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

[0047] In this implementation, the first communication device can send the first information without synchronization with the second communication device. The two communicate asynchronously, which helps to save the transmission overhead of the synchronization signal. Since the synchronization signal is usually sent by the network device, it helps to reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0048] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device; wherein the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first aspect above; and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the second aspect above.

[0049] It is understood that the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the embodiments described in the third aspect can be referred to the specific implementation and beneficial effects of the methods described in the first to second aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0050] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a module for performing the method described in the first aspect, such as a first transceiver unit; wherein the first transceiver unit is used for:

[0051] Send first information to the second communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0052] Send the first signal to the second communication device.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit is also used for:

[0056] Send a second signal to the second communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device;

[0057] In transmitting the first signal to the second communication device, the first transceiver unit is specifically used for:

[0058] The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit is also used for:

[0060] The system receives second information from a second communication device at a first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate a second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit is also used for:

[0062] Receive a third signal from the second communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices.

[0063] In transmitting the first signal to the second communication device, the first transceiver unit is also configured to:

[0064] The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

[0066] It should be understood that since the method embodiments and the device embodiments are different presentations of the same technical concept, the content of the first aspect of the embodiments of this application should be adapted to the fourth aspect of the embodiments of this application simultaneously, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a module for performing the method described in the second aspect above, such as a second transceiver unit; wherein the second transceiver unit is used for:

[0068] The system receives first information from a first communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to be transmitted; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0069] Receive the first signal from the first communication device.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the second transceiver unit is also used for:

[0073] Receive a second signal from the first communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device;

[0074] In receiving the first signal from the first communication device, the second transceiver unit is specifically used for:

[0075] The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the second transceiver unit is also used for:

[0077] The second information is sent to the first communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0078] In one possible implementation, the second transceiver unit is also used for:

[0079] Send a third signal to the first communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices.

[0080] In receiving the first signal from the first communication device, the second transceiver unit is specifically used for:

[0081] The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

[0083] It should be understood that since the method embodiments and the device embodiments are different presentations of the same technical concept, the content of the second aspect of the embodiments of this application should be adapted to the fifth aspect of the embodiments of this application simultaneously, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0084] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for implementing any one of the first or second aspects described above, or for implementing the communication method in any implementation of any one of the first or second aspects described above. For example, the device may be a terminal device, a module applied to a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. For example, the device may be a network device, a module applied to a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the communication device in the sixth aspect includes units, modules, or means for respectively executing the methods in any one or any implementation of the first or second aspect. Specifically, the units, modules, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0086] In another possible implementation, the communication device in the sixth aspect above includes at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to perform the corresponding functions in the communication method described above.

[0087] Optionally, the at least one processor may be coupled to at least one memory for storing necessary programs (instructions) and / or data (such as one or more computer programs) of the device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface for enabling communication between the device and other network elements. Optionally, the at least one memory may be located internally or externally to the communication device.

[0088] Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver unit, with the processor coupled to the transceiver unit. The processor executes computer programs or instructions to control the transceiver unit to receive and send information. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions, it is also used to implement the above method through logic circuits or executed code instructions. The transceiver unit may be a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or input / output interface, 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. When the communication device is a chip, the transceiver unit is a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface.

[0089] When the communication device in the sixth aspect above is a chip, the transmitting unit can be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface; the receiving unit can be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface. When the communication device is a terminal device, the transmitting unit can be a transmitter or a receiver; the receiving unit can be a receiver or a receiver.

[0090] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, causing a device / apparatus on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above.

[0091] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for execution by a device / apparatus, wherein the computer program, when executed, implements the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above.

[0092] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run by a device, causes the device to perform the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0093] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0094] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system.

[0095] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a chip architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a frequency grid provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a switching working mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 9A This application provides a schematic diagram of internal information processing in a network device.

[0103] Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of the internal modules of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a baseband hardware provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0110] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0111] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0112] The terms “component,” “module,” “system,” etc., used in this specification are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, an application running on a terminal device and the terminal device can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0113] First, a brief introduction to the technical background of this application will be given to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0114] (1) Long Term Evolution (LTE);

[0115] (2) New Radio (NR);

[0116] (3) Physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH);

[0117] (4) Physical downlink control channel: PDCCH;

[0118] (5) Physical downlink shared channel, PUSCH;

[0119] (6) Physical uplink control channel: PUCCH;

[0120] (7) Demodulation reference signal: DMRS;

[0121] (8) Downlink control information: DCI;

[0122] (9) Modulation and coding scheme (MCS);

[0123] (10) Radio network temporary identifier (RNTI);

[0124] (11) Cell radio network tempory identity, C-RNTI;

[0125] (12) Acknowledgement: ACK;

[0126] (13) Negative Acknowledgment (NACK);

[0127] (14) Automatic Repeat Request: hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ;

[0128] (15) Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM);

[0129] (16) Resource element: RE;

[0130] (17) Resource block: RB; N consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain can be called a resource block. For example, a resource block in an LTE system includes 12 subcarriers, and a resource block in an NR system also includes 12 subcarriers. As communication systems evolve, the number of subcarriers included in a resource block can also be other values;

[0131] (18) Semi-static scheduling: SPS;

[0132] (19) Personal digital assistant: PDA;

[0133] (20) Public land mobile network (PLMN);

[0134] (21) Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM);

[0135] (22) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA);

[0136] (23) Base station: BS;

[0137] (24) Device to Device (D2D);

[0138] (25) Control resource set: CORESET;

[0139] (26) Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI);

[0140] (27) Common search space: CSS;

[0141] (28) User Equipment (UE);

[0142] (29) UE-specific search space, USS;

[0143] (30) Channel state information-reference signal: CSI-RS;

[0144] (31) Signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR);

[0145] (32) Channel sounding reference signal (SRS);

[0146] (33) Vehicle to Everything, V2X;

[0147] (34) (Wireless) Access Network: (Radio)AccessNetwork, (R)AN.

[0148] Subcarrier: This is a concept from the perspective of the spectrum. In OFDM, frequency domain resources are divided into several sub-resources, and each sub-resource can be called a subcarrier. A subcarrier can also be understood as the smallest granularity of frequency domain resources.

[0149] Subcarrier spacing: In an OFDM system, the distance between the center or peak positions of two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency domain. For example, the subcarrier spacing in an LTE system is 15 kHz, while the subcarrier spacing in an NR system can be 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, or 120 kHz, etc.

[0150] Time slot: In the NR system, a time slot consists of 14 OFDM symbols. The time slot length corresponding to a 15kHz subcarrier spacing is 1 millisecond (ms), and the time slot length corresponding to a 30kHz subcarrier spacing is 0.5ms.

[0151] Subframe: In the NR system, the duration of a subframe is 1ms.

[0152] Time-frequency resource unit: The smallest resource granularity in an OFDM system, which is an OFDM symbol in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain.

[0153] SIB1 is an important concept in LTE and NR communication networks, and is part of the system information. SIB1 contains basic network configuration information and is the first system information a UE needs to receive when accessing the network. It provides the device with the basic parameters and configuration required for initial network connection. SIB1 is carried on the PDSCH, but the time-frequency location and transmission parameters of the PDSCH carrying SIB1 are indicated by the DCI. The DCI corresponding to SIB1 is jointly determined by CORESET0 and CSS0.

[0154] SSB (Secondary Synchronization Signal): This is the first signal detected when a terminal device and network device establish a connection. Generally, SSB consists of two parts: the Synchronization Signal (SS) and the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The SS further includes the Primary Synchronization Signals (PSS) and the Secondary Synchronization Signals (SSS). In NR systems, the SSB primarily serves two functions: 1) cell synchronization and Master Information Block (MIB) acquisition; 2) wide beamforming training on the base station side. Before detecting an SSB, the terminal device does not know its specific time-frequency resource location; that is, the terminal device needs to blindly detect the SSB's location. However, because the cell bandwidth in NR is very wide, if the terminal device attempts to detect an SSB at every frequency point, the access speed will be very slow. Therefore, the NR protocol defines a synchronization grid to determine the frequency location of candidate SSBs. The terminal device only needs to detect the SSB based on the frequency domain location determined by the synchronization grid, thus improving the speed of SSB detection. The spacing between two adjacent frequency domain positions determined by the synchronization grid varies across different frequency bands, specifically 1200 kHz, 1.44 MHz, and 17.28 MHz. In other words, the NR protocol defines the frequency spacing of the synchronization grid. Based on the frequency spacing of the synchronization grid, as shown in Table 1, the NR protocol defines the frequency positions SS for base station transmission of SSB and terminal equipment detection of SSB. REF :

[0155] Table 1

[0156]

[0157] Here, GSCN stands for Global Synchronization Channel Number, and N and M are parameters used to locate the SSB in the synchronization grid.

[0158] Based on the SS defined in Table 1 REF The terminal device only needs to be in SS REF The SSB can be detected by simply checking it. Assuming the base station transmits SSBs every 20ms, if in an SSB... REFIf a terminal device waits for 20ms without detecting an SSB, it cannot proceed with subsequent steps and may continue detection on another synchronization grid. Understandably, as the base station's SSB transmission period lengthens, the terminal device's detection time also increases. Furthermore, since SIB1 carries essential information for random access, such as the time-frequency resources for the terminal device to transmit the Random Access Channel (RACH), even if the terminal device detects an SSB, it cannot perform random access if it does not receive SIB1 and must wait. In other words, a long SIB1 transmission period also increases the latency for the terminal device to access the network, affecting the user experience. Moreover, both SSB and SIB1 are always-on signals. To ensure terminal device access, the base station must periodically transmit these signals, incurring overhead. If the base station covers multiple cells, multiple SSB and SIB1 signals will need to be transmitted, leading to higher base station power consumption.

[0159] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to... Figure 1 The system architecture is shown below. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system can be a 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication system, a future evolution system, or a converged system of multiple communication technologies. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes at least network devices and terminal devices, where the terminal device can be either a transmitting device or a receiving device. Correspondingly, the network device can be either a transmitting device or a receiving device. For example, when a network device or terminal device needs to transmit a signal, it sends first information to the receiving device on a predefined frequency grid. This first information informs the receiving device that the transmitting device has a signal to transmit, thereby waking the receiving device to execute subsequent processes, such as synchronization, access, and signal reception. The frequency interval of this frequency grid is greater than the frequency interval of the synchronization grid. This can be understood as the frequency interval of the frequency grid being greater than a certain threshold. This threshold could be the maximum frequency interval of the synchronization grid, or the frequency interval of the synchronization grid in different frequency bands, or the threshold could be determined based on the frequency interval of the synchronization grid. Alternatively, it can be understood that the frequency grid is a sparser grid than the synchronization grid. It can be seen that in... Figure 1In the architecture shown, when the transmitting device needs to send a signal, it wakes up the receiving device with the first message. Both the transmitter and receiver then execute subsequent processes, avoiding the transmission of always-on signals such as SSB, which helps reduce the power consumption of network devices. Furthermore, since the first message is sent and received on a sparser grid, the receiving device does not need to frequently scan a large number of frequency points, reducing the scanning and detection overhead of the receiving transceiver, thereby achieving the goal of reducing power consumption at both ends.

[0160] For example, the terminal device in this application embodiment can also be called a terminal, which can be a device with wireless transceiver function. The terminal device can be a UE, or a handheld device, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, or computing device with wireless communication function. For example, the UE can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, or computer with wireless transceiver function. The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. In this application embodiment, the terminal device can be a device for implementing the functions of the terminal; it can also be a device that supports the terminal in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, PDA, terminal device in a 5G network, or terminal device in an evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of this application are not limited to this.

[0161] For example, the network device in this application embodiment includes a BS, which can be a device deployed in a wireless access network capable of wirelessly communicating with a terminal. The base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay station, or access point, etc. For example, the base station involved in this application embodiment can be a 5G base station or an eNB (Evolved Node B) base station in LTE. The 5G base station can also be called a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or a gNB (Next-Generation Node B) base station. In this application embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the network device can be the network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. In this application embodiment, taking the network device as an example to illustrate the function of the network device, the technical solution provided by this application embodiment is described. For example, the network device can be a base station.

[0162] For example, the network device in this application embodiment can also be a (R)AN device. Optionally, in some deployments of (R)AN devices, the (R)AN device can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU), etc. For example, operations or steps of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer can be performed by the CU; operations or steps of the Physical (PHY) layer can be performed by the DU. In other deployments of (R)AN devices, the CU can also be divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP), etc. In still other deployments of (R)AN devices, the (R)AN device can also be a radio unit (RU). In still other deployments of (R)AN devices, the (R)AN device can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. This application does not limit the deployment method of the (R)AN device. For example, when the (R)AN device is an ORAN architecture, the (R)AN device shown in this application embodiment can be an access network device in ORAN, or a module within an access network device, etc. In the ORAN architecture, CU can also be called open (O)-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.

[0163] Optionally, the (R)AN device provided in this application embodiment can also be a chip architecture composed of CU, DU, and RU. For example... Figure 2As shown, in this chip architecture, the Backhaul interface handles traffic between the core network and the CU, the Midhaul interface handles traffic between the CU and the DU, and the Fronthaul interface handles traffic between the DU and the RU. The CU / DU hardware is typically implemented using a multi-core processor and one or more hardware accelerators. For example, the multi-core processor can be an x86 or non-x86 central processing unit (CPU), and the one or more hardware accelerators can be a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. Part of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor, while computationally intensive L1 and L2 cache functions can be offloaded to the FPGA / GPU-based hardware accelerator; or all L1 functions can be offloaded to the FPGA / GPU-based hardware accelerator, while other protocol stack content is implemented in software running on the processor; or the entire protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the processor. The hardware accelerator supports interconnection with x86 or non-x86 processors. Similarly, the accelerator has a multi-channel Peripheral Component Interconnect-express (PCIe) interface pointing to the CPU and external connections via Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). The RU includes an ORAN Processing Unit (OPU), an O-RU Digital Processing Unit (DPU), and a Radio Frequency (RF) processing unit. The OPU receives enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) frames from the ORAN fronthaul and performs fronthaul interface operations, encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding, synchronization, beamforming, and resource unit mapping. The OPU can be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).The DPU performs synchronization, digital downconversion in the uplink, digital upconversion in the downlink, crest factor reduction (CFR), and digital pre-distortion (DPD) to improve power amplifier efficiency by reducing the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) / adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the RF front end. The DPU can be implemented as an FPGA or ASIC. The RF processing unit includes a transceiver module, up / down converters, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, and transmit / receive filters. All conversions between the analog and digital domains are performed within the transceiver module.

[0164] For example, the application scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application can include a variety of scenarios, such as machine-to-machine (M2M), macro-micro communication, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (uRLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC).

[0165] The technical solution provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to specific implementation methods.

[0166] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method can be based on... Figure 1 The system architecture shown can be implemented, or it can be implemented based on other communication systems. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the method includes steps 301-302:

[0167] 301: The first communication device sends first information to the second communication device at the first frequency position.

[0168] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives first information from the first communication device at a first frequency position. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, which includes multiple frequency positions, including the first frequency position. The frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold. That is, the frequency interval of the first frequency grid is greater than the frequency interval of the synchronization grid. In other words, the first frequency grid is a sparser frequency grid than the synchronization grid. For example, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, the first frequency grid is defined as an anchor raster, and the frequency spacing between adjacent frequency positions defined by the anchor raster is sparse. The first threshold can be a predefined value in the protocol. For example, the first threshold can vary depending on the frequency band used for communication. For instance: in the 0-3000MHz range, the first threshold is a value greater than or equal to 1200kHz, such as 1200kHz*n, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2; in the 3000-24250MHz range, the first threshold is a value greater than or equal to 1.44MHz, such as 1.44MHz*n; and in the 24250-100000MHz range, the first threshold is a value greater than or equal to 17.28MHz, such as 17.28MHz*n. In other words, the first threshold can be n times the frequency spacing defined by the synchronization grid.

[0169] For example, multiple frequency positions within the first frequency grid can be defined by the protocol, such as by referring to SS in Table 1. REF The definition method.

[0170] For example, when multiple frequency positions of a first frequency grid are defined, the first communication device and the second communication device can transmit / detect the first information at these multiple frequency positions.

[0171] The first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send. In this embodiment, for a scenario where the terminal device has a signal to send, the first communication device can be the terminal device or a device, chip, module, etc. in the terminal device; correspondingly, the second communication device can be a network device or a device, chip, module, etc. in the network device. For a scenario where the network device has a signal to send, the first communication device can be the network device or a device, chip, module, etc. in the network device; correspondingly, the second communication device can be the terminal device or a device, chip, module, etc. in the terminal device.

[0172] For example, the first communication device has a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and the second communication device also has a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The communication performance and power consumption of the first communication device and the second communication device in the first operating mode are higher than those in the second operating mode. The first operating mode can be a low-bandwidth, low-power mode, and the second operating mode can be a high-bandwidth, high-power mode.

[0173] Optionally, the first communication device can send the first information in a first operating mode or in a second operating mode. For example, such as... Figure 5As shown, when the UE and base station do not need to interact on data / paging, both the UE and base station can operate in low-power transceiver mode. When the UE and base station need to interact on data / paging, either the UE or the base station can send a first message through the low-power transceiver mode to wake up both parties and enable data / paging interaction through the data transceiver mode. The low-power transceiver mode can be a low-power, low-performance transceiver, while the data transceiver mode can be a high-power, high-performance transceiver. For example, the first message can be used to instruct the second communication device to wake up (or switch to) the second operating mode, and it can also trigger the first communication device to wake up to the second operating mode. In other words, the first and second communication devices can monitor whether a signal needs to be transmitted in the first operating mode, and when a signal needs to be transmitted, they can quickly wake up or switch to the second operating mode.

[0174] For example, the first communication device sending the first information at the first frequency position is a protocol predefined process that does not require any signaling notification or configuration.

[0175] For example, the PAPR of the signal carrying the first information is less than or equal to the second threshold, that is, the PAPR of the signal is low, which helps to reduce nonlinear distortion and improve spectral efficiency, thereby ensuring the transmission performance and reliability of the first information.

[0176] For example, in order to ensure that the second communication device can detect the first information at the first frequency position, the protocol may stipulate that the first information can be transmitted repeatedly to ensure the reliability of communication.

[0177] For example, the first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state. The so-called asynchronous state means that the first communication device and the second communication device are not synchronized in time and frequency. When the first communication device has a signal to transmit, it can directly send the first information, and the second communication device only needs to detect it at the first frequency position.

[0178] In this implementation, the first communication device can send the first information without synchronization with the second communication device. The two communicate asynchronously, which helps to save the transmission overhead of the synchronization signal. Since the synchronization signal is usually sent by the network device, it helps to reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0179] 302: The first communication device sends a first signal to the second communication device.

[0180] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first signal from the first communication device.

[0181] For example, when the first communication device is a terminal device, the first signal may be one or more of the following: PUSCH, PUCCH, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), uplink data signal, Channel State Information (CSI), Message 1 (MSG1), MSG3, and network handover request. When the first communication device is a network device, the first signal may be one or more of the following: PDCCH, PDSCH, Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), downlink data signal, paging signal, MSG2, and MSG4.

[0182] For example, taking a scenario where the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal device (i.e., a network wake-up terminal scenario), such as... Figure 6 As shown, prior to step 302, the method further includes the following steps:

[0183] 301a: The first communication device sends a second signal to the second communication device.

[0184] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives a second signal from the first communication device.

[0185] The second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device, including time and / or frequency synchronization. For example, the second signal may include one or more of the following: SSS, PSS, SSB, SIB1, or synchronization signals in future evolution systems. After receiving the second signal, the second communication device completes synchronization with the first communication device. Once synchronization is complete, the first communication device sends the first signal.

[0186] In this implementation, for scenarios involving network wake-up of terminals (e.g., the first communication device is a network device and the second communication device is a terminal device), after sending the first message, the first communication device sends a second signal to the second communication device to facilitate synchronization between them. This eliminates the need for periodic synchronization signals in the communication system; instead, synchronization signals are only sent when there is a signal to be transmitted, which helps reduce the power consumption of network devices.

[0187] For example, taking a scenario where the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a network device (i.e., a scenario where the terminal wakes up the network), such as... Figure 7 As shown, prior to step 302, the method further includes the following steps:

[0188] 301b: The second communication device sends a third signal to the first communication device.

[0189] Correspondingly, the first communication device receives a third signal from the second communication device.

[0190] The third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices, including time and / or frequency synchronization. For example, the third signal may include one or more of the following: SSS, PSS, SSB, SIB1, and synchronization signals in future evolution systems. After receiving the third signal, the first communication device completes synchronization with the second communication device. Once synchronization is complete, the first communication device sends the first signal.

[0191] In this implementation, for scenarios where the terminal wakes up the network (e.g., the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a network device), after sending the first message, the second communication device sends a third signal to the first communication device to facilitate synchronization between the two devices. This eliminates the need for periodic synchronization signals in the communication system; instead, synchronization signals are only sent when there is a signal to be transmitted, which helps reduce the power consumption of the network devices.

[0192] As can be seen from the embodiments of this application, when the first communication device has a first signal to send, it sends first information to the second communication device at a first frequency position to indicate to the second communication device that it needs to receive the first signal. This ensures that the first and second communication devices only interact when needed, which helps avoid the transmission of always-on signals and thus reduces the power consumption of network devices. After transmitting the first information, the first and second communication devices can perform synchronization, access, and other operations without affecting the network access experience of the terminal device. In addition, the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions in the multiple frequency positions included in the first frequency grid is greater than a first threshold, indicating that the first frequency grid is very sparse. The first communication device sends the first information at the very sparse first frequency positions, which helps reduce transmission overhead compared to the transmission of always-on signals. The second communication device detects the first information at the very sparse first frequency positions, which helps reduce detection overhead compared to the detection of always-on signals, thereby achieving the goal of reducing power consumption at both ends.

[0193] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be based on... Figure 1 The system architecture shown can be implemented, or it can be implemented based on other communication systems. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the method includes steps 801-803:

[0194] 801: The first communication device sends first information to the second communication device at the first frequency position.

[0195] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives first information from the first communication device at a first frequency position. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, which includes multiple frequency positions, including the first frequency position, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0196] In this embodiment, the first communication device is used as a network device and the second communication device is used as a terminal device for explanation. In the scenario of network wake-up of the terminal, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency location for transmitting the first signal. For example, the second frequency location can be indicated by the Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN).

[0197] In this implementation, for the scenario of network wake-up terminal, the first communication device can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal through the first information, so that the second communication device can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0198] For example, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal. The second communication device can detect the first signal within or after this time-domain window. The purpose of the first information indicating the time-domain window is to instruct the second communication device to wake up the second operating mode within this time-domain window. That is, the first information is also used to instruct the second communication device to wake up the second operating mode within the specified time-domain window, such as waking up the data transceiver module. Simultaneously, if the first communication device is in the first operating mode, it also needs to wake up the second operating mode within this time-domain window.

[0199] In this implementation, the first communication device can indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal through the first information, so that the second communication device can receive the first signal based on the time-domain window. Furthermore, within this time-domain window, both the first and second communication devices can activate a high-power, high-performance second operating mode to ensure the reliability of the first signal transmission.

[0200] 802: The first communication device sends a second signal to the second communication device.

[0201] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives a second signal from the first communication device. This second signal is used for synchronization between the second and first communication devices; upon receiving the second signal, the second communication device completes synchronization with the first communication device.

[0202] 803: The first communication device sends a first signal to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0203] Accordingly, the second communication device receives a first signal from the first communication device at a second frequency position. For example, the first signal may be one or more of the following: PDCCH, PDSCH, CSI-RS, downlink data signal, Paging signal, MSG2, MSG4.

[0204] In this implementation, when the second communication device completes synchronization with the first communication device, the first communication device (such as a network device) can send a first signal at a second frequency position so that the second communication device (such as a terminal device) can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0205] For example, when the first communication device is Figure 2 The (R)AN device shown is as follows: Figure 9A As shown, the internal processing flow for the first piece of information includes:

[0206] S1: The DU transmits the transmission rules of the first information to the RU through the eCPRI interface;

[0207] The transmission rules specifically include the location of time and frequency resources and the encoding method used. The eCPRI interface signaling involved is a new signaling system. The eCPRI interface signaling can realize channel switching, which is conducive to the interconnection of DU and RU between different manufacturers, and also conducive to the decoupling of DU and RU in products of the same manufacturer.

[0208] S2: DU decision transmission of first information;

[0209] S3: DU notifies RU of the first information processing task assigned by S2 through the eCPRI interface;

[0210] S4: After receiving the task notification from the DU, the RU updates the channel configuration according to the signaling requirements and sends the first information.

[0211] For example, when the second communication device is a terminal device, such as Figure 9B As shown, the terminal device may include a receiving circuit, a RE demapper, and a detection circuit. The receiving circuit is configured to receive first information, and sends the received signal to the RE demapper to obtain a sequence or modulation symbol, and then sends it to the detection circuit to detect the first information.

[0212] Please see Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be based on... Figure 1 The system architecture shown can be implemented, or it can be implemented based on other communication systems. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the method includes steps 1001-1004:

[0213] 1001: The first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device at the first frequency position.

[0214] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives first information from the first communication device at a first frequency position. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, which includes multiple frequency positions, including the first frequency position, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0215] 1002: The second communication device sends second information to the first communication device at the first frequency position.

[0216] Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second information from the second communication device at the first frequency position.

[0217] The second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal. In this embodiment, the first communication device is taken as a terminal device, and the second communication device is taken as a network device. In a scenario where the terminal wakes up the network, if the network device receives the first information at the first frequency position, it can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal to the terminal device at the first frequency position using the second information. For example, the second frequency position can be indicated using an ARFCN. For example, the second information is also used to indicate that the second communication device has received an acknowledgment (ACK) signal for the first information.

[0218] 1003: The second communication device sends a third signal to the first communication device.

[0219] Correspondingly, the first communication device receives a third signal from the second communication device.

[0220] The third signal is used for synchronization between the first communication device and the second communication device. After receiving the third signal, the first communication device completes the synchronization with the second communication device.

[0221] 1004: The first communication device sends a first signal to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0222] Accordingly, the second communication device receives a first signal from the first communication device at a second frequency position. For example, the first signal may be one or more of the following: PUSCH, PUCCH, PRACH, uplink data signal, CSI, MSG1, MSG3, or network handover request.

[0223] In this implementation, the second communication device (such as a network device) can indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal to the terminal device through the second information at the first frequency position. When the first communication device completes the synchronization with the second communication device, the first communication device (such as the terminal device) can send the first signal at the second frequency position so that the second communication device can receive the first signal at the second frequency position.

[0224] The methods of the embodiments of this application have been described above. The communication system and apparatus of the embodiments of this application are provided below.

[0225] Please see Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 As shown, the communication system includes a first communication device 1101 and a second communication device 1102. The first communication device 1101 performs... Figures 3-10 The steps implemented by the first communication device in the communication method shown are executed by the second communication device 1102. Figures 3-10 The steps implemented by the second communication device in the communication method shown, and the specific implementation and beneficial effects can be found by referring to [reference needed]. Figures 3-10 The corresponding description in [the document / reference].

[0226] Please see Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 As shown, the device includes at least a first transceiver unit 1201, and the device can be... Figure 11 The first communication device 1101 in the communication system shown. The first transceiver unit 1201 is used for:

[0227] Send first information to the second communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0228] Send the first signal to the second communication device.

[0229] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

[0230] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0231] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to:

[0232] Send a second signal to the second communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device;

[0233] In transmitting the first signal to the second communication device, the first transceiver unit 1201 is specifically used for:

[0234] The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0235] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to:

[0236] The system receives second information from a second communication device at a first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate a second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the first transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to:

[0238] Receive a third signal from the second communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices.

[0239] In transmitting the first signal to the second communication device, the first transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to:

[0240] The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

[0242] It should be noted that, Figure 12 The implementation of each unit described can also be referenced accordingly. Figures 3 to 10 The corresponding description of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, Figure 12 The beneficial effects of the described communication device can be referred to Figures 3 to 10 The corresponding descriptions of the embodiments shown will not be repeated here.

[0243] Please see Figure 13 , Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 13 As shown, the device includes at least a second transceiver unit 1301, and the device can be... Figure 11 The second communication device 1102 in the communication system shown. The second transceiver unit 1301 is used for:

[0244] The system receives first information from a first communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to be transmitted; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0245] Receive the first signal from the first communication device.

[0246] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the second transceiver unit 1301 is further configured to:

[0249] Receive a second signal from the first communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device;

[0250] In receiving the first signal from the first communication device, the second transceiver unit 1301 is specifically used for:

[0251] The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the second transceiver unit 1301 is further configured to:

[0253] The second information is sent to the first communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the second transceiver unit 1301 is further configured to:

[0255] Send a third signal to the first communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first and second communication devices.

[0256] In receiving the first signal from the first communication device, the second transceiver unit 1301 is specifically used for:

[0257] The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

[0258] It should be noted that, Figure 13 The implementation of each unit described can also be referenced accordingly. Figures 3 to 10 The corresponding description of the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, Figure 13 The beneficial effects of the described communication device can be referred to Figures 3 to 10The corresponding descriptions of the embodiments shown will not be repeated here.

[0259] Based on the descriptions of the above method embodiments, system embodiments, and device embodiments, this application also provides a communication device. Please refer to... Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device includes at least one processor 1401. Optionally, the communication device may further include an interface circuit 1402 (shown as dashed lines in the figure), with the processor 1401 and the interface circuit 1402 coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1402 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device may further include at least one memory 1403 (shown as dashed lines in the figure), which is used to store instructions (such as one or more computer programs) executed by at least one processor 1401, or to store input data required for at least one processor 1401 to execute instructions, or to store data generated after at least one processor 1401 executes instructions. This communication device can be used in relevant steps of a communication method. The at least one processor 1401 in the communication device is used to read the computer program code stored in the at least one memory 1403 and execute it. Figures 3 to 10 The method of any of the embodiments shown.

[0260] At least one memory 1403 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).

[0261] At least one processor 1401 may be one or more CPUs. If the processor 1401 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0262] For example, when the communication device is used to implement the functions of the first communication device, at least one processor 1401 in the communication device can be used to read one or more programs stored in the at least one memory 1403 and perform the following operations:

[0263] Send first information to the second communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0264] Send the first signal to the second communication device.

[0265] For example, when the communication device is used to implement the functions of the second communication device, at least one processor 1401 in the communication device can be used to read one or more programs stored in the at least one memory 1403 and perform the following operations:

[0266] The system receives first information from a first communication device at a first frequency position; the first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to be transmitted; the first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, the first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold.

[0267] Receive the first signal from the first communication device.

[0268] It should be noted that the implementation of each operation can also be referenced accordingly. Figures 3 to 10 A corresponding description of the method of any of the embodiments shown.

[0269] It should be noted that, although Figure 14 The communication device shown only illustrates at least one processor 1401, interface circuit 1402, and at least one memory 1403. However, in specific implementations, those skilled in the art should understand that the communication device may also include other devices necessary for normal operation. Furthermore, depending on specific needs, those skilled in the art should understand that the communication device may also include hardware devices for implementing other additional functions. Moreover, those skilled in the art should understand that the communication device may only include the devices necessary for implementing the embodiments of this application, and may not necessarily include... Figure 14 All the devices shown.

[0270] This application also provides a chip, including: a processor, configured to retrieve and run a computer program from memory, causing a device with the chip installed to perform the above-described actions. Figures 3 to 10 The method described in any of the embodiments. The chip may be a chip in a communication device.

[0271] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium (memory) storing a computer program, which, when run, performs the functions described above. Figures 3 to 10The method described in any of the embodiments is described above. It is understood that the computer-readable storage medium herein may include both built-in storage media within the device and extended storage media supported by the device. The computer-readable storage medium provides storage space containing the operating system of the device. Furthermore, one or more computer programs suitable for loading and execution by the processor of the device are also stored in this storage space. It should be noted that the computer-readable storage medium herein may be high-speed RAM or non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device; optionally, it may also be at least one computer-readable storage medium located remotely from the aforementioned processor.

[0272] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when executed by a communication device... Figures 3 to 10 The method flow described in any one of the embodiments can be implemented.

[0273] Please see Figure 15 , Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a baseband hardware provided for an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 As shown, the baseband can be implemented using a processing system that includes one or more processors. Processors can include microprocessors, microcontrollers, CPUs, GPUs, as well as other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to various functions. In other words, the processors used in the baseband can be used to implement the processes described below and any one or more of those processes. It should be understood that... Figure 14 The communication device shown may be Figure 15 The Baseband shown.

[0274] Processing systems can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by a bus. A bus can include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus couples various circuits together, including one or more processors (typically represented by a processor), memory, and computer-readable media (typically represented by a computer-readable storage medium). The bus can also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well-known in the art and will not be described further here. The bus interface provides the interface between the bus and transceivers, as well as between the bus and the interface.

[0275] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0276] The processor is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including executing software stored on a computer-readable storage medium. When the processor executes the software, it causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. The functions that can be implemented by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium can include: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, RE mapping, channel equalization, deRE mapping, digital beamforming (BF), and so on.

[0277] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0278] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other PLDs, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0279] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), EPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), Synchlink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).

[0280] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0281] It should be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0282] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0283] 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 exemplary. 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.

[0284] 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.

[0285] Furthermore, 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. If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0286] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0287] The steps in the method of this application embodiment can be adjusted, combined, or deleted according to actual needs.

[0288] The modules in the device of this application embodiment can be merged, divided, and deleted according to actual needs.

[0289] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device; the method includes: Send first information to a second communication device at a first frequency position. The first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid. The first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold. The first signal is sent to the second communication device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second signal to the second communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device. Sending the first signal to the second communication device includes: The first signal is transmitted to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second information is received from the second communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third signal from the second communication device, the third signal being used for synchronization between the first communication device and the second communication device; Sending the first signal to the second communication device includes: The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device; the method includes: The system receives first information from a first communication device at a first frequency position. The first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to be transmitted. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, which includes multiple frequency positions. The frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold. Receive the first signal from the first communication device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second signal from the first communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device. Receiving the first signal from the first communication device includes: The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second information is sent to the first communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third signal to the first communication device, the third signal being used for synchronization between the first communication device and the second communication device; Receiving the first signal from the first communication device includes: The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8-13, characterized in that, The first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

15. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first communication device and a second communication device; wherein the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7; and the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8-14.

16. A first communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a first transceiver unit, the first transceiver unit being used for: Send first information to a second communication device at a first frequency position. The first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to send. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid. The first frequency grid includes multiple frequency positions, and the frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold. The first signal is sent to the second communication device.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first transceiver unit is also used for: Send a second signal to the second communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device. In transmitting the first signal to the second communication device, the first transceiver unit is specifically configured to: The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first transceiver unit is also used for: The second information is received from the second communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first transceiver unit is also used for: Receive a third signal from the second communication device; the third signal is used for synchronization between the first communication device and the second communication device. In transmitting the first signal to the second communication device, the first transceiver unit is further configured to: The first signal is sent to the second communication device at the second frequency position.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16-21, characterized in that, The first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

23. A second communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a second transceiver unit, the second transceiver unit being used for: The system receives first information from a first communication device at a first frequency position. The first information is used to indicate that the first communication device has a first signal to be transmitted. The first frequency position is determined based on a first frequency grid, which includes multiple frequency positions. The frequency interval between two adjacent frequency positions is greater than a first threshold. Receive the first signal from the first communication device.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the time-domain window for transmitting the first signal.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that, The second transceiver unit is also used for: Receive a second signal from the first communication device; the second signal is used for synchronization between the second communication device and the first communication device. In receiving the first signal from the first communication device, the second transceiver unit is specifically configured to: The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The second transceiver unit is also used for: The second information is sent to the first communication device at the first frequency position; the second information is used to indicate the second frequency position for transmitting the first signal.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that, The second transceiver unit is also used for: Send a third signal to the first communication device, the third signal being used for synchronization between the first communication device and the second communication device; In receiving the first signal from the first communication device, the second transceiver unit is specifically configured to: The first signal is received from the first communication device at the second frequency position.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-28, characterized in that, The first information is sent when the first communication device and the second communication device are in an asynchronous state.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes at least one processor coupled to at least one memory for storing one or more computer programs; the at least one processor is configured such that when the communication device executes the one or more computer programs, it implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 or 8-14.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for execution by the device, which, when executed, implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 or 8-14.

32. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run by the device, the device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 or 8-14.

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